Three professional firefighters stuck in part-time roles as union negotiations go to arbitration in Charlottetown

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Three full-time skilled firefighters have been employed in Charlottetown, however a year-long contract dispute between the firefighters’ union and metropolis corridor has saved them from taking over their new roles.

Charlottetown introduced the brand new positions within the spring of 2022 and employed the brand new firefighters a few 12 months later. The brand new employees members had been already part-time firefighters with the division, and they might be promoted to full-time.

However that contract got here with the situation that work would solely start when the union settled its ongoing subject with scheduling, mentioned James Packard, native president, in a Nov. 7 SaltWire interview.

That subject dates again to Dec. 31, 2018, when the final contract expired. Wages have been frozen since then, he mentioned.

Now, the brand new employees are nonetheless ready to start out their full-time position as arbitration is about to start. Packard mentioned that was supposed to start out on Oct. 11 however was delayed.

“I can’t touch upon precisely why as a result of I don’t actually know why, however the employer pulled the plug on the final minute and cancelled, type of the day of, and requested to reschedule. And the (arbitration) board was accommodating.”

A brand new date has been set for Nov. 30.

Points

Whereas the three new full-timers are nonetheless working with the division, they’re solely making part-time wages — $16.60 per hour — which haven’t elevated for the reason that final contract in 2018. 

Among the firefighters have had affords to work elsewhere, however the alternative to remain in P.E.I. is uncommon, Packard mentioned. Everybody on the staff began as a volunteer, then went part-time, usually having to work in different elements of the nation earlier than making it again residence, he mentioned. 

“These part-time guys, they’re working a pair shifts a month. They’re going to want to produce other jobs, after which go on for midnight, get off at eight within the morning, after which go to your different job, work a full day at your different job after which go to work at 4 as a firefighter – it’s not nice. And in equity to the employer, they agree.” 

Till the brand new full-timers begin their expanded roles, the division has 9 full-time firefighters and greater than 70 volunteers. A hearth inspector place can be unfilled, Packard mentioned.

Whereas 12 firefighters would nonetheless not be a full complement, it might enable three professionals to be on obligation always in a 24-hour interval at station one on Kent Avenue. At the moment, both one or three are on obligation at a given time. 

Station two on St. Peters Street is completely volunteer-run, Packard mentioned. 

Metropolis

On Nov. 10, a spokesperson for town mentioned the Charlottetown Fireplace Division is keen to return to talks with the union, and the Oct. 11 assembly was postponed for causes outdoors of town’s management.  

The mayor and council authorized the brand new positions to assist with the scheduling points within the division which have brought on points with work-life stability for firefighters, the assertion mentioned. 

“This much-needed scheduling change wouldn’t solely deal with the brand new full-time and present firefighters being positioned in an appropriate work schedule but in addition deal with the unreasonable time beyond regulation bills.”

The division additionally agreed to interim schedules so the brand new full-timers may start work earlier than negotiations are completed, the assertion mentioned.

SaltWire requested Packard about these interim schedules, and he mentioned town supplied a trial run of what town needed from a brand new schedule however was not prepared, in flip, to just accept the union’s most well-liked schedule as an interim measure. 

Packard disagrees with the argument that scheduling wants to return earlier than the brand new work begins. Improved work-life stability is a objective of the negotiations, however that doesn’t need to cease people who find themselves already working part-time from taking over their new position, which might maintain three individuals on on the station always, he mentioned. 

“They might be working the eight-hour shifts that we’re doing proper now. Actually, I’m simply heading residence. I simply completed at 4 o’clock, and there’s one man working proper now in Charlottetown.”

Logan MacLean is a municipal reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. He could be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on X @loganmaclean94.