r/Wildfire • u/smokejumperbro USFS • Feb 19 '25

News (General) Hiring freeze of firefighters could be deadly, Forest Service captain warns

https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/hiring-freeze-firefighters-deadly-forest-service-captain-warns-rcna192494

Great one!

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u/Busy_Lightnin_Bug Feb 19 '25

Since the freeze started. I dont understand why or how it can have anything to do with bringing new folks on board. I just know that they are on hold. I am not saying they are cancelled or will not happen, just that they are on hold. I expect they will be backdated when permission to proceed is received.

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u/ZonaDesertRat Feb 19 '25

You probably meant to say backfilled, meaning filling the vacant position. Backdating a position is not allowed by OPM, in that backpay is not authorized for delays in the processing of promotions or grade increases.

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u/Busy_Lightnin_Bug Feb 19 '25

No. I meant backdated. The bargaining agreement between the USFS & NFFE allows for backdating a career ladder promotion if the position is covered by NFFE. The NFFE bargaining agreement also covers supervisory positions at the GS-9 level & below (with one exception) but only for positions that are covered by primary or secondary firefighter retirement. I am not sure how they will handle delayed career ladder promotions for positions on forests that are not covered by the NFFE agreement or supv posns thay are GS-10 or higher.

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u/ZonaDesertRat Feb 19 '25

To include pay?  Was this part of the new master agreement? 

It wasn't allowed many moons ago when it happened to me and when I was involved in union business. Good change.

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u/Busy_Lightnin_Bug Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25

Yup. If the CLP is backdated, the employee receives backpay as well. I have backdated a CLP to a date over one year in the past!!

It is in the current NFFE agreement.

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u/R5hotshoot Feb 19 '25

Citation from the master agreement? 

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u/Busy_Lightnin_Bug Feb 19 '25

NFFE Master Agreement, effective date 6-4-24, article 16, paragraph 11c.