Labor and Union Issues
The blaze injured two Macomb Township firefighters and drew aid from five communities, highlighting Local 5023’s staffing concerns
Mayor Bibb unveils firefighter contract with 12% raise in 2025, plus 3% annual hikes to boost recruitment and retention
Under a new agreement with IAFF Local 366, Grand Rapids union firefighters will receive phased pay increases, reduced weekly hours and enhanced retirement benefits
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city has lost $7.4 billion during the pandemic and cuts including essential workers may be necessary
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said major cuts in both public safety and other departments will be necessary without federal aid
Atlanta Fire Capt. Danny Dwyer spoke publicly for the first time about his suspension, revealing that he has accepted a position with another department
Firefighters will be tested during shift changes at stations that have had several virus cases
About 1,000 members were tested for antibodies this week as part of a pilot program to determine how many first responders may have immunity
Union officials say the change withholds one week of pay until a firefighter retires or leaves the department
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
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