#WI IAFF: This Independence Day, it’s union first, American second…

In Racine Wisconsin, the firefighters union voted to deny marching rights to public safety workers killed on September 11th in the annual Independence Day parade.

Why? Because a member had opted to drop out of the union.

To most Americans, it is the bravery and heroism of those first responders, including the 343 from the FDNY, that is remembered with honor—along with the tragedy of all those who perished—regardless of their union membership.

Yet, in Racine, Wisconsin, the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 321 has made this Independence Day more about union loyalties than America when they voted to refuse support of a float built to honor the public safety workers killed on September 11th in Racine’s Independence Day Parade . Why?

The IAFF is apparently not supporting the 9/11 memorial float for the very simple reason that Lt. Matt Gorniak, the firefighter who (along with his colleagues at the Oak Creek Fire Department) built the float in 2002, dropped his IAFF membership earlier this year.

Parade

This is what unions have degenerated into.

reply to post by mishigas


Yes, it seems the unions are degenerating into a collection of thugs.

Reminds me of a question I raised on one of the threads on the WI Governor earlier this year. And that was whether police and fire union members might decide not to help someone because of union issues.

What you reported in the OP is only one step away from that.

Technically, it is the Union's parade, so they have a right to decide who can and can't participate.

On the other hand, there was no reason the city council couldn't have allowed the others to march on the same day separately, behind the parade; which would have sent a message to the Union organizers that Independence Day is not about fraternal organizations and politics, but about celebrating our our people's nation enduring 225 years (especially considering so many have been proclaiming our downfall since the banks took over a century ago.)

It was a wonderful parade and the crowds really responded to this float. The sad thing is that there were 2 police officers escorting the float along with 6 parade officials in 2 golf carts to insure there would be not incidents.

Originally posted by Maxmars
Technically, it is the Union's parade, so they have a right to decide who can and can't participate.

On the other hand, there was no reason the city council couldn't have allowed the others to march on the same day separately, behind the parade; which would have sent a message to the Union organizers that Independence Day is not about fraternal organizations and politics, but about celebrating our our people's nation enduring 225 years (especially considering so many have been proclaiming our downfall since the banks took over a century ago.)

No it is not the Union's parade. Racine's parade is put on by the city with the help of corporate sponsorships. Lt. Matt Gorniak, the firefighter who built the float in 2002 recently dropped his union membership. This is why the union opposes the float.

reply to post by Maxmars

Technically, it is the Union's parade, so they have a right to decide who can and can't participate.

Really? Where was that written? I honestly missed it, I guess.

Originally posted by mishigas
reply to post by Maxmars

 

Technically, it is the Union's parade, so they have a right to decide who can and can't participate.

Really? Where was that written? I honestly missed it, I guess.

Pardon me, that may have been a hasty assumption on my part.

Usually parades are 'permitted' by a city council or some such group of prominent citizens. A presentation is made to them by the would-be parade holders, and if approved, a permit is authorized.

The sponsor is usually some group like a company (Macy's) or organization (like the VFW or a Union) so it's up to them who they allow to march.... of course I may be making an ass of you and me by assuming that's how this happened..... so if I am forgive me.

Originally posted by joyride0187

Originally posted by Maxmars
Technically, it is the Union's parade, so they have a right to decide who can and can't participate.

On the other hand, there was no reason the city council couldn't have allowed the others to march on the same day separately, behind the parade; which would have sent a message to the Union organizers that Independence Day is not about fraternal organizations and politics, but about celebrating our our people's nation enduring 225 years (especially considering so many have been proclaiming our downfall since the banks took over a century ago.)

No it is not the Union's parade. Racine's parade is put on by the city with the help of corporate sponsorships. Lt. Matt Gorniak, the firefighter who built the float in 2002 recently dropped his union membership. This is why the union opposes the float.

edit on 5-7-2011 by joyride0187 because: (no reason given)

Thank you for the correction. I wonder how a single participant could have control over the city's parade?

That's a sort-of-rhetorical question; I think many can imagine how that little piece of 'influence' manifested itself in the line-up.