FLSA Law Protects Two Arkansas Fire Fighter Jobs

February 19, 2008 – Two wrongfully fired Bryant, AR Local 4606 fire fighters are back on the job and a new Labor Management Review Committee formed to ensure that similar situations are not repeated.

Local 4606 Vice President Brian Watson and member Chris Spruell were fired on February 6, 2008, after City officials learned the two had switched shifts but had not indicated the change on their time sheets.

“The current department policy on shift switching is vague, at best,” says Daniel Weger, president of Local 4606. “However, the action is protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). That’s the bottom line in this case.”

Immediately after the firings, Local 4606 called the IAFF for legal assistance. The IAFF provided Local 4606 with arguments to fight the firings before the Bryant City Council.

But before Local 4606 could make its presentation, a meeting was called between key City officials and union representatives. The City agreed to change the terminations to three-day suspensions. Once suspensions were served, Watson, a 12-year veteran fire fighter, and Spruell, a seven-year veteran fire fighter, were able to return to the job.

The City also called for the creation of the Labor Management Review Committee. The first action for the committee is to create an FLSA compliant shift switch policy. Further, the committee will review all fire department policy and address any future policy issues.

“Our local will have at least three members on the committee,” says Weger. “Even though this is not a formal recognition of our union, it is an opportunity for our voices to be heard.”