Rules Committee continues consideration of charter amendment on firefighters' workweek after sponsor requests continuation

The clerk read Item 2, described in the agenda as a charter amendment “eliminating the 48 0.7 hour limit on the work week for firefighters” (agenda wording unclear). Chair Chris Daley identified Supervisor Avalos as the sponsor.

Supervisor Jane Collins said she understood the sponsor wanted the item continued and argued that a charter amendment might not be the appropriate mechanism for the proposed change. “I don't know that the Charter Amendment is necessarily the best way to go with something like this,” Collins said, and said she would move to continue the item to the call of the chair.

President David Chu and others discussed conflicting signals from the sponsor about whether to table or continue the item; Chu said the fire department had already agreed to savings equal to those the amendment could achieve. The committee voted on the motion to continue and the clerk recorded a 2–1 tally in favor of continuation (one member recorded a no vote). The item was continued to the call of the chair.

Why it matters: the amendment would change a limit on firefighter work weeks as described in the agenda; committee members debated whether the change should be pursued via charter revision or other means, and staff reports or sponsor clarification are likely required before further action.

What’s next: the item was continued to the call of the chair; no final action or ordinance text was adopted.