KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In a room filled with a majority of Kansas City, Kansas firefighters, Mayor Mark Holland presented his report of “corruption” within the city’s fire department.
“When you’re willing to compromise the safety of the city in order for you to gain financially that’s the definition of corruption,” he said.
The report focused on shift trading, a common practice in fire departments across the country. One firefighter agrees to work another’s shift. Both employees are paid as though no trade ever took place because the same two people are expected to trade back.
“If there is some type of corruption, something being done illegally, the building across the street [the courthouse] is where to take it,” said Robert Holland, KCK Fire Captain and business manager of IAFF Local 62.
In his presentation Thursday, Holland said shift trading is being abused. He showed payroll data collected by the Unified Government which showed thousands of dollars paid out to employees who did not work.
According to the report, KCK firefighters had been paid $920,000 in taxpayer money in 2017 for work they didn’t do.
After his brief presentation, @MarkHollandKCK expressed disappointment with commissioners who did not show up. He said they "boycotted" the meeting so it would not be on TV @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/EVaa8vwgvw
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) January 5, 2018
But with not enough commissioners to reach quorum, the presentation was not considered an “official meeting.” And Holland could not take action and vote on an ordinance he had prepared to stop the practice of “paying someone to do their job.”
Commissioners Melissa Bynum, Harold Johnson Gayle Townsend and Jim Walter attended Thursday’s meeting. Holland said Jane Philbrook called in sick and said the other commissioners were “boycotting.”
“I am sad to report today I think the corruption of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department goes all the way to the ninth floor of the city hall and that is why we don’t have change because we have people unwilling to face the facts much less address them,” he said.
Commissioners who did not attend Thursday’s meeting refuted the mayor’s claim.
In a statement to 41 Action News, commissioner Ann Murguia said:
“Mark Holland is entitled to his opinion like any other citizen but I believe he has made an unfair and inaccurate characterization of the Commissioners. His actions tonight are counter to our governments process of addressing issues in a reasonable and thoughtful manner. Tonight Mark Holland turned a very important issue into a frenzy media spectacle. Looking forward to working with Mayor Alvey and fellow Commissioners in addressing these issues in a more calm manner.”
Thursday’s presentation happened hours after Kansas City, Kansas initiated an investigation into a KCK firefighter’s Facebook post.
The Facebook post was written by Chris Wing, KCK Fire Captain and business manager of IAFF Local 62 Robert Wing’s son. It accompanied an audio from a robocall sent by the mayor Wednesday evening, which alerted residents of Thursday’s meeting.
The message reads, “You might need security detail when you start witch hunts like so…”
“I have every belief that these issues will be taken up in the courthouse or the federal courthouse,” said Robert Wing.
Wing told 41 Action News he, his son and the union have all retained attorneys.
Bob Wing's son, Chris, is the firefighter who the Mayor says threatened him on social media. Chris posted, "you might need security detail when you start witch hunt, so..." @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/tRvxHMR3sP
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) January 5, 2018
“Firefighters are somewhat victimized for living by the rules,” he said. “There were no violations of agreed-upon rules that relate to this issues.”
Interim KCK Fire Chief Kevin Shirley and Unified Government County Administrator Doug Bach put out a joint statement on the shift trading practice. That can be read below:
Trading time is an accepted, legal practice which is allowed under federal law and the labor contract between the Unified Government and the KCK Firefighters Union. The issue facing the Unified Government is when the trading time practice does not follow policies and procedures.
In 2017, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners directed UG staff to examine the issue.
The information gathered will be utilized to review and evaluate the trading time practice making sure it complies with Fair Labor Standards Act provisions and negotiated contract terms.
In the next several months, KCK Fire Department management and Unified Government administration will analyze the data collected, implement administrative changes, and bring recommendations for changes or improvements back to the Commission for consideration.
Any recommended policy changes are subject to collective bargaining and will be discussed during labor contract negotiations with the Firefighters Union for the 2019 contract.
This issue is portrayed by some as the Unified Government versus the KCK Fire Department. This is absolutely not true. The KCK Fire Department is an important part of the Unified Government. Firefighters are valued employees who save lives, while frequently risking their own.
