Contract negotiations are underway for Honolulu’s first responders including police and firefighters.
For the Honolulu Fire Department, KHON2 learned there were issues with the union about firefighters meals.
KHON2 looked at HFD’s budget, and found food costs average $1 million a year. HFD and the union says having their meals paid for is necessary.
During a 24-hour shift, firefighters have to be ready to go at a moments notice. This might mean eating breakfast lunch and dinner can be an after thought. Fire fighters are given money for one meal a day.
Robert Lee, head of the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, says that may be the only meal they get, “So having the meal money available and being able to at least make one meal whenever we have the time is real important factor.”