Excerpts from theDailyHerald.com: The Elgin firefighters’ union has raised concerns with the city after three members were ordered to cut their hair, which they had been growing as a symbolic protest against the 25-month absence of a labor contract. Vince Rychtanek, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 439, along with Vice President Edward Hanson and Shop Steward Joe Villella, began letting their hair grow in early 2015 to draw attention to the long-standing issue. The dispute is currently being handled through arbitration. Rychtanek stated that the three firefighters were recently instructed by their superiors to trim their hair. Villella complied first, followed by Rychtanek and Hanson last week. However, the union’s complaint, dated February 9, isn’t focused on the length of their hair, but rather on the department implementing grooming policy changes without prior negotiation with the union. “We were all ordered to cut our hair. We’re not going to disobey an order,†Rychtanek said. “Grooming policies are typically considered a mandatory subject for bargaining across the country.†Fire Chief John Fahy explained that the department’s official policy requires members to maintain a “neat and clean†appearance. He noted that while all three firefighters were told to cut their hair, only Hanson failed to comply when asked by his battalion chief. Villella had already cut his hair earlier in the year after a former assistant chief spoke with him, and Rychtanek did so after being requested by his own battalion chief. “Rychtanek’s and Hanson’s hair got pretty out of hand — shaggy, unkempt, and long,†Fahy said. “Their battalion chiefs told them, ‘You need to meet the policy.’†Fahy also mentioned that fire departments often have varying grooming standards, ranging from basic rules like Elgin’s to more detailed regulations regarding hair length, piercings, and tattoos. “We don’t have a hair problem within the Elgin Fire Department,†he said. “We have 133 members, and only three who are upset about the arbitration process.†Rychtanek acknowledged that the core issue is the unresolved contract. “Ultimately, we want the city to sit down and negotiate the contract. It’s not about growing our hair long,†he said. The contract is currently stalled in arbitration due to a disagreement over minimum manning requirements, according to Rychtanek. “It’s unacceptable that firefighters have gone over two years without a contract,†he added. “This is the way the city negotiates — they prefer to go to arbitration instead of sitting down at the table.†Thanks, Dan Hot Rolled Plate,Corten Steel Plate,Pressure Vessel Plate,Alloy Steel Plate GNEE (Tianjin) Multinational Trade Co.,Ltd , https://www.suppliersteel.com
Elgin firefighters file grievance
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