Firefighters in Philly for IAFF Convention Rally in Scranton

Firefighter Lionel Montalvo sees in the struggles of Scranton's fire and police unions something he said is happening throughout the country.

Everywhere he looks, public safety unions are under siege by communities bent on slashing fire and police protection, said Mr. Montalvo, a firefighter for Maui County, Hawaii.

"We understand the financial situation in the country, but there have to be better solutions," said Mr. Montalvo, who was among more than 100 firefighters from throughout the United States and Canada who rallied Tuesday outside the Lackawanna County Courthouse in support of city firefighters.

"We do our jobs, take care of our responsibilities, with the understanding we'll have the support of the public officials, and when they attack us, it is like we are being hit from behind."

The visiting firefighters arrived on two buses from Philadelphia, where the International Association of Fire Fighters is holding its 51st convention this week.

The rally coincided with a court hearing on a petition by the police, fire and public works unions to hold Mayor Chris Doherty in contempt for unilaterally slashing their pay to minimum wage for a two-week period earlier this month in defiance of orders by Judge Michael Barrasse. Pay levels were restored with the checks workers received Friday. The hearing was rescheduled for July 31 because the unions have requested certain financial documents from city officials.

With some waving signs urging Mr. Doherty to "obey the law," the firefighters booed as city solicitor Paul Kelly and other administration representatives arrived for the hearing before chanting, "Do the right thing!"

From the courthouse, the firefighters walked to the fire department headquarters on Mulberry Street for a quick tour, then filled the City Hall steps, where they bellowed to passing vehicles that honked support.

Bladon Zaplotinsky, a firefighter in Port Alberni in British Columbia, Canada, said the firefighters wanted to display their solidarity with their Scranton counterparts.

Asking public safety personnel to work for minimum wage is not reasonable, he said.

"They are not looking for the moon," Mr. Zaplotinsky said. "They are just looking for fair treatment."

Aidan Alvardo, one of five firefighters from Laredo, Texas, who attended the rally, said firefighters have dangerous, demanding jobs that can be stressful on their families even without having to worry whether there will be enough money for the mortgage or to support their children because their pay has been cut to minimum wage.

"It's just a slap in the face for the firefighters who have to go through this," he said.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service