What's New at IAFF 851

National Collective Bargaining goes to committee on March 10th

Posted On: Mar 09, 2010 (13:37:01)

Collective Bargaining Hearing Set for March 10

March 8, 2010 – The House Education and Labor Committee’s Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the IAFF’s national collective bargaining bill, HR 413, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, on Wednesday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Witnesses testifying in support of the bill include: Jim Tate, president of the Fort Worth, TX Local 440; labor attorney Douglas L. Steele, a partner in the firm of Woodley & McGillivary; and the Republican Mayor of Lancaster, Ohio, the Honorable David S. Smith. Smith, who will be accompanied by Lancaster, OH Local 291 President K.J. Watts, will testify about his productive bargaining relationship with fire fighters.

This marks the Subcommittee’s third hearing on the bill. Full Committee action on HR 413 is expected in due course following the hearing.

PERS Editorial in the Oregonian By OSFFC Legislative Director Bob Livingston

Posted On: Feb 25, 2010 (16:59:42)

Putting PERS in some perspective

By Guest Columnist

February 23, 2010, 9:00AM

By Bob Livingston

People who criticize the Oregon's Public Employee Retirement System have painted a lopsided picture of the problem. They've failed to acknowledge past changes that have reformed PERS into a sound pension system.

Any measured analysis of PERS must begin with something that has affected public and private retirement funds alike: Wall Street bankers crashed the economy and it impacted everyone's retirement security. According to Boston College's Center for Retirement Research, Americans lost $4 trillion in retirement earnings between the stock market's peak in 2007 and its rock bottom in September 2008.

These losses were split equally between private and public retirement plans. Firefighters, police officers, teachers and nurses have shared in the pain of the recession with retirement savings diminished and salaries frozen.

The fact is the Legislature's 2003 reforms capped and stabilized PERS liabilities, largely by diverting member contributions into an account where members bear the risk of investment gains or losses. As a result, liabilities are now growing by just 3 percent a year, half the national average.

Average retiree benefits have gone from a high of 68 percent of final average salary in 2002 to 52 percent of final average salary in 2008, and this downward trend is only expected to continue. In short, the days of some employees earning more in retirement than they did on the job are long past.

Yes, historic 2008 market losses will necessitate employer rate increases. But it's important to put these rates in context. For instance, the state contributed 16.01 percent to the system in 2007-09. As a result of good investment returns, this dropped to 13.11 percent in 2009-11. The state's estimated rate for 2011-13 is 16.7 percent.

What about projections suggesting skyrocketing employer PERS rates in decades to come? These types of projections are the equivalent of crystal-ball gazing and are largely inaccurate due to changes in the economy. In May 2009, for example, PERS' actuary estimated that the plan's funded status was 71 percent at the end of 2008 and was expected to drop further and not return to the 71 percent level until 2021. Four months later, the actuary reported that PERS' funded status had risen to 75 percent, and current analysis shows that it has risen to 77 percent.

Like most mature pension plans, PERS' investments overwhelmingly drive rates to fund the system's obligations. History does not always portend the future, but it's worth remembering that PERS has earned on average 10.25 percent between 1975 and 2008. If PERS enjoys good investment returns, the inevitable consequence will be lower employer rates.

Yes, employer rate increases will affect Oregon's ability to provide vital public services. Nobody appreciates this more than firefighters, teachers, police officers, nurses and other PERS members who provide these services to Oregonians. Our hope is that policymakers across Oregon can face this challenge without turning Oregon's public employees into scapegoats or offering false "fixes" to problems we've already solved.

Bob Livingston is a Salem firefighter and legislative director of the Oregon State Firefighters Council.

