02/29/2020
Lawrence Firefighter share concerns with proposed changes to city labor relations policies
click the link below to send and email to the city commissioners if you agree with your firefighters.
http://iafflocal1596.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/makevoicecount_form.cfm&makevoicecountID=361
Lawrence Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1596, believes the City of Lawrence is only a few days away from substantially weakening protections for City of Lawrence employees, especially those providing emergency services.
This is due to changes proposed to the City of Lawrence’s labor relations policy that will be coming before the City Commission on Tuesday, March 3rd. This policy (proposed Resolution No. 7312) represents a fundamental break from the City’s traditional support of worker’s rights.
Specific Items of concern include but are not limited to:
Lawrence Professional Firefighters estimates this Resolution would immediately void almost half of the current Memorandum Of Understanding between the City and its Firefighters.
City Staff refuses to recognize the need and desire for Fire Captains, Police Sergeants, and other city employees to be represented by a union, despite this being universal practice in every other agency covered by collective bargaining agreements.
City Staff recommends eliminating the ability for all City of Lawrence Employees to negotiate items related to their Health and Safety.
City Staff recommends eliminating fair and free employee elections, which is out of line with Dept. Of Labor guidelines and national standards.
City Staff recommends removing the current incentives to reach compromise between groups through seeking an interest-based (“win/win”) negotiations process.
These changes make it harder for employees to organize into collective bargaining organizations. Even if they are able to organize, they are prohibited from negotiating many items critical to their health, safety, and job satisfaction. Restricting organized labor from advocating on behalf of their members is a detriment to public safety and good government.
Regardless of the outcome of these disagreements, IAFF Local 1596 will remain dedicated to saving lives and property. We will continue to provide quality customer service and maintain a high level of professionalism to the citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County.
