Negotiations with the City’s fire fighter union for a 2025-26 Fiscal Year contract remain ongoing, though City officials say they remain open to continued discussions that could yet result in an agreement.
The City is required by law to negotiate annual contracts with both the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 200, which represents Bartlesville fire fighters, and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 117, which represents Bartlesville police officers.
The City reached an agreement with the FOP shortly after beginning talks with both groups in April. However, negotiations continue with the IAFF.
“The IAFF was recently provided the City’s current proposal, which we feel is advantageous for all BFD fire fighters – as well as the taxpayers who fund the City’s fire operations,” said City Attorney Jess Kane. “On Monday, we submitted a request that all unresolved issues be submitted for arbitration. We are hopeful the union leadership will seriously consider our offer and that talks can continue in a way that is productive and conducive to an agreement being signed. If not, we are prepared to proceed to arbitration.”
Arbitration is an adversarial procedure resembling a legal hearing in which both sides present their case to arbitrators appointed by both sides. If an agreement isn’t reached before 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 in an election.
Kane said that while some progress toward an agreement has been made, one issue that remains unresolved is overtime pay.
“Due to the overuse of sick leave — and because there are so many senior fire fighters who are among the highest-earning employees of the City — this agreement is quite costly for Bartlesville taxpayers,” Kane said.
Kane said part of the City’s current offer includes eliminating double-time pay for unscheduled overtime for fire fighters while keeping in place the mandatory overtime at a pay rate of time and a half.
Kane said the City will continue participating in negotiations until an agreement is made. If negotiations reach an impasse, the next step is arbitration.
“We are certainly hopeful that arbitration, let alone an election, will not be necessary and that we can reach an agreement soon,” Kane said. “It is always in the best interest of our city, our taxpayers and our organization to negotiate our differences in good faith and resolve our issues in a way that is fair and beneficial to everyone.”
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