Firefighters Union President Reinstated

By

Henry A. Arnett

Livorno and Arnett Co., LPA

1335 Dublin Road, Suite 108-B

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: 614-224-7771

Local 3412 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the labor organization that represents the full-time firefighters employed by the Union Township Fire Department, has received a ruling by an arbitrator upholding the Local in connection with two grievances. The Local, represented by the law firm of Livorno and Arnett Co., LPA, filed two grievances. One grievance challenged the Township’s decision to fire Jamie Osborne, a firefighter/paramedic with the Union Township Fire Department and the President of Local 3412. The second grievance challenged the actions of the Township in requiring union officers to divulge information about their union activities.

The arbitrator’s ruling, which was mailed November 21, 2008, upheld the Local’s belief that the Township’s actions were invalid. The arbitrator reinstated Firefighter/Paramedic Osborne to his position with the Township. Regarding the second grievance, the arbitrator ruled that the Township could not require Local officers to divulge union business when they were on approved union time. This ruling vindicates the Local and protects Local officers when they are performing their duties as officers.