The Hollister Firefighters Association last week responded to the city manager’s rebuttal to its no-confidence vote and related allegations in a letter that countered the official’s claims.
Editor’s note: To read the entire letter from the fire union, click on the link to the left.
The fire union in late May passed a vote of no confidence against City Manager Clint Quilter and Fire Chief Fred Cheshire, whom the association suggested should be investigated and fired. Quilter then released an official response to the allegations. Fire Union President Vince Grewohl, in his initial seven-page letter, accused Quilter and Cheshire of multiple actions or inaction ranging from contract violations to misconduct, harassment and retaliation.
The union made such claims that the fire department has not filled vacancies within 180 days as stipulated in the contract with the city and is currently one person short of the budgeted 23 positions. It claimed that Quilter is “knowingly violating” the agreement and showing “gross negligence of duty and willful disobedience to fulfill his duties” in implementing city council direction, according to the original letter. The union also claimed that the city council has given “unexplainable retirement enhancements” to members of Quilter’s staff “while cutting the working class’s salary and benefits,” resulting in front-line emergency response units being taken out of service due to lacking funds.
Quilter responded to specific allegations, which prompted the fire union’s latest rebuttal, released last week to the mayor and media.
In the union response to the city manager, it contended, with related citations:
– Quilter was “incorrect” about claims of multiple grievances filed by the union in a short amount of time and offered four examples between July 2011 and March 2012.
– Quilter and others were, indeed, “deceitful” when pulling back on a previously agreed upon provision in the fall of 2011.
– That public safety executives had their pension contributions reduced to 0 percent in November.
– That the management knowingly recommended “excessive” cuts to the fire department.
– That the fire chief put firefighters in harm’s way by not conducting annual mask fit testing required by law, and that staffing levels have been unreliable.
– That the fire chief neglects putting someone in command when he is away.
– And other responses such as failing to coordinate fire department activities with outside agencies, and that officials have not pursued available grants.
The union closed its response by saying it was “deeply disappointed” it had to resort to the no confidence vote.
“These issues are only some of the issues that have been long, ongoing and not been addressed by the Fire Chief or the City Manager,” the letter reads.
Look for additional reaction Friday.
