After more than three years without a contract, the Orillia Professional Firefighters Association is set to head to arbitration with the city.
The association, which represents 47 members, hasn’t had a contract since December 2017, noted its president, Ian Nicholson.
“The union and the corporation have met several times over the last three years, but have been unsuccessful to agree to a new collective agreement,” he said. “Both parties will now have an arbitrator resolve their differences.”
Mediation took place a couple of weeks ago, but an agreement couldn’t be reached. An arbitration hearing has been scheduled for April 12.
Wages and benefits are the “sticking points” in the negotiation, Nicholson said.
He is “absolutely” confident the union will get what it is asking for, or at least most of it.
Arbitration costs both the union and the city, as do lawyer fees. Asked whether the city considered it an appropriate use of money, especially when firefighters associations tend to get the majority of what they ask for at arbitration, Jennifer Ruff, director of business development and communications, said, “Out of respect for the negotiating process, we are unable to provide any further information at this time.”
The same response was provided when asked why the matter wasn’t resolved at mediation and why the city is opposed to the union’s requests.
