RESOLUTION NO. 250840
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Sponsor: Councilmember Kevin O'Neill
RESOLUTION - Affirming the City's position in City of Kansas City, Missouri v. International Association of Firefighters, Local No. 42, Case No. 2416-CV11242.
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WHEREAS, on December 15, 2021, a Kansas City Fire Department firefighter was operating a KCFD fire truck, entered the intersection of Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard and crashed into another vehicle, which became lodged on the bumper of the fire truck; and
WHEREAS, the fire truck then veered off to left, crushing a pedestrian, striking three vehicles, and crashing into a building which later collapsed; and
WHEREAS, both occupants of the vehicle and the pedestrian died in the crash; and
WHEREAS, the subsequent investigation by the Kansas City Police Department determined that the fire truck entered the intersection against a red light traveling 51 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone and found probable cause that the firefighter committed vehicular manslaughter; and
WHEREAS, on February 21, 2023, the firefighter was charged before the 16th Judicial Circuit, Jackson County, with three counts of Involuntary Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree; and
WHEREAS, consequently, on February 23, 2023, the firefighter was suspended without pay from his position pending the adjudication of his case by the 16th Circuit, pursuant to City Code of Ordinances Section 2-1112 ; and
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2023, Local 42 filed a grievance alleging the suspension violated provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and Local 42; and
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2024, the arbitrator issued an opinion and award for Local 42 against the City; and
WHEREAS, in spite of an agreement between the City and Local 42 to limit arbitration to whether the City had just cause and afforded the firefighter due process in suspending him pending the resolution of his case, the arbitrator exceeded his authority and issued discipline ...
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