Slog
News & ArtsFriday, August 28, 2009
City Police and Firefighter Unions Endorse Mallahan
Posted by Dominic Holden on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:25 PM
The Seattle Police Officers' Guild (SPOG) and Seattle Firefighters Local 27 have endorsed Joe Mallahan for mayor, union and campaign spokespeople say. The two groups announced this evening that they would hold a press conference on Tuesday to break the news, but firefighters' union president Kenny Stuart confirmed tonight that their endorsement would go to Mallahan.
"We think he's going to be the best mayor of the two candidates for public safety, labor, and for the city of Seattle," Stuart says. "It became obvious to us that his basic values were in line with labor and firefighters as well as his appreciation for workers." The firefighters' union met twice with each mayoral candidate, and Mallahan demonstrated the best understanding of union interests, he says, particularly on providing sufficient staff on the scene of emergency calls.
"Joe demonstrated an ability to understand those issues not just on the surface—he understood the issues to a greater depth that most of the candidates," he says.
Mallahan spokeswoman Charla Neuman says, "I think it is very important for the campaign. They play a huge role to get out the message that Joe is a good manager, and he knows the crucial role that the city plays in helping all the workers that help protect the city."
The blessing of well-respected police and fire unions is a major victory for Mallahan, even though the news isn't terribly shocking—Mike McGinn is the sort of lefty rarely embraced by public safely lobbies. Stuart declined to comment on why they didn't endorse McGinn. But choosing Mallahan is somewhat surprising due to his history as an executive at T-Mobile, which was exposed for trying to prevent unions from forming. Stuart says he asked Mallahan about "about those questions very intently" and Mallahan explained that "he didn’t supervise any of those employees and wasn’t involed in any of those decisions."
SPOG had endorsed several candidates in July for the primary race; however, a mayoral endorsement was notably absent until now. There are about 1,300 employees in the police department, and the overwhelming majority of them are represented by SPOG.
Neuman adds, "We want to help Seattle move forward in an efficient and effective manner so everyone gets what they need from city government, as opposed to the candidate who wants to look backwards and just say 'no tunnel.'"
3
I believe you're making assumptions that aren't supported by facts.
Even if you were right, cops and firefighters can campaign, donate, and doorbell for their candidates.
5
Those who are middle-income cannot afford to live in Seattle any longer, which is why city employees don't live in Seattle anymore. Contrary to popular opinion, the majority of city employees are not paid stratospheric wages. There are your facts, and a source.
However, that does not mean that the fire fighters, as one of the larger unions are precluded from making an endorsement, political speech is protected under the Constitution regardless of where the fire fighters live.
If you are so curious about where the police & fire fighters live, do a google search, google is your friend.
7
The point I was trying to make - which was more or less in support of the cops/firefighters (when the SPOG was referred to as "thugs") was merely that relatively few city employees actually live in the city anymore, thus the clout of city employees as a voting bloc is practically nil.
Although it should be noted that among some city departments there is status to not living in Seattle. Very few of my co-workers live in Seattle, and many of them regard the city as dangerous. I regularly have people ask me how I can "brave" working in the CD.
But fair is fair: I freely admit I don't know the percentage of city employees who live in the city.
You are continuing your record of fair-minded coverage of the mayor's race.
Just out of curiosity, what union represents workers at the Stranger? Aren't you glad Tim Keck is unqualified to judge anyone's suitability for public office?
15
Travel is a wonderful thing. Save up a little, and get yourself one of those Greyhound passes. You'll be right at home there.
well if you hate cops so much, next time a mad homey breaks into your home, stabs you, rapes and murders your partner, do us all a favor. Call a hippy to come help you.
Either that or lecture him on the joys of cultural diversity and American racism will he bones you.
You go first. I want to watch you and make sure I do it right. I don't want to be hauled up in front of some Obamacare death panel.
19
Otherwise, you might as well admit you live in Fear.
Fear is the mind killer.
Why, when you can just live in the Great White North above the Ship Canal and South of 85th? We can live in peace and quiet with our Subarus, Obama stickers and NPR while they kill each other off in da 'hood. Why should I care? I'm not stupid enough to go ghetto and live in South Park.
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