The *Daily Herald* has a story detailing the growing tension between Carpentersville’s Local 4790 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the village over staffing decisions:
Firefighters from Carpentersville argue that recent cost-cutting measures by the village are leading to longer emergency response times, which could put residents in danger. In response, the union has launched a public awareness campaign, primarily using social media, to highlight what they believe is a serious under-staffing issue at the village’s three fire stations.
However, the village administration disputes this, claiming that the union is simply upset about losing overtime pay under the new contract. According to Village Manager J. Mark Rooney, the union's campaign is just a scare tactic, and he emphasized that the village, not the union, is responsible for managing daily operations.
"The management runs the village, not the union," Rooney said.
One key point of contention is the new three-year contract, which does not specify a minimum number of firefighters per shift. Al Popp, the director of public safety, explained that the village is assessing staffing needs on a daily basis to ensure maximum coverage across all stations.
But Lt. Rick Nieves, president of the IAFF Local 4790, is concerned that staffing levels have dropped significantly. He claims that as few as eight firefighters may be working at any given time, down from a previous minimum of 11 or 12. The union represents 32 full-time firefighters in the village.
Nieves also pointed out that only Station No. 1 can respond with both an ambulance and a fire engine, while the other two stations can only send one or the other. Previously, all three stations had the capability to dispatch both units. As a result, the village may need to rely more on neighboring fire districts like East Dundee, West Dundee, and Rutland Dundee to cover the gap.
“We handle 3,500 calls a year,†Nieves said. “With fewer people, response times will definitely go up.â€
Despite these concerns, officials say the village hasn’t yet reached the eight-person minimum since the change took effect on October 19. The current average staffing level has been around 10 to 11 firefighters, according to Nieves, who believed the village would maintain the previous 12-person minimum.
Meanwhile, the union has filed a grievance over the use of part-time firefighters to staff fire engines, arguing that it violates the terms of the contract.
In the meantime, the union has been actively engaging the public through its Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as meeting with local community leaders and business figures like Tom Roeser.
Village Manager Rooney defends the use of part-time firefighters, saying it helps save money and keeps equipment operational. He noted that part-timers earn about $15.55 per hour, compared to full-timers who make around $30.04 per hour during regular shifts and up to $45.06 when on overtime.
Rooney also pointed out that the new contract includes a provision requiring at least three firefighters per engine, but he argues that the definition of "firefighters" in the contract allows part-timers to operate the vehicles as well.
“This is about being efficient and avoiding service cuts,†Rooney said.
The three-year contract costs the village $572,000 and includes 2% annual raises for full-time firefighters. Lieutenants receive a 7.14% raise in the first year, followed by 2% increases in the next two years.
Rooney believes the main issue is the reduction in overtime pay. The village expects to spend about $100,000 on fire department overtime this year, with plans to reduce that to $60,000 next year. The contract is expected to save approximately $300,000 in overtime costs over three years.
He also mentioned that the previous system required hiring a full-time firefighter if someone called in sick, which cost $1,080 per day in overtime. Now, the village has more flexibility in staffing based on daily needs.
“They’ve been used to having things their way for a long time,†Rooney said. “They need to get with the program.â€
Village President Ed Ritter supports Rooney’s approach, stating that reducing overtime across all departments is a top priority for the board.
But Nieves insists that the union’s concerns are not about overtime, but about the impact on public safety.
“The community has a right to know about the service cuts coming,†he said.
Thanks, Dan.
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