Firefighters Union Plans Rally This Weekend

Friday, February 25, 2011

Union members across the country are rallying to support protesters in Wisconsin, and the movement has found its way to the Historic Triangle.

Amidst the furor, a local firefighter and EMS union has scheduled a rally for Saturday to support Wisconsin protesters and workers’ rights in general.

Saturday’s “solidarity rally” is being hosted by the York County and City of Williamsburg Professional Firefighters IAFF 2498. “This is the first of many rallies to unite middle class workers in the nation,” according to President Don Dinse. “This isn’t just about unions, it’s about protecting workers’ rights. WalMart workers, hotel workers, along with [unionized] teachers, cops and firefighters… we’re all blue-collar workers.”

Dinse argues that collective bargaining, which allows unions and management to negotiate peacefully, is a critical part of maintaining decent wages for union employees, which also keeps wages higher for other workers, too. The issue is important, and union members want to stand in solidarity with Wisconsin protesters.

“We stand with the brave workers, students and activists all across the country who are fighting for their rights and protecting the American Dream,” the rally flyer reads.

“A lot of workers today feel like they’ve lost their ability to compete against the wealthiest Americans for a voice,” says Dinse. “They feel disenfranchised… and morale is plummeting. The American dream is lost, they feel.”

Workers have more power than they think, he points out. “We have our votes. People out there working hard every day can vote for people who support workers.”

Before voting season kicks off, though, unions need to speak out against budgets that aim to cut pensions and other benefits, and having a rally is a good way to draw attention to the issue. In Virginia, state employees like Dinse face a possible increase in their portion of contributions to their retirement plans. Also, “for years the state didn’t meet its financial obligations to fund our pensions,” he says.

Dinse feels that unions are being villainized, which is another benefit of having a rally. “We need to change the attitude of Americans who think unions are the enemy.

“I speak for firefighters -- the men and women on the streets putting it on the line for citizens -- and we’re part of a union. We’re not the problem.”

McDonnell’s message in support of Walker doesn’t make mention of collective bargaining, but he does say that Walker “had the courage and honesty to tell people we can’t afford to do the same things we’ve been doing.”

It’s hard to tell workers that “we’ve got to be able to do more with less,” McDonnell says. “We can’t afford the same amount of benefits because the finances simply aren’t there.”

Dinse says he’s had a good response so far to the planned rally and expects a good turnout of both union members and nonunion folks.

The rally will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. at the IAFF Local 2498 building at 7294 Merrimac Trail. The public is welcome to attend.