Local 2 Infighting
Problems over on the fire side of things:
- SCC,
The FOP may have it's issues, but at least they are not going out of their way to expel or suspend from the union. Seven CFD paramedics (including a paramedic Field Chief) or being put on trial by IAFF Local-2 for creating a political action committee to support Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (prior to Local-2 endorsing Rahm Emanuel). The charges were brought up by a retired member of the CFD and the hearing is being supported and financed by Local-2, with firefighter & paramedics from the Rockford area being brought in by Local-2 to act as hearing officers. Their hotel bill for the hearing officers will be paid by Local-2 (from dues paid by members).
It's a hard pill to swallow when I see problems within our FOP, what Firefighters Local-2 is doing, is downright disturbing!! This is what the Mayor wants, destruction from within our ranks.
Stay safe
That's one of the biggest complaints about unions. They forcefully collect dues and then spend them on things you vehemently disagree with. Example - CPS sending pizzas to the Ferguson protesters and buses full of know-nothings supporting a felon. We've met hundreds of teachers who are furious about this, but they have no voice in their own union. We know dozens of firefighters who wouldn't (and didn't) vote for Rahm, but their union endorsed him. Now they're paying a political price.
Labels: fire fighters
posted by SCC at 12:29 AM
61 Comments:
The paramedics have no business being in the fire union. They wanted to form their own union so go ahead and let them. Some of these paramedics are more liberal then these idiot teachers. Definitely not freinds of the police.
Its ok.. Dean angelo is using OUR membership dues in our legal defense fund to pay for an ongoing federal lawsuit against some current fop members. Yes, our union is representing members of the department and at the same time suing them for fop business... hey dean are you nuts????? You could have dropped it but you are trying to stick it to people. Stop wasting our money on your games. You are making alot of enemies these days. If you or your kid plan on being elected to anything again you better start keeping OUR interests on the front burner and stop playing politics.
On trial! Wow what a punk move! Kinda like removing Shields and then having to pay him hundreds of thousands! Yep all legit!
So do they still have a job? Or is yhis a closed shop?
Comrades! We must fight against the evil politicians by only supporting our evil politician!
The Partei demands it!
To the victors go the spoils. No mercy for your political opponents and those that support them.
Get Involved!
Just don't get involved in the wrong causes comrade....
Abood v Detroit Board of Ed decision from the 70's created case law that allows for union members to have their portion of dues go to a separate charity/free speech opinion if they disagree with the unions policitical views and the item isn't related to the groups collective bargaining. Problem is, the vast majority of us have little to no clue what our unions spend money on.
Nothing new. Local 2 has been infighting for the last 20 years. To this day they still don't want the paramedics involved with their contract and see medics as dishwashers and not worthy of being on the fire department. Members actually question finances and where the money is and those members are always threaten to be expelled from the union if the press for the financial answers.
A bit off topic here, but Local 2 has also refused to provide any funding to fight City Hall over our pension legal battles.
Attorney Clint Krslov is fighting in court using funds provided by the FOP and donations from individual retired and active police officers.
Sounds like Local 2 has their priorities screwed up and are in desperate need of a major house cleaning!
Do you know what hotel the Rockford cuties are staying in? I feel like a party....And I know my Winnebago County honeys do too.
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
SCC - The other problem with Local 2is the lingering feud between the paramedics and firefighters which is a result of the 1979 strike. Until all firefighters are also paramedics, the feud will divide the rank & file.
You'd think that Local 2 officials would drop the issue and focus on real ongoing problems - like pensions or retiree health car.
Union members do have a choice, they are called elections. Similar to our societies political elections, bad candidates, poor voter turn out, uninformed voters, and maybe you are in the minority of what everyone else wants. Those politicians and union officers have to be held accountable, but they are not.
Local 2 and many CFD FF treat paramedics like shit. These medics do the lion share of work and this is how they are treated. I the chief and medics turn around and file a civil rights law suit against the union violating their right to express their opinions. Union 2 leadership are nothing but Rahm's bitches.
Fire Local 2 has TONS of drama over the years.
