Agreement may be reached between firefighter, union, city
By The DAILY CHRONICLE
SYCAMORE – A tentative agreement has been reached that could end a dispute between a firefighter, the firefighters union, and the city.
A press conference has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday to discuss details of an agreement between Sycamore Fire Lt. Kurt Mathey, the International Association of Firefighters Local 3046, the DeKalb County State's Attorney's Office and the City of Sycamore.
In May, Mathey was charged with eavesdropping after he recorded a portion of a May 1 meeting between department brass and union representatives, which had emerged from tense labor negotiations and were seeking ways to improve morale in the department. Mathey was among those representing the union in that meeting.
In addition to being charged criminally in the incident, Mathey was suspended for 30 days from his job; he has been contesting that suspension through arbitration under an agreement between the city and the union.
Under the tentative agreement, Mathey would accept a five-day suspension and would dismiss a grievance filed against the fire department. The city would not seek further discipline against Mathey. Also, the state's attorney's office would drop the eavesdropping charge, which has been set for a hearing in DeKalb County court Thursday afternoon.
"All parties wish to put this incident behind them and work together to continue to serve the citizens of Sycamore in a diligent and fair manner," the tentative statement said.
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