Police, Fire Unions Crash Gov's Birthday Bash
NY1 News 6/11/09
Governor David Paterson's recent decision to veto a bill extending pensions for city firefighters and police officers sparked a rally Thursday outside his birthday fundraiser in Manhattan.
Members of the Uniformed Firefighters' Association and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association picketed outside the governor's 55th birthday celebration at the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Columbus Circle.
The bill would have provided pensions to all new police officers and firefighters which match the benefits of current employees.
"The governor with the stroke of a pen has set firefighters and police officers back decades. It's unacceptable, we're here to send a message to him. We will not tolerate it," said UFA President Stephen Cassidy.
"We're down 5,000 police officers in the NYPD. This will halt recruitment. That's exactly what will happen here. It's disgrace to ask men and women of the NYFD and the NYPD to go out in the streets, risk their lives, each and every day and say you don't deserve a pension," said PBA President Pat Lynch.
NY1 has reached out to Governor Paterson's office for comment.
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