Archive through July 18, 2002
MoveCloseDeleteAdmin

The ClubHouse: General Discussion Archives: Archive Three: Eric in trouble at work!: Archive through July 18, 2002

Chiparock

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 04:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Conn's Channel 3 just aired the news that Eric may lose his job at a firehouse in Groton, CT. His boss is accusing him of insubordination, using his position for personal gain, and failure to leave a proper contact number, among other charges. His fellow firefighters and union are going to bat for him. There will be a hearing this afternoon (with Eric in absentia!) where he will be represented by his union. If anyone can fill in more info on this matter, please keep us posted.

Maris

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 04:44 am EditMoveDeleteIP
From the Groton Daily:

Groton firefighter's TV career puts his new job in jeopardy
Officials say he violated procedures to take time off
By Gladys Alcedo - More Articles
Published on 07/18/2002


Groton –– Poquonnock Bridge fire officials are taking the first steps of disciplinary action against a rookie firefighter who has taken time off to be on television.

Firefighter Eric Ouellette, 27, of Clinton, hasn't been around the firehouse since June 30, when a CBS television crew whisked him away to become one of 12 houseguests chosen from among thousands of applicants for CBS' “Big Brother 3,” the reality television show. As part of the show, which began airing July 10, Ouellette will live with strangers in a house, cut off from the rest of the world and monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by a multitude of cameras and microphones.

The events occurring inside the Los Angeles home will be edited down to three one-hour shows to be aired each week on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Once a week, the houseguests will vote out a member until there's one left to collect the $500,000 prize.

Many in Groton –– including the union, fire chief and fire district committee –– hope Ouellette, the youngest and newest firefighter on the force, will do well. But the consensus ends there and the labor dispute begins.

The union representing Poquonnock Bridge firefighters erected a sign outside the fire department's headquarters Wednesday in support of Ouellette.

The union maintains Ouellette was within his contractual rights to swap 20 shifts with other firefighters through September, while he's away to do the show. The administration claims, however, that Ouellette didn't follow procedure and violated the contract and the department's rules and regulations.

“Termination of your employment is being contemplated as a result of your willful misconduct involving several violations of the rules and regulations and the labor agreement,” Chief Todd M. Paige wrote in a pre-disciplinary letter sent to Ouellette's former home in Milford, his parents' house.

Paige declined to comment Wednesday on the specific violations that Ouellette is accused of committing. Paige said it would be inappropriate given that it's a personnel issue and could be a violation of Ouellette's privacy.

“Everything we do is in compliance with the union contract and rules and regulations,” Paige said Wednesday. “As far as I can comment, no disciplinary action has been taken against Eric. He's still employed and he's still on the show.”

But Paige set in motion the disciplinary process, said Thomas Eldridge, president of the firefighters' union. Eldridge called all the alleged violations levied against Ouellette “frivolous and arbitrary claims.”

According to the contract, any pre-disciplinary hearing must take place within 10 days of the alleged misconduct.

Ouellette, who hasn't had any contact outside the house since the show went into production, didn't receive the letter, but it was opened by his father, Paul P. Ouellette. He declined to comment, referring all questions to Eldridge.

The letter, Eldridge said, indicates that Ouellette is being brought up on four disciplinary charges:


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.”

Eldridge said he couldn't understand this charge because the “work goes on. We still fight fires and save lives,” and pursue the other daily activities required of the department.


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.
“He didn't violate any labor agreement,” Eldridge said of Ouellette. The union will defend the young firefighter in a pre-disciplinary hearing before Paige at 3:30 p.m. today at the Fort Hill Road fire station.

Eldridge said the pre-disciplinary letter warns that Ouellette could face more charges if he fails to report to the hearing today.

Generally speaking, if the firefighter doesn't show up for the hearing, Paige said, “Then, we have to wait to discuss it with him. We can't take action against anybody without talking to him.”

Paige criticized the union for taking the issue to the public without Ouellette's authorization. He said the union should have followed proper grievance procedures.

Eldridge said Paige's comments were meant to deflect criticism from the administration.

Paige, a former union president, has the support of the district committee, said Jeff Vary, the panel's chairman. “The union is upset with the chief and the chief isn't knuckling under. He's doing what the book said, following the rules and regulations ... The chief is being coined as a bad guy. He's not being a bad guy. He's following the union contract to the letter.”

But Carl A. Kiely, member of the local firefighting volunteer force and former 25-year member of the district committee, suggested the district forget about the whole situation and the disciplinary actions to avoid further embarrassment and bad press for the district.

