|
|
Brothers and Sisters,
As we all know, the fire season started earlier this year. Sending strikes teams out early to help with fires up and down the state, and especially the Park Fire which has grown to the 4th largest fire in California history with over 400,000 acres burned. Sending aid via strike teams is a fine balance we constantly have to monitor because we need to remind management we have our own staffing needs at home in LA County. We expect our partners in the state to help us when we have major campaign fires here locally in LA County, and the mutual aid system has benefited us many times over the last few years. This becomes a fine balance and not every request has been filled. Local 1014 has worked with management to ensure not every request has been filled due to our staffing woes.
Also affecting staffing, unfortunately, is that our workers comp numbers are up again. This compounds the staffing problem with strike teams out and the annual vacation season. The Department needs to be better at case management on workers comp along with our third-party provider. Local 1014 came up with the plan to get 50 people back to work at a time. It seemed to be effective but somehow appears to have slipped off upper management's radar. We want our members to get the treatment they deserve for the sacrifices we all make to serve others. We have an inherently dangerous job and deserve the best care and treatment.
However, we do have a small number of members who take advantage of the system, and this, unfortunately, impacts us all. We encourage everyone to do what’s right. Your actions negatively affect others and hard-fought-for rights as employees. At the end of the day, firefighters in positions solve staffing issues. Local 1014 has continued to push the Department to hire, promote, and properly manage worker’s compensation.
We currently have recruit class 174 in and two more slated within the next six months. The Captain's written exam was just administered, with an Engineer exam to follow shortly. Recruitment to send members to paramedic school is out to help within the firefighter rank.
Your Union will continue to push the Department to manage staffing via out-of-county resources, proper workers' compensation management, hiring, and promotions. At the end of the day this is a management mess we constantly have to try and clean up. |
|
|
BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT
Exciting news on the Federal level with Local 1014 working with our partner unions across the nation to secure votes and support for the Social Security Fairness Act. This bill would repeal the Windfall Elimination Program (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) from the Social Security program.
With 62 co-sponsors in the Senate & more than 300 in the House, the IAFF-endorsed Social Security Fairness Act is one of the most bipartisan pieces of legislation introduced this Congress. This bill allows firefighters and other first responders to retire with dignity by eliminating the unfair WEP/GPO penalties on retirees. The WEP and GPO provisions unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits of most firefighters who also held a second job during their careers.
We will update you more as this moves forward, and we look for a signed bill this year that will provide meaningful relief to all firefighters, both those currently retired and those who have not yet retired.
|
|
HELPING OUR LA COUNTY FIRE FAMILY
Please see the two important fundraisers, both of which benefit our Fire Family out of Station 93, which has been hit hard this year. Let’s band together and support, share and donate for both below.
Fundraiser for Andrew Pontious- Southern Collective Spirit
The Southern Collective Spirit Company introduced the Andrew Pontious Charity Bottles collection, a heartfelt initiative. This exclusive collection honors the memory of Andrew Pontious, our brother who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on June 14th, 2024.
The collection features three distinct bottle offerings, each crafted with care and dedication. What's more, all proceeds from sales will go directly to supporting the Pontious family. This tribute collection not only celebrates community spirit but also makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those who mattered most to Andrew.
|
|
|
Support Brother Roberto and His Family
Dustin Roberto, our beloved brother, husband to Mariah, and soon to be father to his baby boy in December, was diagnosed with Stage 4 multi-system Neuroendocrine Cellular Cancer in late June. The cancer started in his stomach and has aggressively metastasized to his liver, lungs, and neck.
Dustin was an LA County Explorer (Post 6) from 2010-2013. After graduating high school, Dustin was hired by AMR and worked in the Santa Clarita Region. In 2016, Dustin was hired by West Metro Fire & Rescue. Additionally, he was a proud member of IAFF Local 1309 for 4 years before being hired by the Los Angeles County FD in June of 2020 where he has selflessly served the citizens of East Palmdale out of Fire Station 93 as a Fireman/Medic.
Dustin, 34 years old, lives with his wife Mariah who is pregnant with their first child, a baby boy. Dustin and Mariah recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary together. Currently, Dustin is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy through the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and receiving palliative care at his home in Goodyear.
Every donation and share helps spread the word.
|
|
In Solidarity,
President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board |
|
|
|
|
|
|
