Unpaid Federal Firefighters Call for End to Federal Government Shutdown

The Professional Fire Fighters of Maine (PFFMaine) is calling on Congress and the President to negotiate a deal to end the federal government shutdown that is forcing federal firefighters at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) and the Navy’s VLF Transmitter station in Cutler, Maine to work without pay. Currently, members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local F-123 at PNSY and Local F-316 in Cutler are still working their regular shifts and responding to and protecting vital navy assets, including nuclear submarines at PNSY and global strategic communications in Cutler, ensuring national security even as their own financial security is at risk. Federal firefighters also provide mutual aid to surrounding communities including first alarm structural firefighting assignments and advanced life support care at the paramedic level.

“Our members were paid until October 1, but there was a glitch in the Navy’s timekeeping software that prevented us from getting paid for the overtime we worked during the last pay period prior to the shutdown. We expected full paychecks because we have to work 144 hour pay periods, 72 hour work weeks, the most in the nation compared with our municipal Brothers and Sisters. We work 106 hours straight time with 38 hours of overtime automatically built into our schedules for a total of 144 hours. Federal Firefighters work the most hours of any firefighters in the country,” said Kyle Moser, Fifth District Vice President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine. “Our members are struggling without pay. There are over 80 federal firefighters in the State of Maine and we go to work no matter what. We still have to show up to work, pay our bills and protect the assets of the Navy and surrounding communities when they call upon us. Whether Democrat or Republican, it does not matter. We just need the President and Congress to reopen the government and pay federal firefighters for the critical service we provide.”