Maine fire departments are moving toward shorter workweeks for first responders under new union contracts.
Orono and Old Town are two of five communities where firefighters recently have approved contracts that reduce their workweek from the traditional 56 hours to 42. The reduction is part of an effort to create better work-life balance for first responders and attract new firefighters to the field, according to the Professional Firefighters of Maine union.
The change comes amid a struggle across Maine and nationally to recruit qualified firefighters and retain current staff. While firefighters in Orono, Old Town, York, Waterville and Gardiner will work â or are already working â shorter weeks under their new contracts, they wonât take a pay cut because their hourly rates will change accordingly, according to Ronnie Green, a retired Bangor firefighter who is 4th district vice president for the firefightersâ union.
