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TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE 1014 HEALTH PLAN!
Open Enrollment Ends TODAY!
There’s still time to make sure you and your family have the best health care coverage available.
The Local 1014 Health Plan remains one of the most comprehensive firefighter health plans in the nation, built by firefighters, for firefighters — and designed to meet the unique physical and mental health needs of our fire family.
With expansive benefits, broad provider access, and coverage tailored for the demands of our profession, it’s no surprise that the Local 1014 Health Plan continues to be the #1 choice for our members and their families.
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Don’t wait — review your options and confirm your enrollment today! Protect your health. Protect your family. LOCAL 1014 STRONG.
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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CONTRACT UPDATE
The Local 1014 Executive Board continued meeting with the Board of Supervisors to move our contract table forward following the departure of the CEO. We had another Supervisor meeting, which was very positive, and we discussed our issues and a potential path to contract settlement, centering on Plan C or post-PEPRA members’ issues at the core.
We are in constant contact with ALADS, PPOA, and LACOLA—the unions representing the Sheriffs and Lifeguards—who are all in alignment and in similar situations with their contract tables. Our efforts are moving the needle, as we know the CEO is now actively costing out our proposals and working directly with us on our presentations. We are following up with him as he settles in and begins work on many issues, with Public Safety Contracts among the most important.
We will keep you posted as we continue to pressure the BOS to, in turn, pressure the CEO, while we work with the CEO to find a path to completion. We are also at the point where we will present our contract items to the Fire Chief and ask for his direct, active, and open support on these issues. It is important for us to have his support, which demonstrates the critical backing of the Chief for his men and women where it counts.
We will also keep you updated on his response and his actions to support—or not support—our proposals. Remember, we will be patient and work to secure a fair successor MOU and nothing less. Our issues differ from those of general member unions, and with the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics coming, the resource demands on our members will matter greatly.
Stay tuned as our meetings continue. Solidarity.
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FFBOR – MEMBER REPRESENTATION RIGHTS
The hard-fought Firefighters Bill of Rights (FFBOR)—along with the additional protections provided through our MOU and long-standing union practices—ensures that our members are guaranteed due process and the right to representation when facing potential discipline.
It has come to our attention that members across the County are being called into Assistant Chiefs’ and Battalion Chiefs’ offices for issues that are either directly related to, or could potentially lead to, disciplinary action. Members have also reported being told by management that they do not need Union representation in these circumstances. This is absolutely FALSE.
Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014 reminds all members that under no circumstances should you be forced to answer questions, as a witness or a subject of an investigation, or served letters of reprimand, suspension, or termination without Union representation present.
Always ask, “Could this lead to disciplinary action?” If the answer could possibly be yes, demand Union representation before proceeding. It’s for your protection, and it’s your FFBOR RIGHT! When in doubt—Call your Union!
If you receive any notice of possible disciplinary action, contact a Union Director immediately. This applies to all requests for written statements, interrogations, or interviews—whether verbal or written—and whether you are the subject or a witness in an investigation. Letters of reprimand or warning, and notices of intent to suspend, demote, or discharge, also require union representation.
Lately, the Leadership Performance Standards Bureau (LPSB) has been off its game. They know these rules and legal rights but have, on occasion, told our members, “You don’t need representation; we just want to talk to you.” This is wrong—and it is never acceptable. When this happens, call a TIME OUT and request UNION REPRESENTATION immediately.
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| And remember—always contact us first if you are asked to respond to any of the situations mentioned above. We are here to protect your rights and ensure you are treated fairly. |
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| The LACoFD international USA-2 USAR team deployed to Jamaica this week as part of the U.S. Department of State response to Hurricane Melissa. View video here. We thank our extraordinary members for their service on this task force and wish them safe travels and a safe deployment. |
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LA COUNTY PEER SUPPORT ATTENDS ANNUAL PUBLIC SAFETY PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATION (PSPSA) CONFERENCE AND TRAINING
PEER Support has grown into a collective of PEER Support Teams and Team Members that we all rely on in times of need throughout the state of California. LA County PEER Support Teams have led the way in helping others establish their own PEER Support teams and develop the additional resources needed to help our members cope with the harsh realities of our job. Each and every one of us will be impacted by the trauma we see every day—or on one particular day—and some will need more than just the kitchen table to get through it and keep it together for the long haul.
