Petawawa Paid On Call Firefighters Ratify Pact (7/27/10)

Peter Moss (left) and Craig Proulx are among the new RWDSU members at the Petawawa fire department.  

When the 38 paid on call firefighters in Petawawa, Ontario, joined the RWDSU, they did so primarily because they felt they had a lack of input on the job and a say in procedures. Now, thanks to their first RWDSU contract, things have changed for the Local 431 members.

The new three-year contract establishes, for the first time, union security for the Local 431 members, who work other jobs but drop everything to fight fires when they are needed. The contract includes seniority protections and a grievance procedure, and implements regular labor/management meetings which will allow firefighters to voice concerns they are having with the town of Petawawa.

"The key thing here was having a voice in the workplace," said RWDSU Northern Joint Council Representative Jeff Black. "This had nothing to do with money, it had to do with these firefighters being able to communicate openly and having their concerns addressed on a regular basis.”

The contract also creates clothing allowances and leaves of absence, and the town will supply each firefighter with a uniform, along with a one-time payment of $120 as a boot allowance. In addition, the town will pay for any required tests for equipment licenses, or any required medical examinations such as physicals.