Sisters and Brothers – Brothers and Sisters

As Los Angeles County Fire Fighters, Local 1014 membership and their families close out 2011 we have so much to be thankful for and so much to be proud of as a Union, as an Organization.  It is the membership that does the work for our great Fire Department that deserves the credit for the accomplishments and the tremendous effort to provide the Fire and EMS Services we roll out to the great citizens we serve.

We have made it through another year with our staffing, our wages, our benefits and our working conditions intact where so many other agencies have suffered severely and in some cases permanently.  That would not have been possible without the surplus funds largely established by the ERAF lawsuit settlement fought for by the Union, and certainly would not have been possible without our membership working with the County to freeze our contracts for the past 3 years. Don’t let anyone tell you any different, your efforts across the board to balance the books along with the cost constraints are why we are sound.  There has been no management created magic wand or divine intervention from the hand of the Department, but rather a partnership of the Department and the Union Members to make it happen and credit is due to Local 1014 Membership.

We have made gains in our fringe contract with additional health insurance premium contributions the past two years, kept our constant manning and stable levels of SRC and a very stable and sound LACERA finish with our funds.  We are not out of the woods by any means and we have so much to accomplish in 2012 to protect all of the above and seek gains where the economy and the politics will bear it, but there are signs of a growing economy and light at the end of the tunnel.

Just today the California Supreme Court ruled that the Redevelopment Agency Agreements can be abolished under the state laws passed with our hard work last year and this could bring millions of dollars of recurring revenue into the Fire District. This is far from over and we will have to watchdog the State to ensure our share is kept intact, but it will result in a net positive shift of tax revenue to the County of Los Angeles and the County Fire Protection District.  Your Executive Board and CPF has been engaged in this battle from the start, and through strong political action and legislative action shares in the victory.  We will keep you posted on what this means.  Local 1014 also shares directly in the IAFF victory to secure and appropriate SAFER ACT federal monies for the grants that will allow us to reopen the Inglewood Station and keep the El Monte Station open.  This will help us deal with all of our fee for service contract cities in the future.

Congratulations on your efforts, your steadfast strength to persevere and support the efforts of your Union, Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1014.  We have much to do in 2012 and we will take the time to roll out all of those things in our Update Newsletter shortly after the New Year, but the highlights are obviously the immediate threat to our political action voice through the paycheck protection initiative we must kill.  We lose our voice through political action, we lose everything.  Protecting our pensions and healthcare and the obvious mountain of work to stabilize our working conditions by smoothing the transition of the Fire Chief’s position are high priorities and expect a few fireworks along the way, but we are confident we can partner to get it all done. 

So with that being said we once again conclude with a serious reminder to BE RESPONSIBLE AND DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE AS YOU CELEBRATE THE END OF THE YEAR.  Many of you will be traveling the highways, partying and drinking while you do it.  The Law will be out in full force to arrest those who choose to drink and drive.  IF YOU GET A DUI YOU WILL BE FACING A MINIMUM OF 15-20K IN LEGAL FEES, A 30 DAY NO PAY SUSPENSION AND THREAT TO YOUR CAREER.  We also know firsthand the tragedy that can occur when irresponsible drunk drivers get behind the wheel, so just don’t do it.  A 100 dollar cab ride, a 200 dollar room, a designated driver are all much cheaper and much safer for you and your families.  We continue to see our members get hooked up and booked up so we will continue to hit hard on the message.  CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY AND DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!  

Happy New Year to you and your families, and get ready to continue next year…

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS - LOCAL 1014 –  “TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE”