Labor and Union Issues
New FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore says low EMS pay is hurting recruitment and retention as medical calls make up the majority of the department’s workload
A proposal to add civilian ambulance drivers to Lockport’s fire-based EMS system ignited a public dispute over overtime, staffing models and accountability
The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority fire chief says the agency’s board has not explained why he was placed on administrative leave
Eric Wisher, president of Troy Uniform Firefighters Association Local 86, suggests the city lower the requirement to an EMT certification
“His hair was up, and it was legal,” said District Fire Chief Terrance Jones, a spokesman for the Brotherhood of Firefighters
Wichita union president Ted Bush said the city’s salary offer was not comparable with other area large cities and blamed the department’s staffing level on the pay
Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 562, which allows a 48-hour leave following a critical incident
“We’ve had multiple situations because of how poorly maintained our fleet of vehicles is, where an ambulance will break down en route to critical calls,” the union president said
Of the 240 firefighters represented by Stamford Professional Fire Fighter Local 786, only 75 cast ballots
Firefighters with some cancers are promised treatment cost coverage, enhanced disability or death benefits and $25,000; Pasco County called the law vague
Former Cedar Falls firefighter Scott Dix alleges the city let him go after he criticized the switch
Local 64 members have raised concerns about retaliation, racial discrimination and harassment; KCKFD has expressed a commitment to employee safety
A measure would move oversight of a pension plan for newer firefighters to the panel that continues to run a separate system for veteran firefighters and retirees
“It’s shocking that the department doesn’t already have such a plan,” said Oren Barzilay, president of Local 2507, which represents EMTs, medics and inspectors
The Annapolis agreements also include two $3,000 COVID-19 bonuses — one in July and one in 2023
The Deferred Retirement Option Program applies to hires made after July 2007; newer union members agreed to pay more in retirement benefits
The Kansas City Fire Department members’ union seeks Chief Mike Callahan’s removal and issued a vote of no confidence for Deputy Chief Jack Andrade
The decision bars St. Paul from enforcing the rule until it is approved as part of a negotiated agreement
Mesa’s city manager and the firefighter’s union have competing ideas of the best way to improve service to slow spots
The sentence is half of what prosecutors sought for Verdine Day, who stole over $200,000 from members and took money that was to be given to the NAACP
The families of the victims have received death certificates, but they also need autopsy reports or toxicology tests to get benefits
Firefighter Kelly Gall said the city of Austin failed to act against now former Lt. James Baker after prior reports of inappropriate behavior
The measure contains a fire attack restriction, a limit on transit speeds and a thermal imaging camera requirement
“Now we’re going to be able to achieve a much more robust recruitment drive,” said Ralph Sicuro, president of Pittsburgh Firefighters Union Local #1
Firefighters fanned out across Baker City to talk with people after the city announced that it intends to stop ambulance service in September
Union representatives testified in March in favor of cities paying 26.5% of the salaries of officers and firefighters – up from 19.5% for police and 24% for fire
Morgantown providers point out a lack of prorating has caused issues with paychecks, causing some to resign from the department
The La Pine Professional Firefighters Association Local 3387 is taking issue with Pine Rural Fire Protection District Chief Michael Supkis
Dozens of firefighters gathered on the steps of the state capitol to show their support
An attorney for the union argued the study shows that the city’s public safety workers are “even more underpaid than we thought they were all along”
Thomas Aligo was accused of forging over $28,000 in union checks in 2020
After overpaying firefighters $236,288, Fort Worth and the union have been clashing over how to repay the funds, and the dispute will go to an arbitrator
Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Brady Hansen said that a county error would have put firefighter, EMT and paramedic salaries “very much on the low end”
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