Superintendent of Schools John Ramos threw a fit when he heard Mayor Bill Finch had negotiated an agreement with a key labor union representing education workers. Ramos says he was cut out of the negotiations. In a news release the mayor shares details of a tentative agreement with a nod toward Ramos. The labor deal calls for no layoffs for two years. Is this about election-year support? You bet.
Meanwhile, Ramos, for now, has reversed himself on closing Dunbar School and in light of the labor agreement forcing hundreds of layoffs to address the school system financial crisis. Many of the workers promised job security for two years were slated for pink slips that would have achieved greater savings. Talk about a leap of faith, the school system will deficit spend until a solution is found to address the financial bleeding. What happens if that fails? If I’m a mayoral candidate I say the Bridgeport education system is broke, kids are getting screwed, officials communicate poorly, blow it up, let the state take it over, give the kids a fighting chance. From the mayor:
City, AFSCME Local 1522 Reach Agreement
‘No layoffs’ language in exchange for major health care cost increases
The City of Bridgeport and the Board of Education have reached a tentative agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1522, similar to State of Connecticut’s recently negotiated labor deals, which calls for no layoffs for the next two years in exchange for employees paying a significantly higher health care premium cost share.
According to the agreement, current employees’ premium cost-sharing will move from 12-percent to 25-percent, similar to all other recently bargained city labor union contracts. Any employees hired after July 1, 2011 will begin paying 25 percent, and their premium will increase 1-percent each year to a cap of 50-percent. Also, any current employee, who is eligible for retiree medical benefits, will have the right to retire and continue paying their current 12-percent health care cost share premium if they retire before July 15, 2011.
These health care concessions are expected to give the City a significant amount of savings in the current contract year, and it’s expected that savings will continue to grow over the life of the contract.
The union represents 784 workers, 661 of which are employed by the Board of Education as classroom, math and library aides, special education van drivers and clerical workers, and 123 Health Department and Department of Public Works sanitation, road and recycling workers. Their membership is also one of the lowest paid averaging about $30,000 per year.
“I want to personally thank AFSCME union members for considering this agreement,” said Mayor Finch. These public servants make an average of $30,000 per year and have made concessions for the past few years–taking zero percent pay increases and furloughs. In considering this agreement, they are joining the other City unions which, through negotiation, are now shouldering a larger share of their health care cost premiums to help save jobs and save the taxpayers significant amounts of money.”
Mayor Finch told Superintendent Ramos today that he would transfer the cost savings from the City’s AFSCME workers to the Board of Education’s budget to assist them with their budget difficulties. Mayor Finch also offered the Superintendent continued assistance, including the support of his top labor advisors and budget experts, to help the BoE address its very serious budget issues.
In early 2009, AFSCME had approved contract concessions totaling $1.15 million in savings. The agreement called for union members to take two years of zero-percent pay increases and five days off without pay by the end of the 2008-09 school year. The union also agreed then to a wage and health benefits contract reopener in exchange for no layoffs through June 30, 2010.
The City and the union had been locked in binding arbitration negotiations and off-the-record talks for the past several months, and while the Board of Education had been aware of the ongoing negotiations, they had not been updated on the late-breaking agreement reached with the union late yesterday.
Adam Wood, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff stated, “I take the responsibility for the miscommunication between labor negotiators and the Superintendent and have apologized for my oversight to the Superintendent.”
Wood acts like they were left out of the final meeting. Months were spent negotiating this filthy deal, & Finch’s response is to let the fagalonian be the bad guy. Does anybody dispute the need for complete change?
How can there be savings in the current contract year? The year ends in 3 weeks. Spin it anyway you want mayor, and I use that term loosely, you played dirty and we all know it. You played favorites with a union who pledged their continued support and you stuck it to the superintendent at the same time. It was a win-win for you today. You are not a leader. You are a scumbag.
Finch spent the day playing golf with some contractors. Not a care in the world. Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Afscme made a deal with the devil today. No mayor in his right mind would guarantee a union no layoffs for 2 years. How do you make that promise in this economic climate? It is totally irresponsible. Finch will do and say anything to get re-elected. This is a desperate man. A very desperate man.
chs:
Did not Malloy make the same promises to the State workers? Anybody hear how that vote is going?
