Labor and Union Issues
Winston-Salem officials say cutting sick and vacation days could help fund more competitive salaries
Pawtucket officials are defending their decision to terminate four firefighters and accept the departures of four others after an internal investigation uncovered possible criminal conduct
The Keene Fire Department will have more firefighters to staff ambulances in response to increasing EMS calls
A total of 2,226 union members voted, with 1,444 voting to uphold the endorsement and 782 voting to rescind it; the city’s Black firefighters’ organization sued IAFF Local 22 over the endorsement last week
The Buffalo Professional Firefighters Association says Fire Commissioner William Renaldo voted in the Town of Tonawanda while saying he lived in Buffalo
The East Chicago union has also accused the chief of “retaliation” against firefighters who criticized his handling of the outbreak
East Chicago Fire Chief Anthony Serna said the beds were removed to reduce the spread of COVID-19; the union has previously criticized the department’s handling of a recent outbreak
The task force was developed after a third-party review found problems with staffing levels, training, morale, harassment and more at Tuscon’s Public Safety Communications Department
Tim McConnell was praised by officials for his efforts to restore fire stations after Hurricane Katrina, but endured scorn related to long-standing labor grievances
Middletown Professional Firefighters Local 1073 has received multiple offers from across the country to replace the flag after their post was shared 10,000 times
University Heights’ firefighters’ union agreed to not seek raises while the city deals with pandemic-related financial issues
Ogdensburg Firefighter-EMT Brian L. Kirby was issued a criminal summons in connection with the alleged incident during a union protest against City Manager and acting Fire Chief Stephen P. Jellie
East Chicago firefighters alleged that the first department member to test positive had been told to keep working despite being exposed through a household member
The firefighters’ lawsuit stemmed from a 2016 ruling that overtime calculations should factor in health coverage and other benefits
Peoria Firefighters Local 50 agreed to drop an unfair labor practice suit in order to stop the city from closing Station 20
Five EMS providers at the Astoria station have tested positive; union officials warned that the department may not be prepared for a second wave
Firefighters said three trucks were out of service on Sunday due to the city’s new rules requiring all firefighters to take at least six unpaid days off by the end of the year
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
MOST POPULAR
- Fire chief agrees to random drug testing after union’s request
- Fla. county rejects vaccine mandate for first responders, offers monetary incentives
- Fallen Fla. firefighter saves others in final act of service
- Fla. fire dept. rehires 6 firefighters with SAFER grant
- 6 Fla. firefighters take severance packages, find new jobs