(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/3/2024) Hundreds of firefighters circled two floors of the Capitol rotunda Tuesday afternoon and boomed chants that urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow firefighter unions to bargain over staffing levels with their municipalities.  

Besides chanting in support of HB 4688 , the firefighters also called out by name Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), who they feel is changing his position on the bill after he allegedly said in a questionnaire during the campaign that he was a yes vote.  

"Where is Nate? Where is Nate? Where is Nate?" they chanted inside the rotunda. A couple of hours before this, Matthew SAHR, president of the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union, decried during the Capitol rally those public officials who "take our endorsement and hides." To this, Shannon's name was heard distinctly by those in the crowd. 

A sign planted in front of the Capitol steps reads, "Naughty List: Nate Shannon."  

On Nov. 13, the bill was on the House agenda for passage, but was pulled at the last minute when the majority didn't feel they had the votes for passage.  

Shannon, who was defeated last month in his reelection bid, is a former Sterling Heights City Council member. A couple of messages were sent to the third-term legislator for comment. 

A video taken outside of Shannon's Capitol office and shared with MIRS shows Shannon walking out of his office with three firefighter helmets. He hands them to the person taking the video, saying, "Here you go. You guys have no idea what you're talking about." 

The Michigan Municipal League (MML) says they have offered language to the Speaker's office that would allow the conversation over staffing to be had during labor negotiations, but that the topic can't be subject to arbitration.  

The MML's Dave Hodgkins said allowing the subject to be brought up at arbitration opens up a municipality and a community to financial risks of other programs being eliminated in order to pay for more firefighter salaries. 

However, the firefighters contend that neither the arbitrator nor the firefighters want to put local governments in financial peril and the issue they are bringing up with staffing levels is one of safety. 

During an 11 a.m. rally at the Capitol steps, Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) talked about the dangers firefighters face on the job. 

"Unfortunately, we cannot legislate all of these dangers away, but what we can do is make sure we pass legislation to equip you with the tools, the resources and the staff so that you do your job safely for the people of Michigan," he said. 

Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe) told the group that she introduced SB 1167 on that day, which was similar to HB 4688 , sponsored by Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek). She suggested that if HB 4688 is getting clogged up in the House, they can pass something in the Senate and "maybe light a little fire under them." 

Other speakers at the event included Rep. Jasper R. Martus (D-Flushing) and Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens). Those scheduled to speak also included Haadsma, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) and Rep. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon).