STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) The Stamford firefighters union has objected to a city Democratic Party fundraiser on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The Stamford Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/1MhfF8r) that Brendan Keatley, president of the Professional Fire Fighters Union, criticized the timing of the fundraiser on Friday. He said it was in ``horribly bad taste.''

Democratic City Committee Chairman John Mallozzi said it was difficult to accommodate conflicting schedules and that marking the anniversary and conducting political business are not mutually exclusive.

He said he was initially hesitant about the date and that the union's reaction may be related to labor relations problems with the city.

Firefighters have been working without a new contract since June 2009.

The Democrats are raising money for candidates for the Board of Education and two other local boards.