Title
Urging the Mayor to honor the hard work and dedication of the members of Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters by implementing their recent binding arbitration award.
Body
WHEREAS, Philadelphia fire fighters and fire paramedics put their lives on the line every day to protect the residents of our City; and
WHEREAS, These same 2,380 fire fighters and fire paramedics are represented by the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' Union, Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, and have worked without a contract since July 1, making them the only municipal union whose contract remains unresolved; and
WHEREAS, After months of negotiating and fifteen days of interest arbitration hearings, during which both the City and Local 22 had the opportunity to present testimony and evidence in support of their respective contract proposals, the Arbitration Panel issued its Interest Arbitration Award on November 1, 2000;
WHEREAS, The November 1, 2000 Award is fair to both Local 22 and the City of Philadelphia, in that it addresses the medical needs unique to fire fighters and fire paramedics; provides for testing of all fire fighters, paramedics, and retirees for Hepatitis C; requires the development of an infection control policy to address emerging illnesses such as Hepatitis C; and suspends the inherently unsafe "task force" manpower arrangements utilized by the Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, In 1992 and 1996, prior Arbitration Panels issued awards which severely restricted firefighters' medical benefits and reduced the City's contribution to the Local 22 Health & Welfare Fund, but Local 22 did not appeal those binding awards; and
WHEREAS, Since then a medical crisis has emerged, with at least 130 fire fighters having tested positive for the potentially fatal Hepatitis C virus, which is three times higher than the national average, creating severe financial problems for many fire fighters fighting for their lives; and
WHER...
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