Battalion Chief Joe Schulle, a Northeast resident and firefighter since 1992, defeated Gault.
Philadelphia firefighters have a new union leader.
Bill Gault, who had led the International Association of Firefighters Local 22 since 2009, has lost his re-election bid .
Battalion Chief Joe Schulle, a Northeast resident and firefighter since 1992, defeated Gault 1,736 to 1,209, according to Local 22’s website. Voting by active and retired Philadelphia firefighters took place over the last month, and results were announced on May 15. It was the active members who gave Schulle the victory with 1,351 votes to 183 for Gault.
Gault’s time as union president had been marked by tumultuous relations with Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration. Nutter repeatedly has declined to contract honor binding arbitration awards for firefighters, saying the city can’t afford them. The firefighters have been working without a contract for four years. ••
