Jake Stern of the Dunkirk firefighters’ union Local 616 speaks at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting as people hold signs supporting local unions. Photo by M.J. Stafford

Dunkirk city employees rebelled against Mayor Kate Wdowiasz Tuesday, packing a Common Council meeting to demand a resolution of no confidence in her administration.

Possibly 100 people jammed what is normally a placid council meeting room to cheer on union speakers. The city police, fire and general municipal worker unions brought people to the podium who slammed Wdowiasz over relations with city employees. The Buffalo chapter of AFL-CIO also sent down a speaker.

Wdowiasz wasn’t there to see any of it. She missed the council meeting.

However, the mayor texted the OBSERVER Wednesday morning to note that she is on her way to Albany for a meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul, but would appreciate an opportunity to respond to the unions’ accusations. Wdowiasz will get that opportunity when she returns to town Thursday.

At the council meeting, Jake Stern was the first public speaker, representing Local 616 and its 24 uniformed firefighters. He said the union had unanimously voted no confidence in the mayor, whom he called “Kathy” Wdowiasz, and City Attorney Elliot Raimondo.

“This action follows a long and troubling pattern of leadership failures that have undermined public safety, increased financial risk to taxpayers, and diminished confidence in the administration of the city of Dunkirk,” Stern said. “These actions undermine fair labor practices, harm employee relations and expose the city to unnecessary legal and operational risks. These actions have also led to challenges with recruitment, retention and resignation among our membership.”

Stern went on to make a litany of specific criticisms about Wdowiasz and Raimondo. “Her administration has repeatedly provided information that is incomplete, misleading and selectively framed. Examples include recent articles, emails and statistics shared with the public by attorney Raimondo attempting to paint public safety employees in a bad light, (and) incomplete updates to the city council, including on matters involving collective bargaining and firefighter working conditions.”

Stern complained the union has worked without a new contract since 2024 and there is “unprecedented loss of firefighter personnel, since Mayor Wdowiasz assumed the role… nine out of 24 firefighters have either resigned or chosen abruptly retirement in fear of the city withholding contractual benefits.” The bad vibes also discourage recruitment, leading to open positions and more overtime, he said.

Stern concluded with a request to the council for unspecified “appropriate and timely action to provide effective and trustworthy leadership to the city of Dunkirk and its citizens.”

Stern received about 15 seconds of applause from the audience, then John Arns of the Dunkirk Police Benevolent Association made similar comments.

“The city administration’s conduct has had both direct and indirect effects on the ability of the police department and its officers to maintain adequate staffing levels to protect this community,” he said.

Arns accused Wdowiasz and her staff of failing to reach out to the Dunkirk police officer who was shot March 24, but saved by his bulletproof vest. “He nearly lost his life protecting his community. At moments like that, leadership is crucial,” he said.

Arns continued that “human resources has been unable to explain why officers are not properly being paid for overtime we are required to work. … The city is now facing 14 separate charges before the (state public employee relations board): seven for unilateral changes to the contract without negotiation, and seven for retaliation when we assert our rights under the contract and under law.

“The city has already missed eight deadlines before the administrative law judge and additional charges are being filed. This is not an accident, this is not a mistake, this is a pattern, and it is costing the taxpayers of the city.”

Arns declared there was a breakdown in the city charter because “positions and necessary equipment are being funded and approved by the council, but then (held) from being implemented unless reapproved by the mayor.”

He reported the Dunkirk PBA’s own no confidence vote and also received applause.

Raymond Abramowicz of Dunkirk’s Local 912, and Denise Abbott, president of the Western New York AFL-CIO, then also spoke in support of city employees.

“What I have been told by workers, union leaders, and city residents is that the environment of bullying, abuse and outright illegality are out of control here in Dunkirk,” Abbott said. “The mayor and an inactive council have allowed the purposeful undermining and mishandling of city resources, collective bargaining agreements, public safety, and the livelihoods of residents and workers alike.”

Raimondo sat uncomfortably through the union speakers, and offered no comments.

Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak later commented that she had reached out to the police officer who was shot. Councilman-at-large Nick Weiser told the union members, “I just want to assure you, we hear you.”

The three newer council members — Mike Civiletto, Gary Frederickson and Frank Torain, who all took office in January — stayed silent on the union controversy.