Association prez takes issue with township

It is unbelievable that in the March 11 edition of the Sentinel (Fire union prez calls out mayor, attorney), the township is blaming a lack of communication for the delay in providing firefighters with the fire-retardant station uniforms that they are entitled to both contractually and required to wear by federal OSHA regulations. These uniforms are part of a firefighter's basic protection gear that are worn under bunker gear and provide an additional layer of protection when fighting a fire.

Edison's contract with its firefighters clearly states that the town must provide these specially made safety uniforms annually. That clause has been in our contracts for years. It was upheld in binding arbitration, which was ignored by the township. Then the arbitration decision was upheld by a court order, also ignored by the town. This led to a contempt-of-court decision ordering the immediate delivery of the uniforms, which has still not been obeyed. What didn't the town understand a detailed arbitrator's ruling or the two court decisions? How much communication is necessary for Edison to live up to its obligations to provide for the safety of its firefighters and the people they are responsible for protecting.

Why is the town dragging its feet on providing basic safety equipment to first responders that is mandated by federal regulations, contractually mandated in a collective bargaining agreement upheld by an arbitrator and already budgeted for by the town council?
Robert Yackel
President
Edison Fire Fighters
Association