Where are Ramos’ balls? Finch used him as a puppet and set the next mayor up for a no-KY ripping. And lord help us if Finch gets four more years, what unionized workers and taxpayers will get shoved down our throats. We will all be on the streets.
2011,
To your first question, in Bill Finch’s mouth. Does anyone actually think NAGE or other City unions will sit back & accept this devil’s compact? This will evolve into more litigation that will cost the taxpayers probably hundreds of thousands of dollars. Start fresh, get rid of all of them.
I’m calling my union today to DEMAND we get the same deal as Afscme. My union gave back much more in concessions and we did it awhile ago. No job guarantee for us. This is bullshit.
Kohut announces Bridgeport mayoral run.
God bless Jeff Kohut.
BRIDGEPORT — Dunbar School will not close. More than 400 school employees will not lose their jobs. Students in city schools won’t lose their guidance counselors, gifted program or social workers. For now.
God bless you John Ramos.
Adam Wood, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff stated, “I take the responsibility for the miscommunication between labor negotiators and the Superintendent and have apologized for my oversight to the Superintendent.”
God damn you Bill Finch.
He calls it an “oversight.” I call it typical Adam Wood behavior. An equal mix of arrogance and stupidity. Finch claims the Afscme deal was the result of months of negotiations. Adam makes it sound like he forgot to tell Ramos about one meeting. Who’s lying here? Both of them.
Ditto, Grin. God Bless Ramos our BOE and our innocent kids. Maybe by some miracle this gets worked out over the summer.
Maybe by some miracle we don’t have to deal with the lying Finch and Wood after November.
This cannot be put any simpler, my union made a deal with the devil to buy votes for Sept primary. Period.
Anna sold us down the river. Then in October when Ramos has to close a $23,000,000 deficit by destroying EVERY UNION in the BOE, Finch smiles and says, not my fault. Ramos needs to have in print what he has told people in private, Finch is busting the unions.
Finch is busting all but ONE union.
UNION–Throw the bitch under the bus. Why do members continue to elect these fucks who don’t work to protect your interests? You seem committed, run for your people.
Some of the state unions are not agreeing to Malloy’s concession package. If this falls through, Malloy is predicting layoffs of state workers and cuts to the municipalities. How does that trickle down to Bridgeport? What if we get cut a few million–where does Finch make the reductions? He just guaranteed the jobs of over 700 Afscme workers. Do you think the other unions would even CONSIDER making further concessions going forward? Do you think they’ll believe a word of this asshole mayor? A resounding NO. Every union will be in arbitration requesting the same deal as Afscme. Finch’s “top labor advisers” can’t find their way out of a paper bag. Guess that means more money for outside counsel. Will it ever end?
city hall smoker // Jun 17, 2011 at 8:33 am
To your posting
chs,
This must end. Besides the cruel and unfair treatment that has been demonstrated repeatedly by the henchmen of the Finch administration, including the worst treatment delivered by the mayor himself, now children in Bridgeport’s miserable public school system, are also enduring the cruelty of this man.
Make no mistake about this man. He bears full responsibility for the desperate situation the city faces. I cannot measure the depth of his evil, it is so bad at this time. If there was ever any hope for change, it must happen this year while we still have the means of replacing by our September 13th vote.
We are all too familiar with this administration … Enough so those of us with the energy and drive must find an end.
Posting on OIB shows how many are aware. We must act together.
I read Gomes outcry in the post yesterday. Does Foster even care what happens to the little people and the kids?
In Mr. Gomes’ call for a Charter change he stated if the taxpayers say to cut school spending, he will do so.
So what side of his mouth is Gomes speaking out of with this outcry? Obviously not the same one that says if the taxpayers say cut spending then cut spending regardless of it implications.
I guess Winning believes in winning at any cost.
With what I pay in taxes there’s nothing wrong with we the people voting where the money goes. Gomes wants to give us a voice. Grin wants to suck up to Finch and Co.
Do you want a mayor or just a pollster and a Superior Court Judge? The polls will tell you what to do and the judge will let you know if it is legal or not to do! Gomes doesn’t want to lead he wants to play follow the leader.
