I can't do what?

[Pumbaa]

So I get a message from a high ranking Union guy the other day (dont even get me started that I HAVE to be in the union) telling me one of the high ranking chiefs is upset about my off duty recreation activities of a political nature.

Now let me state that I have made sure to make sure I have no connection to the fire department while I participate in my political activities and ever since the rape of my niece by a fire fighter I work with actually have gone as far to ensure that unless I am actually on duty in an official capacity to divorce myself from the fire service all together.

So do I back off and let this chief intimidate me but at the same time protect my family -OR- do I tell him to **** off let him try to stop my off duty activities and make me rich? (not only is he the #2 guy but He is a highly respected multimillionaire business man well known through NATIONAL the fire community)

 

[bob1852]

So I get a message from a high ranking Union guy the other day (dont even get me started that I HAVE to be in the union) telling me one of the high ranking chiefs is upset about my off duty recreation activities of a political nature.

The Chief's been reading HBT debate forums, huh?

 

[r8rphan]

So much for free speech, eh?

 

[Pumbaa]

The Chief's been reading HBT debate forums, huh?

LOL no I wish then I'd just get him drunk.

So much for free speech, eh?

yeah thats kind of the way I see it and TBh as much as I respect the guy I cant fawking stand him (massive knowledge wrapped in a massive ****** bag)

BTW AZ_IPA . . . . just to totally fawk with yoour head . . . He's pissed I'm ranking and Republicans and NYC fire commissioners

 

[Sea]

Sounds like a rock and a hard place. Normally I would recomend standing up for your beliefs, but let's be honest, we both know how that might end if you mess with the wrong guy in charge. You've got to provide for your family first and foremost.

 

[stormrider27]

Sea is right. I hate unions especially govt ones. But unless Johny Cochran is your close personal friend try to be political and keep your job.

Storm
Oh and find that guy who raped your niece and "buckwheat's into a dumpster"

 

[gratus fermentatio]

Is there any clause in the union forms you signed that would prohibit you from participating in the activities in question? If so, there's likely little you can do about it.
If not, they're infringing upon your rights, fuukk 'em.
Regards, GF.

 

[theonetrueruss]

either way they don't have the right to limit your activities.. (even if it is legal.. legal != right) weigh the risks and decide what to do. If that's a battle you want to go into just be sure that it's the hill you're willing to die on.

 

[r8rphan]

Time to go 'undercover,' grasshopper....
Be wise as the serpent, and innocent as the dove..
There are always ways to help your cause while staying out of direct fire..
And there's nothing wrong with that...

BTW, I left my union for this exact same reason.. Couldn't take it anymore...
Went to work for myself..
Make a lot less money now, but I'm happier...
Of course I only have to take care of 'me' so a reduction in income only affects 'me'...

Now of course, they say I don't qualify for my pension...
Dissent will not be tolerated by the Fuhrers..
What was once my money is now theirs... (I see a pattern here with these people)
So I gotta start saving for a lawyer, as that age is coming fast... sigh

 

[snccoulter]

shoot even the military alows you to be political in any way you want as long as you dont drag the military in to it. The union guy is breaking the law by teling you you cant be political how you want. i also believe you coud go after them for reprisal if they screw with you but look that one up.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

So I get a message from a high ranking Union guy the other day telling me one of the high ranking chiefs is upset about my off duty recreation activities of a political nature.

A message from someone about someone else who is unhappy? That is hardly an official complaint.

Carry on as you are (In the correct manner) And let them try to find a way to put that in writing. That should be very interesting to see who, if anyone is actually a bit miffed.

 

[viking73]

Document, Document, Document.

 

[Pumbaa]

A message from someone about someone else who is unhappy? That is hardly an official complaint.

Carry on as you are (In the correct manner) And let them try to find a way to put that in writing. That should be very interesting to see who, if anyone is actually a bit miffed.

It's not the union who is miffed and they know what I'd tell them if it was . . .
I'm pretty sure thats what I'm going to do LGI. Ever since some very serious issue a few months back I have totally seperated my personal life from work to the point I wont even ID myself as a firefighter. Hell I'm tempted to remove the Maltese cross I have tattooed on my right arm

 

[DregAddict]

I don't know the exact political activities you are getting involved in, but to look at it from the chief's point of view, even though you aren't involving the department in your actions, at a certain point you always represent them. Again, I don't know what your involved in and it could be something as mild as sharing your opinion. But, imagine if it were something that gained public attention. You know people would make an association between you and the department. That's probably where your chief's concern stems from. When you are part of a group, you represent them, even during times when you're acting alone. Take the guy that raped your niece(horrible by the way, you're a bigger man than me for not settling it on your own), if the papers picked up on that, you can bet they mentioned what he did for a living.

