Really? Northampton, Massachusetts firefighters file grievance after orders to salvage an elderly man's belongings.
Read IAFF Local 108's grievance
The story that is causing the biggest image problem for firefighters right now is, of course, the Alameda, California incident where no one would help a drowning man. As bad as that one is, it isn't completely of the firefighters' making. There is plenty of blame to go around. The firefighters were set up to fail when no one properly dealt with the training and equipment issues or let the public know the fire department was no longer in the water rescue business (not that there aren't some legitimate arguments about the decision making at the scene).
Now comes news from Northampton, Massachusetts that in some ways tops the Alameda story in that this is a case where union officials have posted a big kick me sign on the backs of its members. IAFF Local 108 has filed a grievance after Northampton Chief Brian Duggan ordered an engine company to stay in service and help salvage some belongings from the snow damaged home of an elderly man.
According to Gazettenet.com's Dan Crowley, the grievance stems from a February 24, 2011 incident where 77-year-old Dan Masloski's home was condemned and demolished by order of city officials. Crowley reports neither the union's president or lawyer could be reached for comment, but according to the complaint the fire chief's order "changed the job duties" without giving Local 108 a chance to negotiate.
The union may be technically correct with its grievance and its officials may feel there is a tactical reason to file this at a time when they are in contract negotiations. Having been a shop steward and on the executive board of a union, I understand those issues. But did anyone think how such a grievance looks?
Even if they prevail in arbitration with this complaint, firefighters aren't going to win in the eyes of the public. When you state very clearly that you don't think it's your duty to help save the belongings of a senior citizen, you play right into the hands of all of those across the country who have been going after the salaries and benefits of firefighters.
I am far from anti-union or anti-firefighter, but those who are will have a field day with this story.
Here are more details from Gazettenet.com:
The demolition project cost Northampton approximately $15,000 as Masloski did not have homeowner's insurance or the financial means to pay for the work. At the time, Building Commissioner Louis Hasbrouck said the city would try to save many of Masloski's possessions, which included old tools, a hand-carved cigar store Indian, an antique Dr. Pepper sign and an old record player. The salvaged items also included an unused Whirlpool washing machine that Masloski won in a contest years ago.
"The building commissioner asked if an engine company could assist, which I assigned," Duggan said. "They were there for the demo and could be pulled away" in an emergency.
Duggan said he viewed the task as "protecting property and salvage," something firefighters do routinely.
"The (firefighters union) sees it as a change in the fabric of what their job description and role is," he said. "The city's perspective is it's salvage of a person's property who really needed assistance. I share the view that this is a project of saving someone's property as we do with fire, flooding, etc."
