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Firefighters Still Without Contract

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By JULIA FERRANTE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

DADE CITY - Dozens of firefighters filled the historic Pasco County Courthouse at Tuesday's county commission meeting to draw attention to the fact that they still don't have a contract with county officials.

Pasco County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4420 is claiming the county violated fair labor practice standards by canceling Tuesday's hearing before the county commission. Union President Ralph Grant said county officials did not provide enough notice of the cancellation.

"This marks the eighth time your staff has violated the state's labor laws," Grant said. "We want you to follow state laws."
Personnel Director Barbara DeSimone said she has been trying to schedule a hearing to resolve an impasse with union officials for four months without success. She said she submitted a county recommendation five months ago and asked union officials to provide information for the hearing by Jan. 31, but they failed to do so.

County and union officials met three times in October and November and again Monday, DeSimone said. They resolved all but four issues.

"I'm trying to get this over with as much as anyone else," she said.

The union, which represents about 400 firefighters, was certified in June 2005 and has been operating without a contract since. The union represents firefighters through the rank of captain, including dues-paying and nonpaying members.
DeSimone and Emergency Services Director Anthony Lopinto have been meeting monthly with union officials since February 2006. The parties have resolved more than 30 issues, including uniform allowances and pay schedules for filling in for higher-ranking officers.

The union gives rank-and-file employees the ability to negotiate wages, hours and other terms and conditions, but does not allow them to strike, according to state law.

Commissioner Michael Cox suggested County Administrator John Gallagher meet with union officials to end the stalemate.

Gallagher said at first he could not meet with union officials. DeSimone said he can, but he may not pass on information to the county commission, which will approve or reject the contract.

Tuesday's hearing was supposed to be rescheduled until Feb. 22, but union officials said that was a bad day. As of Friday, the group still had not agreed on a date.

Reporter Julia Ferrante can be reached at (813) 948-4220 or jferrante@tampatrib.com.

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