A Slow News Day - Until Now

oooOOOOoo. Isn't this interesting. Bloomberg wants to give NYC's first responders the same pay as desk clerks and DMV staffers.

NYC Fire, Police Unions May Strike at RNC
New York Fire, Police Unions Threaten Strike During Republican National Convention

Police officers and firefighters announced an impasse Tuesday in their contract negotiations with the city and refused to rule out an illegal strike or sickouts during the Republican National Convention.

Off-duty police officers have recently been showing up at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's daily public appearances and picketing outside Madison Square Garden, the site of the Republican National Convention beginning Aug. 30.

"Everyone has a limit, and the mayor needs to know we're close to our limit," said Stephen Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

"Mike Bloomberg says we're no different than people that push paper," said Cassidy. "It's an insult to the firefighters and police officers who risk their lives every day." He said more than 1,100 New York firefighters have died in the history of the department, including more than 300 on Sept. 11, 2001.

Firefighters have been without a contract since May 31, 2002, and police since July 31, 2002.

Bloomberg has said the city cannot afford to give significant raises to municipal unions.