Firefighters... WTF!?!!?

[KAPA]

With all of these recalls this year firefighters are kicking in big bucks to prevent the recalls, anyone know what is up with this? Do I need to turn anti-firefighter now? They seem to be anti-me.

[cstone]

I try not to confuse the union/association with the rank and file. If you want to get any union member riled up, start rattling off some of the liberal/progressive/Democratic candidates they are paying their union/association dues to support.

[lowbeyond]

the rank and file is the union

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I try not to confuse the union/association with the rank and file. If you want to get any union member riled up, start rattling off some of the liberal/progressive/Democratic candidates they are paying their union/association dues to support.

This.

[KAPA]

Yeah so drop the union. I would be livid if I was a firefighter and found out that money from my paycheck was going to this crap. Hell, as a taxpayer this pisses me off! Trying to figure out what I can do about it but all I can come up with is "don't set my house on fire to create business for the firefighters" and I hope I already have that one checked off my list.

[cstone]

Elect politicians who refuse to submit to collective bargaining.

Once collective bargaining is allowed, a bargaining unit is elected by the employees. The bargaining unit then can negotiate on behalf of the rank and file and does not have to represent the interest of the members. Bargaining unit leaders are elected, but like most elections, an active minority normally chooses who will be the leaders. If the leaders provide enough "bread and circuses" for their members, they will continue to be elected. The longer the leaders are in office, the less likely they will be opposed and they will operate almost with impunity until either the rank and file throw them out or politicians remove collective bargaining.

What private employers do regarding labor relations makes little difference to me. I find public sector unions absolutely abhorrent. The politicians already work for us (the owners). Why do we need another layer of protection for people employed by the People? Redundant, wasteful, and corrupt; that is my opinion of public sector unions. I would feel the same way regardless of where their union dues are going and who they support.

[sniper7]

most unions go after their one cause. airline pilot unions are very similar. teacher unions are obvious, except there is a good amount of teachers that don't come close to agreeing with "who" the union supports.
I have yet to meet a firefighter who didn't have some of the same values as myself.

[encorehunter]

I personally do not care for unions. I have been part of one for the last ten years, and they seem to do what they want. Very few times have there been votes on who and what to support. I have been abandoned by IAFF in the past by being told "your group doesn't pay enough dues, so it isn't worth us providing the lawyers." I do not like my dues being spent on a lot of things they choose. They protect the lazy.

[brutal]

Elect politicians who refuse to submit to collective bargaining.

Once collective bargaining is allowed, a bargaining unit is elected by the employees. The bargaining unit then can negotiate on behalf of the rank and file and does not have to represent the interest of the members. Bargaining unit leaders are elected, but like most elections, an active minority normally chooses who will be the leaders. If the leaders provide enough "bread and circuses" for their members, they will continue to be elected. The longer the leaders are in office, the less likely they will be opposed and they will operate almost with impunity until either the rank and file throw them out or politicians remove collective bargaining.

What private employers do regarding labor relations makes little difference to me. I find public sector unions absolutely abhorrent. The politicians already work for us (the owners). Why do we need another layer of protection for people employed by the People? Redundant, wasteful, and corrupt; that is my opinion of public sector unions. I would feel the same way regardless of where their union dues are going and who they support.

cstone hit the nail on the head. This Democratic in power BS all started back in the 60's when Kennedy gave Federal workers collective bargaining rights. It's a vicious cycle akin to entitlements. Public sector employees should not be allowed collective bargaining. Pay for performance like the private sector non-union jobs most of us have to work to keep.

[Brass]

When I walked with the recall petition, I encountered two different state patrolmen (retired) in their homes. Both declined to sign. Probably for the same reason that firefighters support libs like Hudak - the government employees know who is better for their wallets.