The head of the union representing rank-and-file St. Paul firefighters has filed a workplace conduct complaint against Fire Chief Tim Butler, saying he used a derogatory term in an email to a firefighter last week.
Butler said on Monday that he used a term that was “unprofessional and uncalled for” when he was frustrated. “For that, I’m sorry,” he said. Mayor Chris Coleman’s spokesman, Ben Petok, said Monday that he couldn’t comment about any specific personnel matter, but he said the mayor “has a strong policy that city employees treat one another with dignity and respect. He will not tolerate a supervisor treating any city employee in a disrespectful manner.”