The Courier-News recently published a story highlighting how Carpentersville managed to save two firefighters from being laid off, thanks to a collaborative effort between village officials and the union representing Local 4790 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Due to a $400,000 budget shortfall, the village had initially planned to cut two full-time firefighter positions along with three civilian roles. Additionally, four part-time positions across different departments were also at risk. However, after the union became aware of the potential layoffs, they stepped in to negotiate a solution that would preserve jobs while still addressing financial concerns.

The resulting agreement involved adjusting work schedules and designating certain "swing shift" employees who wouldn't be assigned to regular 24-hour shifts. Instead, these employees would cover shifts left open by others on vacation or taking authorized time off. This change eliminated the need for overtime pay for firefighters filling those gaps, saving an estimated $85,000 annually.

Village Manager Mark Rooney emphasized that cutting staff or services is always a last resort. He noted that if the new schedule proves effective, no additional full-time firefighters will be laid off during the current collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire in 2016.

In response to the agreement, the union withdrew a grievance it had filed over the planned layoffs. Lt. Rick Nieves, president of Local 4790, expressed relief but also acknowledged that the department is still operating with fewer personnel than before. “We used to have 13 firefighters on duty every day, but now we’re down to 10 on some days,” he said. “So there’s still work to do, but for now, we’re here and we’ll keep moving forward.”

Looking back, the village had 207 full-time employees in 2010. Through reorganization, layoffs, and not filling open positions, that number has dropped to 175 today. According to Rooney, personnel and labor costs make up roughly 70% of the village's total expenses, making these decisions even more difficult.

Thanks, Dan.

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