Eric has often talked about how fortunate that he is to be a full-time firefighter and yet also to be able to be on the Big Brother TV show. However, his luck may be running out. It seems that Eric did not ask permission from the fire chief, and the head honcho is considering terminating his employment.
Before Eric came into the house, he arranged for some of his firefighter buddies to cover his shifts. That means, that he is still a full-time employee, and he is still receiving a pay check from the fire department. He just has to work lots of extra shifts (namely, 20 extra shifts) when he gets out of the Big Brother house.
Eric has said that he has a lot of debt, and even if he does not win, the $500 a week that he gets for being on Big Brother 3 will be some help. But, now, it looks like he might not have a job when he gets out.
According to the Associated Press, the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Chief, Todd Paige, has filed disciplinary charges against Eric, saying that he has violated his contract with the Groton, CT fire department and committed “willful misconduct involving several violations of the rules and regulations and the labor agreement.”
Since Eric was living with his parents when he was not living at the fire house, a letter was sent to Eric’s father, Paul Ouellette. The letter indicates that Eric is being brought up on four disciplinary charges: “insubordination, disrupting fire department daily activities, willful use of his position for personal gain and failing to provide contact information to the department.”
The Union is supporting Eric, saying that he has the right to swap shifts with the other firefighters, even 20 shifts. And, a union representative will represent Eric at the disciplinary hearing, which is set for today, July 18.
But, to make matters worse, if Eric does not show up for his disciplinary hearing, today, then this could be further grounds for termination. It seems that Fire Chief Paige is hot under the collar. And, he is taking steps to terminate Eric’s employment.
Here are the charges in detail:
Insubordination for willfully disregarding a directive from the chief. Paige had tried to discourage Ouellette from going on the show when he was still going through the selection process. But Eldridge said the charge stems from the chief telling Ouellette that he could only arrange swaps so he could be gone for 30 days. Eldridge blasted that interpretation as arbitrary. Eldridge said the contract doesn't stipulate any minimum or maximum days allowed for shifts to be swapped. Even if Paige was correct in his interpretation of the contract, Eldridge said, Ouellette hadn't “violated the arbitrary decision of the chief” because 30 days have yet to expire.
Disrupting fire department daily activities. The chief said last week that he was concerned that the other firefighters covering Ouellette's shifts would become overworked and would take additional time off, preventing the department from performing its other ancillary duties. The chief pointed out last week that Ouellette's absence comes at a time when the department is already experiencing one vacancy and other firefighters taking time off for vacations. “My main concern is the wear and tear on the employees. I want rested employees,” Paige said last week. “We've been hearing from the union that they want more people. This goes against that argument.”
Willful use of his position for personal gain. Eldridge said Paige is accusing Ouellette of using his status as a firefighter to get on the show.
Failing to provide contact information to the department of where he will be and how he can be reached in cases of emergencies. Paige said last week that he had heard rumors Ouellette was in the show, but it wasn't confirmed until a news reporter contacted him for a comment.
This story was first broken by The Day of New London, newspaper, and was picked up by the Associated Press.
Hartford Courant story:
http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/statewire/hc-18030051.apds.m0834.bc-ct--bigbjul18.story
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