Brothers and Sisters,
As I have been visiting stations and talking to people about the crazy state of events, I have heard a considerable amount of panicky talk from our younger members. I thought I would take a minute and write to all and ask a few things of all of you. First of all, the rumor mongering and the sky is falling talk is very hurtful to our younger brothers. Please do no pass on unconfirmed information. Let us spend our time thinking of ideas on how to solve our problems instead of complaining about how bad it is. Before this is over we will need help from each and every member of the Local, please think of a way you can help. Secondly, to our younger members. Please be patient, nothing has happened yet. We will not know the final numbers on the budget until December 15th. Do not make any hasty decisions or do anything that will jepordise your job standing until you know the end result. We have six weeks to influence the City Council and Mayor West to put money back into the Fire Department budget. We have just begun to fight.
At this moment we are coming off of a 30 month struggle to protect our contract and get a decent pay raise for all. We have won that battle. We saw the City Council pass a early retirement buy out last night, that could mean up to ten (10) jobs saved. We need to vote on our contract and have the council vote to pass it.
There are several ideas we are working on with the Mayor that could save another 15 to 20 jobs. So lets not panic. Let's not come to work with bad attitudes, please be patient. We will work our butts off and use every recourse we have avalible to save jobs. Our current struggle gives us the opportunity to show each other what our "brotherhood" is all about. United we can be successful. Your Union leadership is working, thinking, planning and lobbying 24/7 to archive a reduced number of layoffs. It is most important to be kind to each other and look out for the other guy.
With Hope, Greg
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