Wyandotte Firefighters Rally in Lansing

Seven boarded a bus Wednesday and traveled to Lansing to show support for a piece of legislation they say is essential to guaranteeing public safety.

The local men joined a crowd of an estimated 1,000 police and firefighters from around the state to protest against a bill that would repeal Public Act 312, which requires binding arbitration to resolve labor disputes between police and fire unions and local governments.

The law was enacted in 1969 to save residents, public safety employees and local governments from protracted labor disputes while ensuring that fire and police staff could not go on strike.

But HB 4205, introduced Feb. 8 by Rep. Joe Haveman (R-Holland), would repeal the act.

“A lot of people think 312 is more for us negotiating and trying to get more, but that’s not the case,” Wyandotte firefighter Jeremy Moline said. “We just want to make sure, since we can’t strike, that we can work things out amicably and still be able to do our jobs.”

During his 10 years with the department, Moline said, Wyandotte firefighters have only gone to 312 once.

“It’s not very common,” he said. “We’re usually able to negotiate with the city and works things out. … It’s not like it’s used all the time. We just want to make sure that it is still there for the times that it is needed.”

Moline said his department joined another 50 or so firefighters from Downriver, including Brownstown, Lincoln Park, Southgate and Trenton.

They marched near the Capitol and then went inside to ensure everyone knew that they were in town and wanted to be heard, Moline said.

Only a handful were able to sit in on the actual committee hearing when the bill was being discussed.

Firefighters have been told by the International Association of Firefighters that there is a good chance the act will be repealed based on Republican majorities in both the Michigan Senate and House. Republicans support repealing the bill because they believe binding arbitration and the contracts it results in are too costly to communities that are already dealing with extreme budget cuts.

Moline, who is vice president of the Wyandotte firefighters union, said he remains optimistic that both sides can be heard and that a resolution can be worked out that all parties can agree with.

“We’re pushing for everyone’s support,” he said. “We’re going to keep fighting to keep Public Act 312, whatever we have to do. … It’s a matter of public safety to us. For the citizens, that we’re able to be there and do our jobs properly, and for ourselves, that our safety remains intact.”

(Freelance writer Molly Tippen contributed to this report.)