Times are tough in New Jersey.  There is no doubt that the fiscal crisis in our State is having a significant impact in many, if not most, of our municipalities.  Threatened cuts to expected municipal aid has caused local governments to in turn threaten City Employees with cutbacks, layoffs, reduction in work force and hiring freezes just to name a few.

This is a scenario that has played itself out many times in the past.  State mismanages tax revenue, threatens to cut aid to municipalities, municipalities threaten to cut staffing and on and on and on.  Unfortunately the government leaders know all too well that the work force that will evoke the greatest public outcry are Police and Firefighters.  Therefore, we are traditionally the most often targeted labor group.

In fact, our good relationship with the public often is the very reason officials threaten to reduce our ranks to exact public protest toward Trenton and pressure legislators to restore aid to municipalities.  While this tactic is unfair and disingenuous it is, nonetheless, effective.

Many of our local union leaders have reported serious threats to staffing, requests for givebacks, protracted negotiation etc...  Now is not the time for panic.  Now is not the time for capitulation.  Now is not the time for divisive pleas for immediate retirements.  Now is the time for resolve and adherence to collective bargaining agreements.  Now is the time for unity.

The obligation to safely staff municipal fire departments rest squarely on local elected government officials.  While local fire unions are charged with continuing to pressure government for manpower it is not our responsibility.  It is our responsibility to demand the highest standard of working conditions, maintain the collective bargaining agreement, protect the rights of all members and negotiate the best possible contract for our members.

To negotiate with the threat of layoffs as a backdrop is not an enviable position to be in.  We cannot, however, allow management to undermine our position by pitting our members against one another.  We advocate for all members, the most senior and the most junior.  It is never in our best interest to sacrifice one for the other.  That would only accelerate a race to the bottom and the surrendering of hard fought benefits only to be further eroded in subsequent negotiations. 

The reduction of staffing and the compromising of public safety as well as the safety of public employees are irresponsible acts and those who choose to play with lives must be held accountable.  Scare tactics and blackmail have no place in negotiations and must not be tolerated under any circumstance.  To cave into such unjust strategies would only lead to an undermined work force and create an eventual collective bargaining agreement that wouldn’t be worth the paper it is printed on.  

Layoffs or the prevention of layoffs are not, and should not, be a function of collective bargaining.  Safe staffing and an adequate emergency response are the sole responsibility of local government officials.  Any dereliction of that duty falls at the feet of those entrusted with the public’s interest.

As difficult as it may seem FMBA locals must stand firm, negotiate without apology, provide for the greater good and defend the entirety of our collective bargaining agreements until management understands that we will not be bullied or compromise our right to negotiate uncompromised.