Hillsboro firefighters propose $100,000 cut in their salaries/benefits

At the request of the city's labor attorney, Hillsboro Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2972 has come up with a "concessions package," which proposes a $100,000 cut in salaries and benefits to Hillsboro Fire and Rescue staff members. However, in order for the firefighters to make those concessions, they say the city would have to work out agreements with local townships, and maintain the fire department.

Ryan Passet, the secretary/treasurer of IAFF Local 2972, told The Highland County Press that throughout the negotiation process with the city and the townships, the firefighters wanted to be a part of the process in finding a solutions for providing the emergency services to city and township residents.

"On Friday, the city's attorney group asked the union to some up with some form of concessions," Passet said. "I can't speak to what their reasoning would be. Obviously the firefighters' union feels like this was a created budget problem through the city's inability to work with the townships to come up with some sort of resolution. All along the firefighters have always been about what is best for the safety of the residents, and the safety of the firefighters.

"We want to show the mayor and show council we are willing to make concessions to save jobs," Passet said. "We didn't cause this problem, but if we don't fix it, no one will. We weren't holding out. This has never been about the money for us. We're willing to do whatever it takes to help the townships and the city come together."

There have been issues regarding contracts for EMS and fire services between the city and the townships since 2010.

"People may want to know why we haven't offered concessions before this point," Passet said. "The truth is, we have never been asked before. They asked us on Friday, and we called the meeting on Monday."

Previously, to try to reach a resolution to the contract situation, Local 2972 had proposed a contract with Liberty, Jackson, New Market and Washington townships for the services that started at $40 per person for 2013, and increases to $50 per person through 2021. Hillsboro City Council had said it would be given consideration. However, there have been no additional open discussions on the matter.

Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings has previously said that Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery, deputy law director Laura Curliss, and the contracted outside law firm Blaugrund, Herbert, Kessler, Miller, Myers, Postalakis, Inc. have been working on issues regarding the fire department. That included a June proposal from Hastings to the Hillsboro City Council to abolish Hillsboro Fire and Rescue to contract with the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District.

On Friday, during a special meeting, Liberty Township voted 2-1 to join the Paint Creek district, but no date for joining has been given, and they have not given notice to the city. Trustees said during that meeting that it would be within 60 days.

The current firefighter contract is through Dec. 31, 2013.

"On Monday, all 12 firefighters sat down, and we looked at our contract," Passet said.

In May, the city laid off all of its part-time and volunteer firefighters in order to help fill a budget gap of $126,000 after Paint Township withdrew from its contract with the city and joined the Paint Creek fire district. An additional $7,254 was lost when Hamer Township joined the Lynchburg Area Joint Fire and Ambulance District.

"We have come up with a considerable amount of concessions," Passet said. "They are being offered in a manner that is contingent upon the city partnering with the townships and maintaining a fire department. We're, obviously, not going to make concession and then still get the boot. This is contingent upon council and the administration working with the townships."

Passet said that while the firefighters would like to see their staffing levels increased back to six people a shift, they realize that may not be possible. However, they want to see potentially five people a shift.

"In offering these concessions, we're doing our part, and we're hopeful that now the mayor and council would do their part and reach out to the townships and work something out," Passet said. "We're also hopeful the administration will do their part on getting our staffing back to a safe and workable level."

An exact figure the proposed concessions would save was not immediately available, as the proposal that is being turned in to the city is not completed.

"The 12 firefighter union members will be giving up about $100,000 a year in wages and benefits," Passet said. "Nobody asked us to do this until Friday. The firefighter union did not create this financial problem. We had nothing to do with the townships leaving, or the townships getting ready to leave. Those are all factors beyond our control. But we're willing to make the sacrifices to help all three parties - the firefighter union, the city and the townships. We're willing to put ourselves out there and put our money where our mouths are. Is anyone else?"