Mayor Anthony Copeland struck back Tuesday against the city council in their fight over who controls the city firefighters’ work schedule.
John Bushemi, the city council attorney, announced Tuesday night to the council’s public safety committee that the mayor is suing to keep in place a new swing shift he imposed this month on firefighters.
Bushemi said the mayor’s suit is aimed at blocking a city council ordinance that would return the firefighters to a schedule of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off.
City Councilman Robert Garcia said, despite the suit, the council is set to meet 6 p.m. Monday and vote on its ordinance on a second reading. The ordinance supports the firefighters, who oppose the mayor’s swing shift, saying it was an act of political retaliation for their union’s opposition to the mayor’s reelection earlier this year.