News Release

February 14, 2014

CONTACT:           Tom Powers (503) 986-1074

tom.powers@state.or.us

Senate backs increased workplace protections for fire fighters

SB 1518 promotes public safety, allows more fire fighters to negotiate workplace conditions

SALEM – Today the Oregon Senate voted to give fire fighters increased protections by expanding the number of employees eligible to negotiate for workplace conditions. Senate Bill 1518 passed on a vote of 16 to 14.

In 1995, reforms to Oregon’s collective bargaining laws had an unintentional impact on fire fighters who serve as lead workers. This bill restores the ability for these lead workers to bargain for better workplace conditions such as safety, staffing ratios, and compensation.

“Fire fighters put their life on the line every day to keep Oregon’s families safe and sound,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “They deserve the right to negotiate for safety issues and fair compensation.”

In 2007, the Oregon Legislature passed a law that allowed fire fighters to include safety and staffing issues as items in the collective bargaining process in addition to other items like pay and benefits. Senate Bill 1518 builds on that law by allowing fire fighters who assign, transfer, or direct work of other employees to participate in a collective bargaining unit.

Senate Bill 1518 will now head over to the Oregon House of Representatives for consideration.

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit www.orsenatemajority.org

 Below find a link to the EXO presentation made by Jeff Sweet to the Safety Committee.    It includes the NFPA requirements as well as several case studies where an escape system would have made a difference in firefighter deaths or close calls. 

EXO Presentation to the Safety Committee.pdf