Labor and Union Issues
Chronic understaffing left only one engine available when a massive fire destroyed two Amherst apartment buildings, causing heavy reliance on mutual aid
Orlando’s new contract includes 10% COLA this year and protects 48-hour schedules despite the city’s push for 42-hour cap
After Fort Worth Chief Jim Davis resigned, his lawyer argued the firefighters’ union impeded safety fixes by resisting a NIOSH review
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
New Bedford fire union officials say the engine set to be cut responds to the most densely populated area of the city
Union officials said the measure, which would set aside $40 million for inclusive economic development and youth, would put EMS and fire services at risk
The city of Watertown seeks to change the requirement that 15 firefighters must be on duty at all times
Somerville’s mayor said the flags were part of “an unauthorized action"; the removal comes after a similar controversy in Hingham, Mass.
The Strongsville Fire Fighters Association said the hiring of part-time firefighters would undermine professionalism at the department
Demonstrators in Newton delivered the petition to the mayor’s office, asking that the Firefighter Remembrance Flag be put back up
The move follows a weeklong conflict between the town of Hingham and the fire department over the display of the flags
A citizen complaint about the flags prompted Hingham’s police and fire chiefs to ask for the flags’ removal
Reedy Creek Fire Department employees are fighting the department’s policy forcing them to use their personal sick leave if they are infected
Two fire apparatus displaying the flag drove by the rally supporting police officers on Tuesday
The town’s chiefs said they appreciate the firefighters’ support of fellow first responders, but the flags now can be seen as offensive
Cambridge firefighters said in a letter that they will immediately call for a vote of no confidence once the new fire chief is instated
Unions argued that posting unproven or false complaints could sully first responders’ reputations and compromise their safety
St. Petersburg fire union officials voiced concerns about the safety of firefighters and paramedics responding to some calls without police protection
Union officials claimed Richard Forte was entitled to $30,000 for the time he was suspended before his conviction and firing for the act committed against another firefighter
The unions are seeking to block the release of disciplinary records they say contain unsubstantiated allegations
The lieutenant is accused of disclosing protected health information in the post on Facebook
The firefighters’ union negotiated the cuts down from 9.23% as the state seeks to fill a $54 billion budget deficit
Audio published by union officials reportedly reveals a shift commander telling firefighters they will be considered “AWOL” if they leave work to get tested
Oakland Firefighters Local 55 posted about the incident that occurred amidst hundreds of calls for service on July 4
Union members held a news conference in Augusta Tuesday, which was followed by a heated exchange between a retired battalion chief and a city commissioner
A new design was presented to Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in a request to reinstate the commemorative flag
Family members and colleagues of Kennewick Firefighter Shane Webb urged others to wear a mask to help slow the spread
Union officials say Harold Schaitberger improperly withdrew from pension coffers, failed to pay taxes and used union funds for personal expenses
Union officials held rallies with local leaders and community members at the two stations housing the units marked for disbandment
The Houston firefighters’ union said one firefighter is in ICU and two other firefighters from the same station have also tested positive
