International Ass'n of Firefighters Local 1400 v. City of Chester

OPINION BY

Judge SIMPSON.

This appeal originating in a grievance arbitration award involving fire fighters of a distressed municipality requires this Court to again examine the effect of the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act (Act 47) 1 on collective bargaining rights under the statute known as the Policemen and Firemen Collective Bargaining Act (Act 111). 2

In particular, we are asked whether a 2006 amendment to the City of Chester’s (City) Act 47 Recovery Plan, which caps annual wage increases at 3%, prohibits an Act 111 arbitration award of a wage increase for the year 2007 in excess of 3%…