Save Our Orlando Fire Fighters

May 21, 2009 – Orlando, FL Local 1365 is encouraging IAFF members and citizens to join its "Save Your Orlando Firefighters" Facebook group to help prevent the layoff of 46 fire fighters that the city announced it is cutting, along with 300 other city employees. The Facebook page invites friends, co-workers and family send an invitation to their friends to join the group and to contact Mayor Buddy Dyer and city commissioners to oppose these layoffs. Already, the page has generated nearly 9,500 members.

Mayor Buddy Dyer says the layoffs, which would save the city $34 million, are necessary to overcome a property tax shortfall. But Orlando, FL Local 1365 and other labor unions that are fighting to prevent the layoffs, say there is plenty of money in the city's emergency reserve account -- more than $100 million -- that could be used for public safety, but that the city is against dipping into these funds because it would hurt its ability to finance new community venues such as the Magic Arena, the performing arts center and Citrus Bowl stadium.

"If you're not going to use your reserves on rainy days to save fire fighters or police officers -- or any other city service -- you should just give the money back to the citizens," Local 1365 President Steve Clelland told the Orlando Sentinel.

The Dyer administration's threatened layoffs are intended to put pressure on the unions to cut job losses by giving up wage increases or accept salary reductions. Union leaders say they're willing to forgo raises to save jobs, but aren't willing to completely ignore the three-year labor contracts signed in December 2008.

Both public safety unions and the unions that represent more than 1,000 white collar workers are also bringing their case straight to Orlando residents by going door to door, picketing City Hall and broadcasting radio ads.

Join the "Save Your Orlando Firefighters" Facebook group.

Other links:

Rescue Orlando

Fire Fighter Losing Job Gets Death Threats