Attorneys for the Buffalo firefighters union and the city continue trying to hammer out what was politely called a “global agreement” this week on possible reductions in firefighter pay.

As a result, State Supreme Court Justice John A. Michalek indefinitely postponed a hearing he had slated, giving both sides more time to try to reach an agreement before court-ordered arbitration resumes next month.

Last fall, the state’s high court in Albany nullified a 2005 arbitration award that led to a 5.5 percent raise. As a result, Michalek ordered the city to restore previous benefits, including health insurance options for firefighters rather than the city’s single-provider plan. He also barred the city from cutting firefighters’ salaries until those options are restored.

Michalek has indicated he is prepared to review the entire firefighters contract dispute in late August if a deal isn’t reached by then, court officials confirmed.