Arbitrator denies Town's grievance

A grievance by the Town of Orangeville against the local fire fighters association has been denied by arbitrator Kenneth Swan.  The decision was released this week, with Mr. Swan finding no breach of the collective agreement committed by the Orangeville Professional Fire Fighters Association or its executive members.

The grievance was filed by the Town, in response to action taken by union representatives with respect to "two-hatter" fire fighters. As a result of receiving letters from union representatives advising them they are violating the union's constitution by being employed full-time by a fire department and acting as a volunteer fire fighter in another jurisdiction, all seven of Orangeville's "two-hatter" fire fighters resigned in the fall of 2007, fearing they could lose their full-time employment.

The Town subsequently replaced those seven fire fighters. Another five volunteer fire fighters have subsequently left the department when they obtained full-time employment with other fire departments. Since 2007, when the seven "two-hatters" resigned, the Town of Orangeville has had no two-hatters.

In his 32-page ruling, Mr. Swan acknowledges the long-time dispute between the International Association of Fire Fighters, the parent organization of the present association, and various fire departments in the Province of Ontario over the use of two-hatters by some municipalities. In Orangeville's case, he finds that the local association was simply taking steps to notify the home associations of a potential breach of the international constitution. He determined there was no breach of the collective agreement, and as a result says he cannot deal with the claims that the conduct of the association was improperly motivated, or was dangerous to the safety of the community, or caused financial loss.

"We respect the arbitrator's decision," Fire Chief Andy Macintosh said. "This decision will in no way affect the current day-to-day operation of the Orangeville Fire Department."

The Town of Orangeville now has 32 volunteers, 10 full-time fire fighters, one chief, one deputy chief, two fire prevention personnel, and one training officer.

• Posted: Friday, March 5, 2010
• From: Fire Department