Spring Hill firefighters unionize

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080302/COUNTY090101/803020345/1327

Department is the city's first to do so

By JILL CECIL WIERSMA • Staff Writer • March 2, 2008

SPRING HILL — City firefighters have unionized, announcing their membership this week with the International Association of Firefighters.

Twenty-nine of the 32 non-management workers voted in December to do so — a move that the new members wanted to explain this week at a ceremony with city officials. Mayor Danny Leverette and members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen were invited, said Kevin Klemme, president of the Spring Hill Firefighter's Local 4628.

"It was not well-received," Klemme said of the initial reaction at City Hall. "We're not trying to strong-arm anybody. We're the same people we were three months ago. This is a quality department with people who have a desire to help in the community."

Until a few years ago, fire protection in the city was served by a volunteer department. The firefighters are the only unionized employees in the city's roughly 140-member workforce.

Klemme said joining the union helps them have a collective voice on employment issues, though he said there's nothing right now they intend to take issue with. State law does not allow them collective bargaining for a contract on employment terms.

Charities benefit
A big advantage of the membership, Klemme said, is that firefighters will gain the ability to have fundraisers for local charities.

FULL story at link.