ACCORDING TO THE ALTOONA MIRROR, BOTH THE CITY AND FIREFIGHTERS UNION HAVE PUT THE MATTER INTO THE HANDS OF THE ARBITRATOR, AND HE WILL DECIDE THE ISSUE. BOTH SIDES PRESENTED THEIR CASES AT A HEARING EARLIER THIS MONTH, AND NOW WILL AWAIT THE DECISION WHICH COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS. THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO STRIKE, SO THEY HAVE TO RELY ON BINDING ARBITRATION TO HELP SETTLE ALL CONTRACT DISPUTES. THIS IS THE ONLY CONTRACT WITH THE CITY THAT IS NOT FINALIZED. POLICE AND NON UNIFORM CITY WORKERS BOTH HAVE NEW CONTRACTS. THE FIREFIGHTERS CONTRACT EXPIRED AT THE END OF 2021.
