Sat, Jul 19 2008
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Published November 14, 2007 01:24 am - Firefighters: City has created hostile workplace By D. E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer
Local firefighters union leaders say they plan to file a complaint today with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming the existence of a hostile workplace. Bryan Fuller, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 57, vowed to file that complaint and others after an attempt to present a settlement offer to the City Council was rejected Tuesday night. Fuller told city officials the union preferred to present the union’s settlement offer personally because of concerns that its position has been inaccurately portrayed in the past. “We have a right to address the council in a public forum,” Fuller said, citing rulings from previous Public Employment Relations Board cases. “You have the right to receive this settlement offer.” Acting upon the recommendation of legal counsel, Mayor Wren Stratton said city councilors would accept a settlement offer only if it is submitted in writing through normal channels. Stratton said any such proposal would be considered by the City Council during an executive session, not during a public forum. After the union’s attempt to present its settlement offer failed, Fuller said the union plans to file a complaint with the federal arbitrator, alleging a conflict of interest. Fuller also said the union would file a grievance with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office regarding an alleged Open Meetings Act violation. Fuller told city councilors the union’s hostile workplace claim stems from allegations that Personnel Director Les Weston threatened to kill firefighters if he saw any of them around his home. According to Fuller, the comment was made by Weston in response to vandals that have targeted Weston and others in his neighborhood near Fort Gibson. Weston said his comments were taken out of context. He confirmed vandalism in his neighborhood has been on the rise recently. When asked if he had any enemies, Weston said he wasn’t popular with firefighters. “There was no threat made against any firefighters,” Weston said. “If somebody came through and shot at me or my house, I would protect myself and my family — that’s something that is allowed by law.” Weston said Fuller and union members are trying to dictate the terms of settlement negotiations. “It’s obvious they do not like me or the mayor,” Weston said. IAFF Local 57 and the city have been unable to reach a resolution in a labor dispute that has been ongoing for about two years. An arbitrator’s ruling in August was rejected by the City Council, which voted to send the matter to a vote of the people. The parties have been close to reaching an agreement since then, finding common ground on issues such as wages and benefits. But firefighters rejected the city’s settlement offer after failing to win concessions regarding the city’s grievance procedure. 
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