Police officer reinstated
An arbitrator ordered the city of Uniontown to reinstate a police officer who was suspended without pay about 11 months ago, but did not require the city to compensate him for the time he was off the job. Andre Mason, a patrolman for nine and half years, won his job back through binding arbitration, but negotiations between the city and police union will determine whether he returns to work or leaves the job under terms of an agreement.
Mayor James Sileo said the arbitrator’s decision requires the city offer Mason his job back without loss of seniority and without back pay.
“The decision was, for the 11 months he was suspended the city doesn’t have to pay him back pay. On the other side of the coin, we have to reinstate him,” Sileo said.
Sileo, Councilman Bob Cerjanec and solicitor Daniel Webster met Friday with Vito Dragone Jr., secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 491, to settle the matter.
The union represents the city’s 17 police officers, except the police chief.
It was the first meeting between the sides since they received the arbitrator’s decision Monday.
“The city is in negotiations with Mr. Mason, the Teamsters and his private attorney to resolve the differences between the parties,” Webster said.
He said the city would reinstate Mason if the parties do not reach an agreement.
“The city and union are in discussions,” Dragone said.
Webster said Mason was suspended for alleged conduct unbecoming a police officer.
Mason does not have a listed phone number and could be reached for comment.