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Mahoning County JFS employee granted job back - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio
 Mahoning County JFS employee granted job back
 An arbitrator has ruled that the Mahoning County Commissioners were wrong to fire a long-time employee from the county's Department of Job and Family Services last November.

Helen Youngblood, who was an employee at JFS for 34 years, and president of the Ohio Council 8 AFSCME Local 2001 for 32 years was first placed on paid administrative leave on September 26, 2013, and then fired for behavior during a grievance meeting and a racist email sent to a supervisor.

Youngblood appealed her termination, saying the email fell under the umbrella of protected union activity.

The arbitrator did not find the email as a protected activity, but did rule that firing Youngblood over the incident was too harsh of a penalty.

The recommendation for discipline was a six month unpaid suspension.

Youngblood has been off work since November, so her suspension would have been finished in April. The arbitrator said that she should be compensated back pay, along with her former position.

It is unknown when Youngblood could return to work.