Firefighters union sounds alarm over proposed budget

An undated file image of a Winnipeg firefighter battling a blaze. (CTV News Winnipeg)

Winnipeg firefighters are sounding the alarm over the city’s proposed budget.

The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg (UFFW) said more than 99 percent of its members voted against the budget in an internal non-confidence vote.

“It’s a pretty unprecedented step for Winnipeg firefighters. This isn’t something we’ve ever done before,” said Nick Kasper, president of the UFFW.

“This is a strong message, not only to city hall, but to the citizens of Winnipeg, that some change needs to be made.”

The proposed budget outlines a plan to hire 40 firefighters over four years, with the first 10 joining the service next year.

However, Kasper said this falls well short of the service’s request to hire 40 firefighters in 2026 alone.

“Winnipeggers are already facing the slowest response times in Canada,” he said. “Our overtime expenditures have increased to $10 million a year, and you know, we are struggling to do our jobs effectively and deliver the level of service to Winnipeggers that they deserve.”

Kasper said firefighters are selling their holidays back to the city, working up to 70 additional shifts per year, but still the city is seeing trucks and stations closed throughout the year.

“Which is something I’ve never seen in my career,” Kasper said.

He said the city would end up paying more in firefighter overtime costs than it would to simply hire more firefighters.

“We’re hoping that they apply some common sense in this budget instead of waiting till the end of the year and wasting $10 million in overtime,” he said.

“We’re asking to accelerate the hiring and double the number of hires this year.(it) would only cost between $300,000 and $400,000. We’re talking about pennies on the dollar here, and right now this budget robs Peter to pay Paul.”

The union’s call to hire more firefighters is set to be discussed at the executive policy committee meeting this Friday. The proposed budget is set to go to a final vote of council on Dec. 17.