Talk between Firefighters, District Officials Enters an Impasse

July 28, 2009

San Mateo County, California - The negotiation for the salary increase between Menlo Park fighters and the district board entered an impasse when the union recently filed a complaint against the officials for allegedly engaging in “regressive bargaining”.

In an affidavit filed before the Public Employment Relations, the union said the district officials acted in “bad faith” and engaged in wage bargaining.

The firefighters also alleged that the district officials engaged in coercion, harassment, and discrimination that targeted Capt. John Wurdinger, the union’s president.

As a result of the standoff, more than 90 firefighters, who were earning 6.32 percent less than the average fighter, have not received a new contract since July 2008.

Meanwhile, the district board of directors denied the allegations and said in a statement released last week that the 11 percent salary increase demanded by the union is unsound amid the rising job losses, foreclosures, and massive pay cuts.