Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Forestry and Health Haz Mat personnel

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! It has been a very busy year for Local 1014 Members and no shortage of issues we are dealing with at the Local. We would like to give you a short update on a couple of issues we have been dealing with as we end the year.

The new Vacation Days we achieved in fringe bargaining have been problematic for the County of LA with regard to their view on how to pay those days to our members if they don't use them, for the obvious reasons related to retirement. The method the County chose to deal with their concerns is to WITHHOLD accrual and credit for the extra hours until and unless the member used Vacation hours to reduce their balance below 720 hours. This unilateral action is Unfair and we have been dealing with the County to resolve this issue, and we will continue to work to resolve it, but at this point we are filing a Grievance General in Character (GGIC) to take our Unfair to the Employee Relations Commission where we may end up in a hearing to find final resolve. To all members who are affected, or if you think you are affected, continue to let us know as it occurs, but ALL Members who are affected will be brought forward in the hearing as we progress. This affects the Lifeguards as well and LACOLA is working hand in hand with us along with the Coalition of County Unions. We will update you with the next steps as we move this case forward.  Our hopes are we come to a resolve with the County soon.

The Department hastily put forward an EA recently to indicate a schedule and terms to move forward in changing the PM spots from a number of PM Engines to Engineers. They quickly retracted the EA after we contacted them and reminded them we were in talks with the County and the Department about this issue with a strong opposition from the Union at this point, and any unilateral implementation of such program would be met with all political and legal tools of opposition including job actions. The Fire Chief retracted the EA and recognized our continuing conversation on the subject that will take place in January. The idea of ranked Paramedic positions does not escape us and we have proposed this on different occasions and we are interested, but not in the manner the Department has proposed. We have interest in protecting the current FFPM's from displacement, and interest in not only FFS PM positions but CA PM positions potentially. We will introduce ideas we have on this matter, discuss with the Department these issues and concerns and protection of our members work, and ultimately if no deal is reached on terms we agree with the Department will have to determine if they want to try and unilaterally implement and deal with our swift and strong opposition including job actions...a path they likely are not comfortable with. This proposal has been handled poorly by the folks in charge of trying to craft it, and the one stop they forgot about was the Union and people we represent not only literally but legally for that work. Now that the subject has been broached, we have ideas and items we want to introduce and we will talk with the Department. This item is a long way from being done one way or another, and we struck sternly at the Department with regard to the EA's and mis-information being published and sent out creating confusion and chaos for those who may be affected.

Finally, as we get ready to take some time to celebrate Christmas with our families and friends, some at work and some at home, remember to take care of each other. The Holidays can be difficult for those who are in need, and those with issues and pressures affecting them this season. We have been working late into December with Unions and Fire Departments throughout California on Behavioral Health Issues in our profession including Depression and PTSD. We have recently once again seen the devastation that can occur if behavioral health issues are left unidentified and unchecked. The data we reviewed showed about 25% of Professional Firefighters have or have had some form of PTS and Depression associated with the difficult job we do and the circumstances we do it in. We will be engaged with the Department in an ongoing move to reinvigorate our Behavioral Health Programs and Services and more will be forthcoming in the new year. For now remember we have a robust and excellent group of Peers on our job who are there to help us when we are in need. Our Peers and our Behavioral Health Professionals are only a phone call away to help you deal with anything that may be affecting you. We also have a relationship with FIRESTRONG a Firefighter Behavioral Health organization with resources that can be accessed at firestrong.org.

So be nice to each other and look out for each other as we head into the last days of December and as we celebrate Christmas.

Welcome the new firefighters that enter our stations for the first time in their careers this week and mentor them, give them your experience and help. Give the old salt with years of experience a thank you for his or her time in grade, and work together to take care of the citizens we serve on the streets of the greatest Fire Department around....where the greatest Firefighters and Fire Personnel in the world make it happen... Los Angeles County Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1014!

In solidarity, Dave Gillotte and your Local 1014 Executive Board

Happy Thanksgiving
Local 1014 Brothers and Sisters

Thanksgiving is here and as we take time to celebrate and give thanks for all that we have, and as we prepare for the Holiday Season we would like to take a moment to say thank you to all of our members who work so hard and are committed to the work we do. Day in and day out, our membership lays it on the line literally and figuratively with pride filled, professional dedication to our craft and our service to the public. We work for one of the greatest Fire Departments in the Nation, and we are represented by one of the Strongest Fire Unions in the Nation, Local 1014.

