The London Evening Free Press
Wednesday, June 2, 1976
By Don Gibb of The Free Press
A London fireman who was suspended without pay for 10 days because the length of his hair didn’t comply with the fire department standard has lodged a grievance with board of control.
While both city and London Firefighters’ Association officials were reluctant to comment on the grievance, it has been learned that the board has offered a compromise – a one or two-day loss of pay if the association withdraws the grievance.
The compromise would mean the initial suspension charge would stand but the fireman, John Murray, would be rebated eight or nine days’ pay, a city hall source said Tuesday.
It is believed the suspension occurred in late March or early April.
While offering little comment, community services commissioner Maurice Engels, whose jurisdiction includes the fire department, said Tuesday that a new hair and personal appearance standard has been agreed to in principle by the association and management.
He said the current standard, adopted in 1972, reflected the hairstyles more prevalent during that time.
Fire Chief Ray Morley said the current standard calls for a “hat trim” hairstyle with tapered cut. It was described by association president Art Ordish as an “army-style” haircut.
Chief Morley said a uniform hat wouldn’t sit on the head properly if there was “excessive fullness.”
He conceded that length of hair is a case of judgment but he also said there are few problems with the regulation.
Firefighter Murray, who filed the grievance through the association, would only say that it was made after his 10 days “off.” He confirmed the suspension but wasn’t prepared to discuss the case.
A city hall source indicated the original suspension involved “$500 plus” in pay and spelled out the compromise of a one or two-day loss of pay.
Another source said board of control did not accede to the association’s demand that the suspension be withdrawn.
“He has to pay something to break the laws,” the source said.
The board has indicated a willingness to modify the degree of suspension, the source said, but it has not lifted the suspension.
“The item was the hair but the issue was refusing to comply with the order of an officer,” he said.
P.J. DeFazio of Ottawa, president of the Ontario Professional Firefighters’ Association, said in an interview Tuesday the best regulation on hair length is “common sense.”
“We have a younger type of firefighter today. When they’re forced to get their hair cut in an unreasonable fashion, they become socially ostracized.”
Regulations on hair style appear to be based on the aspect of safety.
Concern has been expressed that long and bushy hair could interfere with a face mask attached to a breathing apparatus.
Mr. DeFazio contended that hair length would have no effect on that, but a bushy beard might prevent a proper seal on the face mask.
“I don’t think a firefighter should have hair down the middle of his back, but touching the collar is reasonable to me,” he said.
Ed Hothersall, executive secretary of the provincial association, said the association believes a fireman’s looks are his own business as long as his hair isn’t long enough to prevent a tight seal with the mask of breathing equipment.
Mr. Engels said details are being completed for the revised standard. The matter is being “resolved amicably,” he said.
Review of the hair and appearance standard had been going on for some time, he said.
Board of control is one of the stages of appeal in the firefighters’ grievance procedure. If it cannot be settled at the board level, the final level of appeal becomes a board of arbitration.
