PENSIONS/BUDGET

Lawmakers come to a pension reform compromise

KUSI, San Diego, CA

Posted: Apr 05, 2011 6:56 PM EDT  Updated: Apr 05, 2011 9:44 PM EDT

During two weeks of negotiations initiated and mediated by the Taxpayers Association and the Lincoln Club, the mayor and the council member came together, despite their personal differences, on a plan to dismantle the pension system and save the city millions of dollars.

http://www.kusi.com/story/14390144/lawmakers-come-to-a-pension-reform-compromise

Pension reform: Sensible changes are close

The Union Leader, Manchester, NH

11 hours, 4 minutes ago

Lost in all the hubub about the House plan to change collective bargaining rules for public employees was another enormously consequential, but far less controversial, public employee benefits change. Last week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 3 (click to view text and status), and the House passed similar but not identical legislation in its budget. Both would dramatically improve the way the state figures pension benefits for public employees.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Pension+reform%3a+Sensible+changes+are+close&articleId=f5ca6c48-bb28-41d1-90d9-5ef4f9bc0a87

Local public employees skeptical of SB 5

The Newark Advocate, Newark, OH

Apr 7, 2011  

PATASKALA -- Ohio's decision to limit collective bargaining for public employees could drive some current and future teachers to different professions, a local union representative said.

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20110406/COMMUNITIES01/104070305

Firefighters, Teachers, Police Speak Out Against FL Chamber

Firefighters, teachers and police officers are upset with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

WCTV, Tallahassee, FL

Posted: 11:02 PM Apr 5, 2011

The Fraternal Order of Police, Florida Education Association, and Florida Professional Firefighters spoke out against the chamber at the Capitol Tuesday morning.

http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Firefighters_Teachers_Police_Speak_Out_Against_FL_Chamber_119299244.html

Gatto Drops Bill to Restrict Collective Bargaining

KTUU-TV, Anchorage, Alaska

6:33 a.m. AKDT, April 1, 2011

ktuu-gatto-drops-collective-bargaining-bill-040111JUNEAU, Alaska— State Rep. Carl Gatto has dropped his bill to restrict collective bargaining rights for many public workers.

http://www.ktuu.com/news/akpolitics/ktuu-gatto-drops-collective-bargaining-bill-040111,0,471457.story

LAYOFFS/CONTRACTS/SAFER

Seven firefighters to be laid off

Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell MT

Posted: Wednesday, April 6, 2011 9:27 am   Updated: 9:34 am, Wed Apr 6, 2011

The city of Kalispell plans to lay off seven of its 30 firefighters on May 15.

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_8b2af744-6062-11e0-894a-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=print

West Palm Beach mayor: Firefighter layoffs likely

Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, FL

Updated: 9:46 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011  Posted: 8:44 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011

WEST PALM BEACH — The city's firefighter union chief warned city leaders that "more people who are in need of medical help will die" from budget cuts that took effect this week, but Mayor Jeri Muoio - in her fourth day on the job - defended the cuts Tuesday and said that layoffs are likely.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/west-palm-beach-mayor-firefighter-layoffs-likely-1378275.html

Fire staffing issues on docket

Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, NE

Published Wednesday April 6, 2011

The Nebraska Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday on whether the City of Omaha can change fire staffing levels and reduce the number of fire captains.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110406/NEWS97/704069846

York firefighters speak out against proposal to close fire stations

York Daily Record, York, PA

Updated: 04/06/2011 07:47:13 AM EDT

York, PA - York firefighters packed a standing-room-only York City Council meeting Tuesday to protest a proposal to close two city fire stations in favor of building a new one.

http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_17779745

N.H. City Mulls Dumping Chiefs for 15 Firefighters

The proposal would eliminate six district chiefs and use the money to keep firefighters slated for layoffs.

Firehouse.com

Posted: Tue, 04/05/2011 - 08:54pm    Updated: Wed, 04/06/2011 - 08:26am

MANCHESTER , N.H.-- Alderman Jim Roy is bringing forward a proposal that would eliminate all six of the Fire Department's district chiefs and use the money to retain some of the 22 firefighters slated for layoffs in the mayor's budget.

http://www.firehouse.com/topic/leadership-and-command/nh-city-mulls-dumping-chiefs-15-firefighters

City still wants 6 percent pay cut for most Cape Coral firefighters

The News-Press, Fort Myers, FL

5:41 PM, Apr. 5, 2011  

Days after Cape Coral city employees ratified a proposal to reduce pay by 3 percent, the city continues to seek a 6 percent cut for most firefighters.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20110405/NEWS0101/110405061/City-still-wants-6-percent-pay-cut-most-Cape-Coral-firefighters?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome

Layoffs Possible in City Budget Fight

MyFox Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Updated: Monday, 04 Apr 2011, 7:36 PM EDT   Published : Monday, 04 Apr 2011, 6:57 PM EDT

ATLANTA - The city of Atlanta may lay off 300 workers if a budget fight is not resolved by the end of this month. The mayor's administration said Monday that city council members have a choice to support the mayor's pension reform or pink slips will be handed out.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/layoffs-possible-in-city-budget-fight-040411

Residents Voice Opinion On Firefighters’ Wages

FLATHEAD COUNTY

NBC Montana, Missoula, MT

POSTED: 5:52 pm MDT April 5, 2011

KALISPELL, Mont. -- Firefighters and friends packed Monday night’s Kalispell City Council meeting. Supporters pushed the city hard to grant the union's request for better wages and benefits without making fire department cuts.

http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/27444378/detail.html

Contract approved for Clinton Township firefighters

The Detroit News, Detroit, MI

Last Updated: April 05. 2011 4:17PM

Clinton Township— Township administrators and fire officials say a contract has been approved for the firefighter's union following two years of negotiations.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110405/METRO03/104050424/1409/metro

Campbell council set to ratify union pact

Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, OH

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Two contracts between the city and its unions have been settled, and council is expected to pass one of them at its meeting tonight.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/apr/06/campbell-council-set-to-ratify-union-pac/

LOCAL SCENE

Fire Department Sets a Quiet Goal

Wall Street Journal

APRIL 6, 2011

In an attempt to reduce traffic accidents, the city's fire department is aiming to lower by up to 300,000 calls a year the number of emergency responses during which firefighters activate their trucks' lights and sirens.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703712504576244930000606362.html

Councilman seeks to limit Montgomery employees from fundraising while on the clock

Bill would ban roadway solicitations during workday

The Gazette, Gaithersburg, MD

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Legislation introduced Tuesday would limit where county government employees could stand along roadways while raising money for charity during working hours.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/04062011/montnew184154_32540.php

California Fire Department Takes Heat for Change in Policy Toward Flags on Uniforms

Fox News,

Published April 05, 2011 | FoxNews.com

A fire department in California is getting heat for a change in its uniform that moved U.S. flags from firefighters' shoulders to their nametags.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/04/05/california-department-takes-heat-change-flag-policy/

Proposed new D.C. Fire Department logo creates fire

Washington Post

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 04/06/2011

Controversy is heating up over the D.C. Fire Department logo.

Chief Kenneth Ellerbe wants to swap the traditional “DCFD,” which appears on hats, shirts, sweatshirts and jackets, for “FEMS,” or Fire Emergency Medical Services. Ellerbe believes the new logo is more inclusive, since the department battles blazes and provides emergency care for the sick and injured, said spokesman Pete Piringer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/crime-scene/post/dc-fire-department-logo-creates-fire/2011/04/06/AFr43rpC_blog.html