Providence Finance Refuses to Endorse Proposed Firefighter Contract, Council to Review in January
GoLocalProv News Team
Providence Finance Refuses to Endorse Proposed Firefighter Contract, Council to Review in January
The Finance Committee held a public hearing Monday and "finalized the vetting process for the Elorza administration’s precedent-setting five year tentative agreement with the firefighter’s union."
Members of the Finance Committee expressed their dissatisfied with the contract’s terms, and expressed that it had no confidence in the administration’s fiscal note.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Committee adopted the internal auditor’s fiscal note which then makes adoption of the contract nearly impossible.
"Members cited numerous reasons for their lack of confidence in the contract, including its unprecedented length, the absence of pension reform, the upcoming reintegration of compound COLAs, and exaggerated savings alleged by the administration throughout the vetting process," said the Council in a release.
According to the City Council, "the contract was submitted to the City Council in September without financial reports to support the savings touted by the administration. After multiple requests, the administration submitted two conflicting fiscal notes in November; reviews from the city’s internal auditor revealed the administration miscalculated projected savings in the fiscal notes by more than $7 million and $11 million respectively."
Finance Committee Chairman John Igliozzi also announced tonight that the Finance Committee will conduct mid fiscal year budget reviews beginning in January to analyze department spending against the budget.
Providence Firefighter Tweets
Paul Doughty responds to a post by Elorza on another subject, to steer the fight back to the firefighters.
A photo meme that was orginated by firefighters in social media, before being used on signs during a recent firefighter rally at City Hall.
The fighfighters take to Twitter to convey their positions on a number of issues.
Local 799's Derek Silva tweets a cartoon "fantasty" Tweet with Elorza.
Elorza's post recognizing fire chief Cunha's service gets minimal interaction.
On May 21, when Elorza announced the platoon shift, he tweeted instead about a volunteer event he attended -- and not of the firefighter decision.
Other press coverage of Elorza is often commented on by Doughty on Twitter.
Doughty uses Twitter to show the contrast of a prior Elorza statement, versus his current position.
A pro-union tweet garners significant Twitter interaction.
Doughty takes to social media to tell firefighter supporters than any threats against the Mayor would not be tolerated.
Doughty often comments on other actions by Mayor Elorza in an effort to bolster the firefighters' position.
Doughty takes immediate social action after the Mayor weighs on about the recent court decision.
Media coverage on the fight is often retweeted by Doughty -- something which Elorza does not do with firefighters.
A pro-union post retweeted by Doughty; the firefighters often engage other unions' support.
