From excerpts on theDailyHerald.com: In a recent development, the Elgin firefighters' union has filed a labor complaint against the city following an order for three members to trim their hair, a decision they claim was made as part of a broader dispute over their stalled contract negotiations. International Association of Firefighters Local 439 President Vince Rychtanek explained that he, Vice President Edward Hanson, and Shop Steward Joe Villella began allowing their hair to grow longer starting in April 2015 to protest the fact that firefighters have been operating without a contract since January 2014. The unresolved contract issue is currently under arbitration. According to Rychtanek, all three were instructed to cut their hair by their superiors recently, though Villella was the first to comply last year after speaking with a former assistant chief. Rychtanek and Hanson followed suit later. The unfair labor practice complaint filed on February 9 doesn't center on hair length specifically but rather addresses the department's decision to alter grooming policies without prior negotiation with the union. Rychtanek emphasized, "We were all told to cut our hair. We're not going to ignore orders. Grooming policies are universally recognized as something that needs to be negotiated." Fire Chief John Fahy stated that the department's grooming policy mandates members maintain a neat and clean appearance. Fahy clarified that while all three were initially asked to trim their hair, it was actually only Hanson who failed to comply when requested by his battalion chief. Fahy noted that the situation with Rychtanek and Hanson escalated because their hair became notably unkempt over time. Fahy highlighted that fire departments across the country vary significantly in their grooming standards, from simple guidelines like those in Elgin to more comprehensive rules covering hair length, piercings, tattoos, and other aspects. He assured that the Elgin Fire Department does not face any grooming-related issues internally, stating that out of 133 members, only these three individuals are dissatisfied with the arbitration process. Rychtanek reiterated that the focus remains on reaching a resolution for the ongoing contract dispute. "Ultimately, we just want the city to come to the table and negotiate the contract," he said. "This isn't about wanting long hair; it's about fairness and respect during negotiations." The current sticking point in the contract discussions revolves around a clause concerning minimum staffing levels, a contentious issue that Rychtanek described as "despicable" given the prolonged absence of a formal agreement. He expressed frustration, noting that this has become standard practice in Elgin, with nearly every contract during his 23-year tenure ending up in arbitration. Thanks for sharing this, Dan!

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