I am not a medical professional, but then neither are most of you readers here at OIB. So a healthy discussion of the physical state of our Bridgeport body politic might look like this:
* The City (patient in this case) suffers from failure to maintain itself by regular and active citizenry EXERCISE of rights and responsibilities (dialogue and voting). This creates a weakened overall condition for the body.
* The City continues to consume revenues far in excess of those necessary to FEED necessary services effectively today. Those empty calories bloat the body and keep it overweight.
* Some of the revenues consumed by unchecked appetite are not currently supported but are borrowed from future revenue streams that will further the WEAKENING of the FUTURE body. (Unfortunately the patient tries to maintain a hopeful attitude about the future that is less and less realistic as time goes on. A PSYCHOLOGICAL consultation and workup is probably indicated for patient and family members!)
* Patient RECORDS about intake and excretion are closely guarded SECRETS by the treatment team. Many of the caretakers (Council members) are told only minimum info with the explanation that everything is OK. Trust us. The family has to resort to FOI to await out-of-date actual source material due to “character liability” issues overseen by the City Attorney as a part of the info flow process.
*The “team of doctors” retained at the time of the most recent election cares about their prestige, their privileges, their power and their payments primarily. Care about the City as patient with DIAGNOSTIC METRICS as evidence are seldom discussed with specific positive elements unchallenged that would indicate progress.
The body politic sickens, medieval bloodletting is tried with economic practices, and PRAYERFUL PETITIONS are presented to Hartford by BOE and City elect while fever and emotion prevent healing civic discussion.
* The hysteria of an emergency room tracks life events for the patient regularly as FAILURE to FOLLOW PROFESSIONAL advice is sidestepped by the patient’s control center. (Unfortunately many of these behaviors cause the body to suffer regular CONSTIPATION though much straining and grunting is observed at times. Public exclamations of NO S – – T are regularly heard.)
*No easy or instant prescription or surgery is indicated where you just take the pill and you are healed in the morning, dear Bridgeport. (With current antibiotics, primary care physicians tell us to take all pills for ten days.) The City will require a REGIMEN of surgery and RX FOR TEN YEARS under the guidance and direction of a DIFFERENT HEALING TEAM.
*Is the City sick enough to understand the TERMINAL NATURE of its DISEASE? Will those parts of the body who have a right and duty to respond to outside stimuli be conscious of a different citywide solution than the drugged addiction to its current unhealthy state?
The next several months will let us see whether the body politic is aware enough to save itself. Consent of the patient is required in this case to avoid a funeral in a too-near future.
The Principle of Contagion
Here’s the total bullshit folks, some people on this webzine want you to believe they have exhausted all avenues as far as Pension Plan A is concerned, when in fact no one has mentioned the City is in violation of its own Charter.
Under – Police Department – Chapter (13) Section 3 paragraph (6)
Such other duties as may be assigned to it by law, this charter, the ordinances of the City of Bridgeport, collective bargaining agreements and court orders.
Under – Fire Department – Chapter (13) Section 3 paragraph (6)
Such other duties as may be assigned to it by law, this charter, the ordinances of the City of Bridgeport, collective bargaining agreements and court orders.
Also: under Pensions – Chapter 21 section 2
The Boards of Police and Fire Commissioners shall continue to be the trustees of the pension funds of their respective departments.
And both the Fire & Police Commissioners are the sole Trustees of Pensions/Contracts past and present. The fight for Pensions & Contracts past and present should be handled by the Police & Fire Commissioners or the Courts. Not by a handful of future Mayors, promising a quick fix.
Under Chapter 14
BEACON2–You seem compelled to speak in analogies, but you cannot spell analogies without ANAL.
BEACON2:
You forgot one essential in your medical analogy. The patient is dependent on external life support. Doctor Malloy may not be able to keep the patient on life support if the Unions go on strike!!!
charlie,
Thanks for the accurate observation. I am sure with a little more time and thought several more ideas will bubble up about our sick City:
* The City budget that had about 25 employee positions, currently vacant and probably never to be funded until, as Tom Sherwood stated, “things turn around and get better” is a candidate for surgery. Who will provide a knife to be used with skill and sew up a 1 percent reduction in permissible funding?
