FDNY Firefighters To Leave IAFF?
Effects of Schaitberger Corruption Felt Across the Union
The incoming president of the IAFF’s largest local, Andy Ansbro, tells New York City’s civil service newspaper, The Chief, “… a lot of members fail to see value in [IAFF membership]” laying the groundwork for a decision to disaffiliate.
Can they be blamed as the details of Harold Schaitberger’s plunder of the IAFF continues to leak out?
Local 94 is not alone, across the IAFF members increasingly comment on dropping out or withholding dues because Schaitberger’s IAFF is now wholly identified with his corrupt and unethical practices.
They see their acts as a way to speak out and be heard since the executive board is largely owned by Schaitberger.
Local 94’s actions are the very opposite of how Schaitberger operates. In his world, he dictates from the top and his compliant vice presidents obey while rank and file members simply remain silent.
It’s very refreshing that Local 94 is saying we-don’t-think-so.
Ansbro takes office on August 1, and has a month to decide “if this is an organization we should be involved with.”
Schaitberger’s likely response will be to first roll out the song and dance of how much the IAFF did for Local 94 during 9/11 and afterwards, which was right about the time he started shagging us all with his improper pension and fat-cat/high-on-the-hog living.
But don’t be fooled.
If that routine fails, and it should, he will bid them good riddance.
FDNY’s Local 94 is simply giving voice to what many know, Schaitberger stopped caring about IAFF locals a long time ago and if he’s not concerned about the biggest one, he certainly can’t be bothered with the smallest.
And to him IAFF members are just a means to an end — our means and his end.
Schaitberger only cares about the 16 vice presidents who make up what laughingly passes for an executive board so that they can continue to feather his nest and otherwise do his bidding, when he even bothers to ask them.
If Local 94 goes, the executive board owns it too; their subservience to Schaitberger, their utter failure to ever do the right thing, paved the way for where we are now.
