Union member sheds light on cosmetic rider

The real people to blame for the plastic surgery among Buffalo teachers are the fools who negotiated their contract years ago. As I've said before, Buffalo teachers have it very difficult. They've been taking an undeserved beating in the local press lately.

Here, a union worker presents their side to the debate. Thanks for the comment...

Mike,

I know the cosmetic rider sounds ridiculous but here is some information, as explained to me by union delegates ( applies to teachers, cops, and fireman). The union contracts, as agreed upon by the city and unions, call for 4 health care plans. ( I know, sounds like alot, but of you look at the salaries of other area teachers, fireman, cops you'll see Buffalo is paid alot less ). The city used to offer two plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield and two from Independent Health. In recent years the city, without negotiating ( illegally) began offering these workers only two plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield. One of the Blue Cross plans includes a cosmetic rider. None of the unions negotiated specifically or fought for this rider.

Blue Cross threw in the cosmetic rider ( probably because they knew they could charge the city tons of money for it). The city should have never agreed to this health plan during negotiations, since it was a non issue for the unions ( possibly a pay off to high ranking officials from blue cross???). Unfortunately, the cosmetic rider is a benefit offered to these workers. Why should they give it back when a politically appointed state control board froze their wages for 3 years? Please place the blame where it belongs.


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Discrimination settlement

12 out of the 13 honkie firefighters won a total of $2.5 million dollars against the city of Buffalo in their reverse discrimination lawsuit. The 13th firefighter, Anthony Hynes, will now forever be compared to Pete Best and George Tutuska...


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Questions surround WGRZ story

Some people were very upset about WGRZ reporter Scott Brown's story on the alleged buying and selling of overtime in the Buffalo Fire Department. I wrote about the story yesterday and will continue to cover any future developments involving it.

Both sides (the Mayor and the BFD) have raised questions and I hope the media continues to look for answers. According to Scott Brown's story on WGRZ, "a number of firefighters admitted to buying and selling overtime" during the recent arbitration hearings. Will the mayor or the local media be willing to publicly name those people?

As one of the anonymous commentators under my story says, if the city is going to make allegations on scamming, they should be open about who is doing the scamming. They need to stop making vague statements. Otherwise, their allegations carry no weight. For example, according to the story, in 2008 the city claims that a substantial amount of overtime fell into the hands of a few members. They should identify who those members were and compare the amount of overtime they were given to that of everyone else. Were the people receiving the overtime close to retirement?

Conversely, union President Dan Cunningham points to lack of manpower for all the overtime. But he doesn't explain why so much of it went to a few individuals. Also, during the arbitration hearings, some firefighters said some of their coworkers called in when they were not sick in an effort to manufacture overtime. Which is it? Are they short staffed or are people "gaming the system?"

Personally, I will continue to write things as I see them. If there are other questions people think need to be asked, please let me know. I'm no fan of Byron Brown. He's a terrible liar, not to mention an empty suit. Scott Brown left a career in politics (he was Dennis Gorski's former spokesperson) and could be trying to fall into favor with the mayor. But I do find "pension padding" to be a disgusting practice. I look forward to more facts coming out.

Anonymous people can also feel free to write whatever they want about me with their comments. It doesn't bother me in the least, and I won't be dragged into this discussion. I don't represent or work for the mayor, WGRZ, or the Buffalo Fire Department. I'm just an independent taxpayer with a column.





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Selling of overtime?

This story from WGRZ should make all New York State taxpayers angry. Deputy Mayor Byron Brown reports on an alleged overtime scam involving some members of the Buffalo Fire Department. It goes something like this: Person A calls in sick (despite not being sick). Person B picks up their overtime and sells it to Person C (who happens to be near retirement.) Because person C is in their last three years on the job, this extra income will be added directly to their ridiculously inflated state pensions.

If there's another side to this story, Union President Dan Cunningham didn't present it very well to the viewers/taxpayers. If Deputy Mayor Brown is lying or making false claims, we'd love to see the firefighters expose his lies.

Watch the news report and decide for yourself. On the surface,this appears to be a blatant scam on the taxpayers. One would hope people would have more pride in themselves than to engage in this type of nonsense. All it does is heighten awareness for the need for pension reform. The practice of "pension padding" is an insult to all New York state taxpayers. Tim "Hortons" Kennedy, Andrew Cuomo, and Patrick Gallivan all campaigned on changing the way New York state operates. So far, we've seen very little in terms of results. Kennedy talks about mundane issues like texting while driving. Just a lot of talk to get elected, with no serious effort at reform. Meanwhile, young college graduates continue to leave for better opportunities elsewhere...

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Mayor's name removed from firetrucks

Deputy Mayor Brown is not the first politician to put his/her name on a building, sign, community center, etc. It's been done for years by many, and I'm glad people are finally speaking out against it. Incumbents have enough advantages in our current political system. There is no reason to have their names pasted on anything. All it does is perpetuate the belief that the office is theirs for eternity.

In a typically tacky move, Mayor Casey had Brown's name put on all the new firetrucks. Thankfully, the rank and file put an end to this nonsense through a Facebook page. (Incidentally, the Mayor's puppet, Mike DeGeorge is already talking about taking this page down). If you ask me, our empty suit Deputy Mayor gets an A for politics and an F for leadership. He's terrible...

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Herbert, Jr. graduates at top of his class; credits uncle

Buffalo Firefighter Donald Herbert, Jr. graduated tied for first in his class of 32 on Friday...

Herbert, the son of departed Firefighter Donald Herbert Sr., was one of about three dozen probationary firefighters who received their firefighting badges Friday afternoon during a recruit class graduation ceremony in Waterfront School.

The soft-spoken, humble 30-year-old, who joins his younger brother Patrick on the city's Fire Department, deflected any special attention at the ceremony.

"I'm very proud and happy; it's a good day," said Herbert, who finished tied for first in his firefighting class. "Obviously,I'd like to give a special thanks to my uncle Mike Blake for the rigorous fitness program he put me through before the start of the class."

When pressed to elaborate, Herbert said he was "sworn to secrecy" about the program's contents. Sources tell the Buffalo News, the program combined Soviet and East German Cold War era training methods along with a form of Buddhist transcendental meditation...

Buffalo fire grads up to challenge

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Herbert, Jr. sworn in as firefighter

The Buffalo News did this story today on Donald Herbert, Jr...

Son follows in the boots of a fallen firefighter

Donald J. Herbert Jr. was 14 years old when his father suffered catastrophic injuries battling a house fire in 1995. His father, Donald J. Hebert Sr., attracted national attention when he awakened from a semiconscious state nearly a decade after the tragedy. He died in 2006.

Friday afternoon, as Herbert raised his right hand and was sworn in with 34 other new firefighter recruits, he was convinced his dad would have been pleased.

Herbert's younger brothers Patrick and Thomas are both Buffalo firefighters and police officers, respectively. Youngest brother Nicholas plans on joining his siblings in a career in public service, with hopes of becoming a Galleria Mall security guard.

Up until today's article, the young lad was most famous for living downstairs of and being the nephew of a mysterious and notorious local blogger...

Son follows in the boots of fallen firefighter - City of Buffalo - The Buffalo News
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Bad strategy by union leader

I, for one, think the real enemies in the class war going on in the U.S. today are the bankers, lobbyists, and hedge fund types. I think teachers and first responders are being unfairly pitted against the private sector working class by the aforementioned scumbags. Having said that, I don't think Buffalo Firefighters Union President Dan Cunningham is going to win any support from the general public with his latest negotiating strategy. Cunningham is urging all Buffalo Firefighters to switch insurance plans from the cheapest to the most costly ones (the one with all the plastic surgery nonsense)....

Union President Daniel Cunningham on Tuesday said more than 400 firefighters are still signed up for lower-cost insurance plans. He told the Common Council's Finance Committee that the union plans to urge members to change plans.

"We're going to ask each and every member of ours to sign up for the [more costly plan] with the cosmetic rider, so I can make myself look a little bit prettier," Cunningham said.

