Tuesday, May 14, 2013
"[It] did not in any way address the illegality of the Town’s action [on imposing 24-hour shifts]," says Union President Ray Furtado.
In the wake of the state Supreme Court's decision (attached, right) Friday that said the town could continue imposing 24-hour firefighter shifts pending final decision in the matter, president of the North Kingstown fighters union, Ray Furtado, issued this statement: “The recent decision by the Supreme Court to maintain the status quo of our current work schedule pending appeal is disappointing, but not totally unanticipated. It was a procedural finding on a portion of the Superior Court ruling which the Town appealed, and did not in any way address the illegality of the Town’s action to this point. The court clearly states that those questions are still 'looming,' and we very much look forward to that dialogue. The unfortunate result for…
Friday, March 29, 2013
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has continued the stay that extends the town's deadline to return firefighters to their former shift schedule.
The deadline for the Town of North Kingstown to return its firefighters from mandated 24-hour shifts to their prior schedules has been extended once again. The Rhode Island Supreme Court has continued the stay, which was supposed to expire on March 21, until May 15. At that time, oral arguments will be heard. During that time, the court is urging both sides to continue negotiating. Town officials sought a stay from the Supreme Court after Superior Court Judge Brian Stern sided against the town in its implementation of a new ordinance that ordered firefighters to work 24-hour shifts for the town's firefighters, increased the work week from 42 to 56 hours, eliminated one platoon and decreased firefighters' hourly wages. According to Stern…
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Town officials have until March 21 to negotiate before they may be forced to nix 24-hour shifts for firefighters.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has granted a delay that would have ended 24-hour shifts for North Kingstown's firefighters. The stay expires March 21 and stipulates that town officials and the North Kingstown firefighters' union, Local 1651, must continue to negotiate to reach a contract agreement. The Supreme Court decision also mandates that both sides must report the status of negotiations within 15 days. Town officials sought a stay from the Supreme Court after Superior Court Judge Brian Stern sided against the town in its implementation of a new ordinance that ordered firefighters to work 24-hour shifts for the town's firefighters, increased the work week from 42 to 56 hours, eliminated one platoon and decreased firefighters' …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Town officials have been given a stay regarding a ruling that orders them to return firefighters to their former work schedules.
A Supreme Court judge has granted a temporary stay to North Kingstown town officials regarding a ruling that requires them to return firefighters to their former work schedules, according to Town Manager Michael Embury. Supreme Court Judge Gilbert Indeglia has issued a stay of implementation, but only for a few days until the entire Rhode Island Supreme Court can meet and vote on the matter. In the interim, Judge Indeglia has urged town officials and the fire union (Local 1651) to work to resolve the issue. According to Town Manager Michael Embury, the town is seeking to appeal a Superior Court judge's decision on the matter. If both sides don't reach an agreement by end of day Wednesday, the entire Supreme Court will consider the issue …
A decision that would return NK's firefighters to their former work schedules is being challenged by town officials.
Town officials plan to appeal a decision made by a Superior Court judge that would return North Kingstown firefighters to their former work schedules. According to Town Manager Michael Embury, the town plans to seek of stay for implementation of the order in Supreme Court and then file an appeal. On Wednesday, the town's request for a stay was denied by Superior Court Judge Brian Stern. Earlier this week, Judge Stern ordered the town to overturn an ordinance that mandated 24-hour shifts for firefighters, giving the town until the end of the weekend to implement the order. According to North Kingstown Fire Union President Ray Furtado, both sides are expected to appear in Rhode Island Supreme Court Thursday afternoon for a conference. …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
A Superior Court judge is ordering the town to restore firefighters' previous hours and salaries by the weekend.
The 24-hour shift for North Kingstown's firefighters may be no more by the end of the weekend. On Monday, Superior Court Judge Brian Stern has ordered town officials to return the North Kingstown Fire Department to its previous hours and salaries by Feb. 11. In January 2012, the North Kingstown Town Council passed an ordinance mandating 24-hour shifts for the town's firefighters, increasing the work week from 42 to 56 hours, eliminating one platoon and decreasing firefighters' hourly wages. The new ordinance was implemented in March 2012 and, since then, the town and fire union (Local 1651) have been embroiled in a series of court battles. Back in December 2012, Judge Stern ordered the town to "unring the bell," stating that the council …
Monday, February 4, 2013
Former Town Councilor Chuck Brennan urges residents to email the current council.
To the editor, What is going on between the Town of North Kingstown and the North Kingstown Fire Department? Relations have been bad for the last year when the Town Council forced the firefighters to work 24 hour shifts but things could have changed for the better this week. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. The first thing that happened was that the Town Council took up the issue of the new fireboat again. Last year the previous council, of which I was a member, took up the issue during several meetings. The fire department obtained a homeland security grant of $830,000 to purchase a new boat. Our council voted to approve the purchase after several meetings and discussion and the boat was ordered. One person emailed the council after …
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
A Superior Court judge will make a decision on a preliminary injunction filed by the fire union against the town.
Superior Court Judge Brian Stern is expected to rule in the North Kingstown Fire Union's case against the town next week. In December, Local 1651 filed a preliminary injunction against the town after the Town Council passed a new ordinance that would require firefighters to work 24-hour shifts. Stern’s decision is anticipated on either May 4 or May 7. On Jan. 30, the Town Council passed the measure, 3-2, following heated public comment from residents, firefighters and their families. The new shift changes went into effect on March 11, moving firefighters from 10- and 14-hour shifts to 24-hour shifts and average 56-hour work weeks — adding 14 hours to their weekly schedule. The restructuring of the department could save the town …
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North Kingstown Fire Department
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Just the Facts
9:10 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013
Just to be accurate. EP has not hired since 07'. The City turned down a 3.5mil dollar grant to do so. more ›