Thanksgiving is a day we now know as a Recognized Holiday to not only give thanks, but also to kick off the Holiday Season and spend time with our families and friends and eat too much and celebrate all that is good. Thanksgiving has its origins in an annual Good Harvest Thanks and was a hard fought for recognized holiday in our history. The original meal of 1621 at Plymouth Rock was not formally set into America’s History until hundreds of years later. After much debate and political influence by Presidents Washington and Lincoln and 40 years of letters from author Sarah Josepha Hale to politicians, and with the help of stores and commerce interests who wanted to kick off spending for the season entering into Christmas, Franklin D. Roosevelt, on December 26, 1941, signed a joint resolution of Congress to set the Thanksgiving Holiday to be the fourth Thursday in November. This is now a vital part of our economy as well as a day to give thanks for hard work and the fruitful harvest of our efforts. This strangely sounds a lot like a Union Operation!

As we give thanks, and celebrate the holidays we also finish with the “Hard Work” of another year of membership effort, a challenging National election cycle and Local 1014 Elections. We have much to be thankful for in all that we have accomplished and much to prepare for to enjoy continued success into next year. Elections are over and the new Local 1014 Executive Board is set and will begin immediately preparing for the hard work ahead with negotiations, Paramedic shortage, staffing issues and many other items on the plate.

Solidarity and Unity of Voice is paramount to our strength to get it done. We rose up and spoke loudly on so many items and the membership weighed in heavily in vote. Let us combine the freedom of minority opinion and majority voice to powerfully attack not just any one issue, but all of the issues that we will face heading into the New Year. We are stronger than ever and well positioned to accomplish much and navigate the challenges that lie ahead to keep our profession strong and our members well represented.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Feast and give thanks and prayer for all we are fortunate to have and remember the hard work it took to get it done, and as always we ask that you do so responsibly. Choose not to drink this holiday or limit your drinks, but if you are going to drink alcohol, remember GET A DRIVER, GET A CAB or GET A ROOM… DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!

Fraternally,

Dave Gillotte

President

1014 Executive Board election results 2016

The following Local 1014 members were elected on November 22, 2016 to the Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1014 Executive Board:

On behalf of the membership, thank you to the Elections Committee Chairman Larry Tiegen and the Elections Committee Members: Bill Curtis, Dan Hayashi, Frank Infante and Lupe Munoz for their hard work and due diligence and they are dismissed from service.

Local 1014 Elections were conducted in accoradnce with the Constitution and By-Laws of the IAFF and Local 1014 by the California Elections Company.

Local 1014 is one of the strongest, most influential sound Labor Unions in the Nation and State.  Now 3200 members strong, we must unite and get back to work with a new Board of Supervisors with contract negotiations first up after the new year.

Thank you to all and let us move forward 1014 STRONG!

2016 Election round-up
Some races STILL to close to call....

The Local 1014 Executive Board has finally recovered from our work and efforts in the November 8th General Election.  Our Union was heavily involved in the Primary and General Elections in LA County and the State and National elections as well.  We funded and worked powerfully and effectively in races that matter intensely for Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1014 Members.

You can find a complete list of election results here.

The news of the night of course, was the Presidential Election, and our new President is Donald J. Trump.  The United States Congress and United States Senate also were won on balance by the Republican Party.  We know many of you voted Trump and many Clinton.... probably at the same rate as the national vote, almost 50/50... As you are aware the IAFF did not endorse in the Presidential race with good purpose, but we will certainly have to react to the change in the climate we exist in at the Federal Level.  While there are many issues we all put on balance for the Nation as a whole in our votes, there will be consequences we must deal with on the Union level for Firefighters in the IAFF.  I have already spoken with President Harold Schaitberger along with top Fire Union Leaders in the US, and indicated our desire to get to work early to put our members in a place where we can survive the next 4 years.  President Elect Trump, along with a Republican Controlled Congress and Senate will likely make good on his positions to fight collective bargaining nationally, put us in Social Security, tax the value of our health care contributions, cut SAFER, UASI, and FEMA grant funding in half, and with the likely appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States we will not find favor on the decisions appealed for our retirement and healthcare for existing employees like the Marin County decision that may find it's way to the US Supreme County.  We have our work cut out for us to survive, and lucky for us in California we have protections in our State Laws and MOU's for our working conditions, wages, hours and retirement and healthcare.   We must reach out to the Trump Administration and get to cutting deals or fighting to keep our place... it will not be easy, that is simply a fact. 

