Throughout his tenure, Jason has played a pivotal role in shaping the working conditions and career paths of countless firefighters. As a 1014 Director, he has been a steadfast presence on the EMS, Promotional Appeals, Contract Negotiations, and Labor Management Committees, ensuring that issues such as return-to-work policies and workers' compensation were handled with fairness and integrity.

Jason’s leadership has always been centered on fighting for what matters most to the membership. Though he may be retiring, Jason’s impact will be felt for years to come. His leadership, passion, and dedication to the brotherhood and sisterhood of the fire service have left an indelible mark on Local 1014. He will continue to serve the membership as a Trustee of The Local 1014 Health Trust. 

We thank you, Jason, for your years of service, advocacy, and unwavering commitment. Your legacy of fighting for fairness and progress will continue to inspire us all. Wishing you a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement!

Negotiations Update

This week, we canceled the salary table negotiations meeting as the County was yet again unprepared to discuss numbers. We  will not continue to waste our time while the County comes unprepared and with no authority to the table each week. They need to show respect for the work our members do and come prepared to talk numbers for the men and women who protect the County. We will update you as we push hard for movement next week. 

While the salary table was delayed this week, Fringe Benefits bargaining continued with all unions in the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) sitting at the table as we seek increases to medical, dental and vision premiums to keep our earned money in our pockets.  
 
We must work to increase the amount of premium contribution in each contract to counter medical inflation. These increases we negotiate each contract do not come easy and require analysis of medical costs with providers, negotiations with those providers to keep premiums in check, and cost analysis for all we propose in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The CCU has engaged the County not only on values for employees but also on the ability to pay issue and have pointed out with top experts in the financial analysis fields, there is money, it’s just a matter of how to prioritize it. 

REMINDER: We are asking our members to use the Pulse Point survey below to voice your disappointment in the County throughout the bargaining process. Let them hear you. Answer the questions and be honest and critical where appropriate with comments on online training, staffing, negotiations, retiree medical, employee discipline, things affecting feeling VALUED, HEARD, AND EMPOWERED.

RESILIENCY WEBINAR 

The Department in collaboration with Fire Fighters Local 1014 will host a Resiliency webinar on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 1900 hours. This webinar is available to all Department employees and their families. The webinar will focus on providing education, and support to our employees and their families on how to heal and recover from the stress and trauma of the recent wildfires. 

The purpose of this webinar is to offer a forum for our employees and their families to discuss critical issues that may have become overwhelming, from deployment to being back home with family, and learning new skills and tools to take better care of ourselves and each other. 

The webinar will be presented by Fire Fighters Local 1014’s Lead Clinician, Dr. Steven Froehlich, along with the Department’s contracted clinicians, Dr. Lyndee Venosta, Dr. Carl King, and Niki Stepanian, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 

The webinar will be offered to the first 100 people. See EA for more details.