Excerpts from teamsterslocal700.com:
Yesterday the Stone Park fire chief notified his employees that he will be outsourcing their work and closing up the fire department immediately after the New Year. The memo from the chief came just days after learning that the 13 firefighter/paramedics that work for the Stone Park Fire Department had filed a majority interest petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board (ILRB) to be represented by Teamsters Local 700.
On Dec. 2, 2019, the Stone Park Fire Department issued a memo from the deputy chief that the department was now accepting applications for firefighter/paramedics. The ILRB petition for Teamster representation of the current employees was filed on Dec. 5, 2019.
The chief sent out another memo on Dec. 18, 2019 notifying the current firefighters and paramedics that starting in January, their work would be outsourced to the Melrose Park Fire Department due to the best interests of the taxpayers of Stone Park.
“The chief first put out applications for firefighter/EMS and then not even two weeks later says that the village doesn’t have the funds to support the fire department anymore,” said Teamsters Local 700 President Michael G. Melone. “From our experience, this move is not only despicable but puts the residents of Stone Park at risk. Outsourcing the fire department to a nearby town means higher response times when it comes to emergencies. The chief must think that the lives of the people in Stone Park aren’t worth the extra nuisance of having the union around. All of the residents in Stone Park should be extremely concerned and should be asking the village and the mayor why they are allowing this to happen.”
thanks Danny
#1 by harry on December 21, 2019 - 11:39 PM
I know one dept for sure that trains very hard 7 days a week that is palm beach gardens fl
#2 by Rob on December 21, 2019 - 9:39 PM
Another article is posted by the tribune stating the fire side will be outsourced and ems is not going anywhere.
Also what is the minimum manning per shift?
#3 by WD on December 21, 2019 - 8:57 PM
I worked for this department in the mid 90’s before going on to another department like so many others that started here. It’s a sad day to see this department go away because the village can’t support the department. I wish all of the current and past members well, this was a good department that turned out many good fire fighters that went to work for many other city and suburban departments.
#4 by John on December 21, 2019 - 2:44 PM
That is a heavy statement you made jobs but can u back it up with proof. You look at 75% of full time departments and I bet the training is not where it should be.
#5 by Paul on December 21, 2019 - 2:03 AM
Problem FFPM571 is Stone Parks training is not anywhere near the standards it needs to be, and half the the members paperwork that is submitted to the ISFMO is not accurate by any means. If the state actually did an audit of their training hours or looked into their “in house academy” they would find that it is not to standard.
#6 by FFPM571 on December 20, 2019 - 10:34 PM
Most of the Stone Park guys are not full time elsewhere. They are younger guys who are trying to get on somewhere and are there to get training and experience…Probably like most of the guys here did at one time but forgot where they came from
#7 by thefiremang on December 20, 2019 - 7:26 PM
Spot on Jim.. Big difference than North Riverside. And yes its the fulltime guys trying to protect and increase their part-time fire gig. IAFF should stop the fulltime career members from doing this. Peace out
#8 by cs on December 20, 2019 - 4:07 PM
If they do close does Melrose have to honor all of the change of quarter and box alarm responses that stone park has just wondering thanks
#9 by Jim on December 20, 2019 - 11:34 AM
Chuck,
Actually what is asinine is a part time union, who is trying to protect full time firefighters moonlighting jobs, trying to hold up progress of a community that wishes to be protected by full time firefighters. This is in no way the same as North Riverside who was trying to replace full time firefighters with contract service workers.
#10 by Laura on December 20, 2019 - 9:13 AM
The Mayors brother works for the FD. I’m sure this is Bens idea. He wanted a pt PD he outsourced dispatch. I’m sure your bro will keep his job
#11 by Evan Davis on December 20, 2019 - 7:13 AM
Why Melrose Park and not Leyden?
#12 by ffpm238390 on December 20, 2019 - 6:58 AM
It was bound to happen there. Not a high call volume. MP has a station basically in Stone Park.
Stone Park was staffed by part-timers.
#13 by Chuck on December 19, 2019 - 10:43 PM
Jim, in spite of your asenine comment, let me illuminate you on something – the actions of the Chief in a) attempting to hire new employees and b) closing the Department are both illegal, especially if it can be proven that the actions were taken in response to the unionization effort by the firefighters. Any “savings” the Village thinks they’re going to realize will be eaten up in lawyer fees and ultimately a damage award to the affected employees. Look at what ultimately happened to the attempted union busting in North Riverside – the union WON.
#14 by FFPM571 on December 19, 2019 - 9:16 PM
I guess it’s bound to happen when the mayor’s friend who happened to retire from Melrose Park FD is put into a job where the previous chief who took the department and turned around is shoved out. They were looking for any excuse to do it and this is their chance. Funny how they sold off one of the engines around the same time…coincidence? I guess they can use that $71K it sold for at auction to pay Melrose Park
#15 by MJ FD 543 on December 19, 2019 - 8:03 PM
Jim, in your opinion, why does this need to happen more?
#16 by Jim on December 19, 2019 - 7:27 PM
This needs to happen more
#17 by harry on December 19, 2019 - 5:37 PM
hopefully these firefighters can find other jobs on other depts.