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Fayetteville adopts local firefighters 'bill of rights' after union push
Summary
The City Council adopted a local firefighters bill of rights, implementing procedures authorized by Arkansas Act 686 of 2025. Fire Chief Hardon and union representative Jimmy Vineyard said the ordinance protects personnel rights and will help morale and retention.
The Fayetteville City Council voted on Aug. 19 to adopt a local firefighters bill of rights, adopting into city code procedures authorized by the Arkansas Legislature in Act 686 of 2025.
Fire Chief Hardon told council the ordinance was brought forward by the firefighters’ union and that many of the protections reflect practices the city already follows. “This is something that the union brought forward to us,” Chief Hardon said, and he described the ordinance as aligning local practice with the state law the council may now adopt.
Union representative Jimmy Vineyard of Local 2866 spoke in support during public comment, telling the council the ordinance would protect firefighters’ freedom of speech, political activity and privacy and would boost morale and retention. “We request that you support this ordinance,” Vineyard said.
Council suspended the rules for a third reading and approved the ordinance by roll call. Mayor Ron and Council recorded votes followed by the clerk’s certification; council noted Fayetteville would be among the first cities in Arkansas to enact the local version following the state act.
What’s next: staff said a personnel policy implementing minor procedural changes will be brought back to council as an administrative follow‑up to align department practice with the ordinance.
