PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A fire union plans to fight the suspension of a fire captain who was suspended without pay after speaking to the media about staff shortages in his department.
Rusty Quillin, a 20-year fire service veteran and president of the Portmouth (Va.) Fire Union, is accused of violating an administrative policy that requires employees to send media inquiries to specific city staff members, WAVY.com reported.
“This is wrong. Basically they’re attempting to restrict his first amendment rights,” Nathan Clark, spokesman for the International Association of Fire Fighters 539, said.
Virginia Beach Attorney Mike Imprevento said cities can restrict some employee comment, but union speech is protected by law.
“There’s a man in civilian clothing who is a union president. The union has a right to speak out on matters of public concern,” Imprevento said.
Clark said the union is still working on its legal options.