Firefighters Douse Chief's Plan for Cuts, Schedule Changes

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)A controversial proposal by DC Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe would have “devastating” effects on DC firefighters, says their union. Ellerbe says his proposal to change shift schedules would save the city millions by cutting as many as 400 jobs, but Fire Fighters Local 36 -- which says the proposal would “devastate” firefighters' lives -- has vowed to fight the Chief’s plan vigorously, reported the Washington Post yesterday. “The whole membership is against it,” Local 36 President Ed Smith told the Post. Negotiations on a new union contract are set to begin soon. - photo courtesy of IAFF 36