How did we get Here?

We received an email from a citizen, who received one of our informational pamphlets at a local festival. She wanted to know more about how we got to this point in the relationship between the city and the firefighters. It was a wonderful email and we appreciate her time to write to us. However, she noticed that our pamphlet did not depict a favorable impression of the city government and felt that we may be concealing some facts as to what has transpired historically in our attempts to help the city save money. Of course we want to add as much information as possible and let the citizens know what is going on and decide for themselves, “Who is right?”.

Below is a timeline of events based on conversations and meetings with the city:

2/26/09. City asks for a one year contract extension with no raises. Union agrees to a one year contract extension, but wants a guarantee on minimum staffing. We do not want layoffs.

3/16/09. Letter from the City stating that minimum staffing is a management right and they will not negotiate on this item. (even for a 12 month period and an agreement to a salary freeze!)

3/23/09. Union asks to negotiate non economic issues. City says no, they want a one year contract extension with no changes.

10/28/09. Mediation meeting yields no agreement. City offers the union a 4 year contract with raises of 0, 0, 0, 0. Union agrees to accept a one year contract extension with a 48 hour workweek being awarded on 1/1/10. Contract negotiations to begin immediately for a new 3 year contract. City rejects union offer.

12/14/09. City and union go to fact finding. Fact Finder recommends a one year contract extension until 3/31/10. City and union agree to go to binding arbitration.

4/29/10. Arbitration hearing.

5/19/10. Arbitrator awards firefighters a 0, 2, 2% raise. All other points awarded in favor of the City.

5/20/10. The day after award is presented, the union goes to the City and offers to take a 1% raise instead of a 2% raise. Union also wants a 48 hour work week. This counter offer would save the city money.The city rejects this counter offer. After these raises, the firefighters are still the third lowest paid firefighters of comparable cities in Cuyahoga County.

6/30/10. The city returns a federal grant worth $458,000.00 that would have allowed the city to hire three new firefighters, all expenses paid, for the next two years and reduce the amount of overtime the city spends. It was enough time and money to assist the city during the current and projected financial crisis. The grant was written, in good will, by members of the firefighters union in an effort to help the city financially.

7/26/10. City lays off 3 firefighters and demotes 2 Lieutenant’s to firefighters, claiming economic reasons. City states that they cannot afford to pay the awarded raises.

7/29/10 A/C Reese states that reductions in force will cost the city approximately $190,000 in overtime during the remainder of this year. A/C Reese also stated that the City will use this self-created overtime expenditure to justify further cuts at a later date.

City Excesses: The city is claiming that they cannot afford to pay firefighters, but the facts show otherwise.

The city spent over $6,200,000 on the failed Lee Rd. parking garage.

The city loses over $750,000 a year in operating the community center. Cain Park lost $170,000 in 2009.

The city has spent over $2,000,000 in purchasing vacant buildings in the City. (Hillside Dairy, Yellow Cab Co., etc.)

The City manager’s total compensation in 2008, was $153,386. Mr. Downey retired at the end of 2009; was hired back the day, and now collects both his pension and a salary of $123,251. Mr. Downey is the highest paid administrator of all the cities we surveyed.