City officials oppose Branson firefighters' unionization

Branson Fire Department employees are scheduled to vote next week on whether to unionize their ranks. City of Branson officials are opposed to the effort, according to the city’s administrator.

The unionization issue came about after Washington, D.C.-based International Association of Fire Fighters filed a petition with the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relation’s mediation board, requesting the election to unionize Branson Fire Department’s rank and file and captains, according to a city news release. The IAFF represents over 300,000 full-time firefighters and paramedics, according to its website.

“Rather than improving our customer experience, we believe that a union here in Branson will divert time and taxpayer resources to interaction with this out-of-state organization,” said Bill Malinen, Branson’s city administrator, in the release. “I don’t see how an outside union will benefit the citizens of Branson.”

Malinen said the city already pays its firefighters competitive wages and 100 percent of their employee health insurance, as well as retirement benefits and capital assets, such as fire trucks and safety gear.

“The city has always supported the employees of the Fire Department and has continued to do so even in tough times, and we hope this is recognized by our firefighters,” he said in the release.

Captains and nonsupervisory personnel of the Fire Department are scheduled to vote on the issue May 28.