Firefighters union throws cold water on 9-11 float
This is sad, and the guy is not even from Racine.
These days, almost anything can get caught in the blender of Wisconsin's union politics.
It can even happen to a Fourth of July parade float honoring firefighters and cops killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
"Back then, the public wasn't saying, 'How sad for the union' - they were saying, 'Those were firefighters who died,'" said Matt Gorniak, a Milwaukee-area fire lieutenant who is the driving force behind the float. "That's what this is about. It's above union, nonunion."
Or at least it should be.
The same float - a re-enactment of the famous photo of three firefighters raising the American flag amid the rubble of the World Trade Center - created a rush of emotions as it passed through three parade routes in Milwaukee County back in 2002. Crowds spontaneously rose to their feet, offering thunderous applause.
With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks coming up later this year, Gorniak and his church's youth group decided to revive the float in Racine's upcoming Independence Day parade, one of the biggest in the area.
Unexpectedly, the request set off a debate among the leaders of the Racine firefighters union.
The problem: Gorniak had recently invoked a little-used provision in his union contract and opted out of membership in the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.
Members of the executive board of the Racine firefighters union ultimately decided not to support or march with his float.
This week, the head of the union declined to discuss the decision.
See the full article at - Racine Firefighters Union
Maybe it’s because the guy is from Oak Creek that the Journal Times doesn’t have anything about this in their paper!
All I can say is wait for the Firefighters Union call me for a yearly donation. I use to give them $20.00 every year...that just came to a screaming halt!
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Sad. Just sad.
Our country is in big trouble.
You know, looking in from the outside and making decisions is not fair. I read the crap posted online from those who believe all the picketing is selfish or union based, people worried about their own pocketbook. It is not.
I stand by the firefighters who decide for whatever reason not to participate. I also understand the anger/disappointment and the difficult decision he must have made to renounce his affiliation with the state association, whom I'm sure he felt let him down. I'm certain that they each have their reasons, and they believe deeply in them.
When you do a job that you believe requires sacrifice of some sort... and you find that your efforts are not appreciated, or, much worse disdained, it hurts. It shakes your beliefs and makes you wonder why you've given of yourself and whether or not you are foolish for doing so.
400 comments at JSOnline and not a peep from the Journal Times.
KK: Solidarity Forever.
Wisconsin is pretty much a union state. I believe in the right to work and Wisconsin does not recognize the right to work laws.
I think it is wrong that you are forced to join a organizations to feed your family. BUT when I comes to negotiations for wage increase and the rest that goes with it....you’re on your own!
I also believe in pay for performance and the union doesn’t do that, all the slackers get a raise the same amount as a good worker which is totally wrong!
It makes me think, “Who is the stupid one”? The guy or girl who works their ass off or the slacker who doesn’t do shit and makes the same money!
Toad we agree and well said KKD.
SER, Unfortunately we could argue about this forever, but I will just state what I know Is true. YES "Slackers" do exist In Unions, as well as Non Union workplaces. Both situations rid themselves of the problem without too much trouble. The UNION doesn't like "Slackers" anymore than Non Union. They are truly a pain in the ass. So far as wages are concerned. A labor contract provides for a published (for everyone to see) pay schedule for each employee. I am witness to the Non Union company that has to deal with the person that believes they are worth more than anybody else, and walk off their job into the office to tell management (hold hostage) they want more money. MOST times management will come up with some sort of crap to tell everybody that didn't get a raise that this persons job description was changed. It goes on forever. As far as pay for performance. MOST employers don't have a method for determining performance unless the job being done has an actual standard (rate per hour) or piece work. Since NO two people are alike, I could probably perform at a better pace than other people. That does NOT allow me to be the judge of the other persons value. Some people go like crazy, and make junk, and some are slower but the QUALITY of their work Is superior. I know which one I would want. Those are just a few examples of what I can speak to with complete accuracy.
The Jouranl Times has a story up now. They say the float will appear in the parade: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_e7420cf4-a41c-11e0-89b7-001cc4c002e0.html
It's sad. If we were not under a "FitzWalker" dictatorship I don't believe things like this would occur. It actually turns my stomach.
Orb's, Thanks for the update. I hope It can happen without incident from some crazy person, either Union, Tea Party, or otherwise.
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