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Union withdrew from program as last resort

Dec 8, 2010 | 5:34 AM

Members of the Prince Albert Fire Department’s union say they withdrew support from Fire Mentor program because the program’s committee excluded its membership and ignored concerns.

“For the past three years in the program, we have brought forward to the management, shortcomings and issues that we see as a part of this program and unfortunately it’s fallen on deaf ears,” said union president Lloyd Zwack.

“To continue to just turn a blind eye and let the program function as it is presently functioning isn’t doing any favour to anybody.”

Zwack said he couldn’t specifically address the concerns raised by union members because they were labour issues between the union and management.

According to correspondence between the two parties, there are several issues in particular that contributed to the decision.

The first union members involved had been feeling that their input into the program was dwindling since the program began. The documents cite the fact that the union was often unable to directly participate in meetings of the program’s committee and unable to obtain minutes.

The documents show that in particular, a proposed APTN special and a newsletter by MP Randy Hoback about the program had been approved without consultation with the membership.

“If these concerns were acted upon, it would demonstrate that the program is continuing to grow and evolve into a true success,” read the letter from the union membership to program committee.

Working on these issues would “ultimately bring forth a stronger and more resilient program for the youth, the fire department and the city, that we can all be proud to be a part of.”

After the decision in November, the membership tried to arrange a meeting with the committee but was turned down.

Zwack said he recognizes that a group of youth won’t be able to participate in the program, but he said the union made the tough decision after running out of options.

“It’s building up and finally, enough is enough. When are you (department management) going to act on our concerns,” said Zwack.

For more on this story, read Fire Mentor Program cancelled

adsouza@panow.com