“I'm speechless about the whole thing. It's just ridiculous,” Kiely said. “I tried to tell them they were heading for trouble.”

g.alcedo@theday.com

Maris

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 04:48 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Eric may end up leaving voluntarily and that would save Lori and Amy. Boy what a twist that would be. BB would have to tell Eric that this is going on. Wonder if they were notified or if this is something else they will find out from the internet.

Teebird30

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 05:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I watched this story last night on the news. The fire chief said that Eric is employed in a 21 man station and that having him away is a hardship to the other firefighters. The union president was interviewed and said that the other firefighters didn't feel this way but no other firefighters were interviewed.

I find this all kind of funny....cause I thought Eric said he worked for a LARGE fire station. I had no idea that he was my neighbor!!! I assure you that the area he works in is not a thriving metropolis!

Does anyone else remember Eric saying that he was maybe leaving this fire station anyway in the near future? He has five years experience and the union on his side....I think if the fire chief wins this fight he will be 2 firefighters short and Eric will just move on with the support of the union. Can you see another station saying no we won't hire you cause you did this one time stint on BB3???

Maris

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 05:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Do you think BB has told him about it. If they didnt tell him I would think that he has a case for a future suit. You lose your job on the outside and nobody told you about a hearing to save it?

Squidward

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 05:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm sure BB will inform Eric of something this important. I also don't believe Eric would leave voluntarily. If it came down to it, I think he would give up his job for the BB house and all the 'fame and fortune' these people mistakenly believe awaits them after being on a reality tv show.

Ruditoo

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 05:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hogwash!!! That "chief" is blowing smoke. I'll bet his afraid of the negative publicity Eric will bring his "firehouse" and who can blame him given BB' history. I must say,LOL, the: not leaveing a phone # or where he can be reached is pretty rich, doesn't he have a TV or read or listen to the "firehouse gossip"? Scratch the listening to "f g" that' probably is really getting up his "nose". Poor Eric :(

Maris

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 05:27 am EditMoveDeleteIP
You could be right but I think he would probably get more coverage on the talk show circuit than if he stayed to the end. I dont see Eric as a winner in this show.

"Fireman gives up chance of fortune to save lives, tomorrow moring on the morning show."

I could see Letterman wanting him on his show.

He could work the story and play it right.

Eliz87

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 05:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree with Squidward. I don't think Eric is going to pass up the chance for "fame and fortune" for his small-town fire department job. If things don't work out for him on the show (and dare I say, they won't), he can always find another day job somewhere else.

Jkm

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 06:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Groton is so small!!!

Who says he won't relocate to California anyway (at least for a while) to try to make something of his 15 min of fame. Although the batch from the recent reality shows seem to disappear faster and faster (Ethan who?)

Besides -- as long as he really does have good skills and a good background in firefighting -- he probably could get a job else where (firefighting hiring around where I live and the police is pretty political, based on who you know and for how long)

Djgirl5235

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 06:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I don't know if everyone remembers, but last year, after 9/11, it took BB almost 2 days to tell the HG's about the tragedy, and that's only because Monica's cousin was missing... I don't think that BB will actually tell Eric about this, which does allow for some interesting possibilities once Eric leaves the house! Just my opinion...

Maryann

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 06:22 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think that Eric is intelligent enough to realize that he was taking a risk to go on the show-if he's had five years of experience I think that it's ridiculous to even consider firing him..he's at a point now where he would still be of great use to the Department.
Plenty of firehouses need staff, especially NYC which was devastated in the 9-11 tragedy.
It's foolish of the Fire Chief to make such an issue of this! Is he worried that now ALL the firefighters are going to be on Big Brother every year and he will therefore have a scheduling problem!? Good Grief!

Kaili

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 06:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Ummm....you guys? They didn't even tell them about Sept. 11. Remember Monica and her situation...they hardly gave her information about that. Yeah, they might but I wouldn't be too sure.

Where I live it is not easy to get a firefighting position. My cousin has been doing it for a few years but it took him awhile to get hired. If you lose your job, you lose your seniority and have to start at the bottom again. My cousin was considering a move to Michigan (even though they weren't hiring, he was dating someone there) but then backed out because he worked so hard to get that position he didn't want to have to start over.

Maris

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 06:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I know people waiting three years to get into fire department Kaili. You are right it is not that easy and it is also a choice Eric should make not one that should be made for him.

Teebird30

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 06:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Groton is so small!!! Jkm

Now watch it Jkm!!! LOL.....Groton is small, but hey when the Navy says go, you go!!! There was some excitement here though recently. Pfzier had a chemical explosion about 2 and a half weeks ago. Maybe his fire chief is concerned cause of the power that was needed for that emergency.

