In the wake of a new collective bargain signed with Moncton Firefighters, City Council expressed dissatisfaction with the current system.
Mayor George LeBlanc was careful to point out the City has a great relationship with the Moncton Fire Department and they appreciated and respected the firefighters and the work they do.
He adds Council feels the process of arbitration does not work.
“That being an arbitration process that does not seem to arrive at the results that the party would normally arise at by agreement themselves,” says LeBlanc. “We are dealing with an arbitration process that has not worked and the provincial government has recognized that, I look forward to seeing what the province brings forward to address that process.
LeBlanc says the provincial government recognizes there is a problem with the arbitration system, and is looking forward to the changes the province will make to the process.
Meanwhile, the local Firefighters Union president disagrees with City Council.
Al Mitton says when reasonable offers are brought to the table, agreements can always be worked out.
He believes the process isn’t flawed at all.
“Ultimately binding arbitration in the end when the parties can’t sit down and see even ground, you’ve got a third party individual who has no vested interest in either side, I don’t think it can get any fairer than that.”
IAFF Local 99 representing firefighters just agreed to a new four year collective agreement including annual raises of 2.97% until December 31st 2019.
