City loses appeal over firefighter ruling

The City of Vernon has been denied a review of a ruling ordering the reinstatement of a fire captain who engaged in sexual activity while on duty at the firehall.

B.C.’s Labour Relations Board rejected the city’s arguments for the appeal, backing up an arbitration board’s earlier decision that terminating Captain Brent Bond was “excessive,” and instead ordered he be reinstated with a disciplinary suspension.

Bond is now back working for the fire department.

The captain and a female dispatcher were captured on a hidden camera having sexual relations in the fire chief’s office in March of 2018, but the firings that resulted were successfully challenged by the B.C. International Association of Firefighters.

“I find the majority (of arbitration board) sufficiently explained in the award (ruling) why it found termination was excessive in all the circumstances. The question under section 99 is not whether I agree or am persuaded by the reasons provided in the award. I am satisfied there is a reasoned basis provided… The majority considered both the misconduct and the subsequent dishonesty in reaching its conclusion. Accordingly, I dismiss the employer’s first ground for review,” Vice-Chair Karen Jewell said.

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Jewell also rejected the city’s second ground for review that it was denied a fair hearing.

You can read the full decision here.