Recently, we did a bit of TKC SCIENTIFIC MARKET RESEARCH and we discovered a fact . . .
IN A TKC SCIENTIFIC SAMPLE, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF KANSAS CITY VOTERS OBJECT TO PAY INCREASES FOR KANSAS CITY FIREFIGHTERS!!!
Want to really piss people off . . . REMIND THEM THAT THE FUNDING FOR THIS RAISE IS COMING OUT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX!!!
In fairness . . . The debate supporting the pay raises wasn't very strong.
KCPD support of the pay raises usually expresses nothing but a rather arrogant sense of entitlement.
The arguments are twofold:
"You owe us."
And . . .
"It's what we were promised."
That's not exactly inspiring but it doesn't matter . . .
WITH THESE PAY RAISES DURING THE ONGOING GREAT RECESSION AND SO MANY KANSAS CITY CUTBACKS . . . LOCAL 42 REMAINS THE ULTIMATE POWER IN KANSAS CITY POLITICS!!!
Today's vote is a SLAM DUNK.
This isn't something that anybody can realistically challenge me on . . .
LOCAL 42 CONTROLS ALMOST EVERY CITY COUNCIL PERSON AND MAYOR SLY SO FROM NOW ON IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO ADDRESS ANY NEIGHBORHOOD OR COMMUNITY CONCERNS DIRECTLY TO THIS UNION . . . IT WOULD SIMPLY SAVE TIME!!!
Think that I'm wrong? Watch the way the vote goes down . . . Look for some cute speeches attempting to justify the obvious control . . . NOWHERE ELSE IN ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACROSS THE NATION CAN A SPENDING INCREASE DURING UNPRECEDENTED AUSTERITY BE JUSTIFIED!!!
NEVERTHELESS, KANSAS CITY VOTER OPINION DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE LOCAL 42 HAS MUCH MORE MONEY AND INFLUENCE THANK ANY OTHER AREA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP!!!
Don't get it twisted, in a free market economy I totally understand these (mostly white) dudes looking out for their self-interest. I doubt they're reading much Ayn Rand at Kansas City Firehouses but in this capitalistic society it makes sense for any special interest to get as much as they can . . . And in the end Kansas City Firefighters aren't responsible if their raise eventually means City Services for Kansas City grandmas and babies dwindle to almost nothing.
This post is just a reality check, Kansas City voters concerned about the budget or fiscal responsibility have FAILED to organize, pool their resources or participate in the process and that's how this otherwise INSANE and FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE decision becomes standard operating procedure among the City Council and Mayor . . . It's a lot easier just to move to JoCo.
So, watch the vote and see who MUST return favors . . . Meanwhile, I'm serious that any local concerns should really just be addressed to the Local 42 Union office since they're making all the decisions anyhoo . . . It's not really a complaint, just a fact of life in Kansas City.
How do you want your love burger?
ReplyDeleteWell done.
Am I missing something? In March you promoted the passage of the e-tax saying that old women and babies would perish in fires if the tax weren't passed. Now that the e-tax lives, you have an issue with those same benefactors benefiting. Which way do you want it?
ReplyDeleteAyn Rand and "special interests"? How about the special interest on steriods....niggers!?
ReplyDelete7:53, didn't I just see you up at the grocery store gettin breakfast in your pumper truck?
ReplyDeleteSince city council nor the mayor (nor the Congress or President) have given back any wages or benefits because of the suffering of the people, why should the firefighters allow the city to renege on a contract?
ReplyDeleteThey already dropped the amount the city owes them by 66%.
Radioman, you do realize you can ruin a diesel engine by not running it for long periods of time?
There openings at the KCFD for those of you who think it is such an easy job.
Any takers?
Good thing the e-tax passed. The City that was once on the verge of collapsing without it now has money to BURN. Swimming parks. hotels, big tif projects you name it all paid for by the Tax payer.
ReplyDelete"Radioman, you do realize you can ruin a diesel engine by not running it for long periods of time?"
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to worry about that. Each day the KCFD is at Hyvee or Price Chopper.
8:15, I am confident you will have thousands of applicants for those openings.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't make the system any less corrupt, and it is,
For the sake of humanity, I hope there are not many people reading Ayn Rand.
