Labor and Union Issues
The IAFF says President Freddy Escobar failed to properly document over $212,000 in expenses, reaffirming audit findings despite new receipts
A 30-year veteran Riverside firefighter, nearing retirement, suffered multiple pelvic fractures after being struck by a car while fighting a brush fire
Former Flint Fire Chief Raymond Barton claims he was fired for refusing to alter findings after a house fire where firefighters allegedly failed to search a room where two children later died
The aerospace firms is reportedly considering outsourcing its fire protection duties to a private contractor
Fort Worth has opened or plans to open three fire stations since the findings were published, but the chief has found fault with this year’s response times
Polk County Fire Chief Robert Weech said the union’s claims of service downgrades are “untrue and misleading”
Ryan Takacs, vice president of Firefighters Local 362, said it’s hard not to call South Bend’s smaller increase for firefighters “a slap in the face”
Watertown must now give firefighters out-of-title captains’ pay when they perform captains’ duties while out on medical emergency calls
The announcement could pit the city’s two public safety departments against each other during the Nov. 2 election
A city fire engine and three specialty units were shut down due to an unusual staffing shortage caused by COVID-19 and wildfire response efforts
The Georgetown County firefighter union released a statement detailing all the issues they’ve been facing in hopes of drumming up community support
In a letter to Mayor Lauren Poe, Gainesville Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 2157, said the city is “in complete disarray” over vaccine mandate
The Myrtle Beach Professional Firefighters pushed back at a council meeting addressing the city’s move to stop paying for first responders’ healthcare
Chief Bashoor weighs in on a court ruling upholding the requirement for first responders to serve an additional five years before being eligible for retirement benefits
The union says the starting salary for an EMT will be $39,385, still far less than their firefighter counterparts
In the past year, Polk County first responders have been asked to pick up 4,495 mandatory OT shifts, totaling 89,434 hours
Norwich Fire Fighters Local 892 filed a grievance challenging the city’s requirement that firefighters use personal accrued time off if they are exposed to the COVID-19 virus on the job
Norwalk firefighters’ union says a new policy will cut responses to 12 of 16 general medical alarms, despite many firefighters also being medics
Unions representing first responders in Sacramento voice concerns over vaccine mandate
The Reedy Creek Firefighters Association president points to a lack of support for firefighters and paramedics who are exposed to or contract the virus
Newark Firefighters Union President Chuck West said employees should be given the option of being tested continuously for COVID-19 or getting the vaccine
Union attorney: Morgantown firefighters are owed more than the $1.7 million settlement offer proposed by the city
Dept. of Public Safety prepares to “hold people accountable” to meet COVID-19 vaccination deadline
Local 67, which represents Columbus firefighters, alleges that the city did not fairly negotiate the most-recent contract with the union
When asked about union pushback on the decision, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city has a right to require that its workforce gets vaccinated or tested
Van Buren union leaders said they oppose the policy and estimate 20% of the township’s police and fire officials might quit as a result
The city of Pharr has reached a collective bargaining agreement with fire unions, making way for incremental pay increases and organizational modifications
The terms include a 4% increase for firefighter/EMT classifications, a 2% increase for paramedics and a 1% increase for EMTs
The Uniformed Firefighters Association sent a message to members saying it’s too soon celebrate a crisis that has not yet passed
After an unsatisfactory meeting, the Toledo fire union put up a message to the public on a billboard: “Your fire dept. is dangerously understaffed today”
The Portsmouth Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedic Association said the area is at risk due to responder staffing levels
A Newark firehouse was dedicated to David Lee Bolden, William Thomas Jr., and Shelton Harris Jr.
Newark’s fire and police unions raised concerns about training, equipment and compensation related to the new response plan