30 Congress Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 368-3733

Local 834 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (The Union) was established June 5th, 1945. It is the exclusive representative and bargaining agent for the firefighters and officers of the Department. The Fire Chief is the only uniformed employee not represented by the Union.

The Executive Board is elected by the membership. Currently the rundown is as follows:

• President Robert Whitbread (L-6-C)
• Vice President Thomas Hanko (Apparatus Maintenance)
• Secretary / Treasurer Tom Herlihy (L-10-A)
• Member Charles Porzelt (L-5-D)
• Member Joe Southard (L-11-A)
• Member David Dobbs (E-1-B)
• Member Frank Nicolia (E-6-A)
• Member Mike Donavan (E-6-A)
• Member Andrew Fierlit (E-5-C)

The current contract runs from July 1, 2001 through June 30th, 2004. Listed below are the articles, some of which link to the text of that article.

• 1 - Recognition
• 2 - Payroll deduction of Union fees, dues and assessments
• 3 - Employees to receive copies of the contract
• 4 - Bulletin boards
• 5 - Disciplinary action
• 6 - Adjustment of grievance procedure
• 7 - Union business leave
• 8 - Manpower
• 9 - Holidays
• 10 - Work week
• 11 - Overtime
• 12 - Vacations
• 13 - Injury leave
• 14 - Special leave
• 14A - Maternity leave
• 14B - Family leave
• 14C - Sick leave
• 15 - Funeral leave
• 16 - Uniform allowance
• 17 - Health benefits
• 18 - Seniority
• 19 - Residency
• 20 - Fire watch duty
• 21 - Classification
• 22 - Probationary period
• 23 - Funeral detail
• 24 - Miscellaneous
• 25 - Wages
• 26 - Pay for acting in a higher capacity
• 26A - Pay for operators of heavy equipment
• 27 - Outside Employment
• 27A - Volunteer Firefighting
• 28 - Longevity
• 29 - Payments of tuition and books
• 30 - Contract year
• 31 - Job-action restrictions
• 32 - Safety and productivity committee
• 33 - Duration
• 34 - Retroactive payments
• 35 - Non-discrimination
• 36 - Court appearances
• 37 - Management rights
• 38 - Physical examinations
• 39 - Drug testing

Appendix

• A - Rules and procedures for overtime
• B - Absences control policy
• C.1 - Medical plan
• C.2 - Drug prescription plan
• C.3 - Dental plan
• C.4 - Vision care plan
• D - Bonus payment
• E - Wages June 30, 1997
• F - Wages July 1, 1998
• G - Wages July 1, 1999
• H - Wages July 1, 2000
• I - Drug testing procedures
• J - Acting form