The City of Mattoon is suing the Mattoon Firefighters Local 691 over an award that gives them the option to remove the ambulances from the City of Mattoon and to impact bargain the result of the award. The city says the union is not complying with the arbitration, because an agreement has not been reached on the removal of the ambulances. The union has been negotiating with the City of the successor contract since January. The union thinks the best option is for the fire department to remain in the ambulance service and offered to reduce staff and cut department expenses to meet the city council's monetary goals. The City has said reducing man power is the only way to achieve their goals. The City and the union have met a dozen times trying to come up with the best solution.