By Laura French
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia firefighters and paramedics protested outside union headquarters Tuesday, calling for the union to retract its endorsement of President Donald Trump for reelection.
Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Union IAFF Local 22 members had planned to voice their opposition at a union meeting Tuesday night, but the meeting was canceled due to safety concerns, according to CBS Philadelphia.
Union members said that not everyone was given a say in the endorsement, which was decided based on responses from about 574 members out of a total 4,700 represented by Local 22. Some members also expressed disapproval for the union getting involved in a national election at all regardless of the candidate, and said that the union has only endorsed local candidates in the past.
Local 22 President Michael Bresnan released a statement saying that a full membership vote regarding the presidential endorsement will be conducted by secret mail ballot before the end of October.