IAFF-MG 4th District Plans Ride to Live Without Act 47

April 12, 2007 – The IAFF-MG 4th District invites all IAFF-MG members to join Greenville, PA Local 1976 and other western Pennsylvania locals for the inaugural “Ride to Live Without Act 47” beginning on June 20, 2007.

The Ride is designed to generate awareness among IAFF members in Pennsylvania and in their communities for the devastating effects of Act 47, the state’s Municipalities Financial Recovery Act for debt-strapped cities, and early intervention.

The state law was enacted in 1987 to help cities where the economy is devastated by the loss of a major industry – such as the steel mill – to avoid having to file for bankruptcy. The Act is intended to offer cities in financial straits control over their local governments by inserting state appointed oversight boards to manage these financially distressed cities and reduce spending. However, rather than fixing the insolvency problems, the law instead allows governments to circumvent collective bargaining rights under Act 111, reduce fire department staffing and public employee benefits and jeopardize public safety while continuing indefinitely ineffective programs for financially distressed cities.

Currently, there are more than 26 cities – and IAFF locals – under or in the early prevention phases of Act 47. The January-February issue of the International Fire Fighter outlines in-depth the challenges faced as a result of Act 47.

The two-day, 400-mile ride begins in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and continues across scenic northwestern Pennsylvania with stops in Franklin, Titusville and Warren, as well as other local fire stations where more IAFF members will join the ride to Erie and return to Sharon for “Bike Night” at the Quaker Steak & Lube and an overnight stay.

More IAFF members will join the ride in day two and travel southwest Pennsylvania to IAFF locals in New Castle, Butler and Pittsburgh, among others. The ride concludes June 21 in Sharon.

The ride will coincide with the 10th Annual Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally on June 22, where IAFF members from Altoona and Johnstown will lead riders in the “Second Annual Go for Gallardy Poker Run” on June 22. This official IAFF-MG 4th District ride is held each year in memory of Captain Robert Gallardy of the Altoona Fire Department and Altoona Local 299 who died in the line of duty October 25, 2005.

For registration and detailed itinerary, contact Greenville Local 1976 President Dale Hightree at (724) 588-3111 or (724) 588-6296. Registration is $15 per single rider.

Join your union brothers and sisters to help bring an end to this attack on the safety and financial stability of our communities across Pennsylvania!

Those unable to participate can make donations to:

Local 1976 Act 47 Dice Run
c/o Greenville Firefighters Local 1976
111 East Avenue Greenville, PA 16125