Support of District

Posted On: Feb 10, 2010 (11:47:41)

Eugene Firefighters Association

IAFF Local 851

637 W 7^th Ave, Suite 5 Eugene, OR 97402 541.344.4557 IAFF851@gmail.com

January 13, 2010

Eugene City Council

Springfield City Council

Lane County Commissioners

Dear Elected Officials:

In today’s difficult economic times, the fire service faces many challenges. In order to address these challenges, Fire Chief Randy Groves, Eugene Fire & EMS Department and Fire Chief Dennis Murphy, Springfield Fire and Life Safety, commissioned a study by Emergency Services Consulting Group International (ESCGI). The study was to identify ways to maintain performance and provide emergency services in the Eugene/Springfield area as efficiently as possible.

On January 4^th, 2010, the governing bodies of the Springfield Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 1395 and Eugene Firefighters Association IAFF Local 851 met in joint session to discuss the recommendations put forth by Chief Groves and Chief Murphy. The two Locals have jointly resolved to endorse the following:

Eugene and Springfield IAFF Executive Boards fully and unanimously endorse the cities of Eugene and Springfield merging their Fire and EMS departments, using the ESCGI study as a guide. This independent report identifies the formation of a Fire District comprised of the jurisdictions of Eugene and Springfield as the means to long-term fund stabilization. The District shall provide ambulance transport as well as Fire and Rescue services.

We believe the District concept is the only viable long-term option the elected leadership of Lane County has to stabilize ambulance transportation funding. The citizens of Eugene and Springfield currently benefit from a high level of service, and the formation of a Fire District will contain costs, enhance service, and maintain professionalism.

Locals 851 and 1395 support the initial phases of the merger, including sharing Training and Fire Prevention resources, with the final objective being an independent Fire District. We believe the public will best be served if progress towards this goal is timely and focused.

To this end, the Executive Boards have directed us to begin drafting documents to merge IAFF Local 851 and 1395 into one combined IAFF Local.

Scott Olmos Kevin Gray

President IAFF Local 851 President IAFF Local 1395

Message from the IAFF General President

Posted On: Feb 02, 2010 (08:10:50)

The White House today unveiled the president's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011. The proposal includes $305 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, $305 million for Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grants, $28 million for Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) and more than $2 billion to state governments and urban areas to improve their emergency response capabilities.

In proposing $305 million for SAFER, President Obama noted that Congress is likely to add an additional $500 million for SAFER as part of an emergency jobs package. The House of Representatives included the $500 million for SAFER in a jobs bill that it approved in December, and the Senate is expected to include SAFER funding in its version of this emergency bill. The total proposed for SAFER funding would therefore rise to $805 million between the emergency spending and the regular Fiscal Year 2011 appropriation process.

The $805 million proposed for hiring fire fighters is on top of the $420 million that Congress approved for Fiscal Year 2010 and the $210 awarded for Fiscal Year 2009.

"Congress and the new administration have designated more than $1 billion for fire fighter jobs over the past three years. This stands in sharp contrast to the previous administration, which proposed zero funding for SAFER and attempted to kill the program each year," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.

The president's budget proposal now goes to Capitol Hill, where Congress is likely to change funding levels for many of the programs. Historically, Congress has approved more for the FIRE Act and SAFER than the president proposed, and the IAFF will be working with its allies in the House and Senate Appropriations Committee to grow the funding levels for these programs.

"We treat the president's proposal as a baseline," explains Schaitberger. "Our job is now to make the case to congressional appropriators why we need even more money than the White House recommends."

Ratification Vote

Posted On: Jan 05, 2010 (13:11:42)

The contract was overwhelmingly ratified in the following amounts. Thanks to all members for your support and thanks. We have appreciated all the phone calls, personal contacts, and e-mails of appreciation!

200 Ballots

yes: 124

no: 9

void: 1

left: 66

These Election Results were also tallied:

240 Ballots

Budget -

yes: 140

no: 9

void: 4

left: 87

Wahlroos 160

Highfill 157

Barnebey 156

Contract Ratification Summary

Posted On: Dec 11, 2009 (10:17:40)

Contract Summary Update

December 2009

(Articles not listed were signed as current contract.)

