Judge Reverses Ohio Firefighter Layoffs

A judge has ordered the reinstatement of six Mansfield firefighters after ruling Thursday that the layoffs went against the union contract, according to The Mansfield News Journal.

Richland County Common Pleas Judge James DeWeese issued a preliminary injunction requiring the city to return to staff levels of 88 fire suppression positions with 21 firefighters on duty for each shift, which was set by the contract in 2009.

The ruling is only temporary and will remain in effect until an arbitrator decides if the city can eliminate the positions.

The six firefighters -- along with four police officers -- were laid off in February as part of budget cuts after the city was place under fiscal emergency last August.

Mansfield is the largest city in Ohio to be placed on fiscal emergency status.