County Firefighters Walk Picket Lines

Angered by stalled contract negotiations, about 200 firefighters, paramedics and fire captains picketed Tuesday outside fire stations throughout Orange County.

“We’re 82 days without a contract,” said John Latta, vice president of the Orange County Firefighters Union 3631. “It’s frustrating. With the cost of living in Orange County skyrocketing, it’s difficult to understand why they are being so stubborn on this.”

The firefighters’ two-year contract with the Orange County Fire Authority expired July 1. Workers say they want 10% more than the Fire Authority is offering. But Fire Authority officials would not disclose the terms of the contract offer.

“It is the OCFA’s position not to negotiate in the media,” Pat Walker, deputy fire chief, said in a prepared statement. “Fire management continues to feel optimistic that both sides will be able to come to a mutually agreeable contract in the very near future.”

The OCFA serves about 1 million residents in 20 Orange County cities, and represents 720 workers.

The protesters are scheduled to rally outside fire stations this morning and Thursday at dawn. They also will congregate at 5 p.m. Thursday at Irvine City Hall, where the Fire Authority’s governing board holds its monthly meeting.

The next negotiating session is scheduled for Friday.

In February 1998, after working two years with no signed agreement, OCFA firefighters settled on a 2 1/2-year employment contract.

Firefighters contend that when they signed the contract, they were promised that their salaries would be brought to within range of the county’s three highest-paid fire departments by January 2000.