While I reserve some comment on any safety issues with civil service, I do not support any union that wants control and no accountability. Keep our professional and accountable managers/chiefs in charge. So far they have done a fantastic job!
So hear this folks, and yes this is for all the union guys monitoring this blog but being quiet, the union thinks civil service will improve hiring standards. The facts are out there on the truth (current practices are much better for minorities and for the inexperienced). The union wants to go backwards and use a written cognitive test only for hiring and promotions. They don't want any past performance or non-cognitive testing allowed... This would mean that most if not all of the firefighters hired in the last 30 years wouldn't be here. Especially the younger minority generations. Imagine that union guys, most of you wouldn't be here taking the city through this ridiculous vote. Does your constituents really understand that and what you are doing? I don't think so, I've asked them and they are uninformed.
I noticed you mentioned the current practices being better for minorities and the inexperienced. I'm just curious about how many minorities the fire department currenty has at the rank of Battalion Chief and above? What about in this history of the department, how many minorities have even reached that level? Is diversity important at that level of leadership? Just wondering!
Currently there is one minority in the Deputy Chief position. He is there because he deserves to be there. He is professional and efficient in the manner in which he carries out his duties and deserves the position. How many minorities are on the union executive board?
You are actually wrong, their are 2 minorities that are current deputy chiefs. In the past their has also been a female and another black battalion chief, now both retired.
I think you bring out a good point. We know that the President of the Union wouldn't be here if Civil Service was in place when he came to Arlington. As a Councilman I hire 4 people. The City Manager, the Judge, and I have been the deciding vote for one of the following, Auditor and the City Attorney. None of these positions require a written test, but all require an interview. In each instance I believe that the best person was selected. But that crucial interview process is removed from Civil Service. The test score is the only thing that matters. That is why the hiring process and promotional process are jokes under Civil Service. You don't know if you're getting the highest quality person for the position. The Fire Department is built on a team concept, and when you go to a fire you go as a team, not as a test score. That is why the test is only given a certain weight in the current overall hiring process. Anonymous is correct in stating how many of our current firefighters were not the highest score on the entrance exam? I will bet you well over half if not 80% would not be here today. If as a firefighter you like the team that you are currently on, then the present hiring rules are the reason. Our award winning fire department is not the result of Civil Service it is the direct result of current hiring practices administered by a Nationally recognized Fire Chief Don Crowson. Like it or not, you are exemplary because of his leadership.
Hey citizens, Shawn Graham, the union's point man for civil service is actively managing their campaign while off duty on Family Medical Leave. He can't work for the citizens but can work for the union while taking a federal/city law benefit.
Well the union is now saying the Dept isn't staffing appropriately and firefighters and civilians are at risk. I'm surprised that it has taken this long...that is in itself a typical union stance.
Citizens, again, just ask the questions about how and why the staffing is the way it is. To date Arlington has never had an injury or death due to staffing, not even close. In fact that is impossible for the union to prove.
They even lower themselves to post a pick of a 35 year devoted fire chief and try to lay blame on him. Shame on you!
I sure would like to call out some of you union guys... all the yellow shirts have been disciplined or lost overtime! It's that simple.
It's about getting their overtime back, controlling management appointments and limiting discipline. Period.
While I reserve some comment on any safety issues with civil service, I do not support any union that wants control and no accountability. Keep our professional and accountable managers/chiefs in charge. So far they have done a fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteAll over the City I see signs urging adoption of civil service. I have yet to see one in opposition. Where can I obtain a "Vote NO" sign for my yard?
ReplyDeleteSigns are currently going up. Yard signs should be ready this weekend. Just give me your address. I will not publish it.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteSo hear this folks, and yes this is for all the union guys monitoring this blog but being quiet, the union thinks civil service will improve hiring standards. The facts are out there on the truth (current practices are much better for minorities and for the inexperienced). The union wants to go backwards and use a written cognitive test only for hiring and promotions. They don't want any past performance or non-cognitive testing allowed...
ReplyDeleteThis would mean that most if not all of the firefighters hired in the last 30 years wouldn't be here. Especially the younger minority generations. Imagine that union guys, most of you wouldn't be here taking the city through this ridiculous vote. Does your constituents really understand that and what you are doing? I don't think so, I've asked them and they are uninformed.
This a personal vendetta by the union leadership.
Vote No!
I noticed you mentioned the current practices being better for minorities and the inexperienced. I'm just curious about how many minorities the fire department currenty has at the rank of Battalion Chief and above? What about in this history of the department, how many minorities have even reached that level? Is diversity important at that level of leadership? Just wondering!
DeleteCurrently there is one minority in the Deputy Chief position. He is there because he deserves to be there. He is professional and efficient in the manner in which he carries out his duties and deserves the position. How many minorities are on the union executive board?
DeleteYou are actually wrong, their are 2 minorities that are current deputy chiefs. In the past their has also been a female and another black battalion chief, now both retired.
DeleteI think you bring out a good point. We know that the President of the Union wouldn't be here if Civil Service was in place when he came to Arlington. As a Councilman I hire 4 people. The City Manager, the Judge, and I have been the deciding vote for one of the following, Auditor and the City Attorney. None of these positions require a written test, but all require an interview. In each instance I believe that the best person was selected. But that crucial interview process is removed from Civil Service. The test score is the only thing that matters. That is why the hiring process and promotional process are jokes under Civil Service. You don't know if you're getting the highest quality person for the position.
ReplyDeleteThe Fire Department is built on a team concept, and when you go to a fire you go as a team, not as a test score. That is why the test is only given a certain weight in the current overall hiring process. Anonymous is correct in stating how many of our current firefighters were not the highest score on the entrance exam? I will bet you well over half if not 80% would not be here today. If as a firefighter you like the team that you are currently on, then the present hiring rules are the reason. Our award winning fire department is not the result of Civil Service it is the direct result of current hiring practices administered by a Nationally recognized Fire Chief Don Crowson. Like it or not, you are exemplary because of his leadership.
Hey citizens, Shawn Graham, the union's point man for civil service is actively managing their campaign while off duty on Family Medical Leave. He can't work for the citizens but can work for the union while taking a federal/city law benefit.
ReplyDeleteAnnoyed on duty.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWell the union is now saying the Dept isn't staffing appropriately and firefighters and civilians are at risk. I'm surprised that it has taken this long...that is in itself a typical union stance.
ReplyDeleteCitizens, again, just ask the questions about how and why the staffing is the way it is. To date Arlington has never had an injury or death due to staffing, not even close. In fact that is impossible for the union to prove.
They even lower themselves to post a pick of a 35 year devoted fire chief and try to lay blame on him. Shame on you!
I sure would like to call out some of you union guys... all the yellow shirts have been disciplined or lost overtime! It's that simple.
It's about getting their overtime back, controlling management appointments and limiting discipline. Period.
Vote No!