An arbitrator this week ruled that Pittsburgh firefighters can live outside city limits, delivering a victory for the union.
The decision follows a 2017 state Supreme Court ruling that said the city couldn’t require its police officers to live within city limits because state statutes superseded the city’s laws.
That ruling, which said the matter should be covered under the union’s collective bargaining agreement, opened a similar door for firefighters. Their union, IAFF Local 1, filed a grievance last year following Chief Darryl Jones’ remarks that firefighters had to live within Pittsburgh city limits, said Ralph Sicuro, the union president.
“I do not believe we are going to see a large amount of membership just simply moving out,” Mr. Sicuro said. “It’s just not feasible. But at the end of the day, we’re going to come [to the city] every day to do our jobs and protect the citizens and the structures within the city of Pittsburgh as we always have done.”
It was not immediately clear if the decision would be appealed by the city.
“As a matter of procedure, the City of Pittsburgh does not negotiate details of union contracts via public comment,” a spokesperson from the mayor’s office said. “The arbitration award speaks for itself and the Department of Law is currently reviewing the decision to determine best steps forward.”
Mick Stinelli: mstinelli@post-gazette.com; 412-263-1869; and on Twitter: @MickStinelli
First Published: February 8, 2022, 10:52 p.m.
