Three unions representing Mason's police officers, firefighters, and Teamsters are accusing city leaders of creating a hostile and toxic labor environment after a Mason police officer was fired in a dispute that started over a department-issued ball cap. Union leaders say the termination, which grew out of that uniform spat, fits a broader pattern of retaliation, sidelining of collective bargaining and disregard for due process. They are urging Mason City Council to hold the city manager and other administrators to account, warning that the current approach is dragging down morale and weakening public services.
Unions Go Public With Joint Broadside at City Management
In a joint statement circulated by the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, the unions accuse the city manager, assistant city manager and multiple department heads of "conduct that undermines collective bargaining, chills union activity, and punishes employees for asserting their rights." The Mason Police Association, Mason Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4049 and Teamsters Local 100 say they will "defend our members" and are calling on City Council to take immediate notice and hold the administration responsible.
How a Department Hat Turned Into a Flashpoint
The flare-up dates to May, when Officer Brandon Saylor wore a department-issued ball cap while directing traffic and was later written up for violating the department's tattoo and uniform policies. According to WCPO, Saylor was fired on July 6 after a 29-page internal investigation that cited insubordination and dishonesty.
Saylor's attorneys argue the punishment does not fit the alleged misconduct and say he was denied contractual union representation during portions of the disciplinary process, which they contend violated the city's collective bargaining agreement. FOX19 NOW reports that Saylor's team plans to challenge the firing through arbitration and by filing a formal grievance.
City Response and Council's Tight-Lipped Stance
Mason's mayor publicly backed city management at a recent council meeting but said it would be "not appropriate" for council members to weigh in on the details of a personnel case, WLWT reported. The city has declined to discuss the firing in public and has said it must follow established administrative and legal procedures while news outlets continue to seek access to the investigation records.
Why Union Leaders Say the Stakes Go Beyond One Officer
Union officials argue that brushing aside contract protections and limiting representation does more than frustrate employees. They say it erodes morale, jeopardizes professional standards, and could ultimately cost taxpayers if grievances or lawsuits pile up. Reporting by WCPO quotes the unions saying residents deserve "stable, professional, and well-functioning public services" and warning that the current posture from City Hall is weakening trust with the workforce that provides those services.
What Comes Next in the Legal Fight
The unions and Saylor's attorneys say they will use the grievance and arbitration tools built into the labor contract to contest the firing, arguing that the city's handling of the case violated both the agreement and Ohio employment law, according to local reporting by FOX19 NOW. Those next moves, along with any oversight City Council chooses to pursue, will determine whether this remains a single contested termination or grows into a wider labor showdown that affects how Mason runs its core public safety operations.
