Florida Local Speaks Against Privatization on Radio Show

September 1, 2006 – After the Airport Authority at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Florida voted 4-1 to allow Rural-Metro to take over fire fighting operations, 14 members of Suncoast Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Local 2546 could lose their jobs when the private company takes over October 1.

“No one is better qualified than our Local 2546 members to serve and protect citizens who fly in and out of this airport,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “The airport authority has made a very bad decision here – to trade experienced fire fighters for private company employees. Our members have protected this airport for a very long time without incident. There was no reason to change what was already working well.”

Local 2546 President Mike Stephenson, IAFF District Field Service Representative Walt Dix and Local 2546 Business Agent Murph Kennell spoke on “The Captain’s America” radio show in Bradenton, Florida, to discuss the problems with privatization and the next steps in their battle with the airport authority.

“The Airport Authority is appointed by the governor, so what we are encouraging people to do is to write Governor Jeb Bush and let him know that they are disappointed in the decision to privatize,” says Stephenson.

To hear the radio broadcast or to find out how you can write Governor Bush, visit Local 2546’s web site.