The TC has proven how disingenuous they are by the rejection of their own agreement. Their true motivations have now been exposed by their own foolishness. They are not to be trusted in any manner! The taxpayers of NK should be outraged by the continued arrogance of these people.
They have no interest in the collective well being of NK.

THIS TC SHOULD BE RECALLED, ALL FIVE OF THEM! Their insolence cannot be tolerated anymore! They have proven that they are not in anyway trying to improve the situation in NK. They are solely interested in their own misguided views which are making NK look like a mockery.

"We The People" need to put a halt to this foolishness!

What is the recall procedure? How difficult is it to get the ball rolling?

If reports are correct, Carol Hueston was on the negotiating team, made a handshake on the deal, and then voted against it. If anyone should be considered for recall, it's her.

This disagreement is about who has the right to set the cost and conditions for town employees--is it the town or the public employees?

Frankly, I sympathize with the FF's--it's tough to change. Towns and cities, however, can't afford the generous wages and benefits offered in the past. With the teachers contract coming up, I think most overburdened NK taxpayers would prefer the town council in the driver's seat--not the teachers union. Which, perhaps, is why they were just elected.

Finally, I note there is nothing in this opinion piece stating what North Kingstown needs haven't been met by our FF's operating (for some time) under the current 24 hr schedule. And what's wrong with questioning the need to maintain and staff a boat that sees little use? Questions are good--it's how we make good decisions. Straight answers--or opinion pieces--that don't shade would be even better.

Two things NK_Voter

Currently the North Kingstown firefighters are one of the lowest paid firefighters in the state. Even central falls who just came out of bankruptcy pays their firefighters more than the town of north Kingstown pays their firefighters. There are firefighters currently making 15 dollars an hour. It is no wonder why they just lost 4 guys to the warwick fire department and possibly more to other departments.

And the fire boat will cost money to maintain but there is a 5 year warranty on it. The boat is operated by firefighters already on shift. Just like it is done with the current boat.

NK Voter, it comes down to one thing...THE LAW. The town council swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the State of Rhode Island when they took their oath of office. They have violated that oath and the law. They continue to throw good money after bad, how is that in any way in the best interest of the NK taxpayer? If the system was enacted properly (full staffing of the department and 4 platoons) then these hard working men and women wopuld not be working 48, 72, 96 hours straight(Que the "But they get to sleep" comments). Take it from someone with knowledge of the fire service. Phones ringing, lights going on/off, radios squaking hardly allow for any type of quality rest. It wears on people, and when that starts to happen, quality of service suffers. There's no room for that in the fire service.
As for the boat, it's a must have. Yes, they break down, but so does every piece of equipment. I've seen firetrucks that spend more time in the shop than in the station. It's the nature of the beast. NK has many waterfront assets that merit having a boat for search, rescue, and firefighting.

I'd also like to state that so far the coverage on this topic from the patch has been horrible !!! Barely any up to date info!!!!

Agreed!! It's a shame independentri or ri central dont have this type of forum. NKPatch just isn't cutting it !!! Poor coverage thus far .. That picture of the elections last year of the nktc using the patch computer makes one wonder.. but it is Especially sad that independent bloggers and the providence journal have more details and information regarding this whole topic

Most firefighters in America work a 24-hour shift. Not sure why it's causing such a problem here, tho I did hear reference to it negatively affecting firefighters' second jobs. The bottom line is the bottom line at this point. The taxes in NK are dramatically -- dramatically -- higher than other towns in South county, including Jamestown and Narragansett. Sympathy in short supply.

Pam go back to Pinterest or Facebook .. You have no idea what your talking about

Pam, how about you work and extra 14 hours a week for free. The argument isn't the 24 hour shifts, its how they were implemented and the 56 hour work week. Yes, lots of places work 24s but most use 4 shifts, not 3.

http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2013/02/judge-orders-north-kingstown-to-end-24-hour-firefighter-shiftsready.html

NK Voter states "Laws change. I think it is within the law for a town's elected officials to decide the working conditions and pay they can afford". Laws do change, through legislative process, not at the whim of town councils. What's to stop them from passing any ordinance about the color of your house? Could you afford the paint? Seems trivial, but if the town council just changed ordinances at the drop of a hat affecting NK residents financially, all would be up in arms. But because this ordinance only affects "union thugs", it's OK. The town council will lose this battle, but not after many appeals. Dan Kinder will walk away with a ton of your money, smiling all the way to the bank. The firefighters will be due back pay, and the longer this goes on with appeals, the larger that number is going to get. I may have my "opinions", but the law is the law.

Here's a fairly balanced article. I think it answers Cheeze's rant.
I also notice that you didn't have answers to my other questions, Cheeze. Lots of opinion, no facts. Nice.

NK voter, I stand corrected, You are absoulutely correct. I have no facts, only opinions. Good job on calling me out on my "rant". Here are some facts. I've rescued people with a fire boat, I've recovered bodies with a fire boat. The Coast Guard did respond, but after the fact. Lives have been saved, families have been given closure thanks to the actions of local area departments and the capabilities of their boats. Whether or not, in your or my opinion, the NKFD needs a new boat will never be agreed upon. This comment section is all about opinion. When facts get thrown into it, they get skewed and twisted into opinion. So I could post all the facts, and get questioned about sources. It's just not worth the time.

To those on the job in NKFD, best of luck.

Nk voter you stated the the NKFD did 3000 calls last year where did you get your information because according to the secretary for the fire department the department did 5000 runs last year.

I still have yet to hear the reasoning why the TC rejected an agreement that was approved by thier own Negotiating team. They hired the team to negotiate on thier behalf, then rejected thier work. Does this mean the TC has no faith or trust in thier own team? Time to fire Embury and Kinder then, since they are just costing the town money by performing work that is not in approval by the TC. DIdn't the team get any input from the TC before signing the agreement? What else does Embury do that the TC doesn't approve of?
It's simular to hiring a contractor to remodel your home with your own plans, then demolish the home. Seems insane.

You can tell who the Fireman, Residents and the Town Council are behind these blog names. I support the Residents and Fireman! This "test case" just proves the Council and Town Manager are breaking the laws. The Fireman should get paid for every hour worked.

That is not true. Thankfully for the Fireman the Judge sees through your smoke and mirrors...

Let's see ToNKa run into a burning building for less pay and no respect from certain residents of NK. These people DESERVE what they are already getting and MORE!