Boston firefighters may have had enough. After more than three years they are still working without a contract, and many are just plain pissed.
Ed Kelly, president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, is on the receiving end of the firefighters ire. Unable to secure a contract in “contentious” negotiations, they say Kelly then spent $150,000 in advertising in a failed attempt to unseat powerful Mayor Thomas M. Menino last week.
Firefighters had mounted a heavy battle to keep Menino from winning an unprecedented fifth four-year term, hoping to get a new negotiating partner and approve a more palatable contract. Now they’ll have to chance arbitration set for December, with a ruling three to five months away after that.
Contract negotiations had stalled when the union would not accept the city’s demands for random drug and alcohol testing A fatal ladder truck accident last year blamed on brake failure also put equipment maintenance in the spotlight.
Kelly offered no regrets on his election role. “The Boston firefighters stood together,” he said. “Unfortunately our candidate did not win, but we showed that we are willing to stand up to get true reform.”
Yes, they did. Nearly $45,000 was contributed between the local and individual firefighters loyal to the effort.
With the contentious election behind them, it appears that many within Local 718 are starting to look for new blood at the top. ”There is a hunger for new leadership,” said a 52-year-old firefighter who asked his name be withheld. “We have waited long enough for a contract, and this plan clearly did not work.”
In fact, the arbitrator’s ruling could decide Kelly’s fate, one high-ranking firefighter surmised, saying, “If it falls unfavorably to us, the membership is gonna want a change.”
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Your heading reads “For Firefighters by Firefighters”, well if that is so, did you bother to pick up the telephone and contact Ed Kelly or any Boston Firefighter for a comment? The information that you quote comes from the Boston Herald, a local rag that has no interest in the truth, and certainly not in firefighter safety. “Unnamed firefighters” stating that they want new leadership is hardly representational of our collective opinion. We have over 1500 proud active and retired members, and the Boston Herald managed to find one that is disgruntled, imagine that. If you had done some research, or contacted Boston Firefighters yourself, you may be surprised to learn that we have always remained behind our leader 100%. Ed Kelly has fought for our membership as well as the citizens of Boston. He has shed light on critical public safety deficiencies, which the City chooses to ignore. Boston currently has a Level 4 bio facility being built, with the blessing of our Mayor. This facility, when completed will bring the most deadly viruses know to man into the heart of our City, for which the Boston Fire Department has no dedicated hazmat response team, or mitigation plan. LNG refueling tankers, which the department of Homeland Security identified as possible terrorist target immediately following 9-11, enters our harbor like clock work. There is no disaster protocol, or mass evacuation plan in place. These public safety deficiencies, in addition to aging and poorly maintained fire trucks, (of which one killed a Veteran Fire Lieutenant when the brakes failed last winter), all warrant the battle that out Union President Ed Kelly has been fighting. In fact, if President Kelly was not fighting every day for these issues, and holding the line on our collective bargaining rights, then yes, we would be seeking new leadership.
In Solidarity,
Bob Kilduff
Boston Firefighter and
Proud Member of Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF
Hi Brother. Thanks for your reply. Yes, FireDaily is by firefighters for firefighters. Based on your tone, I know you'll be surprised that I have a special affinity for my brothers in Boston, as I have a nephew who is also a proud member of L718. Which is why I know that your claim of “100% behind our leader” is simply not true. You and I both know there are a great number of your brothers who have been quite vocal in their anger in the way Kelly has piloted your vessel, so please don't profess otherwise as it saps your credibility. Whether you agree or not, facts is facts, my brother.
So yes, I did bother to pick up the phone, in fact I speak with Nick just about every week. He sides with Kelly, pitched in with some Jacksons, and has staked out his choice. He's on your side. But he tells me a story different from yours, one of dissention and anger, and loss of patience. You know and I know that there are guys who are pissed. Nick doesn't pretend the opposition doesn't exist. Neither should you.
I am truly happy you took the time to comment on the post. It shows enthusiasm for your opinion, and we always need that in the fire service.
Stay stoked, Brother Kilduff!
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I have always found it interesting that, when the article in the newspaper is counter to good PR, the newspaper is a “rag”.
But, when a positive story extolling the virtues of our business, “it was a nice story; long over-due”.
I am dumbfounded that out of a local union, there is only ONE guy that disagrees with the union leadership on the contract efforts and spending a buttload of money to unseat the “other side of the negotiating table”.
If I am pissing hard earned money away; paid for with blood, sweat and tears for the fallen on a mayoral election, I would think that there would be a whole lot of “unhappy”.
If the union thought that they were strong enough to unseat the mayor, then why wouldn't that same effort go into getting a contract?
Test
I have always found it interesting that, when the article in the newspaper is counter to good PR, the newspaper is a “rag”.
But, when a positive story extolling the virtues of our business, “it was a nice story; long over-due”.
I am dumbfounded that out of a local union, there is only ONE guy that disagrees with the union leadership on the contract efforts and spending a buttload of money to unseat the “other side of the negotiating table”.
If I am pissing hard earned money away; paid for with blood, sweat and tears for the fallen on a mayoral election, I would think that there would be a whole lot of “unhappy”.
If the union thought that they were strong enough to unseat the mayor, then why wouldn't that same effort go into getting a contract?
Test
I have always found it interesting that, when the article in the newspaper is counter to good PR, the newspaper is a “rag”.
But, when a positive story extolling the virtues of our business, “it was a nice story; long over-due”.
I am dumbfounded that out of a local union, there is only ONE guy that disagrees with the union leadership on the contract efforts and spending a buttload of money to unseat the “other side of the negotiating table”.
If I am pissing hard earned money away; paid for with blood, sweat and tears for the fallen on a mayoral election, I would think that there would be a whole lot of “unhappy”.
If the union thought that they were strong enough to unseat the mayor, then why wouldn't that same effort go into getting a contract?