Perhaps ban alcohol from all fire union meetings and things will go smooth.
I understand your point on the whole Union thing, but quite honestly - IDGAF.
No shock that a bunch of water laborers with hoses are up in arms. They are all meatheads and "pro union" this and "pro union" that with their off duty, REAL jobs. Yet, they will sell their Union soul out quicker than MRE will throw the CPD under bus, when they can "find a guy" to do a job.
I like watching anything to deal with the CFD go to hell in a hand basket.
I like firefighters I really do, and I extend to them every courtesy I reasonably can. My family has had more members of the fire dept. than coppers over the years, but they can be a different breed. They can be more bull headed, stupid, stubborn and self destructive than coppers, and that is saying a lot, but they for the most part stick together a lot more than we do.
As The president of a small local union, it bothers me to hear people say they have no voice in their local. What I tend to find is the people that complain the most never even attend a meeting. To my knowledge most officers of a Union Local or at a national level are elected to their positions. Unfortunately we seem to help only the few bad apples. The guys that do their job day in and day out and do not get in trouble never seem to complain. As far as your dues go the local budget is gone over at every meeting and is available to be reviewed by its members. If you and your coworkers do not agree with the officers of your union you need to get your coworkers to put out the vote.
And the retired guy bringing up charges WAS A SCAB!
This is exactly the reason why Police & Fire unions shouldn't endorse candidates. I couldn't care less what teachers do, quite frankly.
When you endorse, you join yourselves at the hip with the candidate- for better or worse.
Like when Troopers Lodge 41 endorsed Blago- way to go, you idiots.
The union's job is to represent its members in obtaining the best benefits possible and protecting the rights of it's members. It has no business delving into the politics.
Act 10 in Wisconsin has resulted in a huge decrease in the teachers' union membership.
Just to add to this, the guy bringing charges came on in 1980 during the strike.
I guess they learned how to bleed for Rahm.
This is from their blog. http://paramedicsunite.blogspot.com/2014/08/local2-and-pac-fund.html . Read below it sound to me like a group of members were trying to submarine the contract negotiation. What would the FOP do if a group of Detectives formed their own PAC and tried to bargain more for themselves than the overall group through the FOP?
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Local2 and PAC Fund
We are fully aware that Local 2 is the sole bargaining unit for ALL members of Local 2. The purpose of a Political Action Fund is to give Paramedics a voice before negotiations!, if we put $ behind a candidate in good faith that, we will not be left out in future negotiations. When local 2 brings their historical standard contract, ( that leaves out paramedics) the new mayor will say! " what about my friends ( who donated over 50k) to my political campaign, they don't stand to gain anything from this contract?? " comeback to the table when you have a fair agreement for ALL MEMBERS!!! This is the purpose of a PAC FUND!
do unions have proxy power as a voting block? if they do it would explain why democrats control everything in this forsaken city. there is something very wrong around here.
Here's hoping the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Ass'n verdict comes down from the Supreme Court sooner than later. That should have CTU leadership sweating.
Maybe a 911 line should be put in the local FOP offices. If they refuse to represent and stand up for the police, let them take care of any calls that require more than a report being filled out.
Stay safe.
J.J.
The retired Fire Capt came on the job in 1980 crossing the picket line as a scab. Now he has the nerve to file charges against active Union members. This Capt is also known as a paramedic hater and was sought out by a couple of union clowns in our contract enforcement that were well aware of his hatred towards paramedics.
Paramedics are not friends of the Police,..Now that is a load of crap..Nobody on CFD works closer with the police than Paramedics.Ask any police Officer who has been injured how well we care for them..we will take them to any hospital they want at any time of the day ,while the firefighters are sound asleep.Paramedics are the ones wrestling with Psych patients with the police where I work while the firefighters are napping ....so save that crap Anonymous 2/25/2016 12:51
"A bit off topic here, but Local 2 has also refused to provide any funding to fight City Hall over our pension legal battles."
