The Haut-Rhin firefighters’ union has filed a strike notice for the days of June 26 and 27. In particular, the location of the new barracks in Illzach and an increase in the unfair compensation system are at issue.
“We are a profession that does not have many strikes, we want the best for everyone but we also want to be taken care of and heard.“, declares Michael Pacanowski, the Spasdis-CFTC union representative of the Haut-Rhin firefighters (68). The organization has filed a strike notice for the days of June 26 and 27.
Three demands are put forward. “First of all, we would like the construction project for the new barracks in Illzach to be stopped: the location is not suitable for any firefighter and we would have liked to be consulted to find a suitable location.“, he says. Several problems are pointed out, notably its location close to a commercial area and a high-voltage line.”which would make interventions difficult.“
Another demand, the union organization would like the promotion of sergeants to the rank of warrant officers for the last six months of their career. “This is a particularity of our sector which was withdrawn in 2019: we would like it to be reinstated, it would be recognition for the professional firefighters who have had a full career.“
Finally, regarding the revaluation of the compensation system, “we want all ranks to be affected, contrary to what they proposed to us at the start of the year when only officers were affected: from the moment we all work together, we are asking for an upgrade for everyone, that seems logical.“
In the press release sent to the board of directors of the department’s Fire and Rescue Services, the organization said it remained open to discussions before the start of the strike. Nearly 400 firefighters would be affected by the mobilization.
