Like hundreds of others in the union, Kohler has contracted hepatitis C through her work. This summer, an arbitration panel awarded the union a contract that included a 7 percent raise, improved benefits, and reimbursements for sick leaves for workers with hepatitis C.

"The contract put us back to where we were in 1992. It wasn't wonderful, but we thought it was fair," Kohler told the Militant.

Hepatitis C is common among firefighters and paramedics, who come in contact with human blood, sometimes on a daily basis. Kohler said she has delivered more than 50 babies, for example.

The city asked a judge to throw out the new contract after it was approved by an arbitration panel. The city claims that the panel overstepped its bounds and that the contract didn't comply with the city's budget.  
 
Sit-in in front of mayor's office
With the full support of her fellow firefighters and paramedics, Kohler, whose health is declining daily, has stationed herself in front of the mayor's office refusing to leave until he meets with her. Other firefighters and paramedics have joined her or brought her gifts and food. On the second night 100 firefighters stood outside when the security police wouldn't permit them to check on her.

The union is going to court to force the city to enact the decision of the arbitration panel. Firefighters are not permitted to strike due to federal legislation, but the workers are fighting the city's decision. Some 500 people rallied at City Hall December 13 to show their support for the firefighters' struggle.

Many workers came from other unions, including nurses, service workers, and teachers. The firefighters' struggle against the city falls in the backdrop of a recent strike by 21,000 Philadelphia teachers and school workers two months ago.

"If the mayor can do this to us, he can do it to anyone going into binding arbitration." Kohler said. "This is the largest form of union-busting this city has seen." Tom O'Drain, vice president of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' Union, added that Kohler isn't doing this for herself but for all the members of this union.

John P. Crysdale is a garment worker in Philadelphia  
 
 
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