Collective bargaining protects citizens and helps firefighters to save lives

The campaign for Yes on Proposal 2 to protect collective bargaining released a 30-second ad today that demonstrates how collective bargaining helps firefighters do their jobs.

Collective bargaining gives firefighters a voice to negotiate for life-saving equipment, input on appropriate staffing levels and a say on training requirements.

“Collective bargaining prevents Lansing politicians from arbitrarily making cuts to public safety.  Without it, corporate special interests can pressure elected officials to do things that make communities less safe,” according to Bay City firefighter Chris Reynolds.

In the new ad, Lincoln Park firefighter Mike Hendricks wears gear he received through collective bargaining and talks about the importance of that gear in keeping him safe while he saves others.

The ad says:

“The air pack I’m wearing gives me 30 minutes to look inside your burning house and find you.

Having the most modern, dependable equipment? When the clock is ticking, that counts.

It’s why I support collective bargaining. It means we negotiate for gear and the people we need to protect our lives – and yours.

If it comes from collective bargaining, the politicians can’t cut it without our say so.

It’s why I’m voting Yes on 2.”

Public safety personnel continue to dispel myths spread by shadowy front groups for corporate special interests that lie about the impacts of collective bargaining.  These front groups have spent more than $20 million on false ads about Proposal 2.

Research shows that firefighters use collective bargaining to improve public safety.  Input on staffing levels is important because it affects how quickly firefighters can put out a blaze. A 2010 study by the U.S Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology found that the size of a firefighting crew affects how quickly firefighters could complete 22 essential firefighting tasks.  Four-person teams were 30 percent faster than two-person crews and 25 percent faster than three-person crews.

Proposal 2 would protect the basic right of firefighters to negotiate for the tools they need to keep us safe. Collective bargaining also gives working families a voice to negotiate for fair wages, benefits and working conditions that are good for us all.