The Athens-Clarke County Commission is scheduled to vote today on the Firefighter’s Mediation Act, which would allow firefighters to bargain collectively for safe working conditions, wages, hours, and more.
Commissioners brought the matter up again this spring after the mayor’s veto last year, and were scheduled to vote on April 4. However, the body unanimously approved a motion to postpone the vote to June 6 and hold a work session to learn more about the firefighters’ needs.
At this meeting, union leaders spoke on the benefits of passing the mediation act, including improved recruitment and retention of employees, higher efficiency and better working conditions.
City Manager Blaine Williams explained his concerns about the potential unionization.
“Collective bargaining is a complicated and time-consuming process, and not without expense and obviously adversarial position. Number two, unions tend to present themselves in a political fashion,” Williams said.
The commission will also vote on rezoning about 66 acres on Olympic Drive to build town houses. The area is currently zoned for industrial use.
Attorney David Ellison, who represents the residential developer, expressed concerns at a May 2 public hearing that the site’s creek, flood plains, and uneven topography make the area unfit for an industrial warehouse.
“On the other hand, a residential user like our client can use these streams as an amenity and place residences throughout the property and use their topography to their advantage,” Ellison said.
The planning commission voted 6-1 to recommend denying approval as they found the area to be unsuitable for residential use.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. today.
