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IAFF Whos in it and does it help?
Just wondering if the union is the way to go. My dept is in super bad shape and we have nobody to back us up. The city stole all the old Firefighters pension guys that served this city for 30 years now don't get a pension . We just had a retiree die. The man had no power no water no food nothing this is unacceptable. Meanwhile our mayor with his gold teeth and his brand new house and Mercedes is pimping,and our firefighters are dying out with nothing and this really pisses me off to no end. I have been talking to a union rep and just wanted to get some advice to from the guys here that are a part of the union. Guys I could really use some advice on this.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Timothy Crowell on
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I have been in a few unions, and they do help. I was recently laid off of from my job, and beings that there has never been a lay off in this department, there were no provisions for how members were to be brought back. They nagotiated and got us recall rights, and that was big for me beings I am still probationary. It will help, look into it. But as 55 truck said, the union is only as strong as its members, be active.
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Permalink Reply by Blake Sexton on
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I am gonna talk with the guys and try to get this going. It's just everybody is just so fed up that they don't care and just want to get hired with another dept. This is my plan also but until I get hired somewhere else I want to get the union on our side . I know the IAFF would have a hay day at my dept and I would pay to see the look on our chief and mayors face when the come down.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on
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Good luck Blake. I just hope you know what your getting into. I mean, without FULL support, it might backfire. I don't know a lot about the in's and out's of unions, but I have heard of people attempting to form one, and because not everyone was onside, word got out, and..well the guy was told his services were no longer needed. But, it was a business, not a fire dept. so I don't know. Just tread lightly, and get as much info and advice as possible before you jump. Does this make any sense? Maybe I am way off base.. I dunno, just sayin..k
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Correction thanks to John... so... as I see it, you really have no choice here other than protect yourself by joining something bigger than your small department. You are dealing with bullies and obviously folks who feel for some reason that they are entitled to take something that they did not earn away from firefighters, at their expense. This is not just wrong, but should be looked into as to whether what they did was both legal and above board, considering the described perks. There is a lot of good and maybe some bad about unions, but in your situation, I can't see you doing anything else. The more you try to defend yourself, including asking questions like this publicly can be a double edged sword. I suggest using caution and doing your homework, remembering that anything you post on here is easily found using any of the common search engines. Be careful brother.
CBz
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on
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Blake before you talk to the guys call this IAFF VicePresident, he will talk to you and help protect you as you try to organize. Every worker that belongs to a union is better off than those that do not. They make better wages, have better benefits and more job protection. People who are against unions are either uneducated about unions or are a busness owner. Union workers do better it is that simple. Most of all you do not have to be pushed around. Talk to the guys in Charston, SC and ask them what the IAFF did for them during and after their nightmare. The IAFF can protect you while you talk about organizing. You mayor and city leaders will demonize you, you will need the help. By the way if you are working 48-on 24-off they have to pay you time and one half for all hours past the FLSA limits (ask Danny Todd, he is/was a working firefighter, although I cannot remember where). The city will have to pay you all the back hours if you file a claim for them. Again you need help to do this call IAFF rep Todd today. Good luck, send me a note if you want to ask question off line.
Danny Todd
14th District Vice President
Represents: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee
(901) 377-6549 (Home)
dtodd@iaff.org
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Also, all the paid firefighters in Washington are IAFF members, with that strength come the benefit that Washington FF are the 4th highest paid in the nation on average. We follow only California, Alaska and Massachusetts, all highly unionised states. Hang in there.
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Blake, I don't think you can get any better advise or direction than what Gregory shared with you. Everything he said is so spot on. Do your homework and protect both yourself and your brothers and sisters. You deserve better and this will give you bargaining power when it comes to that point.
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You are not off base here Brian. That is why Greg's advise is so important. He needs to do his homework before moving forward and talking to other members. This can be successfully accomplished, but only under the direction and counsel of IAFF folks who have been here and done that many times before. Unions are not always necessary. In some departments, the Chief and command staff actually look out for their firefighters. In this situation, it appears that this is not the case. Taking away a firefighters pension? Really? Everyone should be watching this very carefully...
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Permalink Reply by Chuck Collins on
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Everything you are describing is why we belong to the IAFF. They fight for you and provide back-up, a voice and direction to fight against you and your brothers and sisters being taken advantage of.
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