WIBW GM Comments on Firefighters' Stand-off

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Posted: 3:30 PM Oct 4, 2007
Last Updated: 3:38 PM Oct 4, 2007

7 comments

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I hope you saw our news coverage of Wednesday’s meeting between the Topeka Fire Chief and Union Leadership. I wasn’t in the room, but you can gain a lot of insight into the positions of both sides by the on-camera comments they made afterwards.

Chief Howard Giles told us he will take a number of different steps to improve communication with the rank-and-file. The Union said it would settle for nothing less than the Chief fired or resigning.

The Chief said he would regularly visit individual fire stations. The Union said it would settle for nothing less than the Chief fired or resigning.

The City Manager said he would meet with individual firefighters. The Union said it would settle for nothing less than the Chief fired or resigning.

So which side is working to improve the situation and which side only wants its way? The Union said it would settle for nothing less than the Chief fired or resigning.

I’m interested in what you think. Head to wibw.com and click on the Kansas Voices link. You can post your opinion there for all to see. Or you can write me directly at jim.ogle@wibw.com.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Gary Location: Topeka on Oct 6, 2007 at 07:31 AM
I'm a union person. But the union dug its heels in on the wrong issue this time. This is just personal issues between union leadership and the chief manifesting itself as a supposed labor dispute.

Posted by: Bec Location: Topeka on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Seems to me that if there isn't some compromise happening soon, all that is going to happen is wasting the time of everyone involved. I can see the firefighters side of things...Giles let a situation get out of control a long time ago, but yet, its obvious that he isn't going to get the axe...so make a new list of wants and needs and get those instead!

Posted by: Jake Location: Topeka on Oct 5, 2007 at 09:33 AM
Jim, this is not the beginning of the problems between our union and Chief Giles that you imply in you editorial. Last year we had an informal survey that expressed our displeasure with his leadership. At that time he was made aware of those issues. Since then he has nothing that would lead me to believe things are any different. I believe we tried to solve these issues within the department and not damage anyone's credibilty through the media. Unfortunately it has now become a public relations battle and as evidenced by your editorial the rank and file firefighters are losing. This was not a kneejerk reaction by Local 83 to oust Chief Giles. The sentiment has been building for some time now that he lacks the leadership skills to help the department reach it's potential. We take our jobs and the responsibilty it entails extremely seriously. I don't do it because I'm ordered to but because I have an opportunity to make a great department better for it's owners, the citizens of Topeka.

Posted by: Greg Location: Topeka on Oct 5, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Mr Ogle, I ask the question again...were you hired from outside of Topeka? You seem to have taken this whole thing very personal. I can't believe a news station that has been in this city for as long as 13 would allow anyone in their employment to make such biased statements. Thank goodness your news crews report the truth, at least when they can keep people like you from censoring it! Maybe the Topeka Fire Department isn't the only place who has employees who would like to see new leadership.

Posted by: De Location: Topeka on Oct 5, 2007 at 08:18 AM
Mr. Ogle, I think the union is trying to run the fire dept. like it has for many years. Good for former Mayor McClinton taking action to hire someone from outside the fire dept. I think new blood is a good thing for Topeka. Too bad the firefighters can't handle the change. I support Chief Giles and what he stands for.

Posted by: Greg Location: Topeka on Oct 5, 2007 at 06:46 AM
Maybe... if the Unions ever got a fair view from the news media, they would give a more detailed comment. But, judging by the look on your face, I can see you (WIBW) will not give them a fair report. What 'We the People' have forgotten, is that the Unions fought the early corporate interests in the USA to get the Labor Laws that we now have. And now, people like you think we no longer need them... even though working hours keep getting longer and conditions worse. While you sit in your office, countless craftsmen are outside sweating, freezing and bleeding to build your office. So, next time you are feeling 'full of yourself', why don't you walk outside and imagine fighting fires, framing buildings, working... for 8 to 10 hours for minimum pay in extreme temperatures... every day...

Posted by: SVEN Location: TOPEKA on Oct 4, 2007 at 10:50 PM
MR. OGLE , IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE FALLEN INTO THE VSAME THINKING AS MANY OTHER TOPEKANS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE MEMBERS OF LOCAL # 83, TOPEKA FIREFIGHTERS, HAVE HEARD THIS SAME RETORIC FROM GILES FOR GOING ON 3 YEARS NOW. HIS STANDARD ANSWER OF" I'LL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT" JUST ISN'T WORKING ANYMORE.WE WANT ACTION. TO ME HIS WANTING TO "DO THE RIGHT THING" AND" GET BACK IN TOUCH W/ THE FIREFIGHTERS" IS JUST LIKE WHEN A LITTLE KID GETS IN TROUBLE, THEY"LL TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT TO HEAR. THAT IS UNTIL THE HEATS OFF. THEN IT'S BACK TO THE SAME OLD CRAP. I BELIEVE ALL WE CAN SETTLE FOR IS GILES BEING FIRED OR RESIGNING.