SAUGATUCK TWP. Firefighters with the Saugatuck Township Fire District voted to form a union last year and are in the process of finalizing a collective-bargaining agreement with the Saugatuck Township Fire District Board and Fire Chief Greg Janik.
According to union president Capt. Mike Betts, the decision to unionize did not come from firefighters dissatisfaction with their pay or their employer.
Instead, Betts said, they primarily wanted to become an active part of the state and international firefighters unions, which provide resources and political advocacy on behalf of firefighters.
They also wanted to protect themselves, their benefits for the future, and to encourage retention of career firefighters in the department.