8 Firefighters Terminated in Canadaigua, NY

Posted by: Curt Varone December 7, 2009 0

IAFF Local 2098, Canandaigua Firefighters, have filed a complaint with the New York State Public Employees Relation Board accusing the city of Canandaigua with committing an improper labor practice by eliminating eight career firefighter positions.  The complaint alleged that the city, without bargaining to impasse, unilaterally eliminated the eight positions and replaced the unionized firefighters with volunteers.

A basic premise of labor laws is that an employer cannot unliaterally impose a change to wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment without first bargaining to impasse.

The New York State Public Employees Relation Board, the state agency in New York that oversees public sector collective bargaining, handles allegations of improper labor practices. Local 2098 seeks reinstatement of the eight firefighters and backpay.

For more on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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