ANAHEIM
The arbitrator in the contract dispute between the city and the Anaheim Firefighters Assn. has determined that he has the authority to rule on a multiyear agreement between the two parties, from the date the last contract ended in 1996 to July 1, 2001.
The firefighters have been working without a contract--or a raise--since their last contract expired in July 1996. In March of this year, the firefighters declared an impasse, using Measure A, a charter amendment passed by voters in November 1998 to request that an impartial arbitrator hear both sides and rule in the matter, which focuses on wage issues.
The city disputes the arbitrator’s authority to rule on a contract before Jan. 5, 1999, the date when Measure A went into effect. David Hill, Anaheim’s personnel director, said the city will consider challenging the arbitrator’s ruling in court.
Representatives of the Firefighters Assn. and the city will meet at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 12 in City Hall West to discuss the ruling and other issues.
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