A Cayuga County judge ruled in favor of a preliminary injunction against the city of Auburn this afternoon, preventing the city from using two new Auburn Fire Department recruits as fully-certified firefighters. Judge Mark Fandrich also mandated that the local firefighters union, which requested the court order, post bond of $10,000 by April 21. The bond money would cover the overtime costs resulting from the injunction pending arbitration.

Until they complete their training, the new firefighters will not be able to work toward the department's 15-person minimum manning requirement, which is mandated in the contract between the union and the city. The final decision on the issue will be made after an arbitration process, as the union filed a grievance March 20 over the city's scheduling.

But that process could take months, and the court order will stand until an arbitrator makes a ruling. If the ruling is in favor of the city, the bond money would be used to cover financial losses.