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Calif. firefighters to try new shift scheduling proposal

The shift change would allow firefighters to work two days on, and four days off

By Mary Weston
The Oroville Mercury Register

OROVILLE, Calif. — City Council authorized firefighters to try out a proposal by the fire chief to change shifts at the fire department to work two days on and four days off.

Council approved a proposal by Fire Chief Charles Hurley and the Firefighters Association to try out a 48/96 work schedule for the fire department.

However, with Chan-Wilcox and Johansson absent, City Attorney Dwight Moore said he would have to research to find out if the change required a council majority.

Councilors Sue Corkin and David Pittman opposed making the decision at this time, while the city is still negotiating a salary and benefits contract with the firefighters.

The issues became a point of contention between the two councilors and Mayor Steve Jernigan.

Corkin said she didn’t think the city should give up any leverage for negotiations until a contract is reached.

“I would really like to wait at least until we have the rest of the council to vote on it,” Corkin said.

Jernigan said he didn’t think council should be using words like leverage when referring to negotiations with the firefighters.

Rather, council should show their appreciation for the firefighters and the fire chief by approving Fire Chief Charles Hurley’s request to change the shifts by June 28.

The shift change would allow firefighters to work two days on, and four days off.

Hurley said in other fire departments, the 48/96 shift has resulted in less sick leave and increased training for firefighters.

The shift change would allow the department to initiate several work projects including a company level training program, company level inspection program and company officer leadership development training, Hurley said.

The work schedule is also critical to several department programs such as apparatus maintenance, public safety education programs and communications programs, he said.

Mayor Steve Jernigan, and Councilors Art Hatley and Al Simpson voted yes.

Corkin and Pittman voted no, saying they weren’t against the work schedule, but against approving it before reaching an agreement with the firefighters for salary and benefits.

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