Tag Archives: grievance

YCMTSU Kansas City Fatal Accident Case Takes New Turn

An additional lawsuit has been filed over the Kansas City fatal apparatus accident, this time by the apparatus driver, IAFF Local 42, and the plaintiffs in the three prior lawsuits, claiming the city is responsible for the $32 million judgment that was awarded against the apparatus driver. There is a lot to unpack with this one as a high stakes strategic chess match is underway.

Court Upholds $1.6 Million Award Against East Cleveland For Staffing Violation

The Ohio Court of Appeals has upheld a $1,631,290.04 award against the City of East Cleveland for violating the minimum staffing requirement in the collective bargaining agreement with East Cleveland Firefighters, IAFF Local 500. The case dates back to 2016 when the city began refusing to honor the ten-person minimum on-duty requirement.

Ohio Firefighters Sue to Force Arbitration of COVID Sick Leave Grievance

Youngstown Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 312, has filed suit against the City of Youngstown seeking an order compelling the city to arbitrate implementation of a change to quarantine procedures for COVID 19 exposures. The suit follows three years of labor-management discord resulting in over 45 grievances, and three unfair labor practices charges against the city.

Fire Law Roundup – May 2, 2022

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, Brad and Curt discuss a ruling in Connecticut on the ability of firefighters to file suit on a grievance without union support; the suspension of a So. Dakota firefighter who when to Ukraine to assist in rescue efforts; a Memphis battalion chief who was ordered reinstated with backpay; an OIG report on HR issues in the Chicago Fire Department; and the settlement of a discrimination suit in New Jersey.

Judge Dismisses New Haven Grievance Lawsuit

A lawsuit filed by five members of the New Haven Fire Department claiming the city failed to comply with an MOU on promotions, has been dismissed. Harry Bosley, Ernest Jones, Josue Vega, Jr., Christian Cordero, and Ian Cordero claimed the city was not complying with promotional timelines specified in a 2017 memorandum of understanding between IAFF Local 825 and the city.

RI Town Reinstates Lieutenant Fired at Height of Labor Dispute

A Rhode Island fire lieutenant who was terminated last year during a contentious battle between town officials and firefighters, has been reinstated as part of the settlement of a number of outstanding legal issues. The Town of East Greenwich agreed to reinstate Lieutenant Robert Warner. Lt. Warner was terminated for insubordination and conduct unbecoming.

Zipper Clauses, Past Practices, and Discipline Prior to Exhaustion of Appeals

The Court of Appeals of Ohio, First Appellate District has upheld a grievance arbitration decision that found that a fire department breached a collective bargaining agreement when it imposed discipline before an employee’s administrative appeals have been exhausted. The case involved William Tillett, who was a lieutenant with the Anderson Township Fire Department.

Burning Question: Who Controls Grievances and Remedies

Today’s burning question: When proposing a remedy to a grievance in a collective bargaining workplace, does the grievant have full discretion to demand whatever he/she believes is an appropriate remedy? Answer: The grievance belongs to the union, not the individual member.

Illinois Firefighters Sue To Block Staffing Cuts

Elgin Association of Firefighters, IAFF Local 439, filed suit last week seeking an injunction to block the city’s plan to cut two positions from minimum shift staffing. The city council voted to eliminate the positions when the collective bargaining agreement ends on December 31, 2017.

Philadelphia Captain Loses Race Discrimination Suit Over BC Test

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Philadelphia captain who claims his test scores for promotion to battalion chief were tossed in retaliation for previous race discrimination claims he made. Captain James Williamson filed suit against the Philadelphia Fire Department last year claiming race discrimination and retaliation.

Edison IAFF Local 1197 Sued By Member for Race Discrimination

A black firefighter in Edison, New Jersey is suing his union for race discrimination over a grievance filed on behalf of two white firefighters that adversely affected him. Anthoney Robinson, claims that his hire date was changed without his knowledge as a result of a grievance filed by Edison Firefighters, IAFF Local 1197. The union claims the hire date was properly adjusted because Robinson was laid off soon after being hired in June, 2005.

Chambersburg Battle Ends in Settlement

The three year battle between the Greater Chambersburg Area Paid Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1813 and the Borough of Chambersburg has finally been resolved with word of an agreement that reinstates a wrongfully terminated firefighter/union vice-president and settles numerous pending civil actions, unfair labor practice charges, grievances and appeals.

Union Drops Grievance of Fired Lieutenant

An Ohio firefighter who was terminated in April for bringing an AR15 to work and in an unrelated matter threatening to cut the throat of a union official, has lost his bid to grieve his termination because the union decided not to pursue arbitration of his grievance.