U.S. SENATOR: In the race for the United States Senate Seat in California, we saw current California Attorney General Kamala Harris received 63% of the vote to defeat Loretta Sanchez with 37%.

For California, we had remarkable victories in the US, State and Local Elections for 1014 and CPF and IAFF endorsed candidates.  United States Senator Elect Kamala Harris is a longtime friend of Local 1014 and her work as AG to protect our pensions was unparalleled by any other elected leader. We will be working closely with her on our Federal issues to keep our members protected.  We also won all US Congressional Seats we endorsed in for California. We also were victorious in the state initiatives we backed or opposed.  We won our position on 7 measures.... Props 51 and 52 (YES), Prop 53 (NO), Prop 55 (YES), Prop 58 (YES), Prop 59 (YES), and Prop 66 (YES).  WOW!

L.A. COUNTY BOS, 4th DISTRICT: U.S. Representative Janice Hahn won the seat with 56% of the votes over Steve Napolitano who received 44% of the vote.	L.A. COUNTY BOS, 5th DISTRICT: Kathryn Barger won the seat with 59% of the vote over Darrell Park who received 41%.

Local 1014 was once again at the center of the work in electing our two newest LA County Board of Supervisors.  Kathryn Barger in the 5th District and Janice Hahn in the 4th District.  Both races were hard fought, expensive and all in for Local 1014!  This will give us the first ever 5 Supervisor Board elected by Local 1014 and our Labor allies.  This is historic and with hard work should set Local 1014 members in a great place for the next 5 to 10 years.  We also helped gain victories in Local County Measures in an alliance with our Labor FED Partners, especially the building trades unions in passing Measure JJJ - The Build Better LA Measure that will bring thousands of LA County Jobs and Tax Revenue for our Fire District.   

Congratulations to Council Member elect Rick Mullen, Fire Captain in Battalion 5, on winning the most votes in the City of Malibu election.

Local 1014 put a ton of effort in many of our Contract Cities, but none more than in Pomona this election.  Incumbent Mayor Elliot Rothman who had turned his back on LA County Fire Fighters one time too many in the last year, was ousted and new Mayor Tim Sandoval won the race. We also helped to secure candidates in two other seats, but the count is not done for official results likely to be released Tuesday.  It was a bloody battle and election and in the end, Elliot Rothman and anyone else watching can know it is better to work with Local 1014 than against any day of the week. We will begin taking the steps to work on LF 181 staffing and a plan to return the 6 positions.  We have not forgotten nor given up! 

We would also like to say congratulations to all the other CPF affiliate Locals in their victories, but none more sweet than in Costa Mesa, where I along with President Rob Gagne and Local 1014 Members walked precincts to claim victory in two out of three races including sending the Tea Party anti-Firefighter, pension killing, 1/3 staff reducing, privatize Costa Mesa Fire Mayor Home!  We will work to help ensure he never sees the light of day again!  This was an important victory to us all indirectly in the protection of our right to provide Fire Based EMS and pension protection.  I drew inspiration from this small Local of 65 plus members once 90 plus in their Solidarity and Passion of fight to get this done.  Truly one of the greatest Firefighter Political Victories of the Decade.  Great work! 

Thanks to all Local 1014 members for providing the Solidarity that gives us the Strength and Power to get it done on so many fronts.  The work we have done this election cycle will be the core of the efforts and effectiveness in our work for the next 10 years.  There will be plenty of work for us, but in California we will find new allies in our Elected Officials like we haven't had in a long time.  Let us never rest, never be complacent, never be out of the game... "All Politics Is Local" , "Money is the Mothers Milk of Politics", and "Political Action is how we survive", it's that simple and we have done very well once again.  Share in the pride we should all have as Local 1014 Members!  

