Minister of Labour Laurie Scott has proposed amendments to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act that, if accepted, will protect two-hatter firefighters across the province from discipline – an issue that stirred up controversy among certain members of the Halton Hills Fire Department last year.
The term “two-hatters” or “double-hatters” refers to full-time firefighters who also work part-time for another department, usually in their home community.
The practice, common in many smaller communities, is forbidden under the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union constitution, and has resulted in two-hatters facing fines and threats of losing their full-time jobs.
In May 2017, then-Halton Hills fire chief John deHooge confirmed that three out of four two-hatter firefighters, who worked full-time in Mississauga, resigned from their part-time positions in Halton Hills to avoid sanctions imposed on them by their full-time union.
One resigned prior to a tribunal hearing, held in February of that year, with the two others following suit afterward.
The sanctions included suspension from the union and resulting lost benefits, as well as a $500 monthly fine for six months for a total fine of $3,500. After six months, the monthly fine was set to increase to $1,000. It would then increase to a monthly amount of $1,500 after a year, and finally up to $2,000 per month should the violation persist after 18 months.
In Canada, Ontario and Newfoundland are the only provinces that have not had legislation in place to protect double-hatters.
The proposed amendments, introduced as part of the 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review (Bill 57), would protect professional firefighters from being penalized as a result of double-hatting and would take pressure off municipalities expected to dismiss them.
“Our proposed reforms to finally protect ‘double-hatters’ will promote public safety and allow firefighters to choose how they volunteer, in their free time,” Scott said in a news release.
As well, the amendments promise to improve the current interest arbitration system, known to lead to delays and inefficiencies, by requiring arbitrators to consider other settlements reached with employees in the same municipality, as well as various economic criteria affecting that specific area.
The changes would also allow municipalities or firefighters' associations to request explanations in writing from the arbitrator and introduce one-person arbitration panels.
Link to original article in The IFP.ca: Ontario Minister of Labour aims to protect two-hatter firefighters, improve arbitration process