Labor and Union Issues
Firefighter Dominic S. Biscari was responding to a fire when he ran a red light, struck a car and sent it into a building killing 3 people
Tulsa firefighters’ union has been reviewing the use of marijuana for pain relief for several years
Union says the department only functions because personnel work additional 24-hour shifts each month
The policy could also dash the dreams of youngsters who barely knew their firefighter dads
Despite past endorsements, Gov. Walker is looking to curb fire and police unions’ collective bargaining powers
Union official says the verbal reprimand is nothing more than a slap on the wrist
If cuts are approved, then retirees would see smaller checks and workers would retire with lower benefits than expected
The city will also provide adequate access to female uniforms and turnout gear
Firefighters on idled vehicles will be redistributed to other stations in an effort to save money by avoiding overtime
Firefighters say their pension is 96 percent funded and does not need state management
Whether firefighters could be fired for first-time positive drug test is among the contested issues
The Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association is seeking a court order that would force the city to follow state law and drop the residency rule
The sheriff’s department’s legal team says firefighters shouldn’t be pulling cars over
His absence caused a fire station to close due to a shortage of personnel
The union continues its charge that the new 911 system doesn’t work; the administration says this is a union ploy for more money
Given the current budgetary pressures, it is as important now as ever for fire department labor and management to strive for compromise and civility
Firefighters are unhappy with the way the city is enforcing fire companies to shut down if five or more firefighters call in sick on a given day
The Dodgers have decided to look for a private ambulance company to provide EMS at home games after LAFD officials criticized the deal
The former chief claims that his family was intimidated; the union head says he doesn’t know what the chief is talking about
The Jacksonville mayor’s budget opts for deep service cuts rather than tax hike
The moves eliminate the chief who oversaw the volunteer firefighters
Wis. Supreme Court set precedent by ruling that a volunteer firefighter did not have government immunity when he went through a red light and was struck by another vehicle
The city is applying for a federal grant to help with the transition costs and plans to spend $46,000 on a consultant to help work through issues
The town agreed to pay two consultants at the same meeting it laid off its firefighters over budget woes
The blueprint calls for staffing changes that would save the department more than $1 million while increasing coverage throughout the county
The issue has been in arbitration as firefighters say the longer hours still amount to a pay cut and working such a long shift may be unsafe as fatigue sets in
The chief fire officer said the plans meant fire stations would not be closed
The union also agreed to move to a less expensive health insurance plan, which will offset the city’s cost somewhat
The city council may choose to ignore the governor’s order to eliminate residency requirements for emergency personnel
This powerful documentary can give non-firefighters a jarring look into the firefighting life
Company alleges the actions of the former fire chief and city cost it contracts
The department typically loses nearly 49 employees per year
Since 2012, 140 firefighters have retired and not been replaced; more retirements could further cripple an already struggling department