* The medical chart, so familiar to movie goers of a certain era, attached to the foot of a hospital bed, contained the records on the patient’s condition, readings helpful to the attending, to know what is happening, other than using a professional eye, ear, palpating hand, and sense of smell. (Our Bridgeport patient really has no set of such financial readings available to those who pay for the “healthcare” of the sick patient except for an annual audit, some 8 months after the end of a fiscal year … and the Council caretakers spend no time reviewing it … in public (and probably very few if any in private).
How does one promote health? Leeches … sweat tent … cold showers … ???
I’m sure glad I have a Living Will! The city of Bridgeport lacks an Advanced Directive.
*** Nothing more than a political shell game, find the money now & worry about the outcome later. The blind leading the blind, no? *** CHANGE ***
Best Little Whorehouse in Bridgeport
Governor … Bill Finch … (Charles Durning)
Reporter … Lennie Grimaldi … (Dom Deluise)
Miss Mona … Sal DiNardo
www .youtube.com/watch?v=NJG75FJkjr8
Jimfox–Thanks for the memories. That was a great flick that applies to this administration perfectly. The mayor speaks and you only hear bullshit. This has become the new national anthem.
Thanks Ronin, how true.
“The Jews and the A-rabs should settle their differences in a Christian manner!”
Mayor Finch–Dance a little sidestep
(Lyrics for The Best Little Whorehouse in Bridgeport)
Fellow Bridgeporters, I am proudly standing here to humbly see.
I assure you, and I mean it–Now, who says I don’t speak out as plain as day?
And, fellow Bridgeporters, I’m for progress and the flag–long may it fly.
I’m a poor boy, come to greatness. So, it follows that I cannot tell a lie.
Ooh I love to dance a little sidestep, now they see me now they don’t.
I’ve come and gone and, ooh I love to sweep around the wide step,
Cut a little swathe and lead the people on.
Now my good friends, it behooves me to be solemn and declare,
I’m for goodness and for profit and for living clean and saying daily prayer.
And now, my good friends, you can sleep nights, I’ll continue to stand tall.
You can trust me, for I promise, I shall keep a watchful eye upon y’all …
Ooh I love to dance a little sidestep, now they see me now they don’t.
I’ve come and gone and, ooh I love to sweep around the wide step,
Cut a little swathe and lead the people on.
Now, Mr DiNardo, I don’t know him, though I’ve heard the name, oh yes.
But, of course I’ve no close contact, so what he is doing I can only guess.
And now, Mr. DiNardo, he’s a blemish on the face of that good town.
I am taking certain steps here, someone somewhere’s gonna have to close him down.
Ooh I love to dance a little sidestep, now they see me now they don’t.
I’ve come and gone and, ooh I love to sweep around the wide step,
Cut a little swathe and lead the people on.
Ooh I love to dance a little sidestep …
And, ooh I love to sweep around the wide step …
Cut a little swathe and lead the people on.
Jimbo, that was another classic. I loved the analogy to DiNardo. Look the other way and there’s no problem. Charles Durning was brilliant in that performance. The moves with the hat still slay me. Also try dancing in cowboy boots.
Thanks again Ronin, Sal is the big whore in Bridgeport.
Hey Jim, is this the youtube video you were looking for?
www .youtube.com/watch?v=d4aiwWV_F7Y
Watch this video. Guess who isn’t grabbing a shovel to put on the ground:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=yvCBLnlWWUM
Hey Joel, Finch is always shoveling.
What a fucking hypocrite.
Jimfox,
I have watched this a dozen times. I don’t know how you come up with these but your brilliance shines on. Insightful & deadly accurate, keep up the good work. Political bullshit must be punished, not rewarded. The DiNardo reference was great.
Thanks Anti, I have a lot of help.
Jim,
Thanks for the youtube cut and observation. The video also indicates the level of economic or financial savvy provided and acceptable in this City: Thanks to the union because they are going to put in “a lot of money” and of course the City will be putting in “a lot of money from our capital budget” (and that means we will be financing whatever the Police memorial share His Honor has committed to for 30 years?). And that is going to be a lot of money too!!! Perhaps a suitable legacy and memorial for the deceased who were important to Bridgeport in the past would be to make sure the young are equipped for adulthood when they get there.
Right on, B2!
Jimfox,
It’s 1:20 in the morning & I’m still watching this video. This was a great piece, thanks for sharing.
