A hearing for a Fargo landfill worker who was fired after he lost his commercial driver's license because of a DWI conviction has been postponed indefinitely as attorneys for both sides try to resolve the matter.
Darrel Rheault was scheduled to appear Thursday before Fargo's Civil Service Commission. The hearing was canceled, but his appeal of his firing is still pending, said his attorney, Robin Schmidt.
"We're working toward a resolution that's acceptable to both parties," she said.
The city fired Rheault from his position as an equipment operator II, which requires a CDL, on Nov. 8. In his appeal, Rheault contends that his job duties don't require a CDL and that the city actually fired him because his health problems required disability-related accommodations.
On Tuesday, the Fargo City Commission voted to re-establish the job of scale operator, a position Rheault held before it was eliminated in 1998. The position doesn't require a CDL.
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The change was contingent upon whether Rheault accepted the job offer, which would be a demotion.
City Attorney Erik Johnson said the job has been offered to Rheault and the city is confident it can resolve the matter without a hearing.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
