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Guelph fire fighters wage ruling upheld at appeal (corrected)

Pay dispute was regarding wages in 2015 to 2017
20160201 Guelph Fire Department Fire Truck Logo KA

(This is a corrected version of a story that previously ran)

The court has upheld an earlier arbitrator’s ruling that sided with the city;s firefighters in a dispute over wages.

The dispute was over wage increases from 2015 to 2017 that were determined by an arbitrator early last year.

The city felt that the wage ruling, which saw firefighters making $97,290 at the end of 2017, was "unreasonable" and appealed the ruling. The city also felt the process was unfair.

The city wanted to pay firefighters increases closer to those paid other fire departments in other municipalities and what other municipal employees make.

The fire fighters were seeking wages more in line with Guelph police.

The arbitrator initial ruled on a blending of the two, which was upheld at appeal.

“There is nothing novel about an arbitration award that falls within the range between the two points representing each party’s respective position,” the ruling said of the wage award, noting other municipalities have taken a similar approach.

The city must also pay the fire fighters association $6,000 in costs.


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