Tells you all you need to know
Retired guy should go after local 2 over refusing to give money to fight city over retiree health care cuts and price raises. Pretty stupid man & union
Interesting when teachers complain about the actions of CTU, yet their supposedly rogue president gets over 80% of their votes.
Yes, and OUR union is deciding who gets legal representation for CR#s making an arrest while on duty, but they claim it wasn't "duty related" so that they can SAVE $$ for their trip to DC and spend extra time their with their families. Denying legal representation is ludicrous, and the members don't even know!!! Try to appeal, good luck, the committee doesn't even listen, they can't look up from their phones. Then they vote, yeah like they were going to vote differently then was decided by D'Angelo! Good luck!
Previous acting President Bill Dougherty did exactly what Local 2 is reported to have done. BD illegally deposed the sitting President and now our Lodge and the State Lodge is going to pay that past President a boatload of money. BD is at the meetings and on this blog trying to stop the Lodge from tossing out a Sgt St Arms who has now even admitted his illegal acts in his defense against the Federal Lawsuit filed against him by the victims of his and the now defunct Citywide Teams smear tactics. Our boy Billy is shitting in his pants about the lawsuit he knows is coming against himself for his actions that resulted in the Lodge paying big bucks to that past President. I hear that is already in the works along with a few other former Citywide Members including Kevin Ghraham by the State Lodge. This again is just another preemptive strike to try to save their asses .the Sgt at Arms who was also "anonymously " beefing to AID about other FOP members will rightly be tossed out of the Union at the next Board Meeting.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Local2 and PAC Fund
We are fully aware that Local 2 is the sole bargaining unit for ALL members of Local 2. The purpose of a Political Action Fund is to give Paramedics a voice before negotiations!, if we put $ behind a candidate in good faith that, we will not be left out in future negotiations. When local 2 brings their historical standard contract, ( that leaves out paramedics) the new mayor will say! " what about my friends ( who donated over 50k) to my political campaign, they don't stand to gain anything from this contract?? " comeback to the table when you have a fair agreement for ALL MEMBERS!!! This is the purpose of a PAC FUND!
This was not the motivation or a statement of the PAC fund, the PAC fund was developed to provide a voice for the citizens of Chicago. EMS has always been a second thought in the grand picture of the fire department. EMS has traditional been less than 1/4 of the budget, a few paramedics got together with a candidate that was willing to listen. Poor response time were discussed with the lack of training for things as active shooter along with a lack of a response plan for a mass shooting. We all have family in this cesspool of a city we are forced to live in, these paramedics were actually looking out for your family as well as theirs, please think about this before you slam them and assume they were out for themselves.
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
As The president of a small local union, it bothers me to hear people say they have no voice in their local. What I tend to find is the people that complain the most never even attend a meeting. To my knowledge most officers of a Union Local or at a national level are elected to their positions. Unfortunately we seem to help only the few bad apples. The guys that do their job day in and day out and do not get in trouble never seem to complain. As far as your dues go the local budget is gone over at every meeting and is available to be reviewed by its members. If you and your coworkers do not agree with the officers of your union you need to get your coworkers to put out the vote."
Yeah sure big guy. Complain about union spending....see what shithole job you wind up at. If you are not a yes man bobblehead you get shit to eat. We arent stupid.
I have been a Local 2 member for 29 years.
I have witnessed a lot of silly shit.
In the firehouse and at the union meetings.
We are often our own worst enemy.
Firefighters and Paramedics need each other.
If only you could put something in the soup that makes us understand that we are strongest when we stand together.
This issue is a inbred, fabricated crisis for the amusement of a few.
This too shall pass......
The paramedics have no business being in the fire union. They wanted to form their own union so go ahead and let them. Some of these paramedics are more liberal then these idiot teachers. Definitely not freinds of the police.
Your an asshat Sir, no one was trying to start their own union. Get the facts straight before you open that fly trap you call a mouth. Paramedics have the Police Departments back everyday, we know you have a tough job and deserve more respect and support from this city. Quit spewing sh!t assbag.
Remember CFD endorsed Obama in BOTH elections. Enough said.
Fire Marshall Bill said...
