Police and fire unions -- at least locally -- are much too powerful. Police unions in the state will never relent on the regulation that officers must work construction details, which means that we all end up paying higher costs for road work or utility repairs. In addition, Boston firefighters will never allow reform of their department to take place.
The Globe reports that Ed Kelly, president of the firefighters union, resigned from a committee set up to implement recommended changes in the department in the wake of the death of two BFD personnel at a restaurant fire in West Roxbury. More than half of the 82 recommendations that were developed as a result of three previous department audits have not been put in place because the union will not cooperate.
Two days after the committee was announced, Kelly walked out when the proposal to randomly test firefighters for levels of drugs and alcohol was discussed. It was probably clear from the start that the union is not going for this one, though the two firefighters killed at the restaurant were both found to be impaired.
These unions should be more willing to negotiate, listen, compromise and give a little on issues like this, which in the long run would be a good thing for the firefighters and the citizens of Boston.
2 comments:
Hello
Merry Christmas,and Happy New Year to ALL .
This situation is easy to fix.
1- Drug,and Alcohol testing should be passed by the Legislature as a Law for all first responders.
Making it impossible for the idiots who run the Unions to be able to negotiate into the contracts.
2- Fire anyone who refuses to take a test,including the Union Presidents ,The Mayor,The Govenor ,or any other first responder / PubLic Safety official.
3-Then,and only then can we the public feel safe that no drunk,or junkie is the person climbing a ladder,or firing a gun ,in the so called act to serve ,and protect.
These two Unions are a disgusting reflection on society as a whole.
I wonder how they explan it to their children.
I am a Foster Dad for a kid in D.S.S.custody,and as so ,I had to sign a contract that I submit to Random testing all year ,any time they want,and with only 2 hours notice. If I say I am far a way ,they pay for a cab to pick me up,and bring me to be tested.
Shame on the Mayor,The Govenor,The Union heads,as well as their members ,and the Legislature for not stomping on these morons like a bug.
This is not,and should not be a NEGOTIABLE ITEM !!!
Tested 132 times in 6 years,ALL CLEAN ,AND DAM PROUD OF IT.
To assume only makes, well you know. A collective bargaining agreement (contract) covers everything from pay scales, health care contributions, equipment, training, drug and alcohol testing, and in the case of public safety even number of hours worked in a week. They currently work 42 hours (and no the 2 hrs are not overtime). The walk out of the firefighters union I am sure is being misrepresented. In my Union we can strike when we hit a stalemate. They can not. There is more to a contract than just one item. Obviouslly they want to have sober and safe employees, but drug and alcohol testing is only a piece of a big picture. I am sure that the Firefighters want a complete contract, seeing as how they were already in negotiations long before the whole drug testing became a hot issue to the city. Why didn't the city care about drug and alcohol testing language before now, could it be that they had already given up the farm to the cops? Lets not forget the cops got the Quinn Bill.. a yearly bonus of 20% of their base pay for life for a Masters Degree, and that factors into their pensions as well. It increses with every raise and promotion each cop gets. Now, if your co-worker got paid for drug testing in your workplace, lets say 20% of their base pay for life, might you consider it not fair for you to piss in a cup for free? Might that be motivation for the city to turn this around on the firefighters union, so peoples attention will be taken of the fact that the city has failed to implement ANY change that cost money. Mandatory drug testing cost money, training cost money, equipment, firetrucks, all cost money. The Union has stated on their own web site that they they have resorted to training on their own because the City has failed them. The city needs to get to the bargaining table and sign a contract. In lieu of being paid 20%, how about offering the firefighters mandatory training, and paying them to go off duty. This would prevent taking on duty personnel out their neighborhoods they are protecting, and would put a little extra money in their pockets, while promoting professional development for the members, and a better and safer fire department. Oh, wait that costs money, the city will never go for it.
Post a Comment