IAFF Local 1014

Friday Update 3-6-26

Posted On: Mar 27, 2026

Brothers and Sisters,

Board of Supervisors Advances Binding Arbitration Measure for Public Safety Unions

The effort led by Local 1014, the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association (LACOLA), and the LA/OC Building Trades Council has taken many months to move from concept to reality. Working with renowned labor attorney Will Aitcheson, the coalition developed language aimed at leveling the playing field at the bargaining table.

Binding arbitration allows a neutral third party to resolve disputes over contract terms and the ability to pay. Because the decision is binding, both sides are typically motivated to reach an agreement rather than leave the outcome to a third party. In practice, agencies that have secured binding arbitration rarely need to use it.

The measure required signatures to qualify for the ballot unless the Board of Supervisors placed it there by vote. After engaging with the Supervisors, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath quickly stepped forward to support public safety, with Supervisor Hilda Solis joining as co-author of the motion.

Led by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and co-authored by Hilda Solis, a Board motion to put binding arbitration on the ballot went to a vote this Tuesday for the first reading. Thank you to Supervisors Barger and Hahn, who joined us in voting in the affirmative. Supervisor Mitchell abstained, and we continue to work to gain her support as well.

This tool is widely supported by the public, and the motion moves to March 17 for the second reading, when the final vote will occur. If we receive final approval, the measure will move forward to the ballot. We will still have our hands full marketing, educating, and helping voters understand the issue to gain their support.

Thank you to all the members who supported us during the introduction of the motion, setting the tone for last Tuesday. We will keep you informed as we move toward the 17th.

CPF and California Fire Foundaiotn Update

The California Fire Foundation (CFF) and California Professional Firefighters (CPF) boards convened on Tuesday in Sacramento. Local 1014, representing District 7, worked alongside the CPF Executive Board and the Fire Foundation Board to address key business for the upcoming quarter.

The Fire Foundation reviewed and approved this year’s Line-of-Duty Death (LODD) requests to be added to the California Firefighters Memorial Wall in Sacramento. Each firefighter’s story is carefully reviewed so their sacrifice can be formally recognized and their names added to the sacred walls of the memorial. Later this year, families of the fallen will gather at the Capitol as we honor their service and reaffirm our commitment to never forget.
The CFF Board also addressed scholarships and financial investment planning to ensure long-term funding for the memorial and scholarships supporting survivors of fallen firefighters. The Foundation partners with many donors from the business community and the public to sustain these efforts.

This year, we will honor four Los Angeles County Firefighters: Dustin Roberto, Michael Mercado, Ismael Villalta-Ayala, and David Gonzales. Our brothers will take their place among the fallen, and we will never forget as we continue supporting their families and honoring their sacrifice. Our profession is built on tradition, honor, and family, where caring for one another is not optional; it is who we are.

NEVER FORGET.

The CPF Board also met to advance important legislative work currently moving through the Capitol. The most significant priority this session is Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor’s AB 1383, which seeks to reform PEPRA and restore retirement benefits for our Plan C members.

The bill would:

Reduce the retirement age from 57 to 55
Allow unions to negotiate up to a 3% at 55 retirement formula
Increase the compensation cap to align with IRS standards
Allow employees to bargain prospective benefit increases within tiers

Reforming retirement systems and improving benefits for post-PEPRA members is the top legislative priority of CPF, our statewide fire union. The bill cleared the Assembly Floor last week and now moves to the Senate for committee hearings and floor votes, before ultimately heading to the Governor for consideration.

Local 1014, along with our state fire union partners, will continue working the halls of Sacramento throughout the legislative session to advance these efforts. You can view the bills signed last session and CPF’s current legislative priorities here.

The CPF Board also began preparing for the Biannual Convention, where resolutions are brought forward and voted on to shape the union’s political and legislative agenda for the next two years. Every bill that leads to meaningful change for firefighters begins with this process: firefighters identify issues, develop ideas, and advance resolutions that ultimately become legislation. This is how landmark laws such as the Cancer Presumption and Behavioral Health Presumption were created and signed into law.

THE POWER OF UNION

The LA Federation of Labor, representing more than 300 affiliated unions and labor organizations and over 800,000 workers, gathered in March for the Workers Congress to set the path for the coming year. This convening brings together the collective power of working people to support each other’s fights and advance issues that impact workers across our region.

The LA Federation of Labor and our brother and sister unions played a key role in our effort to pass Measure E, demonstrating that solidarity works. Solidarity is a two-way street, and Local 1014 stands ready to support the broader labor movement whenever our fellow unions need us.

The LA Fed will also play an important role in helping pass our Binding Arbitration measureonce it reaches the voters. With labor households often representing three to four voters each, and more than 800,000 members, the labor movement is a powerful voice in shaping the future of our communities.

Thank you to all of our brother and sister unions in the Federation of Labor, with whom we proudly stand in solidarity. Special thanks to President Yvonne Wheeler and the incredible staff at the Federation for their tireless work on behalf of working families.

As we move toward the ballot to secure Binding Arbitration, many unions within the Federation may be engaged in their own battles at the bargaining table, including strikes. While firefighters cannot strike, Local 1014 will proudly stand alongside our union partners as they fight for their members and their rights.

THE IAFF CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

The IAFF Center of Excellence celebrated its 9th anniversary on March 4. Opened on March 4, 2017, President Gillotte was part of the International Behavioral Health Task Force, with LA County and CPF represented when the doors first opened.

Since then, many of our own members—and firefighters from across the state—have found healing and support there, helping them continue their careers strong and healthy, not only physically but also mentally.

If you or your family are experiencing behavioral health challenges, please contact our Peer Support Team. Whether you need assistance or simply someone to talk to who understands the job, help is available.

Link to LA County Fire Department Peer Support Toolbox.

Arrive with Ease: Your Uber Round-Trip Medical Ride Benefit

Skip the traffic, parking, and stress. Whether it’s a routine checkup or a specialist visit, this round-trip ride benefit is designed to save you time and add convenience to your day. Think of it as a concierge-style benefit built into your plan — one more way your Health Trust is working to support you and your family.

We encourage all eligible members to take advantage of this valuable benefit for round trips to doctor appointments and approved medical visits.

Important: You must have an active Uber account to access this benefit. When completing the form, be sure to enter the cell phone number connected to your Uber account.

Click here to sign up to access this benefit.

Click above to watch the how-to video from Uber.

In Solidarity,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board