Firefighters to test 24-hour shifts

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This article was published 11/10/2023 (740 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg firefighters are seeking a major change to their work schedules, as their union intends to propose a trial of 24-hour shifts during upcoming contract talks with the city.

United Firefighters of Winnipeg president Tom Bilous confirmed union members were recently surveyed to gauge interest before collective bargaining meetings begin next week.

“We take our direction from the members, and there’s been an expressed interest to explore a trial period,” he said Wednesday.

In the spring, members were asked to rank their top priorities for contract negotiations. Bilous said a trial of 24-hour shifts was in the top three.

He declined to discuss specific details of contract proposals, citing protocol and a desire to avoid bargaining in the media.

Informational meetings were held last month to discuss the possibility of a future trial.

The UFFW represents about 1,000 active firefighters, who are employed by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. They currently work a rotation of four days on — two 10-hour day shifts and then two 14-hour night shifts — and four days off.

This isn’t the first time the UFFW has looked at 24-hour shifts. The matter was proposed in 2011, but it never reached the bargaining table.

In the last 10 to 15 years, multiple Canadian cities have conducted trials and then permanently extended shifts to 24 hours, a practice that is common across the U.S.

The WFPS declined an interview request.

“Hours of work have historically been a topic of discussion in bargaining between the city and union leadership,” city spokesman Kalen Qually wrote in an email. “With respect to the impending negotiations with UFFW on our collective agreement, we are unable to provide further comment at this time as matters that are the subject of negotiations between the city and union are to be held in confidence until resolved.”

Mayor Scott Gillingham is familiar with the concept but has not been fully briefed on the advantages or disadvantages of 24-hour shifts, said his spokesman, Colin Fast.

Coun. Evan Duncan, chair of city council’s community services committee, has not been given any information about a possible trial at the “city level,” but is willing to discuss the matter if it reaches council, according to a spokeswoman.

Several fire departments in Ontario have switched to 24-hour shifts in the last decade. Some cases were decided via arbitration, as municipalities cited potential health, safety and/or operational issues while opposing the change.

The switch became permanent for Thunder Bay firefighters in 2020, following a three-year trial. There, a 24-hour shift is followed by a day off, and then another 24-hour shift and five days off. The pattern averages out to a 42-hour work week.

Some cities use different rotations. For Calgary firefighters, a 24-hour day is followed by 48 hours off and then 24 hours on and 96 hours off.

Previously, Thunder Bay firefighters worked four 10-hour day shifts, followed by four days off, and then four 14-hour night shifts, followed by another four days off.

Dennis Brescacin, president of the Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association, said the change has been for the better for several reasons.

“The biggest one we found was the effect on their circadian rhythm,” he said.

Brescacin said under the new schedule, firefighters are experiencing less sleep disruption and therefore getting more rest and longer breaks to recover.

Previously, they were burnt out by their fourth night shift, he said.

There have been improvements to firefighters’ mental health and wellness, according to Brescacin, who said sick time has decreased and workplace morale has gone up.

Thunder Bay’s on-duty firefighters try to get some sleep inside their stations at night when possible. The extended shifts have increased opportunities for training during the day, said Brescacin.

He said public safety and fire operations have not been negatively affected by the change.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching