Friday, June 26, 2009

Mayor versus Union

rappers

who comes out ahead?

Rappers opine on who wins in the stand-off between Mayor David Cicilline and the Providence firefighters.  Remember, the firefighters’ protest at the US Conference of Mayors kept federal officials away from the conference.  So does the Mayor’s stand make him look strong?  Or does the impasse elevate the firefighters’ issue?  Here’s what you had to say.

No it does not help him.  It has gone on way too long and any political capital he may have once had with it has long since dried up.  He now appears to be just another in a long line of platitude spouting R.I. politicos who have no managerial or negotiating skills.  While many people are upset with the fire-fighters picket line at the Conference of Mayors: they don’t seem to realize (or maybe do not care) that the union has been working without a contract for a long, long time and are dealing with a “stone wall”.  They are well within their rights to picket.  The Cicilline administration had plenty of time to realize that maybe - just maybe - the new White House would “HONOR” picket lines - unlike the former Administration - who had no honor!  What if Cicilline personally needed the fire Dept.?  Do you think his attitude would change?  Or would the arrogant, self important little man just think that it was his God given right to expect help from the very people who he has failed to negotiate with, in good faith, for so long?  You can bet that they would respond in spite of who it was who needed their help, contract or no contract!  There are many financial problems and the Fire Contract is just another in a long series of issues that should be worked out.  The thing is you have to address issues before you can reach a resolution!  You cannot let matters fester like a boil without the situation getting worse! 
Mike T, Coventry

I support him. When the unions resort to disrupting things that have no relations to their contract (before the Mayor’s Conference, they picketed the presidential candidates), then they make themselves look petty. I’m tired of the sate being held hostage by the unions.
Bill, Portsmouth

Mayor Cicilline is looking like an incompetent fool by letting the situation
with the firemen go on for so long. He should bring in an arbitrator and
have binding arbitration to settle it. If it goes against the city, then make up
any shortage of money by layoffs. End of story. Face the music.
The only thing more stupid than this stalemate, is the circus that goes on
year after year with teachers. In the end the taxpayer pays. As usual.
stuckinRI

I think both parties are in a no win situation. What really matters is the whether or not the taxpayer is going to be hurt in the aftermath.
Lee L,Woonsocket