NEW ORLEANS — After one-third of firefighters scheduled to work Saturday called in sick, a spokesperson with City Hall told Nola.com only 20 New Orleans firefighters called in sick Sunday.
The number of on-duty firefighters went from 89 on Saturday to 120 on Sunday.
New Orleans Fire Fighters Association President Aaron Mischler told Nola.com more firefighters showing up to work Sunday proved that people called in sick because they were genuinely sick of had prior obligations.
Last week New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Tim McConnell canceled vacation and leave time to adequately fire stations because firefighters began boycotting voluntary overtime.
Mischler said firefighters could have called in sick because of prior obligations, telling Nola.com the sick calls were not part of an "organized labor action."
"It was nothing out of the ordinary. They were just regular sick days," Mischler said.
McConnel said firefighters who called in sick Saturday would need a doctor's note when they come back to work.
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