Firefighters, union and fire chief spar over light-duty policy; council hears union's questions

Fire Chief Barrett Taylor presented May call statistics and spent several minutes addressing firefighters' concerns about a light-duty policy that had been the subject of public dispute.

Taylor said departments had used an informal light-duty practice dating to 2007 that had not been formally adopted by the board of works. After meetings with the mayor and the union, the mayor provided a temporary light-duty policy through the end of the year while contract negotiations continued. Taylor said that in March he was asked by city legal counsel to incorporate a light-duty policy into departmental rules, and that he put a policy in effect immediately after consultation with the mayor and then sought board-of-works approval.

Union representative Christopher Zbutas, speaking during public comment, thanked supporters for pressure that helped restore a light-duty policy but criticized the process and lack of consultation. "The policy that was approved yesterday was never provided to the firefighters or our negotiating team to review prior to adoption," he said, arguing that managers made changes and did not consult union leadership. Zbutas called for answers about why the issue took months to resolve and why firefighters had to exhaust leave time.

Taylor said the department had implemented a policy and that the one affected individual is on light duty and being accommodated. Mayor Angie Nelson Deitch and council members acknowledged the policy change and encouraged continued dialogue; the board of works had approved a light-duty policy the day prior, council members said.

The public record shows appreciation for action to restore protections, but union speakers and council members said questions about process and timing remain.