District 5 Report
Ricky Burns
1. Anadarko- Nothing New
2. Altus- Has a member placed on leave without pay for issues unrelated to job.
3. Chickasha- Interest Arbitration on November 10th, nothing else new
4. Duncan- City refusing to fill an assistant chief position vacated by retirement, they are now saying they are going to eliminate the 3 AC positions through attrition. Filed grievance and may have a ULP filed soon. Still trying to get contract settled through negotiations. Invoked the process and informed the City of the Unions request to submit all outstanding articles to Arbitration.
5. Lawton- Nothing new
6. Newcastle- Still in negotiations, President contact me in regards to their negotiations. They may also invoke the process
7. Mustang- Member disciplined for off duty conduct, trying to work out deal. Member was suspended 3 shifts without pay and demoted from Lt. to FF
8. Frederick- Nothing New
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business:
Held the first PFFO EMS committee meeting at the PFFO office on September 29th and minutes are attached. Had great participation and very good discussion I think we have good group of guys and are on the right track.
EMS coalition held their monthly meeting and Mike Burris attended in my place due to me being out of state. Major thing to report on is that the board voted to revoke Rodney Johnson’s board seat based on the fact that he didn’t get the proper paperwork in to Lindsey in time.
The interim study on HB 1888 got underway and Phil Reid represented us in my place due to being at the AFL-CIO convention. Lindsey said he did a great job. Rodney Johnson spoke and at one point said he represented the fire service or some portion of the fire service in the meeting. Unfortunately he spoke after Phil did so we weren’t able to make it clear that he doesn’t represent the firefighters. However Lindsey wrote a letter and sent it to all those in attendance and made it very clear that he represents us in no way shape or form.
Attended the State and Provincial officers meeting along with Jim in Philadelphia, had a great time and gained a great deal of information and knowledge. The IAFF General President spoke with us on the last day. With a smaller group of people it became more of a question and answer type of meeting. Some of the topics I have listed below:
1. National Collective Bargaining Bill-
Mr. Schaitberger spoke at length about the delays in getting the bill introduced. Basically he said that we have the votes but the problem is getting it to the floor. Once it’s to the floor it should pass. However there are three bills which are in line ahead of it. First of course is the Health Care Reform bill, second is the Federal Regulatory Bill, and finally the Energy Bill. Mr. Schaitberger did say that he has been assured that our bill will be heard this year and when it is heard it will pass.
2. Safer Act-
There is $600 million guaranteed to the Safer Act, basically just waiting on the terms and conditions to be released which should be soon. That money will be enough to save over 5,000 firefighter jobs across the nation if needed. Layoffs will be the first priority and additionally manning will follow. So far there have been around 500 layoffs nationally.
3. Fire Act-
They are working on getting the funded more balanced and not so weighted in the favor of volunteer departments. Under the Bush administration the grant funded was severely slanted in favor of the volunteers. Also working on getting replacement gear and equipment to be the priority instead of new equipment.
4. IAFF also working on Federal Wild land firefighting detail,
to eliminate private services that are funded by the forestry
agencies. Many “ma and pop” wild land fire services in
places like California, Nevada, Utah, and Florida which are
costing our members jobs!
5. Also working on new technology for turnout gear and a
new prototype SCBA.
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