The International Association of Firefighters is alleging a pattern of abuse against local firefighters who unionized and were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
The language of the release says union firefighters have been “unfairly singled out for retaliatory discipline,” and lists several incidents involving firefighters who have joined the union.
It states IAFF Chapter Vice President Mike Williams was suspended on April 6 for a week after allegedly asking a non-union firefighter to join the union while at a fire station.
It says firefighter Mike Meginnis was issued a written reprimand on March 24 for being disrespectful to Captain Vic McCaskill.
It also says IAFF Chapter President Robbie Barber was suspended for a week on April 26, and Treasurer Rodney Gandy was terminated the same day, after each allegedly failed to respond to a call while off-duty.
It states union members Troy Sorrell, Gus Bellamy and Chuck Bowden each received a one-day suspension after reporting to the station instead of the scene during a fire call.
They reported to the station instead of the scene due to instructions heard over the radio, the release says.
In addition, the release alleges the department’s two non-union fire fighters have not been disciplined since the lawsuit was filed, and have been offered double compensation by the chief to cover the shifts of those suspended.
“Yes, there have been some personnel actions taken,” City Manager Monty Crump said. “We don’t take this type of thing lightly, and the city only takes action when it has cause.”
Because of pending litigation, the city is limited in the extent of information it can share with the public.
Rockingham Fire Chief Charles Gardner is heavily criticized for “tyrannical” and “un-American” behavior by union representatives in the release.
“Chief Gardner’s pattern of abusive behavior is in retaliation for this decision by Rockingham firefighters to form a union,” 12th District Vice President of the IAFF Larry Osborne said. “Forming a union is a legally protected right in our country. Abusive retaliation against workers for any reason is not legal.”
A past case involving an assault charge during Gardner’s stint as a building inspector is being cited by the union. The charge was dismissed in 1997.
“Chief Gardner is a classic bully and incapable of serving in a management capacity,” Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina President David Anders said. “In light of his history and overt threats, it is incumbent on the City of Rockingham to step in and keep its firefighters safe from the chief who was sworn to protect them.”
Did I miss something? Who are you to tell me what I can say? It is my opinion and that is all there is to it. I do not have to justify anything to you.
You are an idiot, you have defended every action of the Fire Chief. Are you blind, deaf, and we have established the last part of the statement. I read your comment and talked to the individual you are refering too. And in his words " could care less" about the drama going on there. Is his name in the lawsuit, does he have anything to do with the suit. NO... so please shut your mouth because you have proved to all here that you would support the actions of this tyrant to the end.. what a shame you are truly brainwashed...do us all a favor and just keep your facts straight and your mouth shut.. thank you and Concerned09.. have a nice day..
I support our Council and Mayor and I hope they will find a way to resolve this but the personal attacks should stop and you folks should be ashamed of yourself for making such statments. I said it before, this all looks very silly to me and its starting to look more and more like the firefighter are just crying over having to work for someone they don't like.
I havent seen anything Monty Crump has said in the paper to justify what some folks here have said about him. I wonder if they were saying that about him when he was working to get them a new fire station or new equipment or better working conditions and hire additional help a couple a years ago?? I pay attention to whats going on and it seems like the City has spent alot of money to improve the fire department lately, what else do they want? Maybe they all should go to "lets get along training". I will be praying for everyone involved.
It is obvious this is a HOT topic but the Rockingham Fire Department still provides a great service.
They are ALL still answering calls for the citizens of Rockingham and those outlying cities that require mutual aide, regardless of the suit filed.
Whether or not you agree or disagree, these men risks their lives. ALL OF THEM not just those 10! Those 10 are not the entire staff!!
Look at what good is being done. Rockingham has decreased family displacement due to less damage, property saved, a Child Safety Seat Checking Station, they have had a 0 safety accident rate over the last couple of years, their response time is phenominal. These guys are certified in all aspects of their training PART TIME and FULL TIME firemen. They have built a training facility in their own back lot...etc....
These are 10 of the firmen. Let this play out the way it needs too, the way these 10 have asked...IN COURT! Do not tarnish the image of the Rockingham Fire Department.
For those of you criticizing them, saying they sit on their butt....we all have days on our job where it is not busy, but how many of us risk our life each time the tones go off? I'd say not many of those criticizing this department.
It is easy to sit back and criticize without knowing the full truth. Look at how much money is saved for taxpayers by having the response time and training of these firemen....Less families being put out of their homes due to damage, less financial aide needed from the American Red Cross to assist those families, prevention education being provided from preschool on up!
Regardless of the lawsuit, my husband lays his life on the line daily and I don't calculate that by an hourly wage...their is no amount of money that can supplement what my husband means to our family.
as for the off duty firemen not responding to calls when off duty, well, why don't you go to some of these fires to prove your point. i think you would find more off duty guys than you seem to believe. they crawl out of bed, get dressed and hit the streets. This is not silly, this is them doing a job. even so, they are entitled to days off.
as for the ones "typing this crap", they have as much right as you do to "type".
I am not with the lawsuit, have never worked with the department, and am not a relative. there comes a time when fairness must rule.if the city can prove that the chief is squeaky clean, step up and prove it. too many people in the community know his "reputation". if the city can prove that the guys are fully compensated then prove it. get on with the show, all the firemen want is to be treated fairly, like other fire departments in the state.
His son WAS a city employee and worked as a volunteer. My point was why should anyone say anything about his son working as a volunteer when Rodney Gandy was working as a full time fireman and his uncle was employed as Asst. Chief then Interim Cheif.
Apparently, atleast 7 of the 10 firemen were also at home laying in their beds or at home surfing the internet while calls were coming in at night with additional help being needed, because they didn't show up.
