Firefighters union spit on the memory of the 9/11/01 First Responders.
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
July 5, 2011 12:11pm CST
Like so many other Independence Days over the last 10 years, the Racine Fire Department has run a float honoring the First Responders at the World Trade Center on 9/11. But this year was different.
The float was a re-enactment of the iconic photo of firefighters raising the US Flag at Ground Zero. A group in Racine thought it would be great to see that return for the 10th Anniversary of the attacks.
Oh, but wait, 1 of the firefighters on the Racine Fire Department opted to not join the union. What should have been a slam dunk great idea became a controversy because some union leaders couldn't get passed their thuggery to allow the union members to take part in it.
In their cowardly fashion, leaders of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 321 declined to comment.
My condolences to the union members who wanted to participate, my eternal disgust to the whiny thugs who run the 'union'.
Any firefighter who puts their union card above their certs and licenses doesn't deserve the uniform.
http://www.newstalk1130.com/pages/common_sense_central.html?article=8790998
1 person likes this
7 responses
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
6 Jul 11
The teachers Union has it right - it is all about the kids. When Milwaukee Schools has to lay off teacher they lay off the lease senior teacher and keep the most senior ones. When a school tries to non renew a bad teacher the Union rallies to save the teacher. When a district can save money on Health Insurance the Union will not let the members vote on the contract. Now districts around the sate are being told that they have to pay increased dues because of the Union leaders traveling to protest Mandatory vs voluntary Union Membership in Wisconsin and other states. It is not about the Kids it is about the Union officals keeping their high paying jobs and lavish benefits.
2 people like this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
6 Jul 11
You're right. One teacher told me just today that the president of her teacher's union DOES NOT make a 6-figure income. I looked it up for her. In 2009, the NEA president made $397,721 salary plus benefits. The AFT president made $428,284 salary and benefits.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979566061
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
6 Jul 11
It must be tough being forced to rely on freedom of choice for the workers.
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
5 Jul 11
Amen. It burns me that your Fourth celebration was marred by Union "politics".
The Fourth is a cherished Holy Day for me. More so than even Memorial Day, this Day allows all of us to honor our service men and women whether they wear fatigues, street blues or turnout gear.
Thanks to you and yours from me and mine!
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Jul 11
Yup, this is the day for all the US to celebrate. As political as I am, I refuse to be political on our nation's birthday.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
5 Jul 11
It sounds as if you guys have some really sad things going on on behalf of collective bargaining in your state.
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@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
5 Jul 11
Perhaps the controversy arises from knowing that so any officers and innocent would be healthy and alive had they not being lied to about hazardous dust of ground zero - http://www.blindbatnews.com/2011/06/obamas-order-to-release-u-s-oil-reserves-is-bs-27-other-countries-to-release-oil-reserves-is-also-bs/5135
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Jul 11
No Netsbridge, the controversy stems from the unions vs Gov. Walker's budget repair. The same issue that prompted people to interrupt a meeting to honor the Special Olympics, and at least 2 rallies welcoming troops home from Afghanistan.
1 person likes this
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
7 Jul 11
CORRECTION: Perhaps the controversy arises from knowing that so many officers and innocent would be healthy and alive had they not being lied to about hazardous dust of ground zero - http://www.blindbatnews.com/2011/06/obamas-order-to-release-u-s-oil-reserves-is-bs-27-other-countries-to-release-oil-reserves-is-also-bs/5135
Also see Strategic Petroleum Reserve - http://www.energynow.com/blog/2011/06/23/president-obama-orders-release-oil-strategic-petroleum-reserve
Anyway, while I think it was cold not to participate in honoring the fallen, I also bear in mind the fact that organizations often have their rules. Thus, if a private organization decides something violates their rule, then I think it has the right to do as it pleases.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
6 Jul 11
Why don't the members just vote the leaders of the union out?
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
7 Jul 11
A lot of it has been the laws that protect the unions. They have made it almost impossible for public sector organizations to get rid of a union. But now that the members can vote to drop a union every year, that will change.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
7 Jul 11
Well, I admit to being puzzled seems to me, either there must be compensating factors; the leaders must be doing such a good job for their members elsewhere they don't vote them out or the system must be corrupt or undemocratic.
Unions here operate on democratic principles, therefore my confusion
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
5 Jul 11
I don't remember any time when the unions have behaved like this. They used to claim to be patriotic and acted that way. Now, since we got this rabidly pro-union president, it seems they are trying to take over the country--heck, look at what the unions and the NLRB is trying to do to Boeing...this business about the float is disgraceful and a slap in the face to the entire country. They have no shame. They are an embarrassment to decent people.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Jul 11
Yup, they are doing everything they can to chase Boeing jobs out of the country too.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
6 Jul 11
It seems to me that the problem is coming from the biggest money-makers in the union. The average union member is between a rock and a hard place. Toe the line and do as you're told to keep your salary and benefits, or step outside of union orthodoxy and lose everything you've worked for.
It's extortion across the board, and I'm ashamed as an American to live in a country allowing this to take place for so long.
1 person likes this
@Adoniah (7512)
• United States
6 Jul 11
The Unions are just another bureaucracy holding the little guy by the throat. They are hurting more than helping now. Fl. is a free work state. The Unions said that the immigrants would take over all of the jobs if the unions did not protect the US workers. It never happened. The immigrants do not want the US jobs. They do their stuff and we do our stuff.
It is a shame that the Firefighters cannot stand up to their Union and tell them what they want. I wonder what would happen if they did fire their union bosses and vote new ones in. There has to be a better way. They need to find less greedy leaders. The only problem is that power begets power begets greed.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
7 Jul 11
Well, that better way is finally here. Under the new law, the union has to recertify every year. That gives the members a lot more say. Every year the union members have a chance to show their support for their current union, choose a different union, or choose to not have one at all.