Look what happened here. Finch wanted to extort AFSCME into signing their contract. Just like he and Malloy did with all the unions. Since he needed BOE to do this, Puppet Master throws a line to Ramos. Ramos’ mouth moves and Finch says ‘Blah blah doom and gloom. Blah blah end of the world as we know it.’ This throws a cold chill into everyone. A bunch of parents drive their NY-plated BMWs to Dunbar to rant (most of them seeing the inside of their kids’ school for the first time), 50-60 teachers retire and AFSCME is snookered into signing a crappy contract. AFSCME was just trying to save their own butts and stick the layoffs on everyone else. What AFSCME did was end up getting the short end of the stick. Double the health insurance premium co-pay, 5 furlough days (-2% pay raise) and 0% raise. The final insult is an increase in union dues. The only union that called Finch’s bluff so far has been NAGE.
The next day Ramos says everything is OK and we are going to spend $8.8 million to renovate an empty school. Even though there is a brand-new school 2-3 blocks away that is not full. No layoffs, no closings, no problem. Since 700 people took a 2% decrease in pay, Ramos should be able to get his 5% raise.
To add to BOE SPY,
Besides my union selling its soul, every union member will furlough again while there will still be major layoffs. Ramos got played, and we will pay. I have heard the unions are starting to call John Gomes to talk about endorsing him including the teachers. I hope that’s true.
Jimfox–I can’t stop watching the video. Smiling into the camera and walking away from the question is pure Finch. People need to view this and realize this is the hypocrite they have elected. Congratulations, you have totally fucked up Finch’s weekend.
LOL.
BOE SPY, you are correct but let’s look a little deeper. As we all know Finch could be in for a tough election so he makes a back-room deal with AFSCME to keep the peace and AFSCME gets screwed over with what they sign. Finch needs Dunbar school to stay open because he needs the black vote in the East End because they are not happy with Finch but Finch needs those votes if he has any chance to win.
Ron Mackey–the black community is selling out to Finch every chance they get. Stallworth sold you out to support Finch in this coming primary. The black churches have very major clout with voters. Don’t be led like sheep, slavery is over. Tell your leaders what you want, not what they want.
UNION, you know damn well you are not a member of AFSCME otherwise you would know there are NO furloughs AT ALL. The PCS is going up, NOT the co-pays. There is a difference. That tells me you are NOT an AFSCME member.
The majority of other unions in the city make decisions for their membership by a vote only by their Executive Board. AFSCME union leaders brought the TENTATIVE AGREEMENT to ALL the members and explained it to us point by point. The decision was then up to us, the members, to vote to accept it or reject it. If you were an AFSCME member you would know this.
Our Union did what they had to do to protect each and every one of its members. As for the PCS increase, months ago, just about every one of the other unions in the city had already agreed to the increase. As this happened it made it harder for AFSCME and any other union. By the way, NAGE is also going to agree to the 25% PCS. If you were an AFSCME member you would know this.
Everyone should read the last two words on Ramos’ statement in the paper yesterday regarding no layoffs, no closing of Dunbar School, etc. The last two words are … For now. Dr. Ramos also sent an email late yesterday saying things are going to be worse in October. So I am more comfortable with no layoff protection for all members especially if cuts come in October instead of now. If you were an AFSCME member you would know this.
As for calling any candidate running for public office, anyone can call and support whomever they want politically, that is their choice and freedom. Any Union can call and support whatever candidate they want too; but no one knows how the vote will go, except for the voter when he/she actually votes. And that is something our AFSCME leaders have always expressed to us as well. If you were an AFSCME member you would know that too.
AFSCME leadership has always had an open door policy with anyone if there is an issue, to call and set up a time to meet to discuss anything with them. If you have an issue, you could come in and talk and speak your mind. If you were an AFSCME member you would know this.
Say what you want, I know for a fact you are NOT a member of AFSCME. So, Really, stop lying.
However, since you portray yourself to be an AFSCME member, you must be interested. I will try to put in a good word for you. Even though you are a liar.
By the way, we don’t secure political votes for anyone.
BOE SPY, there was no increase in union dues. And was anyone else concerned about the layoffs of kindergarten paras, special ed van drivers, clericals, math aides, library paras? I don’t think so. So it was okay to keep administrators being paid $150K+ and consultants paid at $750 per day at the expense of AFSCME members who provide direct services to the neediest children?
