Town of Jackson and Teton County halt firefighter negotiations
Teton County and the Town of Jackson have canceled meetings with the recently created firefighters union scheduled for today. Negotiations were halted over concern about the status of the local organization.
According to Deputy County Attorney Keith Gingery, a 2015 Wyoming Attorney General’s opinion attempted to clarify what constitutes a paid member of a fire department for the purpose of collective bargaining. The opnion found volunteer firefighters, who receive limited benefits and a small stipend for training and responding to calls for service, are considered paid members of a fire department. Therefore, their numbers must be included in the majority of employees who must approve selection of an organization that represents them in collective bargaining talks.
The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5067, which was established in Jackson and Teton County last fall, was created by a majority vote of only the full-time paid firefighters. Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Willy Watsabaugh estimates there are over 100 other volunteers and part-time employees.
Gingery advised against moving forward with negotiations until the union decides whether to include other local firefighters in their union. If not, he said a volunteer could sue the union for having been disenfranchised from the process.
Board of County Commissioners Chair Barbara Allen said, “The volunteer component of our Fire/EMS is incredibly important and provides this community with a huge benefit. We must consider that continuing discussions in the face of that opinion disenfranchises the volunteer members.”
Town Administrator Bob McLaurin said that ceasing the collective bargaining process would not preclude ongoing discussion of other issues raised during three previous contract negotiation sessions with the union.
