The Union Township Board of Trustees accepted the recommendations of administrator Doug Walker and Union Township Fire Chief Stan Deimling March 11 and fired firefighter Jamie Osborne.

Osborne, who also serves as president of the local firefighters union (Local 3412), was fired after hours of sworn testimony and more than an hour of private deliberation among the trustees.

Union Township Law Director Larry Barbiere presented the case against Osborne in an open session, which was requested by Osborne. The room was packed with union members showing support for their president.

“This is a disciplinary hearing for Jamie Osborne,” said Barbiere. “The township administrator has recommended termination in this case. The township fire chief has recommended termination in this case. This case is not about freedom of speech, this case is not about politics and not about protected union activities. This case is about insubordination, and about lack of respect for the fire chief and the police department.”

According to testimony and evidence presented in the hearing, the case revolves around three main events, all relating to what the township called insubordination and a lack of respect for superiors. Last year, Osborne filed for and took 24 hours of union leave, paid time permitted to him by the township to participate in certain union activities.