SERB: 'probable cause' that the City of Youngstown committed an unfair labor practice

The State Employment Relations Board has ruled there is probable cause that the City of Youngstown committed an unfair Labor Practice.

The board's decision is part of an investigation into whether the city attempted to intimidate firefighters during a meeting.

The Youngstown Fire Inion claims city officials attempted to intimidate the union, made false and derogatory statements towards members and refused to bargain during an EMS training bargaining meeting.

“An altercation kind of occurred with that, and between the fire chief along with the two union reps, and it kind of escalated and got out of hand. And the meeting never really happened.” Chris Weaver, President of IAFF Local 312.

The union took their concerns to the State Employment Relations Board after mayor Tito Brown said he would not take disciplinary action against Fire Chief Barry Finley back in December.

In February, the board decided mediation, meaning the Union and City would work through the problem.

“A mediation hearing occurred in April, and obviously nothing happened out of that, so then it goes back to the board, and they determine that probable cause was found in this case, and then it goes to a full blown hearing,” said Weaver.

After voting, the board voted there is "probable cause to believe an unfair labor practice has been committed." 

The City of Youngstown Administration released a statement  about the board’s decision:

 “We deny the allegations in the complaint and look forward to defending ourselves at the upcoming hearing. In the meantime we are focused on continuing to work with the current union leadership to build a constructive relationship and a unified vision for YFD.”

Weaver said the union has not discussed filing a lawsuit, but did not take further action off the table. The union is waiting for the process to play out before making any decisions.

Weaver said he hopes there will be more negotiations with the city, especially with EMS concerns.

“We're a proponent of EMS. We want to see it integrated with local 312 and the fire department, but the bottom line is the city's got to be willing to sit down and bargain with the union on it,” said Weaver.

A hearing is set for August 20.