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Colo. Firefighters Could Gain Leverage with Proposed Bill

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Jan 16, 2013 at 8:43 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 16, 2013 at 9:25 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. A Colorado senator has proposed legislation that would give firefighters more leverage in negotiating and expressing grievances with their city officials.

About 13 years ago, Grand Junction firefighters and police joined together to fight for collective bargaining power, but failed.

Kevin Kuhlman, president of Local 2808 Grand Junction Firefighters, said, "When we did it in 2000, we were ill-prepared. People were concerned that we would strike, they were concerned that our wages would go through the roof. We're not asking for things really more than our administration is asking for."

If this new piece of legislation passes, local firefighters say they'll finally get what they've been wanting: a voice. "Having a seat at the table with wages and benefits and working conditions for us allows us to sit there and bargain with our bosses and city bosses as well," said Kuhlman.

However, the residents of Grand Junction made their voice clear when they said they didn't want collective bargaining in their city.

Duncan McArthur, Government Affairs Specialist with the Grand Junction Realtors Association and the Western Colorado Contractors Association, said, "Substantial vote against the ballot issue that was put up. The point is, should the state determine Grand Junction's course on this issue or should the city determine it? And it should be the city's determination and the people in Grand Junction."

Those opposed say the state mandate would be unfair.

"It would impact the budget. It may take away from other services the city presides. It's not that people don't want to treat the fireman fairly, I mean, they are an integral part of our community," said McArthur.

Both sides are adamant on what passage will really mean.

McArthur said, "It's not a one-size-fits-all. Various communities have different issues, plus you have special districts of fire districts themselves, you know they should be determining how they deal with this issue."

"We work longer hours, we work holidays, we work weekends, things like that. So we are a little bit of a different beast, that's why we want to have a little bit more of a voice in the things that we do," Kuhlman said.

Similar state legislation was proposed in 2009, if history repeats itself, the governor will have the last say on the matter. Governor Ritter vetoed the similar legislation, SP 09-180.

The Grand Junction Fire Chief declined to comment at this time. City officials said they are not taking a stand on the issue at this point.

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IT'S TIME! said on Tuesday, Jan 22 at 7:00 PM

We owe it to the people who protect us and we trust to come into our homes to help us. If people think this will raise cost there mistaken. The Firefighter's only want a say in how they do their jobs and their working conditions. It's time we support the people who are alway's there for us!

Presupposes said on Friday, Jan 18 at 3:14 PM

"Reasonable Idea's" comments presuppose that other people's jobs don't require nights and weekends and holidays, and time away from families, etc. This just simply is not the case. True, Firefighters (police, etc.) work 7 days a week - 24 hours a day. HOWEVER, let's not forget they work 10 days a month. They also have nights and weekends where they aren't working. And, really, they have more time off than most other people, in terms of time away from families, etc. They get paid very well for the work they do. Yes, it is dangerous. It is also a professional they choose. And often they choose it because of the pay and sweet schedule (2 days on, 4 days off). Firefighters are nonexempt, meaning they get paid overtime for the hours they work in excess of their regular hours (per FLSA). All employees in every industry have seemingly "unfair" schedules. In either case, employees should be paid fairly and competitively. Employees have more negotiating power without a union strongarm.

No Symapthy said on Friday, Jan 18 at 9:45 AM

One takes the job of firefighter by choice. I am grateful for those who do so but that's as far as it goes. As with any other job, if it doesn't pay well enough or hours are unacceptable, then find another job. That's what the rest of us have to do.

Still A Bad Idea said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 5:15 PM

"These unions by law cannot strike, so the only advantage they have is a voice of reason at the negotiating table for wages on time off." Sounds like union collective bargaining. So what happens if no one listens to "the voice of reason"? Strike? "Blue Flu"? Since only special people can put the wet stuff on the red stuff, we need to give them special privileges? This is the wrong direction and wrong answer. Giving monopolies more and more power just leads to higher and higher costs and poorer performance.

At Bad Idea said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:10 PM

Don't be ignorant

Reasonable Idea. said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 2:30 PM

Bad Idea, Who is in the fire fighters corner?? Kuhlman is correct that the fire fighters are a different beast. They can not just take a day off, someone has always got to be there to respond to every 911 call and they do. In the current economic state they are opperating with the least number of personell possible and time off is at a premium. The public rarely if ever understands the commitment the fire fighters make in there job. They work 56 hour weeks including weekend and hollidays. Often missing weekend family events and their childrens weekend game or school programs as Kuhlman stated. Not to mention they often are not compensated for that comitment like other city workers, whom are paid overtime if called in to work on weekends or holidays. Without a voice that is familiar with this, cities take advantage of this fact and these employees. These unions by law cannot strike, so the only advantage they have is a voice of reason at the negotiating table for wages on time off.

Bad Idea said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 11:13 PM

"Public Servants" don't need unions. After all, they're serving the public. Unionized police and fire raise costs astronomically and worse, prevent the firing of incompetent or criminal employees.

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