July 26, 2012 – Three thousand IAFF members today marched on Philadelphia City Hall to demand that Mayor Michael Nutter implement an arbitration award that Philadelphia Fire Fighters and Paramedics Union Local 22 won – twice – and which the mayor continues to refuse to implement.

Fire fighters from across the Unites States and Canada, their families and supporters mustered on the south side of Broad Street outside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and marched to City Hall. Along the way, they chanted “Binding is Binding, Honor the Award!” and “Shame on you Mayor Nutter!”  It was a fitting end to the IAFF 51st Convention in Philadelphia, where the theme of the biennial meeting was “Fighting Back for a Stronger Union.”

“All our members expect is fair treatment and for the mayor to obey the law,” General President Harold Schaitberger said from the steps of Philadelphia City Hall. His voice raspy and strained after five days of meetings and speeches, the General President sounded a tone of defiance on behalf of Local 22. “This mayor has five days to make a decision. He’s a big city mayor and if he doesn’t honor this award then he is going to have to deal with the full force of this International!”

Fire fighters from all over the United States and Canada reinforced the message that Local 22 has repeated since the arbitration award was handed down – that Mayor Nutter has a legal obligation to obey the award and put into force the fire fighters' contract. The union's contract expired in July 2009. Arbitrators awarded a contract in 2010. The City appealed. After a year, a Common Pleas Court judge sent the case back to the arbitration panel for reconsideration. The panel this month awarded 3 percent raises and denied the City the right to furlough fire fighters and medics. It gave Mayor Nutter until July 31 to implement the arbitration. But Local 22 members still don’t have their raises. “This is a mayor who has no respect for the people who save lives for a living. This is getting old,” Local 22 President Bill Gault said. “The people who save your life deserve better treatment. It’s the same award as the cops. It’s doable. What he’s doing is completely wrong and he is breaking the law.”

Firefighters assembled in front of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, stretching the length of 13th Street from Arch to Race streets. After making the one-block march to City Hall, they assembled on the north steps of City Hall in the scorching heat to blast Mayor Nutter. President Schaitberger, addressing specifically the members of Local 22 who have battled with the mayor for three years, said, “We are going to be here with you. We are going to spend what it takes to help you win.”