The Associated Press via The Pioneer Press
STURGEON BAY, Wis. — An arbitrator has thrown out a rule that strictly prohibited firefighters in one Wisconsin city from smoking on the job.
The Sturgeon Bay fire chief last year strengthened a no-smoking policy for on-duty firefighters to discourage an unhealthy habit and protect their image as role models for children.
A union representing firefighters challenged the policy after one of its members was warned and then suspended for lighting up while away from a fire station, where smoking already is banned.
Arbitrator Stanley Michelstetter concluded last month that the rule was overly broad because it might stop firefighters from lighting up during authorized breaks and while traveling in their personal vehicles. He found it would be a stretch for children to see firefighters smoking during those times.
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