Article 7, Fire Service Effectiveness: The Union agreed to meet regularly and work with the City to reduce costs while maintaining high quality service.

Article 8, Union Representatives: Union representatives can be exempt from drafts while on official union business.

Article 11, Hours and Overtime:

1. Effective July 1, 2010, Kelly Days will be implemented. Every employee will receive every 18^th shift off, on a regular schedule (to be determined by the City.)

2. The FLSA cycle will change from a 21 day cycle to 27 day cycle.

3. The overtime wage rate will remain the same for July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2011.

4. On July 1, 2011, the overtime rate will increase based on the 53-hour workweek.

5. The Union will take over most hiring duties as of July 1, 2010.

6. The City will be responsible for morning-of hires.

7. The City can draft morning-of calls utilizing off-going shift first, unless someone is two or more slots behind.

8. If you are drafted, you must first attempt to find a replacement. If you aren’t successful, contact the hiring chief.

9. The use and accrual of compensatory time is modified in the following ways:

a. Any time worked outside Fire Suppression is not eligible for comp

b. No comp if you are working Kelly Day relief

c. No comp if you are working for someone off on Comp Time

d. No splitting of an overtime shift/partial shift between comp and OT pay

Article 12, Conversion of Wage and Leave Accruals: The Union is notified when finance is supposed to begin the conversion. Effective July 1, 2011, the conversion factor is modified to reflect the 53-hour workweek.

Article 15, Uniforms: Minor changes to allotment and composition of garment, Fire Prevention gets choice on allotment and switches to blue shirts

Article 16, Personal Leave: All 40 hour employees will receive two additional vacation days. This includes the training positions. (Some minor language clean up also)

Article 17, Health and Accident Insurance: Maintenance of benefits for the life of the contract. No increase in co-pays or premium share.

Article 20, Wages: No COLA for 24-hour shift employees for three years in lieu of Kelly Days. 1% on July 1, 2010 and 1% on July 1 2011 for all non-suppression employees: Logistics, Training (EMS Instructor, Training Captain, Fire Instructor), Deputy Fire Marshals

Article 32, Station Facilities: The City will provide and maintain washers and dryers in each fire station. Employees will be issued sheets and towels and will be responsible for laundering them. The City will continue to provide laundering service for dish towels, floor mats and shop rags. The City will continue the full laundry service for Station 12 until the new station is completed.

Memo of Understanding for Kelly Days: beginning July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2011, Union members will share in the cost of Kelly Day. For each 18^th shift off, members will use 12 hours of vacation or holiday and the City will provide the rest of the relief.

Memo of Understanding for Cost Saving Strategies: the City and Union will work collaboratively to identify savings to the general fund, with the target goal being $100,000. We have started with elimination of pagers and linen service reduction.

Memo of Understanding on Dissolution of Medic Series: As soon as the Medic Series cease to run, the contract will be modified to show this change. Union and Management have agreed that final printing of the contract will not occur until this happens.

L851 Recommendations to the JEO

Updated On: Dec 07, 2009 (20:08:00)

IAFF Local 851, having participated in the Joint Elected Officials Task Force on Ambulance Transport Systems, recommends the following:

· That General Fund Support be allocated to the Ambulance Transport Fund. Such support should not replace transport fees charges to the public, but should assist in short-term fund stabilization.

· That long term fund stabilization will rely on the jurisdictions of Eugene and Springfield forming a Fire District that provides Ambulance Transport as well as Fire and Rescue services.

· That the recommended changes in Service Area Boundaries be adopted, allowing a more urban/rural split in response.

Firefighters Reach Tentative Agreement

Updated On: Dec 03, 2009 (11:38:00)

IAFF L851 bargaining team reaches tentative agreement. Login and select Member Resources, Video Gallery for more details.

Informational meetings to discuss proposed contract changes are scheduled for December 10th and 11th.

Location: Fire Training

Time: 0900-11:00

December 10th classroom 1

December 11th classroom 2