Firefighters plan Kentucky Derby protests

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070418/NEWS01/704181326

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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Firefighters plan Derby protests
Contract talks stalled this week

By Jessie Halladay
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The Courier-Journal

Firefighters last night began planning demonstrations slated for Kentucky Derby Festival events to protest nearly two years of working without a contract.

Plans for the peaceful protests came after talks between the union for Louisville Fire & Rescue and the city stalled this week.

Firefighters said they plan to hold signs and seek signatures on petitions supporting their stance. They'll demonstrate outside at Thunder Over Louisville, the Great Balloon Race and other events.

"We will be professional about it," said Randy Croney, who has been a firefighter for 19 years. "We just want what we're worth."

As their salaries stay flat, "everything's been going up," he said, citing rising gas, utilities and out-of-pocket medical expenses such as a $1,500 payment he recently made toward his wife's surgery.

During the past two years, firefighters have rejected two contract proposals, saying that neither offered enough of a raise and insufficient health benefits.

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