Crime & Safety

Moraga-Orinda Fire District Declares Impasse with Firefighter Union

Representatives from United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County say the proposed pay cut needed to maintain would burden its members.

By Bay City News—

After more than three years of unsuccessful contract negotiations, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District has declared an impasse with its firefighter union.

At issue is a proposed pay cut for firefighters that fire district officials say is needed to keep the struggling fire district afloat but representatives from United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County maintain would burden its members.

"It is now a sad reality that there is no way to ensure the protection of our community without some adjustment to the compensation packages paid to our hardworking, professional firefighters," Kathy Famulener, director of the district's board of directors said in an email.

The board declared the impasse on Tuesday after presenting the union with its "last, best and final offer," according to fire district Chief Stephen Healy.

Healy declined to comment on what led to the deadlock but said the district is "committed to getting a deal with our firefighters and we're going to do everything we can do get a deal."

The chief said he did not know when negotiations would resume.

Union leaders say a state panel will likely be called to speak with both fire district and union representatives during a legally obligated fact-finding process.

Leaders from the union, which is not allowed to strike, say they are hopeful that a state-monitored mediation process will yield a contract they can accept.

Vince Wells, president of the firefighters union, said the district's 59 firefighters and firefighter-paramedics have gone without a cost-of-living raise for more than five years and have covered all health care cost increases over the past three years.

In a statement, Wells said the fire district board's "frivolous spending on ideas that were not well thought out" and "excessive spending on equipment and programs" were among the reasons for the fire district's current problems.

According to district officials, the district's general fund is primarily used to cover the cost of union employee contracts and is now borrowing from the district's capital fund to stay in the black.

Copyright © 2014 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.


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