Friday Update 3-4-22
Updated On: Mar 31, 2022


Brothers & Sisters,
 
Firstly, we would like to thank Interim Fire Chief Marrone for his outstanding leadership over the past few months. His passion for our Department, work ethic, and professional approach to the critical business of running the Fire Department have been invaluable. He led us through two of the worst tragedies of 2022 with the loss of Brother Jon Flagler and Brother Steve McCann. Chief Marrone showed up with the tools and dedication. With his help, we have moved mountains of business on behalf of this Department and the men and women who serve on the frontlines.  Good luck in your future endeavors. On behalf of the over 3,200 men and women of Local 1014 and our families, thank you. 

On March 1, 2022, as casually and informally as any other communique we all received ET-105 announcing the return of Chief Osby.  This news came to the Executive Staff of this Department, the Executive Board of the Union, and certainly to the Rank and File Firefighters and Fire Chiefs in the field suddenly and with little notification. 

Recognizing the serious and critical business we currently have in process, President Gillotte immediately met with Fire Chief Osby to discuss the legal work in progress and the critical issues before us including the Covid Vaccine Mandate Issue, Wellness Division buildout with Peer Support, Clinician (Dr. Steve) and critical staffing issues with hiring and promotional calendar commitments.  These items in particular have been ongoing and require the administration by those who are intimate with the details and authority to continue.  

In addition to the business in progress, President Gillotte had a candid and forthright conversation with the Fire Chief about the membership and all we have endured over the last year including Sierra Incident, Covid Vaccine Mandate, Health Issues, and LODD deaths. We are tired. We have seen gains to unite the membership, confidence in leadership and actions to support the workers in the last few months. We have all been standing together and holding ourselves up during our greatest lows.  

It was made clear that leadership at the highest level of this Department is needed.  Local 1014 and the membership will not accept anything less. One Badge, One Bear, One Share.  The Chief understood and committed to the work.  Immediately, we will be addressing the impact of the Sierra Incident, the pieces of the puzzle leading us to the worst day in LA County Fire Service history, and the Board of Supervisors' motion to address staffing, recalls, leadership, workers compensation issues, and workplace violence. 

As we head into June 1st, “We Shall Not Forget” also applies to working to correct the course of many things out of balance and unattended like training, camaraderie, and teamwork through sports, workouts, and in-person training, Peer Support with proactive and reactive tools to help our members and their families.  We thank Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn who continually help move this work to action within our Department, but we need our Department to step up as well.  

Additionally, the Union put the 48/96 Shift Schedule back on Chief Osby’s table now that he has returned.  This issue is not gone, and will not be gone until it is dealt with at the Board of Supervisors level.  The Union has approached the Fire Chief to seek his cooperation and collaboration, but not permission.  The Chief moved this to a committee which we embraced. The committee comprised of 2nd Vice President Kurt Kobler and Directors Jason Green and Tony Carcioppolo (all supporters of the Trial), and Chiefs Eleni Papas, Jon O’ Brien, and Admin Chief Theresa Berrera set out to work on the issues and address any and all concerns and or logistical issues.  To date, all issues have been addressed. In order to move this item, we are calling for a written formal response from the Chief suitable for publication to the membership and to the BOS within 30 days.  Time to call the question. 

Women’s History Month 



Local 1014 has many committed passionate women who serve on the frontlines. This month, we will take time to profile them for their pioneering commitment to our profession. We want to start with a lifelong Local 1014 member and one of the most respected Firefighters on our job, who serves as Deputy Fire Chief, Chief Eleni Pappas.



Chief Papas has worked her way through the ranks of Fire Fighter, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, and now Deputy Chief for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.  Chief Papas is operationally a badass on the fire ground having run some of the biggest structure and wildland fires including the Woolsey Fire.  Chief Papas began her career with LA City, and like so many before her and each year, she made the journey to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.  She has not always had it easy battling the old guard establishment the last 10 years to earn her place at the Executive Staff table.

Her experience and education are invaluable to setting the agenda for our Department’s future.  Chief Papas has also always taken time “to never forget where she came from” and constantly addressed the number one tool on our job, our members. Congratulations to you on your achievements during Women’s History Month. You set the standard for others to follow.   
 

UNITED FRONT - CCU & BARGAINING UPDATE

Your Local 1014 Executive Board has been continuing our negotiations for our successor 601/602 MOUs. The process is slow-moving but is progressing as we fight for every dollar for our members and their families. We will keep you updated as we grind out the terms and work towards a contract that reflects the dedication and service of our members. 

While individual units will bargain for their successor MOUs, the general salary movement, otherwise known as Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is also being bargained through the Coalition of County Unions (CCU). The CCU principal officers representing the Unions at the table unanimously nominated and elected Local 1014 President Dave Gillotte as Chairman of the CCU and Lead Negotiator at the CCU Fringe Table.  

As part of our bargaining strategy, all Los Angeles Unions have joined the United Front campaign to achieve a fair collective bargaining agreement in 2022 that includes a historically high COLA for all workers. We have seen significant support for our campaign over the past few weeks with President Gillotte submitting a resolution to the Los Angeles Federation of Labor to support the campaign and our LA County workers. The resolution was unanimously supported by the LA Fed which is a testament not only to our workers but to our strength as a union and this campaign. 

As we work together with our Labor partners throughout the County, we will keep you updated as we continue to fight for you and your families. 
 
Click here to view the LAFed Resolution regarding our United Front campaign 
Supporting Retired Brother Tim Scott 

On Sunday, February, 20th, Brother Tim Scott was involved in a major accident while working on his property and sustained substantial injuries. Luckily, his wife, Carrie, was with him when it happened and was able to quickly get him the help necessary to save his life. After spending a week in the ICU at UC Davis Medical Center, it has become clear that due to the severity of his injuries, it is going to be a long road to recovery and both Tim and Carrie are going to need all of our help to get through this.
 
Tim has suffered a Grade A Spinal Cord Injury and as a result, he is currently paralyzed from the waist down. He also suffered a severe laceration to his head and ear, fractured neck, both shoulders were broken, seven broken ribs, and a severely broken ankle.

We are asking for our members to show support to our brother and his family by donating to the recovery fund. Any donation amount will help as they navigate the long recovery process. There is a GoFundMe link as well as an account set up at F&A Credit Union. To donate directly through F&A call 800-222-1226. 
 

In Solidarity, 

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

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