Is the City Trying to Bust the Firefighters Union?

Minority candidate hiring is still a hot-button issue

"...Austin Firefighters Association Presi­dent Bob Nicks says he was surprised last..."

Feb. 7, 2014 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Firefighters Box Cops for Charity

Local law enforcement got their proverbial asses whupped Saturday night at Austin's inaugural Battle of the Badges

"...Texas, 100 Club of Central Texas, and the Austin Firefighters Outreach Fund. Of the 16 actual bouts (Austin Police..."

July 18, 2014 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

Disagreeing to Agree

With contract negotiations suspended, Austin firefighters look inward for a change

"...contract negotiations between the city of Austin and Austin Firefighters Association Local 975 ended acrimoniously when the union members..."

Jan. 16, 2009 News Feature by Michael King

The Color of Fire

The Austin Fire Department is making another attempt at staff diversity – will it do any better this time?

"...and – in theory – increase the number of African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and women becoming Austin firefighters...."

May 13, 2011 News Feature by Josh Rosenblatt

Trouble at Station 15

Austin firefighter sues city after officials stonewall unequal treatment

"...for seven months, between fighting fires alongside her fellow firefighters, that's exactly what she found herself doing. She did..."

Jan. 16, 2009 News Feature by Caitlin Meredith

Naked City

Black Firefighters Break with Union

"...announced that he and nearly all of the 52 African-American fire fighters within the Austin Fire Dept. are breaking..."

Jan. 25, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

City Hall Hustle: Fiery Colors

Reorganizing the AFD is about money ... and justice

"...day, used throughout by all manner of speakers, especially African-American community leaders the Rev. Sterling Lands and Austin NAACP..."

May 22, 2009 News Column by Wells Dunbar

City Hall Hustle: New Lease on Quality of Life

Steering away from the turbulence of the past

"...only group that has decreased in population." And while African-American family income has risen somewhat (10.6%, compared to a..."

Dec. 17, 2010 News Column by Wells Dunbar

Point Austin: Putting Out the Fire

Council-brokered agreement at AFD could be a city breakthrough

"...That's certainly not a sure thing. Firefighters have been working without a contract since 2009, and..."

Feb. 13, 2015 News Column by Michael King

Point Austin: ... And Two Steps Back

Firefighters fulfill threat to contest DOJ decree

"...just labored through the pleadings filed by the Austin Firefighters Assoc­iation to the federal court considering the proposed consent..."

July 4, 2014 News Column by Michael King

Point Austin: Burning Down the House

Deadlock between city and firefighters reflects deeper problems

"...developments, after four months of negotiations with the Aus­tin Firefighters Assoc­ia­tion, the city ended meet-and-confer contract negotiations in August..."

Sept. 27, 2013 News Column by Michael King

Civics 101

Calendar of civic events, Oct. 27-Nov. 4

"...FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL The city dedicates a memorial honoring Austin's first..."

Oct. 28, 2011 News Column

Council: Digging a Firebreak

Council passes resolution regarding AFD

"...round of negotiations between city management and the Austin Firefighters Association. Following a communication from the DOJ that an..."

Feb. 9, 2015 News Post by Michael King

Department of Strange Clarifications

Fire chief sets the record straight

"...City Manag­er Mike McDonald ("jokes") and Austin African American Firefighters Association President Bobby Johns ("bought off"), and Leffingwell describing..."

March 18, 2011 News Feature by Michael King

City Hall Hustle: Fan Mail From the Flounders

The Great E-Mail Scandal ... or, Don't Hit Send!

"...felt city managers were responsible for arm-twisting the Austin African-American Firefighters Association to support the contract. According to the..."

March 4, 2011 News Column by Wells Dunbar

Naked City

News briefs from Austin, the region, and beyond

"...pushed her from behind. The complaint is pending. Austin African-American Firefighters Associa­tion President Bobby Johns said in a press..."

July 24, 2009 News Feature

The Fire at AFD

Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr leads a department flaming with labor, race, and gender politics

"...Austin began its search (the AFD has approximately 1,100 firefighters to Little Rock's 400), she applied for the job...."

Oct. 16, 2009 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...The city of Austin and the firefighters union say they've reached a tentative deal that would..."

Oct. 8, 2004 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Council Candidate Carousel

(in ballot order)

"...Mike Martinez: The recently re-elected president of the Austin Firefighters Association led a successful campaign for collective bargaining rights..."

March 31, 2006 News Feature

Kerrtains at AFD

Fire chief to leave for Florida

"...hiring practices, and a rocky relationship with the Austin Firefighters Association that led to two censures in two years...."

Feb. 16, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Council: Fire, Flood, and Men on Horseback

Contentious issues fill this week's slate

"...also bungled implementation in timing and scoring) such that African-American and Hispanic applicants were unfairly disadvantaged. If the city..."

May 16, 2014 News Feature by Michael King

Summer Fun: Kids These Days

Summer Fun continues with Nina on the Texas State Capitol

"...Barbara Jordan is one of my favorites, the first African-American woman elected to the Texas Senate, but we also..."

May 14, 2013 Chronolog Post by Nina Hernandez

Accommodating Women: The AFD vs. Nona Allen

"...than a year since the Austin Fire Depart­ment's only African-American female firefighter, Nona Allen, filed suit against the department,..."

Oct. 16, 2009 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Sheryl Cole and Chito Vela: The Prize Fight

All eyes on the Democratic primary run-off in House District 46

"...like Annie's List, Texas AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, the Austin Firefighters Assoc­i­a­tion, Black Austin Democrats, Education Austin, Capital Area Progressive..."

May 4, 2018 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Funding Balance

Some Austin politicos think qualified candidates of average means are deterred from running due to low contribution limits

"...mayoral and council candidates. (Groups affiliated with the Austin Firefighters union and the Aus­tin Board of Realtors led the..."

Dec. 11, 2015 News Feature by Jack Craver

Council Preview: Where There’s Smoke

AFD hiring consent decree under fire by AFA

"...testing and scoring system on AFD applicants such that African-American and Hispanic applicants were disadvantaged. If the city approves..."

May 14, 2014 News Post

Louis Malfaro and 18 Years of AISD Politics

The teachers' union veteran looks back as he moves forward

"...started teaching at Blackshear, 60% of the students were African-American and 40% were Hispanic; within five years, those numbers..."

Sept. 3, 2010 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Endorsements

"...successful as president of the Austin Association of Professional Firefighters, winning collective bargaining and using that right to improve..."

May 12, 2006 News Feature

Endorsements

"...successful as president of the Austin Association of Professional Firefighters, winning collective bargaining and using that right to improve..."

May 5, 2006 News Feature

Endorsements

"...successful as president of the Austin Association of Professional Firefighters, winning collective bargaining and using that right to improve..."

April 28, 2006 News Feature

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