ReplyDeleteIn this Obama recession/depression, I don't think any public employees should be getting pay increases. They are lucky to have jobs.
ReplyDeleteGlover is the only one that Local 42 does not own, and who will never get Local 42's support.
ReplyDeleteLet's see if Glover has any balls or backbone.
My guess is that he does not and will vote with the rest of them.
High school graduates making out like bandits.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, there are thousands who would do that job for much less pay. The union of course knows this and fights like hell to keep up the illusion that these are a "rare breed."
Thank you for continuing to shine a light on this TKC. Firefighters are good, hard working people generally. Their Union is a money grubbing leach.
ReplyDeleteThey should give the raises and then move to eliminate pensions in favor of a private 401(k). You cannot have both pensions and highly competitive wages.
KCFD and KCPD are the two biggest scams in Kansas City.
ReplyDeleteBoth want lots of money with big pensions. For little work and poor performance.
It is difficult to say that someone who risks their life is overpaid, but here we are. What is typical pay of firefighters in comparable cities? Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Omaha, St. Louis? That should be the gauge. Sadly, I have a feeling that based on that, then yes, KCFD is overpaid, top heavy and too politically machined to affect real change. Hell, what is the comparison in compensation to KCK firefighters?
ReplyDelete"It is difficult to say that someone who risks their life is overpaid" Privates in the army do it all the time for less money.
ReplyDelete9:27
ReplyDeleteTrue
Organized crime is alive and well. Good to know firefighters will be using the increased pay to work as non-union contractors in their free time to undercut other union contractors "to put foof on their family's table." Ah the brotherhood.
ReplyDeleteBTW - The emotional defense of "they risk their lives" is getting old. there are plenty of other occupations around here that statistically are far more dangerous.
I'd feel safer every day being a firefighter in KC than a teacher for KCMSD
ReplyDeleteI would feel safer if we paid teachers more than firefighters.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Cindy will vote for it? Or will she have the decency to recuse herself from the vote because her household will benefit financially from the decision.
ReplyDeleteWe're watching you Cindy. You are the leader!
KCFD aside, the reason that KCPD is vowing for a pay increase is not because they want more money just to have it. The department has been on a step pay freeze for three + years now. Which for those of you that don't know what that means, essentially an officer who came on the dept three years ago is still making the same amount of money as he did when he was a recruit officer. Regardless of any family additions, cost of living, or other financial issues within one's family, many officers want their step increases to help their families. KCKPD officers make 52k a year after two years. KCMOPD officers who haven't gotten a step increase in three years are still making 40k. Just a comparison. So as I said, there is actual rationale behind KCPD's need for pay raises/step increases. Whether you think KCPD is worth a damn or not and whether the officers are working or not, they are. I have family members on the department and on a summer night like tonight, they will likely run between 15-20 calls at work to include ambulance calls, robberies, the likely shooting/stabbings, etc. I'm not one to downgrade anyone in the public service field, but firefighters don't do all that much when you think about it. Most of the time over a 24 hour shift they hang out in the station. Occasionally they'll get a call out for something and once they get there they stand around and do nothing. Then its back to the station to work out, sleep, eat, and watch tv/video games. If the city funds pay increases for KCFD, then I think KCPD is very deserving as well, atleast to have officers being paid what they are supposed to at whatever tenure in their career rather than still making the same amount as a brand new officer.
ReplyDeleteGood Lord, I need a beer after reading this story! Maybe two!!!
ReplyDelete10:31
ReplyDeleteIf you want to make a case for them then you just got a mushroom cloud FAIL. The majority of people in private sector jobs have not seen a pay increase in the last 3-5 years. The majority of people in the private sector do not face the possibility of violence (albeit low) that a KCPD employee does, but being on the public payroll should not entitle you to something that MILLIONS of private sector employees deal with all the time. You knew what the job entailed when you signed up, do not come crying now that you have to pinch pennies like evreybody else. If I was 20 years younger, I would sign up for that didn't know at the time I'd be set for life with automatic pay raises above the national average and pensions that are clearly out of line with actual work done.
