Columbus City Council May Cancel Sutphen Fire Truck Deal Amid Ongoing Union Strike
The Columbus City Council is reconsidering a contract with Sutphen Corporation, a Dublin-based fire truck manufacturer, due to a strike by unionized workers. The contract, originally approved in May, was for the purchase of a new ladder truck. However, council members are expected to vote on rescinding the agreement during their July 21 meeting, citing the company’s refusal to meet specific labor-related contract terms.
The city sought guarantees allowing termination of the deal if a labor strike caused delivery delays or if non-union workers—often called “scabs” were used. These conditions were not met.
In light of the unresolved labor dispute, the council is now considering a new $2.59 million contract with Atlantic Emergency Solutions for a Pierce Manufacturing ladder truck. This proposal is slightly higher than Sutphen’s $2.51 million offer, including a $33,000 delivery fee.
Tensions escalated after the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67 raised concerns about Columbus’s aging fire truck fleet and called for a comprehensive vehicle replacement plan. Union president Steven Stein criticized the city in April for underfunding emergency equipment for years.
Meanwhile, around 85 Sutphen employees represented by Teamsters Local 284 have been on strike since late May after working without a contract since October. Teamsters President Mark Vandak claims the company retaliated after the union spoke before the City Council, alleging Sutphen withdrew a previous proposal in response to the union’s public comments.
The Teamsters have since filed multiple unfair labor practice complaints, which are under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board. The strike, which started in Dublin, has now spread to Sutphen’s Hilliard and Urbana locations.
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