Bice: Firefighters union quietly helping with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett recall

The drive to recall Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is being led publicly by a bunch of political wannabes and nobodies. 

But behind the scenes, the recall campaign is getting a helping hand from a more powerful foe of the fourth-term mayor: Milwaukee ProfessionalFire Fighters Local 215. 

"Petitions to recall Tom Barrett are available at the union hall," said a July 7 email from the union. "Must be a citizen of Milwaukee to sign. Absolutely no literature in the firehouses. No solicitations of signatures while on duty. No signing the petition on duty."

The email from the firefighters union then directed recipients to read a Journal Sentinel story on the recall drive.

If that weren't enough, Darryl Farmer — who goes by the name King Rick — of the Original Black Panthers of Milwaukee was also directing people to the union last week. Farmer is the treasurer of the recall committee. 

Asked by a Milwaukee resident how to help with the campaign, Farmer texted: "If you want to pick up Recall Petitions, you can go to 5625 W. Wisconsin Ave!! Firefighters union."

The recall campaign is being led by a group calling itself "Save Our City. Milwaukeeans Can't Wait," which filed a notice of its plan with the city this month. 

Organizers of the group, which faces an uphill battle, would have to gather more than 51,000 petition signatures in 60 days to force a recall election against Barrett, who was re-elected last year with 70% of the vote.

Any resident of the city of Milwaukee who is eligible to vote can sign the petition.

RELATED:Group files notice of intent to launch recall campaign against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

Reached last week, Farmer refused to discuss the firefighters union's role. "I have no comment," Farmer said several times. 

Dave Seager, the president of Local 215, was also terse when asked about the recall campaign. The union endorsed Ald. Bob Donovan in his unsuccessful challenge to Barrett in last year's general election. 

"We made the petitions available at the union hall," Seager said. Asked if his labor organization is endorsing the effort to remove Barrett, Seager said, "We made the petitions available at the union hall, Dan. I've been around the block long enough."

Indeed, a secretary at the union's office provided a copy of the petition, with much of the standard information already filled in, when asked on Friday. 

It is not clear if the Milwaukee Police Association, which often works in concert with the firefighters union, is also helping out. Mike Crivello, the head of the police union, did not return calls. 

A top aide to the mayor suggested the firefighters have an ulterior motive for lending a hand with the recall. 

"We are in the early stages of negotiating a new contract with Local 215 and Mr. Seager," Patrick Curley, chief of staff to Barrett, said Friday. "This certainly raises the question of whether or not they intend to bargain in good faith."

Should make for some lively conversations over the bargaining table. 

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.