Arbitrator Rules to Reinstate 16 Pennsylvania Fire Fighters

June 21, 2007 – Sixteen fire fighters may soon be called back to work in Erie, Pennsylvania, after an arbitrator handed down a decision in a grievance case between Erie Local 293 and the City of Erie.

In September 2005, then-Mayor Richard Fillippi ordered the now former fire chief, Russell Smith, to close one fire company, effectively eliminating 12 positions. Chief Smith eliminated engine 12, expecting fire fighters from one of the aerial trucks to respond with the engine or the aerial depending on the call.

The members of Erie Local 293 filed a grievance, saying that the City violated the local contract, which states that the City cannot make any decisions that could potentially affect the safety of Local 293 fire fighters without first bargaining over the issue.

The IAFF assisted in the case by giving testimony and providing supporting data.

The arbitrator ruled that “based upon the extensive evidence and testimony presented, it is my unequivocal conclusion that the deployment reductions are, in fact, related to fire fighter safety. Accordingly, since the City implemented its deployment reductions without bargaining with Local 293 about its safety implications, the City has violated the collective bargaining agreement.”

The arbitrator also directed the City to rescind the fire deployment reductions and bargain with the union.

“Justice was served with this ruling,” says David Chiaramonte, president of Erie Local 293. “However, the fight is not over. After we filed this grievance, the City dissolved a second engine company and eliminated another 12 positions.”

Local 293 will continue its fight until it is fully staffed.

The City of Erie has 30 days to appeal the decision.