Crime & Safety

Bartlett: No Confidence Vote In Fire Chief A 'Shabby Trick'

Former Fire District Commissioner Steve Bartlett weighs in on firefighters' vote of no confidence in Fire Chief Peter Henrikson.

I hope the Town Council in East Greenwich will look beyond the latest shabby trick the East Greenwich firefighters union leadership has pulled and recognize it for what it is. The vote of no confidence for the fire chief orchestrated by the union leadership is nothing more than a cheap shot at the chief and a ploy in the current negotiations. Taxpayers in East Greenwich should be grateful to have a dedicated and passionate Chief like Peter Henrikson. He always has the best interest for the safety and well being of the firefighters as well as the cost to the taxpayers in mind when he makes decisions. He is clear in his direction and as a firm disciplinarian, does not tolerate slackers and those who have only their own best interest in mind.

This is all about negotiations, money and the ability of the chief to maintain and exercise the management rights that are in the current contract. The union leadership dislikes the chief because he sets high standards for the men and a very small percent of them either can't meet those standards or just plain don't want to follow the well defined rules. Top down leadership is typical in every para military organization like the fire service and setting high standards is as right today as it was years ago.

The negotiations that took place several months ago between the union leadership and the former Fire Commission were headed toward binding arbitration because the union leadership collectively has unrealistic expectations about the taxpayer's desire and ability to pay for its fire protection and EMT services in East Greenwich. Let's look at some facts:

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  • In a comparison of like size R.I. fire departments, East Greenwich firefighters are highest paid in the group.

  • With overtime, at least four firefighters earned more than the chief and deputy chief did this past year.

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  • The average EG firefighter with 15 years of seniority annually receives 168 paid sick-time hours, four weeks of vacation, 13 fully paid holidays, a clothing allowance of $500, longevity pay based on their years of service, two personal days, health care coverage that costs about $18,800 per year for a family plan and that costs the firefighter less than $3,000 per year. That means at the present time, the firefighter pays less than 16 percent for his/her health care and the taxpayer picks up the rest. During the negotiations, the union tried to get even more. That's why the negotiations were headed to binding arbitration.

  • While many firefighter unions in R.I. are recognizing economic realities in 2013 and are agreeing to have their benefits trimmed back, are contributing more for the benefits they receive or are seeing this happen through binding arbitration, this union leadership greedily is trying to take more from the taxpayers. If the Fire Commission gave the firefighters everything they asked for several months ago, the taxpayer in EG would have seen a double-digit percent increase in their fire tax rate. Health insurance costs alone this year have gone up 12 percent and the firefighters are not contributing one penny more toward its cost. As I said earlier, other unionized fire services in R.I. are agreeing to cuts in the rich benefits that were negotiated years ago, are now antiquated, out of date and unrealistic in today's economy.

  • This union leadership clearly believes the Town Council owes them something because the firefighter's union supported the merger of the district into the Town government and they are determined to collect on that debt. Frankly, I think the union leaders are afraid for what they might lose in binding arbitration in today's economic environment. The Town Council needs to stand up for the taxpayers in East Greenwich and to show who is managing the EG Fire Service by supporting the chief and taking a firm stand against union excess in the current negotiations.

  • Perhaps it's time for the East Greenwich firefighters to take another vote of no confidence, this time in their union leadership committee.

    Steve Bartlett


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