Vivian Sade, The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Following grievance filings by several dispatchers, the Consolidated Communication Partnership board, which oversees Allen County’s 9-1-1 call center, will meet today to discuss seniority policies.

The board has been trying for several months to consolidate and agree on seniority protocol for its staff of about 80 dispatchers.

The partnership was formed two years ago to oversee the emergency dispatch of the newly merged communication systems of Allen County and Fort Wayne.

The grievances were filed by employees who wanted their past employment with the city or county – several have worked for both – to be credited toward their seniority. Some felt they lost seniority with the merger.

Therese Brown, county commissioner and president of the CCP board, postponed the matter at a recent meeting after Allen County Chief Deputy Dave Gladieux said he would like Sheriff Ken Fries to weigh in on it. Fries, a member of the board, was not present.

The issue has some employees questioning whether they are private or public employees, since they are governed by a board with several elected officials.

Tim Lee, executive director of the 9-1-1 call center, said Wednesday that the employees fall under city policy but follow county rules for policy, procedures and operations.

“They are public employees since their stakeholders are still the public safety heads of Fort Wayne and Allen County, and they are governed by the CCP,” Lee said.

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