Boston firefighters union says department unfairly tarnished by press

By John C. Drake, Globe Staff

The Boston Firefighters Union told city councilors today that its members' reputations have been unfairly tarnished by a series of reports about alleged wrongdoing in the fire department.

The meeting, attended by seven of the 13 council members, came as the union and city are in the midst of contentious contract negotiations. Aides to Mayor Thomas M. Menino criticized the gathering at City Hall, calling it a distraction from the key point of contention in negotiations, which is requiring random drug testing for firefighters.

Union President Ed Kelly said recent news reports suggesting broad substance abuse, cheating on civil service exams, and pension fraud among firefighters were "offensive and unwarranted." Union backers also criticized the city for not providing adequate hazardous materials equipment and training.

"In a post 9/11 world, the fire department is very resistant to change,” Kelly said.

Council President Maureen Feeney, who scheduled the meeting at the union's request, cut off a line of questioning by City Councilor Sal LaMattina, who sought to press Kelly on why the city and union had not been able to reach agreement on random drug and alcohol testing. She said the council, which by city ordinance cannot be involved in collective bargaining, was only able to hear the firefighters' general concerns.

City councilors showered the union representatives with praise and did not ask about any of the recent allegations. Councilor Michael Flaherty, who has said he would not vote to approve a contract that did not include random drug and alcohol testing, asked the first question. "What can we do to help?"

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