Meetings between negotiators representing the City of Bartlesville and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 200 resumed last week, and City officials say they are hopeful an agreement will be reached before the matter reaches arbitration.
“Negotiators for the groups met on August 5 to resume negotiations that will hopefully result in a 2021-22 Fiscal Year contract between the City and the IAFF Local 200,” said City Manager Mike Bailey. “The meeting went well, with both groups moving a little closer toward an agreement. We’re still pretty far apart, but we are certainly closer than we were two weeks ago. We remain optimistic that this will be resolved and not require arbitration proceedings, and I believe I speak for both sides in saying that.”
The City is required to negotiate annual contracts with the IAFF Local 200, which represents firefighters, as well as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 117, which represents Bartlesville police officers. While an agreement has been reached with the FOP for a 2021-22 Fiscal Year contract, negotiations for a new contract with the IAFF had stalled.
Following several weeks with no response to the City’s last offer, City Attorney Jess Kane recently began steps to have the matter decided through arbitration. Arbitration is an adversarial procedure resembling a legal hearing in which both sides present their case to an arbitrator, who is appointed by both sides. If an agreement isn’t reached by the time of arbitration, the arbitrator will render a finding in favor of either the City’s or the union’s “last, best offer.” If the ruling is in favor of the union, the City has the option of asking Bartlesville voters to decide the final outcome.
Arbitration is set for Oct. 25-26. City and IAFF negotiators are set to meet again on Aug. 24.