After finding common ground with the city, the fire union Local 825 has withdrawn its prohibitive practice complaint regarding safety and labor concerns related to Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director Rick Fontana, who the bargaining unit alleged had been performing the duties of Fire Department employees.
“This agreement is the truest vindication of our position and ensures that Rick Fontana’s actions will no longer place firefighters in harm’s way,” Local 825 President Frank Ricci said.
The complaint, filed with the state Board of Labor Relations on Aug. 8, claimed Fontana did the work of Fire Department employees several times by allegedly dispatching himself and responding to fire calls, working to put out fires, using fire radio channels, wearing a similar uniform as fire command staff and acting as the public information officer on fire scenes.