Firefighters, paramedics in Perrysburg Twp. unionize

4/2/2002

Perrysburg Township trustees last night voted 3-0 to recognize that firefighters and paramedics will be represented at contract negotiations by a union for the first time.

The 14 employees of the fire department have agreed to be recognized in collective bargaining by the International Association of Firefighters.

Nathan Hagemeister, chairman of the trustees, said the firefighters and paramedics affiliated with the union to get insurance and training benefits. "There was nothing adversarial," he said. Keith Feeney, a captain in the fire department, said the union will represent the employees in negotiations to replace contracts that expired in December.

He said the paramedics have been full-time since 1988, and the firefighters since 1997.

He said the two groups, both of which are employed by the fire department, negotiated separately with the board in the past.