Firefighter/Paramedics Form IAFF Locals in Hermon, Presque Isle & Winslow

PHOTO: Winslow firefighters (IAFF 5479) with their new charter.

Firefighter/paramedics in Hermon, Presque Isle and Winslow have formed unions with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) this year. The new IAFF locals have organized in the midst of a wave of successful union drives among firefighter/EMTs in northern and central Maine, doubling the number of locals affiliated with the Professional Firefighters of Maine (PFFM) in recent years.

Previously the town of Hermon had an all-volunteer department with occasional live-in students, a full-time chief and a full-time deputy chief at times. Last year, the town decided to hire four more full-time firefighters and are considering adding another four to the department next year possible, said PFFM 4th District Vice President Ronnie Green.

Green said the newly formed Hermon Professional Firefighters (IAFF 5458) have negotiated their first contract which includes pay raises, vacations, sick leave, safer working conditions, cancer prevention measures, grievance procedures and a formal pay structure. The union also secured the 42 hour work week schedule like most other FD's have recently switched to. Green said previously raises weren’t given out fairly.

“We built a union contract where everyone gets paid equally and fairly,” he said.

Presque Isle was previously organized with Teamsters 340, but had decertified on their own. IAFF 5459 President Josh Blanchette, a Presque Isle firefighter, said his members voted unanimously to join the IAFF so they could have more autonomy over their decisions. They also wanted to be in their own separate firefighter unit because previously they were grouped in with other city employees.

“This allows us to take the steering wheel and steer our union in the direction that we want it to go,” said Blanchette.

The unit had doubled in size to 24 members since the department started performing emergency medical services (EMS) in 2015 and there were several new members. The union is now working on building its relationship with the communities it serves. The Presque Isle Fire Department covers a vast geographic area, providing first-out to nine communities and backup EMS for another four departments. In its first IAFF contract, the Presque Isle firefighters negotiated wage increases, a 42-hour work week and some new language around vacation time.

Green said he talked with the firefighters about the importance of engaging with their local state legislators like Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) about labor issues. He said its especially critical to preserve a law that makes it easier for firefighters, EMTs, police officers, emergency dispatchers and corrections officers to get workers’ compensation benefits for work-related post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, Green said the firefighters are now able to take advantage of the union’s peer support program that treats first responders for PTSD and other behavioral health issues.

Winslow firefighters (IAFF 5479) have also formed a new union with the IAFF after leaving a joint AFSCME unit that also covered the public works department. The firefighters said they had a good relationship with AFSCME but they wanted to be in a union with predominantly firefighters and emergency responders. AFSCME voluntarily allowed them to leave.

“We’re glad to be in the IAFF and we look forward to our next contract and trying to help our brothers and sisters who are going into negotiations," said IAFF 5479 President Wyatt Oliver.

Local 5479 initially asked the town to recognize their previous contract, the town manager was open to bargaining a new contract. Oliver said his members are most excited about receiving a 21.21 percent raise over three years in the new contract. The agreement also switches members to the state MainePERS retirement plan, which allows firefighters to retire after 25 years of service and receive 2/3 of their average final compensation. In addition, the contract includes improvements to their longevity pay policy, a raise in the clothing allowance from $600 to $1000, time and half during state of emergencies like serious storms.

“We also got the town to purchase liability insurance for all of our EMS providers,” Oliver added. “So barring any negligence or gross negligence, if we were to get sued for doing our duties, the town has a liability insurance policy for us.”