German drivers were warned to expect disruption to their journeys on Tuesday as highway maintenance workers and tunnel operators went on strike amid an ongoing wage dispute. In the populous western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) alone, workers at all 28 tunnel operation centers walked out, leading to the closure of at least 11 long tunnels around the region and nationwide.
During his tenure as chief, Blackshire was supposed to have received a 3% wage premium for his Emergency Medical Technician certification, the lawsuit, filed on Jan. 7 states. The premium requirements are outlined in a city compensation plan for EMT certified employees. Blackshire, who has had his certification since 1997, was paid the premium during his time as Deputy Fire Chief, according to the suit. But in July 2019, when Blackshire was promoted, the city stopped paying the premium.
Engineers of the City of Santa Clara, which represents dozens of engineers, recently sent a letter to the City Council demanding fair treatment for all employees amid growing concerns over retaliation, retention and wages. The letter, signed by seven of the city's 10 classified employee unions, cites Santa Clara's proposed dismissal of longtime electrical engineer Julia Black, who was placed on paid administrative leave in September.
Nicks noted that he told the city manager and City Council in January that firefighters want a work week reduction and the same kind of wage offer EMS and Austin Police have achieved. Basically, Nicks said, while police and EMS employees received wage increases close to 6 percent, 5 percent and 4 percent, the city is offering most firefighters no general wage increase in the first, second, third and fourth years of the contract.