PEER Support has evolved into a system of Firefighters and Fire Personnel—including retirees, all aspects of Fire Service members, and our Civilian Staff—who have specialized training and a heart to help our own. The IAFF PEER Support training and additional coursework are provided to our Teams, and we also work to support these teams with the best Clinical Psychologists who “speak firefighter.” We respectfully call them Culturally Competent Clinicians or “Fire Shrinks,” and they work alongside our PEERS in a PEER-driven, Clinician-supported structure. LA County has deployed our PEER team both internally and across the country, assisting others in virtually every major incident in the U.S. and beyond.
This training and networking at PSPSA and other PEER education and training symposiums allow us to connect and unite teams from across the state and nation into one network of PEERS who are ready to help when needed—just as we saw on the Sierra Incident. Our PEER team also presented on our support and efforts through the IAFF and FEMA, which Local 1014 coordinated, for our brothers and sisters in Lahaina. Local 1014 was part of the team of PEERS who helped the Maui Firefighters through a tragedy and trauma that will leave a lasting mark on their men and women.
Thank you to our PEER Support Team Members and to the Clinicians who dedicate their lives to helping all LA County Fire Team Members and our Local 1014 Brothers and Sisters. Your work does not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for the extra time and effort you put in to take care of us all. |
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POLITICAL ACTION – OUR VOICE IN SACRAMENTO
Local 1014 continued our tedious, ongoing work of interviewing hundreds of candidates across the state to select representatives who understand firefighter issues and will commit to supporting them. We have an endorsement process that involves working with other Locals in the state to question potential candidates on our issues, including support of public safety ballot measures, state budget support for Cal Fire and contract counties, candidate viability, retirement and healthcare security, support for PEPRA member changes, PFOS and cancer reduction issues, lithium-ion batteries and other energy-driven safety legislation protecting our members, and protecting fire-based EMS systems to prevent private and Placentia model systems from taking shape.
We thank the Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631 and Anaheim Professional Firefighters for joining us this past week to interview individuals seeking election in Assembly District 34, which spans LA County, Orange County, and the City of Anaheim. Cal Fire Local 2881 also has an advisory role in endorsement interviews with CPF. We will continue interviewing candidates throughout California as we prepare to help elect candidates who will stand up for us on our issues in the state capital.
This work is critical to our funding and to the health and safety of our profession. We compete for all state dollars, and we have a hand in state legislation to ensure that things like Cancer Presumption 1 and 2, cancer research and education funding, camp and wildfire funding, PFOS issues, and other health and safety items, such as lithium-ion batteries, are all included in laws that protect and serve the firefighters who serve on the front lines. |
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN! AND LET’S GO DODGERS!
While some of our members will be hard at work at the fire station, others will be off and celebrating Halloween with their friends and families in their neighborhoods. If you’re on duty, we hope you’ll have your family down to the station to break bread with the crew and share their costumes with those who are busy protecting our communities. Be sure to share your photos—it’s always great to see families enjoying time together at the stations!
If you’re off duty and celebrating Halloween at a party or event, set yourself up for success. Plan ahead—get a Lyft or Uber, or have a designated driver assigned for the evening. Consider booking a nearby room in advance if you’ll be out late. And if you’re planning to drive, think about skipping the drinks altogether. Remember, your decisions off duty can have a big impact on your job, so make smart choices.
Lastly, tonight is Game 6 of the World Series, and our LA County Dodgers are down two games to three, with the final two games in Toronto! Special thank you to our Honor Guard for representing us at the World Series game and for the tireless work they do all year to honor our fallen and firefighters nationally.
Wear your Dodgers hats proudly at work or at home, and make sure every station has the game on. Grab some peanuts and hot dogs and enjoy the game together as we cheer on the Dodgers to bring home the title!
Game 6 airs tonight at 5:00 PM PST on Fox 11 in Los Angeles.
Let’s Go Dodgers!
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In Solidarity,
President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board |
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