I have met and talked to many of the firemen, know some of them personally and not seen any bad reputations. Besides, if they do their jobs, which they do, then reputations do not come into play.Even released prisoners get jobs and that qualifies as a bad reputation.
Perhaps it is time to give the department a rest. I know it is time for the public to hear city's side. The people of the city have the right to know, since their taxes help pay salaries.
Personally I hope if I get in a wreck and need some help, that someone that actually wants to be there helping me showes up.
I get it they dont like the Chiefs personality, so what. Do your job and stop whinning! If you don't like the idea that the citizens you serve need you then we dont want you!
And to the Chief, ease up you catch more flies with honey, but we understand that your in the buisness of saving lives and property and there has to be a clear chain of command.
Hope you guy can get along and resolve this issue and get back to work, cause your all looking real silly to the rest of us.
I do not care what any of you say, I know the firemen that are listed and if you want to bring up the chief's past and his behavior let's talk about theirs!!!
It is hillarious to me that people are so ready to jump on the wagon and say all the things negative about the chief and then wish me to be in a burning building or car in Rockingham....I guess I will have to fend for myself because atleast 10 of 15 full time firemen may be too busy to attend the turn in alarm that is set....good thing we have Northside Volunteer Fire Dept to back up the 5 good ones!!!
Obviously Gardner is a fine and outstanding citizen seeing how he goes around punching people in the face! COME ON, you act as if this guy doesn't have a history of violence. Just because it was swept under the rug, doesn't mean it didn't happen!
As far as the "good ol boy" system goes, it seems a city employee who punches anyone shouldn't be a city employee any longer, much less in charge of our fire departments. It's also a direct violation of the law to make threats to shoot people! In addition, it's a direct violation of the law to PUNCH SOMEONE IN THE FACE!
Say what you will, but the fire department functioned just fine, without any issues like this, before Gardner the face puncher came on the scene! You can say hiring a relative is a violation if you want to, but I think we should worry more about a man who threatens to shoot everyone down like ducks if he's fired!
Please spare me the poor pitiful story of Gardner. The man is threatening to go on some mass shooting spree if he's fired, and he is well known for being MR ANGRY around the community, as well as in the firehouse.
NO PERSON should have to endure such behavior on the job or any other place for that matter. It is unacceptable for a person to act this way just because he's in a position of power.
As for the pay, the men deserve to be paid a heck of a lot more than they actually get paid. If we all did what was right by these men, they wouldn't need to have side jobs or other jobs in order to make ends meet.
It's very easy to sit back and judge when you're not in trouble, but let's see how quick you are to say such things if you're in a burning house or a burning car!
This is my opinion. Just because it is not the same as yours doesn't mean I cannot differentiate between truth and lies.
You assume everything the firemen are saying is true. I don't believe that is the case. I think those firemen have been allowed to run the firehouse themselves and do what they wanted prior to Chief Gardner coming in and he doesn't go that route.
That is my opinion. You can say whatever you would like about me, but it doesn't change the fact that the overtime compensation requested by the firemen is not being discussed. Peoples opinions of Chief Gardner is what is being discussed.
They call it the "good ole boy system", to me he just doesn't take any ****. It is only the "Good ole boy system" when it doesn't go their way. By the way Rodney Gandy was hired when his uncle was fire chief, talk about the good ole boy system...isn't that a violation that your relative is your direct supervisor???
In their job description it specifically states that they will respond on their off days and be available for any and all calls. Go to City Hall and ask for a job description for a firefighter in Rockingham, it is public record.
They knew that was a requirement of the job when they accepted it, so if they do not like it, it is their own fault for accepting the position.
If the income is so low, why don't they find another job full time and work as a paid-volunteer for the Rockingham Fire Department to supplement their income?
The only thing Gardner seems to have done is make them accountable to the job description they accepted and signed at date of hire.
Actually in my job, after I work my scheduled days, I can be pulled at ANYTIME to go to work. I knew it when I was hired. I may not like it sometimes, but it is the job I chose!
As for the statement that the former chief encouraged them to find part time jobs because of the low income, well why didn't he fight to have the policy changed if it was unfair and unjust? The policy has been there the same as it is today for the last 24 years. So why not fault all the former chiefs because they didn't fight to change the policy of payroll?
Apparently Mr. Gandy wasn't having too much trouble with receiving supplemental income because he works for himself at his own business.
One4rights, you made the statement that these firemen are in this job because they love what they do and are dedicated to it....Obviously the VOLUNTEERs are the same otherwise they wouldn't even show up! They do it without pay and work full time jobs...the RFD volunteer firemen do get paid when they show up for calls.
Again, all I am saying is there are 2 sides to every story and then there is the truth.
When you have a chief that walks around with a Holy than THOU attitude and makes it known he hates the FD and he is just buying his time, and going back to the mountains where he don't have to put up this, then GET OUT!! Don't make it unbearable for those who want to be there!
AND another thing....look at the record of turnovers at the FD since Gardner has been there compaired to Chief Trotters days. That should tell you right there how bad the working conditions are. ALL of these guys, except 3 are firemen of at least 18 or more years. They are not looking for a handout, they are only wanting what they deserve. AND for all you "Volunteers" who cry, "we don't get paid for putting out fires." That's not the RFD's problem, they ARE a paid fire department and they are in this 'profession' because that is what they love do and are dedicated to it. I don't see you beating down the door to get on at RFD. As for the firt article, it was about the pay.....the rest of the story was not told!! You were only given a little at a time. The chief's past was brought up because that was the other part and it only got worse proving, nothing has changed with him, he's still a hot head and a bully.
I'm sure the city is very well represented and cannot make comments, but you would think that their lawyer(s) would make some sort of statment. The Union was the only way to go and protect themselves at this point.