Public safety protest

By George P. Hassett

Members of the patrolmen’s and firefighter unions picketed together outside City Hall tonight for the first time ever, according to officials from each union.

The reason, said Patrolmen’s Union President Jack Leutcher, is proposed pay raises for non-union city employees at a time when union members of the police and fire departments have not had contracts for over two years.

President of the Firefighters Union Jay COlbert said the unions were not opposed to pay raises for the mayor and the Board of Aldermen but that public safety officials deserve an increase in pay too.

"Public safety doesn’t seem to be an issue to this administration," said Colbert, who criticized the mayor for allowing the department’s engine 4 station to be out of use so long.

"We know there have been cuts in local aid under Romney but the money is coming back now and it’s going to a small group of politicians," Colbert said. "Why can’t it go to keeping people in the city safe?"