Arbitrator backs union on minimum manning in Oak Lawn

An article published on Oaklawnleaf.com details a recent decision by an interest arbitrator regarding minimum manning requirements for firefighters in Oak Lawn. The ruling, issued on July 7, 2014, spans 113 pages and reaffirms the firefighters’ union’s stance on maintaining four firefighters per engine, rejecting the village administration’s attempt to reduce this number to three. According to the opinion, which was made public through the Oak Lawn Leaf, the firefighters sought to preserve the existing "minimum manning contract language," while the village supported a shift in daily staffing from 21 employees to a system that would allow them to staff only three firefighters on an engine if the total daily workforce dropped below 21, for any reason. This proposed change could have enabled the village to cut firefighter numbers and unilaterally reduce crew sizes on engines or in ALS/BLS ambulances. The union opposed this language, leading to an unfair labor practice filing. In 2011, the Illinois Labor Relations Board ruled against the village, and that decision was upheld by the Illinois Appellate Court. As a result, both parties were required to negotiate over the issue of minimum manning and submit it to binding interest arbitration if no agreement was reached. The July 7th decision is the outcome of this process. Village Manager Larry Deetjen, Mayor Sandra Bury, and her majority board have long advocated for reducing the number of firefighters on engines and paramedics in ambulances. In the arbitration decision, the arbitrator issued a “bench ruling” on the minimum manning issue, stating that the village's case did not meet the necessary standard to alter the current agreement. The arbitrator emphasized that the original contract between the parties acknowledged that minimum manning is essential for public and employee safety. However, the village now claims the real issue is cost, ignoring its previous acknowledgment of safety as a key factor. To change the status quo, the entity seeking the change must prove the system is broken. The village argued that the current system is too costly, but the arbitrator rejected this claim, noting that the village’s own expert witness confirmed that having four firefighters per engine does not hinder operations. The arbitrator also stated that any changes should be made through collective bargaining. Earlier this year, Trustee Robert Streit (District 3) criticized Mayor Bury’s attacks on the firefighters and the minimum manning provision. He pointed out that the village was informed in 2011 that its position was incorrect, yet it continued to challenge the issue, making negotiations with the union nearly impossible. Mayor Bury has claimed that the minimum manning requirement has been “devastating to our budget,” citing $2 million in fire department overtime costs. The Oak Lawn Firefighters Union argues that this overtime crisis stems from the village’s decision to cut the number of firefighters and paramedics from over 100 to 72. Bury recorded a video message urging the defeat of legislation during the Spring Session, claiming that minimum manning is forcing cuts in public works, telecommunications, police, and administrative staff. Trustee Streit criticized this move, saying it sends the wrong message to the public and the fire department. The General Assembly ultimately rejected Bury’s proposal. Bury referred to minimum manning as a “job killer,” arguing that other departments would lose jobs due to increased spending on the fire department. This same argument was presented to the arbitrator, who declined to remove the minimum manning requirement, emphasizing that the village must make its managerial decisions while still adhering to the existing standard. A review of the village’s budgets over the past decade shows that fire department spending has historically ranged between 20% and 26% of the total budget. This year’s estimate is 23%. In contrast, spending on legal services has tripled.

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