Dear Members,

Unfortunately, Management last week demonstrated their resistance to change by terminating bargaining on the 2 on/ 2 off work schedule. We made every attempt to salvage the process. Following this disappointing turn of events, our Local saw the largest membership meeting turnout in recent history.  At both meetings it was standing room only, further proof of your demand for a fair trial of the schedule.

 For the record, I want to review some key points:

1. On Nov 19 the parties agreed that the trial would be implemented unless ADVERSE IMPACTS could be identified (reduced agency efficiency, reduced services to public, or increased cost).

2. On Nov 19 Management requested time to review the proposal and to reconvene for further bargaining on Jan 19.  At that time the parties agreed that open lines of communication would be maintained in the interim, for the purpose of addressing any obstacles identified by Management.

3. During the interim period, Management remained silent as to whether any adverse impact had been identified.

4. On Jan 11 Union representatives met with the Deputy Chief of Operations and asked him specifically if Management had identified any adverse impacts. His only response was that he wanted to see how the Division Chiefs’ work schedule would be configured. As a courtesy, the union created a year-long calendar that illustrated this. Management failed to provide any feedback on this concern, and with less than one week until resumption of bargaining, had not identified any adverse impact that would be created by the trial.

5. On Jan 19, the Chief stated that the bargaining meeting would be limited to “five minutes”. He then produced a written response to labor’s proposal, declining to implement the trial. The letter cited two broad reasons:

1. That the 2 on/ 2 off would create “unsafe working conditions”.
2. That implementing the trial would have repercussions pertaining to the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 The first claim is dependent upon two things:

1.) That the agency’s call volume will increase significantly not at some later date, but in the trial period (2010), and

2.) That the call volume will increase to an extent that it will cause personnel to be dangerously fatigued.

Management could not provide any details on what they consider a “trigger point” for fatigue. No numbers, no projections, no clear evidence that this will be a busiest year in the last three decades. Our call volume would probably have to triple before fatigue even remotely became a factor.

Consider that the members of the Sacramento Fire Department work 48-hour shifts, run almost 70,000 incidents per year, and their busiest engine company runs about 40 calls per day. Clearly we have a long way to go before fatigue impacts our members in the way that Management is predicting.

FACT: Our Agency’s average call volume over the last thirty years is 3563 incidents per year. This information was obtained by researching official department log books and dispatch records.

FACT: The number of wildland fire incidents has dropped since the Fire Danger Rating system was introduced.

FACT: The utilization of mutual aid resources to mitigate wildland fire incidents has increased in recent years.

FACT: When a company is assigned to a strike team assignment, Management does not backfill that station with an overtime crew.

If Management is so concerned about fatigue, this is the first anyone has heard of it. Every week, overtime puts many of us on duty 72 hours straight. When demobilization from strike team assignments falls on that crew’s scheduled workday, they are expected to remain on duty once they are back in the station, even after a full days’ drive and returning the apparatus to a ready state- essentially eliminating the rest period.

We remain committed to seeking a LEGITIMATE trial of the 2 on/ 2 off, and we believe that Management committed an unfair labor practice by failing to bargain in good faith on this issue. On Jan 21, a letter of intent to file a ULP charge was filed by the Union. Under Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Management has thirty days to resolve this issue before a ULP is filed with the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

 All union members are urged to visit YOUR website often for updates.  

Get involved; volunteer for an upcoming charity event, program, committee, or to fill a vacant steward position!  The more you put in, the more everyone benefits!

Questions?

Ron Pickett

Secretary

IAFF Local F-85

949.246.8500 cell

760.385.0670 fax

www.localf85.org

Dear Members,

 I’ll begin this month’s update by saying I hope you all enjoy a happy holiday season with family and friends around you, and also hope that 2009 has been a year of positives. The fire department has seen a number of positive changes, partly because you as a union choose to get involved in the issues that affect us all. Whether you are on the board, a committee, or simply exercise your right to voice your opinion at Local meetings, you are contributing to the betterment of our organization. Thank you for your support. Here's the latest news:

EXECUTIVE ORDER

 On December 9, President Obama signed an Executive Order that re-establishes a system of Labor-Management forums in the Federal workplace.The full text of the Order can be obtained in the “downloads” section of this website. Look for the file named "Executive Order- Labor/Mgmt".

