This week, Local 1014 proudly joined our partners in labor and the community to honor the life and legacy of the Honorable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his extraordinary work advancing civil rights and labor rights for all.

As part of the commemoration, the LA Fed hosted major events including its annual sold-out MLK Breakfast (2026 theme: “Back to Our Roots”) and support for the Official King Day Parade—connecting Dr. King’s leadership to today’s ongoing labor struggles for economic justice, worker rights, and multicultural solidarity.

This year, we were honored to be recognized by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor as we continue the fight for justice and equality and remain vigilant in defending the causes Dr. King championed. We were also proud to see 1014 President Dave Gillotte honored with the Golden Hatchet Award for our collective efforts to further the Labor movement. 

Local 1014 was also proud to join the 41st Annual Kingdom Day Parade, where the LACoFD, Los Angeles County Stentorians, labor partners, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, and community members came together to reflect on Dr. King’s accomplishments and celebrate his dream of racial harmony, equality, and justice for all.

We remain committed to serving our residents with care and continuing as stewards of equity through education, empowerment, and action.

Local 1014 continues to stay active and visible where it matters most—at the bargaining table, in Sacramento, and inside the House of Labor. This work is about protecting firefighters, strengthening our profession, and ensuring our voice is heard in every decision that impacts our members and our families.

We are currently moving through COPE interview season, and Local 1014 is proud to be actively engaged with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor COPE endorsement process. This is where labor comes together to interview candidates, review records, and determine endorsements based on who will stand with working families. Our participation ensures that firefighter and public safety priorities are part of the conversation early, and that candidates understand what our members face on the job every day. When labor is organized and unified, our votes carry more weight—and we are stronger at the ballot box.

Local 1014 is also proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our union partners in the House of Labor. We support our friends and allies because unity is how we win. Being engaged in this process ensures that firefighter issues are brought into candidate selection early, so we’re not trying to “catch up” later. These endorsements matter because they shape who sits at the table making decisions about staffing, pensions, workplace protections, and public safety funding.

Local 1014 is also proud to highlight our endorsement of our good friend John Erickson. We support leaders who show up for working people and understand what it takes to keep communities safe. Strong endorsements matter because strong leaders matter—and we will continue backing candidates who respect labor and respect the job.

This political engagement is directly connected to firefighter priorities at every level of government. By bringing fire service issues into the House of Labor and maintaining relationships with elected officials, we help protect the progress we’ve made and push forward on the issues that still require action. That includes cancer presumption, battery energy storage system safety, PEPRA reform, and other key items that impact firefighter health, safety, retirement, and job protections.

Finally, as the Governor’s race heats up, Local 1014 continues to be a leader in the state together with our CPF affiliates to educate candidates running for governor on the challenges our members face on the job.  Candidates are also riding along in our LA County firehouses throughout the state, and these moments are important. It’s one thing to talk policy in a room—it’s another to see the job up close and hear directly from firefighters. Recently, Tom Steyer rode along at Fire Station 16 and took time to discuss housing, inflation, fire issues, and the importance of proper funding. Local 1014 will continue to engage with candidates, because it’s critical that they understand our work, our risks, and our needs.

Finally, our thoughts and support are with the Glendale Fire family during a difficult and highly publicized situation. Moments like this remind us how quickly life can change and how important it is that we look out for one another. Check in on your people. Reach out if you need support. No one should carry stress or grief alone. Reach out to our Peer Support Team if you need help or know someone who does. 

Stay safe, stay united, and thank you for everything you do.