Labor Arbitration in the News

Arbitrator considers discipline in stun gun cases

Arbitrator Walt De Treux has upheld the termination of a West Reading, Pa. police officer who was accused of using a department issued stun gun on other officers, borough employees, and his father "at parties, borough hall and at home." Two other officers, also terminated for offenses involving the use of stun guns inappropriately,  had terminations converted to 120 day suspensions. Reading Eagle: 2 West Reading officers fired in stun gun scandal to get jobs back.

City to appeal award of back pay for time police officer was in jail

The City of Arlington , Texas is seeking to set aside an award of Arbitrator Frederick Ahrens reinstating with back pay a police officer who had been terminated after his arrest on domestic violence and sexual assault charges in January of 2011. He was released from jail in March of 2011. A Grand Jury declined to indict the officer and the Arbitrator, according to a report in the Star-Telegram, doubted the girlfriend's credibility. The Arbitrator did find the officer had erred in a different incident, but concluded that offense warranted a twenty day suspension. The City asserts that the Arbitrator exceeded his authority by considering evidence not available at the time of the termination, and in any case, does not want to pay for the three months the officer was in jail. Lawyer says Arlington 'broke own rules' by appealing arbitrator's decision on reinstated officer.

Termination of police officer upheld

The Austin American-Statesman reports that an arbitrator has upheld the termination of a police officer dismissed for alleged acts of dishonesty and insubordination. The officer was accused of failing to follow an order to arrest a man for drunken driving or public intoxication after the individual was involved in a traffic accident.Police officer's firing upheld.

City owes firefighters back pay for temporary promotions

Masslive.com reports on an arbitrator's decision requiring the City of Springfield, Mass. to pay firefighters appointed temporarily to a higher rank the base salary of the higher rank rather than the stipend called for for acting assignments. Arbitration rules in favor of Springfield firefighters union; fire department owes $76K in back pay.