EAST PROVIDENCE FIREFIGHTERS

The Facts the Taxpayers Need to Understand

This letter is in response to Mayor Larisa's letter which appeared in the East Providence Reporter on August 6.

His letter states that we "Just don't get it".  I assure you that the East Providence Firefighters have always gotten it!  One only needs to look at our history at the bargaining table, the results of which the Mayor, more than anyone else in city government, knows well.  The East Providence Firefighters were the first bargaining unit in the city to adjust prescription co-share, resulting in great savings to East Providence taxpayers.  In addition, it was the Firefighters who were the first to step to the plate to bargain co-share on health care benefits into our collective bargaining agreement paving the way for other unions to follow suit, which again reaped great savings to the taxpayer.  Some will recall the accolades the Mayor bestowed upon the Firefighters at that time.  How soon we forget.  Additionally, the firefighters took a zero percent wage increase, three times in my 19-year career, to benefit the city in difficult fiscal times.  We get it Mayor, we always have.

The Mayor also speaks of the "demands" the Union requested from the City.  Following are the facts with respect to negotiations: several months ago, the City Manager requested that all union presidents meet with him and other city officials to attempt to make cuts to save additional money at a time when aid to cities and towns was being drastically cut.  The Firefighters Executive Board put together a package that would have saved the City in excess of one million dollars, with concessions that would have given the City immediate financial relief and some permanent relief, as well.  The concessions included co-share increases and, ironically, the same schedule run by the Central Falls Fire Department.  The Union believes that this schedule change would have saved the taxpayers a substantial amount of money.  We were willing to sit down and discuss this proposal with the City.  The only problem with the Union's proposal is that it fell on deaf ears.  After multiple attempts to meet with the City to discuss this concession package, we were faced with the City canceling every meeting.

Now, as the new fiscal year approaches, the Firefighter's contract is set to expire on October 31, 2009.  What we have always done, and are legally obligated to do, is to attempt to negotiate a fair and equitable successor agreement after putting together a proposal package, not a "demand" package as the Mayor chose to characterize it. 

A proposal is the starting point, the subject matter of collective bargaining.  Typically, it transforms itself into a compromise that is agreeable to both parties.  However, a good effort is required by the Union as well as the City.

Both the City and the Union must adhere to the State laws regarding collective bargaining.  Within these laws are strict time frames and procedures that govern the conduct of both parties.  As always, the Union followed these State laws, the City failed to do so.

Also in his letter, the Mayor ridicules that fact that the Union has proposed an increase in staffing.  This proposal would allow the City to be in compliance with standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association.  These standards provide an increase level of protection to the men and women of the East Providence Fire Department, as well as the citizens of this City.

The Mayor's attempt to vilify this Union to the taxpayers of East Providence is unjust and unfair.  The Union perceives Mayor Larisa's comments outlined in his letter nothing more than an attempt to distort the truth and facts for his own personal political gain.  Since the inception of this Union, we have always compromised and agreed on a fair and equitable contract that is acceptable to both the Union and the City.  Simply put, Mayor, it was a proposal, one of many you chose not to discuss with us.  The East Providence Taxpayers deserve more from City government.

In closing, for the Mayor of East Providence to publicly print a letter that the Firefighters are demanding anything and trying to burden the taxpayers during this difficult economic time without ever meeting with us for any type of negotiation is unfair; not just to the Firefighters but to the taxpayers.  We submitted a proposal not a demand package.  His scare tactics put a false perception of what is really going on in this City with regards to the Unions and their ability to negotiate contracts.

To both the citizens we protect and the members of this department, the Union pledges to continue to work toward common ground in these very difficult economic times.

Sincerely,

Paul B. Cotter, President

East Providence Firefighters Local 850, I.A.F.F.