Excerpts from Mywebtimes.com:
This year, the Streator Fire Department introduced a new policy requiring firefighters to respond to most medical emergencies. However, the firefighters’ union has raised concerns, arguing that this change is a mandatory subject of negotiations. In March, they filed a complaint with the Illinois Labor Relations Board, which is still reviewing the case.
The International Association of Firefighters claims the city violated labor laws by refusing to negotiate in good faith over the policy shift. The union is now asking the board to compel the city to engage in proper bargaining.
According to the complaint, the city required all firefighters to complete first responder training as part of their annual certification in January. Then, on March 1, it implemented a new rule mandating that firefighters provide first responder care during life-threatening emergencies.
The next day, the union sent a formal letter to City Manager Scot Wrighton, requesting discussions about the policy change. Wrighton rejected the request.
The policy change came after St. Mary’s Hospital in Springfield closed on January 4 and was sold to OSF Healthcare, which operates hospitals in Ottawa and Pontiac. This led to changes in local emergency services, prompting the fire department to adjust its role.
Under the updated protocol, the fire department will prioritize responding to the most severe medical emergencies and may be dispatched for other calls when necessary.
In his response on March 14, Wrighton explained that the city had entered into a partnership with Advanced Medical Transport, the local ambulance service, to provide first responder training. He said this was done to help manage the impact of recent changes in ambulance and ER services.
During a meeting between labor and management, the union admitted it couldn’t quantify the full impact of the policy change. However, both sides agreed that firefighters could face increased risks, such as exposure to blood-borne pathogens. As a result, the city offered to cover the cost of all necessary vaccinations.
Wrighton also noted that under the state Public Labor Relations Act, offering first responder training is considered an enhancement of service standards, which falls within the city’s authority to implement unilaterally.
Thanks, Dan
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