Judge Mark Fandrich said he will issue a decision Thursday afternoon in the dispute between the Auburn Fire Department union and the city over the use of department recruits to fill shifts when they're not in training.

The union took the city to court seeking an order preventing the city from scheduling two new recruits for regular shifts, saying they're not sufficiently trained at this point. But city officials dispute that argument, saying the recruits have had enough training to be able to do some work.

The city said being able to schedule the recruits would help them save thousands of dollars in overime costs.

Both sides presented arguments Wednesday afternoon in front of Fandrich.

For more on this story, read Thursday's edition.