Negotiations between the borough and its largest public employee union continued on and off Tuesday with the focus on wages, leave time and health care benefits. This is the seventh month of haggling over a new three-year public employee contract. The next negotiating session is in early June. The current contract expires June 30. The union asked for a lump sum payment of $2,000 for each public employee in exchange for a requirement that workers maintain a minimum leave balance of 24 hours for emergencies. âThis is a chance to give something back to employees,â said Micheal Koskie, negotiator and lawyer for the Fairbanks North Star Borough Employees Association. âWeâre not in favor of the 24-hour leave bank with nothing in return.â