In this situation you might just have to suck it up, because maintaining your livelihood is the most important thing for you and your family.

 

[Pumbaa]

(horrible by the way, you're a bigger man than me for not settling it on your own)

he was behind bars b4 I could get to him. Had I known sooner maybe I could have but my sister and B-i-L (who also works with the guy) kept it from me because they knew what I would do. What amazes me is that my B-i-L didnt do anything.

 

[DregAddict]

he was behind bars b4 I could get to him. Had I known sooner maybe I could have but my sister and B-i-L (who also works with the guy) kept it from me because they knew what I would do. What amazes me is that my B-i-L didnt do anything.

Hopefully he's "getting it" good behind bars then.

 

[Airborneguy]

We can't be involved in much of anything politically, but that's not the union's call, it's part of our job description. I can't even talk to media without getting permission first. I visited an Army buddy in Iowa once and the VERY VERY small town he was from wanted to do an article on me because I had just returned from being a Katrina responder. I had to respectfully decline.

 

[Pumbaa]

We can't be involved in much of anything politically, but that's not the union's call, it's part of our job description. I can't even talk to media without getting permission first. I visited an Army buddy in Iowa once and the VERY VERY small town he was from wanted to do an article on me because I had just returned from being a Katrina responder. I had to respectfully decline.

It wasnt the Union complaining, they were just giving me the heads up about the Chief. But yeah we are a lot the same way BUT if we are off duty and not representing ourselves as part of the fire department we can do as we please as long as we arent in violation of any laws. . . or thats how it seems it used to be

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

You did kinda throw us a wobbler by mentioning the union and your feelings about them. The fact that it was a union guy is irrelevant to your situation. I understand the situation a little better now though.

The song remains the same though, if your contract of employment allows you to do with your free time as you will, then go for it. Document everything and let THEM build a case if they wish. You certainly need to bone up though on what you signed up for to be on the safe side.

 

[trigger]

I have no idea what your employment contract or whatever says, but this situation really makes me angry. The mere fact that it was significant enough that your union rep felt the need to give you the heads up on it indicates that it IS a real concern.

That being said, you, as a firefighter, are serving the people. The same people that DO get to exercise their first amendment rights. What in the hell is the deal with this country that we somehow think anyone with a public job has to make sure to fall lock step into line with the current party?

I absolutely hated this when I was still enlisted. I mean, I was deployed during the 2008 elections. God help you if you ever expressed any doubt about McCain. The first, and most important item in the oath of enlistment is to support and defend the Constitution. What good does that do and what meaning does that have if an individual so sworn doesn't get to exercise those rights?

Anyway, /rantoff. I encourage you to continue whatever political activities YOU think are worth your time. Don't associate yourself with the FD and if they make it an official thing take it up the chain or into court if you have to. The freedoms we have as Americans only exist insofar as we, as individual political entities, choose to exercise them and fight to defend them.

 

[r8rphan]

The freedoms we have as Americans only exist insofar as we, as individual political entities, choose to exercise them and fight to defend them.

Here, here!


PS... I couldn't vote for McCain either.. So I did the write in thing...
But I live in California, so my vote is largely irrelevant...

 

[BBKing]

I have no idea what your employment contract or whatever says, but this situation really makes me angry. The mere fact that it was significant enough that your union rep felt the need to give you the heads up on it indicates that it IS a real concern.

That being said, you, as a firefighter, are serving the people. The same people that DO get to exercise their first amendment rights. What in the hell is the deal with this country that we somehow think anyone with a public job has to make sure to fall lock step into line with the current party?

I absolutely hated this when I was still enlisted. I mean, I was deployed during the 2008 elections. God help you if you ever expressed any doubt about McCain. The first, and most important item in the oath of enlistment is to support and defend the Constitution. What good does that do and what meaning does that have if an individual so sworn doesn't get to exercise those rights?

Anyway, /rantoff. I encourage you to continue whatever political activities YOU think are worth your time. Don't associate yourself with the FD and if they make it an official thing take it up the chain or into court if you have to. The freedoms we have as Americans only exist insofar as we, as individual political entities, choose to exercise them and fight to defend them.

:rockin::rockin::rockin:

Well said!