LA Times Article response
Posted On: Oct 27, 2014

FIREFIGHTER FAMILY MEMBERS WORK THEIR TAILS OFF TO EARN JOBS IN OUR PROUD PROFESSION WHERE THEY SERVE THE PUBLIC AND SAVE LIVES AND MIGHT EVEN BE CALLED UPON TO GIVE THEIR OWN LIVES FOR OTHERS…

That is what our investigation revealed.  I write to you on behalf of the entire Local 1014 Executive Board and in fact I probably represent the sentiment of every Fire Fighter Father or Mother whose son or daughter serves in our profession so proudly, especially as an LA County Fire Fighter.

We take great offense to the LA Times Article in Sunday’s Paper in which Paul Pringle took a low shot in yet another series of articles that serve to attack Firefighters on anything and everything as part of a ploy to continue to pressure cuts and deleverage our Unions. This is a follow up to the same attack on UFLAC 112 – LA City Members that recently occurred.

We have been working with UFLAC and the Department to navigate and put back pressure on these directed attacks designed to continue to politicize our systems as we both move to negotiate contracts.  These articles and similar will continue, and serve as a reminder of the fact we are not nearly done with an overall strategy aimed at our profession to tear down our compensation and retirement and medical packages. Like a bad meal, we will just get through this article and move on with our business but a few words need to be said internally about this.

It is a fact that sons and daughters follow in their fathers and mothers footsteps in all aspects of work, and we have often seen Actors, Singers, Entertainers, NFL and MLB and other Sports figures, children of workers in both the private and public sector jobs follow in their parent’s footsteps and this is a great thing. As a matter of fact, when children opt for the same work as their parents, it could be argued the only advantage they have is looking at a role model who can show them the ropes, provide connections for school and job paths to set the stage for them to see what the job is like and if inclined to pursue and go earn it.  The County recognizes this each year we participate in “Bring you sons and daughters to work day”.  This is designed to specifically expose our children to our job interests and with good purpose.

The Union has been working on this item for some time with the Department and this article was not unexpected and we will continue to monitor and ensure no over-reaction to the article from the Department and the County as we have seen from LA City Elected Officials and Staff. More to come on testing and training procedures. 
 
Your Executive Board and I know all of you are proud of our members work and accomplishments including those who are related to those who have served or are serving and I can personally attest to the pride and dedication and work ethic and work product of Ryan Tripp who was viciously and unfairly attacked in this article. I work with Ryan in Battalion 13 regularly on fires, strike team assignments, major EMS calls and more and he does a hell of a job… He represents similar stories for all of you but serves as an example for all. The only thing criminal in Ryan’s story is the picture they used in the article and the fact that he is a San Francisco Fan, but thankfully they did not print that. 

Finally, the author of the article left out this little finishing fact for all to read.  These sons and daughters who serve and have earned the right to serve like anyone else may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice at any given time.  FDNY firefighters on 911 and of course LA County Fire Fighters unfortunately know this all too well.  Perhaps Paul Pringle should research that a bit before he writes about the fiber of our members.  One Badge, One Bear, One Share!  Let us contemplate these thoughts at line-up and do what we do, get back to work as we humbly serve our public.  

Take care…. Dave Gillotte and the Executive Board of Local 1014

Check iafflocal1014.org or local1014.org for details

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