Buffalo Leaders, Union At Odds Over Memorial Escort

AARON MASON
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo's bravest are locked in another heated battle with City Hall.

The families of firefighter Jonathan Croom and Lieutenant Chip McCarthy are traveling to Colorado Springs to see their loved ones enshrined at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, but union leaders say the city is only adding to the families' grief during this very emotional time.

Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 President Daniel Cunningham said, "The city has refused to grant three family escorts time off on city business and one honor guard. These family escorts are members of 282 that were personally picked by each family."

A fundraiser to help cover the cost of travel to Colorado Springs will take place Wednesday night from 6 to 10 at the City Tavern on Chippewa. The city and firefighters union are still at odds over a new contract. An arbitration hearing will take place in late September.

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No time off for firemen to go to Colorado

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Permalink Reply by Ron Ayotte on September 2, 2010 at 10:05pm

Can they call it Union Business? Most IFF locals have an allotted amount of days that can be used for such a purpose.

Either that, or they can use vacation and/or personal time and then file a grievance.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on September 2, 2010 at 10:52pm

I agree with you here Ron. This really isn't considered union business, IMO, and I am a strong union supporter. However, I don't know what Buffalo's trade policy is like or how vacations/personal time works.

When several of our guys wanted to go to Colorado a few years ago, the vacation blocks were full, so those who went just made a duty trade. Why they couldn't do the same, I don't know.