Labor and Union Issues
Three top officers of the Los Angeles firefighters union were suspended after an audit revealed $800,000 in improperly documented credit card charges
The closing of a Summit Township firehouse came during a time when township officials and the firefighters’ union were working on contract mediation
IAFF President Edward Kelly and U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced the nation’s first federally registered apprenticeship program, aimed at tackling recruitment challenges
The chief said his department follows safety training guidelines and that the number of injuries among firefighters is about the same as in prior years
The comments came after video surfaced of a firefighter being knocked out of a rescue basket that was attached to a fire department helicopter
Despite citywide budget buts, the department must have a minimum of 18 firefighters on staff
The complaint alleges Rick Fontana dispatched himself and responded to fire calls, put out fires and acted as and wore a similar uniform as fire command staff
The mayor and fire chief said they don’t want to give members a false sense of security
An investigation revealed that 27 articles of gear contained high levels of asbestos
Union officials criticized the department over the way it handled the promotion of 40 firefighters to the rank of captain
The chief would like the regulations to read that anyone looking to take the test required to be on the hiring list for the dept. already have paramedic training
Union officials disagree with the program because candidates would be handpicked; others say it will increase diversity
They don’t have the money to increase staffing and a proposed annexation fell apart because of pension liabilities
The union asserted that Houston firefighters have had to use duct tape and wooden beams to fix equipment
After speaking with female firefighters, the deputy chief reported a litany of offenses
The California Conservation Corps reopened a camp to train three crews of young civilians to do the same work as the inmates
The union president said the association is the latest target in a broad campaign against unions that have long had agreements with cities
The original proposal entails adding two paramedic vehicles and hiring 20 certified paramedics that would be added to fire stations
Charles Turner II argued the commission violated tiebreaker rules when he applied for the promotion in June
Fire chief seeks federal grants to pay for additional personnel
The federal grant will hire 14 new firefighters and increase the dept.'s staff level to 425
Department members will receive a three percent raise and paid time off for continuing education
The department only has between four and seven firefighters on duty during each shift
Following staffing shortages last year, the city racked up $300K in overtime pay
Town representative believes the new personnel will result in a “better community”
Chief: “It’s a very difficult decision to have to do this”
Lt. Danielle Masse is alleging a pattern and practice of deliberate discrimination and harassment against women and lesbians
A doctor hired by the city ruled that the firefighter’s quadruple bypass surgery was an “elective procedure”
A union official said Cal Fire employees work more hours than their municipal counterparts but still take home less cash
Union president: “There are going to be negative consequences to these cuts”
The city is considering replacing a fire apparatus with a paramedic unit at one of the stations
The St. Paul chief claimed the vote is a “tool” to pressure officers who disagree with the union
During a vote last month, 490 of 563 firefighters expressed their disapproval of the chief
