"Firefighters make show of force at City Hall; Emotions flare at hearing on raises" by Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff | June 3, 2010
The roiling debate over a controversial arbitration award for Boston firefighters came to a head yesterday at City Hall, where an army of firefighters held a defiant, spirited rally before standing watch over marathon City Council hearings that inflamed passions on all sides....
The proceedings swung from tedious discussion about city finances to loud, contentious arguments between representatives of labor and management, rehashing arguments about how the decision was made and how it has played out in the news.
Related: Boston Fights Fires With Arbiters
A parade of labor leaders came before the council, including representatives of the steel workers, the Boston Teachers Union, the longshoremen, the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation, and the Boston Newspaper Printing Pressman’s Union. Turning down the contract, they said, would be an assault on collective bargaining as a whole.
Related: Globe Employees Applaud a Rapist
The New York Times is the Exception to the Rule
Didn't do much for them, did it?
Lou Mandarini, president of the Greater Boston Labor Council and the business manager of Laborers Local 22, demanded that the council approve the award because it was the product of arbitration. His threat was clear.
THREAT!?!
Must be a TEA PARTIER, 'eh??
Yeah, when AGENDA-PUSHERS SAY IT there is NO PROBLEM!
“If you people vote this down, then believe me,’’ Mandarini said. “One thing about labor, we never forget. Never.’’
Too bad I do.
--more--"Related: Shaw's Makes It Seem Like the '60s
Executive Payday: Raytheon Rewarded by Labor
Labor's Empty Threat
New questions about progressives’ power
Arkansas' Black Eye
Labor's limp dick?
No, not "public servant" labor:
"Firefighters offer wage concession; Would delay raise for year, saving $4.5m" by Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff | June 4, 2010
The Boston firefighters’ union offered an 11th-hour contract concession on wages yesterday to the City Council, a dramatic twist that appeared to significantly improve the chances that councilors will approve a controversial arbitration award.
Councilors hailed what they called an unprecedented move by Edward A. Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718, who made the proposal with a flourish, rising to his feet at a City Hall hearing waving a two-page document. The deal would delay by a year a 2 1/2-percent raise an independent arbiter gave firefighters as a quid pro quo for drug and alcohol testing, saving the city an estimated $4.5 million next fiscal year.
“Let’s work together. We want to work with this administration,’’ Kelly said, acknowledging that the proposed raises for firefighters come as the city lays off librarians, custodians, and workers in the city print shop. “We’ve made a credible, real concession in the face of our own not having a raise for over five years.
“We’re standing with you,’’ Kelly concluded, his voice rising as firefighters broke out in booming applause. “We’re here to help the citizens of Boston. Stand with us.’’
And if we don't we get a THREAT?
--more--"
Quick, someone pull an alarm.
More Related: Menino says union’s offer is inadequate
Limit scope of raise, Menino says
Residents divided over wage hikes
Firefighters save man who fell from wheelchair to harbor
Boston, fire union reach deal on raises
Firefighter contract could save city $45m
Doctors worry about health of existing force
With deal reached, sense of relief among the ranks
Firefighters to receive back pay in lump sum
That ought to about do it.
Related: City could face more contract difficulties
Something still smoldering, Boston -- and it smells just like a Boston Globe.
