AUBURN - Former Corporation Counsel Thomas Leone gave both city and union officials a going-away present - a settlement in the latest lawsuits brought by the fire union because of the lack of promotions in the Auburn Fire Department.
The case, which was pulled from Tuesday's court docket, ended with an agreement that the city will pay for the union's legal fees to avoid court time.
Mayor Timothy Lattimore said the lawsuit, the second in the past six months, was a “finger in the city's eye.”
Auburn Firefighters Local Union 1446 president Stephen Parker said he hopes the city will heed this warning and offer promotions in a timely fashion, “instead of three or four months like they have been doing.”
“How many times do we have to file a lawsuit to get promotions,” Parker asked. “It's kind of crazy.”
The latest suit the union filed claimed firefighters were required to fill a supervisory position without the title - or extra pay.
In the second week in December, the city appointed James Lattimore as interim fire chief and promised to make three more promotions.
The union previously dropped a lawsuit after other promotions were made five months ago.
Interim City Manager Michael Long said he hasn't seen anything specific but understands that the union requested repayment of legal fees.
“Well, it's better than going through court,” Long said.
The lawsuit was related to the promotions the city has already taken care of, he said.
Leone negotiated the tentative agreement with the union's lawyer before Thursday's council meeting - Leone's last before becoming county judge.
Parker hasn't seen a copy of the settlement but the union's attorney told him the agreement includes language that means they have to make promotions within 30 days, he said.
He points to the importance of making officers to keep overtime costs low.
The fire union's contract details staffing requirements, including how many firefighters and officers work each shift.
“This was a good faith offer from us... we don't want to make overtime costs high... we pay taxes too, but on the other hand, that's the only way to make them make promotions,” Parker said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be contacted at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
Mayor Timothy Lattimore said the lawsuit, the second in the past six months, was a “finger in the city's eye.”
Auburn Firefighters Local Union 1446 president Stephen Parker said he hopes the city will heed this warning and offer promotions in a timely fashion, “instead of three or four months like they have been doing.”
“How many times do we have to file a lawsuit to get promotions,” Parker asked. “It's kind of crazy.”
The latest suit the union filed claimed firefighters were required to fill a supervisory position without the title - or extra pay.
In the second week in December, the city appointed James Lattimore as interim fire chief and promised to make three more promotions.
The union previously dropped a lawsuit after other promotions were made five months ago.
Interim City Manager Michael Long said he hasn't seen anything specific but understands that the union requested repayment of legal fees.
“Well, it's better than going through court,” Long said.
The lawsuit was related to the promotions the city has already taken care of, he said.
Leone negotiated the tentative agreement with the union's lawyer before Thursday's council meeting - Leone's last before becoming county judge.
Parker hasn't seen a copy of the settlement but the union's attorney told him the agreement includes language that means they have to make promotions within 30 days, he said.
He points to the importance of making officers to keep overtime costs low.
The fire union's contract details staffing requirements, including how many firefighters and officers work each shift.
“This was a good faith offer from us... we don't want to make overtime costs high... we pay taxes too, but on the other hand, that's the only way to make them make promotions,” Parker said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be contacted at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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Roger from Auburn wrote on Jan 4, 2007 12:40 PM:
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