Long Island Labor Dispute One Step Closer To Resolution

Posted by: Curt Varone February 9, 2017 0

A contentious labor dispute in Long Beach, New York has taken a step toward resolution as local officials and the union representing career firefighters agreed to avoid a proposed layoff and maintain a minimum of four firefighters on engines.

The long simmering dispute between Long Beach and IAFF Local 287 took a turn for the worse in 2014 when the department laid off five firefighters, and escalated further in 2015 when consultants from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) recommended the department reduce the number of paid firefighters to 12 and hire 12 new civilian paramedics.

The settlement gives the 18 remaining Local 287 firefighters job security, avoids the threat of further layoffs, and allows Long Beach to utilize eight paramedics. According to newsday.com, it resolves two lawsuits between the parties, but leaves one open: whether Long Beach properly contracted with South Nassau Communities Hospital for extra EMS units.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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