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Brothers and Sisters,
Today, our LA County Fire Family came together for a beautiful flag ceremony at Station 93 to honor our Brother Andrew Pontious. Thank you to everyone who attended to make this week a week of healing for our fire family and the Pontious family. |
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FINAL FFT - FSA’S GET TOWER DATE
This week, the final 24 FSAs from the original 57 FSAs hired off the FFT list were sent Formal Job Offers, completing our negotiated deal with the Department and the County. The Department and the County originally hired these members as FSAs from the FFT list to fill vacancies in the FSA ranks. While the premise and intent was too hire these folks over to Fire Fighter Trainee, the fact is that they were left behind and the old hiring list enabling them to be hired expired.
Local 1014 filed an Unfair Labor Practice (UFC) as is provided in California in a Union represented profession, and the steps to ensure these members were hired as Firefighters began. The filing of an Unfair Labor Charge or Grievance General In Character is often the leverage needed to negotiate a deal on any labor issue. We use this collective bargaining tool in all things related to the MOU, Policy, Contract Bargaining, and related to wages, hours and working conditions. The Union then begins a discussion with the Fire Chief and chosen members of his Executive Staff and SMEs to try and find a solution for the problem that gives light to the UFC.
In this case we met numerous times with the new Fire Chief, who agreed with our premise and worked with us to solve the problem. We jointly lobbied big County DHR and the BOS to reinstate the hiring list for a short window, so that we could literally and legally reach these FSAs. We then had to ensure all FSAs hired had all the entry-level requirements met and in place, just as if they were getting on a list for the first time. And then we began the process of integrating them into a tower schedule with folks off the FFT list in process. This was an amazingly difficult and time-consuming task at all levels, and the very FSAs affected were at the Union Hall a couple of times a month to help with all that needed to be done. Special thanks to Julia Kim, who worked tirelessly also to enable all of the things we were trying to accomplish.
We will pull the UFC now that the terms and conditions of our negotiated deal are in place in full, making 57 FSAs lives richer as they journey down the path to Los Angeles County Fire Fighter and all our profession has to offer. We also spoke with Chief Marrone about a set number of FSAs in each tower. We have seen that when a pocket of FSAs is in the tower, we see better performance from all with their experience in a paramilitary setting. We will continue to finalize a deal for this in concert with the new FCTC testing process through the internal promotional process.
Congratulations to all our members who move on to the next step in their professional firefighting career.
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2024 LA County vs. LA City Fish Off Fundraiser to benefit Burn Survivors
The Annual Fish Off fundraiser, an overnight fishing trip to benefit burn survivors, was held on June 25-26. This is the 25th year that it has been held. The fundraiser started as a friendly competition between LA County and LA City fire in an effort to raise funds for burn survivors and has evolved into multiple fire departments sending teams to compete and to raise funds. All proceeds go directly to burn survivors to help pay for medical bills and treatment to helping out the families in their time of need.
This year, one of the benefactors of the fundraiser was America Salmeron. She dreams of becoming a firefighter and an explorer for the city of Pasadena. America was injured in an off-road vehicle accident and received burns to over 50% of her body. She is recovering and focused more than ever on becoming a full-time firefighter. She is an amazing young lady who is truly a fighter. $5000 was donated from the fundraiser, and in addition, we had one of our own retirees, Joe Woyjeck, who lost his own son in the Granite Mountain Fire and now runs the Explorers for Life Association along with his wife, Anna, heard about this young lady and wanted to help like he always does, showed up at the dock prior to the trip leaving and donated an additional $5000. A true giver that exemplifies the term brotherhood.
This year, your LA County brothers not only went out overnight to fish and have some comraderie away from the job, but, they came away the winners of the biggest fish between all departments that participated. Brother Keith Close was the overall winner with a 37 lb yellowtail. The County boat was filled with active, retired and sons of family members. A great time was had by all.
Brothers Greg Rodriguez and Augie Dougherty of LA County deserve a thank you for taking over the running of the Fundraiser from recently retired brother Chris Hanson. Brother Andy Ruiz from LA City has run this fundraiser for the full 25 years. Food and drinks were sponsored by both LA County and LA City, and cooking was done by Long Beach Fire. |
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WILL PRYOR RETIRES - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Every once in a while, someone comes through the ranks of our Department and our Union who should be recognized for the amazing impact they have had on our profession. Brother Will Pryor meets the mark on all fronts.
Will got his start with the Hawthorne Fire Department, served as Hawthorne Firefighters Union Vice President, and helped launch a successful plan to get Hawthorne into the County. He joined LA County Fire and worked as a Paramedic Firefighter. As a Battalion Chief, Will worked in Hazardous Materials and Homeland Security, helping develop many of the policies and procedures we have in place and helping create the Bike Team. As a Strike Team Leader and BC, Will always led from the front.
Will was a 1014 Union leader, game changer, and protector of firefighters' rights. He served as a Local 1014 Director and a Vice President and served our membership for over 20 years. Over a decade ago, Local 1014 ran Will for the LACERA Board of Investments and Board of Retirement. We lined up a strategy and campaign, and Will Pryor took both seats. This is so critically important for our retirement system to ensure we have a voice and votes on the Board to ensure funding and care of our members' regular and medical retirements.
Will also served on NCPERS, Council of Institutional Investors, International Corporate Governance Network, and the LA County Plan Administrative Committee. He helped Co-Chair the Negotiations Committees for salary and benefits, serving in the County Coalition of Unions.
Will, the membership owes you a great debt of gratitude. Enjoy your retirement and congratulations on a well-earned second chapter of your life. |
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In Solidarity,
President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board |
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