Labor and Union Issues
Union officials said the toll could delay getting firefighters to firehouses and create an estimated $1.8M in overtime pay
Funding for the World Trade Center Health Program through 2040 was eliminated in the stopgap bill to fund the federal government
A consultant’s review of the fatal fire criticized Sedgwick County’s 911 operations and the Wichita Fire Department’s lack of “self-reflection and accountability”
The Pflugerville Professional Firefighters Association said the new district is necessary due to call volumes nearly doubling over the past year
Spokane County Fire District 8 IAFF Local 3711 President Jay Wilkins, who wrote the response, said it wasn’t meant to be political and that he was surprised by the public’s reaction
Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Union IAFF Local 22 members gathered outside union headquarters to voice their opposition at a meeting
Gary Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell accused firefighters of abusing sick time, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime to cover their missed shifts
The city of Mattoon plans to enter into an agreement with Mattoon Firefighters Local 691 to allow newly hired firefighters to EMTs instead of paramedics
A state Supreme Court justice ruled against the Buffalo fire and police unions, who argued that records involving unsubstantiated and pending allegations should not be released under new transparency laws
All 4,700 city employees will have their pay decreased by 10% and will be required to take one unpaid day off for every 14-day pay period
The firefighters’ organizations said they were not consulted before IAFF Local 22 announced the break with IAFF national leaders’ endorsement of Biden
Ogdensburg Professional Firefighters Local 1799 President Jason Bouchard said Mayor Jeffrey Skelly’s comments were an attempt to smear the fire department
The IAFF Local 22 president criticized national union heads for endorsing Biden last April “without ... the consideration of the rank and file IAFF membership”
The study of the Augusta Fire Department made multiple recommendations but stopped short of agreeing with calls for the fire chief to resign
Fairfax County Firefighter Andrew Cruikshank was charged and is on administrative leave after a police body-worn camera captured an altercation with the patient
Atlantic City FFs sue city, saying department’s COVID-19 policy shows ‘blatant disregard’ for health
The complaint alleges the policy of directing FFs to return to work after being exposed, but testing negative themselves, risks spreading the virus
The billing of fees issued to insurance companies for medical care rendered by Vallejo firefighters was suspended until further notice after patients mistook fee notices for bills
Bangor Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 772 officials say Chief Thomas Higgins refused to negotiate extending the agreement that allowed them to wear the shirts on some Fridays
A civil service commission determined the firefighter-EMT, who accused the department of race discrimination, violated sick leave policy but ordered he be reinstated, suspended and demoted
IAFF President Harold Schaitberger was accused of early withdrawal of more than $1 million in pension payments
Two jurisdictions that have already begun antibody testing have reported a positive rate of 1.9%
Ogdensburg Firefighters IAFF Local 1799 claimed the instruction was an attempt to prevent public statements that conflicted with the city manager’s viewpoints
First responders will be presumed to have contracted COVID-19 on-duty if there is an outbreak at their workplace
An internal auditor found that overtime expenses doubled over the last five years and in some cases doubled employees’ salaries
The borough of Larksville plans to transition to a department relying only on part-time, volunteer and subcontractor firefighters
Union officials said some firefighters saw nearly $2,000 deductions from their paychecks
The council voted 6-5 to make the cuts in order to fill the city’s COVID-19 budget hole, despite strong opposition from the city’s firefighters’ union
The former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee visited Pittsburgh Fire Fighters IAFF Local No. 1 during a campaign stop
The IAFF has organized a “Go-Team” to provide relief to members affected by the Category 4 hurricane
Houston’s firefighters’ union said in a statement that the incident is a sign of neglect by city officials
Sanford’s fire union president said a 72-hour wait for first responders’ test results is “unacceptable”
FDNY EMS Local 257 President Oren Barzilay said the city’s plan to eliminate hundreds of EMS positions will put lives at risk
In addition to stating that Hingham Fire Chief Steve Murphy mishandled the flag controversy, firefighters said he was “negligent in his duty to protect the health and welfare” of firefighters
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