Firefighters tap union for negotiations
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 367 to represent TTFD in employment talks with Texas side
Texarkana, Texas, Fire Department has elected the local firefighters’ union chapter to be its exclusive bargaining agent.
Ninety-two percent of Texas-side firefighters voted for International Association of Fire Fighters Local 367 to represent TTFD in employment talks with the city, said Scott Robertson, the chapter’s president.
“A vote of 92 percent shows that the firefighters have faith in their union and are anxious to sit down with city leaders and negotiate a contract,” Robertson said.
Robertson emailed the results of the vote to City Manager John Whitson, who replied to acknowledge he received them.
Robertson declined to comment on the union’s next steps. By state law, it has until June 3—120 days before the end of the fiscal year—to deliver a written request for collective bargaining to the city.
The city has until Oct. 30—30 days
after the beginning of next fiscal year—to comply with all state law regarding collective bargaining with the fire department. What that entails is unclear.
“We have a lot of education to do on everyone’s part,” Whitson said.
Whitson plans to ask the City Council to let him retain legal counsel with expertise in negotiations with organized labor.
A resolution to that effect probably will be introduced at the council’s April 10 or April 24 meeting.
“Until that attorney gets on board, I’m not providing any response to the local except to acknowledge I got their email. I’m just being very cautious. I don’t want to jeopardize either the city or the firefighters by doing the wrong thing at the wrong time,” Whitson said.
State law says a local election must be held to decide whether police or firefighters can choose a collective bargaining agent.
Texas-side residents voted in November to let TTFD choose representation.
It is illegal for Texas police and firefighters to strike or participate in work stoppages or work slowdowns.