Questions and Answers
Welcome to the Question and Answer page. Here you will find information from Public Question and Answer Sessions held by the Olean Common Council.
If you have any questions that you would like answered, please email them to info@iafflocal1796.com. Thank you!
Olean Firefighters saved our house and cat
You never truly appreciate the things in life you don’t use.
How many times do we complain about paying for services such as insurance and taxes that pay for the fire department and police officers? There is no way for us to say enough thanks to the Olean Fire Department for saving our house and cat.
These gentlemen did an amazing job and greatly helped to ease the pain our family has suffered. These wonderful men put their lives on the line to save our cat. They were there for us during the time of our tragedy, and I will be there for them from now on.
If you know an Olean firefighter, please take the time to thank our heroes.
Brian, Jen, Andy, and Josh Rodman
Monday, April 28, 2008
Mediation between city, firemen delayed
By JOHN T. EBERTH
Olean Times Herald
OLEAN - The state’s planned contract mediation between the city and Olean’s firefighters’ union is postponed indefinitely because the state mediator assigned to the case has died.
Both Mayor David Carucci and Capt. James Bennett, fire union president, said they’re unsure when a new mediator will be assigned.
"They’re looking at major, major delays in getting us another arbitrator," Mayor Carucci said.
In January Mayor Carucci declared an impasse, a legal decision formally breaking off two-party negotiations with the union. The city and union won’t meet again until the New York Public Employment Relations Board appoints a mediator to referee talks.
The last three-year contract between firefighters and the city expired May 31. Until a new contract is agreed to, the city and firefighters are required by law to operate under the old contract.
The city and union haven’t negotiated since September. The major stumbling block is a contract provision added in the 1970s that requires a minimum of eight firefighters per shift. The city would like to reduce the minimum staffing number to six, arguing the clause drives up overtime at the department. Firefighters say the staffing clause is a safety issue, ensuring a minimum number of firefighters are available to fight fires and man the city’s ambulances.
Capt. Bennett said he’s uncertain how long it will take for another arbitrator to be assigned.
"I’m in uncharted territory here. This has never happened before," he said. "We’re just waiting to be assigned an arbitrator."
Capt. Bennett said either side could choose to reopen talks before mediation begins, but said there is little desire to do so.
He said in September, the fire union offered a cost-saving plan to the city but it was rejected.
Capt. Bennett said the union offered to pay all firefighter health care premiums and would accept no pay increase the first two years of the contract and a 2 percent increase in its third year. The contracts typically include 3 to 3.5 percent yearly pay increases.
He said Mayor Carucci wouldn’t accept any offer unless it includes cuts to the minimum-manning at the fire department.
Mayor Carucci said he’d like to get the contract settled as soon as possible because of its financial impact on the city budget.
"Getting that settled is a huge issue. It’s an issue for 2009-10 and it could be an issue for 2008-09 depending on what happens," Mayor Carucci said. "We’re not sitting on our hands, we’ve been waiting on an arbitrator."
The department’s budget is $2.6 million in the 2008-09 budget, making it the single largest expenditure in the budget. The city police budget isn’t far behind at $2.4 million. Fire Chief Robert Bell said more than 90 percent of the fire budget is spent on salaries and contractual items.
Mayor Carucci said if the city is forced to spend more than $2.6 million on the fire budget this year, it will have to take the money from contingency or find another source. All of the city’s long-term financial plans hinge on accurate expense projections, including the salaries and benefits for firefighters.
Capt. Bennett told the Times Herald earlier that if mediation doesn’t work, the city and union may have to go to binding arbitration, also guided by a state arbitrator. In binding arbitration, both sides agree to accept the decision rendered by an independent Public Employment Relations Board arbitrator.
Capt. Bennett said he knows of arbitration hearings for other fire departments going on for four years or more.