Ex Fla. Firefighter Says Union Talk Got Him Fired

Oct. 06--FREEPORT -- A former city firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against Mayor Mickey Marse and Fire Chief Ben Greenslait, alleging wrongful termination.

John Carter alleges in his lawsuit that Greenslait directed a co-worker to file false sexual harassment charges against him in retaliation for his efforts to form an employee union at the Fire Department.

Carter worked for the department for almost two and a half years before he was fired in March in the wake of the sexual harassment complaint, according to the lawsuit filed Sept. 2 in U.S. District Court for North Florida.

Greenslait and Marse could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Documents from Carter's personnel file also were not immediately made available for review.

The complaint argues that Greenslait and Marse violated Carter's First Amendment rights to free speech by firing him as punishment for his conversations about unionizing.

It also claims that Carter was fired in retaliation for whistleblower activities in which he reported misconduct in the department. The lawsuit did not provide details.

Greenslait used hidden audio or video devices to record firefighters talking about their support for a union and their efforts to form one, according to the lawsuit.

He made Marse aware of the contents of the secret recordings, the lawsuit states.

"Greenslait was openly hostile toward employees forming a union," according to Carter's complaint.

Greenslait threatened to dismantle the Fire Department and return it to a volunteer operation if employees used the word "union," according to the lawsuit.

"This statement communicated that unionization, and union discussions that might lead to unionization, would result in the termination of all firefighters as employees of the city," the complaint states.

The lawsuit requests more than $75,000 on each of three claims filed against Greenslait and Marse plus punitive damages and attorney's fees.

Marse was first elected Freeport mayor 20 years ago. Greenslait has been fire chief for less than four years, since shortly after Walton County agreed to fund the position's salary in October 2007. Before that, the department was volunteer.

Tallahassee employment discrimination attorney Marie Mattox is representing Carter.

No court date had been set as of Wednesday.