Response to Doug Sears Comments
I have recently read the article, Sears Questions Miceli's Voting Record, which was posted on your site September 21st. I must say that I was very disturbed by Mr. Sears’ comments and feel that, although 12 days later, they need to be addressed.
First off, Mr. Sears’ comment, “Tewksbury firefighters receive 365 day year pay for working 90 to 95 days a year”, is very misleading. Our firefighters work 12-hour day shifts and 12-hour night shifts, and most of the time they’re back-to-back to form a 24-hour shift. They work this nationally-recognized schedule twice a week which averages out to 42 hours weekly. So the fire fighters annual schedule is accurately described as working 180 to 184 twelve-hour shifts, as opposed to the traditional 40-hour workweek which amounts to 260 eight-hour shifts.
Mr. Sears refers to Representative Miceli as, ”Playing Santa Clause with (taxpayers’) money…” Our firefighters are dedicated, hard-working individuals who provide a high-level of fire protection and medical service to the people of Tewksbury. They are much more like people in the private sector than the picture Mr. Sears paints. They are your friends, relatives, and neighbors who, like you, have to absorb rising costs for things such as taxes, food, fuel, health care expenses, etc. all the while not having seen a raise in close to 4 years. They risk injury or worse to the dangers associated with firefighting and are repeatedly exposed to potentially fatal diseases in dealing with the sick or injured. They statistically have higher incidents of many cancers, not to mention the fact that the life expectancy of a firefighter is 8 to 10 years shorter than that of the average male. Yes, they did chose this profession and there are other areas, such as job security, where they are better off than the general public. But it’s far from a “Santa Clause” situation.
I cannot speak for the union, but Mr. Sears’ incendiary remarks and confrontational style, past and present, in dealing with or creating fire department issues, has had nothing but a negative effect on the relationship between the two parties. And despite the palpable distain Mr. Sears holds for the Tewksbury firefighters, they continue to do their very best to provide an exceptional service to the people of this community.
Sincerely,
Captain Michael Callahan
Douglas Sears
8:56 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Captain Callahan:
Thank you for your clarification.
Tewksbury Fire Fighters' have a social contract to save the lives of Tewksbury residents. I get it.
What I don't get is: "Why don't you have a written contract with the people of Tewksbury like every other union has on October 4, 2012?"
All your other unions -- who in their own ways also perform valuable services for the citizens of Tewksbury -- have come to the table, collectively bargained and have three-year contracts with the town.
I am not going to discuss collective bargaining in this blog and I do not expect you would either; however, if we could afford the bill the firefighters send the town for their service, it is probable the sacrifices and services posters describe firefighters as providing would be memorialized in a contract by 10/04/2012.
Perhaps there is something -- probably financial -- you want that other public sector unions do not recognize as achievable in 2012 - 2015?
The firefighter union in Tewksbury appears to be at a different level than its peers.
Is it that the members sacrifice so much -- as you and President Kearns describe -- that what other unions collectively bargain for is inapplicable to your members?
While President Kearns leads his members' expectations down Memory Lane toward the rosier times of the past, Rep. Miceli cheers them on.
It's Time firefighters have a contract with residents they serve.
Firefighters serve the people not vice versa!
Bob
9:32 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Paul, you also appear to know. Can you enlighten us?
BTW - I have never understood the craziness of not having a contract. You live by the same rules as the old one until a new one can be agreed upon.
Joe Kearns
3:48 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Doug;
Again it is typical of you to try sling mud at us to put us in a bad light because we do not have a signed contract with the town, even though you say you are not going to discuss collective bargaining on this blog you go ahead and do just that.
Let me be VERY clear on this, no matter what the status of our contract is we as FIREFIGHTERS will always be there for the residents of Tewksbury, the same as we always have been and always will. Local 1647 and its members have always provided the most professional and dedicated care of any department in the state whether it’s in good financial times or bad. My members and I do have a "contract" with the residents, it is called a Moral contract and we HONOR that 24/7 365 days a year with pride.
So like I said you can keep on trying to smear us but I honestly believe the residents of Tewksbury are alot smarter than you give them credit for.
This will be the LAST reply by Local 1647 in regards to our collective bargaining agreement, as this is NOT the forum for negotiations to take place.
Have a nice day!
Joseph W. Kearns
President Local 1647
Tewksbury Firefighters
Me
8:36 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
AFSCME hasn't voted on a contract yet
Richard Maggio
12:00 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Being a new resident in Tewksbury I have had nothing but pleasurable experiences working with every town employee, elected and appointed official I have dealt with. All have shown me consideration and have worked to "solve" whatever issue or answer whatever question I have had. The did so in a professional timely manner.
