Check out what someone connected with the Newton Dems noticed in the window of a this Newton Fire ladder truck as it appeared in this week’s Newton TAB.
@newtontab – is the @NewtonFireDept for Trump? We hope not. #nevertrump pic.twitter.com/rh43IJWEdL
— Newton MA Dems (@NewtonDems_MA) June 2, 2016
I don’t care who firefighters support for POTUS. But they ought to be much more vocal about the union busting tactics being employed by the Newton School Committee in their “negotiations” with the custodians. All the municipal unions in Newton should be outraged. Matt Hills has taken a page right out of Scott Walker’s playbook. And if these unions don’t stand together, they are going to get picked off one at a time.
Its not OK for political endorsements to be made by city workers on taxpayer funded property.
Nathan is correct. And it is especially bad when it’s Trump. Given his rhetoric, imagine if police cars carried Trump campaign materials. Scary.
Secondly, just this evening, the membership of the Newton Democratic City Committee unanimously and enthusiastically voted to stand with the Newton Custodians Associations to oppose “any effort, of any kind, to reduce wages or benefits, hire non-union workers, or to outsource these positions”. We agree that any public employees union in Newton, or any union for that matter, should make it a priority to stand with the custodians at this time. The School Committee’s approach in working with this local union is deeply concerning.
I agree with Nathan but wonder…would there be as much to do over this if the photo was of a Hillary sticker?
I’m told that a Newton Moms group on Facebook has also been discussing this and is equally disturbed. @TheWholeTruth is probably right, however, that the outcry wouldn’t be as great if this sticker said “Clinton” (or “Feel the Bern), but it really shouldn’t matter.
I am sorry, but no police cars or fire trucks or city vehicles should have any political signs. I am fine with them on personal cars, but not state or city owned.
Take the signs off. Those vehicles should not be used to endorse any candidate (local, state or federal).
TheWholeTruth,
I resisted making the point specific to the candidate for the very reason you mention. That said, if the firefighter(s) who are using public property to advertise their candidate think they have a right to use public property to do so, they should be prepared to publicly defend the racist, misogynistic bigotry of their favored candidate.
I have been assured the sticker has been removed.
Nathan,
We agree that posting political signs on City property/vehicles is wrong. I doubt the firefighter who placed the sign was thinking about the ramifications of this when the sign was placed in the truck. If the Firefighters Union wants to endorse a candidate, then we can ask them to defend their choice. But again, I stand by my comment that if this were a Hillary sign, although equally wrong to display, would not have raised as much dust.
Maybe not as much dust, but I’m sure I’m not the only non-Trump supporter who would have objected equally to a Hillary or Bernie sign. It’s just completely inappropriate.
My mother worked for NYC for many years and was always warned around election seasons that she could not have anything at the office, including a lapel pin, supporting a candidate. I had it drummed into me that it’s inappropriate and illegal for government employees to electioneer on government property.
MGWA,
I work for a private company and I would never dream of putting a sign in my cube for any candidate! It is the property of my company!
I have a lawn and I can opt for a lawn sign or no lawn sign.
I have a private car and I can opt for a bumper sticker or no bumper sticker.
Stephanie
Um, it is not just wrong to have a campaign sticker in or on a city vehicle–it is against the law. Under both state and federal campaign finance law, it is illegal to use public resources, e.g., a fire truck, for any political activity whatsoever.
That’s kinda funny, Ted. Because I’m sure a lot of people remember that a certain former mayor frequently used firetrucks as political props. All the while showing very little respect for the firefighters themselves or their union. Which brings me back to my initial point…
The firefighters need to remember the past, and be more vocal in supporting other municipal unions. I’m encouraged by Shawn’s post above, indicating the Democratic City Committee is siding with the Newton Custodians in their fight with the School Committee.
This is the first time in memory I can recall city officials engaged in blatant, union busting tactics. I’m not the least bit surprised that this is the approach selected by Matt Hills. I have a hard time remembering any public official in Newton that I held in less regard.
@Stephanie – the difference is that while you wouldn’t do that at a private company, it’s not illegal. For government employees, it’s against the law.
My wife (the one who flagged this to me) originally saw it on the Newton Mom’s Facebook group and she just reminded me that the person who originally posted it was aggressively harassed by Trump people to the extent that they had to delete the entire post. Trump is scary.
Agree with Mike on the SC Chair and unions. Unfortunate to see this in Newton.
I doubt that the Firefighter’s Union at least the national and state chapters, will do anything but endorse and work for the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016. They were John Kerry’s biggest labor boosters in 2004. I would like to know if anyone saw more than this single bumper sticker on this particular fire truck in Newton and how long it remained visible. Were more sighted for Trump or for any other presidential candidate. This seems a far cry from the time I was working for EPA in Philadelphia during the 1972 Democratic primaries and saw several police cars sporting George Wallace for President bumper stickers.