Pittsburgh mayor: Fire city workers for domestic violence

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The mayor of Pittsburgh is proposing disciplinary measures for city workers arrested on domestic-violence charges and termination of those who are convicted.

Such rules have been in place for two years for police accused of domestic violence. New rules proposed Friday by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl also would apply to firefighters, public-works employees, paramedics and the rest of the city’s 3,300 workers.

The idea is getting praise from Judy Yupcavage, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She says it would send a “great message” to residents.

But firefighters union attorney Josh Bloom questions whether every domestic altercation should result in a worker’s being terminated. He also says a “guilty until proven innocent” policy is not the standard in labor relations or in society.