Havre firefighters union pushes grievance

The union representing Havre firefighters claims the department’s management is discriminating against firefighter DJ Olson by denying him the opportunity to take a promotional test.

The Havre chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters filed a grievance against the city that was heard by City Council’s Labor Committee Tuesday night.

Olson, president of the local, and management have been involved in a series of disputes that have resulted in grievances being filed.

Recently, Olson took a test so he could obtain a promotion to the position of engineer. He failed the test. No one else in the department is eligible for the promotion.

Cody McLain, the union‘s Grievance Committee chair, said that it is the union’s reading of fire department policy that Olson is able to take the test again in 30 days.

But Fire Chief Tim Hedges said his interpretation of the policy is that Olson is barred from taking the test for a year.

McLain said that other firefighters will become eligible for the promotion over the next year. If a test is conducted during the next year, he said, the other firefighters will be able to take the test, and if they pass it, will be eligible for promotion over Olson.

McLain said management is “taking these firefighters under their wing” in hopes that they will be promoted over Olson.

“It’s a feeling in the department that they are piling on DJ,” McLain said.

“All we are asking is that DJ be allowed to retake the test,” he said.

He called on the city to work with firefighters to improve their skills rather than fighting with them.

Management and City Council members made no comments about Olson, but defended their interpretation of the rules.

Under the union contract, the grievance came before the Labor Committee after it was rejected by Mayor Tim Solomon.

The committee now must review the testimony given Tuesday night and reach a conclusion.