House passes bill mandating firefighter overtime pay
By Jordan Mazza
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — By a vote of 62 to 9, the House overwhelmingly supported two bills ending an exemption from state law that prevents cities and towns from having to pay firefighters overtime after 42 hours.
“I’m happy for the firefighters, and I’m happy for the public’s safety,” said John Edwards, (D) Majority Whip. “Now they actually have equity like every other person that works in the state of Rhode Island. They’re going to get overtime at 42 hours, just like everybody else who works on an hourly wage.”
Majority Whip Edwards’ hometown of Tiverton is one of only three fire departments in the state that didn’t already have that 42–hour policy.
One of the others the Central Coventry Fire District said in a statement complying with the legislation would cost more than $700,000, pushing the district, “back towards bankruptcy.”
“This just adds fuel to the fire, shall I say,” said Rep. George Nardone, (R) District 28.
Coventry is part of Representative Nardone’s district.
He says he voted no because the taxpayers can’t afford it.
“This is just going to add another layer of taxes on us, exponentially,” he said. “I don’t see how it’s avoidable. The future does not look bright. It looks bleak because of this. We’ll see where it goes.”
The bills now head to the Senate for consideration, and if they pass there, to Governor Raimondo’s desk.
©WLNE-TV 2019
