FRIDAY UPDATE
Brothers and Sisters,
This week, the Local 1014 Executive Board considered General Member Motion No. 058-19 regarding alternative work schedules. Your Local 1014 Executive Board understands this is a divisive issue and we will ensure that all members, no matter their position on this item, are heard and have the opportunity to attend the General Membership Meeting where Motion 058-19 will be considered for a vote.
This item will be on the agenda for the General Membership Meeting on June 11, 2019. This will allow adequate time to publish the Executive Board position, and for all members from both sides to consider and plan to attend the meeting for debate and a vote.
Local 1014 Executive Board supports Motion No. 058-19 which states, “We move to form a Local 1014 sponsored trial schedule change committee to be formed no later than July 1, 2019 with the purpose to identify alternative work schedules, then present and report back with findings to the General Membership and Executive Board by September 1, 2019 with a vote to pursue a 1 year trial schedule change by our General Membership with a simple majority vote of ballots cast no later than December 15, 2019” with the following amendments:
1. Remove July 1, 2019, and replace with not more than 60 days after salary and fringe contracts are ratified by the Board of Supervisors.
2. Remove September 1, 2019, and replace with no later than 30 days following the committee report being completed and presented to the Executive Board and General Membership.
3. If the committee recommends and the Executive Board or General Membership adopts the committee report with a recommendation to put to the membership a vote to pursue a schedule change trial, then such vote shall be a simple majority of ballots cast and shall occur no later than 60 days after such adoption of the committee report.
We feel the Board’s amendments support the spirit and intent of the motion while giving adequate time to have the Board of Supervisors vote to ratify our contracts, both salary and fringe benefits. The salary contract for 601/602 bargaining units (Firefighters, Paramedic, Captains, etc) will be ratified by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, and the CCU fringe contract is likely approximately 30 days out for a vote.
As always, the minority opinion shall be heard loudly, and the majority vote shall carry the day. Your Executive Board is equally split on this issue; however, we were unanimous on our recommendation to support the Motion as amended and to act in a timely manner with a simple majority vote.
We look forward to the discussion, debate and the ultimate outcome as we consider an issue that is difficult to navigate.
FILL THE BOOT
Next week, on May 22-24, 2019, Los Angeles County Fire and Local 1014 will be engaging in a countywide Fill the Boot campaign. Over the past three years, LA County Fire alone has raised over $360,000 in support of MDA, through participation in our annual Fill the Boot campaign. We are the second largest fundraiser in the state for the MDA—this year, we want to be #1!
Support our efforts and Fill the Boot by donating online today!
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
May is National Mental Health Month! Local 1014 would like to remind our members to take a moment to check in with your brothers and sisters and to utilize the resources in your stations via the Local 1014 Mental Health Resources poster.
Last year, more firefighters died from suicide than from on-duty events. National surveys suggest nearly one in three firefighters have considered suicide. In many cases, post-traumatic stress injury is the cause, and all too often, our brothers and sisters suffer in silence. As Firefighters and First Responders, we are conditioned to be tough and strong—we are conditioned to be superheroes for our community. However, just like physical safety, behavioral health is something that must be conditioned and maintained.
Don’t let this issue live in the shadows. Be safe, take care of each other.
In Solidarity,