District 5 Report
July 2018
Bruce Kizarr
1. Anadarko – Nothing to report
2. Altus – 4 working Grievances should be able to work them out before they go to arbitration. In negotiations
3. Chickasha –new president can not make contact with him
4.
District 5 Report
March 2018
Bruce Kizarr
1. Anadarko – nothing to report
2. Altus – was give two offers by the city, they voted and are now finalizing the contract.
3. Chickasha – have many grievances and Ricky Burns is going to negotiate for them
4. Duncan – Safety sells tax did not pass.
5.
District 5 Report
January 2018
Bruce Kizarr
1. Anadarko: Has new President E. J. Sorrels I do not have his contact information but did contact Chris Bates and he said everything was going well.
2. Altus: The Local received a updated copy of the Employee handbook with a detached signature and acknowledgment page.
District 5 Report
November 2017
Bruce Kizarr
1. Anadarko – Still have ongoing discipline issues but looks like it may get worked out.
2. Altus – Still in negotiations and may go to impasse
3. Chickasha – Voting to ratify new contract.
4.
District 5 Report
September 2017
Bruce Kizarr
1.Anadarko – nothing to report
2.Altus – Had some questions about how MDA should be handled. City or Chief trying to keep a member from moving to Lawton stating that he must be able to respond within 30 min.
3.Chickasha – Having issues with OT and military leave
4.
District 5 Report
June 2017
Bruce Kizarr
1. Anadarko – Nothing to report.
2. Altus – In negotiations, and looks like will settle the pending grievances with a new contract. Are going to sign MOU to extend contract past July. Next meeting June 29th and city is to have financial offer.
District 5 Report
April 2017
Bruce Kizarr
1.Anadarko – the number I have for Chris Bates is not a good one (need to find a good number from office or IAFF)
2.Altus – Grievance on chief changing call back procedures waiting on dates. Going to talk about it on the 13th at first negotiations. Prep with them and writing proposal for a liaison committee.
District 5 Report
March 2017
Bruce Kizarr
1.Anadarko – No Reply
2.Altus – Grievance on Chief changing call back procedures, working on pulling a list. Starting negotiations Asked for help meeting with them on Monday 13th
3.Chickasha – No Reply.
District 5 Report
January 2017
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Nothing new to report on.
2.Altus – Grievance on Chief changing call back procedures, working on pulling a list.
3.
District 5 Report
December 2016
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Pre-d hearing held on member accused of not properly doing narcotic check sheets, member given a verbal reprimand.
2.Altus – Grievance on Chief changing call back procedures, local put City on notice that it will arbitrate the issue.
3.
District 5 Report
November 2016
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Member being investigated for allegedly not properly checking sheets on weekly narcotics check off.
2.Altus – MOU signed on promotional issue, this resolved a grievance. Another grievance on Chief changing call back procedures.
3.
District 5 Report
September 2016
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Local President took Assistant Chief’s job and the Local will be electing a new President in the next couple of weeks.
2.
District 5 Report
July 2016
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Finished negotiations, only a few minor changes to CBA, City switched back to fiscal year
2.Altus – Met with new President and their hired negotiator and previous union President Andy Spear, they are looking at freezing steps and getting a 3% cola
3.Chickasha – Total of 7 grievances now.
District 5 Report
June 2016
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Currently in negotiations
2.Altus – Three grievances have been filed, interim City Manager has granted the Unions resolves
3.
District 5 Report
April 2016
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Member suspended without pay for two shifts accused of insubordination and unprofessional conduct
2.Altus – Local looking at possibly filing two grievances, one on Chief changing the time for promotional testing and one on Chief not allowing a member to test for promotion
3.
District 5 Report
December 2015
Ricky Burns
Anadarko – Nothing new to report
Altus – Nothing new to report
Chickasha – Filed two grievances on insurance issues, City paid on both of them so grievances were settled.
District 5 Report
November 2015
Ricky Burns
Anadarko – Nothing new to report
Altus –
Chickasha – Agreed to CBA, Union has ratified and Council is set to ratify on Monday, members will get step raises and 2% across the board raise January 1st, 2016.
District 5 Report
September 2014
Ricky Burns
1. Anadarko – October 23rd date set for arbitration on termination case
2. Altus – Nothing new to report
3. Chickasha – Still in negotiations,stuck on 1% across the board raise and City has now decided that it would make new proposals on articles we had agreements on since April
4.
District 5 Report
June 2014
Ricky Burns
1.Anadarko – Member was terminated for several alleged violations and we are in the middle of the grievance process at this time.
2. Altus – Currently in negotiations
3. Chickasha – Currently in negotiations.
4. Duncan – Currently in negotiations
5.
District 5 Report
May 2014
Ricky Burns
Anadarko – Member was terminated for several alleged violations and we are in the middle of the grievance process at this time.
District 5 Report
January 2014
Ricky Burns
1. Anadarko – Attended pre-d hearing for a member who is being investigated for alleged neglect of duty, member was later notified he was being investigated for neglecting to show up to work and allegedly falsifying time records
2.
District 5 Report
November 2013
Ricky Burns
1. Anadarko – City council to ratify proposal on November 25th. Three year deal $.50 increase for all officers, $.25 for all paramedics, $.
District 5 Report
August 2013
Ricky Burns
1. Anadarko – Turned in their intent letter and so they will begin negotiations next month
2. Altus– Nothing new to report
3.
District 5 Report
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May 2013
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Ricky Burns
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1.          Anadarko – Nothing to report on at this time
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2.          Altus – Currently in negotiations, not getting anywhere
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3.
District 5 Report
September 2012
Ricky Burns
Anadarko – City put out a memo on tobacco use and Local went to Chief about the issue and both parties have agreed to sign MOU.
2.
District 5 Report
August 2012
Ricky Burns
Anadarko – Nothing new to report
2. Altus – Have 1 team entered in BG Golf Tourney.
Chickasha – Finished Negotiations and both sides have ratified CBA….
District 5 Report
November 2011
Ricky Burns
1. Anadarko – Nothing new
2. Altus – Nothing new
Chickasha – Officer elections tomorrow, should have three new officers
4.
1.Anadarko – Still waiting to see Cities action on member who failed random drug test.
2.Altus – Starting negotiations, Local has spoken several times with their Representative and Senator about the bills which effect firefighters.
3. Chickasha – Starting negotiations, City hiring new City
Manager word is that they are hiring a City Manager from
a town in Kansas.
4.Duncan – Arbitration scheduled for March 7th on vacation
denial grievance.
5.Lawton – Nothing new
6.Newcastle – Wrapping up negotiations for 2010-2011, hopefully will have new contract soon. Beginning negotiations for 2011-2012, put City on notice union is taking a discipline grievance forward to arbitration
7.Mustang – Starting negotiations, have a Pre-d hearing
scheduled for February 16th for member on off duty
1.Anadarko – Had a member selected on a random drug test and member failed drug test, member is currently in rehab and City has agreed to wait until member is out of rehab before conducting any type of disciplinary action.
2.Altus - Nothing New
3. Chickasha – Nothing New
4.Duncan – Union conducted a vote on new contract terms
during special union meeting. Union members voted to
approve the contract terms the city had proposed which
included no raises but did include language in the
promotional policy that I am being told allows the city to
reorganize the department as they see fit. I informed the
President and another member of the local that I believe
the vote they conducted was not valid and did not meet the
requirements to ratify the contract however I believe they
are moving forward with it to have the council vote to
ratify on January 11th.
5.Lawton – Filed a grievance on promotional policy and waiting for response from Chief.
6.Newcastle – Dates set for April on Interest Arbitration, attended investigative meeting for member who was accused of arriving to work intoxicated and also attended pre-d hearing for member, the city suspended the member for 5 shifts without pay and ordered him to go to counseling for substance abuse, wrote a grievance for their president who submitted it to the interim fire chief based on the fact that the city did not follow the policy on testing for substances under the reasonable suspicion article. After submitting the grievance more evidence surrounding the circumstance came to light and the grievant subsequently asked the president to withdraw the grievance.
4.Duncan – Still in Negotiations, Chief resignation effective
November 17th.
5.Lawton – Attended arbitration case that Rick put on November 15th and 16th, on a member being discharged for off duty conduct. Hearing went well, Rick did a good job with the case and I believe we have a good chance of prevailing.
6.Newcastle – Met with City and told them what we had to have to be able to reach an agreement on the 2010/2011 contract and they declined to accept our proposals so we invoked the process and informed them we will move forward and take outstanding issues to interest arbitration. We named Jim Long as our interest arbitrator and the city named Ambre Gooch as their interest arbitrator.
3.Chickasha - Doing the PFFO presentation November 1st.
4.Duncan - Began negotiations, City now using Margaret
Love to do their negotiations. Fire Chief resigning effective
November 17th after the firefighters did a second vote of no
confidence. Did the PFFO presentation about the
upcoming elections with Chalk on October 20th. Had a
very good crowd and believe we opened some eyes and
hopefully those people will get out to vote.
5.Lawton – Rick and I met with their guys to prep for a termination case that will be November 15th and 16th. Rick is putting on the case.