AFSCME, through its actions, prevented all layoffs and the closure of Dunbar School. So are you saying it would have been okay to lay off AFSCME members? BOE SPY or should I say JF? Boy, Dr. Ramos had you running around a lot between all the Unions getting information from the unions and back to him. That’s why your department wasn’t going to lose a dime or a person. Must be nice. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Don’t you earn $140K? What did you give up? Really?
Can someone explain the BOE math?
We are building a new high school for 1,000 B’port students (up to 1,500 if the ‘burbs don’t fill their quota). We are building a new Harding High School for its 800 students. We have major renovations and expansion at Central and are undertaking a $1.5 million roof replacement at Bassick. And as tc likes to point out, an outrageous dropout rate. Where are all these students coming from? It seems the only job training that takes place in B’port schools is for construction jobs for out-of-towners!
To “UNION,”
BTW, putting in a good word for you even though you are a liar, means you have to start being truthful.
To “BOE SPY,”
Why wouldn’t you make the comment about Dunbar parents in front of their faces at the meetings while you were there too? Oh, wouldn’t want to show your true self to the parents now would you?
By the way, no one was concerned about sticking layoffs on AFSCME, just like years before.
TO “Ronin,”
Don’t call our president a “bitch” and direct others to throw her under the bus while hiding under the guise of the blog. Only cowards do that. Come to the union office and speak to her directly. You know where the office is. The Union leadership has an open door policy.
Further, it is evident other unions want the same type of agreement as they have contacted AFSCME and the city to see if/how they can do the same. Should the same happen to them?
FYI “UNION” is not an AFSCME member and BOE SPY is a BOE administrator that was going around to all BOE unions and getting info to take back to Ramos in exchange for his/her department not losing funding or staff at the expense of services to children and support staff. So who is selling who down the river? Really.
Really, I AM an AFSCME member. The co-pays are not going up but the PCS is going up to 25% which will be at least $111 per WEEK for members with family coverage. Anna and Richie have been up Finch’s ass from day #1. Why do you think we’re the only union with TWO full-time union reps PAID BY THE CITY. Yes that’s right, we know all about it. Anna promised to support Finch just like she did last time. Funny how that didn’t come up for a vote of the membership. Public Works needs to run a slate against Anna and Richie. She has sold us out for the last time.
And Anna, I mean Really, why are you getting so upset? The truth hurts?
To “Really,”
You’re awfully defensive. Look up the word “BITCH” in the urban dictionary. I am not hiding from anything or anybody on this blog–I’m not a member of your union or I would run against “St. Anna.” All the unions should be United instead of backstabbing each other. Your union may have an open-door policy but you have a bedroom in the Mayors office (/)
Anna–You have been getting bitch-slapped for over 24 hours with no response. That is the mark of a true coward. You might want to look that up on Urban Dictionary as well.
REALLY–You should not assume who anyone is. When you ass-u-me you make an ASS out of U and (well, mostly U). AFSCME members should have dumped AFSCME when they had the chance years ago and went with that other union. I feel bad for the AFSCME members. AFSCME let the membership get hoodwinked by Finch and the BOE. I sincerely hope once things get better AFSCME members will be able to work their way back up to minimum wage.
Is Anna, I mean Really, really taking credit for preventing all layoffs and the closing of Dunbar School? Really? The way I see it, Anna’s selfish actions saved her own members in return for full support of Finch. The BOE will have an even bigger deficit and they will be forced to lay off even more teachers. What good are all those aides if there are no teachers? Anna thumbed her nose at all the other unions and the students and did what was best for Anna. She may talk the talk but she definitely doesn’t walk the walk.
How do the taxpayers feel about paying TWO FULL-TIME UNION SALARIES? When is Rich going back to work?
Hey Anna, I mean Really, how does it feel to be the union responsible for bringing down the entire BOE? I hope you are proud of yourself. You know NOTHING about union solidarity. You are a phony and a sellout.
Lennie, this is off subject. To all the fathers “here’s hoping you can relax and enjoy this father’s day.” My parents moved to Florida and we miss both of them. It’s especially hard on those “special” days. If yours live close enough to visit, do that.
