Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, July 31, 2017
(MISHAWAKA) - A northern Indiana county has rejected 12-hour shifts for its 911 dispatchers after finding that potential problems would outweigh the benefits.
The St. Joseph County Council spurned the idea Tuesday after hearing testimony that 12-hour shifts would create efficiencies and result in the need to hire fewer dispatchers at the currently understaffed dispatch center.
The dispatcher's union opposes 12-hour shifts.
Michael Clayton is president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 164. He tells the South Bend Tribune that the long shifts would take a toll on dispatchers whose jobs are often stressful.
The county's new dispatch center in Mishawaka has 64 full-time dispatchers who work eight-hour shifts six days per week and take three consecutive days off.
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