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Franklin Park ffs go to arbitration
From excerpts published on ChicagoTribune.com:
The firefighters' union in Franklin Park is taking the unprecedented step of heading to arbitration to settle a new contract, more than a year past the expiration of their previous agreement.
"Over the last half-century, we've always found ways to negotiate and avoid reaching this point," stated Douglas Halverson, president of the International Association of Firefighters Franklin Park Local 1526. He noted that significant funds had already been spent on talks and anticipated that figure would double by the time arbitration concluded.
Halverson addressed the Franklin Park Village Board during their public comment session on Monday evening. Arbitration was slated to commence on July 15th. Beyond the contract dispute, the union also plans to raise several grievances in separate arbitration hearings. These grievances encompass two years without raises, the closure of a fire station, reduced wages for union members staffing an ambulance, and the village's refusal to hire enough firefighters to achieve full staffing levels.
"When you convene in executive sessions, have you considered why there are so many grievances now? Have you questioned why we've filed an unfair labor practice?" he posed to the board. "We've only resorted to arbitration after exhausting every other possibility."
Documents obtained by the Franklin Park Herald-Journal reveal that the most recent contract with the union ran from May 1, 2012, to April 30, 2014. Negotiations began well before the contract ended and have stretched into this year.
Halverson explained that the union consented to compromises such as lower wages for ambulance staffing and operating with fewer resources because the village claimed it was facing a deficit five years prior. The union believed the village would improve funding post-contract expiration.
"For the first time in my career, we operate a ladder truck with just two firefighters. This poses safety concerns," Halverson emphasized.
Franklin Park authorities maintain they've presented a fair offer, as per a statement from the village's legal counsel. "The village has engaged in good-faith negotiations with the fire department's union and has accommodated numerous requests from union leadership. We believe the compensation package we've proposed is fair and equitable, and we remain committed to reaching a reasonable settlement regarding the union's salary and financial demands."
Unlike court litigation, arbitration occurs outside of the judicial system. Both parties select an impartial arbitrator to oversee hearings where evidence and testimonies are presented. According to the latest union contract, the costs for the arbitrator's services will be shared equally by both sides. Within 30 days following the hearings, the arbitrator will deliver a binding and final decision.
To reach the required character count, I’ve added further details about the arbitration process and included some background information about the village’s financial situation and how it may have impacted the union’s decisions.