Rumor Dispelled

Today's New York Post contains an incorrect item suggesting UFA President Steve Cassidy is "mulling" a run for Congress...

OBVIOUSLY, this is a rumor created by Bloomberg's media spin doctors to shift the focus away from this administration's failure to settle a contract and Michael Bloomberg's refusal to pay firefighters a fair and livable wage.

“LET ME BE CLEAR, I am not running for Congress,” said President Cassidy. “No one has APPROACHED me to run for Congress, nor am I seeking an opportunity to run FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.  I asked you to re-elect me because I want to continue to represent the greatest firefighters in the world - that has always been my intention.  My undivided attention and that of the Executive Board, is dedicated to preparing for the upcoming PERB Arbitration.”

The mayor is running for re-election and doesn't want New Yorkers to know the facts:

1 -- N.Y.C. Firefighters have been working in good faith without a contract for 40 months (since May 31, 2002)

2 -- Firefighters have not had a wage increase in more than 51 months

3 -- The City has half-heartedly participated in 22 months of unsubstantial negotiations (since December 2003)

4 -- The City has continued to drag on negotiations for 13 months through the state mandated PERB mediation process (Initial contract impasse declared August 2004)

For twenty-two months we have tried to negotiate in good faith, but the city has refused to act fairly towards New York's Bravest and has been doing nothing more than wasting time and taxpayer dollars on an insincere effort disguised as true and fair "negotiations."

Under this administration the blue collar working class of this city, like our firefighters, cops and teachers have not been entitled to a timely contract or fair pay. We are valuable enough to be entrusted with public safety and property, and to educate our children, but according to this mayor we are not valuable enough to earn a decent wage.