Overtime dispute-Taunton, MA

[NJFFSA16]

TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) - City councilors criticized fire officials
who paid $1,440 in overtime to nine firefighters to come to the
station to pick up layoff notices.
City councilor John Gonsalves called the move "despicable" and
said the nine firefighters showed no respect for taxpayers as the
city faces a $6.8 million budget deficit.
"Given the budget crisis, I think it was a very poor
decision," Councilor Thomas C. Hoye Jr., who disclosed the
overtime payment, told The Enterprise of Brockton.
Councilor Charles Crowley said, "This is a black eye on the
department. It could have been and should have been avoided."
Acting Fire Chief Leman W. Padelford said the department tried
to reach the off-duty fire fighters before midnight Saturday, the
last day to hand out notices under a fire union contract that
requires 30-day notice before being laid off.
The only way to make sure the nine firefighters got their pink
slips on time was to call them into the station, Padelford said,
adding he had authorization from the city solicitor.
Under the union contract, fire fighters are paid for a minimum
of four hours, at $40 per hour, for any overtime. The nine
firefighters were paid $1,440 for a total of 36 hours.
On July 1, Taunton is laying off 164 city workers, including 50
firefighters.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Dalmatian90]

ROFLMAO...

It's sad that the layoffs are occuring, and no doubt the police & fire layoffs in Taunton are going far beyond anything that is responsible.

At the same time, gotta give someone credit for flipping the city a bird by using o/t call back to hand out the pink slips!

[dfdex1]

I think it was a very poor decision," Councilor Thomas C. Hoye Jr

So is laying off our firefighters and cops.

Councilor Charles Crowley said, "This is a black eye on the department. It could have been and should have been avoided."

As could the layoffs!

It's sad that the layoffs are occuring, and no doubt the police & fire layoffs in Taunton are going far beyond anything that is responsible.

Dam right!


Tip of the Root Guiness to Chief Leman W. Padelford for helping our jakes out a little more and sticking it to the city! Lets just hope they get back to work soon.

[LadyCapn]

CONTRACT

This is the word of the day Councillor, learn it, live it, and most of all abide by it.

The notices were to be served 30 days prior, if you couldn't get them out on time, too bad. The firefighters were supposed to merrily come in to get notice their livelihood was being destroyed? Not bloody likely!!!

Oh, maybe they should have picked you up a coffee on the way too Councillor?

[kghemtp]

Boo Taunton

Saving money by cutting emergency services -- I recall a few grumbles in the local papers about this. Take folks off the line? That is so incredibly backward it's not funny. Ok, maybe they don't hire for a year or two, but to reduce personnel from a number that may or may not have been "adequate" at best? Yeah, I'm seeing some shortcomings in that town. The only good thing going for the people of Taunton with this is the able & willing mutual aid from area towns when Taunton's trucks get hopping. Of course that isn't fair, and it taxes the neighboring towns more than they probably are. Someone will have lots of answering to do for this move. I am glad to see the little bit of justice coming in that 4 hours of pay. Heck, I wish it was a week of pay and a severance owed to them all. Good luck in the fight!


~Kevin
FF/Paramedic

[BCmdepas3280]

Now that what I call sticking it in the citys eye

[EFD840]

Let's see, that's $1,440 divided between 9 firefighters.

Unless I'm missing something, that is a $160 severance package.

I'm a town councilman, so I'll give my northern colleague some unsolicited advice. SHUT THE #@)%&) UP.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

You order me in.

You pay me.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
You order me in.

You pay me.

AMEN!!!

[blancety]

Under the union contract, fire fighters are paid for a minimum
of four hours, at $40 per hour, for any overtime.

Ok, what am I missing? Oh I know, the Councilor can't read.

I'll bet the guys would rather have their jobs than $160 in OT.

Once again, why do we elect stupid people?

Dave

[ThNozzleman]

$1440.00??? The city should keep it...and use it to buy the right honorable councilman a new LIFE.

[gafire]

I bet the overtime cost will go up after the layoffs are in effect on July 1. Vacation and sick time will have to be covered by somebody in the fire department but I am sure the brillant people who run the city didn't think about that.