Firefighters blast media in march on State House
By Megan Woolhouse and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
A sea of several hundred chanting firefighters dressed in red T-shirts marched on the State House today to defend their reputations after what union officials described as months of attacks and “bogus stories” planted in the press by City Hall.
 (Bill Greene/ Globe Staff) |
Edward Kelly, president of Local 718, said that the media has launched "vicious attacks" against firefighters. Boston firefighters have been criticized in the last few months for resisting mandatory drug tests after autopsy results indicated two firefighters were under the influence of alcohol and drugs when they died fighting a West Roxbury restaurant fire last August. Since then two other Boston firefighters have been arrested on drug charges.
"We do what needs to be done," said Robert B. McCarthy, president of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. "We ask one thing in return: respect."
The crowd of firefighters chanted: “What do we want? Respect! When do we want it? Now!”
The rally came on an annual lobbying day by firefighters for better benefits and staffing, pleas that were mixed with the criticism of the media. It was organized by the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, an umbrella union that represents 12,000, and drew firefighters from Somerville, Brockton, New Bedford, and beyond. Union officials said that roughly 30 Boston firefighters attended.
The crowd booed at a mention of The Boston Globe, and McCarthy blasted articles in Boston Magazine and CommonWealth Magazine that he said depicted Boston firefighters as unprofessional. The sharpest rhetoric was saved for the Boston Herald, which ran an editorial Monday that said it was time to "start yanking back" on the "ludicrously long leash" given to the union during contract negotiations.
“The Herald said it was time to start tightening the noose on the fire department,” said McCarthy, apparently jumbling his words when he referenced the editorial. “We’re not dogs ... we won’t be treated as dogs.”
Boston firefighters have been locked in contentious contract negotiations in which mandatory drug and alcohol testing has become a major sticking point. Union officials said today that they deserve an increase in pay or benefits in exchange for drug testing, a quid pro quo that they said was given to other city departments.
In March, a Boston firefighter was arrested and charged with drug possession after police said they found him smoking marijuana in his Boston Fire Department vehicle in Dorchester. Anthony Gaston, 47, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Last week, a Boston firefighter on disability leave was arrested after police said he illegally bought $200 worth of OxyContin painkillers from a known drug dealer. William Boyle, 58, allegedly bought the pills Friday at the Broadway MBTA station, on the Red Line. He has been a city firefighter for 10 years and has been out on disability since last April.
(Bill Greene/ Globe Staff)
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