Christmas message 2016
Updated On: Dec 23, 2016

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Forestry and Health Haz Mat personnel

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! It has been a very busy year for Local 1014 Members and no shortage of issues we are dealing with at the Local. We would like to give you a short update on a couple of issues we have been dealing with as we end the year.

The new Vacation Days we achieved in fringe bargaining have been problematic for the County of LA with regard to their view on how to pay those days to our members if they don't use them, for the obvious reasons related to retirement. The method the County chose to deal with their concerns is to WITHHOLD accrual and credit for the extra hours until and unless the member used Vacation hours to reduce their balance below 720 hours. This unilateral action is Unfair and we have been dealing with the County to resolve this issue, and we will continue to work to resolve it, but at this point we are filing a Grievance General in Character (GGIC) to take our Unfair to the Employee Relations Commission where we may end up in a hearing to find final resolve. To all members who are affected, or if you think you are affected, continue to let us know as it occurs, but ALL Members who are affected will be brought forward in the hearing as we progress. This affects the Lifeguards as well and LACOLA is working hand in hand with us along with the Coalition of County Unions. We will update you with the next steps as we move this case forward.  Our hopes are we come to a resolve with the County soon.

The Department hastily put forward an EA recently to indicate a schedule and terms to move forward in changing the PM spots from a number of PM Engines to Engineers. They quickly retracted the EA after we contacted them and reminded them we were in talks with the County and the Department about this issue with a strong opposition from the Union at this point, and any unilateral implementation of such program would be met with all political and legal tools of opposition including job actions. The Fire Chief retracted the EA and recognized our continuing conversation on the subject that will take place in January. The idea of ranked Paramedic positions does not escape us and we have proposed this on different occasions and we are interested, but not in the manner the Department has proposed. We have interest in protecting the current FFPM's from displacement, and interest in not only FFS PM positions but CA PM positions potentially. We will introduce ideas we have on this matter, discuss with the Department these issues and concerns and protection of our members work, and ultimately if no deal is reached on terms we agree with the Department will have to determine if they want to try and unilaterally implement and deal with our swift and strong opposition including job actions...a path they likely are not comfortable with. This proposal has been handled poorly by the folks in charge of trying to craft it, and the one stop they forgot about was the Union and people we represent not only literally but legally for that work. Now that the subject has been broached, we have ideas and items we want to introduce and we will talk with the Department. This item is a long way from being done one way or another, and we struck sternly at the Department with regard to the EA's and mis-information being published and sent out creating confusion and chaos for those who may be affected.

Finally, as we get ready to take some time to celebrate Christmas with our families and friends, some at work and some at home, remember to take care of each other. The Holidays can be difficult for those who are in need, and those with issues and pressures affecting them this season. We have been working late into December with Unions and Fire Departments throughout California on Behavioral Health Issues in our profession including Depression and PTSD. We have recently once again seen the devastation that can occur if behavioral health issues are left unidentified and unchecked. The data we reviewed showed about 25% of Professional Firefighters have or have had some form of PTS and Depression associated with the difficult job we do and the circumstances we do it in. We will be engaged with the Department in an ongoing move to reinvigorate our Behavioral Health Programs and Services and more will be forthcoming in the new year. For now remember we have a robust and excellent group of Peers on our job who are there to help us when we are in need. Our Peers and our Behavioral Health Professionals are only a phone call away to help you deal with anything that may be affecting you. We also have a relationship with FIRESTRONG a Firefighter Behavioral Health organization with resources that can be accessed at firestrong.org.

So be nice to each other and look out for each other as we head into the last days of December and as we celebrate Christmas.

Welcome the new firefighters that enter our stations for the first time in their careers this week and mentor them, give them your experience and help. Give the old salt with years of experience a thank you for his or her time in grade, and work together to take care of the citizens we serve on the streets of the greatest Fire Department around....where the greatest Firefighters and Fire Personnel in the world make it happen... Los Angeles County Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1014!

In solidarity,

Dave Gillotte and your Local 1014 Executive Board

Check iafflocal1014.org or local1014.org for details

  • IAFF Local 1014

    Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.

    Powered By UnionActive



  • Top of Page image