Fire Crews Concerned about Ohio Labor Laws that Limit Hours

Columbus, OHA number of firefighters in the Buckeye State are expressing concerns that Ohio labor laws relating to billable hours may be endangering the finances of Ohio's Bravest and the safety of the community at large.

Part-time municipal employees who don't receive health and pension benefits in Ohio aren't supposed to work more than 1,500 hours a year, though the exact wording of the labor legislation has lead to several challenges over the years, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

The rule was established to protect the hours of full-time firefighters whose time is more expensive for city officials than that of part-timers. The law defines part-time workers as those with the "expectation" to work less than 1,500 hours, which has caused much debate among part-timers and government officials alike.

Particularly, controversy has risen in the Jefferson Township where nine part-timers worked an average of 37 hours a week, nearly full-time, while only earning $22,000 without benefits. The typical pay of a full-time employee is between $50,000 and $75,000 plus benefits.


Some believe that these infractions will lead to further hiring for full-time employees, though that remains to be seen.