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Brothers and Sisters,
BINDING ARBITRATION MOVES TO THE VOTERS!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our members who stood shoulder to shoulder with our public safety partners, including law enforcement, lifeguards, and the building trades, to help get Binding Arbitration to the voters.
We especially recognize Supervisor Lindsey Horvath for leading the way as the author of the Board motion to place Binding Arbitration on the November ballot. Co-author Supervisor Solis, along with Supervisors Hahn and Barger, secured the four votes needed to move this forward—demonstrating strong support for giving public safety workers a voice and a fair path to resolution when contract negotiations stall or break down with the CEO.
Binding Arbitration is one of the most powerful tools to level the bargaining table. It ensures that when agreements cannot be reached, a neutral third-party panel will review the facts, funding, and evidence, holding all sides accountable. This process discourages delays and gamesmanship and helps drive fair, fundable agreements.
The Board of Supervisors’ support in advancing this measure reflects a meaningful alignment with our workforce and a commitment to a fair process—one that supports recruitment, retention, and stability for the public safety professionals and skilled tradespeople who keep Los Angeles County safe and strong.
This past Tuesday marked a historic moment as we stood united with our labor partners during the final vote. With four supervisors supporting and Supervisor Mitchell opposing, at the urging of the CEO, the measure officially moved forward to the ballot. While this is a major milestone, our work is far from over. The road to November will require continued unity, energy, and commitment to ensure success.
We also want to recognize Vice President Tony Carcioppolo, who stepped up to deliver the invocation at the Board meeting when the scheduled speaker was unavailable. Tony, thank you for representing our members and helping set the tone for a powerful day in support of SAFER LA COUNTY.
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BARGAINING MOVES BACK INTO POLE POSITION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS
With Binding Arbitration now headed to the voters, our intensive efforts at the Board of Supervisors have reached a key milestone. Our focus now shifts back to the bargaining table. The timing is critical. General member unions have only recently concluded their negotiations, and the CEO’s office is now in a position to fully engage with public safety unions. It is our turn to move forward and collectively address the issues that matter most to our members.
The recent leadership transition within the CEO’s office created uncertainty at a pivotal moment. However, with Acting CEO Joe Nicchitta now at the helm and actively working to realign priorities, we are confident that progress is within reach. His commitment to settling contracts for public safety and the building trades, while preparing the County for major global events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, signals a renewed focus on getting this work done.
Importantly, the Board of Supervisors has, at our urging, taken a more active role in holding the CEO accountable for moving negotiations forward. There is growing recognition of the need to ensure safe staffing levels and competitive compensation to recruit and retain the best professionals who protect and build Los Angeles County.
As bargaining resumes, we will keep members informed every step of the way. Our top priorities include addressing Plan C / Post-PEPRA member issues, securing meaningful COLAs, and advancing key unit-level concerns. These include Behavioral Health resources, such as clinicians, peer support, and K9 programs, along with strengthened grievance and arbitration protections, paramedic expansion, and longevity incentives that reward dedication and service.
We are also fully engaged on behalf of our non-sworn members in Dispatch, Fire Prevention, and Health HazMat. Subject matter experts from these divisions will play a critical role in presenting and supporting these priorities at the table.
This will be a heavy lift and require sustained effort, but these issues are now back at the forefront, for us, for the CEO, and for the Board of Supervisors. The Fire Chief will also play an important role, and we will continue working collaboratively to secure his support on our key initiatives
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FIRE CANCER SUPPORT NETWORK (FCSN) — IT BEGAN RIGHT HERE AT LOCAL 1014 WITH BROTHER MIKE DUBRON
The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) has once again received national recognition, earning the 2026 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award from the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI).
Local 1014 could not be prouder of what has grown into a world-renowned cancer support organization—one that began as the vision of a single brother from our ranks.
Brother Mike Dubron, after battling and defeating cancer himself, recognized how isolating that journey could be. Faced with the reality of high cancer rates in the fire service, he saw a need: if firefighters and their families could connect with others who had walked the same path—and access the right resources—the fight would be less lonely and far more powerful.
President Gillotte recalls early conversations at the Alfred K. Whitehead Labor Center, Local 1014’s Union Hall. While there was initial discussion of placing the effort within an existing departmental committee, it became clear this was much bigger—something the entire fire service needed. “I remember placing a pair of firefighting gloves on the boardroom table to illustrate Mike’s vision for the logo—and the rest is history,” said President Gillotte.
From those early moments, Local 1014 partnered with UFLAC Local 112 (Los Angeles City Fire) to advance resolutions at the California Professional Firefighters and International Association of Fire Fighters levels—helping embed FCSN into the fabric of the fire service.
Today, FCSN stands as a critical resource for firefighters and their families across the country. We encourage all members to visit their website, learn about the incredible work they continue to do, and pay close attention to cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment resources. If you or a loved one ever face this fight, know that you are not alone—and that with early recognition and advancing treatments, this battle can be won.
Congratulations to FCSN on this well-deserved recognition, and to Brother Mike Dubron and the many dedicated individuals who have built, led, and strengthened this organization over the years. |
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CPF CONVENTION SET TO KICK OFF IN MAY IN LONG BEACH WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF LONG BEACH FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 372
Your Local 1014 Executive Board will join union leaders from across the state this May at the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) Convention, held every two years to set our political and legislative agenda. This is where the work begins. Critical issues such as cancer presumption, peer support, funding and budget priorities, cancer research, discipline, EMS, and member protections are debated, shaped, and advanced into policy and law.
Local 1014 has long played a leading role in this process, including helping to write and pass Cancer Presumption 1 and 2—extending protections for our members into retirement. This year, we are pushing to expand that presumption to 15 years post-retirement, building on recent federal momentum recognizing firefighter cancer as a line-of-duty death under the Honor Act. These wins, alongside efforts like WEP repeal, highlight the power of strong, non-partisan advocacy.
For this convention, Local 1014 has authored and supported several key resolutions, including:
- Disciplinary Evidence Sharing
- A mandated Wellness & Fitness Initiative for California firefighters
- Expedited employer action on life-threatening presumptive injury claims
We are also supporting broader efforts addressing:
- 37 Act heart-related issues
- 15-year cancer presumption in retirement
- Adding neurodegenerative disorders to California’s presumption laws
These resolutions are the foundation for future legislation that will protect and strengthen our members statewide.
Local 1014 will continue to lead, advocate, and fight alongside our labor partners to deliver results in Sacramento. We will keep you informed as we move forward on this next two-year legislative journey.
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In Solidarity,
President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board |
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