If all firefighters currently enrolled in the less expensive health plans opted for top-of-the-line coverage, it would likely cost the city at least $2.5 million annually.

What's happening in Wisconsin could easily happen here. The time may come when Public Employee Unions might need the support of the general public. Sophomoric tactics like this, which cost the taxpayers money, will not help their cause. Times are very tough. Do I think the mayor's people are negotiating in good faith? No way. However, all this is going to do is cast the firefighters' union in a negative light with their neighbors, who are struggling every day to pay their bills...

Union will urge firefighters to opt for most costly health plan

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Fire on Houston St.

One of my neighbors was working on his car's gas lines tonight. I don't think things went as planned. Unsupervised kids were walking around next to live power lines and neighbors were screaming in Spanish.(Actually, that was before the fire started.) Notice the anti-Cuomo sign at 0:25. South Buffalo legend Tim Green runs out of his house at 1:20 and then starts screaming for the dog at 1:45. Fortunately, nobody(including the dog) was hurt and my signs were left undamaged...

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Cunningham puts residency requirement on the table

The city and the fire union cannot agree on a contract. No new news here. This time, the union's president, Dan Cunningham, added a residency requirement for all new firefighters on the table. Interesting, considering for years, union members have said the lack of a residency requirement doesn't hurt the city. They also like to cite the "importance" of the Taylor Law. Here are Cunningham's comments:

Union President Daniel Cunningham said the plan included a key concession that would require all firefighters hired in the future to live in the city for the duration of their careers.
“It would add to the quality of life in the City of Buffalo and increase its tax base,” Cunningham said.

Are you listening Bob Meegan? James Kane? Dave Thomas? Somebody out there is finally agreeing with the residents. Lets hope this concession is a sign of things to come...
Talks between city, firefighters break down : City & Region : The Buffalo News

Buffalo's highest?

I guess where there's smoke(s), there's fire. What a long, strange trip it's been...

City fireman charged after drug raids

A city firefighter was arrested on felony drug charges after Buffalo narcotics detectives raided two properties, including his West Seneca home, Thursday and uncovered an extensive hydroponic marijuana-growing operation, police said.
As Robert W. Kunz, 43, of Brookside Drive, was getting off his job Thursday afternoon at Ladder 15 at Clinton Street and Bailey Avenue, narcotics detectives raided a house he owns on Allegany Street in Buffalo, then his home on Brookside.
Detectives recovered 50 potted marijuana plants in various stages of growth from the house in Buffalo, along with lamps and other growing equipment, authorities said late Thursday. At the house in West Seneca, police said, they found several more pounds of dried marijuana on trays, waiting to be packaged.
A quantity of hallucinogenic mushrooms and some pills also were seized, along with a shotgun, according to police.
The raids were part of an investigation by the State Attorney General’s Office and Buffalo police. Buffalo Narcotics Detectives Thomas E. Doctor and John C. Garcia were the lead investigators. West Seneca and Lackawanna police also participated.
City fireman charged after drug raids : Home: The Buffalo News

I hope I die before I get old

Old liberals never die. They just rule on more cases. Judge John Curtin, the man singly most responsible for the demise of Buffalo, is still trying cases at 88 years' young. The scourge of Pawnee Pkwy. ruled that the promotional exams offered by the Buffalo Fire Department are not racially biased. Too bad it took Curtin 30 years and lots of moving vans to figure out the flaws in his earlier reasoning. He ruined the neighborhood schools with his bleeding heart endorsement of busing years ago. While I happen to agree with his current Viagra induced decision, I think it's time someone pulled the Curtain on young Johnny Boy's law career...

A long federal court battle over allegations of racial discrimination surrounding two Buffalo Fire Department promotional exams may finally be near an end.
U. S. District Judge John T. Curtin this week issued orders dismissing legal challenges filed by the Men of Color Helping All Society, a group of African- American Buffalo firefighters.

Blacks lose suits on fire exams : City & Region : The Buffalo News