East Chicago Fire Department news
Dabney Scott Hudson, president of the District of Columbia Firefighters Association, is challenging recent claims made by the East Chicago city administration to justify a controversial new shift schedule for local firefighters. The mayor and fire chief argued that the change in shift patterns was aimed at reducing costs, citing success in Washington, D.C. However, Hudson strongly disputes these claims, stating that the city's own testimony during an arbitration case revealed that the shift changes would actually increase expenses. “Our union won the arbitration, and we kept our 24-hour shifts. During the process, the city admitted that changing the schedule would raise costs. Moreover, rotating shifts significantly harm worker health, safety, and cognitive performance,†Hudson said in a statement. The proposed eight-hour shifts have drawn sharp criticism from both firefighters and their unions, who argue that the new schedule will compromise public safety and lead to sleep deprivation among staff. The move has also been accused of being a form of retaliation against the union for its political actions, including supporting the mayor’s opponent in the May primary election. A letter from Gary Firefighters Local 359 expressed disappointment over the decision, while Hammond Firefighters Local 556 called the move “senseless grudges†and accused the leadership of putting politics before safety. They warned they would no longer cover for the city’s staffing issues. The shift changes took effect on Saturday, and many firefighters are now working three eight-hour shifts over three days, followed by a day off. This is a significant departure from the traditional 24-hour on, 48-hour off model used by most departments nationwide. East Chicago Professional Firefighters Local 365 President Dave Mata criticized the new system, saying it leads to constant shift rotation and sleep deprivation. “This is unsafe and unheard of,†he said, adding that the union is considering legal action against the city. The fire chief defended the change, citing Indiana law requiring 24 hours of rest between shifts and claiming it would reduce overtime costs. However, when asked for specific cost-saving projections, the chief had not yet provided the numbers. Meanwhile, on Monday night, the East Chicago City Council passed an ordinance—by an 8-1 vote—to revert firefighters back to the 24-on, 48-off schedule. The mayor is expected to veto the measure if it passes again, but the council plans to meet again on December 23. More than 100 union members attended the meeting and cheered the decision. Mata, visibly exhausted, argued that the new schedule offers no real savings and puts both firefighters and the public at risk. He claimed the mayor had offered a deal that would have limited the union’s ability to negotiate future contracts, which they refused. The dispute has escalated into a broader conflict over labor rights and political influence. While the fire chief argues the council’s involvement violates state law, the council’s attorney maintains that they have the authority to set work schedules. Both sides are now preparing for a potential court battle over the issue. Locking Pliers,Grip Locking Pliers,Basic Locking Pliers,Alloy Steel Grip Locking Pliers Ningbo Anyun Tai Metal Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.eurokingtools.com