The Sycamore City Council rejected the collective bargaining agreement with Local 3046 of the International Association of Firefighters Monday night.

The city of Sycamore has been negotiating with Local 3046 for over nine months trying to reach an agreement regarding wages.

The city rejected the contract that would give the firefighters a 3.75 percent raise, consequently delaying a possible layoff of two firefighters on May 1.

“What is very clear is that a consequence of the current award [agreement] is that two firefighters will be laid off on May 1,” said city manager Bill Nicklas.

Nicklas asked the council to reject the arbitration award because of the current economic situation.

“Since October, since both parties were getting ready for arbitration,” Nicklas said, “things [economically] changed.”

Fourth Ward Alderman Terry Kessler, also the wife of the assistant fire chief in Sycamore, made it clear that she would not let her relationship with the fire department stand in the way of her duty as an elected official.

Kessler made the motion to reject the arbitration award, and the city rejected the award with a 7-0 vote.

Now the city must provide a reason for their rejection within 20 days, and the parties will then go back to the arbitrator for supplemental hearings.

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