By Ann Marie Shambaugh
Zionsville firefighters will soon cast ballots on whether or not to strengthen its ties with its union, but elected officials are urging them to vote no.
The Zionsville Fire Department has been affiliated with the International Association of Firefighters Local 4416 since 2014. The vote, taking place Sept. 16 to 18 by secret ballot at Town Hall, will determine whether or not ZFD will officially name IAFF 4416 as its exclusive recognized representative. Firefighters may choose to join the union on an individual basis.
“The biggest thing is to legitimize and define who is speaking for the membership of the department on issues that affect the firefighters,” said Tony Murray, president of IAFF 4416 and a full-time member of the Noblesville Fire Department.
Other than formalizing the exclusive relationship between ZFD and the local union, Murray said that not much would change – a least for now. And that’s what worries Town Council President Steve Mundy.
“There are a number of other things they are more interested in at this point than work contracts, but ultimately it could lead to that,” Mundy said. “We do not believe it is in our best interest or the best interest of the firefighters.”
After meeting the ZFD representative about intentions, Mundy said the council supported naming IAFF 4416 as the exclusive recognized representative if the firefighters would waive their rights to meet and confer, a process outlined in state law that can lead to contract discussions. Without the firefighters’ agreement on this point, Mundy said the entire council is against the change.
Murray said his organization could not support the request because it would not be in their best interest.
“We can’t say that we’re going to give away rights that we have that the legislature has put in place,” Murray said. “It could be 20 years from now, and maybe it makes sense to have an [memorandum of understanding]on a subject or topic or activity.”
Mundy said naming the union as the department’s exclusive recognized representative could weaken the “great relationship” between ZFD and the town, among other issues.
“It is costly for the members themselves. They pay dues into that over the course of a career that is fairly substantial, but it also brings in a third party, which I think interrupts that relationship between employer and employee,” Mundy said.
