For the second time in six years, Oxford’s career firefighters are seeking union representation.
Last week, the township received a letter notifying it that ‘a majority? of the 12 full-time firefighters (excluding the chief) have petitioned to join the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and its state organization, the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union (MPFFU) based in Trenton.
When asked why Oxford’s firefighters are seeking union representation, Firefighter Darin Balinski, who’s apparently helping to organize this effort, declined to comment and referred this reporter to Paul Hufnagel, president of the MPFFU and district field services representative for the IAFF.
Hufnagel couldn’t say for sure what the exact reasons were because ‘that’s a personal choice on their part.?
However, based on his experience, he said, ‘Typically, firefighters call us about organizing when they want to make sure they have a secure work environment and their investment (i.e. time and training) in their careers is protected.?
‘Unionized public employees in Michigan are pretty much well established under state law. Most of the public employees in the state are organized,? Hufnagel noted.
The MPFFU represents more than 5,000 firefighters in 126 departments across the state while the IAFF has more than 3,100 affiliates with over 292,000 members across the United States and Canada. The union only represents career firefighters and paramedics.
‘Our locals range from as small as three (members) up to the Detroit Fire Department,? Hufnagel said. ‘We work with all sizes of communities across the state and I think pretty successfully as far as good working relationships.?
The closest MPFFU locals to Oxford are in Independence and Commerce townships.
In order to petition for union representation, at least 30 percent of the department’s full-time members had to have signed, but Hufnagel said typically a majority is sought to ensure a sufficient level of interest exists.
The ball is now in the township board’s court. Officials can do one of two things.
They can voluntarily recognize, in writing, the IAFF as the full-time firefighters? ‘sole and exclusive bargaining representative.?
This can be done either through a formal resolution or a letter.
‘There’s been some occasions where the employer sees the majority wants it and they just recognize it,? Hufnagel said.
If the township does this, he indicated the next step would be for the union and municipality to sit down and negotiate a contract for the career firefighters.
‘Many times they go in on these first contracts and basically they agree what they have is what they want,? Hufnagel explained. ?(The firefighters) just want it in a more secure fashion, so that it can’t be taken away or their rights limited depending on the political winds.?
‘A lot of times I think even local governments are happier with a contract,? he added. ‘It takes a lot of questions off the table and gives them another management tool.?
However, if the township does not voluntarily recognize the union, the Michigan Employment Relations Commission will have to schedule an election among the 12 full-time firefighters, so they can vote via secret ballot on whether or not to unionize.
‘Typically, in a smaller unit like this, they’ll do it by mail ballot,? Hufnagel said.
It’s been Hufnagel’s experience that most governments generally do not grant voluntary recognition.
‘Some have, but not very frequently,? he said. ‘Generally, they’re going to have the employees vote on it. That’s typically what happens.?
Both township Supervisor Bill Dunn and Fire Chief Pete Scholz declined to comment on the union issue at this time.
Dunn indicated the township board would discuss it and make a decision at its Wednesday, June 10 meeting.
This is the second time Oxford’s full-time firefighters have sought union representation. The first was back in February 2003 when the department was still governed by the 12-member Oxford Public Fire and EMS Commission (OPFEC), which consisted of the township board and village council.
Back then, the department only had four career firefighters.
At the time, OPFEC took the official position that if union representation was going to be offered, all the firefighters, both full-time and paid-on-call, should be given the opportunity to have it and vote on it.
Following the board’s decision, no vote among the fire employees was ever conducted and the issue just died out on its own.
Oxford’s fire department currently has 31 paid-on-call members on staff.