Public Case No. R 1986-005
(Cross Reference RD 1988-022)International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 3016 v.
City of Carthage, Missouri
IAFF filed a petition to represent all non-supervisory employees of the Carthage Fire Department. The City contended that Captains were supervisors. The City also argued that its Fire Safety Officers did not share a community of interest with the other employees of the Fire Department.
The Board concluded that Captains were not true supervisors. The Captains play no role in the hiring or discharging of employees, and only have a limited role in recommending a promotion. Captains’ direction of Fire Fighters at the firehouse and at the fire scene involves little use of independent judgment. Finally, Captains spend much of their time doing duties similar to those of other Fire Fighters. The Captains were included in the unit.
The Board found that the Fire Safety Officers did not share a community of interest with the other employees, and should therefore be excluded from the bargaining unit. The Board relied on the great difference in the type of work performed.
Date Issued: February 14, 1986