No shock that a bunch of water laborers with hoses are up in arms.
That made me spit my coke out all over my computer screen. LOL!
Good one!!
I have said this for years: Most Firefighters inhale so much carbon dioxide that it causes there minds to malfunction.
The fire union caved in to Rahm when he threatened to take the 5th man off the truck. The union stop paying for Clint Krslov months ago.
Anonymous said...
Its ok.. Dean angelo is using OUR membership dues in our legal defense fund to pay for an ongoing federal lawsuit against some current fop members. Yes, our union is representing members of the department and at the same time suing them for fop business... hey dean are you nuts????? You could have dropped it but you are trying to stick it to people. Stop wasting our money on your games. You are making alot of enemies these days. If you or your kid plan on being elected to anything again you better start keeping OUR interests on the front burner and stop playing politics.
2/25/2016 12:51:00 AM
******
Maybe you should tell everyone about jimmy boy, little frankie, billy, mark, kevin, ted, richie, darrin et al. They tried to fix an election. They should give this case to the guys on 230 S. Dearborn as soon as the Shields lawsuit is over.
Maybe if paramedics were represented the same as firefighters ,in our own union ,which we pay dues, then these medics wouldn't have to go out and support a candidate who may benefit them. Example of the disparity between medics and firemen; medics get no uniform allowance and firemen get $1200 a year. Medics and firemen have the same uniforms. A medic with 15 years get less furlough time than a brand new fireman. It takes a medic 20 years to get the same furlough time as a brand new fireman. These are just some of the things but all negotiated by our beloved union.
Local 2 has consistently turned their backs on the paramedics. They are taking their hatred one step further with this ridiculous waste of membership money.
Do they wear their uniforms at the union meetings. They wear them everywhere else!!! Lol This is more Rahm Foolery
To the idiot posting about Paramedics not wanting to be part of local 2 go blow. You are an old hater. You fall right into the cities hands by believing the hype. All you idiots who voted in Rauner can go suck it as well. I don't vote on my morals I vote on what is best for me, and a republican governor will never be good for organized labor.
This trial is a sham, the PAC wasn't exclusively CFD Paramedics. Doctors, RNS etc contributed as well. No way they will be expelled. This is a shame.
And to poster number 1. You better hope you are friends of the medics. We have tremendous respect for the police, we see what you face everyday, and you see what we face. Something happens to you guys and you bet your ass I'm racing there and doing my best for you. I only ask the same. In fighting among firefighters, medics and cops its STUPID. We have to stick together.
Cheers,
CFD Medic
Anonymous said...
The union's job is to represent its members in obtaining the best benefits possible and protecting the rights of it's members. It has no business delving into the politics.
2/25/2016 08:54:00 AM
------------------------------------------------
When Mark Donahue was president of lodge 7 his kids worked for the city clerk's office selling city stickers during the summer. When state fop president Ted Street was forced to retire Lisa Madigan appointed him to the Illinois State Training Board. Before Street fell from grace as a role player for Donahue in the Mike Shields fiasco he ran for FOP national president. He could have won until he let the cat out of the bag that his campaign was financed by a politician (Rahm).
If you people ever vote of another city-wide guy your nuts.
The 7 Parameidcs knew the risks of their rival group. Their demands under minded the contractual agreements made on behalf of all members. The fact of the matter is Chicagos Parameidcs are some of the highest paid single role members in the nation, yet they scream, cry, and throw tantrums on daily basis screaming about how their lives and jobs suck. Give me a break. You work 88 times a year, get paid to drive an ambulance (which is their job) get OT up the wazoo, all of their uniforms and given to them free, are able to exchange them when they get torn, faded, or their ambulance ass grows too large to fit in them anymore. "But they have the worst job in the world". Forget about the pension, the deferred comp, the overly gernerous medical system that allows them to pump out banquets every other year all while retaining their full salary and health insurance and not work one single day while pregenant + 6 weeks minimum post pardon.
