Nassau County, firefighters union to negotiate policy changes Monday

Nassau County officials and representatives of the firefighters union will meet Monday morning to negotiate how changes to county policies may affect the collective bargaining agreement covering Fire-Rescue professionals.

The impact bargaining session between the Nassau County bargaining team and Nassau County Fire-Rescue Professionals Local Union 3101, International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO, is scheduled for 9 a. m. Monday, October 26, 2026, in the Nassau County Board Chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex in Yulee.

What's happening

The county posted public notice of the negotiation meeting on October 22. The session will address the amendment or modification of existing county policies that may impact the collective bargaining agreement between Nassau County and Local 3101.

The meeting will take place at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place in Yulee. Under Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law, the negotiation session is open to the public, but the county has announced that no public comment will be taken during the meeting.

Local 3101 represents firefighters and other fire-rescue professionals employed by Nassau County Fire-Rescue. The union is affiliated with the International Association of Firefighters, the labor organization representing career firefighters and paramedics across the United States and Canada.

What impact bargaining means for county fire services

Impact bargaining is a specific form of labor negotiation required under Florida public-sector labor law when a government employer makes policy changes that affect working conditions covered by an existing union contract. Unlike traditional contract negotiations that occur when an agreement expires, impact bargaining addresses how new policies, rules, or operational changes will be implemented in ways that affect union members.

The county notice does not specify which policies are under review or what amendments Nassau County is considering. Typical subjects for impact bargaining in fire-rescue contexts include shift scheduling, staffing levels, equipment and safety standards, station assignments, overtime policies, and operational procedures.

For Nassau County residents, the negotiations could affect how fire-rescue services are delivered across the fast-growing county. Nassau County has experienced significant population growth in recent years, particularly in the Wildlight corridor and along the SR 200 and A1A routes, placing increased demands on emergency services. Any policy changes affecting staffing, station operations, or response protocols would directly influence service levels as the department adapts to the county's expansion.

The outcome of these negotiations will also shape the working conditions for the firefighters and paramedics who respond to emergencies throughout Nassau County. Issues such as shift rotations, overtime assignments, and station staffing levels affect both employee well-being and response times to fires, medical emergencies, and other calls for service.

How the negotiation process works

Under Florida law, public employers and unions representing government employees must bargain in good faith over wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. When a government agency proposes to change a policy that affects matters covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the employer must notify the union and, if requested, negotiate the impact of the change on employees.

Impact bargaining sessions are distinct from the periodic negotiations that occur when a collective bargaining agreement reaches the end of its term. These sessions focus narrowly on how a specific policy change will be implemented and what measures, if any, will mitigate its effects on workers.

The bargaining teams typically include county management representatives—often including human resources staff, department leadership, and legal counsel—and union representatives, which may include Local 3101 officers, firefighter members, and union legal or negotiating advisors. The teams work to reach agreement on how the policy changes will interact with existing contract provisions.

If the parties reach agreement, the modifications are typically formalized in a memorandum of understanding or a side letter to the existing contract. If they cannot agree, Florida law provides impasse resolution procedures, including mediation and, in some cases, special magistrate review.

Public access and transparency

Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law requires that meetings of public boards and officials be open to the public when matters within their jurisdiction are discussed. This requirement extends to collective bargaining sessions involving public employers.

Monday's session will be open for public observation, allowing Nassau County residents, firefighters, and other interested parties to attend and witness the negotiations firsthand. However, the county has specified that no public comment will be taken, meaning that attendees may observe but not participate in the discussions.

The meeting will be held in the Nassau County Board Chambers, the same venue where the Board of County Commissioners conducts its regular public meetings. The James S. Page Governmental Complex in Yulee serves as the primary seat of county government.

Individuals requiring accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act may contact the County Manager's Office at least 72 hours before the meeting. Hearing- or voice-impaired individuals can use the Florida Relay Service.

What happens next

The October 26 session represents one step in what may be an ongoing negotiation process. Impact bargaining sessions sometimes require multiple meetings before the parties reach agreement on how policy changes will be implemented.

Once negotiations conclude, any agreements reached will be documented and become part of the framework governing the employment relationship between Nassau County and its fire-rescue professionals. If the policy changes being discussed require action by the Board of County Commissioners, those matters would appear on a future board agenda for public consideration.

The specific policies under discussion and the timeline for reaching agreement have not been publicly disclosed. Residents interested in the outcome can monitor Nassau County's official meeting notices and agendas for updates on the negotiations.

The bargaining session comes as Nassau County continues to balance service delivery with the pressures of rapid growth. As one of Northeast Florida's fastest-growing counties, Nassau faces ongoing decisions about how to staff, equip, and deploy emergency services across an expanding geography, making the terms under which fire-rescue professionals work an important component of the county's ability to protect residents and property.