You people are all stupid and have NO idea what.its like to be a cop. Yes I'm a cop . Talk all the shot you want. But I'm a hard working district cop and I work my ass off everyday. Unfortunately certain people have gave us all bad names but I guarantee we the majority of us work harder then most and deserve our raises . Those of you who talk trash and think its so easy come on out and do a ride along anytime and see what we do before you talk shit. And for those of you who say you chose that career your correct I did and I love it. Buy expect to be treated fairly and get my raises just like everyone else. I'm not making nearly what I should be. But I would like my pay raises seeings how the Chief got his but none of his people got one. Way to lead by example.
ReplyDeleteSo go ahead and talk shit and bash but remember I maybe the one taking care of you or your family someday and no matter what ill be there. So if nothing else your welcome
Tony, You are such a whiney bitch. If you think you know how to run the city why don't you run for office?
ReplyDelete"I did and I love it. Buy expect to be treated fairly and get my raises just like everyone else"
ReplyDeleteExactly - nobody else in this town is getting pay raises so STFU. Claim your "overtime" and wear the uniform at your other job for easy pay as you extort protection money from private businesses and make sure you show up for your uniion meetings clamoring for more, more, more without any accountability to the citizens you serve. Remember you are not responsible to KC but to the board which does not serve by, from or for the citizens of KC. Boo effing Hoo poor little boy.
The only people bitching and taking your so called "scientific survey" are the lazy computer geeks who sit at home and play World of Warcraft all day.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Lesa Gonzales took the survey 300 times.
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=207512005930324
ReplyDeletethis letter was sent by me to my union leadership in washington....i have a copy of Ayn Rand...and i have read it
President Harold A. Schaitberger 27 October 2010
ReplyDeletePresident International Association of Firefighters
1750 New York Ave. NW
Washington DC 20006
Mr. Schaitberger,
This is my second letter to you regarding my union’s political action and support of candidates. Yesterday I received our SEPT/OCT issues and to say the least I was horrified to read your letter in the beginning.
My past letter dealt with the backing of mostly liberal candidates for political office and how I felt we as a union did not have the best interests of the country in mind. The union leadership, headed by you down in Washington, continually backs liberal progressive candidates under the guise that they are our friends and they give us what we deserve. Exactly what is it that we deserve, as you say in your statement? We work in an honorable profession but it is a job none the less. Those in the public sector pay our salaries. When things are going great they don’t give us a second thought, but now with very difficult times upon us, they are looking to blame someone. Our union should be standing up and saying we understand everyone is hurting and we are going to set the example to everyone that we will work hard helping everyone. That is what honorable leadership is. It means setting the example for others to follow. It is not sitting there saying, “give me, give me”, or “this is what we deserve”. Believe me; those paying our salaries are not going to say, “Oh the poor fireman, they want more”. You think coming out and saying, “Hey guys you have an exemption from health care reform until 2016” is doing us a favor? When the federal deficit crumbles like a house of cards and the smoke clears from the mirrors, then we will get exactly what we deserve and no one in the community will care about the poor fireman.
You talk about preferring Harkin, Pelosi, and Reid because apparently they are “our friends”. They may be yours but they certainly are not mine. If aligning yourself with liberal, socialist progressive’s is what you think is the right path, I can tell you, I will be nowhere near that path. My path is the path of constitutional freedoms which will lead to prosperity. Small limited government beholden to the people, not the other way around. If you want a socialist nanny state then you’re on the right path. When you say there are “fundamental differences between those who work with us and those guided by a different set of principles”, I could not agree more. As you state, the Tea Party is influencing the elections. Yes they are because the sleeping majority has awaken and take it from me, they have no intentions of going back to sleep. If you want our jobs and benefits gutted then keep throwing your lot in with the progressives destroying our Republic. They will be relegated to the history books and the public will remember where we stood as a union. Those without honor will die a traitor’s death in the end and that death will be our jobs. You call Senator DeMint a zealot and Governor Christi an oversized poster child for a reformist agenda, Shame on you. You call that leadership because I call it childish behavior? You offend the very things I hold dear. You go on to say this election is about preserving our jobs but I think you could not be more wrong. This election is about the very fabric of our country, it’s history, it’s values, and it’s very survival. There will be no jobs when the republic crumbles. Exactly who will be left to pay the bills when we are all equal through the delusional idea of wealth distribution? There are storm clouds on the horizon and the barometer you talk about is turning due south to a storm warning. Everything our union has accomplished throughout the years to move our profession along with safety manning and benefits will be squandered in one election cycle.
