AFTER YEARS of going along with the Boston firefighters union to get along with it, Mayor Menino is finally challenging its insular, me-first culture. But the mayor isn't getting much backup. The Boston City Council, in particular, seems less than fired up about taking on Local 718.
Last February, the firefighters union won a friendly audience with city councilors. It was so friendly that after union leaders complained about unfair media coverage, Councilor Michael F. Flaherty asked, "What can we do to help?"
City Council President Maureen Feeney also cut off Councilor Salvatore LaMattina when he tried to press union president Edward A. Kelly on why the city and union can't reach agreement on random drug and alcohol testing for firefighters. "I was a little disappointed in that," LaMattina says now. "I hate to see a few put a black cloud over the department."
Since then, allegations of possible pension fraud abuse have intensified. First, there was the Globe story about Albert Arroyo, the firefighter turned body-builder, with a bad back and a request for a disability pension. That was followed by a Globe report on the disappearance of medical files belonging to three Boston firefighters who claimed career-ending on-the-job injuries.
The files vanished as federal investigators pursued an inquiry into dozens of questionable disability claims. The possibility that someone removed them in an effort to hamper the investigation has triggered a parallel investigation into possible theft and attempted obstruction of justice.
Feeney and Councilor Stephen J. Murphy are now calling for a hearing on the Boston Retirement Board's application process for injury claims. That's a start, but it's a small fix for a much bigger cultural problem.
Flaherty, who is likely contemplating a mayoral run next year, is also requesting a list of the types of injury cited by firefighters on disability leave and the cause of each injury. But this request serves the union's stated concern about injury prevention more than the public's interest in stopping potential fraud.
By ordinance, the council cannot participate in collective bargaining. But that's no excuse to ignore allegations of systemic abuse. Council members routinely tackle matters far less important than the integrity of the Boston Fire Department. A recent hearing on a proposal to ban pet rentals comes to mind.
A dog fight with Local 718 is less appealing; this union has a reputation for biting back. But councilors shouldn't let fear of losing union votes douse their outrage over a simmering scandal.
