Privatization Of The Fire Service, Airport Style...
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Written By:

Matt Bruce
Managing Editor & Publisher
News Sarasota

A Newsbull Contributing Columnist

SRQ Union Firefighters Out Oct. 1st, Unfair Labor Practice?

SARASOTA, FL., September 22, 2006 (NS)–

I have spent about 5 hours at both an IAFF 2546 Protest and Picket Line as well as speaking at the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Board Meeting on behalf of the curent Airport Firefighters losing their jobs during the recent Board meeting…

What I experienced was indeed something I was honored to be a part of. First I saw at least ‘200’ Brother and Sister Suncoast Firefighters and Paramedics, along with their family members, holding up signs wearing red IAFF 2546 Protest teeshirts…

Firefighters from as far away as Miami, West Palm Beach, Port Charlotte, Ft Myers, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater joined with their Brothers and Sisters protesting the Privatization action of the Airport Fire Service now being taken by the SRQ International Airport...

Bob Carver, President of the Florida Professional Firefighters Association was also present to make comments at the Airport Authority meeting. He called on the Governor to have the State Fire Marshal investigate the new company, Rural-Metro, and see to it all Florida qualification laws and State Certifications are being met...

When I had the opportunity to speak before the Airport Board Authority, rendering my opinion on the Privatization of the SRQ Intl Airport issue, it appeared obvious to me that the Board members I was talking to weren't listening…

I compared the SRQ Airport Firefighters to the same exact quality of Firefighters who climbed the stairs at the World Trade Center's I & II on September 11th, 2001...

This is what SRQ Airport is losing and what are they gaining?

I also pointed out that over 300 years of Firefighting experience was being lost in this process. That experience will and can never be replaced…

The counter point made by Mr. Fred Piccolo, SRQ Airport Mgr, was they were getting 125 years of structural firefighting experience and over 175 years of aircraft firefighting experience…

I also pointed out that the new company, Rural-Metro, had placed a 10 year firefighter as their Training Officer. With myself being a former Fire Safety and Training Officer, I pointed out it was my Fire Department's standard operating procedure to require a minimum of '15' years experience, have the rank of Captain, and then I had to take the 120 hour month long Fire Safety and Training course at the State's Fire Academy. None of which is being required of this Rural-Metro "Training Officer"...

I have since found out the new 'Fire Chief' will have less experience than most of the Fire Line Officers in Sarasota County currently do...

Now please ask yourself, what is wrong with all of this? When you pay less, you get less...

This is indeed true with what is now happening at SRQ International Airport. Part of the problem is with an Airport Fire Department only answering some 250 alarms a year, the SRQ Airport has taken on a "Volunteer Fire Dept. attitude"...

I believe they're thinking they can just 'get by' with what they're bring in to the Airport Fire Dept. But, here's the problem, those commercial airline jets packed with people are entitled to the BEST Fire Rescue protection they can get, and that's NOT going to happen with Rural-Metro handling the SRQ Airport duties...

Recently there have been reports about Rural-Metro actually 'cutting back' on some of their services in order to keep the 'bottom line'. To see what I'm referring to, go to Firehouse.com and go into the Florida Forum under Firefighting issues...

In light of the Terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, if you’re a Terrorist sitting over in Afghanistan, Iran or Pakistan just watching and waiting, doesn’t the SRQ International Airport now seem much more like a ‘target’ after October the 1st, 2006?

Don't forget we had several of the 9/11/2001 Terrorist's living amongst us learning how to fly at the Venice Airport...

Charges and counter charges have been hurled at both sides and nothing seems to have been gained by either side…

It’s obvious from where I sit that Mr. Fred Piccolo is only thinking about the 'bottom line' and that $300,000 + he's going to save the first year. But at what price do you strip the safety of others?

Is this issue dead yet? I think not. Certainly there appears to be some sort of case for 'Unfair Labor Practice' against the SRQ Airport. If so, who knows where the 'ball will drop'…

The issue concerning Safety, Security and Training is never over. It is an ongoing event that is addressed each and every day a Firefighter goes to work and is on duty...

In speaking with the IAFF 2546 President Mike Stephenson and Business Agent Merve Kennell, it appears they are continuing to gather more facts and figures to be used in their battle with the SRQ Airport…

There was one Political Candidate present, David Shapiro (D) running for FL State Rep. in the 70th District. He saw things in a slightly different light from what being presented and he came out in support of the IAFF 2546 Firefighters…

Previously 13th Congressional candidate Vern Buchanan has come out in support of the SRQ Firefighters. Also, Laura Benson the 69th District FL State Representaive candidate has said the same exact thing in her support of the SRQ Airport Firefighters...

There were several public speakers who were all given 5 minutes, but perhaps the best moment came when Jean McElmurray took the podium after serving many years at the Airport Authority as a Commissioner. She was very strongly in support of keeping the same IAFF 2546 SRQ Airport Firefighters on the job. She even offerred the SRQ Airport Authority what seemed to be a fair way to liquidate some of their rental property, including a $500,000 home not being lived in by the SRQ Airport Mgr. and then use the funds to keep the current Firefighting staff…

So now the time has come for those who seek new legislation to once again make the Airport Authority Commission an elected position, to start gearing up for the process…

There will be 3 Airport Commissioners up for reappointment this year in November by FL Gov. Jeb Bush. The IAFF 2546 has asked all residents to call Gov. Bush’s office and ask them not to reappoint these individuals and in fact to start over with new people…

Residents and Taxpayers alike have to get involved to make something happen. This is all part of our political process and the first step is to NOT have the same 3 Airport Board Members get reappointed...

Call the Governor, Call Your State Representative and State Senator and tell them NOT to reappointment these people...

It’s apparent that there is a problem at the SRQ International Airport which also includes various Businesses paying all the taxes for the buildings they occupy, while the SRQ Airport enjoys many non paying tax priviledges…

It also appears from what has been heard that these people had made their mind up even before the meeting of August the 15th when the 4-1 vote was taken to accept the Rural-Metro private Firefighting Company bid...

It is also obvious that the SRQ Airport Authority did not have all the facts about Rural-Metro. They were not paying attention to the fines and citations previously issued in various States against the private Firefighting company, nor the lawsuit brought against them in 2005 for $1.56 million in incorrent overcharges and billing. They also weren't checking to find out why Rural-Metro was no longer in some of the places they had been and why they were forced to leave...

Is any of this good business policy? Or is this just another example of bureaucracy doing what they do because they really don't know what it is they're doing??? YOU be the judge...

You've also really got to wonder what the real reason is for this move. Could it be Union busting? You bet it could!!!

There will be '4' IAFF 2546 Airport Firefighters remaining on the job with the new private company, but at a reduced pay rate of some 25%, a lower pension plan and less benefits. It's just a matter of time before the turnover shuffle starts once the Airport Firefighters hired by the private company realize they are worth a lot more in the Public sector...

One thing does appear certain right now and that is the IAFF 2546 Airport Firefighters are out of a job at Sarasota-Manatee International Airport as of October 1st, 2006...

Now the time is way past due for the people to stand up and be heard in this issue. To find out how and what you can do to help call 941-485-5193 or go to: http://www.iaff2546.com

For Now, That’s Just The Way It Is, But It Didn't Have To Turn Out This Way…

Matt Bruce

Managing Editor

News Sarasota.com

Host Of "The Captain's AMERICA" Radio Show

http://thecaptainsamerica.talkspot.com

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"SRQ Airport FF Privatization, Union Gone October 1st"... - in the Florida forum of Firehouse.com Forums - Firefighting Discussion...

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