Coventry Fire District votes to remove fire fighter layoffs from agenda

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

A quick meeting of the Coventry Fire District Board Monday night, made it clear most are not ready to accept layoffs within the department. Chairman Frank Palin was the target of much frustration.

"As long as Frank’s here, he’ll do everything he can to derail us as a Fire Department. There’s no question about that," says Union President David Gorman.

Board members voted 3–2 to remove firefighter layoffs from the agenda. Despite the vote, Palin continued to argue layoffs are needed for the department to make pay roll.

"We have some serious problems, because as of Friday, we will be in violation of state labor laws. We will not be able to pay the firefighters Friday, nor will we be able to pay them the 18th and also the second of October," says Palin

According to Palin, the district has roughly $24,000 left for payroll, and it needs more than $50,000.  Gorman says the firefighters have offered concessions.

"The union has collectively offered, like I said, eliminating minimum staffing in its entirety…The union has offered to give up three positions of members who have retired," says Gorman.

Board members say Chairman Palin ended the meeting out of desperation, but agreed to an executive session at a later date to negotiate. In the meantime the firefighters tell ABC 6 they will continue to do their jobs despite all of the uncertainty.

"I think our members will end up showing up to work regardless of the pay," says Gorman.

(C) WLNE_TV 2015