FloridaCapitalTea takes a closer look at the Magistrate’s ruling. We respect the ruling of the magistrate, although his report raises some questions for us. While we don’t know his all his thoughts on this ruling, we will try to understand the best we can.
The Subjective Material In The Magistrate’s Ruling
The beginning of this report is the material presented by both parties. The Magistrate points out how the city is accusing the union of wanting to use general funds. He also points out the union states that due to inequity of using general funds, it would be inappropriate.
The Magistrate recalls that the city rejects the comparison between the police department and the Firefighters due to the distinct roles. For this reason he states it does not favor the union. FloridaCapitalTea argues that firefighters are required to have more certificates and licenses than a law enforcement officer.
Fundamental Understanding of Our Department
The Magistrate states he is familiar with the area. But then asks why the department doesn’t use the money from the county to pay for ambulances. If you recall, that service is owned and ran by the county. The money that they county distributes to the fire service funds is designed to offset pay of the paramedics. He also recommends the city and union encourage employees to have training in EMT and paramedic. We know that our firefighters have a minimum of an EMT license. This reveals the Magistrate’s fundamental understanding of our department is not accurate despite having access to this information.
We assume this magistrate is operating under these conflicting impressions. This calls into question his choice of the three comparable cities and his reasons for using them. This also influences the value he places on our firefighters. Since he is operating under the impression that they are less trained than other departments, was his value of them less?
One of the three cities that the magistrate chose to use for comparison does not have an Engineer rank. While another didn’t have a Captain’s rank. The evidence of this discrepancy is witnessed in the lower raise percent and bonus removal for the Engineer rank.
Furthermore, both the city and union have been working to place all fire employees on the same pension plan. The magistrate suggested adding yet another plan to the structure, further complicating the pensions for both parties.
While suggesting further complications to pension, he fails to suggest a recommendation for retro pay. Meaning paying the fire employees for the past year they have worked.
Conclusion of The Magistrate’s Ruling
Many of our neighbors are seeing this verdict as an insult to our firefighters. Commissioner Bill Proctor calls this ruling “inadequate” in his press release. He also calls on the City to do what is right for our firefighters.
Many of our other neighbors echo his opinion with their own outcry. Their words are seen in the comment sections of many articles and social media posts. The City might be legally correct in sticking with this decision, but are they morally right?
While we respect a magistrate position being difficult, we feel that a fundamental understanding of this department is essential to provide a complete and thorough ruling. FloridaCapitalTea stands with our firefighters and their decision to accept the magistrate’s ruling. We support them asking the commission to ratify retropay for our brave men and women.
To read more about the Hearing itself, you can find that information here: Firefighter Arbitration Case: The Witnesses
