TRUMBULL COUNTY Firefighters, Girard administration settle grievances on scheduling

Three firefighters will be scheduled per shift, as the contract says.
GIRARD -- City firefighters and the administration have reached a settlement of seven grievances concerning manning levels.
"We made the offer to the city. We are acting and have been acting in good faith," Phil Cretella Jr., president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1220, said Monday.
Union members filed the grievances beginning a month ago after safety director Jerry Lamber sent a memorandum to all city departments warning them not to overspend overtime budgets.
The fire department couldn't pay anymore overtime because it had outspent its overtime allocation for the year.
As a result of not paying any more premium time, two firefighters worked seven shifts in the past month, a violation of the union contract, which requires at least three firefighters on duty per shift.
"We realize it was a violation of the contract," Mayor James J. Melfi admitted.
Cretella said that rather than receiving about $6,900 due to firefighters who didn't receive overtime pay when the two-men shifts were worked, they will receive compensatory time off.
In exchange, the union will show good faith in minimizing overtime because of paid time off.
"We're happy with that," Cretella said, noting that no less than three firefighters will be assigned to each shift.
"We believe that in working with the union that this issue will be resolved through scheduling, Melfi added.