The Nation - News from Feb. 22, 1988

The day shift at the Fire Department in Providence, R. I., defied a court order and called in sick for the second day in a contract dispute over staffing of rescue units, a department official said. Sixty-one firefighters also said they would not report to work today, Fire Chief Michael F. Moise said. The night shift of about 90 firefighters, which has been on duty since Friday night, found its tour of duty extended again. At least 82 firefighters are assigned to the day shift, but in addition to the 61 who called in sick, more than 20 were on vacation or were recuperating from injuries or long-term illnesses, Moise said. The city planned to go to court today to have the firefighters’ union held in contempt for violating a back-to-work order issued Saturday.