Elorza admin. calls fire union contract ‘void’

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE – Mayor Jorge Elorza’s administration is calling the Providence Firefighters’ Union contract “void and unenforceable,” just days before a scheduling overhaul.

A 38-page court document filed Wednesday night argues that the city council and prior Mayor Angel Taveras had no legal right to approve a long-term, five-year contract for the union in 2011. The document points to the Firefighters Arbitration Act, which says contracts can be no longer than three years.

Lawyers for the city are also arguing the city has every right to eliminate a platoon shift. “Being able to reorganize is a management right and that's what we're basing this decision on,” explained Elorza. He announced the scheduling change back in May, in an effort to save around $5 million a year. It would require firefighters to work about 14 hours more each week.

The union is saying this scheduling change breaches the collective bargaining agreement. Union officials want the judge to wait until a compromise is made before ruling on the matter.

But Elorza says as it stands, Saturday is the implementation deadline, and the three platoon schedule will begin Sunday. “I really do hope that we're able to find a resolution,” he said. “We're going to continue to talk at the negotiation table right up until the very end, because I think that's the best way forward.”

Union officials declined to comment on the matter.

© WLNE-TV 2015