NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Fire Department canceled all scheduled vacations for firefighters Tuesday after a union representing them announced a boycott to voluntary overtime.
The boycott, announced Monday, was reportedly in response to a hiring deficit within the fire department. The NOFD's approximately 480 rank-and-file personnel constitutes the lowest staffing level in the agency's 128-year history.
The union claims that NOFD's call volume has increased 150% over the last 10 years while the number of firefighters has dropped by 25%.
Union leaders warned that the overtime boycott could result in some firehouses closing at certain times.
"We cannot run an engine house or fire truck with less than three firefighters on that unit," union president Aaron Mischler said. "We want to be properly staffed and we want the city to address the issues."
The city, responding to the boycott, canceled scheduled vacations or leaves of absences Tuesday immediately and until further notice "to ensure public safety for our residents and visitors."
"By canceling leaves and enacting a mandatory overtime policy, it ensures more firefighters are available to respond to the community's request for service," city spokesperson LaTonya Norton said.
Norton said the new policy excludes firefighters who have made financial commitments to vacations.
New Orleans Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell said Monday the NOFD will hire two recruit classes planned this year, and he questioned the timing of the union's job actions as the city handles the Hard Rock collapse and Mardi Gras.
Norton said it would be "irresponsible" for the city to not be prepared during the influx of visitors into New Orleans over the next several weeks.
"I want to say and make sure people understand they are safe," McConnell said. "It will be a challenge if they continue to do this and ask the firefighters not to work the overtime, but we're working hard to get people hired and we will ensure people are safe."
But in a memo to firefighters released Monday night, McConnell announced changes in response to the boycott apparently designed to keep fire stations staffed through the boycott.
All planned vacation time for firefighters was canceled, and the deputy chiefs in charge of individual fire stations were told to make lists of personnel based on seniority to enforce mandatory overtime if shifts couldn't be filled with volunteers.
Norton stressed that no mandatory overtime had been ordered as of Tuesday afternoon.
"As long as firefighters report for work on their regularly scheduled shift, there should be no need to enact the mandatory overtime policy," Norton said. "The cancellation of vacation is a temporary directive. It will be rescinded as staffing increases or if firefighters agree to work voluntary overtime shifts."
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