Des Moines airport votes to privatize firefighters drawing union backlash

[Redfairen]

Des Moines airport officials voted today to privatize the airport’s fire department, a move that drew protests from union leaders and a city councilman.

The  labor dispute erupted last month when the airport announced plans to hire Pro-Tec Fire Services, a Wisconsin firefighting company that serves nearly 20 other airports nationwide. Pro-Tec will replace the Iowa Air National Guard’s fire department, which will disband later this year when the guard stops flying jets from Des Moines.

Union members called on the airport to create its own fire department and hire air guard firefighters, while airport officials opted for a private contractor, saying they are not in the business of managing a fire department.

Staffing levels were a primary complaint from union members. Pro-Tec would employ about 10 firefighters and have three on-duty at all times, while the guard fire department employed about 30 with five to seven on-duty.

"The fact is aircraft do come down… and we need to be staffed for when that does happen and three personnel is just not enough,” said Gary Sanders, a national guard firefighter

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2014/02/11/des-moines-airport-votes-to-privatize-firefighters-drawing-union-backlash/article?nclick_check=1

[aquart]

1. There's a deadly decision.

Who will certify the training?

[cui bono]

2. Thankfully I never have to fly into Des Moines.

That's not going to end well.

[kairos12]

3. When you plane catches on fire in Des Moines passenger credit cards will have to be run

before the fire is extinguished.