Little Rock city leaders are considering adopting a 48-hours-on, 96-hours-off work schedule for its firefighters.
A city-commissioned survey revealed that 57% of firefighters favor the proposed schedule change, TVH 11 reports.
Yet the issue is proving contentious, both during the city’s budget debate last year and even now.
The city and firefighters’ union used a mediator to reach agreement on the issue and the city planned for it in drawing up the budget, yet the city is still evaluating the scheduling change and is concerned that it might lead to staffing shortages.
Matthew Stallings, president of the Little Rock Firefighters Union, told TVH 11 firefighters are frustrated at the delays in implementing the schedule.
The 48/96 schedule provides a number of benefits to firefighters, including more adjustment time for sleep schedules and better quality family time.
Stallings says instead of causing staffing problems, the new schedule could actually help with staffing, as the schedule is a popular benefit that can attract more applicants to the profession.
No timeline has been provided for when the city will make a decision on the schedule.