Redondo Beach firefighters are gridlocked in contract negotiations over an issue that could affect emergency services, said union president Greg Allen.
At issue is the number of firefighters on duty at any given time. Currently, the union’s contract with the city provides 19 full time staff on duty every day in addition to three fire engines, one truck, two paramedic rescues and a battalion or division chief.
Typically, the union negotiates over wages and benefits, but this year Allen said the firm hired to negotiate on behalf of the city is pushing for flexibility in the number of minimum firefighters on duty each day, referred to as constant manning or minimum staffing, Allen said. “They want the ability to take away that part of our contract and decide from day to day the ability to brown out,” Allen said.