Following yesterday’s news that the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association and Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Association had endorsed Richard Skorman for mayor, fellow mayoral candidate Buddy Gilmore said he sort of expected it.
“I couldn’t go the collective bargaining route,” Gilmore wrote on Facebook.
Does that mean Skorman supports collective bargaining for the city’s cops and firefighters?
“As I told the police and firefighters when they asked, I do not support collective bargaining in the current economic climate,” Skorman said in an e-mail last night.
That sounds like Skorman is leaving the option open.
Pete Tomitsch, president of the CSPPA, said his group is “proud” to endorse Skorman.
“We believe that Mr. Skorman has a proven and tested track record of looking out for the best interests of the citizens of this city,” Tomitsch said in a statement released by the Skorman campaign.
“His vision for Colorado Springs is broad and inclusive and reaches out to all demographic groups. Our organization believes that Richard Skorman is the best candidate to lead our city into a challenging future,” he said.
Jeremy Kroto, president of the firefighters association, said Skorman is a proven leader.
“Richard has an established track record of advocating for the resources Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters need to safely and efficiently protect the citizens of Colorado Springs,” Kroto said in the same statement.
Skorman, a former councilman, is being supported by other city employees.
According to campaign finance reports:
Ann Crossey, the city’s human resources director, contributed $300 on Jan. 26.
The city’s sustainability coordinator, Carrie McCausland, contributed $75 on Jan. 28.
Juliet Draper, a gay firefighter who became the poster child in the fight for health care benefits for same-sex partners of city employees, contributed $100 on Jan. 26.
The Fact of the matter is that The Police and firemen have a difficult job, and Current local Governing bodies continue to treat them like garbage.
The men and women who keep us safe deserve to be treated better
Police and firemen are public employees, not plumbers working for a private firm.
Sorry, but no collective bargaining should exist for public employees.
Should these guys get treated better? Sure.
Collective bargaining? no.