Protesting an administration and its firefighter layoffs (11pm)
By: Joe Holden
Updated: December 14, 2012
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County - About 100 firefighters, their families and friends, marched around public square, down Market Street and circled around city hall early Thursday evening. The firefighters, from all corners of the state, walked in support of the city's department, which shed 11 members two weeks ago by order of Mayor Tom Leighton.
The mayor has hinted the positions could be restored in the 2013 budget, but only if the union agreed to a number of concessions, including a wage freeze and the return of select non-federal holidays.
The protest ended at a city council meeting. The mayor and most of his cabinet members were absent. A city spokesman said cabinet members usually don't attend meetings that don't concern them. As for Leighton, we're told he had the flu and had not been at work all day.
City council members again appeared reluctant to discuss anything related to the city's budget. Not a single council member acknowledged the number of firefighters in the audience or four floors down below, picketing on the street.
The mayor has hinted the positions could be restored in the 2013 budget, but only if the union agreed to a number of concessions, including a wage freeze and the return of select non-federal holidays.
The protest ended at a city council meeting. The mayor and most of his cabinet members were absent. A city spokesman said cabinet members usually don't attend meetings that don't concern them. As for Leighton, we're told he had the flu and had not been at work all day.
City council members again appeared reluctant to discuss anything related to the city's budget. Not a single council member acknowledged the number of firefighters in the audience or four floors down below, picketing on the street.
