East Chicago Mayor Declares State of Emergency Over Firefighters Hours
East Chicago Indiana, Mayor Anthony Copeland has Declared a State of Emergency related to Fire Department Staffing January 14, 2020.
The City Council voted Monday 7-1 in favor on overriding Copelands veto and passed an Ordinance reestablishing the Firefighters old shifts. Copeland stated this causes chaos and uncertainty with regard to staffing. Copeland also states the Common Council exceeded their powers by passing ordinance.
The firefighters have been protesting the new shift changes since they found out two days prior to the change back in November. Currently firefighters are working Day 1 7-3, Day 2 3-11, Day 3 11-7, and then one off and back to same rotation 8 hours a day with no overtime pay. Firefighters say their sleep schedule is thrown off, family time is off, and safety is a major concern while all this is occurring.
Sounds like sour grapes on Copelands part.
A state of emergency?
I’m sick of these public servants always whining about stuff. Guaranteed overtime? Screw them. You don’t like it? Quit
Thats 48 hours in a week on the epitome of a swing shift schedule. Thats tough for anyone, including a public servant. Your comment and timing of your comment make you sound like you may be drinking, because no one in their right mind would make such an insanely idiotic and ignorant statement. Don’t like my comment? Screw you. Quit this page and go tell those firefighters down at city hall how they’re all whiners.
When I worked for a department. We worked 24 / 48 hour shift schedule. No overtime till we worked a 24 hour fill in shift (or less). Firefighters do not work normal 40 hour work weeks. Plus we get no overtime on that 48 hour work week schedule. They gave us a ‘Kelly’ day to bring us back down to the federal work limits of 48 hour week.
What do you do for a living Dave? You sound like a pencil pusher that has no regard for the working class. Talk like a man with a paper asshole.
I worked shift work for years. The schedule included overtime, double shifts, (3) shifts in one week, etc. I ended up being a zombie, ALWAYS TIRED, no life outside work. It was the worst.
The current schedule the firefighters work is completely nuts. If definitely affects your life and your health.. This schedule guarantees the ones working it are tired all the time. Not good in a job like this.