City, firefighters union resolve labor dispute

The city admits no wrongdoing but promises to follow the law.
SALEM -- The city and its firefighters union reached a settlement Monday in a labor dispute that arose from the bargaining table last summer.
Mike Burns, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 283, said the accord came after a mediation hearing in Columbus.
No one from the city could be reached to comment.
Burns said the union filed an unfair labor practice in June because it thought the city was not bargaining in good faith during contract talks. The sides were negotiating a contract to replace one that expired June 30.
A new contract has since been approved; it expires June 30, 2008, Burns said.
Probable cause
The State Employment Relations Board investigated the complaint and found there was probable cause the city had violated labor laws, Burns said. That's what led to Monday's hearing.
The settlement calls for the city to post a notice in city hall promising that, though it admits no wrongdoing in the matter, it will follow the law in contract talks. The notice must be posted for 60 days, Burns said.
"Both sides saw this as a reasonable way to end this dispute," Burns said. He noted that the conflict is not related to a long-standing dispute over the proposed creation of a joint fire district between Salem and Perry Township.