FRIDAY UPDATE 
 

California is the largest state organization and body of organized Union Firefighters in the nation.   As GST, Frank will ensure the west coast Fire Labor issues will have a strong voice at the table in Washington DC. Congratulations Frank!

Additionally, we, joined Union leaders from throughout California at Long Beach Firefighters Local 372 Union Hall to congratulate Brother Steve Gilman, from Glendale Arizona who was elected to the IAFF 10^th District Vice President.  Brother Gilman was Lima’s District Service Field Rep and has the skill and experience needed to represent the nearly 50,000 Firefighters from California, Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Guam.  His vast experience as a Marine, Firefighter and Union Leader serves us all well as he moves forward to tackle the issues affecting our great District.  Congratulations to Brother Gilman!
 
Also sworn-in was Brother Ed Kelly from Boston to the position of IAFF General President.  Brother Kelly certainly brings passion to the job, and has worked with Brother Lima for the past four years on the Executive Board.  There will be a balance of east coast / west coast influence on issues affecting all members in the US and Canada.  Congratulations to Brother Ed Kelly.  We look forward to the work ahead to make our profession the best it can be for our members and our families. 

 
Local 1014 Executive Board works not only within the Fire Union world of California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the IAFF but also within the house of labor with the AFL-CIO to gain support for major issues facing our membership.

The largest and strongest Labor Council in the nation, the LA Federation of Labor (LAFed) represents nearly 850,000 workers. President Gillotte is a Vice President on the Executive Board along with other major union leaders from Los Angeles.  Executive Secretary-Treasurer Ron Herrera leads the team that has an influence on myriad issues including workers comp and retirement legislation as well as influence with the elected officials who make decisions. 

Political action and legislative advocacy are how things get done on behalf of our members. Our work here is important. 

This week the Executive Board of the LA Fed hosted a long and very frank conversation with Governor Gavin Newsom regarding COVID-19 related items, funding, and policy issues on behalf of all Union workers in the state.  Governor Newsom has been a strong supporter of Union workers and in particular Fire Unions with our work at the state. 

At the meeting, President Gillotte tackled the fire camp funding issues pertaining to municipal departments including  LA County Fire which needs State funding for our camps.  With the decline of inmate firefighting and a move to paid or anti-recidivism efforts in camps, we need more funding to provide for the resources not only for our own needs but also for our participation in the mutual aid system within California. 

The conversation is but one of many President Gillotte and Local 1014 Executive Board will be having with the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Pro-Tem as we navigate this legislative and budget session.  We appreciate the solidarity of message and strength of the 850,000 workers at the LAFed as we tackle our issues.

California Fire Foundation Executive Board Meeting 
 
Local 1014 is also the 7^th District in the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and our work there goes far beyond normal Union work.  We also serve on the Executive Board of the California Fire Foundation. 

The California Fire Foundation is responsible for the California Firefighter Memorial in Sacramento, Firefighter License Plates, the Dan Terry Fallen Firefighter Scholarship, and all LODD support to families with Cal LAST, Chaplain, and LODD Support Teams, as well as the SAVE Card Program. All of this work is done with contributions from many people, corporations, and industries who believe in our family and the sacrifice that often comes with our profession. 

Fred Couples got us started long ago and with folks like actor Gary Sinise and companies like Chevron, to name a few, we work to ensure our lost members are never forgotten. We met this week and set an aggressive agenda to grow our fund and provide additional benefits for LODD deaths to include behavioral health and other injuries and deaths.  Watch for the work from this week's meeting as exciting new benefits are rolled out.