MORGANTOWN — Unions representing Morgantown’s police officers and firefighters have voted “no confidence” in the city’s leadership.
Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva represents both the International Association of Fire Firefighters Local 313 and the Mon Preston Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 87.
She issued a joint statement late Monday evening.
“With no belief that the City of Morgantown can competently administer public safety, the members of firefighters’ union (IAFF Local 313) and the police union (Mon Preston FOP Lodge 87) have voted “No Confidence” in the City Administration.”
That vote includes City Manager Kim Haws, Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli, Human Resources Director John Bihun and all seven members of Morgantown City Council.
“These first responders do not support the city administration and want the public to know it,” the release states.
The statement explains the votes come after prolonged dissatisfaction within both the city’s police and fire departments.
Both departments have been outspoken in their opposition to recent changes to city policy. The FOP ended up suing the city seeking the public release of the city’s recent wage and compensation study.
The press release also cites the city’s creation of a civilian police oversight board, which was significantly scaled back following a successful lawsuit from the FOP.
“The city’s conduct toward its police officers is negatively affecting our ability to retain and recruit police officers. Retention and recruitment are the ways our police department is able to meet the staffing requirements to protect and serve a city of this size,” FOP Lodge 87 President Brandon Viola said.
Morgantown Police Chief Eric Powell recently said his department has 55 officers. It’s authorized to have 76.
IAFF Local 313’s President Mitchell Beall said the fire department is also facing staffing issues.
The release points to prolonged litigation against the city by the IAFF in recent years regarding pay disputes pertaining to state code and civil service rules.
“A city’s failure to support its firefighters puts public safety at risk. Because of the City’s efforts to reduce our pay and benefits and its refusal to follow minimum fire safety standards, we have major retention and recruiting issues,” he said.
