City settles firing dispute with former arts center worker

July 29--WATERLOO -- The city has settled legal claims brought by a longtime arts center employee fired in April.

The City Council voted 6-0 Monday to approve an agreement with Mike Guild, who worked for 34 years as facilities manager at the Waterloo Center for the Arts before he was fired for reasons which have not been disclosed.

Guild will be paid $88,000 to settle potential overtime issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act. He'll also receive 90 days back pay and be allowed to resign effective July 20, making him eligible for severance benefits, including retiree health insurance.

In return, Guild will drop his current appeal to the Civil Service Commission and agree never to seek employment with the city again. He also will drop his request for unemployment benefits and agree not to sue the city or its employees for issues related to his work.

"This agreement resolves all issues relating to the employment relationship between Guild and the city," the agreement states.

Guild's firing April 21 prompted dozens of supporters and arts center patrons to rally behind him. They started a "We Support Mike Guild" Facebook page and frequently attended City Council meetings urging city officials to reconsider his termination.

Both sides agreed to mediation before the appeal went before the Civil Service Commission, which led to the settlement. The city specifically denies any wrongdoing.

The settlement agreement required the city to be a "neutral reference" if contacted by any of Guild's prospective employers and can only release information deemed public record under the Iowa Open Records Law.

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