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WE SHALL NEVER FORGET – California Fire Foundation / CPF Memorial
We gather again this weekend to honor the families of the fallen and to remember the brothers and sisters who have been taken from us. Firefighters and our Fire Families from throughout California will gather on the sacred and hallowed ground of the California Firefighters Memorial in Capitol Park, Sacramento. President Gillotte will be joined by Chief Marrone and members of the Executive Board, along with brothers and sisters from the sea of blue, our Chaplains, PEERS, Pipes and Drums, and the Honor Guard, as we stand with the families of our fallen.
This year, we will add our brothers Sharkey, Flores, Van Oeffelen, Duran, and Pontious to the wall. These remarkable men, who gave all and reminded us that we are one fire family, will take their place among the names of all who have given everything. The ceremony will be held in Capitol Park, Sacramento, and will be live-streamed by the Fire Foundation.
Check out the Fire Foundation at https://www.cafirefoundation.org/ and all we do. Made by firefighters for firefighters, fire families, and the communities we serve. Union-driven and Chief-supported, leading the way with scholarships, wildfire relief, SAVE Cards, grants, and of course, the Firefighter Memorial in Sacramento.
We are proud to stand together, honor our families and our brothers and sisters, and continue the fire service tradition and heartfelt commitment: We shall never forget.
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CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS: BACK TO THE TABLE
Baby steps are still steps. The Union has returned to the bargaining table with some incremental movement after meeting with the CEO and Board Members. Together, we pushed forward three key proposal items that have merit for both our members and the Department. These include Pathways from Paramedic to Engineer, Behavioral Health and Peer Support, and proposals to support our members' health and well-being while on the job.
We now have some common ground with the department on these items, which we will continue to refine over the coming weeks, while also battling the County and the CEO’s office for support. Local 1014 is one of the few unions actively meeting with the CEO. Ultimately, while we will make our final case to the Board of Supervisors—and even to the public if necessary—we remain committed to negotiating in good faith with win-win proposals that take care of our members while also respecting the department’s budget.
We have pressed Chief Marrone hard on these issues, and we’ve received some positive feedback and action from his team. We will continue to work to gain his support, with the expectation that the Chief will stand with his members in our push for a fair contract. This movement marks the first positive progress at the table in weeks—progress that took relentless work in the CEO’s office to achieve.
Public safety unions, ALADS, PPOA, LACOLA, and Local 1014 representing Fire, Lifeguards, and Sheriffs, remain without contracts for more than 10 months after expiration. In the meantime, we are protected under our existing MOU, and our attorneys are working closely with other public safety union attorneys to ensure our salary and benefits remain intact under collective bargaining and California law.
On the Fringe Bargaining side, we landed very good numbers. The CCU Choices Benefits will be rolled out this month, and we’ll keep you posted on all the new benefits available for our members in the 2026 plan year.
CONTRACT CITIES: THE STORM CONTINUES
Pomona remains at the center of the storm. Last April, Chief Marrone sent a notice to sever service with Pomona, triggering the required one-year lead time under the law. Local 1014 strongly opposed this approach from the start, and we moved quickly into meetings with the Fire Chief and now Supervisor Solis. This fight affects the 7th largest city in LA County, with 7 stations covering an entire battalion of our members and their families.
We recently met in an intense session where pressure was at an all-time high for the Chief and his staff, who have the authority and responsibility to negotiate successor agreements and MOUs with Pomona and other cities. Meanwhile, the City of La Verne has entered the mix, with Chief Nigg attempting to poach our work. Such actions are subject to very specific rules in the union world, and we will not let them go unchallenged.
Local 1014 is coordinating with the La Verne Firefighters Union to voice strong opposition. We are also escalating to Cal Chiefs, the LA Regional Training Group, and other statewide fire leadership organizations to shine a spotlight on these actions. And just as we reminded Redondo Beach, Local 1014, and the LA County Fire Department can also explore opportunities to provide fire protection and EMS services to those cities. In short, we are open for business—not just in Pomona but also in La Verne.
While setting contract payment levels appropriately is critical, the Department must understand that sending out letters demanding payment as if we were a collection agency will not get the job done. Contracting for fire and EMS is no different than the building trades: bid too high and you lose the work, bid too low and you lose money.
Currently, the Chief has sent demand letters to Pomona, Hermosa, Lynwood, and, in the Lifeguard world, to Hermosa, Santa Monica, and LA City for beach protection. LACOLA remains a proud partner union with Local 1014, and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them as they fight to protect their work.
We will work with the Fire Chief and all partners to complete this task. However, Local 1014 is clear and strong on our expectation of the Fire Chief and the Executive Staff: FAILURE TO NEGOTIATE A SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT WITH POMONA IS NOT AN OPTION. Just like fires or our own contract negotiations, no matter how tough the conditions, we will do the work and get it done.
Stay tuned—we may call on you to help amplify our message and remind the communities and leaders what they gain with the best fire department, firefighters, and fire family in the world. COUNTY! LOCAL 1014 STRONG!
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| OPEN ENROLLMENT IS HERE!
The Local 1014 Health Plan is one of the most comprehensive health plans available to firefighters anywhere in the nation—designed specifically to meet the unique needs of our fire family. It continues to be the #1 choice for our members and their families.
Please take a moment to read the letter from Firefighter Paramedic Scott Takeguma, who shares his family’s experience with the Local 1014 Health Plan. His story is a powerful reminder of the value and security this plan provides to our members and their loved ones.
Enroll now at www.mylacountybenefits.com. For more information, call Member Services at 800-660-1014 or email medicalplan@local1014.org.
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In Solidarity,
President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board |
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