I think lilMike's missing another point here.
So it sounds like a fairly popular job for being paid less than average. So would someone in charge of the city's finances reasonably conclude that firefighters were underpaid if you had so many new applicants, and no one left for greener pastures?
The contract granting the raise was negotiated in 2004. Times were different then. The economy was booming. First responders, such as firefighters and policemen, were rightfully riding the wave of
respectability following 9/11, cities and municipalities across America appreciated and honored their service to our country and cities by recognizing the tremendous effort of their duty in protecting us. Funds, allocated by George Bush, were flooding into local economies to strengthen, improve, and enhance the salaries of first responders.
Domestic Preparedness was incorporated under the Department of Homeland Security to provide of terrorism incidents (chemical, biological, In 2002, the federal budget offered $4.8 billion for was set aside for new equipment and technology Responder Program was proposed as a way for the federal government to fund planning, training,
My. How times change...
Today, the very people who honored our first responders are vilifying them.
Shame!