My experiences included dealing with the fire department. I had the occasion to meet with several representatives from secretarial staff, dispatch and fire staff on a couple of issues regarding my home, regulations etc. They were all courteous and helpful.
So, as a new resident, please enlighten me; what's going on with the fire department and their contract? What's the story behind the story? Just the facts please.......
Thanks,
Richard Maggio
New resident.
john smith
2:16 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I hope all that read these posts clearly see just how unprofessional and misleading Doug Sears truly is. This is a classic case of the worker being the problem, according to Doug. It couldn't be the recession we are climbing out of, the state's cuts to local aid, the lack of planning by town officials in the past, or the town being unwilling to prioritize public safety. No it must be the workers who are just trying to stay above water and protect what they have earned, right Doug?
There is obviously a staffing issue in the fire department that has not been addressed for many years, otherwise the they would not be in this situation to begin with.
Douglas Sears
3:49 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
right Doug?
There is obviously a staffing issue in the fire department that has not been addressed for many years, otherwise the they would not be in this situation to begin with.
-----
Andover had 65 firefighters for 72 positions from attrition. The town hired 7 new firefighters to fill these positions. This cut out the overtime which the 65 received. One position -- ladder truck aide -- was cut. New members were academy trained.Staffing was restored. I suggested this as an approach worthy of a look over from Tewskbury. You can see for yourselves how that was received. Why can't something like work here? Would more hires and restricting overtime not be successful in addressing the staffing issue by referenced above?
John? Your professional direct answer might help?
Cecil Moore
5:45 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Selectman Sears,
You followed up a question I had posed earlier asking you if local governments should be operated as a private sector company. I have read your response several times and asked several colleagues for their interpretation. I understand that you are an attorney and that would explain the "I rest my case" conclusion when you really didn't say anything. However it seems that you agree that we should run government like private companies. I have read dozens of books by our Captains of Industry, including Jack Welch, Meg Whitman, Vanderbilt, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs. None ever wrote to belittle their employees, bully them, label them with disparaging remarks, or treated them with complete disrespect. If those proven leaders did not resort to these tactics, then why do you, as a town leader, speak so poorly of your employees. It seems that you like speak out of both sides of your mouth. Is that who I want representing me on Beacon Hill?
Rusty
8:24 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Doug is and always be an MASSHOLE !
Douglas W. Sears
9:28 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Cecil --
Tewksbury taxpayers owe$162M in non-pension benefits (OPEBs) in total benefits (other than pension) to people who used to work for the town. Wilmington, a bit less.
With this much debt to those who no longer work for the town, you ask what I would do at this point to run local government like a "private sector company"?
Municipalities need to determine how current employment practices affect future liability, and how gaining control of current costs will offset future costs.
Future taxpayers will pay for people who worked decades before they may have even lived in the area or begun paying taxes. The obligation for these benefits is snowballing. What can municipalities do now?
1. Adopt MGL c. 32B, §18. Requiring all eligible retirees to enroll in Medicare Part B, shift a significant portion of retiree health care costs to federal program with no loss in benefits.
2. Examine all current positions receiving health-care benefits. MGL c. 32B,§2(d), requires Municipalities to consider long-term impact of providing health insurance to current employees receiving stipends not working full-time in government service.
3. Make sure Municipality is not paying more than necessary on retiree benefits with an eye for long-term fiscal feasibility.
4. Adopt legislation to recreate a Trust for the OPEB liability. For example: Quincy’s FY 2013 Budget puts 20% of free cash into such a fund.
All I can say to you is that when elected I will do my best.
Gordon Pickguard
9:56 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
Don't give up Doug. Keep beating the drum. Municipal unions and their wage and benefit levels now and into retirement are a financial disaster for taxpayers all the way down to their grandchildren. It's all unsustainable and any with their eyes open can see this.
Scott Wilson
2:48 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
I wish I could get in to the issues and have a discourse with residents concerning this issue but while negotiations continue, that would be wrong.
I have tremendous respect for the firemen and the work they perform. Just as I have tremendous respect for Town Officials who are trying to maximize service to our residents based on the budget we set annually.
I don't believe the worker or staffing are the problem. I also don't believe that the BOS have not prioritized public safety. We have made this a priority and I remain confident the union and the town will come to an agreement which makes sense for the firefighters, the taxpayers and the town.
Our job as BOS is to make every decision with the residents in mind and to manage our town in a way that will allow us to be successful for years to come.
It is OK for parties to disagree, because they have different objectives. This will get worked out in time. Negotiating here is not helping anyone.