The union representing Watertown firefighters is calling a new court decision a win.
Late last week, the Appellate Division in Rochester upheld a ruling by state Supreme Court Judge James McClusky, saying the city is prohibited from temporarily appointing firefighters to acting captain positions, with the exception of legitimate emergencies.
“It definitely is a win. It’s something we’ve been arguing against since 2016,” said Dan Daugherty, president of the Watertown Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 191.
Since 2016, city firefighters on the department’s heavy rescue truck have been working what’s called “out-of-title” to rotate as captains, after several were demoted.
The city has 17 captains now. The court ruling says using firefighters “out-of-title,” like the city has, violates civil service law.