OMAHA, Nebraska - The City of Omaha is now deciding what steps to take next after an arbitrator determined that Omaha Firefighter Union President Steve LeClair should be reinstated.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and Omaha Fire Chief Dan Olsen commented on that decision today.
Mayor Stothert said LeClair will not automatically walk back into his job. She said, "It could be to file a petition to vacate the arbitrator's decision. A petition to reverse the arbitrator's decision. There is a number of things that we have to discuss about what our next steps are." Mayor Stothert says they will be discussing those options with the city's legal team to decide what direction to go. That could take anywhere from 90 to 120 days.
LeClair was put on administrative leave following an incident at a bar last November. LeClair pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery and disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to six months’ probation.
The arbitration stated that LeClair was fired without just cause and should have been docked pay for five shifts. It goes on to direct the city to reinstate him to his former position with back pay except for those five shifts.
Fire Chief Dan Olson stands by his original decision to fire LeClair.
Photo courtesy of 6 News.