 One provision of this Executive Order will: “allow employees and their union representatives to have pre-decisional involvement in all workplace matters to the fullest extent practicable, without regard to whether those matters are negotiable subjects of bargaining under 5 U.S.C. 7106.”

 This is good news. I believe it will allow us to have a far greater role in on a wide variety of issues. Each of you probably has your own list of improvements you’d like to see the department make. We must identify challenges and problems, and approach management with solutions. The parties have an opportunity here to take some leaps forward as an organization. What direction we take with this is going to be up to you, so I want to encourage you to get involved.

FEDERAL FIREFIGHTER'S TSP BILL

 A new bill before the House of Representatives seeks to allow federal fire fighters to withdraw their TSP funds as early as age 50 without being taxed. HR 4239 may come to a vote as early as January, and we will be circulating a letter to voice our support for this bill. We ask that you sign as an individual and the Local will handle the mailing.

CFFJAC

 We are in the early stages of re-implementing our CFFJAC affiliation. FF Albert Quinones attended the CFFJAC conference in November and made some very important contacts. FF Quinones will be serving as a CFFJAC representative, along with Capt. John Crook, Lt. Carlos Camarena, and FF James Garcia. This team will provide much-needed leadership and focus to this program.

NEW UNIFORM LOGO

 Implementation of the new department uniform logo is on schedule to take place Feb. 1, 2010. By now you should have seen a price list of items posted in your station. If not, contact Lt. Paul Shepherd at FS-8A. Lt. Shepherd and his designees will be taking orders in the next several weeks. No cash, checks only, please- payable to Ladderhouse Graphics. Please note that the order deadline for the first run of apparel is January 8. There will be a discount for higher volume, and the old uniform logo will be discontinued Feb. 1, so plan ahead and order now.

CURTIS JACK APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT

Please congratulate Capt. Curtis Jack, who was appointed by the Executive Board to the position of A Crew Vice President following the resignation of FF Nick Sandercock. FF Sandercock's business and personal commitments prevented him from devoting the proper time to the Local, and we wish him the best of luck. Since Capt. Jack was appointed from his board position, according to the bylaws, we must now appoint a member to fill the vacancy on the board. Please contact FF Ron Pickett at FS-6A if you are interested.

TRIAL SCHEDULE

Finally, I want to say a few words about the work schedule trial. The rumor mill is poisonous, so if you want the facts, contact a board member. Contrary to what you may have heard, management is bargaining in good faith. There is only one thing that will prevent a trial: Adverse Agency Impact. The Federal government defines this as 1.) Reduced services to the public, 2.) Reduced agency efficiency, or 3.) increased agency expense. Management is trying to identify if these impacts would exist. So far, there has been no indication they would exist. So please, do not engage in negative assumptions. We have open communication with management, and they have assured us there will be no surprises when we next meet to bargain on January 19.

That’s all for now... a long update but I hope you find it informative. Best wishes for 2010- let’s make it a year of progress.

Fraternally,

Maurice

 All orders must be turned in (with check payable to Ladder House) to Paul Shepard by January 8, 2010.

Dear Members,

On November 20, 2009, Local F-85 met with management on your behalf to discuss a bargaining proposal. The proposal asked for three simple changes: a trial run of the 2 on/ 2 off work schedule, approval of a new graphic logo for use on uniform garments, and approval for wear of an insignia belt buckle.

I am pleased to report that the meeting was largely a success. This would not have been possible without a first-rate bargaining team. Please join me in thanking Ron Pickett, David Edwards, Oscar Hernandez, and our CPF Fifth District Vice President, Michael Massone. Each member of this team met the task with professionalism and persistence.

After much honest debate, we have secured a tentative agreement to begin a trial of the 2 on/ 2 off work schedule. The trial period would begin February 28, 2010 and conclude December 31, 2010.

Why a tentative agreement? Several factors came in to play:

First, although we have informally approached management with a schedule change for several years, this is the first formal bargaining process we have pursued. Prior discussions were unofficial and neither party had an obligation at hand. In other words, this is the first time management was obliged to agree, disagree, or refuse to bargain. That being said, we believe they have bargained in good faith.

Second, management has expressed some concerns with three main factors they wish to examine further before they can give the trial full support. Those factors are, broadly: health and safety issues related to wildland fire incidents; an improved staffing plan for FS-28, and finally, how the Division Chiefs will maintain their administrative duties, supervision and planning.

