The International Association of Firefighters Local 114, which represents 17 members of the Butler City Fire Department, censured Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson in a statement.

“It was basically a formal way to condemn his actions and criticism,” said Local 114 President Jim Kaufman.

The censure cites Donaldson’s demoting of former fire chief Nick Ban without prior consent of city council.

The censure also states that “Donaldson’s administration has attempted to implement civil service rules and regulations that conflict with provisions of Local 114’s collective bargaining agreement” and that “Local 114 and its members have spent thousands of dollars in legal fees defending members in grievance and arbitration proceedings.”

Donaldson reacted to the censure.

“It’s worthless,” he said. “It means nothing. It means that all people want to do is argue with me over making change. I’m not the first mayor to address issues there (in the fire department) but I’m the first mayor not to back down.”

Kaufman said what he expected from the censure: “We know it’s not going to lead to anything other than maybe letting the public know how we feel about his actions and reference to this department in the past.”