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board

1014 Elections

By now everyone should have received their 1014 Election Ballot.  If you have not, please contact the Union office IMMEDIATELY at (800) 334- 6285.

Remember:

• Ballots must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service and received in the Post Office Box by 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, in order to be counted.
• No hand-carried ballots will be accepted at the Union hall or at the Post Office.

Ballots will be counted on Tuesday, November 22nd by the California Elections Company (CEC) and the results will be posted to the web as well as sent to all stations and sites.

Thank you in advance for your vote and your voice.

Dear Members,

Today we start our annual Fill the Boot campgain.

On behalf of Local 1014 and the families served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), we would like to thank you for your support of our 13th Annual Los Angeles County Local 1014 Fill the Boot to be held on Friday November 4th (A), Saturday November 5th (B) and Sunday November 6th (C), 2016. Because of you, Los Angeles County Firefighters have raised nearly $3,500,000 in the last thirteen years to provide health care and support services to the families served by MDA.

With our participation in events like Fill the Boot, MDA will continue to fund comprehensive healthcare clinics at renowned facilities like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and UCLA.  In addition, MDA will fund life saving research at USC and Cedars Sinai. Last but not least, your support sends children with neuromuscular disease to MDA summer camp. Each and every one of your efforts will not go unnoticed. As the IAFF’s charity of choice for over 60 years, you are a part of the tradition and commitment to the families who live with muscle disease. Your character and dedication to help those in need is what our profession is about.

With the Fire Chief and his Executive Staff’s full support, we need all hands on deck to get our total over $300,000. There will be MDA staff or volunteers at each Battalion collection site.

Once again, we would like to thank you in advance for your full participation in our Fill the Boot to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger.  Each year, we participate in many events for the department. Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1014 is proud to Fill the Boot for MDA. This is OUR event and one that is very important to Local 1014 and Firefighters across the county as well as those the Fill the Boot helps. Let’s work together with MDA staff to make sure it’s a safe and successful event.

If you have any issues or problems please contact 1st Vice President Dave Lopez on his cell at (909) 917-6058 or by email at davel@local1014.org.

Fraternally,

Your Local 1014 Executive Board

For those that wonder why we do what we do for the MDA..... Meet Firefighter Shaun Probert.....and his 3 young girls. Shaun spoke at the 2012 IAFF Convention in Philadelphia. Click here to watch his emotional presentation Where is Shaun now? Click here

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Forestry and Health Haz Mat personnel

Follow the instructions in your Choices Benefit Enrollment Packet but here are some reminders:

• You must finish enrollment by midnight Monday October 31 2016 – Online at www.mylacountybenefits.com or by phone at 1 (888) 822-0487.
• To access either enrollment system you need your employee number and your Personal Identification No. (MMYYYY -2 digit month and 4-digit year of your birth)
• YOU MUST ENROLL TO WAIVE MEDICAL COVERAGE or you will automatically be enrolled in Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1014 Health Plan.
• YOU MUST ENROLL TO PARTICIPATE IN A HELATH CARE AND / OR DEPENDENT CARE SPENDING ACCOUNT
• YOU MUST ENROLL TO ADD INSURANCE COVERAGE OR LEVELS AND TO ADD OR DELETE DEPENDENTS FOR COVERAGE (Social Security numbers needed)

Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1014 Health and Dental Plan Highlights:

• FREE BODY SCAN. CAN BE DONE NOW EVERY 2 YEARS.
• EXCESS DENTAL IS INCREASING FROM $1000 TO $1500 PER PERSON IN 2017.
• LIFETIME ORTHODONTIA IS INCREASING FROM $2000 TO $3000 PER PERSON.
• VSP VISION PLAN WITH TO MANY ENHANCEMENTS TO LIST (see attached)
• TAKE THE PLAN WITH YOU “AS IS” INTO RETIREMENT

Take time to elect your Health Care, Dental, Life Insurance, AD&D and Spending Account “CHOICES” by midnight October 31, 2016.

If you have questions or need answers about the 1014 medical plan follow this link: http://www.local1014medical.org/.  Click this link for a summary of the medical plan.