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Tulsa Fire Fighters Not Backing Down
September 4, 2009 – Some Tulsa, Oklahoma, City Council members
tried once again to stop Tulsa Local 176 fire fighters from campaigning for the
three city council candidates the local endorsed. City Council Member John
Eagleton led a press conference in which he said that the fire fighters are
violating the law and the City Charter by engaging in political activity.
“Tulsa fire fighters have been acting within their First
Amendment right to free speech as they campaign for candidates who support
public safety,” says IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee. “They are
following the IAFF political philosophy to support those who support us.”
Tulsa Local 176 President Stan May adds, “As long as we are not
in uniform and we campaign off-duty, then we are fully within our rights. We
have been following all of the rules.” The City’s mayor, attorney and fire chief
have also released similar opinions.
The City Charter states that “no chief, officer or sworn member
of the fire department shall take an active part in any campaign for the
election of officers of the city, except to vote and privately state a personal
opinion.”
The attorney for the City of Tulsa has maintained the City takes
its cues from state law, which allows such campaign activity under the First
Amendment. The only rules are that employees cannot campaign on duty or in
uniform. Fire fighters have been wearing union T-shirts while out walking
districts.
Still, City Council members Eagleton, Rick Wescott, Bill
Martinson and Eric Gomez have opined otherwise over the last several weeks.
Local 176 has endorsed Chris Trail in District 5, Barton Rhoades
in District 2 and Maria Barnes in District 4. All three candidates are running
against City Council incumbents Wescott, Martinson and Gomez.
The incumbents support significant cuts to the fire and police
department budgets resulting in the layoffs of up to 116 fire fighters and 140
police officers.
“We have mission to serve and protect the City and its
citizens,” says May. “We cannot do that without fire fighters.”
The election is September 8.
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