Palm Coast firefighters have been trying to iron out their first contract for the last couple of years with the city.
Friday, members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4807 suffered a setback at the hands of the Palm Coast City Council.
The union had declared an impasse on several key issues regarding the grievance and disciplinary procedures.
So the city council heard arguments from an attorney representing the city's management team, and from a lawyer for the union about proposed solutions. The hearing was held in front of a standing-room-only crowds, which also filled up a nearby overflow room.
In the end, the council agreed with their manager's stand on the issues. City manager Jim Landon had argued changes supported by the union would take away his power over disciplinary actions and put them in the hands of binding arbitration.
Union Vice President Kyle Berryhill was not surprised by the ruling and said the city is losing a lot of experienced fire fighters and paramedics over simple issues.
“There's a lot of guys when the 2011 wildfires were raging that were standing by my side. They're not here today. They're somewhere else on their own volition because it almost feels a little bit hostile in some ... there's at least that in the air,” said Berryhill.
Berryhill said the city and union will work on final language before handing the contract to members for a vote.
This current contract expires September 30 of 2015.