Labor Law

KCMO Challenges Arbitration Award in Triple Fatal Crash

The City of Kansas City is appealing an arbitration decision that reduced the disciplinary penalty for the firefighter responsible for the 2021 triple-fatal apparatus crash to a three-day suspension without pay. Dominic Biscari was driving Kansas City’s Pumper 19, when it ran a red light, collided with an SUV, struck several parked cars, came to rest in a building, and in the process killed three people.

NJ Court Upholds Officers Being in Same Bargaining Unit as Firefighters

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has upheld a ruling of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission concluding that lieutenants can be included with firefighters in a collective bargaining unit. The case involved a challenge brought by the Borough of Carteret seeking to separate lieutenants from the rank-and-file firefighters.

Non-Renewal of Fire Chief’s Contract Prompts ULP Complaint

The decision not to renew a fire chief’s contract has prompted a Massachusetts firefighter local to file an unfair labor practice complaint against the town. For those who are not familiar with labor relations, this is not a very common occurrence.

Mayor Appoints Herself Fire Chief of Massachusetts City

The mayor of a Massachusetts city has appointed herself fire chief amidst growing strife within the department. Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn appointed herself fire chief today.

LA City Asks Court to Vacate Arbitrator’s Ruling on Removal of Unvaccinated Firefighters

The City of Los Angeles has filed suit against IAFF Local 112 and arbitrator Kenneth Perea seeking to vacate an arbitration ruling Perea handed down decision late last year. Local 112’s grievance claimed with city failed to follow proper notice requirements before removing unvaccinated members from the payroll, and that doing so violated past practice.

Philly BC Alleges Discrimination Over Denial of Gender Affirming Coverage

A Philadelphia battalion chief has filed suit against the city, IAFF Local 22, Local 22’s Health Plan, and Independent Blue Cross alleging gender discrimination by denying her “gender-affirming care and treatment.” The chief, identified in the complaint as Jane Doe, filed suit in US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Firefighter Prevails in FD Suit to Recoup Cost of Medic Training

A court appointed arbitrator has ruled that a Washington state fire department cannot recoup the costs of paramedic training from a firefighter who took a position with a new fire department beyond withholding his final paycheck. The suit was brought by San Juan Fire Protection District No. 2, dba Orcas Island Fire Rescue against Alex Conrad.

New Houston Mayor Raises Firefighters’ Optimism

After years of labor management strife, Houston Firefighters are expressing optimism that the seeming endless legal battles they have endured can be finally be resolved with the inauguration of Mayor John Whitmire. Fox26 interviewed IAFF Local 341 President Patrick "Marty" Lancton who called Whitmore’s election a “win” for firefighters.

Missouri Court of Appeals Overrules Labor Board

The Missouri Court of Appeals has ruled that the state’s Board of Mediation erred when it refused to consider a petition by IAFF Local 2665 to establish a bargaining unit for captains in the City of Richmond Heights. The board and a lower court concluded that the “Contract Bar Rule” prohibited Local 2665 from seeking to organize the captains.

Two Philly Firefighters Sue Local For Breach of Duty of Fair Representation

Two Philadelphia firefighters have filed a class action lawsuit claiming their union breached its duty of fair representation by misleading the membership about certain pension benefits. Joseph Farrell and Patrick Viola filed suit in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas naming IAFF Local 22 and the City of Philadelphia as defendants.

Former Chief Grieves Refusal to Reinstate to Prior Rank

A former fire chief in Florida is seeking to be reinstated to the department as a battalion chief. Scott Bullard was the fire chief for St. Johns County. He claims when he decided to resign as fire chief earlier this month, he was told by Interim County Administrator Joy Andrews that he would be allowed to return to his previous position as a battalion chief.

RI Firefighters Seek To Enjoin Enforcement of Social Media Policy

The initiation of a disciplinary investigation into social media posts by IAFF union officials in Tiverton, Rhode Island, has prompted a federal lawsuit accusing the town of wrongfully chilling the exercise of the firefighters’ First Amendment free speech rights.

Washington Union Seeks Injunction to Block Contracting Out

An IAFF local in Washington state has filed suit seeking an injunction to block a fire district from contracting out fire protection services to a neighboring city. Local 2878 has filed suit against King County Fire District #45 dba Duvall Fire alleging violations of the Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act and the Open Public Meetings Act.

Colorado Union President Challenges Termination

The union president of IAFF Local 3214 has filed suit in federal court alleging the Mountain View Fire Protection District fired him in retaliation for his union activities, and did so in a way that violated his Constitutional Rights. Benjamin Carter was fired on March 21, 2023.

Page 1 of 3012 3 4 5 » 10 20 30...Last »