Corner Brook firefighters union getting political

The International Association of Firefighters Local 1222 wants to make sure people are aware of the issues and the decisions being made regarding the Corner Brook Fire Department.

For the past few weeks the union, which represents city firefighters, has been conducting a political action campaign in advance of the Sept. 26 municipal election. The union has run advertisements in The Western Star and held a meet-and-greet session with candidates last week.

Local 1222 president Geoff Sparkes said it’s all about providing information to the public and about raising its concerns with candidates — dispelling some of the myths and misleading statement that have been made.

Sparkes said a big issue for the union is binding arbitration, which it feels is better for public safety when contract negotiations fail. He said there would be no work stoppage, either by strike or lockout by the employer.

The city’s backup plan in the event of a work stoppage has been to have managers, who undergo some basic training, provide the service.

“It certainly doesn’t instill a lot of confidence in us as firefighters, nor should it instill public confidence that the fire service will be maintained if there is a strike or lockout,” he said.

Sparkes said there have been questions about the cost to taxpayers if binding arbitration is used, but he doesn’t see it making a big difference.

“We don’t expect wage parity with St. John’s and we’re not going to get it with arbitration.”

He said the issue is solely about public safety.