STRATFORD — In response to recent public comments from the union representing two injured town firefighters who were terminated after spending more than two years on medical leave, Mayor Laura Hoydick released a statement Friday, June 20, meant to clarify the situation.
“I would like to thank both William Hertzog and Scot Sanford for their years of service with the Town of Stratford Fire Department as firefighters,” Hoydick said in the statement. Unfortunately, they are medically unable to return to duty after three and two years of Workers’ Compensation leave, (respectively). Scot was injured in April 2022 and William in February 2023.”
Hoydick explained that the town has paid them the difference in their salary and the workers compensation benefit for that time period while waiting for them to be released to return to full duty.
“As neither employee can provide a date certain to return to work in the near future after extended medical leaves of absence, the Administration advised the employees and their union that they had the options to retire or terminate their position,” the mayor added. ”They chose not to retire so the Town terminated their employment. They remain eligible to retire and receive a pension and paid retiree medical insurance.”
IAFF Local 998 President Steven Michalovic wrote a letter to union members on June 13 regarding the termination of the two firefighters. He called the actions by the mayor and Human Resources Director Ron Ing an “alarming escalation in a pattern we’ve seen from this administration in recent years.”
“Let me be clear,” Michalovic wrote. “Neither of these members has reached maximum medical improvement, and there has been no medical consensus indicating that either of them will be permanently unable to return to duty.”
He called the behavior by the mayor “unconscionable.” He also said the union has begun the grievance process because it believes the terminations violated the collective bargaining agreement.
“To put it bluntly, these firefighters showed up, did their jobs, were injured protecting the citizens of Stratford, and were subsequently fired for getting hurt on the job,” he added.
In her statement, Hoydick mentioned that the Town of Stratford has paid to cover their shifts at 1.5 pay per the union contract.
“The town needs to fill these positions,” she stated. “I wish them well in their future endeavors. The Town remains committed to supporting its employees, honoring labor agreements, and maintaining transparency with the community.”
