By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

In a new memo, the Local 42 firefighters union is playing hardball with MAST employees, who also are Local 42 members.

Essentially, the union is telling MAST workers who have questions about the Fire Department's potential takeover of MAST to shut up. Here's the memo:

"March 5, 2009

Members of IAFF Local 42 MAST Shop:

Please understand that actions taken in opposition to an initiative of the Union may be considered a chargeable offense. Actions may have consequences. You may disagree with decisions made, and that is your right, but acting on that opposition is another matter. If you are a member, and given an opportunity to sign a petition which is in opposition to a Union petition, you are taking an action which is chargeable under the Constitution and By-laws of the Local and International. The same applies to a person passing a petition without the authority of the leadership of the Local. If you are speaking in public as a member who stands in opposition to a Union initiative you may be held responsible for your actions. You have the right to do what you wish, but your membership in this Union is earned.

Fraternally,

Jim Lewis
Executive Board Representative
IAFF Local 42"

Of course the union's tactics are typical of making sure "brothers and sisters" stick together on issues promoted by union leaders, especially Local 42 President Louie Wright.

But the memo also is an attempt to force MAST employees to stop showing up at meetings where the issue is being discussed by city officials each Tuesday.

At recent meetings, MAST workers who are worried about their jobs and how the takeover would work have peppered Fire Chief Smokey Dyer and committee members with questions.