I have been a member of this union for 17 years and I do this job not because I want to be a fireman but because I am a fireman. It is the calling I chose after my service to my country. That oath I took to protect and defend the Constitution of The United States still runs through my blood. I can no longer sit by and listen to how great our union is while we continue down the path of ruin. I find our union no more respectable then the SCIU and ACORN. We continue our affiliation with the AFL-CIO even when Richard Trumka the president promotes “reviving socialism as a legitimate philosophy”! He travels the world promoting economic and social justice with the European socialist’s forum. Then on October 2nd of this year, he gives a speech in Washington DC to a crowd holding communist party signs and workers of the world unite banners. He says during his speech and I quote “people who want to build a middle class economy make up a majority of Americans whose socialist voices need to be heard. We are hoping that people come together and say, we’re the socialist majority and we can have a different kind of country.” Is this what you believe Mr. President? I find these statements repulsive and vile. In my own state of Connecticut, I receive mailings of who I need to vote for from my local, state representative union. Rosa DeLauro is endorsed because you call her a friend. Here is a woman who is a member of the Democrat socialist caucus in Washington and who also was an honored guest at the New Haven Peoples center here locally in August 2010. A group founded in 1937 and is the local hub for the states communist party. Is this what my union has to offer me, a candidate who is no stranger to communist causes? Then I see we are backing Richard “when I returned from Vietnam” Blumenthal. He was called the worst attorney general in the country by the Counsel for Special Projects and the Competitive Enterprise Institute. They called him a tireless crusader for the growing power of his own office. He stated himself that his goal was to shake up and reshape the way industry does business across the nation. Since when was that a role of a state official? I guess he is just a friend as you say.
ReplyDeleteI no longer call myself a proud member of the International Association of Firefighters. I hang my head in shame at the very thought of what this union has become.
John S. Cinque
Local 1205
East Haven, Connecticut
The Missouri State Firefighters look at Local 42 with disgust because it is corrupt Mr Cinque.
ReplyDeleteCall them and ask.
well said...its sad that the republic has come to this.
ReplyDeleteNo pay increases for any public employees for the duration of the Obama recession.
ReplyDeleteBut we were promised!
Sorry, kids. That was then, this is now.
Louie Wright & Sherwood Smith only have a few months left in office. They need all the pay raises they can get.
ReplyDeleteYep, Cindy Circo's hubby is a fireman. Yep, the union heavily supported the mayor's campaign. Yep, Louie Wright made a big mistake....and, yep, ain't nobody gonna take the heat for it now!! Instead, everybody's getting a raise. With this council what else did you expect?
ReplyDeleteIf you are jealous, join a union. Organize. Negotiate a binding legal contract, which is not the same thing as a promise.
ReplyDeleteOr drink the tea, place your faith in the goodwill of the corporatocracy and their shills and wait for your drippings to trickle down to you.
30 years of "free-market" myth making and deregulaion has done exactly what the masters wanted: ushered in the single greatest redistribution of wealth in the history of human society...distribution from the many into the hands of the few and fewer.
Capitalism unchecked by a strong labor movement is a plague.
so the city employees get screw over again by local 42. how greedy can they get?
ReplyDelete1:42 - we are not talking about unions as a whole. We are talking about public sector unions which are a conflict of interest at best. Please understand the difference. I have respect for private sector unions. Public sector unions should be ashamed of themselves.
ReplyDeleteGet you facts straight. KCFD does have lower salaries than KCK and most all of the KS suburbs. In addition KCFD has higher call volumes than most of the surrounding area.
ReplyDeleteWhich fire department in the area build the best decks?
ReplyDeleteSherwood, you know that's a lie.
ReplyDeletePrevailing wages Jackson county, mo
ReplyDeleteCarpenter 36.05
Cement mason 30.28
Electrician 33.83
General laborer 25.45
Painter 28.31
Majority of KCFD less then $15.00
You do the math.
