Tulsa Firefighters Union Files Lawsuit Against Mayor, City

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa Firefighters Union has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Dewey Bartlett and the City of Tulsa.

The union president says the Mayor is violating their first amendment rights with an executive order saying they cannot actively campaign for city-elected positions even while they're off duty and not wearing a uniform.

"That's why we live in America, so we can be involved in the election process and this attempt by the mayor to usurp authority is unauthorized and needs to be stopped," Steve Hickman, an attorney, said.

The firefighter's union is asking a court to issue an injunction stopping the city from enforcing the executive order. There's a hearing next month.

5/2/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Firefighters Union To Fight Order Prohibiting City Employees From Campaigning