Supervisor Chris Daly’s “zero tolerance for intoxicated firefighters” amendment died in the committee last week because it lacked the support of supervisors Eric Mar and David Campos.
Perhaps the best part of that committee hearing was watching Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White try to politely say: If you put this on the ballot, firefighters will come out in full force to vote down this and all the rest of your stupid initiatives.
We’ll see whether she repeats that threat at today’s hearing, when two more charter amendments aimed at firefighters are considered.
Currently, the City Charter says firefighters may not work more than 48.7 hours per week. (Sec. A8.452.) Supervisor John Avalos has proposed an amendment mandating that firefighters work no less than 52 hours a week. The controller’s legislative report says firefighters in places like Oakland and Los Angeles have 56-hour workweeks. That same report estimates that Avalos’ measure would save the city $7 million this year, though it doesn’t say how. [Link to pdf of proposal and report here.]
The other amendment being heard today is a proposal from Supervisor Sean Elsbernd that would make a number of changes to The City’s pension system, including an increase in the percentage of salary that police and firefighters have to pay into the pension fund from 7.5 to 9 percent. According to Elsbernd, 9 percent is the industry standard for public safety employees. [Link to pdf of proposal here.]
Whether either of these amendments make it on the June 8 ballot is anyone’s guess. One thing, however, is certain: City Hall is the safest place in town today.
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