It’s really a matter of priorities. Three young DeKalb firefighters were laid off. Their specific positions were selected for termination because they held the lowest rank in seniority (a priority). Nothing, absolutely nothing, related to their individual qualifications and job performance factored into the selection process. So in the matter of priorities seniority is held higher than individual and job performance.
The process used to make the decision to lay off the three young firemen was based on principle (a priority). The City of DeKalb strictly adhered to a fairness principle best reflected by the Three Musketeers’ “all for one and one for all” battlecry: Across the board wage freezes or lay offs determined by voluntary departmental compliance, or the lack thereof. Fair is fair policies for the purpose of internal equity (or not having to make more difficult choices) trump the priority list of government services.
The IAFF leadership were driven by principles that do not allow the amending of their contract without other considerations. The IAFF represents firefighters throughout Illinois. The DeKalb issue could be precedent setting. Hold the ranks. Stick to the principle of a signed contract. Those principles make the three young firefighters’ jobs worth the price of protection.
Competing principles between IAFF and the City of DeKalb evidently hold higher priority than fire protection with both parties. It is what it is.
Meanwhile sound management practices, such as not allowing overtime for planned special events, are ignored. The savings from fixing those flawed policies might have made terminating three firefighter positions a non-discussion. Older rank and file firefighters say they really don’t want all of the overtime. They say they can’t get the younger firefighters to take enough of the overtime as it is anyway.
Evidently, listening to each other doesn’t hold much priority either.
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Or, maybe tattooing fits under the 'sins' that get taxed to oblivion, like cigarettes, alcohol, and gambling. 😉
Home rule makes it easier for cities to push around employees like this. What I would like to know is what good is home rule if it cannot be used to tax to death 'luxury' items such as tattooing? The "Chronicle" says tattooing cannot be taxed because it is a service. The State of Ohio started taxing tattooing several years ago. Getting a tattoo is different than getting a car repaired. One could make the argument that a car repair is necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle. Most tattoos are unnecessary.
I posted something on Chicago's TIF Sunshine Ordinance here:
http://www.citybarbs.com/?p=1023
Thank you Kay! You are right, everyone’s connected in some way to some thing. I did know Simpson is retiring at the end of July. His wife works at NIU, and they’re very close to top administrators, so he should be left out on any vote regarding NIU??
Sometimes, it is a clear-cut conflict of interest and the alderman should recuse him or herself from a vote. Let's say an alderman owns a business that asked for TIF money–that is a clear conflict of interest and the alderman should not vote. Sometimes, it falls into a gray area. The gray area is where things get confusing, and a lot of times the votes regarding NIU fall into a gray area, because neither aldermen affiliated with NIU would directly benefit (or not benefit). I bet if you asked Alderman Simpson about it politely at a meeting, he would have an interesting (and possibly entertaining) speech in response. 🙂
What makes me a lot more nervous is when politicians take campaign donations from special interests and vote accordingly, completely in the opposite direction from what the majority of constituents would want.
Or the only way he'd be recused is if he doesn't retire?? This is ALL so frustrating!! : P
Katie, I just received a message that Bert Simpson will retire from NIU on July 31st. As far as the conflict of interest goes, it will be difficult to find part-time aldermen without some sort of conflict of interest. Obviously, the mayor should not vote on anything having to do with the Ben Gordon Center. Alderman Brent Keller is a student, which I personally consider less of a conflict of interest compared to a full-time employee. Students have a lot more freedom than employees. I do not believe he is in charge of the Huskie Buses anymore. If he still did, then he would not be able to vote on anything that would be related to the buses. Some of the aldermen serve on boards of local organizations. I think Alderman Simpson is on the board of Safe Passage? He is on some board and takes himself out of the voting.
I'm also wondering if input from someone who is working for NIU while serving as an alderman is a conflict of interest?
Great article, Mac. What people don't understand is it's not the firefighters decision or fault for all the OT. I've spoken with young and old (time in service) firefighters. They all say they don't want to work so much overtime. Some OT is comes with the territoy, but not as much as they're having to put in.
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If anyone thinks the firefighter issue is going away, I have a new blog:
http://dekalbrescuemenow.blogspot.com/