Dozens of seething motorists lambasted Newton firefighters with profanity-laced Internet postings yesterday after an obnoxious union protest by the jakes-turned-jerks caused an infuriating 25-mile traffic jam on the Massachusetts Turnpike.
"You people put all of our lives at risk today with your stupidity,'' one message blared at the firefighters. "You are lucky no one was killed this morning with all the chaos and angry people.''
The messages, posted on an online department guest book, came after the firefighters blocked traffic at Newton Corner yesterday morning while picketing over allegations of inadequate manpower and substandard equipment.
The demonstration created a bottleneck at Exit 17 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90, sparking concerns that medical employees, ambulances and other emergency workers were being blocked from urgent duties.
At one point, traffic was backed up to Interstate 495, according to Smart Routes, which reported that scattered accidents and breakdowns exacerbated the delays.
"What percentage of the people that you selfish fools (expletive) over today are Newton residents?'' one irate commuter wrote in an online message. "Like others pointed out, the union said jump and you sheep followed.'' Others wrote of missing vital doctor's appointments as a result of the firefighters' insufferable action.
The president of the firefighters union, Frannie Capello, acknowledged that his members walked into traffic but claimed with a straight face that they were not trying to inconvenience commuters. "It was not our intention to bother the public,'' Capello said. "This is not what we're all about.''
Capello said the union is planning more demonstrations to protest staff cuts and conditions in fire stations, but he said firefighters will not be on the streets today.
Newton Mayor David Cohen said a plan has been worked out with police to prevent future demonstrations from causing disturbances on state or local roads.
"I'm dismayed that a group of employees sworn to uphold public safety would actually engage in conduct that endangers public safety,'' Cohen said yesterday. "They have had a series of peaceful demonstrations, but this time they crossed the line.''
A police official declined to comment when asked why the firefighters were not arrested or instructed to keep off roadways during their demonstration.
