FDNY union boycotts Hometown Heroes ticker-tape parade

The Uniformed Firefighters Association sent a message to members saying it’s too soon celebrate a crisis that has not yet passed

July 08, 2021 10:41 AM

Firefighters, medical workers, first responders and members of the public gather in front of Northern Westchester Hospital to show support for the hospital and to mark the one year anniversary of the first COVID-19 patient admission to the hospital on March 11, 2021 in Mount Kisco, New York. Small bags with words of remembrance and courage lined the walkway to the employee entrance of the hospital as people cheered the medical workers during a shift change.

Thomas Tracy
New York Daily News

NEW YORK — The union that represents FDNY firefighters has joined the boycott of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Hometown Heroes ticker-tape parade honoring COVID frontline workers.

The Uniformed Firefighters Association sent the message to members saying it’s too soon celebrate a crisis that has not yet passed.

“Our members are still risking their lives daily by exposing themselves to COVID-related illnesses,” reads the message signed by union president Andrew Ansbro and recording secretary Vincent Speciale.

“Indeed, we currently have a member in the ICU with COVID-related pneumonia. We ask our member to stand in solidarity with the UFA and withhold any participation in tomorrow’s parade.”

Earlier Tuesday, the two locals that represent EMS workers - Local 2507 and Local 3621 - said they are boycotting Wednesday’s Canyon of Heroes parade on Broadway in lower Manhattan. The position was also taken by most of the other locals under the umbrella of District Council 37, which represents 150,000 municipal workers.

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