Former Middletown Fire Chief John “Jay” Woron retired in March of 2024, following a long career as a firefighter and a short career as fire chief for Middletown, but he also retired as the city was facing two prohibited practice complaints lodged by the Middletown Professional Fire Fighters Association (MPFFA) against the city for Woron’s conduct.

The complaints, both filed with the Connecticut Board of Labor Relations, detail a laundry list of different incidents and issues noted by the union “that taken individually might not warrant intervention, but as a whole have created what can best be described as an anti-union environment where Union members are constantly afraid to cross the Chief for fear of retribution,” wrote MPFFA President Michael Carta.

The narrative contained in those complaints – which include exhibits showing social media posts, emails, and text messages – paints the picture of Woron growing increasingly frustrated and verbal over seemingly minor disagreements and having to navigate the terms of the union contract. Woron several times responded by cutting the union out of an issue entirely so that he could move forward with his plans and was “visibly agitated” with any requests or advice from union leadership, according to the complaints.

In one instance, Woron had indicated that four firefighters would be trained to operate a new drone acquired by the city. When union officials pointed out that this training and extension of duties would require a meeting to amend the union contract, he canceled the training for union firefighters and had only himself and the deputy chief trained for the drone.

When there were discussions about firefighters using bicycles during Middletown parades to get to emergency scenes more quickly, the union indicated there would need to be training because the bicycles were “new equipment.” Woron denied the firefighter’s training and when the union filed a grievance, had the bicycles stripped of their medical equipment and sent back to the police department, according to the complaint.

When the union asked for staffing information related to overtime for battalion chiefs during the city’s annual fireworks event, Woron allegedly texted all the battalion chiefs and canceled their overtime on the spot.

While some allegations were seemingly petty, others involved health and safety during training exercises, including concerns about lead in a structure slated for demolition the department wanted to use for training, and a firefighter becoming entangled and being exposed to smoke during another drill. In both instances, the union wrote, Woron shrugged off those concerns.

Exhibits that contained text messages between Woron and union officials showed there was clearly some animus behind the scenes, as Woron became angry over social media posts, and flyers about leadership posted to the union bulletin board, calling them “garbage” hung by a “spineless person,” that gave the impression of a “weak organization.” Union officials continually texted back that the messages were not about him.

Woron also took issue with the Local 1073 Facebook page, accusing them of posting inaccurate information and arguing that posts should be approved by him. When the union indicated it is a union page, not a city-run page, he said he would take the matter to the mayor’s office and legal counsel.

When the union thanked the mayor and city council for a rope tech course, Woron texted, “I got news for you I moved funds to make this happen, not the Mayor and Council. Guys want to mother**** me do it in private not in social media posts.” The recipient was clearly confused as to what the issue was and wrote back, “No one is trying to mess with you on social media.” 

“We have continued to try to find common ground in order to create an understanding between the Union and Chief Woron,” Carta wrote. “However, relations between the parties have reached a point where such an understanding is no longer feasible.”

Although the complaints were filed by the union in June of 2023, roughly ten months before Woron retired, issues going before the Board of Labor Relations can take years before they are handled, and decisions are issued. With Woron now gone, so too are the prohibited practice complaints, and the city will no longer have to defend them.

Woron served in the Middletown Fire Department for 24 years, including 15 years as assistant chief before being appointed chief by Mayor Ben Florsheim in 2021 to much fanfare from the mayor who said he was confident Woron was “well-equipped to do the job,” according to the Patch.

“His experience, training, and relationships within the department helped him rise to the top in a field of truly outstanding candidates,” Florsheim said at the time. “He is the person best equipped to take the reins of the department on day one, with no learning curve, and for that reason I know he has the confidence of the men and women of the Middletown Fire Department as well.”

Conversely, Woron’s departure after only three years as chief was met with little fanfare or announcement from the city. Woron’s retirement was posted in local news the same day it was revealed Middletown’s Director of Public Works Christopher Holden also quietly retired, with little to nothing said by the mayor’s office.

Neither Mayor Florsheim nor Woron responded to request for comment.

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