North
Kingstown Firefighters Triumph in Labor Dispute
By
Tracey O’Neill
The Town was ordered to make the firefighters whole in a
monetary restoration by "paying
to each and every firefighter, all wages that should have been paid" including
regular, overtime and holiday pay that would have been required had the
unilateral changes not been made. The restitution includes a 12% annual
interest rate accrual running from June 14, 2012 through date of payment.
 |
| NKFFA Local 1651 Restored
to Original Status - Wins at Labor Board (photo by Tracey O'Neill) |
North Kingstown -
North Kingstown firefighters Local 1651 triumphed today in a years' long battle
with the Town over unilateral changes made to shift, platoon and pay structures
outside of collective bargaining.
The State Labor Relations Board in decision released today,
ordered the Town to "immediately
restore the firefighter's schedule, hours of work and hourly rate of pay to
that which existed upon the expiration of the 2010-2011 contract
year."
"We are incredibly happy and certainly vindicated that the
Labor Board upheld the decision and decided that the town had bargained in bad
faith," said Raymond Furtado, Union President.
The town has 60 days to make good on payment to the department.
The order, signed today also makes provision for restitution of
clothing, tuition and other allotment benefits required and not paid under the
2010-2011 contract.
The 52-page decision and order further prohibits the Town from
implementation of any unilateral changes, at any time going forward as to
wages, rates of pay, working conditions or other terms and conditions of
employment.
Full Story to follow.