County Blamed for Stalled Fire Talks

Ventura County fire union officials said Thursday that contract talks have stalled because county officials refused to allow a tape recorder during contract negotiations and walked out of negotiations recently.

With the current contract expiring Saturday, Ventura County and fire officials said that they do not expect to have a new contract ready, and that firefighters will continue to work under the existing contract until a new agreement is reached.

Ken Maffei, president of the Ventura County Professional Firefighters’ Assn., said talks with the county began about four months ago. According to Maffei, union officials have not requested salary increases and asked to continue working under their existing contract for 12 months.

Maffei said county officials asked about one-third of the 378-member union to take a 5% pay cut. Union officials agreed, but only if management would also take a 5% pay cut, Maffei said. “Of course, they rejected that idea,” he said.

Maffei said union officials want the negotiations recorded because they think that contract negotiations will heat up later and the dispute will be decided by a judge.

“We want an accurate record in case it’s litigated,” Maffei said.

County officials declined to comment on the negotiations except to say that firefighters will continue to work under the current contract after it expires this weekend.

“It’s treated as if it’s in effect,” said Ed McClean, assistant personnel director. “As long as they continue to come to work, we pay their salaries and benefits.”