Yednock Legislation to Provide Labor Education for Firefighters Passes House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, to allow firefighter academy graduates to receive a brief history of the labor movement for firefighters passed on the House floor with bipartisan support.

“With this vote today, we are recognizing the importance of the labor movement on firefighter safety, working conditions, and better pay and compensation into the training firefighters receive,” said Yednock. “Firefighters from across our state worked with me to craft this legislation to ensure the labor movement receives the historical credit it deserves for improving the lives, safety, and benefits of firefighters all across this country.”

House Bill 2215 allows candidates to receive a brief presentation that provides them with a historical perspective on the labor movement in the fire service. The education also helps provide the information on how the two major labor unions representing firefighters have been the driving force behind nearly every advance and improvement in fire and emergency services over the last 101 years.

“The AFFI is honored that Rep. Yednock recognized the importance of including a brief educational presentation of labor history in the fire service in the curriculum for new firefighter recruits on Illinois,” said Chuck Sullivan, legislative representative for the Associated Firefighters of Illinois (AFFI). “We appreciate his hard work ensuring the bill passed the House.”

House Bill 2215, passing with bipartisan support on the House floor, now moves to the Senate for consideration.