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Sarnia

Arbitration date set to settle contract dispute

An arbitration date has been set in a lengthy, ongoing contract dispute between the Sarnia Professional Firefighters Association and the City of Sarnia.

Association President Ken Dwinnell said the last deal expired on December 31, 2016, and talks broke off in June of 2017.

He said they met with a mediator in March but the two sides weren't able to reach an agreement.

"Predominately, on our view, it broke down over discussions over benefits," said Dwinnell. "The corporation was unwilling to discuss any agreement that didn't include concessions in our current benefits package, and the association was not going to agree to that."

An arbitrator will consider the matter on September 14 at the Holiday Inn.

Dwinnell said the association will accept the opinion of the arbitrator on what's fair for both the organization and city.

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