Labor and Union Issues
Utah passed a bill banning collective bargaining for public sector workers after scrapping a compromise
The Fight for Firefighters Act would make approximately 3,000 seasonal firefighters into 12-month employees, increasing the number ready to respond to wildfires
The Uniformed Firefighters Association stated that the two members had served at Ground Zero
Frederick County firefighters collaborated with a local farm to cheer up nursing home residents during the pandemic
Firefighters said they were given no notice in advance before the station was closed due to COVID-19-related budget issues
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged the federal government to implement hazard pay for first responders, hospital workers and others deemed essential
Fire department officials said the decision was made due to long-term retention issues in combination with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis
The city of Topeka announced 3% pay cuts for firefighters and police officers last week due to pandemic-related budget issues
The mayor of one city said he anticipated public safety cuts of up to 20% due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
City officials said they seek to protect employees’ privacy, but a union official said employees also want to know how many department members are affected
Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey President Dominick Marino, 61, died at his home Tuesday afternoon after serving as PFANJ president for 12 years
The legislation would make first responders who become disabled or die from COVID-19 eligible for compensation under the Public Safety Officer Benefit program
The bill guarantees that people in high-risk jobs who contract COVID-19 will be eligible for workers’ compensation without having to prove the infection was a direct result of their jobs
The new state rule creates the assumption that first responders diagnosed with or quarantined for the disease were exposed while on duty
The COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” would increase pay for first responders and other essential employees by $13 per hour
Several local governments have implemented hazard pay and stipends for first responders and other front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Jim Brinkley, assistant to the general president for technical assistance and information resources at IAFF, said the count is likely higher due to underreporting
The city received backlash after a fire engine was temporarily taken out of service and a 10% wage cut for all city employee was discussed
Officials are considering increasing pay for first responders and other front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
The mayor of Watertown, N.Y. disagreed with the union’s argument that 24-hour shifts would mean less firefighters being exposed to the virus
First responders in the state are urging lawmakers to pass the bill in order to ease the path to workers’ compensation
A bipartisan proposal would prevent affected first responders in the state from needing to using their sick, personal or vacation days while they are unable to work
A Change.org petition launched by a Kentucky EMT has received nearly 25,000 signatures over the last two weeks
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said a fourth stimulus package could include hazard pay for those on the front lines of the crisis
The order raised concerns that personnel who work part time at other public safety agencies would no longer be available to assist those communities
Union leaders said the COVID-19 crisis has driven 911 calls up by 40% while staff is decreasing as department members test positive
Union representatives say quarantined firefighters are being denied workers’ compensation because it’s too difficult to prove they were exposed through work
The city of Camden had decided earlier this year to eliminate 12 positions to make up for budget shortfalls
The union said parts of the plan, including the decision to “brown out” one of the city’s fire stations, are “unsafe”
The union said the elimination of one of the city’s apparatus will increase response times and should be postponed until after the crisis
The firefighters say they were wrongly demoted to captain when they should have been reassigned as battalion chiefs
Personnel will instead be asked to wear masks and monitor for symptoms in order to prevent staffing shortages
Santa Clara County has decided to expedite COVID-19 testing for emergency personnel in the hopes of avoiding staffing shortages