6.Newcastle – Currently in negotiations but close to getting a deal done. Signed 4 or 5 tentative agreements last meeting and hopefully we can finish up soon. City using Michael Bates and this has definitely sped up the process.
7.Mustang - Nothing new
8.Frederick - Nothing New
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business: Attended the State and Provincial meeting earlier this month with Jim Long. Had a good time and there was a lot of information exchanged. The IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger attending and brought everyone up to speed with what was happening at the IAFF and in DC. Gave update on the 9-11 bill and the National Collective Bargaining Bill. He informed us that the Collective Bargaining bill will be brought up for a straight up and down vote after the November 2nd elections but before Christmas.
1.Anadarko- Appear to have a tentative agreement on their CBA. Three year deal with a total of 6% across the board increase. Also incentive pay for paramedics will be increased from $1.10/hr to $2.00/hr. Also language contained within the CBA pertaining to light duty will be removed. A personal appearance policy was agreed upon with regards to tattoos.
2.Altus- Nothing New
3.Chickasha- Settled a grievance over an issue with a members prescriptions not being covered by insurance.
4.Duncan- Pulled a list of arbitrators for grievance dealing with a member being denied a vacation day. Will start negotiations soon, Margaret Love has been hired by the City to handle negotiations.
5.Lawton- Had a member demoted for allegations the member admitted to, no grievance will be filed. Also the local was presented an award at the IAFF FIREPAC reception at the IAFF convention in San Diego.
6.Newcastle- Currently in negotiations, nothing new to report
7.Mustang- Nothing New
8.Frederick- Nothing New
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business:
1.Anadarko- Beginning negotiations, first meeting is scheduled for August 19th. Filed a grievance over evaluations but President was able to work it out with City Manager and Fire Chief.
2.Altus- Nothing New
3.Chickasha- Nothing New
4.Duncan- Potential grievance on a member being denied vacation time. We have grieved this issue and won but arbitrator wrote a bad award.
5.Lawton- Nothing New
6.Newcastle- Currently in negotiations, City has brought in Michael Bates to help with negotiations.
7.Mustang- Nothing New
8.Frederick- Nothing New
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business:
1.Anadarko- Sent letter of intent to negotiate to City. Possible grievance pending on a member being evaluated every 30 days, no such language exist in CBA or SOP’s.
2.Altus- Finishing up negotiations, one year deal no raises but an additional step for all positions. Changes to physical training language. City also approved funding for an additional station and 9 more personnel.
3.Chickasha- Received decision on shift exchange, arbitrator sustained the grievance so the Union prevailed. Fire Pac up and running, made first contribution to the PFFO Pac and working with the IAFF to set up exchange program.
4.Duncan- Finished up negotiations, one year deal no raises. Language changes on approved footwear, increased union leave hours, language put in contract allowing firefighters on shift to dine out. City Manager retired and City Attorney acting as the interim City Manager, previously firefighters were not allowed to participate in Fill the Boot however the interim City Manager is allowing the on duty firefighters to collect for MDA. Received decision on grievance concerning the elimination of the Assistant Chiefs position. Arbitrator basically split the baby, said City has the right to reorganize however does not have the right to eliminate positions and must continue to pay step up pay.
5.Lawton- Arbitrator selected for termination grievance, waiting on dates.
6.Newcastle- Currently in negotiations, looking into some issues concerning the City not properly paying FLSA to the firefighters.
7.Mustang- Nothing New
8.Frederick- Nothing New
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business:
3.Chickasha- Currently in negotiations, trying to “roll” contract, Margaret Love and the City are trying to “disavow” a past practice by simply putting us on notice instead of actually negotiating the change. We are not willing to accept the change and therefore when they cease the practice we will file a grievance and a ULP. Finished and turned in brief for arbitration on a shift exchange grievance, should get the arbitrators decision the beginning of June.
4.Duncan- Currently in negotiations. Put on arbitration case on an issue of the City eliminating three Assistant Chief positions. Hearing went well and briefs will be due somewhere around the middle of June.
5.Lawton- Currently in negotiations, according to Raanon they are close to getting a deal done. Had a member terminated based on him allegedly breaking a last chance agreement he had with the City.
6.Newcastle- Currently in negotiations
7.Mustang- Nothing New
8.Frederick- Currently in negotiations
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business:
3.Chickasha- Currently in negotiations, trying to “roll” contract. Voted in last Union meeting to establish a Fire Pac, and voted for two principal officer positions. Sandy McGhee, Chalk Norton, Jim Beavers(Altus-President), and Raanon Adams(Lawton President) attended and spoke and did a great job. All members of the local who attended the meeting that night signed up to contribute to the Pac.
