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."

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!

 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.

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.

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

IAFF Local 851 filed an unfair labor practice against the City yesterday for engaging in regressive bargaining.  The City, on more than one occasion, offered less than their previous offer, which is a violation of ORS 243.650(20).  Check the video gallery for an updated video newsletter for more information. 

FINAL MDA FILL THE BOOT TOTALS: 

We collected  $18759!  This is $1300 dollars more than last years effort.  Thank you to everyone that helped this year.  The local chapter of the MDA is very appreciative of all of you that gave your time to help this worthy cause.  See you again next year.  Bob