Local Firefighters Sue Union Over Alleged Dues Misuse and Unlawful Collection

A local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has filed a lawsuit against its former union, the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association of Connecticut (UPFFA), alleging misappropriation of nearly $100,000 in union dues. The dispute centers around claims that UPFFA owed the chapter over $50,000, a figure the chapter contests, seeking $96,000 in damages. According to court documents obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation, IAFF Local 825's leadership voted to disaffiliate from UPFFA two years ago but continued to be billed dues, which the union has allegedly attempted to collect through collection agencies and legal channels. The chapter's lawyer, Nathan McGrath, stated that UPFFA has been unlawfully extracting dues from members who have chosen independence. Local 825 President and Battalion Chief Frank Ricci expressed frustration over what he describes as betrayal and misuse of funds, asserting that the union charged dues for legislative purposes but diverted the money to unrelated expenses without members' approval. Ricci emphasized that the chapter is seeking a court declaration that they owe no debt and restitution for the alleged fiduciar...