The firefighters at Barnes Airport will be recognized as the 104th Fighter Wing Fire Department and will then enjoy the right to unionize for collective bargaining when special legislation working its way through the Massachusetts legislature reaches the governor’s desk and is signed into law.
State Sen. Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield) said that about 60 persons are employed by the civilian firefighting unit who were formerly federal contract employees but, in 2010, became state employees. However, no legislation was passed to formalize the department so those employees do not enjoy the same benefits as other professional firefighters in the Commonwealth, including the right to organize as a bargaining unit with union representation and a contract.
Knapik said that he has sponsored special legislation to allow them to be properly recognized as the professional firefighting department they are and said that his bill has been favorably endorsed by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and will next be considered by the full senate.
Knapik said that he expects the bill to pass, as it is very similar to special legislation which was passed in 2008 to provide firefighters at Otis Air Force base on Cape Cod similar recognition.
Knapik said that a union contract will give the firefighters recourse in relations with their employer, the Commonwealth, in the areas of employment, retirement, collective bargaining and health benefits. “They certainly deserve fair representation before management” Knapik said.
In the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the bill is sponsored by Don Humason (R-Westfield) who noted that “the presence of full-time fire protection is one of several characteristics which distinguishes Barnes Regional Airport.”
Although employed by the air national guard, the Barnes firefighters also provide firefighting services to the civilian side of the airport.
The change is supported by the firefighters’ immediate employers, the air national guard.
Brig. Gen. Gary Keefe, the assistant adjutant-general for air of the Massachusetts National Guard said “The Massachusetts National Guard supports the legislation to unionize base firefighters in order to help provide equal benefits and entitlements to its employees that mirror those offered to their civilian counterparts throughout the commonwealth.”
The bill is also supported by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts whose president, Ed Kelly, testified at a committee hearing in support of the bill.
Knapik said that the Barnes firefighters have elected for representation by the PFFM which also represents the city’s firefighters.
Kevin Regan, the president of the local representing the Westfield firefighters, said that the new group will form their own local. He said that he met representatives of the group at a recent PFFM meeting and welcomed them to the union.
