Police commanders braced themselves for a backlash from officers this week after the Mayor announced the tentative contract agreement with the firefighters, which could increase the annual salaries of many firefighters to $1,500 more than police officers.
The city's new pact with the firefighters, which still faces a ratification vote by union members, would allow about half of the Fire Department force to earn an additional $1,500 each year in bonuses for responding to medical emergencies.
In clean, understated prose, he describes the world of the firefighter, in which endless days of waiting give way to hours of intensity and exaltation.
The cheating scandal has underscored the fierce competition for the firefighter positions, which offer six-figure salaries and generous benefits.
Another part of the province's strategy has included getting the antidote into the hands of firefighters, which began in Surrey and Vancouver in late January, and has been taken up by some other cities.
It then knocked back a 19% pay deal over six years in January, because it didn't include provision for the additional 350 firefighters, which by then had the backing of the full federal court.
It has been criticized as exploiting tragedy by Democrats and the union that represents firefighters, which has endorsed Mr. Kerry.
Union officials said that the new contract with firefighters, which would grant them extra money for extra work, would eliminate a time-honored contractual parity between the police and firefighters.
"Fill the Boot" is a national campaign, organized by MDA in partnership with the International Assn. of Firefighters, which raises millions annually to support families served by nonprofit organization.
The mayor reiterated concerns about the LAFD hiring process, saying more must be done to boost the percentage of female firefighters, which for decades has remained at just under 3%.
