Gary lays off 13 firefighters

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BY BOWDEYA TWEH
Bowdeya.Tweh@nwitimes.com | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 | (21 comment(s))

GARY | The city of Gary laid off 13 firefighters on Monday, citing budget concerns, spokeswoman Lalosa Burns said.

The city contends it attempted to negotiate concessions from the union because it is strapped for cash. Last week, the local voted against cutting the $750, or $503 after taxes, six-month uniform allowance payment each firefighter gets from the city.

Burns said the union left the city in a difficult position by not agreeing to suspend this month's payment.

"We are hoping that if our financial situation improves, we will call those firefighters to return in the middle of December," Burns said.

Gary Fire Association Local 359 President Ray Robinson said staffing levels and morale in the department already are low and it can ill afford to lose firefighters. He contends the city could have had the same costs savings by cutting other city departmental budgets. With the cuts, Robinson estimates the department will have fewer than 230 employees. Two years ago, there were 280 employees.

"When you've got less manpower, you open yourself for accidents," Robinson said. "It's going to make it a little rough in a bad part of the year. Our response time is going to be slower."

Robinson said he expects all firefighters, even the 13 who would be laid off, will receive the clothing allowance because the money already was built into the current budget.

Robinson said staffing levels were normal at the department Monday, but he expected Fire Chief Jeffrey Ward would determine where to make cuts starting today.

"Public safety is a priority in this city," Robinson said. "We don't live in Pleasantville."

Ward could not be reached for comment.

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To Bad Union wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:07 PM:

" The City would not give us a guarantee that even if we did give up the "Big Bad" $503.00 that they would not lay off anyway. What if we voted give it up and they still layoff? Beside...do you have any idea how much uniforms cost and how much of our protective clothing we have to buy ourselves? A pair of fire gloves alone are $50 a pair. I usually go through 4 pair a year. I hope the city administrators enjoy their trip to Orlando. "

primus wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:51 PM:

" Jeez you guys get 750.00 bucks for uniforms. What a waste. Ask the 800 people that US Steel laid off if they got 750.00 for work clothes. Ask me if I get money for work clothes. You guys need to stop being pampered so much. No one forced you to be civil servants. Don't get me wrong, I love you guys and am more than grateful for what service you provide. But for Petets sake Gary is collapsing around you. At what point in your career are you going to wish you would have gotten a job elsewhere? "

mike hull wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:17 PM:

" Of course Chief Ward no comment. Here's a comment for Chief Ward "Puppet". "

Bad Union wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:42 PM:

" The union members should have really thought this one through. They should have given up the $503 and waited it out.
Layoffs were a certainty when you voted to collect the $503. If you had voted with ALL members in mind you would have voted the other way. Yes you may still have faced layoffs but at least it might have been delayed. Very poor union leadership. You should have learned from what he had already done to the police department. "

Speechless wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:14 PM:

" Instead of laying off these firemen to save money, why doesn't Clay lay off a couple of his bodyguards or quit gasing up that Hummer of his. Maybe that will help save a few bucks and not compromise lives in the process. "

Gary Burning wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:41 PM:

" Gary has a fire department? I drove through last month and it seemed every other home was burned out and boarded up. Why bother having a fire department when there's nothing left worth saving? "

jennifer wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:31 PM:

" all of this makes me sick. What is clay going to do when he needs help and there's no one around....because they're all laid off....then i bet it will be a different story then. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families. "

Taxed wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:17 PM:

" You asked for tax relief, now you've got it. How much more you want? At what price? Yes, there are things that can be cut in Gary and elsewhere, but eventually with the reductions being required, public safety will be whacked too. "

Morning Brew wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Doubleclutch I think I Love You. Will you marry me? two great minds thinking alike. Thanks for the laughter. "

to doubleclutch wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:01 AM:

" Don't have to somebody took the bulbs. "

Another Party wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Perhaps Clay would like to have another party at the Genesis Center for his buddy Obama.. How many jobs did that cost the city. "

to doubleclutch wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:46 AM:

" I'm still laughing ! "

Dave wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:45 AM:

" the city of Gary, struck an iceberg. Who's going to make to a life boat ? "

Wet Hen wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:20 AM:

" Laid off the wrong folks. Try laying off administrators and middle managers instead, "

merrillville wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:01 AM:

" well Merrillville get ready for mutal aid!!!! The only thing who well be paying the bill for mutal aid. Becareful Merrillville watch your bugdget!!!!! Remember Merrillville !st!! "

to tipical typical wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:49 AM:

" The city would not put it in writing that they wouldn't lay guys off. thats why we voted for them not to take the clothing allowance. You can not believe anything this administration says. They lie to us all the time. We will be putting together a fund to give to our fellow ff's. I will be giving them my clothing check and I'm sure many others will do also. "

to tipical wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:33 AM:

" If the union had made those concessions, the city of Gary would have pulled the same crap, during other contract disputes, and eventually dwindled down the department. There are several ther areas where the money could have been saved. starting with Rudys Hummer. "

TimeToChange wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:32 AM:

" If Clay sold the Hummer and didn't require so much "security" could they bring some of those firefighters back? If you reelect this guy you get what you deserve. "

Typical wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:29 AM:

" The politicians would not even begin to guarantee that giving up the clothing allowance would in any way stop the lay offs. When asked whether it would, they specifically would not give a straight answer. Which means that they planned to cut the allowance and STILL lay these men off. At least now those individuals will have the clothing allowance as extra cash to help make it through their time of lay off. "

tipical wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:52 AM:

" Union will not cut the money to keep people working. 13 people working or $1000 less a years for each fire figher.
Hope the rest of the fire Fighers have a good holiday season as your fellow works line up at the food bank. "

doubleclutch wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:38 AM:

" Will the last person to leave Gary. turn off the lights. "

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