Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: union discrimination

Idaho Firefighters Allege Right to Work Law Protects Against Discrimination of Union Officials

Two Idaho firefighters have filed suit claiming they are being harassed and discriminated against by their fire department in violation of the First Amendment and the state’s “right to work” law. Douwe De Boer and Klint Porter filed suit naming the Orchard Combat Training Center Fire Department, the State of ldaho, the ldaho Military Division, and four chief officers.

NY Firefighter Alleges Anti-Union Discrimination

A career firefighter and union official with the Long Beach Fire Department has filed suit in federal court alleging he was terminated following a campaign of harassment directed at him by Long Beach volunteer firefighters. Brian McNamara claims he was assaulted, harassed and retaliated against by the volunteers, then terminated by the department on trumped up charges on account of his union activities.

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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