Pending Union Fire Contract/Omaha Fire Department
PROBLEM: For many years now, serious questions about OFD management have concerned taxpayers. Expensive minimum staffing requirements, employment and payroll records that no one can audit, a history of unfair nepotism, and union contract negotiations that dismiss taxpayers’ interests are just a few of the management mistakes that continue to plague OFD.
SOLUTION: Serious reform of OFD management is needed to reduce the excessive costs and streamline department services.
VIDEOS: A comprehensive local news piece identifying both the local and national controversy over fire union contracts:
Fire Union Holds Open House Amid ‘Anti Union’ Sentiment
Mayor Answers ??? About LASIK in Contract
REPORTS:
07/08/2011 New Fire Union Contract Analysis
01/15/2011 Fire Union Contract Analysis
01/15/2011 Six Million Dollar Solution.
2010
03/18/2010 $6 MILLION SOLUTION FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
03/18/2010 $6 MILLION SOLUTION FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT “the numbers”
02/10/2010 THE ALLIANCE POINTS OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT MISMANAGEMENT
02/10/2010 Mismanagement of the City of Omaha Fire and Rescue Department
01/11/2010 Fire Union Contract
ARTICLES: Fire Union Criticizes City Memo, Omaha World Herald 08/27/2003
New Rules Broaden for Chief’s Job, Omaha World Herald 04/02/2008
Chief Tests Management Skills, Omaha World Herald 07/24/2008
Group Sees Sweetheart Deal, Omaha World Herald 01/13/2010
Fire Denies Sweetheart Deals, Omaha World Herald 01/13/2010
Firefighters Cashing Comp Time, Omaha World Herald 01/13/2010
Changes in Firefighting Testing, Omaha World Herald 01/16/2010
Consultant Hired, Omaha World Herald 03/24/2010
Auditor Faults Records, Omaha World Herald 10/28/2010
Better Tracking Needed, Omaha World Herald 10/29/2010
Records Changed, Omaha World Herald 11/01/2010
Need Monthly Reports, Omaha World Herald 11/03/2010
$7 Million Headache, Omaha World Herald 01/06/2011
Punished for Talking, Omaha World Herald 04/07/2011
No Retaliation, Omaha World Herald 04/23/2011
Safety at Risk, Omaha World Herald 04/25/2011
Fire Reached Deal, Omaha World Herald 05/24/2011
Suttle on Timing, Omaha World Herald 05/25/2011
Contract Timing Debated, Omaha World Herald 05/25/2011
Union to Gov: Keep Out, Omaha World Herald 05/27/2011
Vote on Fire Pact delayed, Omaha World Herald 06/01/2011
Suttle: No Need to Wait on Fire Pact, Omaha World Herald 06/08/2011
****GOOD NEWS****Only 45 more years of high taxes until we fund the police and fire pensions!!!!
City’s Pensions Shortfall Drops, Omaha World Herald 06/11/2011
Contract Moves Forward, Omaha World Herald 07/08/2011
Mayor Puts Fire Pact Back on Table, Omaha World Herald 08/27/2011
No Mayor at Bargaining Table? Omaha World Herald 08/29/2011
Council Takes Over Negotiation, Nebraska Watchdog 08/30/2011
Fire House Called Party House, Omaha World Herald 09/10/11
Fire Union Sues City, KETV 09/11/2011
Contract Dispute Goes to Arbitration, Omaha World Herald 09/29/2011
Fire Department Records One Year Later, KETV 10/12/2011
Lauded for Absence of Fire Deaths, Omaha World Herald 12/10/2011
EDITORIALS:
Scare Tactics Used for Fire Contract, Dave Nabity, Omaha World Herald 08/15/11
Don’t Rush the Fire Deal, World Herald Editorial, Omaha World Herald 08/14/11
Toward a More Perfect Union, by Tristan Bonn 07/07/2011
Nabity Whistleblower 06/11/2011
Brother Can You Spare a Dime? 05/15/2011
Public Disrespected, Omaha World Herald 10/30/2010
Solution to Omaha Woes Reform, Not Taxes, by David Nabity 08/09/10
Suttle, City Could Save Through Downsizing, by David Nabity 05/01/2010
Fire Ordinance Recklessly Prevents Review, by David Nabity 07/28/2009
Cuts in Fire Budget Necessary, Practical by Dan Welch 08/28/2007
A great national piece describing the rise and the controversy surrounding public employee unions:
The New Tammany Hall by Daniel DiSalvo and Fred Siegel, 10/12/2009
CONTRACTS: Check out the pending Fire Contract and decide for yourself if the City has bargained for enough savings. Click on this link, then scroll to bottom of the page for a link to the contract:
