IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - A relatively large crowd gathered in front of the Ironwood Memorial Building yesterday evening to show their support for the Ironwood Public Safety Department officers. The Ironwood Professional Police Association (IPPA) held an informational picket during last night's City Commission meeting. Officers have been working without a contract since April of last year. Negotiations between the IPPA and the City have deadlocked, and it appears that a settlement is no longer possible without outside intervention.

On hand to show their support for the police were several Ironwood Volunteer Firemen including the Fire Chief; a handful of UPS workers; former and current City DPW and Water Department crewmen; former IPSD officers, including the former Director of Ironwood Public Safety; a couple Corrections Officers; Ironwood's former Mayor; several former City Commissioners; Ironwood's former City Manager; representatives of other area law enforcement agencies; several candidates for City Commission from the November election; a school teacher and her daughter; and a sizable number of concerned citizens.

Two television stations were on-hand for the gathering -- WLUC TV 6, Marquette and KQDS Fox 21, Duluth. WJMS' Joe Rimkus was on-hand with live reports. The Ironwood Daily Globe sent over a reporter and two local Internet news services also covered the event -- IronwoodInfo.com and the Superior Chronicle.

The City Commission went into closed session last night to discuss the ongoing negotiations with the City Worker's Union AFSCME Local 1538 and the Ironwood Professional Police Association. City Workers have also been working without a contract for some time.

Ironwood Professional Police Association President, Mike Rimkus, explained the reason for the picket [CLICK HERE]. Emil Kezerle, Business Agent with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association representing the interests of the IPPA, elaborated [CLICK HERE]. And IPSD officer Matt Sterbenz gave his reasons for participating in the informational picket [CLICK HERE].

Bert Tatham  

Bill Tregembo, former City Water Department Employee

Edna Tatham  

Emil Kezerle, Business Agent with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association representing the interests of the Ironwood Professional Police Association

Jim Beckman, former Candidate for City Commission (last November)

Jim Peterson, former Mayor of Ironwood

John Cain, former City Commissioner

Keith Johnson, former City Manager

Ken Jacobson, Chief of the Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department

Matt Sterbenz, IPSD Officer

Mike Rimkus, President of the Ironwood Professional Police Association

Noel Aho, school teacher

Paige Aho (Noel's Daughter)

Ron Clemens

Scott Kellett, Corrections Officer

Leroy Johnson, former IPSD Officer & former IPSD Director

Jim Albert