Houston union prez says violent threats from firefighters have forced him to resign
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Bryan Sky-Eagle says he’s been looking over his shoulder ever since he saw a posting on Facebook warning he should watch his back. And he says that’s not the only threat posted on social media.
“This is very serious stuff,” said Sky-Eagle. “The nature has been physical violence towards me, a premeditated altercation, removing the wheels off of vehicles.”
He says the people threatening him are none other than Houston firefighters who are members of the union he was elected one year ago to lead. But now, he’s had enough.
“And after speaking about it with my family, I’m just not able to continue the duties that being president requires under hostile conditions like that.”
An email sent by T. Scott Wilkey, the communications director for Local 341, said 93 percent of voting members rejected a contract proposal Sky-Eagle negotiated with Houston Mayor Annise Parker.
“While we question Mr. Sky-Eagle’s explanation for his resignation, we support his decision to resign,” Wilkey said. “With this difficult year behind us, the 3,800 men and women of the HPFFA look forward to refocusing our association’s attention and resources on protecting our members’ wages, benefits and workplace conditions and on delivering excellent service, being good stewards of city resources and giving back to the community.”
In his resignation letter, Sky-Eagle said, “The nature of the threats involved physical violence, premeditated altercations, targets against my home, family and vehicle and warning to watch my back at night.”
Sky-Eagle said the threats are being investigated by the district attorney.
Cindy George, Houston Chronicle:
“I’ve been warned to watch myself at night,” he said Monday, adding that he reported these statements to the Fire Department’s internal affairs unit but has not sought legal restraining orders. “I can’t perform the duties of president with these outstanding threats. … I don’t know how anybody can do a job under these conditions.”
He said the disagreements worsened last month after the lawsuit was filed. The suit claimed that Sky-Eagle’s approach as a law-and-order president, intent on following the local’s constitution and bylaws, honoring contracts and firing certain employees, led to raucous meetings in which he was forced to hire a professional parliamentarian and sergeants at arms.
Tensions escalated further this summer when Sky-Eagle, citing the local’s governing documents, refused to pay for certain board members’ attendance to the international union’s convention – a decision that was reversed by international leaders, court records show.
Complete statement from IAFF Local 341:
Firefighters Announce the Resignation of HPFFA President Bryan Sky-Eagle
HOUSTON, Sept. 1, 2014 – The following statement was released today by T.
Scott Wilkey, communications director of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association (HPFFA):“Bryan Sky-Eagle, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, resigned today after a tumultuous year in office. During this past year:
• The HPFFA Board of Directors filed more than 20 formal administrative charges against him with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Mr. Sky-Eagle faced an upcoming IAFF trial of the pending charges.
• Mr. Sky-Eagle commenced litigation against the IAFF without the authorization of the Board of Directors.
• 93 percent of our voting members rejected a contract proposal he negotiated with the Parker Administration.“While we question Mr. Sky-Eagle’s explanation for his resignation, we support his decision to resign. With this difficult year behind us, the 3,800 men and women of the HPFFA look forward to refocusing our Association’s attention and resources on protecting our members’ wages, benefits and workplace conditions, and on delivering excellent service, being good stewards of city resources, and giving back in the community.”
