By Austin Turner
Bay Area News Group
RICHMOND, Calif. — Members of the Richmond firefighters union have publicly called for the end of their chief’s tenure after a unanimous vote of no confidence, the union’s president said on Tuesday.
In a news release, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 188 President Mike Velazquez cited Fire Chief Angel Montoya’s “refusal to address pressing safety issues, unwillingness to meet and confer, and his excessive absence” in the decision to formally demand his firing or resignation.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this,” Velazquez said in the statement. “Union leadership made every effort to meet with Chief Montoya to voice our concerns. His refusal to meet with us while we have so many safety issues has left us no choice.”
Montoya could not immediately be reached for comment late Tuesday morning. Mayor Eduardo Martinez could also not be reached for comment.
In the news release, the union listed seven complaints against Montoya, calling them urgent safety issues requiring public attention. These complaints included understaffing, concerns over Montoya’s communication about worker issues and the union, and allegations that Montoya spends a significant amount of time outside the Bay Area and is absent from key local meetings.
The union added that its leaders had formally met with City Manager Shasa Curl twice, but they were unable to gather her support toward the no-confidence vote.
“It is in the best interest of the Richmond Fire Department employees, the City of Richmond, and the local community to end (Montoya’s) tenure as Fire Chief,” the news release said. “Local 188 believes that Chief Montoya’s lack of integrity, refusal to meet, and his absences make him unfit to serve as the Fire Chief.”
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