The true root of the problem is the field chief. The angry field chief. The king of the kook-aid Pat Fitzmaurice. He's been a loud mouth for 30 years. Was not a member of the Union until recently when he finally joined up because he became the subject of multiple discipline cases and need help. He enjoyed the benefits of the unions hard work, without paying his share. He later a liar, a thief, the cause of major HIPAA breach that resulted in fines and the costs of retraining the entire Dept, routinely threatens brass with great bodily harm. He runs around the west side playing police, escalating situations that didn't need to be. Ask a few coppers in 011. They'll tell you what a tool this clown is. He's an idiot, and got a bunch of greenhorns to dink the koolaid join his little rival group. Fuck him and his 39 years on the job. He needs to retire.
PS. This is America. I voted for chuy. That's my right. Local 2 endorsement of 9.5 was purely a business decision. As a result, we got a contract that made everyone mostly happy. Even the angry Chief. He got his extra 15 ambulances, with an option for 5 more.
Congratulations to all the haters who so Righteously exemplify the systemic over-the-pants-handjobbery that is so pervasive in all relms of public service. It's politics being played by non-politicians & those who think they are. Go to work, do your job, & be glad you don't have to work every bus stop & street corner at election time! That being said, how bad was Local 2 Really hurt by this Chuey PAC & how much more money, time, & energy will be wasted on this head-hunt? Is it all inclusive of every member who donated or are we just going to pick & choose who we want to ride the lightning?
Dear Huh--- Right on target regarding Fitzmaurice. The rest of your rant is the same I heard for my 35 years on the job. Your writing skills would seem to indicate that you are probably a frustrated drunken fireman who never passed a promotional exam in your bitter life. Go back to bed.
@Huh?, and you are some of the highest paid single role firemen in the nation also! So what's your point? Want to talk about screaming and crying, you complain when you have to get off the couch to open the door for the ambo or if you have to go on an ambulance assist! All of you firemen bitched and moaned when you were detailed to the ambo so all of, or most of you, dropped your EMT but now that there aren't anymore BLS ambulances you want you EMT license back because its pensionable. Pathetic! All of your uniforms are given to you free also AND you get a $1200 uniform allowance per year which the medics don't get. I could go on and on but I don't think I need to. I've been a medic on the ambo for 15 years and you could never walk 10 minutes in my shoes!
FYI it is the international that has found that there is evidence of them in a rival organization.
The ONLY reason that local 2 is financing it is because they have to pay according to the by-laws.
And the reason that people are being brought in from Rockford is to find people that might be
Impartial to the 2 sides. It's not an option.
Isn't this Chief that same gu who held an exempted rank job as a department inspector?
One day he is playing the role of nit picker for the city writing up union members for little
B.S. Stuff, and then he gets his extra bugle and take home buggy taken away and now
he wants people to side with him. I have known him for years working on the west side
and IMO he is a total POS and rabble rouser.
YES he endorsed Chuy hoping that had Rahm lost he would get rewarded for being on
the Chuy wagon early. He gambled and lost.
Previous acting President Bill Dougherty did exactly what Local 2 is reported to have done. BD illegally deposed the sitting President and now our Lodge and the State Lodge is going to pay that past President a boatload of money. BD is at the meetings and on this blog trying to stop the Lodge from tossing out a Sgt St Arms who has now even admitted his illegal acts in his defense against the Federal Lawsuit filed against him by the victims of his and the now defunct Citywide Teams smear tactics. Our boy Billy is shitting in his pants about the lawsuit he knows is coming against himself for his actions that resulted in the Lodge paying big bucks to that past President. I hear that is already in the works along with a few other former Citywide Members including Kevin Ghraham by the State Lodge. This again is just another preemptive strike to try to save their asses .the Sgt at Arms who was also "anonymously " beefing to AID about other FOP members will rightly be tossed out of the Union at the next Board Meeting.
Ahh, the mysterious blogger! Dougherty has been to the last three meetings stepping up to the mike and clearly willing to talk about anything including lawsuits. Why don't you go to the mike and let the membership decide who is telling the truth? Or is it easier for you to come on here and lie about it.
