Box 1, Folder 15, Document 27

Box 1, Folder 15, Document 27

c™ - oo 1 Py iT A RTTHIA IVAN ALLEN IR, MAYOR
cy Ty ( Or AT LAN TA R. EARL ANDERS, Administrative Assistant
MRS. ANN M. MOSES, Executive Secretary

DAN E. SWEAT, JR., Director of Governmental Liaison

NEWS RELEASE

CITY HALL ATLANTA, GA. 30303



Tel. 522-4463 Area Code 404



STATEMENT BY MAYOR IVAN ALLEN; ALDERMAN WILLIAM T, KNIGHT,
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF FIREMASTERS; AND CHIEF C, H,. HILDEBRAND,
ATLANTA FIRE DEPARTMENT -- THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1966, 11:30 4, M,

More than 500 Atlanta firemen continue to refuse to report for duty
as directed by order of the Fulton Swperior Court and by the authorities of the
City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Fire Department. The City Attorney's office has
asked the Court this morning to cite the Atlanta Firefighters Union, Independent,
and its principal officers, J. I, Martin amd Leonard Styron, for civil contempt
and failure to return to duty as ordered.

The City of Atlanta hes made every attempt to resolve the present
dilernma with the members of the Fire Department rhrough these men who
are the representatives of the strikimg firemem. We have done as much as
is possible under the laws governing the City of Atlanta.

The Union leaders and striking firermen have shown an utter contempt
for the laws of the State of Georgia and the authority of the City of Atlanta.

They have also shown a reckless disregard for the property and lives of the
citizens of this city.

We can no longer tolerate action which places in jeopardy the
thousands of lives and millions of dollars of property which these men are
under sworn oath to protect. Therefore, we are directing all employees of
the Atlanta Fire Department who wish to remain as employees of the City to
report to duty on their normal shifts: no later than 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Failure

to report will be considered a violation of the City's Civil Service Law and






as

will be used as the basis of charges to be preferred ferinattention to or
dereliction of duty. Employees failing to report will be suspended by the ©
Chief pending the hzarings and action will be taken to fill those positions which
remain vacant. We urge these employees to consider their responsibilities to
the people of Atlante’ and to their own families. Loss of income and the placing
in jeopardy of many years of retirernent rights and other accumulated benefits
is a serious and foolish gamble they are taking by refusing to return to their
posts.

The City officials have met with the leaders of the Union in good
faith. These leaders have stated that they have asked the firemen to obey the
legal authority of the Court and return to their stations but there has been no
response to this. request from the Union leadership. Apparently, there are
no lines of communications now open with Union authority accepted by its
members,

Capt. Martin and Capt. Styron apparently have no control over the
striking members because their request has beenignored. These two men
also have failed to comply with their own request and have not reported to
their duty stations.

We trust that the members of the Fire Department, many of whom
have worked long years of dedicated service;: will consider their
responsibilities and obligations to the City, the laws of our State, and to

their families and return to work as directed.