Firefighter union pulls grievance

The International Association of Fire Fighters Havre chapter has dropped its grievance against the city of Havre over a letter of reprimand put in the file of firefighter D.J. Olson.

Olson has returned to work after a suspension with pay.

Olson was given the reprimand over a disagreement with Deputy Fire Chief Norm Paulsen. Management contended Olson's actions were insubordination, while the union said the problem was caused by a misunderstanding and the retaliation came because Olson filed a human relations complaint against Paulson.

Cody McClain,the union’s grievance committee chair, issued a brief press release saying that the grievance had been withdrawn.

Mayor Tim Solomon tersely confirmed the grievance had been withdraw, but would say little more.

“We don’t argue these things in the newspaper like they do,” he said of the union.

Solomon said the city and the union are still awaiting an arbitrator’s report on the city’s contract with the union.

The union contends its members are paid lower than most other firefighters in Montana. The city says it is up against its taxing limit and can’t afford to pay firefighters higher wages.