GEORGIA, Vt. — A fire department in Vermont is now short seven firefighters over a confidentiality agreement dispute.
WCAX.com reported the issue began last October when members of the Georgia Fire Department were asked to sign the new agreement.
“We, in October, were told we had to sign a policy that we could only speak about certain things in the fire service that we find out about in the fire service if we have permission from our chief,” said Chris Gonyeau, one of the former firefighters.
Six firefighters were notified in January that they were in breach of discipline for not signing the agreement. Around the same time, some members of the department were discussing the possibility of unionizing.
“Technically we have signed the union cards and we have been practicing as such for many months in the process of filing paperwork with the labor board to form the union. We have notified the town and they are aware of it,” said Gonyeau.
Michael McCarthy, the town administrator, said the issue is ongoing and he was not at liberty to discuss the matter.
The six firefighters were ordered to turn in their gear by Friday. They have submitted appeals to the town select board.