Pocono News Section

Court Overturns Police & Fire Arbitration Awards

Court Overturns Police & Fire Arbitration Awards - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 5:10PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo
Monday, Oct 29, 2007 @05:10pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A Lackawanna County Court decision has overturned arbitration awards to both the Scranton City Police and Fire Departments.

The city appealed the arbitration awards as being in violation of a 2002 'Recovery Plan" which the voters supported to help the city shake its status as a "Financially Distressed City." The court agreed with the city's position.

Mayor Chris Doherty says the court decision could save Scranton 7 to 8 million dollars and give the city more management control as to staffing decisions in both the police and fire departments.

An officer with the city's firemen's union said the ruling is likely to be appealed to a higher court.