FYI--the KCPD doesn't have a union. Meaning, the officers cannot negotiate salary contracts. Instead, they have a "meet and confer" policy. Which basically means they're powerless to receive more money unless the city says so. So you might as well leave them out of this argument as their involvement is nothing like the fire dept's union.
ReplyDelete3:38--That's pretty good statistics to see lined up like that visually. Kind of goes from least dangerous/most paid to most dangerous/least paid. Any idea where KCPD officers fall into that spectrum? And I mean strictly officers, not Sgts, Capts, and above.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't know what the average officer makes per hour, hopefully someone else on here will. The statistics are straight off of Missouri's labor website. I work for the fire department so I am very familiar with how much money we make.
ReplyDeleteTo all of you jealous wimps who couldn't get on the fire department because you are weak or couldn't pass the test, don't cry now because you work at Jiffy Lube. Firemen,cops,paramedics,nurses and teachers deserve way more money than they get. We all have to put up with a bunch of whiny bed wetters. (but us bed wetters pay your salary) well, we all pay taxes as well. Get in a job that has a union. You chose your profession. Don't bash mine because I got the job and you didn't!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf it were not their ability to illegal campaign for candidates, firefighters would have no leverage. It's not like they have a whole host of other options. I suppose they could be a bouncer, construction laborer, or maybe a WWE fighter but we are not talking about a valuable skill set to market. It's basically winning the lottery for the GED crowd.
ReplyDeleteHey 4:08 p.m.: go fuck yourself, you elitist scumbag!
ReplyDeleteDo your math! 66% of the fire department have a college education and many with masters degrees. Just because you sit behind a desk in a cubicle doesn't mean you are educated. 9% have their GED! A large percent of firefighters, men and women have served this great country to allow you to bitch and moan, while you hide from danger. Wuss!
ReplyDeleteI got laid by a fireman last night and he was amazing. I'm a teacher and may teach your child.
ReplyDeleteYep, takes a Masters Degree to spray a fire with water.
ReplyDeleteIt's called "surround and drown".
ReplyDeleteA no brain job.
7/21/11 3:38 PM
ReplyDeleteThat's if these people still have jobs. Most don't.
The last 3 comments are the one's who couldn't handle the fire department because they are afraid of heights or just couldn't pass the test because they are to educated. What kind of work are you dip-shits involved in. Go ahead, make it sound real exciting! Or, are you jealous that your children don't respect your office job and are in awe every time they see a firefighter.? It's ok, you can drees like a fireman on Halloween if that will make you tougher!!!
ReplyDeleteIt pass so what
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all the public safety workers. You guys saved my dad's life and the firemen were the first to start CPR. Very professional group of men. God bless you all and keep up the good work and you will forever have my votes. Sincerely, Carl Pennington
ReplyDelete4:54: Guess they don't explain the difference between "to, Too and two" at fire school. Maybe just being confused for a member of the Village People gets you all upset.
ReplyDeletebe real you got the fucking job because your daddy or your grandpa was on the job. You passed a general civil service test. I tested and scored 89 94 92 and turned down a spot to serve in the army so spare me i might have handed you that job asshole so go choke on your 15 /hr or 17/hr job.
ReplyDeleteMaybe when your divorced your kids will still look up to you even though your infidelity cost you your marriage and half your retirement....later on 42 douche
If you're a firefighter or ems worker why are you commenting on this blog?
ReplyDeleteTo 10:47
ReplyDeleteHey dipshit-
you state that the possibility of violence for a KCPD officer is "albeit low". Well, with all due respect, fuck you. Have you ever wondered about whether or not your loved one would make it home at the end of their work day? Do you patrol the worst areas of town for a living, getting shot at regularly? Shut up and stop bashing cops. Get over your past life of being stuffed into lockers by the cool kids.
5:05, you were in the Army! Become a Marine and then say you served your country. The army let's any un-educated school drop out join. You may have served in the Army as a toilet scrubber you douche. Just because you have a camo jacket doesn't make you a soldier. Semper Fi dickhead and cry because you didn't get selected as a fireman. Only an idiot would turn down an awesome job!
