A letter to Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 members from its president, James Tracy, is sparking backlash from the Northwest Side GOP Club and some union members for Tracy's endorsement of Democratic State Central Committee candidates Cynthia Santos and John Cullerton.
In his letter to Local 2 members, Tracy encourages members to support Santos and Cullerton in the upcoming Democratic primary, writing "they support the right to choose and will stand with Democrats at the state and federal level to protect funding for Planned Parenthood, stop extreme cuts to women's health and demand equal pay for women."
A recent post on the Northwest Side GOP Club Facebook page showing a snapshot of Tracy's letter to union members is calling out the union president for using his post to take on issues such as Planned Parenthood funding and a "progressive" tax.
"This is insane," the Northwest Side GOP Club's Facebook post reads. "So the Local 2 Firefighters Union now takes positions on abortion? They are pro-abortion?"
"Local 2 wants a 'progressive' state income tax now? Are you kidding me?" the post says. "What does abortion have to do with representing firefighters' interests?"
The majority of comments from followers of the club's Facebook page show almost a disbelief that the union would take on such issues and stated unions should stay neutral.
"I am baffled. This letter must be a spoof," Matt Podgorski commented on the post.
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