Chicago, IL — Just blocks away from the United Center, where the 2024 Democratic National Convention is being held, Chicago firefighters are protesting for a new contract. Patrick Cleary, President of the Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2, said they’ve “been without a contract with the city for over three years” and are “trying to turn up the heat” by protesting during four days of the DNC.

Cleary said the main issues are manning variances, Battalion chief aides the need for 20 more ambulances.

“The city has neither accepted nor rejected our proposals. They’ve been dragging their feet for three years and we’re trying to turn up the heat.”

Another firefighting union member, Tony Martin, spoke to Unicorn Riot while putting up a sign reading “First to emergencies but last City Hall priority – 3 years and counting – Chicago firefighters Local 2 deserve a contract.”

Martin said, “at the end of the day, the city needs more ambulances.” Chicago is America’s third-largest city with 2.6 million residents, but it has only 80 ambulances and needs more paramedics. Martin said some of their ambulances run 8,500 times a year, “that’s one run every hour, 365 days a year. I mean, that’s insanity. It’s almost abusive.”

“If you put more ambulances out on the street, more medics out on the street, we all win because it’s unsafe.”

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