Labor and Union Issues
Firefighting was crowned most-stressful job; understanding what makes it so is key to reducing that stress
State fire association official believes improvements are needed but proposed regulations are not achievable for small departments
Modesto officials increased the amount of annual raises and other financial benefits
The department’s 13 probationary firefighters, who graduate from the academy on June 26, were in full gear and helping out
The emergency action is a stop-gap as the town has no fire protection since a dispute led to firefighter firings and leaves of absence
The New Orleans firefighters’ union says using its firefighters to clean homeless encampments is a result of contract disputes
Concessions include reducing the number of firefighters on duty each shift, eliminating clothing allowance and increasing health-insurance contribution
The plan comes because of financial reasons, but also due to the growing need of emergency medical services in the area
He claims he was improperly suspended; prosecutors dropped the revenge-porn charges against him
A similar case is pending in Missouri involving a lesbian firefighter suing for spousal benefits for her wife
Scott Bullene, 46, was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery for assaulting a cab driver and stealing his phone
The union alleges Chief Brad Muller used inappropriate sexual terms to refer to women, used a racial slur and that equipment needs to be inspected
More than 20 firefighters are in limbo while the board decides whether it wants to go into mediation
Gov. Andrew Cuomo want firefighters and cops injured on the job to receive a benefit equal to 75 percent of their salaries
Union president Paul Doughty says the bill would prevent firefighters from being forced to work longer hours without full compensation
Members who are over the age of 65 may submit a written letter asking to continue working, but can’t work past the age of 70
Officials said the reason for the removals is because firefighters who live outside the district were driving at dangerous speeds to get to scenes
They voted “no confidence” in the chief last month and are willing to march city hall to have their voice heard
There is no law prohibiting convicted sex offender Brad Mercier from serving on the department; his father is the fire chief
The IAFF wants scheduling to be bargained where firefighters are represented by labor unions
Council members questioned whether firefighters should get a raise, because many of them work other jobs to supplement their pay
The city said it was no longer feasible to run the department in-house and contracted Denver Fire to take over
A commission’s failure to follow rules nullified his firing; the firefighter is appealing the attempted bribery verdict, claiming it was done in jest
Republicans call it a bail out; Democrats say it allows them to make pension payments without tax hikes
The volunteer fire departments will go from $20,000 each to $7,000; the county will spend $65,000 to hire an administrator
The fire department could reopen after the problems are fixed
Officials said the fire department has worked hard the past year reducing a deficit of more than $10,000
Firefighters will have to obtain at least two criminal background clearances starting July 1
Deputy chief: “We have been cut to the bare bone ... we don’t feel it’s safe, not only for the citizens, but for ourselves also.”
City officials hired two outside investigators to look into complaints from an anonymous letter about how the fire department is run
The Securities and Exchange Commission charges that the firms top executives steered fire, police and other municipal pension investments to their company
The department is suing the municipalities for breach of contract; the council cited a failure to report on training and physicals
Fire chief: “We’re doing business today in a way that we have never done business before because of the lack of dependable equipment.”
