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City considering trial period for 24-hour firefighter shifts – Winnipeg Free Press

Pabio November 7, 2024

Winnipeg could soon consider replacing its firefighters with 24-hour shifts, as part of a new collective agreement.

A tentative labor agreement with the United Firefighters of Winnipeg says a special task force would “review and investigate” the feasibility of a 24-hour shift and “identify issues and concerns arising from such a shift used by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. » if the municipal council and the union ratify the union proposal.

The group would then submit a report to the head of WFPS on how to proceed, although its recommendations would not be binding.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES A tentative labor agreement between the City of Winnipeg and United Winnipeg Firefighters says a special task force would — RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS KITS

A tentative labor agreement between the City of Winnipeg and United Winnipeg Firefighters says a special task force would “review and investigate” the feasibility of moving Winnipeg firefighters to 24-hour shifts.

The proposal raises some concerns about how staff in a busy department would be affected by such long hours, the councilor said. Evan Duncan.

“I’m not sure there is currently an appetite for 24-hour shifts, given that some staff are struggling…whether it’s due to mental health issues or post-traumatic stress …to carry out their current work cycle,” said Duncan, former president. of the council’s community services committee.

A new report Tuesday says WFPS is projecting a budget overrun of nearly $13 million, primarily due to increased firefighter injury claims and overtime needed to cover staff absences.

Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said he wasn’t sure such long shifts would work well in Winnipeg, where staff are already affected by high demand for emergency services and overtime .

“I don’t know why it would make sense at this point to have (staff) this busy for 24 hours straight. I don’t know how they could ensure that people are properly rested during this time to ensure that they are ready and able to respond to emergency situations,” he said, noting that calls calling 911 can be especially stressful due to the city’s ongoing drug crisis. . “If I had to deal with what they have to deal with, I don’t think I could do it for 24 hours straight.”

Duncan said the city should focus on the root causes of increased overtime and absenteeism “instead of just moving to 24-hour shifts without addressing” those issues.

Advice. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas), the current community services chair, could not be reached for comment.

WFPS did not respond to an interview request by deadline Wednesday.

Since last year, Winnipeg firefighters have been working a four-day rotation – two 10-hour day shifts and two 14-hour night shifts – on and four days off.

United Firefighters of Winnipeg president Tom Bilous said the union would not comment on any details of the tentative agreement until it is finalized.

Last year, Bilous told Free press the trial of 24-hour shifts was among its members’ top three negotiating priorities.

“We are following instructions from members, and some have expressed interest in exploring a trial period,” he said at the time.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario Fire Department permanently moved to a 24-hour shift system in 2020. Their model involves a 24-hour shift, followed by a day off, then a another 24-hour shift and five days off.

“Most large fire departments in Ontario already operate under the 24-hour shift model…the 10-hour day and 14-hour night shifts, four on and four off, were more exhausting,” said Dennis Brescacin, president. of the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association. “With the 24-hour shift, we have 24 hours off in between. »

Brescacin said the program has eased firefighters’ sleep schedules, improved their work-life balance and is linked to better mental health, less sick leave and higher morale.

He said the current system allows firefighters to work an average of about 42 hours a week.

Brescacin said the long shifts were not linked to exhaustion or safety concerns. In fact, he believes sick leave has decreased because firefighters feel less fatigue overall.

“I recommend it to any department. Even our management appreciates it too. This saved them money, as well as sick leave,” he said.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said a testing period would help determine whether the change should be made.

“Our staff will work with the UFFW to form a committee to review this issue. I’m looking forward to the results of what they find out, whether it’s beneficial or not,” he said.

The 24-hour shift is one element of a broader labor agreement proposed for Winnipeg firefighters.

The tentative agreement includes across-the-board pay increases of 1.5 percent on June 30 (retroactive) and December 31. Wages would increase by another 1.1 percent on July 1, 2025, followed by 1.5 percent on December 31, 2025. Two of the 1 percent increases would follow in each of the next three years.

The deal is expected to cost the city about $60.5 million more than its current labor agreement by its Dec. 31, 2028, expiration date.

It also proposes strengthening parental leave, by offering certain staff an additional 15 weeks of additional pay to reach 93 percent of their usual weekly salary. The city would also continue to provide $88,000 annually to support residential substance abuse and mental health treatment for its members.

The mayor said he hoped to vote in favor of the deal.