Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
Franklin Park firefighters are heading to arbitration to resolve a new contract with the village, over a year after their previous agreement expired. The union has been working for years to avoid such a step, but now feels it's the only option left.
Douglas Halverson, president of the International Association of Firefighters Franklin Park Local 1526, said during a public comment session at the Franklin Park Village Board meeting that the union has always tried to find common ground. “For the last 50 years, we've managed to avoid this last resort,†he explained. “But tens of thousands have already been spent on negotiations, and that number will double by the end of arbitration.â€
The arbitration process is set to begin on Wednesday, July 15. But this isn’t just about the contract — the union also plans to bring up several grievances in separate hearings. These include two years without raises, the closure of a fire station, the fact that union members are staffing an ambulance at a lower wage, and the lack of additional firefighters to reach full capacity.
Halverson questioned the board, asking if they had considered why so many grievances were filed recently or why an unfair labor practice was reported. “Have you asked how we can avoid arbitration?†he asked. “This union only put ink to paper after repeated failed attempts to resolve these issues.â€
According to documents obtained by the Franklin Park Herald-Journal, the most recent contract between the village and the firefighters’ union ran from May 1, 2012, to April 30, 2014. Negotiations started months before the contract ended and have continued into this year.
Halverson explained that the union agreed to certain concessions, like staffing ambulances at a lower rate, because the village claimed it was in a financial deficit five years ago. They believed that once the contract expired, the village would improve funding for the department.
“This is the first time in my career that we’ve staffed a ladder truck with just two firefighters. It’s unsafe,†Halverson added.
Franklin Park officials say they have offered a fair deal. In a statement emailed by the village attorney, they said, “The village has negotiated in good faith and has tried to accommodate many of the union’s concerns. We believe the compensation package offered is fair and equitable, and we remain committed to finding a reasonable resolution to the union’s salary and other financial demands.â€
Arbitration differs from litigation in that it takes place outside of court. Both sides select an impartial third party, known as an arbitrator, who oversees the hearing. Each side presents evidence and testimony, and the arbitrator makes a final decision within 30 days. The cost of the arbitrator is split between the union and the village, as outlined in the most recent contract.
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