I still am curious though cause I thought Eric said he worked for a LARGE city??? Does anyone else remember that???

Bladewelder

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 06:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think Eric exaggerated when he said he worked for a LARGE city. Most of the hg have been exaggerating about their lives since they are such shallow, superficial people without a real life. Like Tonya....'uh, my life doesn't go past my b**bs, tummy tucks, or my ex'. Hellloooo!! These people are so phoney they don't know where reality begins and ends!

But on the other hand it does make for some interesting viewing.....

Amac

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
My first instinct is that Shapiro should tell Eric about this immediately. Then I wonder what kind of idiot Eric is for not taking proper leave of absence. Despite the short notice the HGs are given from the time they know they're in until they are actually in the house, Eric should have known of the possibility/probability he'd be chosen and took care of his affairs accordingly.

Crossfire

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I don't imagine that my opinion will be terribly well received by all, but in this case, if Eric was unable to resolve the differences with his employers, prior to leaving for the show, then it is well within the Chief's obligations to act accordingly.

It is a 'do what you gotta do' world.
Eric did what he had to do.
The Chief is doing what he has to do.
The Union is doing what it has to do.

In the end, Eric is responsible for Eric, and if he runs into job trouble over this, that is his problem. By the sounds of it, he knew things were not quite squared up back at the office, and made a personal decision to carry forward. Nothing wrong with that it is his decision to make. The union is going to bat for him, that's good too, thats what they do. But if in the end, it does not all work out. Too bad.


I find this quite interesting though, I often wonder how disappearing from the real world for three months for a fantasy gameshow, met up with the realities and responsibility's of day to day living.

Going on a show like this for most people is a pretty big deal, and must be a real pain in the ass to prepare for. And it only gets harder the more connections in real life you have. i.e., spouse, children, employers, bills, school, etc.

These realities play a big part in the type of contestant we ultimately end up viewing. For most people, a lot of these problems are insurmountable. So we get a lot of publicity seeker opportunist, students, older retired folk, or wealthy independent types, and transient unestablished folk.

As I think back through the contestants of all the BB's, and the survivors, a very large majority of them fall into such categories.

Getting the average middle aged working parent type, say like a Kent, must be very, very difficult.

Anyways, just rambling, I find it interesting.

Jkm

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:14 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Sorry Teebird, no offense meant -- hubby & I were stationed there awhile --

My dad just retired from fire dept -- still as a private -- wouldn't play the political games.

It is tough -- but he's only 27, still early enought to try somewhere else.

I don't think they'll tell him.

I'm sure all kinds of family emergencies come up and they won't tell the houseguests. I'm sure they've signed waviers about most things -- especially about their "real" jobs.

It's pretty weasly though to schedule a hearing that the know he won't show up to.

Teebird30

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Jkm.....no offense taken! It is a rinky dink town...LOL!!! All in all though not a bad place to live.

Crazydog

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:18 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I believe Eric has already said on the feeds that when he gets out, he would like to work for a fire department in a large city. He also said that he makes $12,000 a year. That seems a little sad to me that firefighters earn so little money. I'm sure that even though it is hard to get a job at a station that he wouldn't have too much of a problem. I doubt he would leave the house early, he must have known when he entered the house that there was the possibility that it could present difficulties to the remaining staff. I don't think he's too worried about it.

Teebird30

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Eric made arrangements for others to take his shifts thru Sept. According to the Union President the guys are all behind him, it is just the Fire Chief that is causing the ruckus.

As Jkm mentioned the Fire Station (and someone mentioned the Police station) are political jobs. Who would have thunk it, but because they are State jobs there are politics. I am guessing that someone higher up said something to the Chief about one of his guys and he took a ribbing so this is his defense.

Tabbyking

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
i don't believe eric has 5 years experience. he said he was accepted into the firefighting (academy) on october 1, started the training in december and was hired after completing everything. he probably has about 5 months.
he mentioned he always wanted to be a firefighter and after sept. 11, got acting on things. i was surprised because when we first saw the bios for the houseguests, i thought he was someone who had worked for years in firefighting. maybe he was a volunteer person before that, but even where i live, volunteers have to go through training just like the paid guys.

Twiggyish

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:34 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think the boss is being unfair. It sounds like he has an "ax" to grind.

What555456

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 07:35 am EditMoveDeleteIP
"Ya pays yur money, ya takes your chances"

Fire Departments are paramilitary organizations. Discipline and following orders is very important or someone can get killed.

The fact the Chief wants to maintain this discipline within his department makes a lot of sense to me.

Eric deciding for himself how the workload should be laid out for three long months makes no sense to me.

If Eric gets fired, tough luck. He paid his money and he took his chances.