An independent arbitrator recently ruled against the Kokomo firefighters union in a grievance case filed by Local 396 that accused city officials of not staffing a tanker in an effort to avoid overtime costs.
The grievance, first filed in November 2016 and largely unrelated to the ongoing contract negotiation controversy, alleged that city officials violated a contractual agreement in its attempt to not pay overtime.
It was previously denied by the Kokomo Board of Public Works and Safety in December 2016 and by Fire Chief Nick Glover one month earlier.
The grievance was initially filed by the Professional Firefighters of Kokomo Local 396 on Nov. 14, 2016, following a house fire less than a month prior that required Kokomo firefighters to call for Harrison and Russiaville volunteer fire departments for water supply.