Full-time firefighters are back on the job in Rocky View County.
Just last month, a collective agreement was signed between Rocky View County (RVC) and the RVC Fire Fighters Association Local 4794 with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The agreement includes the recall of eight full-time firefighters.
“We have reached a collective agreement that settles a lot of the issues that existed between the county and the fire union,” said Randy Smith, Rocky View County (RVC) fire chief. “Those issues have all been resolved.
“The really exciting part is that we brought back eight of the laid off firefighters. Operationally, this is very good for us.”
The re-instated firefighters attended an orientation session April 14 and are already back on shift.
“It was time to hit the reset button,” remarked Lorne West, vice president of the IAFF’s District 6.
“Moving forward, we’re optimistic.”
Smith agreed with West’s sentiments.
“We’re very positive,” he said. “Crews have already gotten started on training programs, and residents can expect to see an emphasis on fire prevention and education.”
The agreement between the two parties would be revisited in August 2015, he said.
The county laid off eleven full-time firefighters — eliminating 12 full-time positions — in June of last year.
In October, the Alberta Labour Relations Board reached the decision that RVC had been bargaining in bad faith in regards to those layoffs.
Since then, the two parties have been in negotiations.
“As far as I’m concerned, the past is the past,” said Smith. “We’re moving forward. We want to be seen as a unified, positive fire service.”
Currently, the county is home to six fire stations — three with full-time staff and three with crews of volunteers. A seventh hall is under construction in Bearspaw.
