Union-city tension grows in firefighter dispute

The union representing Havre firefighters has begun the process of filing a grievance against the city claiming that management is paying no attention to the last grievance the union filed.

And, tensions between union and management grew more tense after the suspension of firefighter D.J. Olson, the subject of an earlier grievance.

Firefighter Cody McLean, chair of the Grievance Committee for Local 166, International Association of Fire Fighters, confirmed that Olson had been suspended with pay pending an investigation.

Details were not provided.

Last month, the association filed a grievance over a written reprimand given to Olson.

Fire Chief Tim Hedges said the reprimand was in response to direct insubordination, while the union said the whole incident was a misunderstanding.

The union went through the entire process required under the labor relations contract, hoping two City Council committees or Mayor Tim Solomon would overturn the reprimand. When that didn't happen, the firefighters asked state officials to supply a list of possible arbitrators.

Under the contract, the state provides a list of arbitrators. The union and management take turns eliminating one name at a time until only one name is left.

The union struck one name from the list, McLean said, and forwarded the list to the city.

But the city hasn’t responded.

Earlier, city officials said that the matter wasn’t subject to arbitration.

The city’s interpretation of the contract is that only disciplinary matters involving suspension or firing are subject to arbitration. Since the initial Olson case only involved a reprimand, it can not be arbitrated, Mayor Tim Solomon said.

The matter will be discussed at a meeting of City Council’s Fire and Police Committee after tonight’s council meeting.

At the same time, the two sides are awaiting a state arbitrator’s report on a contract dispute.

The firefighters want a bigger pay raise than the city says it can afford.

The arbitrator heard arguments from both sides and is now preparing his decision.

The committee meeting on the grievance will be held after what is expected to be a routine City Council meeting.

A report will be given on the progress of the new $10 million addition to the sewage treatment plant. `