Rochester Hills firefighters move to arbitration after talks stall; union leaders and mayor address council

Union leaders representing Rochester Hills firefighters told the City Council on Monday that bargaining over wages and overtime reached an impasse and the union has moved toward arbitration and filed an unfair labor practice charge.

Derek Gardner, president of Rochester Hills Professional Firefighters Local 3472, said the central disagreement concerns a proposed change to how overtime is calculated. The city has proposed moving from a 14‑day, 106‑hour overtime standard to a 28‑day, 212‑hour standard. Gardner and other union leaders told the council that change, without protective language used in neighboring municipalities, would reduce overtime pay for many firefighters.

Several union officers and members addressed the council during public comment, pressing for a negotiated settlement and warning that arbitration and unilateral changes would harm recruitment and retention. Treasurer Dave Kopko described delayed economics negotiations that extended past the union's contract expiration and said the wage study showed Rochester Hills ranking low among peers; he and other speakers said the union previously made concessions and were disappointed the city did not match them.

Vice President Sean Mangan and Secretary Christian Shaddair said staffing, training and emergency‑medical service quality would be affected if the employer pursued schedule changes or reduced paramedic training for new hires. Shaddair noted a national shortage of firefighters and paramedics and said competitive compensation is critical to recruiting and retaining experienced personnel.

Nurses and healthcare workers from Henry Ford Hospital and their unions spoke in solidarity with the firefighters, describing joint actions and arguing that competitive wages are essential to public safety and to retaining emergency personnel.

Mayor Brian Barnett responded in the meeting, thanking firefighters for their service and outlining the city's recent proposal. He said the city offered a first‑year increase ranging from about 9% for established firefighter‑paramedics (about an $8,000 raise for most incumbents) to roughly 21% for new hires (about $15,000 for those starting), plus 2.75% increases in years two and three. The mayor said the city also enhanced dental, disability and other benefits, and reduced the probationary health insurance waiting period for new hires.

Barnett said the city sought to base offers on a comprehensive wage study of comparable municipalities and emphasized that Rochester Hills has consistently invested in the fire department’s facilities and equipment. He said the union initiated arbitration and that the city will participate in the process but urged continued direct dialogue to avoid the time and expense of arbitration.

Union leaders said threats or comments by the city's negotiating team prompted an unfair labor practice filing; the union maintains it remains open to negotiated settlement but felt it had no choice. The union said arbitration could take months and expected a decision timeline into the fall.

No formal council action was taken Monday on the bargaining process; the item came during the public‑comment period and in mayoral remarks. Council members and the mayor said they are available to continue discussions and expressed appreciation for firefighters' service.