OGDENSBURG — After months of warning, Ogdensburg’s firefighters union is taking legal action to halt staff reductions made in the city budget that violate the labor contract.

The city cut seven positions at the department and anounced plans to have only four firefighters on at a time, both of which are violations of the contract. However, City Manager Stephen Jellie says the contract was irresponsible and allowed the previous council to bind the current council into an unsustainable financial situation.

The city has already set aside funds to hire a law firm with experience in labor issues.

“Ogdensburg’s Firefighters have asked a State Supreme Court to intercede to protect their well-being and the safety of the community-at-large due to an illegal action taken by City Council and being implemented by its City manager,” according a press release issued by Paul Larrabee of Corning Place Communications on behalf of the Ogdensburg firefighter’s union.

“Exactly 12 months ago today, a faithfully negotiated and reasonable contract was agreed to with City officials which included a reduction in the total minimum number of firefighters. However, in recent months, a chaotic series of events by the City Council and its City Manager have brought uncertainty to our community while every resident and business is seeking stability during a most challenging time,” the release says.

The release, which lists Union President Jason Bouchard as a point of contact says the city budget that fails to honor its obligations is illegal.

“We will be presenting the issues to the court to review a series of clear-cut facts that Mayor Skelly; Deputy Mayor Rishe; City Council members Fisher and Dillabough, and their City Manager simply are unwilling to accept as a fundamental obligation to its firefighters – and those who live and work in Ogdensburg,” the release says.

The union is working under six-year agreement that started on Jan. 1, 2020.

According to the release the contract calls for staffing levels of the department be maintained at 27.

“In the event of a retirement, or attrition the staffing level may not be less than 24; and each (24-hour) requires five firefighters on duty.”

National Fire Protection Association standards call for a minimum crew of five (two interior and three exterior) to enter a burning structure, according to the release.

Earlier this month, the City Council took action to reduce the Department’s staffing level to 20, which the release says is in violation of the terms and conditions of the agreement signed late last year.

On Friday, Dec. 18, the firefighters filed papers with the State Supreme Court in St. Lawrence County asking the court through its powers to halt any reduction in staff, and to maintain the staffing levels within the Department until the matter is resolved by a neutral arbitrator, the release says.

In September, Ogdensburg Firefighters, filed an improper practice charge alleging violations of the Public Employees Fair Employment Act ranging from unlawful discrimination and retaliation, interference with the internal operations and administration of a union, and failure to negotiate.

The firefighters are being represented in State Supreme Court by Syracuse-based attorney Nathaniel Lambright.