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DON’T TAKE A BITE OF THEIR APPLE

Dear Brother/Sister Members:

Once again, we are in for a “fight for our life”.  It is not our first, and it won’t be our last.  Well hopefully, it will be our last – when we win this one.  We have always won our fight because of YOU – yes, that’s right – our members of Local 718 – of which, I can honestly say, I am proud to represent as V.P.

Let me begin by saying “Don’t take a bite of their apple.”  What the city is trying to do is to have the membership turn on us - Eddie, myself and the members of the E Board and Bargaining Team.  What they are trying to say is that we are delaying Arbitration.  If so, why didn’t the city ever sit down with us when we have tried so many times.  Do not believe what they are saying in their letter on the negotiations updates that was sent out in the past.  Even the articles in the newspapers – do not believe them.  Believe me, if they offered us 21% over 5 years, we would have signed right away.  What they are saying is false.  I wish we could say what is going on in Arbitration, but we can’t.  You have to be patient with us. 

Some guys think Arbitration should be over in a day or so.  I wish.  But it is just like a murder trial (actually worse).  The city is playing games once again and they are trying to turn our members against us, so they can try and get out of it easy.  We have been standing strong since I have been a proud member (since 1986), along with my father (since 1950), with Marty Pierce, J.J. Jennings and many others that kept the members strong when they were fighting for our benefits.  Let’s make them proud, stay strong, and keep fighting for what we have earned, what we deserve. 

We are going to need you to help us keep up the fight for brown outs, contract and anything else that may come our way.  This fight isn’t only for us, the members, it’s also for the citizens of Boston and their safety.  Remember – do not take a bite of their apple and do not allow them to make you turn against us.

Thank you for all your support you have given our team.  We are all firefighters - all the way up the line.  That’s what makes us different from the rest.  We are all one.

God bless.  Stay safe.

Rich Paris

Vice President

Boston Firefighters

Local 718 IAFF