Vandalia to vote tonight on fact-finder report on firefighters

Vandalia City Council members tonight will decide if they will accept or reject a fact-finder’s report regarding contract negotiations with the union representing the city’s firefighters.

Their three-year contract is expiring, and the two sides have not reached a new agreement.

Negotiators called for a professional fact-finder, who interviews both sides and then recommends a solution, according to Vandalia Communication Manager Rich Hopkins.

The sides have 10 days from the receipt of the report to accept or reject it.

The council will review the report during a special executive session at 6 p.m., followed by the regular council meeting today at 7 p.m., when members are expected to vote on the recommendation.

“At this point in the process, we do not comment on any specific issues regarding the negotiation, but both sides have entered this process with good faith, and we anticipate being able to work out a contract that works for both the city and the firefighters,” Hopkins said.

Only full-time firefighters are represented by the union. The department includes a majority of part-time workers.

The city has about 16,000 residents that the department serves.

Visit the city's website or contact Hopkins at 937-898-5891 for more information.

About the Author