4.Duncan- Currently in negotiations.
5.Lawton- Currently in negotiations. Had member demoted for a comment made on Facebook, grievance pending.
6.Newcastle- Currently in negotiations, new President elected……Tanner Anderson
7.Mustang- Nothing New
8.Frederick- Currently in negotiations
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business:
3.Chickasha- Put on grievance arbitration case with help from Rick, briefs will be due around the end of April. Currently in negotiations with City for 2010-2011 more than likely will “roll the contract” for a year. Investigation by Dept. of Labor underway for the City not compensating members while they attend mandatory training and also possibly not figuring OT correctly. Will be holding a dinner along with our April Union meeting with invitations to Sandy, Chalk, Jim from Altus, and Raanon from Lawton to try and jump start our Fire Pac.
4.Duncan- Grievance arbitration case on elimination of Assistant Chief Positions scheduled for April 29th. Had 2 disciplinary hearings last month, one was settled prior to hearing(member facing termination but settlement reached for one shift off w/o pay), other hearing was on accusation of racial slurs(chief recommended 3 days off w/o pay, board reduced it to 1 day off w/o pay. Reached agreement on Contract terms for 2009-2010 finally, also started negotiations for 2010-2011.
5.Lawton- Began negotiations, several grievances pending.
6.Newcastle- Beginning negotiations for 2010-2011
7.Mustang- Nothing New
8.Frederick- Will begin negotiations for 2010-2011 soon
Crossover work in other Districts and/or other PFFO business:
EMS meeting for March was cancelled, nothing new to discuss.
EMS day was held at the Capitol on the 10th, unfortunately I was unable to attend due to the grievance arbitration hearing in Chickasha that day. From what I heard Lindsey did a great job organizing and setting everything up and there were members from several locals there. I certainly appreciate the work that Lindsey put in and the effort made by the members to attend.
3. Chickasha –March 10th Arbitration date set for grievance regarding
shift exchange
4.Duncan – Represented President in disciplinary hearing, Fire Chief was seeking three days off with no pay, settled on one day off with no pay. Will have another hearing on a different issue sometime in the near future. Members of the department issued a vote of no confidence in their Fire Chief, waiting to see what their City Manager does with it.
5.Fredrick- Nothing New
6.Mustang – City hired new City Manager
7.Newcastle – Nothing New
8.Lawton – Filed one grievance in regards to a recent promotion. One of the members believes he was discriminated against based on an on the job injury.
EMS COMMITTEE REPORT
Had conference call with Chalk, Jimmy Johnson (ambulance provider), and Greg Reid (ambulance provider) to discuss HB 1888 and possible alternatives. The newest version of HB 1888 doesn’t include any changes to the Duty to Act however both Greg and Jimmy said they are going to try to go through the Dept. of Health to get the rules and regulations changed. We came up with possibly another solution and that is all EMS providers must come up with mutual aid agreements with the other EMS providers in their area to ensure that there is coverage. Not sure if this is going to work but its something to work with.
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
3.Chickasha- Still trying to process 2 grievances, interest arbitration scheduled for November 10th.
4.Duncan- Elected a new President, Vice President, and Secretary. Met with their E-Board to straighten out all outstanding issues. Three grievances in the works, along with negotiations. City now refusing to negotiate due to the fact that the local submitted a request for interest arbitration.
5.Lawton- Adam and I attended one of the locals union meetings in regards to an issue on promotions. I believe that President Martin has found a solution for the problem.
6.Newcastle- Nothing new
7.Mustang- Nothing New
8.Frederick- Nothing New
Crossover work in other Districts:
I attended the EMS coalition earlier this month, it was my first one to attend and thanks Chalk for not telling me the PFFO position on the board is the vice-chair. Not much to report from the meeting other than the fact that Chalks arch nemesis Rodney Johnson and his medic institute requested a seat on the board, and due to a flawed constitution and by-laws his request was granted. Also have gotten several volunteers for the PFFO EMS committee from brothers across the state hopefully we will be able to have a meeting in the next few weeks.
·Anadarko- Letter of intent sent, ground rules meeting to occur in early Sept.
·Chickasha- Grievance and ULP pending, awaiting dates for interest arbitration.
·Duncan- 2 of final 4 grievances settled, (3 drivers positions added in lieu of elimination of 3 Asst Chief positions.)Working on settling final 2 grievances; arbitration set for Oct. 12.Labor mgmt committee meeting regarding several issues.
·Fredrick- in negotiations, working on possible multi-year contract.
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