Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren made a very public offer to the firefighters Thursday.
Warren interrupted a press conference held by Firefighters Union President Eddie Santiago about brownouts or as the city calls it, dynamic staffing. That’s the policy that allows the fire chief to close firehouses if staffing is too low.
Warren’s offer asked the union to use funds from what is known as the Two Percent Fund, to end dynamic staffing. She handed Santiago a signed agreement on the matter. Santiago threw it on the floor.
“She obviously addressed the proposal to the wrong person,” said Santiago. “The wrong organization, local 1071, does not manage the 2% funds.” Santiago says the union does not control the 2% fund. A separate committee that oversees the fund issued a statement after the press conference which claims the action would be illegal...Warren maintains that the measure would be legal.