The parties have agreed to maintain a dialogue on those factors and meet again on January 19, 2010. On that date, management will either: 1.) finalize the agreement and proceed with the trial, or 2.) elect to abort the trial. Management has agreed that unless insurmountable obstacles are discovered, the trial will proceed. The parties agree that unforeseen impacts may occur during the trial, and have further agreed that they will work together to mitigate any such problems.

The bottom line is that for the most part, management is in favor of a trial. We will continue to discuss the described factors until the next meeting, working through any problems, and unless something truly can’t be solved, the trial will proceed.

We are aware that everyone is concerned with leave picks. Please understand that we have given this element serious consideration, and the goal is to minimize any disruption in that process. At the same time, you should keep in mind the ongoing status of bargaining on this issue. We will distribute a 2010 2 on/ 2 off calendar to all personnel to help you prepare for both the leave picks and the trial.

With respect to proposed uniform changes, we have secured firm agreements with management. The new logo has been approved, and will replace the current logo effective February 1, 2010. It will be applied to all “casual” garments- duty tee shirts, jobber pullovers, PT shorts, ball caps and other items. We have notified a supplier, and production of these items will begin shortly.

The insignia belt buckle has been approved for wear as an optional item effective immediately.

Regarding the new logo: the original target date for implementation was January 1, but since the holidays are here, we agreed that some cushion was needed in order to meet expected demand. If enough items are ready by January 1, we may still be able to implement by that date; however, the parties agreed that the goal should be a decisive transition to the new look of these items in the interests of uniformity.

In short, we’ll try to shoot for January 1 but the change will take place no later than February 1. On that date, any items that carry the current logo will no longer be authorized. You should therefore take an immediate inventory of your uniform items and plan to replace them in preparation for the change. By today, all personnel should have received a uniform allowance deposit; if you have not, contact your supervisor.

Firefighter Paul Shepherd is handling the production, sale and distribution of the new uniform items. You should begin to compile an order list within your stations and email it to Firefighter Shepherd. No money is due at this time, but once it is time to order, under no circumstance will IOUs be accepted. We will keep the membership informed on this process as it unfolds.

If you have already purchased a belt buckle, you may wear it now. If you want to purchase one, contact Firefighter Jim Von Harz at FS-3. Again, IOUs are not acceptable.

Your fellow IAFF members have worked hard to fight for these changes. We realize it’s been a long road, but even small changes require substantial effort. Thank you for your trust and support.

Fraternally,

Maurice

 Thank You to the following Camp Pendleton Professional Firefighters who volunteered to Fill-the-Boot!!!

Albert Quinones,  

Jason Guzman,

Mike Lee,

Carlos Camarena,

Cody Gomez,  

Bayne Ullrich,  

John Monday,  

Captain Curtis Jack,  

Ron Pickett,  

Joshua Pickett, (Ron's son) 

Captain Jeff Young,  

Jake Derr,  

Bret Russell,  

Brian McCutcheon,  

Maurice Patrykus,  

Ryan Rushing,

Peter Korodini,  

Warner Schule.

Two members of IAFF Local 1014, Los Angeles County Fire Department, have been killed in the line of duty. Captain Tedmund "Ted" D. Hall, 47, and Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones, 35, were killed Sunday, August 30, at the “Station” wildland fire when their fire apparatus was driven off the road in heavy smoke and fire.  It was reported that they were being overrun and were attempting to escape the firefront when their vehicle went over the side in steep terrain.  Brother Hall had been with the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 26 years and Brother Quinones had been with the department 8 years. F-85 is saddened at the news of the loss of these two brothers and we wish their families comfort and peace. 

Get Ready to Fill the Boot! 

The IAFF has supported MDA for 55 years and counting, raising more than $375 million. As the 44th annual Labor Day Telethon approaches, the IAFF is encouraging all affiliates to “Fill the Boot” on behalf of MDA.

 

 

 

 

 The Muscular Dystrophy Association – one of the country's largest, most effective voluntary health agencies – is funded almost entirely by individual contributors and national sponsors like the IAFF.  

  
Need 9 volunteers (off-duty)  Press release sent to NBC, KUSI and Firefighter Network News.

  Contact Ron Pickett to volunteer for this worthwhile event!