Group of Volunteer firefighters make first steps to form union

Earlier in the year it was announced that college football players from Northwestern University will seek to make a union. Based on the positive press received by these players, a group of Volunteer Firefighters is also seeking union protections.

The footballs players are looking to unionize in an effort to achieve fairness for colligate athletes. One of their points is the fact college’s make millions off sporting events. While at the same time student athletes earn nothing. The colleges are given uniforms, and equipment by sponsors. Yet if a student accepts any gift they lose eligibility to play.

Volunteer firefighters are in similar situation. Cities get free labor from the volunteers. In effect the cities make millions, well actually save millions, each year by not paying salary and benefits to personal. In addition most volunteer departments have policy about gratuities. Meaning if a volunteer firefighter accepts something free at a local business they face being kicked off the fire department.

Firefighter James Curran is leading the charge. Curran who works full time as a plumber says he devotes ten to twenty hours a week to being a volunteer.

“I go to training each week. Every time the page goes off I respond to the call. We have an active fire prevention program so regularly I am in the schools. This is not just me, there are plenty of other people on my department who put in just as much time. We talk to other volunteers and it is the same at their departments.”

The Western Federation of Miners, a labor union for persons working in mines, has agreed to work with the volunteer firefighters. Dale Hawkins the chairman of the WFM says they just want some fairness for volunteers.

“Just a few weeks ago my good friend James Curran walked into city hall and paid his property tax bill. As he was handing over that check his pager went off. James did not go back home that afternoon for over 6 hours. The city took his tax dollar on the same day they got six hours of free, manual labor from him. We are not asking for volunteers to become paid, but we want some assurances to recognize the work of the volunteers by city officials.”

The formation of this union is still in the early stages. WFM is looking at helping volunteers on a number of issues including equipment, benefits of some kind, and exploring of compensation options. Mr. Hawkins addressed some issues they would like to explore.

“Turn out gear is a major issue at many cities. New volunteers get whatever happens to be lying around. Studies show proper fitting gear is important to personal safety. Every firefighter needs to be provided properly fitting gear. Benefits, why do we have people working for a city with out any insurance. Volunteers should be offered to the option to get on the city insurance plans. Compensation issues… why should a volunteer be forced to pay a tax bill equal to a neighbor who does not help a community? We have some other ideas that we don’t want to talk about openly yet. But cities who want slave labor need to be ready to negotiate on how they will encourage more people to volunteer.”

Representatives of the WFM are contacting members at Volunteer fire departments across the nation. No word on when they will be making an official announcement about the forming of a volunteer union. Check back with CallTheCops for more as this develops.