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Small South Carolina Local Shows Political Prowess
 December
23, 2008 – Inspired by political success stories heard at the IAFF 49th
Convention in Las Vegas, Florence, SC Local 3352 fire fighters campaigned hard
for union-friendly mayoral candidate Stephen Wukela. Wukela emerged with 9,045
votes to opponent Rocky Pearce’s 7,375 votes.
“With just 15 members, I am really proud of the work we did to
elect Mayor Wukela,” says Joe Vanadia, president of Local 3352. “For the first
time, we have a mayor who is willing to sit down and talk with us. This is
huge.”
On June 10, 2008, Wukela won the Democratic Party primary
against three-term incumbent Florence Mayor Frank Willis by one vote. Because
the vote was so close, Willis appealed several times in court. But in each case,
Wukela’s victory was upheld.
Meanwhile, former Florence Mayor Rocky Pearce began circulating
a petition to become a write-in candidate.
“Knowing that Pearce had not been friendly to us in the past,
the Local 3352 Executive Board decided to take action,” says Vanadia. “We first
devised a campaign strategy and sent it to our members for approval. Then, being
a small local, I asked the police union members to assist and they happily
obliged.”
The two unions put out signs, phone banked, attended rallies and
publically endorsed Wukela at a press conference. Local 3352 fire fighters also
wore “Fire fighters For” gold-and-black T-shirts supporting the candidate.
“We are already noticing a big difference in the way the Wukela
administration is treating us compared to past administrations,” states Vanadia.
“In fact, we have already had several meetings with the mayor, a privilege we
did not have before. While we do not have collective bargaining rights yet,
these open discussions are a positive step in the right direction.”
As Local 3352 continues to build political momentum within the
City of Florence, members hope that will lead to some long-awaited resources.
“We have not had a new fire station in 28 years, so that is one issue we hope to
address in short order,” says Vanadia.
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