EDWARD MASON
The Boston Herald

The Boston firefighters union is accusing the City Council of boycotting an awards ceremony for 10 brave jakes Friday night - and wondering whether they'll skip a firefighters funeral next - as the public feud over the union's pricey new contract heats up.

``They always made an attempt to make it (in the past), but they didn't this year,'' said Ralph Dowling, Local 718's recording secretary. ``Read between the lines.''

Dowling, in an e-mail sent to councilors late Saturday night, questioned whether heat over funding a 19 percent pay hike awarded by an arbitrator was poisoning relations.

``You were noticeably absent,'' Dowling wrote. ``Has it come to this? Are you all just going to ignore us? If God forbid, we have a member killed in the line of duty, are you going to refuse to attend the funeral?''

A table reserved for the councilors remained empty all night. Only Councilor Chuck Turner called ahead.

Ten jakes received awards from the city for bravery at the Florian Hall ceremony, Dowling said.

``The emptiness was glaring,'' Dowling said.

City Council President Michael Ross said his colleagues were not avoiding the jakes. He had a scheduling conflict, though he wouldn't say what it was.

``I don't think it should be interpreted as a snub at all,'' Ross said.

Ross, who spoke out against the contract, downplayed the notion that there's bad blood between the council and firefighters.

``We're not always going to agree,'' Ross said.

West Roxbury City Councilor John Tobin said he missed the event because he was the guest of honor at another ceremony. Otherwise, he would have attended.

But Tobin, who'll vote for the arbitrator's pay hike, called the emotional e-mail telling.

``I think it highlights the raw emotions on this issue, that not going to an event is seen as a snub,'' Tobin said.

Councilor Mark Ciommo of Brighton, who was at a family event, called Dowling's emotional rhetoric over the top.

``God forbid a firefighter is fallen - of course we're not going to avoid it,'' Ciommo said. ``But he's emotional and he has every right to express himself.''

Rob Consalvo, a Hyde Park councilor who's on the fence about the contract, was on the Cape with family. He vowed not to let the pressure get to him.

``I'm not going to get into the politics and the theater of this issue,'' Consalvo said. ``I'm going to keep my head down and do my job.''

Copyright 2010 Boston Herald Inc.
May 26, 2010