FRISCO – A proposal to create a civil service and adopt collective bargaining for the Frisco fire department was trailing with all but two city polling locations reporting late Saturday night and appeared headed for defeat.
With about 14,000 votes counted, 52 percent of voters opposed Proposition A that would create civil service, and 58 percent opposed Proposition B that would allow collective bargaining.
Voters in Frisco voted Saturday on whether to create a civil service for their fire department that will allow collective bargaining and create a system for hiring and promoting people in the department. Frisco is one of the fastest growing cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and facing the realities of becoming a big city.
Some residents voting casting Saturday expressed concern about the creation of a union and how it impacts the city.
“We don’t need a union for one city department,” said Norbert Tiringer. “For me, it was a clear no for either proposal. I don’t think there is a problem to fix here. “Leave things as they are.”
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The proposals were born out of the need for better working conditions and more transparency in hiring and opportunities for Frisco’s firefighters, said Matt Sapp, president of the Frisco Fire Fighters Association.
Sapp said despite the defeat of both proposals, he was grateful for people who came out to vote every day during early voting and on Election Day.
“It didn’t go the way we wanted to go, but I am proud of my team,” Sapp told The Dallas Morning News. “At the end of the day, we are all on the same boat and want Frisco to be together. “I am sure we will find a common ground with the city council.”
Frisco resident Rachel Wright said decisions about working conditions and benefits should be made by the firefighters.
“They are the ones who put themselves out there for the community. They should be able to have a union and fight for their benefits and resources,” Wright said. “We should listen to them.”
The Texas Legislature established Civil Service to regulate hiring, promotion and firing of police officers and firefighters. The Frisco measures would have required the city to appoint a civilian commission to administer programs for hiring, promotions and discipline in the fire department.
It would also have required the city to post open positions to give qualified candidates equal opportunity to apply, and to establish entrance and promotional exams. Additional requirements would have included promoting from within before considering external hires.
Safety First Frisco, the PAC campaigning against both propositions, said civil service is not a merit-based system and instead relies on years of service and written tests for promotions. The group also said it results in more bureaucracy due to management by committee.
On its website, the PAC emphasized the union would have been an “outside force” and that there is “no need for a city department that is managed outside of city leadership.”
Collective bargaining allows employees to negotiate pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Billy Woodard, a Frisco City Council member who heads the PAC opposing the propositions, could not be reached for comment late Saturday night.
David Lindsay, cast his ballot at Frisco’s Fire Station #4. He said firefighters would not have had to bring these two items to the ballots if the city was being transparent in the hiring process and compensation.
Frisco resident Annie Fendrick said she did not see a need for “outsiders” making decisions about the fire department.
“Having a union is not going to help with anything. I think this is right now, and there is no need for change,” said Fendrick.
