R-ISLANDER

CARCIERI HELPS BURN FIREMEN

The firefighters of RI are getting burned.  That's what one of the signs say, and I totally agree.  All 11 Rhode Island fire departments slated to participate in a terrorism drill at Rhode Island Convention Center have dropped out, prompted by the Providence firefighters' union plan to picket as part of a protracted contract battle between the Providence firefighters and the city.  As suspected, the usual anti-working class Republicans are screaming while they try to stop the pickets. 

They can cut taxes for the richest 500 RIslanders, as Carcieri did but give a fair wage and health coverage and other benefits the union should have, and Carcieri and the head of the RI Republicans, Giovanni Cicione say we can't afford it.  Yeah, right.  If you can cut taxes for your corporate buddies, you can afford to pay firefighters a fair wage with benefits.

SHAME ON THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

There is an editorial in the Providence Journal today that really trashes the Providence Fire and Police Depts. unions because those unions have been successful in negotiation of city contracts.   These unions represent the people who put their lives on the line everyday  for their fellow citizens, and the Projo is complaining that Providence Police and Firemen have somewhat decent salaries and a good health care package.

When all those firemen  and police men lost their lives in 9/11, and so many did, the Projo had nothing but praise for them.  But, let them ask for a salary and benefits that reflects our need for them and also reflects the life threatening events they face all the time, and the Projo forgets the praise such people deserve.

Let them die for us. But don't pay them a wage they earn and, oh ya, make them pay for their own health care.

That is unconscionable.  This statement from today's editorial even more so:  "Taxpayers, meanwhile, can’t be blamed for wondering sometimes if the most reasonable thing to do would be to have the city (and state?) declare bankruptcy and start all over again with its labor contracts."