Firefighter Demotions Fuel Tension
George Tomasak, president of the Luzerne County Professional Firefighters, Local 840, said Friday a complaint was filed with fire Chief Frank Roman. Roman plans to respond to the complaint, but would not comment. He has seven days to acknowledge the grievance.
Tomasak said the union believes the demotions were punishment for union members distributing fliers protesting cuts in part-time firefighters' hours. "This is a retaliation by mayor and council. It seems those who voiced opinion got demoted."
Tomasak called the grievance a "slam-dunk case," referencing the firefighters' contract, which states "no member of the bargaining unit shall be disciplined, demoted, or discharged without just cause."
But Mayor Michael Lombardo said the demotions were about budget cuts, not discipline and discharge. The fire department has been uncooperative in helping find solutions to ease the city's financial woes, he said.
City Clerk Savino Bonita said he does not understand how the union believes the demotions were disciplinary. "The mayor tried to do the right thing by doing anything it takes to get money to
keepart-time men there."
Bonita, who had not seen the grievance as of Friday afternoon, said he believes the demotions were to recoup money for part-time firefighters in the event a full-timer calls off sick or takes vacation.
Bonita said the budget for full-time and part-time firefighters was never decreased. Two full-time firefighters are on at all times, and part-timers are only used to cover for full-timers.
About 40 part-time shifts were created with the demotions Wednesday, but because the part-time budget is already $1,600 in the red, only 23 shifts can be used, he said. The demotions only freed up $3,486 for the city, Bonita continued.
Councilwoman Donna McFadden-Connors also noted the lack of cooperation from the fire department. She said she met with the six firefighters in the past, but none would talk because the union had told them to remain silent.
She said she called Tomasak during the week of July 14, requesting a meeting, but said he could not fit the meeting into his schedule. Tomasak said McFadden-Connors never called him to set up a meeting.
City firefighters Friday said they could not comment on the situation, fearing retaliation.