[0702a] Letter to the Union

If you are not going to the meeting and want to email the union, here is
a letter you can cut and paste if you'd like.

Demers


I am a C shifter and, unfortunately, I am unable to get coverage
tomorrow to attend the meeting, however, I wanted to express my feelings
and thoughts to the E-board to further the voice that will be heard
tomorrow from academies 06-01, 06-02, 07-01, 07-02, 07-03 and 08-01.
It's time for us as a union to do the right thing. During the last
negotiations we refused to accept the city's offer of concessions and
not only did the city lay-off 49 firefighters and close apparatus, but
our public image was destroyed (as we learned in our V/W votes). Perhaps
the city has money, or is being untruthful about 'bottom-line'
concessions, or will cut us no matter how much we give up, but at least
we did the right thing by doing what practically every other
organization in the city, state, country and private sector has done,
voluntarily or not: We made the effort to reduce financial burden,
continue the service we pride ourselves on to the citizens of SJ, and
save the jobs of our brothers and sisters. I understand that people
within the membership are already struggling financially and that a
pay-cut will impact them significantly, but at least a paycheck will
still arrive every other friday and avenues will still exist to make
due. If we do not do the right thing and take concessions, 1 or more
than 100 people, as well as their wives, husbands and children could be
left with nothing. We should not lose sight of the fact that we still
have the best job in the world, that we still have 2/3 of the year off,
that our retirement system, even at 75%, is among the best in the world,
and that day in and day out, we are among the very few that wake up
every morning and look forward to going to work. I am asking that the
members and the E-Board open their eyes to what is going on around them
all the way out to a global level and finally chose to take the ethical
path of doing our part and doing right. Thank you.

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