The truth is that Fop isn't even trying to win the mike shields case. They are more concerned about the next election then they are getting to the truth. The state settled with shields because their insurance company told them to or they would walk. No different then the city settling with everyone who sues the city. Going to trial is more expensive even if you win. Dean is working in conjunction with Shields. His brother(dan)ran on a separate ticket pushing for Dean. If you paid any attention you would know this. Please go to the mike next meeting and straighten all this out for us. I bet you won't!
@Parameidc. I can, have, and continue to walk in your shoes. I spent 9 years on 2 busy ambos until I crossed to a busy ALS company in a shithole neighborhood. I'm one of the few crossovers who actually do their job prior to your arrival by providing care to the patient, often to the annoyance of our officer. I've actually been on both sides of the table er floor unlike you. Now, because that jerk field chief of yours can't keep his fat mouth shut long enough to take a breath, I get to go to the ambo regularly and walk in your shoes again. When I go to the ambo, a fireman gets OT. When I go to an ambo, your partner doesn't get OT. The city called that operational need. I call it another way to mess with your morale. You let him do it, now you all have to pay the price. Meanwhile, I'll be on the ambo next day, doing my job, using the skills I have with a smile on my face, probably making more than you, with my PIC pay, 8.5% and drivers pay. Eat that.
Finally, because I've seen both sides of the floor and table, I will say it's changed from firemens hatred of medics to medics hatred of firemen. Ambulance assists may be annoying, sure. What's more annoying is a bloc of medics who assume
It's our job to serve them on a silver platter. Carry all your gear, plus the patient while you clutch your tough book and your fpm hides.
As far as my "drunkeness", you're partly right. I was having a few cocktails last night. I'm on Daley, kinda of like your furlough, except two times a month.
The CFD paramedics are completely under represented by Local 2. The Exect board has come right out and said it. There are less paramedics than firefighters therefore the Exect board will not represent the minority group of paramedics. The paramedics in the city of Chicago are the hardest working employees the city has. Hands down. I don't agree with what they did. However I don't think that the Local 2 should be using the members union dues to fund this trial. Get the scab that filed the complaint if he really has a problem with what they did. You bet your ass if he was required to fund this trip it would never happen.
The truth is that Fop isn't even trying to win the mike shields case. They are more concerned about the next election then they are getting to the truth. The state settled with shields because their insurance company told them to or they would walk. No different then the city settling with everyone who sues the city. Going to trial is more expensive even if you win. Dean is working in conjunction with Shields. His brother(dan)ran on a separate ticket pushing for Dean. If you paid any attention you would know this. Please go to the mike next meeting and straighten all this out for us. I bet you won't!
2/26/2016 03:00:00 PM
******
The TRUTH is MARK that BILLY violated the by-laws at YOUR request. When the Shields suit is over someone(s) will PAY. Remember will all voted unanimously to throw the rat bastard out including Jimmy boy himself. Ironic. He figured we would never find out and he had Frankie running interference for him.
Also the same ip address was used multiple times attempting to get anonymous cr#s against other coppers. Frankie has to fell like Wile E. Coyote because the piano is about to fall on him too.
Gee..imagine if the CFD,CPD,Medics,City employees,CTA,CTU all stuck together...sounds like a powerful group to me
Parameidc-- Advice from someone who has been there and came back. When you crack open that bottle stay out of the car, off the internet, and turn your phone off. If you do post something try to have a point. It makes it so much more enjoyable for the reader. What I take away from your post is that you are one of only a few cross-overs that does his job. Your officer is a jerk. The neighborhood you work in is a "shithole". The contract and the union sucks because your delicate ass gets detailed to the ambo occasionally. The paramedics are assholes and crybabies and have you to thank for doing their job for them. I guess that includes the medics like me that fought to get cross training back in the 80's so you could avoid "ambulance ass". Thank you battle-scarred veteran! Get some help brother.
Only in Chicago is your union so involved in local politics. Get the young guys involved and vote out these old heads. Then sever your ties with PAC or any other form of political interest.
Post a Comment
<< Home