CFD union not happy with proposed city cuts

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A recent article in the Sun-Times highlights a disagreement between the city administration and firefighters during contract negotiations. One of the proposals involves reorganizing engine companies that are currently stationed with trucks into 4-man units, which would affect 60 out of 95 engine companies—assuming Engines 91 and 116, which are only paired with squad companies, are excluded.
The proposal also suggests converting all 15 of the department’s BLS ambulances into ALS ambulances, which would require more highly trained personnel.
The full article can be read here.

Almost four months after losing their champion fire commissioner, Chicago firefighters now have clarity on what Mayor Rahm Emanuel is demanding in cost-cutting concessions as their current contract expires on June 30.

Emanuel’s plan has been criticized by the firefighters union as “insulting” and “ridiculous.” It targets several long-standing benefits, including holiday pay, duty availability pay, clothing allowances, premium pay, and the seven percent increase for cross-trained firefighter paramedics. A former union official estimated that these changes could cost an average firefighter around $7,000 annually.

Although the mayor’s proposal doesn’t involve closing fire stations, it does aim to reduce the minimum staffing levels at firehouses, a move that echoes the contentious 1980 strike over manning requirements.

Under the current contract, every fire apparatus must be staffed with at least five personnel. The proposed changes would reduce the number of firefighters in “double houses”—those that house both engines and trucks—from 10 to 9.

Thanks, Chris

The Chicago Tribune also covered the story here.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently stated that the new firefighters’ contract must include cost-saving measures, but the union is preparing to resist the administration’s demands. With the current contract set to expire on June 30, the firefighters’ union argues that the city’s offer would eliminate key pay increases and reduce staffing at some fire stations.

In a letter to members, Firefighters Union Local 2 President Thomas Ryan called the proposals “insulting” and “ridiculous.” He noted that the city wants to cut back on various additional payments, such as the clothing allowance, the 7% bump for cross-trained firefighters, and the “duty availability” pay that compensates firefighters for being available on their days off.

Ryan also pointed out that the city is proposing to reduce the number of firefighters in “double houses” from 10 to 9, though there is no mention of station closures.

“I have a responsibility to all the people of the city of Chicago,” Emanuel said during a press conference. “Not just a few, not one part of the city, but all the people. I need to make sure taxpayers and residents are represented. That’s my role.”

He added, “I respect what Tom (Ryan) has to do, and what the firefighters have to do. But I have to make sure we’re making the necessary changes for the future—not just doing things the way we used to because that’s how we’ve always done them.”

Last year, former Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff strongly opposed reducing staffing, saying it would put both firefighters and residents at risk. However, Hoff retired in February, and new Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago has taken a more flexible approach. “There are many studies about what is safe and what isn’t,” Santiago said during his first news conference.

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