Ruling goes against firefighters union

Ruling goes againstfirefighters union
GIRARD -- The city civil service commission has ruled against the International Association of Firefighters Local 1220, which challenged the procedure in which two firefighters were laid off Dec. 29.
The union argued that state law requires the city to first inform the commission of layoffs before those being furloughed receive their layoff notices.
Atty. Kurt Latell, commission chairman, said Friday that although Mayor James J. Melfi didn't notify the commission before the layoffs, the laid-off firefighters weren't harmed because the violation "wasn't substantial."
Melfi said he followed the union contract and notified the firefighters three days before the required 14 days before layoffs.