We were extremely disappointed that the Martin County Commission approved a two-year extension to their current contract with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) that was not due to expire until October 2009. This new agreement was reached in a closed “executive session” of the IAFF and Commission on July 24 th, approved by a two-part union membership vote starting July 31 st, and on August 1 st entered as a “consent” item on the Commission’s August 5 th agenda. Objections at that meeting by one Commissioner prevented approval by “consent” and opened the subject to debate. The one-sided debate that followed was somewhat heated and tended to focus on defending individual provisions of the agreement, along with an emotional discussion on the value of our excellent Fire/EMS service. The final resolution was a 4 to 1 vote to approve. In short, it only took 12 days (7 working days) from the closed meeting with the IAFF that negotiated the agreement, to approval of a three-year contract for the most expensive service provided by County government - with virtually no media coverage or public discussion.

Most of the Commission debate on August 5 th failed to look at the big picture or consider the actual points of our objection. First, at a time when well over a hundred County Administration and Sheriff’s jobs are cut and services to some of our most needy residents are curtailed, the Commission gave a significant across the board increase in pay and benefits to a large number of individuals, many of which make well over $100,000 per year for working two 24 hour shifts per week. The cost per County resident is budgeted at approximately $300 per individual for 2009. Multiply that by the average of 2.2 persons per household (as used in County calculations for schools and impact fees) equals over $600 per household next year and, will climb to at least $700 by the end of this contract.

Second, these pay raises and concessions cause serious management problems for all County supervisors, particularly the Sheriff, School Superintendent and Administrator, who are also facing tough union negotiations. If their employees do not receive comparable results they will either blame their unions for not being aggressive enough, or management for not taking care of their employees. Either way (maybe both) it is not good for the efficiency or effectiveness of these organizations and the vital services they provide.

Third, we are very concerned that the County committed to 5% merit raises plus a negotiated cost-of-living (COLA) across the board increase every year until 2011, and did this in the face of anticipated State and local budget challenges, which appear ominous. If, after the drastic budget cuts made this year, the Commission still had to increase millage rates to balance the 2009 budget what happens in 2010 and 2011 since property values are continuing to fall?

Even though we do not believe that extension of the amended contract was the correct decision, we accept that the issue is now resolved. We were planning to drop the matter and consider it closed until the next union negotiation. Then the IAFF president decided to write a personalized by–name rant against our Association’s President and included dispersions on the integrity of our organization. We disagree with many of the “facts” and half-truths he presented, but will let time and voters judge the veracity of his assertions. However, we vehemently object to innuendos that our organization has some negative agenda toward firefighters or any other group. The names and resumes of our 16 member Board of Directors are published on our website: http://www.mctaxpayers.org/ and ALL of them get the opportunity to review every article or position paper we publish.

Our directors include three former commissioners, a PhD in Economics, a PhD in Human Resources, a prominent attorney, several outstanding local businessmen/civic leaders and retirees who have excelled in their chosen professions. These folks volunteer their time and considerable talents (with NO compensation) to an organization that has, for over 50 years, led the various fights to preserve the physical and fiscal integrity of our wonderful County. We are not against any individual, group or legal organization. We do denounce policies and actions, but only praise by name. We are for Martin County’s residents/taxpayers and any individual, group or organization that is looking out for their interest.

In short, if the IAFF contract had received proper debate in full public view there would have been no need for our organization to aggressively denounce its rapid approval. So why did this rapid approval occur? The professed reason was that in June the IAFF requested that the contract be reopened so they could help the County’s budget problems by voluntarily giving up ½ of their 1 October 2008 10% pay raise. It now appears far more likely that it was the County’s escalating budget problems, and the perception that a better deal could be had prior to the coming elections.

At the time the estimated $1.5 million “give-back” was first announced we applauded the initiative and wrote a column on June 28 th centered on thanking the union for it. Shortly thereafter the strings attached began to be pulled. The union wanted a say on who/how the retiring Director of Emergency Services would be replaced. They wanted two new ambulances. They wanted nine new firefighters and two administrative personnel. The final straw was that they wanted a contract extension to 2011 that guarantees 5% annual merit raises plus a COLA increase to be negotiated every year - in a contract that cannot be changed for any reason without union approval. They ended up getting them all!

Show us one other group that has dominated negotiations with management like the IAFF has done. The first that comes to mind are the union agreements that crippled America’s automakers and major airlines. Given the ability to tax and lack of competition for the services provided, voters are the only impediment to continued mismanagement of our limited resources, which, if left unchecked, will eventually achieve similar results.