In 2002, a group of firefighters put together a float for the Racine, WI 4th of July parade to re-enact the moment when New York City firefighters raised the American Flag soon after the attacks of 9/11. This 4th of July, and coming on the 10 year anniversary of the attacks that murdered 3000 people in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, one of the firefighters decided to bring that float back to the parade.
As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Daniel Bice, Racine firefighter Lieutenant Matt Gorniak, is having problems putting the float in the parade:
The problem: Gorniak had recently invoked a little-used provision in his union contract and opted out of membership in the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.
Members of the executive board of the Racine firefighters union ultimately decided not to support or march with his float.
As Bice reports, firefighter and union officials were, at first, on board with Gorniak’s decision to revive the float, going so far as to want to invite a NYC firefighter to march in the parade with Racine picking up the cost. But, before they could get to planning, Gorniak was asked if he was “fair share,” a term designated to those fire fighters who opt out of the union. Gorniak did so just a few months ago, in the wake of the firefighter’s union’s support of the protestors opposed to the state’s collective bargaining law — the one supported by Gov. Scott Walker, and which the Democrats and unions fought. Once it was discovered that Gorniak was not part of the union, the board voted against the float idea.
Gorniak has decided to run the float in the parade, with or without the firefighter’s union, or with or without other firefighters.
Mr. Gorniak, I know thousands upon thousands of people (probably more!) who will gladly march with you on July 4th, and will support what you are doing. We are the same people who recognize that unions put unions before everything, including the nation, our national memories and the members they purport to protect.
If I were anywhwere near WI I be very proud to march with him, and I’m sure there are millions of Americans who feel the same way. Stay on this story, and feature the throng I know will turn out to support him. Now THAT will be a story worth recounting. Maybe even worth a float of it’s own!
Thanks Tony for reporting on this. How people can make a 911 Tribute a political issue is beyond my comprehension.
I’am ashamed to be affiliated in any way with these unproffessional crybabys. It kills me to see the title also “Wisconsin Firefighters”. This is the Racine FF union. I hope the membership in racine disagrees with this decision, whatever your political leanings are, and should let the board know and vote them out next chance they get. What a disgrace to our service.
Heo Dan Burger of the Milwaukee Fire Dept
And another leader is born.
Real quick, Matt Gorniak is an Oak Creek Firefighter, not a Racine Firefighter. He was helping organize a parade in Racine with the help of the Racine Union Executive Board. Most of the 140 Racine Firefighters had any idea that such a vote was passed rescinding support for the parade.
By the way, I am a Racine Firefighter.
I’m disgusted with the unions that represent the firefighters in Wisconsin. Even my son refuses to say anymore that he wants to be a firefighter. He now wants to be a US soldier so that he can defend America from the communists that are infiltrating the ranks of firefighter unions.
That’s my boy!
God Bless America!
Thanks Tony, I will be there with Vicki to support the float and the ones who gave the ultimate sacrafice! BTW, saw you in Madison with Palin, your speech was awsome!!!!
The guy gets what he deserves when he turned his back on his fellow firefighters…treated like a scab. Maybe he should have stood firm with his brothers and sisters in the WSFA.
Governor Walker’s attack on unions such as firefighters and police officers is undermining their ability to do their jobs and keep us safe. Governor Walker will be sorry when he destroys this state. Oh wait, he won’t be sorry, because sociopaths have no conscience.
Am I reading this correctly? A 9/11 remembrance float not being allowed in a July 4th parade because of someone opting out of a union?
I’m proud of all of our fire, rescue & police workers in the US and I don’t care if they belong to a union or not.
Imagine how the folks who lost family members on 9/11 will feel when they read this article. Very sad indeed.
Why would a GOP want to have a float in the parade. To intice children? GOP (good old pervs) never have good intentions. He should not be in the parade. All GOP should be on a list if child molesters.
I am a retired NYC firefighter who was at the WTC in both 1993 and 2001 and i support the firefighters of Wisconsin and the public employees of Wisconsin in their battle with the union busting Governor Walker for their right to free association as per the constitution of the United States. Lt. Gorniak I am beyond sick of people like you using 9/11 to advance their own political agendas. I stand with the firefighters of Racine.
Joe Mc. The policy that Lt Gorniak used,called “fair share” (still pays union dues by the way), has nothing to do with Governor Walkers Bill or anything Gov. Walker has done, “fair share” existed long before this. In fact Fire and Police are exempt from his bill. Also the right to free association has nothing to do with this either. All other public unions can CHOOSE, key word choose to associate, not forced. I will choose to stay a member of my union and support the right of someone else not to be forced to join as a condition of employment. That is true freedom and “per the constitution” should be his right.
The Racine union made this about unions(and I support thier right to make bad decisions too). Bad choice by Racine local board and singling out Lt Gorniak for CHOOSING out of the union? Please! wrong place wrong time. Some things should rise above, this was for a float honoring 9/11 during our nations Independence Day celebration. Come on Brothers This isn’t that hard to figure out. Heo Dan Burger Milwaukee Fire