From Firehouse.com:
Louisville Firefighters Want More Than $17M
Posted: 12-11-2008
Updated: 12-15-2008 01:56:21 PM
STEVE BURGIN
Story by wlky.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --
It may cost Metro Government millions more than expected to settle a long-running overtime pay dispute with Louisville firefighters.
Attorneys for the firefighters told a Jefferson circuit court judge they also want what's called "liquidated damages."
Metro government figures it owes $17 million, but attorneys for the firefighters want twice that much.
It's an eight-year dispute over how the city of Louisville figured overtime pay for firefighters. The case already has been to the state's highest court.
Metro officials calculate the city owes nearly 800 of them $17.6 million.
"It will have to come out of the reserve fund," Abramson said Wednesday.
But, in court Thursday, firefighters' attorney Ann Oldfather argued that's not all the city owes.
"We believe we are entitled to the entry of an order that has liquidated damages," she said. "The city of Louisville owes each of these firefighters an additional amount equivalent to the back pay to which they are entitled"
"Seventeen million dollars in these economic times for the city is enormous," said attorney Larry Zielke. "Can you imagine now if the city has to double that for a penalty?"
Zielke said the city acted in good faith and at the time paid the firefighters according to labor department guidelines.
Posted: 12-11-2008
Updated: 12-15-2008 01:56:21 PM
STEVE BURGIN
Story by wlky.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --
It may cost Metro Government millions more than expected to settle a long-running overtime pay dispute with Louisville firefighters.
Attorneys for the firefighters told a Jefferson circuit court judge they also want what's called "liquidated damages."
Metro government figures it owes $17 million, but attorneys for the firefighters want twice that much.
It's an eight-year dispute over how the city of Louisville figured overtime pay for firefighters. The case already has been to the state's highest court.
Metro officials calculate the city owes nearly 800 of them $17.6 million.
"It will have to come out of the reserve fund," Abramson said Wednesday.
But, in court Thursday, firefighters' attorney Ann Oldfather argued that's not all the city owes.
"We believe we are entitled to the entry of an order that has liquidated damages," she said. "The city of Louisville owes each of these firefighters an additional amount equivalent to the back pay to which they are entitled"
"Seventeen million dollars in these economic times for the city is enormous," said attorney Larry Zielke. "Can you imagine now if the city has to double that for a penalty?"
Zielke said the city acted in good faith and at the time paid the firefighters according to labor department guidelines.
* * *
City leaders sure are good with words. They are very good at putting themselves on the good side. They have managed to drag this law suit out for over 8 years through appeals. So many appeals that it made it to the state supreme court. Now it seems they are the good guys and acting in good faith. Now, let's just pretend the city leaders admitted to their obvious mistake, and paid firefighters 8 years ago. How much would the city have saved in lawyer fees, court fees, and interest?
Posted by: Dan | Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 07:17 PM