Government
BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Leander fire to implement civil service, collective bargaining “We need to hire firefighters,” he said. “In order to do that, civil service needs to be implemented.”
The process to establish civil service and collective bargaining within the Leander Fire Department is underway following the passage of two propositions in the May 4 special election. Some context Proposition A supported civil service, which is a system that standardizes the department’s internal hiring and disciplinary processes, keeping them free from political influence, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Collective bargaining, which gives firefighters the opportunity to negotiate benefits, pay and working conditions with the city, was Proposition B. Both propositions passed with more than 65% of the vote. The update After the propositions passed, Brad Moore, president of the Leander Professional Firefighters Association, said they went right to work.
Key dates May 4: Propositions A and B approved in special election June 20: Firefighters’ Civil Service Commission established and commissioners appointed Summer: Association prepares to submit official letter, kicking off the implementation process Oct. 30: Deadline for civil service and collective bargaining to be implemented
During a June meeting, Leander City Council established a Firefighters’ Civil Service Commis- sion and appointed its commissioners. Moore said the association is preparing to submit an official letter to begin the collective bargaining process. The letter will go to the city manager, and the city and the association need to reach an agreement within 60 days before gaining council approval. Through the collective bargaining process, Moore said the association would like to raise the age limit Leander has for firefighters. Currently, Leander does not allow applicants to be over age 36. Moore said in Round Rock the age limit is 40, and in Georgetown, it’s 45. The age limit is just one requirement the depart- ment is working on changing, and others will be set into motion soon, Moore said.
SOURCE: LEANDER PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What to expect Both civil service and collective bargaining have to be implemented no later than 30 days after fiscal year 2024-25 begins, or by Oct. 30. “With having civil service and having that collective bargaining piece, we’re really looking forward to making Leander that place that people want to go work,” Moore said. “It’s exciting to see what the future holds moving forward.”
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