Firefighters

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New Agreement In Broadview Fire

After an 17 month struggle a new collective bargaining agreement was reached for the Broadview Firefighters in July.

We were able to maintain longevity, the economic past practice clause, and the clause which prohibits both subcontracting or requests for proposals for bargaining unit work during the term. All of these provisions were under attack from the employer during these negotiations. The village also sought to freeze wages for the first two years of the new contract.

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Carpentersville Fire Reaches Agreement On New Contract

A new agreement has been reached with the Village of Carpentersville and our Carpentersville Firefighters. Special thanks to the union bargaining committee which consisted of Bob Beatie, Greg Daily, Bob Dunn, Frank Ricci, and Kieran Stout for their efforts.

The new agreement includes significant modifications to the previous wage schedule including a seven year step which is 2.5% above the previous top and an elimination of the first step for Lieutenants. The paramedic stipend was also rolled into base pay rather than as a stand alone issue where increases had a history of contention in previous negotiations.

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New Agreement in Calumet Park Fire

The Village of Calumet Park and it’s firefighters reached an agreement on a new deal after a contentious eleven month negotiation. In our last issue we described how the village gave notice that they were backing out of the “automatic aid” agreements with neighboring communities which lead to a leafleting campaign and our presence at Board meetings to voice our firm disagreement with the plan.

The village was none to pleased with the residents’ reactions and brought in legal council from Odelson and Sterk LTD to represent them. Bargaining resumed and the village stood on it’s proposal for a five year agreement with no consideration of expanding or adding to regular staffing of the department. They also were steadfast in their rejection of our proposal for just cause and progressive discipline.

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Argonne Firefighters Face Difficulties in their Negotiations

Representatives for Argonne National Laboratory have taken a “hard line stance” in negotiations with our Argonne National Laboratory Firefighters. The Lab is seeking to reduce or otherwise modify countless provisions which have been in place for several years in prior agreements.

Shortly after the election certifying our status as representative, the Lab gave notice that there would be no more ability to exchange duty shifts of regular shift personal. They also denied a member’s request to drop paramedic certification even though the Lab had set terms for doing so in both the previous agreement and “pre-employment agreements each person had to agree to in order to be hired.

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New Agreements In Brookfield and Maywood Firefighters’ Chapters

Our Firefighter Chapters in Brookfield and Maywood recently brought home new agreements for their membership. In Brookfield, we were at odds over insurance, wages, fitness policy and outside employment.

Insurance, as in most collective bargaining negotiations was at issue as the employer sought to increase the employee contribution and modify coverage. A compromise was reached which kept employee contribution at the previous rate but allowed the provider to increase employee co-pays towards prescription drugs in June 2008.

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