Sisters and Brothers,

Today I spoke on the air with radio personality Doug McDuff.

There was discussion stating how those on social security have not gotten the 3% or so increases in the last two years and how that equates to a reduction in pay.  I agree whole heartedly this is a loss for our seniors who paid into a system that was supposed to give them financial security when it was their turn to collect and when they needed it the most.

There has also been much talk regarding Alderman Beach and his thought that all city workers should take a 5% pay cut.

I feel bad that the firefighters before anyone asked us to, took what equates to approximately a 10% pay cut in 2009 and 2010. 

Had we waited longer and not been proactive in late 2008 we could have given the Alderman what he is asking for and would have taken half as big of a loss of pay.

The firefighters made our decision to take a loss to maintain public safety but we in no fashion believe that it should be forced on anyone else.

Thank you Alderman Beach, I am pleased that we have finally been recognized as a group of women and men who have chosen to lead the way as Rockford finds its way clear of this economic crisis.

Fraternally,

E.J.

Sisters and Brothers,

Your leadership respects the courts decision.

All fire stations will remain open and minimum staffing is intact and thus there will continue to be four firefighters on each fire apparatus.

We now will continue in the agreed upon process and access an arbitrator who will decide on all issues.

City Firefighters Union Local 413 leadership promises to continue to advocate on behalf of the citizens of Rockford and the firefighters as they place themselves in harms way while providing fire protection and emergency medical services.

God bless you and stay safe.

Fraternally,

E.J.

Sisters and Brothers,

As you can tell by the media coverage the city is enjoying, our message will struggle to be heard.

The newspaper article this morning makes it sound as if we want the courts to rule on closing stations for good, this is not true.  I am extremely disappointed that our web site statement was printed in a fashion that is so misleading.

The firefighters asked the court to rule to keep the station open while we ask an arbitrator to rule on the city action of permanently closing stations.

FACT:

The city claims the firefighters refuse to follow the collective bargaining agreement and ask for arbitration.  This is also not true.

On June 17, 2010 in a meeting with the Mr. Hayes and the city, the firefighters attorney stated, based on the city and the firefighters positions why don't we move directly to arbitration?  Mr. Hayes refused on behalf of the city.

So, stating over and over in the media that the firefighters are refusing to follow the rules is a documented false statement.  As a legal professional bound by a sometimes undetermined degree of ethics, this is unfortunate.

The city has taught us over the last five years that if we do not agree to every demand we will need to look to the arbitration process and thus we have.  We even had to force the city to take our offer of wage freezes for 2009 and 2010 in the arbitration process that yielded by some accounts up to 5.3 million dollars in savings and an additional 250 thousand per year every year into the future.

The firefighters understand the arbitration process and we look forward to a neutral party ruling on our differences of opinion on protecting the citizens of Rockford.

The firefighters do not have the moral authority to negotiate a lower level of Fire and EMS protection for the citizens of Rockford.  We will continue to be their advocate.

Fraternally,

E.J.

Sisters and Brothers,

I was relieved on Monday night as the Mayor showed great wisdom in keeping the fire station open as we continue our discussions for the next two weeks.

Protecting the citizens in the same fashion as the Mayor, the firefighters legal counsel petitioned the court to keep the fire station open while we pursue the path of allowing an arbitrator to rule on the station closing as set forth by agreement between the city and the firefighters.

As the Mayor acted in the best interest of the citizens and kept the station open for two weeks it is our hope that during what may prove to be a longer period of time that the Judge will rule to also keep the fire station open and maintain the current level of protection the citizens are accustom to and deserve.

Key points:

If the court rules to keep the station open during the arbitration and ultimately it is decided to close the station, the only impact is a minimal decrease in dollars saved. 

If the court rules to allow the Mayor to close the station during the arbitration and ultimately it is decided to reopen the station; how do we compensate the citizens who may have been harmed by a greater loss of property or even life due to the decreased level of fire service?

With this thought it is my hope the Mayor himself may elect to keep the station open until the arbitrator rules.

Fraternally,

E.J.

Sisters and Brothers,

As you know we were in Springfield Wednesday thru Saturday at the AFFI State Convention where we participated in the business of the state association and vied for the 2012 AFFI Convention.

I am so very proud of the effort put forth by all members who attended the convention and worked the hospitality rooms.  All the members other than Brother Potenziani and myself were first time conventioners and did an outstanding job on the convention floor.

Many thanks to Mr. Phil Rubin and Mr. Dave "Buzzy" Carlson for their donations that made the hospitality room possible.

Thank you to Attorney Thomas Duda for your generous support of the Rockford Firefighers.

I would like to personally thank Mike from the Clock Tower Resort and Convention Center and Theresa from the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for their organizations committment and their hardwork in the hospitality room selling Rockford.

Pro Forma of Rockford absolutely made the Rockford effort a classy well rounded promotion of the city and the firefighters; we could not have done it without you and I pledge our support of your business in the future.

Listening to comments from firefighters at the convention it was apparent that they believed Rockford was the site for the 2012 AFFI Convention.  We have hosted the covention in the past and the 2007 AFFI Honor Guard Convention was a huge hit that is still talked about today.

Sadly, all 600 or so firefightes in attendance also have heard of our city leaders efforts to reduce the level of fire service provided to the citizens of Rockford. The fact that leaders are putting the citizens at extremely more risk and decreasing the safety of the firefightes did not sit well coupled with the Mayor's efforts in Springfield attacking Collective Bargaining Laws for all of Illinois.

We were unable to overcome this negative feeling towards Rockfords leaders and thus our Brothers and Sisters reluctantly could not find it in their hearts to come to Rockford and have it viewed as support for the efforts of our city leaders.

Congratulations to the City of Lombard the Rockford Firefighters look forward to a great convention in 2012 and pledge our support as requested.

Fraternally,

E.J.