More Briefings on Tulsa (OK) Firefighter Lawsuit over Political Campaigning

From the Tulsa World:

A federal judge has ordered further briefing in a lawsuit alleging that Mayor Dewey Bartlett violated the rights of Tulsa firefighters when he ordered them not to campaign in municipal elections.


U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell heard arguments Thursday regarding the firefighters' union's request for a preliminary injunction that would let them campaign in upcoming municipal elections.

The judge gave the parties until Tuesday to submit proposed findings to the court.

The lawsuit, filed by the Tulsa Fire Fighters Association Local 176 and four of its officials against the city and Bartlett, alleges that the mayor's order violates not only the U.S. Constitution but also the Oklahoma Constitution, at least two state laws and at least one city ordinance.

Tulsa Fire Capt. Chad Miller, the only witness called to the stand by either side, said that with primary elections set for Sept. 13, every day firefighters are not allowed to campaign on behalf of candidates they support "is a day we can't get back," he said.

MT Firefighters Face Layoffs

From KAJ News:

The local union was notified by Kalispell City Manager Jane Howington that seven Kalispell firefighters are facing layoffs, with Howington saying that the city budget is too tight for them to keep the jobs.

The union held a press conference on Wednesday in response to the announcement and some of those firefighters spoke about the possibility of losing their jobs.

"I'm a second generation firefighter, I've made Kalispell my home, this affects me, my way of living, how I provide for myself," aaid Kalispell firefighter Soren Koetter.

"What's going through my head today, what am I gonna do on May 15 when that day comes," added Jeremy Grady a Kalispell firefighter. "Just trying to figure out my options and provide for my family, my baby and wife, and just see what I can do down the road. Hopefully the union and the city reach a compromise."

Read more HERE.

Firefighter Layoffs: St. Louis (MO) Fire Department to Lay Off 30 Firefighters

According to a report from stlouistoday.com:

After nine months of stalemate in labor negotiations, the city will lay off 30 firefighters, the office of Mayor Francis Slay said late Monday, one of the few Fire Department layoffs in city history.

In addition, said chief of staff Jeff Rainford, the city will cut 24 more positions through attrition, bringing the cuts to nearly 10 percent of the department's 600 firefighters.

Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson vowed the layoffs would not impact public safety. "It's going to put a strain on us," he said. "It's my job to get through it."

Firefighters said they had heard the rumors but were surprised to hear the decision. Chris Molitor, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 73, said the news would be tough to take.

Read all about it HERE.