Newark (OH) Firefighters Union Files Grievance on Staffing

CORRECTION, 6/24/2015: The union in question was initially identified as being from Newark, Delaware, however this is incorrect; it is Newark, Ohio.

The Newark (OH) firefighters union has filed a grievance with the city over the fire department’s staffing policy and timely notification of changes, reports the Newark Advocate.

The International Association of Firefighters Local 109 states in its June 2 grievance that the Newark Division of Fire operated with only 13 firefighters citywide on May 21, set a minimum of 14 and a matrix showing as few as nine on duty.

“This is not sufficient staffing, and does not provide an adequate number of personnel to effectively protect the citizens of Newark and firefighting personnel,” the Local 109 grievance states.

The grievance suggests the remedy is to provide adequate personnel, including following the nationally recognized standards for fire coverage.

Safety Director Bill Spurgeon said he will rule on the grievance Monday morning.

Fire Chief Pat Connor said Friday that the city does not have the money to call in additional firefighters and pay them overtime unless the staffing level would fall below 14.

“I’d love to be able to staff the city with more people, but the current funding model does not provide the funds,” Connor said. “I’m staffing 14 a day now because that’s the financial ability of the city to do that.”

The department has more than 14 on some days, depending on vacations, sick days and other days off.

The chief said a meeting with city leaders, including the auditor, determined a daily staffing of at least 14 was the number the city could afford.

“I can only staff with the funding we have,” Connor said.

The city and firefighters union have a long history of battling over daily staffing levels, but previous disputes were over the former minimum mandated daily staffing of 19 and then over the city’s policy of not dropping below 16.

The city spent $190,386 in overtime through May 29 but only appropriated $150,000 for the entire year.

Read more of the story here http://ohne.ws/1Lc5G2d

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