Labor and Union Issues
Under a new agreement with IAFF Local 366, Grand Rapids union firefighters will receive phased pay increases, reduced weekly hours and enhanced retirement benefits
After nine people died in a fire at an assisted living facility, Fall River officials and IAFF agreed to hire up to 20 more firefighters over the next two years
Out of the 10 companies with the Fall River Fire Department, only two are staffed at the national standard of four firefighters, IAFF President Edward Kelly said
“For the third time, we told you we are out of service,” an EMT is heard saying on a recording of Baltimore City Fire Department radio traffic
The plaintiffs allege that changes to Morgantown policy will disproportionately affect members’ pay and benefits, as well as the departments’ ability to hire
West Chester Township leaders say the policy will save the city about $230,000 in overtime
The Seattle Firefighters Union said there have been about 40 alleged attacks on on-duty firefighters over four months
The agreement would require approval from union members and the legislature
The Honolulu Fire Department is leading the investigation with assistance from federal, state and local agencies
Lorain Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Homolya had been on leave since March
The Brainerd city council approved the agreement with Firefighters Union Local No. 4725 after an earlier ruling that the city violated state labor laws
Fire Union Vice President Mike Salsgiver also criticized Fire Chief Graham Archer but said bargaining sessions with Swampscott have been productive
Capt. Mike Smith, president of IAFF Local 21, left a golf course after attending a celebration of life and was pulled over on his way home
Tampa’s contracts with Firefighters Local 754, the Police Benevolent Association and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1464 include pay increases over three years
Lake Charles officials said that raises were approved recently; each firefighter also earns $6,000 in annual supplemental pay in addition to the $11.17 per hour rate
Approximately 22% of members requested exemptions, the highest proportion among the city’s largest departments; 4% currently on leave
According to Local 854, like the department’s alcohol policy, there will be testing for cause if a member is thought to be impaired on the job
“He has been the most pro-first responder governor that I have seen in my entire 37 years in Florida,” said Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters President Jon Shirey
Auburn Permanent Firefighters Local 4157 established a fund to support the family of Lt. Paul Wood
Recently completed toxicology tests showed that New Britain Firefighter Matthew Dizney had multiple drugs in his system when he died in January
Eric Wisher, president of Troy Uniform Firefighters Association Local 86, suggests the city lower the requirement to an EMT certification
“His hair was up, and it was legal,” said District Fire Chief Terrance Jones, a spokesman for the Brotherhood of Firefighters
Wichita union president Ted Bush said the city’s salary offer was not comparable with other area large cities and blamed the department’s staffing level on the pay
Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 562, which allows a 48-hour leave following a critical incident
“We’ve had multiple situations because of how poorly maintained our fleet of vehicles is, where an ambulance will break down en route to critical calls,” the union president said
Of the 240 firefighters represented by Stamford Professional Fire Fighter Local 786, only 75 cast ballots
Firefighters with some cancers are promised treatment cost coverage, enhanced disability or death benefits and $25,000; Pasco County called the law vague
Former Cedar Falls firefighter Scott Dix alleges the city let him go after he criticized the switch
Local 64 members have raised concerns about retaliation, racial discrimination and harassment; KCKFD has expressed a commitment to employee safety
A measure would move oversight of a pension plan for newer firefighters to the panel that continues to run a separate system for veteran firefighters and retirees
“It’s shocking that the department doesn’t already have such a plan,” said Oren Barzilay, president of Local 2507, which represents EMTs, medics and inspectors
The Annapolis agreements also include two $3,000 COVID-19 bonuses — one in July and one in 2023
The Deferred Retirement Option Program applies to hires made after July 2007; newer union members agreed to pay more in retirement benefits
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