Multi-Alarm "Political Fire" Ignited by Mayor and Firefighters Union

"Is this Firefighters Union mailer offensive ??"

Antonio Villaraigosa vs. a McOsker redux ??

This time it is Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vs. Pat McOsker, President of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, as both are the respective front persons in a contentious contract battle.

Both men are engage in a duel reminisces of some of the Villaraigosa vs. McOskers battles (Pat brother Tim was Mayor Hahn's Chief of Staff), during the 2005 Mayoral Campaign. This time the antagonists are fanning the flames of a "contract conflagration" that threatens a new workplace agreement for the city's firefighters.

McOsker enlisted an sharp, angry retort today from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa over the above mailer which was sent to selected households. As the Los Angeles Times reports this evening, "Those kinds of tactics are absolutely unacceptable. They do a disservice to the people . . . who died in Metrolink," Villaraigosa said. "They do a disservice to the brave men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department who risked their lives."

McOsker gave this detailed response to the Mayor's comments.

"Our fliers are entirely accurate," he said.

McOsker said Villaraigosa did not raise any objections when Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills used a similar image from the crash to lobby for the approval of a new patient wing (** BTW, guess who was the attorney for Providence Hospital ?? Tim McOsker.). Villaraigosa countered that, unlike the hospital piece, the union mailer used a picture with "body parts strewn on the ground.

"That comment apparently was a reference to a red-stained sheet in the photograph that, according to the mayor's office, covered the body of a Metrolink engineer who died. The mayor's office magnified that image by about 400% and handed out copies to the media Friday.

Hours later, Councilwoman Janice Hahn said she did not know that a tiny white rectangle in the photograph was a body until Villaraigosa brought it up. Hahn, who has criticized the Fire Department cuts, said she saw nothing outrageous in the mailer. "What's outrageous is that we as a city cannot . . . keep the level of services from our Fire Department that the public expects," she said.

If these contract negotiations are any indication, then one can make the observation that political skirmishes such as this, will be common place in Mayor Villaraigosa's second term. And some past antagonists may resume their political dueling.

Your thoughts..................

Firefighters Endorse Paul Krekorian

CD2 candidate Paul Krekorian announced Thursday he's received the endorsement of The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, which represent LAFD firefighters. "Paul Krekorian has consistently proven himself an honest and hard working public servant with a clear and proven track record of devotion to public safety." said Pat McOsker, President of UFLAC Local 112.

It has been reported the Krekorian's opponent Chris Essel has received the endorsement of former CD2 Councilmember Wendy Greuel.  However the union endorsements bring money, resources and staff; politician endorsements usually just bring heartache.

Dramatic photo of "Heroes" lives on the Line

One finds it hard to concentrate on the follies of our assorted politicos. Many places that have burned or are endanger from the advancing flames, are part of my "Memory Chip"of life experienced.

The above photo was taken by a Los Angeles Times Photographer in Orange County. A group of firefighters are being overrun by advancing flames. Calling upon their training, they make their "LAST STAND" in the protective shields that they carry. When the flames passed, they all survive and return to duty.

Heroes

Laura Chick Screws Our Everyday Heroes

Firefighters and Paramedics are dedicated public servants who put their lives on the line every day for average citizens. That's why it's a good idea they be paid properly and timely. And its a good when for some reason they are not - that when the City Controller promises to set things straight by a certain date that it be done.

Well you guessed it City Controller Laura Chick has failed to live up to an agreement she made in April of this year with the city's firefighters that retroactive pay would be issued in August. Guess what? It's September and checks yet. Chick is now saying the checks won't be ready until October or November.

"I am a Firefighter that works hard and I expect to get paid for what I do. Why are you holding our Retro Checks hostage? I have a family to feed and take care just like you. It is unfair that we are made to wait on something that is owed to us."
Anonymous LAFD Firefighter

When you're a big bucks city official who gets most of their expenses covered by the taxpayers perhaps a delay in your check is no big deal. But to working class public servants like firefighters and paramedics every dollar counts when you have to meet a mortgage, pay for your kid's braces, pay huge automobile expenses because the City's socialist policies make it difficult for you to afford a home in your own city and force you to live five to ten suburbs over.

It's also a bigger kick in the shins when the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City supported Laura Chick in her last campaign. Now of course they feel like Laura used them like an old hooker.

We suggest that if you support our firefighters and paramedics you do as the UFLAC requests and send an email of outrage to Laura Chick at laura.chick@lacity.org. I am sure with the appropriate amount of pressure Ms. Chick can come to Jesus on this issue.