LexisNexis(R) logo

DAVE WEDGE
The Boston Herald

Hundreds of Hub firefighters clashed with city officials last night in a marathon City Hall session over the jakes' controversial contract, with both sides digging in their heels as labor experts urged ``compromise'' to end the agonizing fight.




``This dispute will go on for a very, very long time,'' warned Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Thomas Kochan, tapped by the council to analyze the deal. ``Now is the time to insist upon a solution.''

Kochan predicted a protracted, costly legal battle between Boston Firefighters Local 718 and Mayor Thomas M. Menino - no matter how the council votes.

The council is considering whether to fund or reject an arbitrator's decision to grant firefighters raises of 16.5 percent over four years back to 2006, including a 2.5 percent hike for drug testing. The city contends the raises rise to 19 percent when longevity bonuses are added. A vote could come next week.

The city said it is open to talks, but Local 718 officials said they'll make no last-minute concessions.

``We played by the rules,'' Local 718 President Edward Kelly said before the hearing. ``The city hired an international law firm . . . The panel heard them and rendered a decision. That decision should be honored.''

The hearing descended into finger-pointing between Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella, Menino's representative on the arbitration panel, and the union's rep, Bob McCarthy, president of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. McCarthy accused the media of distorting facts of the award and Mazzarella of ``violations of professional responsibility'' for allegedly leaking the arbitrator's ruling.

Mazzarella said an earlier deal fell apart when arbitrator Dana Eischen, who was not present last night, made an eleventh hour change by tacking on an extra 2.5 percent raise for drug testing. ``I was told it was small potatoes,'' Mazzarella recalled. ``I said, `I don't know what farm you grew up on, but this looks like big potatoes.' ''

Councilors Chuck Turner and Sal LaMattina both said they couldn't approve the deal. But Councilor John Tobin called it an issue of ``fairness'' to the firefighters, who have gone four years without a raise. South Boston Councilor Bill Linehan said: ``It doesn't seem like compromise is in the cards. I do support this because . . . I do strongly stand by the collective bargaining process and binding arbitration.''

At an earlier hearing, Kevin Dasey, a Local 718 accountant, claimed the city has the money, alleging Menino played a fiscal shell game, hiding up to $500 million.

Meanwhile, Menino's finance director, Lisa Signori, acknowledged the city can afford the contract but raised concerns of the long-term effect with other unions.

``We can pay it. It's the impact and the consequences,'' Signori said. Menino's labor relations czar, John Dunlap, said a police union in contract talks has claimed firefighter pay under the new deal is higher than officer pay and wants parity.

Copyright 2010 Boston Herald Inc.
June 3, 2010

Views: 120

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Menino's labor relations czar, stated this all comes down to parity? They are worried about other unions asking for more on the next round of negotiations. Guess what? they are not the same jobs... parity is not equality. Regardless of job title, just because non-union personnel get the same COLA, that mentality doesn't mean all of them actually deserved it.
Meanwhile, Menino's finance director, Lisa Signori, acknowledged the city can afford the contract but raised concerns of the long-term effect with other unions.

In the last couple of weeks, the City has been saying "we can't afford it" to the Globe, Herald , WBZ, WHDH WFXT AND WCVB .. suddenly they can?

More lies by the Menino administration....
Boston firefighters offer concession on controversial contract
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/06/boston_firef...

"I have with me an agreement to freeze that 2.5 percent that everybody is concerned about in this city, for one year," said Edward A. Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718. "Let's work together. We want to work with you ... We have made a credible, real concession."

"What you have made is a significant, unilateral concession. ... So my hat's off to you," said City Councilor Stephen J. Murphy, one of the undecided councilors.

Boston Firefighters Union offers concessions to help push contract through
http://policelegal.com/2010/06/03/boston-firefighters-union-offers-...

Boston firefighters are offering to defer a 2.5 percent pay hike for one year to end a stalemate over contract talks, the union announced today.

Councilor Steve Murphy called the concession “extraordinary,” adding he was “blown away by it, frankly.”

The wage deferral appears to have swayed the council, judging by the support for the union where councilors called the offer “an act of courage.”

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Find Members Fast


Or Name, Dept, Keyword
Invite Your Friends
Not a Member? Join Now

© 2024   Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.   Powered by

Badges  |  Contact Firefighter Nation  |  Terms of Service