Prov. Firefighters' reputation hurting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - As the rest of the country is struggling to make ends meet, The Providence Firefighters’ Union’s seven-year battle with the city over contracts is beginning to sour their reputation with the public.

Frustrated with firefighter contract disputes, Cranston resident Rick Jackson wrote a letter to the Providence Journal in which he described the firefighters' as “greedy”.

"I can't look at a truck now without thinking about their outrageous pensions, benefits and that we pay more for fire protection here in Rhode Island than anywhere else in the country,” Jackson wrote.

Providence Firefighters’ Union President Paul Doughty responded in a statement.

"I'm not going to let this get me too low. It's important to us that we have good benefits and good pay because the job that we do is dangerous,” Doughty said.

The Providence Firefighters’ Union has yet to come to an agreement with the city.