ReplyDeletewow, people go get a hobby!
ReplyDeletei have lived in kc all my life, and have had to use just about all the city sevices, i am proud to say all were great. all city workers deserve pay increaces. imagine a city with no services.from trash to police protection. no really give it some thought. south kc resident and tax payer proud of kc.
ReplyDeletei said i turned down the job ..the first time i did eight years in the army and took the job when i came home took the postion with the last test score i put out there. Yes it is a great job but its not a calling it is a means to pay the bills. Most of you that i work with are unprofessional and undisciplined,your uniforms are mismatched and dirty. You are more concerned with what the girl at the store looks like over the job itself. Most ems skills are horrendous and on fires you do no real salvage and the damage caused in just down right deplorable.
ReplyDeleteThe only "camo" jacket i have was from some marines wife. I spent most of my time in Central America.
See ya next shift
Now I see why you turned it down. You are in the Army! You don't have the balls to jump into danger. You didn't turn it down, you didn't get selected because you are to big of a pussy and don't like heat. Are you at every fire?Kansas City has been ranked in the top 5 as being one of the most aggressive fire departments in the country. That means life and property being saved. Don't be a dick and put false statements in here just because you didn't get a job. Come on down to station 18 and ride along with us and see how we work. You would hide in the truck after you pissed yourself. New York, Chicago, Philly, Boston and Kansas City. We all respect each other to save assholes like you.
ReplyDeletespoken like a true cowboy and i am on the job.
ReplyDeleteyou couldnt hold the helmet of one of those guys.
head on down to the power & light with you fire t shirt on.
you are a joke do you really think nobody else can work as hard as you ...well maybe the rollin squirrel cage./
come on make some dumb ass coment and show everybody how stupid they were for giving us the raise.
hahahahaha fdny and boston probably never even heard of you girls
ReplyDeletetell it to the girls.
FUCK YOU Cops and Firefighters.
ReplyDeleteHey 6:08
ReplyDeleteFU, I live in the zip code that gets the most calls. FU, come out an hour after the call, smirk, pretend to take it seriously, make your reports, leave and then at the end of your shift go back home to the northland. FU - get your rocks off chasing somebody for busted tail light, cause a wreck and think job well done. Did I mention FU?
8:56, If its so shitty, move. I'm pretty sure even someone like you can figure out how to buy a house north of the river. So how about you be mad at someone that wants to live in a quality school district.
ReplyDelete8:56, If its so shitty, move. I'm pretty sure even someone like you can figure out how to buy a house north of the river. So how about you be mad at someone that wants to live in a quality school district.
ReplyDeleteLet's break this down.
1."If its so shitty, move" Could do that - have lived in the northland, but the problem isn't that its shitty, it has its own troubles, and they are not solved by someone spending an hour or 2 a week there, but by residents establishing homes and trying to do the right thing.
2."So how about you be mad at someone that wants to live in a quality school district."
Are you telling me to be mad or is this statement incredibly misworded? If I assume that you are actually asking how CAN you be mad then what in my post made you think I was mad about the school district choice? It was merely meant to point out that they are not part of the community that they are expected to protect and serve. If you actually meant to tell me to be mad then I guess thank you for permission I'll be sure and ask to laugh if I think something is funny.
9:37--rebuttal FAIL!
ReplyDeleteI want the police job at the CAN center. Easy Cervesa.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be a cop in this freak'n city if they paid me 100,00 bucks. The crooks get to do what they want and cops can't do shit. If they arrest a black person, then they are racists. I believe the black folks in the hood are the ones who commit most of the crimes. They shoot their own peeps because they got looked at wrong. When a black person kills a white person, it's not a race issue but when a white person kills a black person for self defense, it's a race issue. Reparations are bullshit, white folks dont owe the homies shit. Get a job and stop robbing and blaming cops for being racists. Thugs!!!
ReplyDelete9:37: quit trying. You were shamed so quit when you are behind.
ReplyDelete11:33--Yeah I wouldn't be a cop either for "100,00". Or did you mean "100.00"? Or maybe even "10,000"?
ReplyDeleteEither way..