Really Anna, your disgusting kiss-up to Finch is known far and wide. You don’t think our union wont have furloughs with the extra 4 mill you added to the deficit?
All unions will have furloughs.
And another fact is remember how you invited Gomes to our Xmas party at Testo’s and rescinded the invitation after Finch pressured you, I hope he does.
A tapeworm came out of John Fabrizi’s ass and went up Bill Finch’s, and people keep re-electing her.
Really Anna,
If ignorance is bliss, you must be a very happy person. Those who don’t remember history are condemned to repeat it. You remind me of Neville Chamberlain who sought peace in our time. You are dealing with a dictator who will try to negotiate peace & then go to war to gain his true objectives. Your ignorance is blinding. Finch will roll over you like Hitler went through Poland. You betrayed your members & the other unions. You should be in communication with your fellow Union’s affiliates, not doing backdoor deals. Fairness must prevail. If you were truly “UNION,” resign tomorrow.
AFSCME is such a joke of a union that they endorse Tom McCarthy any and every time he runs for any office.
Think about it. A union endorsing the head of the Labor Relations Department. Maybe Anna is pulling the strings but the union members are letting her get away with it.
AFSCME and Ffld County Trades are in bed with the devil, all other unions are looking to support Gomes.
Yeah.
Dream on.
Maybe by 2021.
FFLD County trades supports Finch because of Charlie Carroll’s brother. Most other unions are supporting Gomes or Mary-Jane. When the two unite, their collective union support will be substantial. Finch may have bought AFSCME votes with the latest deal but he alienated every other city union. When other unions (who gave much more in concessions than AFSCME) asked for a no-layoff agreement, they were told that was impossible because the City could not make a commitment into another fiscal year, yet AFSCME got a no-layoff deal which includes two fiscal years. I don’t see how Anna can deny she sold her soul to Finch. There is no other way to describe it.
As far as Really’s posts, methinks thou dost protest too much.
The no-layoff clause AFSCME sold out for is bullshit. Finch will do two things to negate the no-layoff clause. 1. He will not fill spots opened up by retirements or people just leaving. 2. There will be a bunch of discipline firings that will reduce the number of employees. This will not reach the layoff numbers that have been projected but it will put a dent in it.
AFSCME has become the political wing for Bill Finch and Company. They are like a rabid dog. Finch sics them on an opposition candidate and they go after that candidate hammer and tong.
Ann Barney and I felt their sting when we primaried Curwen & Paoletto. We had Tom McCarthy and Mark Anastasi at the polls all day but the biggest group was from AFSCME, they spent the entire day at the polls pushing for Curwen & Paoletto. They knew nothing about Ann or I. They knew nothing of my union afiliations they just took their marching orders from Finch and worked the polls. Were they the reason we lost? Not really, but they did not help.
At a time when Finch and company are gutting the unions and screwing them left and right I don’t understand why they have not formed a coalition to fight back.
tc,
It’s a one-word answer, WHORES.
Union coalitions only work when ALL the unions respect each other and look out for the employees as a whole. That is not the case in Bpt. Finch divides and conquers.
tc, Finch broke other union contracts during his term as mayor. He is not above breaking others. After the election, of course.
Does it Really surprise how Anna is lashing out on here? This is a Finch/Wood tactic. They all think their employees are stupid and gullible because they aren’t highly paid. The intimidation factor is a Finch administration tactic too. Lord help you if you work for them and support another for mayor your job is threatened. No way Anna remains our president, but then no way Finch remains mayor. Page 2 of the Post today says it all, finally a Post reporter states the truth.
Let me see if I got this straight, Finch is offering his “top budget advisors” to help the BOE address their crisis–you have got to be kidding me … what do they know? These are the people who drove the city into the ground and created the smoke and mirrors budget in the first place. How about bringing some outside experts in to deal with both the city and BOE budget crisis? You can’t make this stuff up.
*** Unions are only as strong or weak as their active dues-paying members. Just paying union dues & not being proactive members gets you nothing but more things to complain about, no? *** CHANGE TAKES ACTION, NOT WORDS ***
*** Enough of the “possible projected cuts,” seeing is believing no? *** BED’S BEEN MADE A LONG TIME AGO, TIME TO LIE IN IT! ***