Tag Archives: Fair Labor Standards Act

California firefighters claim city violated FLSA

Thirteen Hermosa Beach, firefighters have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The firefighters claim the city improperly calculated the regular rate of pay and failed to pay overtime for all hours worked each work period. Properly calculating the regular rate is critical since FLSA ...

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Cell Phones and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: I run payroll for a small, full-time paid fire department. In lieu of department-issued cell phones, the fire chief has proposed a $50-per-month flat cell phone reimbursement for members of the command staff. The command staff (non-exempt) are required to have phones and must be available in case of an emergency. Does the FLSA require this reimbursement ...

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Daylight Savings Time and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA question: I am a paid firefighter. I worked a 24-hour overtime shift a couple of Saturday’s ago. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it was the last day of daylight savings time. I worked 25-hours instead of 24-hours. But, I was only paid for 24-hours of overtime. Doesn’t the FLSA require payment for all 25-hours? You ...

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Disciplinary Suspensions and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: I am a deputy fire chief in charge of administration and personnel. Our firefighters work a 24/48 schedule with a 21-day work period and an assigned Kelly day every third week. We recently suspended (without pay) a firefighter for two 24-hours shifts following a serious disciplinary matter. Instead of serving the suspension as planned, the firefighter has ...

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Georgia Firefighters Upset Over Mandatory Overtime

A group of current and former firefighters in Gwinnett County, Georgia, have begun a grassroots campaign attempting to raise community awareness about mandatory overtime. The group, which is led by a retired firefighter claims excessive overtime in the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services Department is costing the county millions of dollars while jeopardizing the safety of both firefighters and ...

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Conferences, Classes, and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question I am a fire chief of a small combination department. Two of my officers want to attend the FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference) this year in Indianapolis. It is a great conference—I wish I could join them. I am more than happy to sponsor them, pay any fees associated with attendance, and give them time off to ...

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Repayment of Training Costs and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA question. . . Same question. . . Two sides. . . I am a rookie firefighter. I just completed recruit school last week. I was paid minimum wage for 14-weeks while in the academy. I am set to begin on my first shift tomorrow. I don’t think this was a good choice for me and I just found ...

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New Labor Contract Provision Increases Overtime for Hawaii Fire Department

The Department of Fire and Public Safety in Maui County, Hawaii, has seen a dramatic increase in overtime following a recent change to the collective bargaining agreement between the county and firefighters. The county’s internal auditor has a plan to potentially reduce overtime, but the fire chief does not seem to concur with the auditor’s recommendation. Maui County Fire Department’s ...

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MI Firefighters Sue for Pay Raise Due in 2016

On October 26th, firefighters in Allen Park Michigan filed a lawsuit against the City of Allen Park alleging the city has not honored the labor contract between the City of Allen Park and the Allen Park Professional Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 1410). The 2013-2016 collective bargaining agreement between the city and firefighters contained a 2.5% wage increase due in 2016. ...

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$3.5 Million Reasons why Fee-Laden Debit Cards are NOT the Best Idea for Payroll

Warning!! Not Firefighter Related . . . But interesting story from Pennsylvania today . . . Ever think about paying your workers with “fee-laden debit cards?” Just as an FYI, it is probably not the best idea. A Pennsylvania judge recently approved a class action settlement between almost 2,400 former and current McDonald’s employees that were paid with “fee-laden debit ...

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