Tuesday, March 09, 1999
Two firefighters face firing in Union Twp.
Complaint against captain at issue
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION TOWNSHIP — Two firefighters union officers in this Clermont County township are expected to face a dismissal hearing tonight for refusing to divulge their sources for an improper-conduct complaint against a fire captain.
Attorney Terrell Snyder, who is representing Fire Lt. Jim Watkins, president of Firefighters Local 3412, and Firefighter Spencer Thomas, the local's secretary, said township officials have demanded to know who provided them information.
“Disclosing those names, while acting in a union representative's capacity in a collective bargaining unit in Ohio, constitutes an unfair labor practice,” Ms. Snyder said. The union contract provides for meetings of labor and management to discuss items of concern, she said.
Township Fire Chief Stan Deimling referred calls for comment to Township Administrator Kenneth Geis, who could not be reached for comment. They had demanded to know the names of the members who reported the captain's behavior to the union, Ms. Snyder said.
While she declined to provide specifics, including the name of the captain, she said firefighters observed him and he was abusive toward an employee of a retail establishment.
Those firefighters reported the incident to union officials, who conducted an independent investigation, including an interview with the store employee. The union officials took the results to Chief Deimling and Mr. Geis and were ordered to name their sources, Ms. Snyder said.
The firefighters are being charged with disregarding a direct order as cause for the hearing but were acting as union officials, not performing fire department duties, Ms. Snyder said.
Catherine Wuerderman, the only township trustee who was available to comment, said a closed executive session is planned tonight. Votes by the board might follow in public session. She declined to comment on the hearing.
Ms. Snyder said she represents the local union and is supported by attorneys for the state firefighters union.
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