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Judge Upholds Firefighter’s Rights to Bargain While Alameda Continues to Waste Precious Tax Dollars in Court and on Outside Counsel.
Alameda County Superior Court Judge, Honorable Wynne Carvill ordered the City of Alameda to compel binding grievance arbitration in a grievance filed by the Alameda Firefighters Association, IAFF local 689 regarding unilateral amendments to a City Ordinance that provides retiree health and dental care to firefighters.
The grievance was filed in December of 2009 after the City Council passed the amendment to Ordinance 2497, effectively “pre-conditioning” any possible negotiations between the 2 parties and eliminating any benefits for newly hired firefighters without meeting and conferring in good faith.
The grievance was denied by the City Manager in February of 2010, and the City further declined to process the grievance according to established contract provisions. The firefighters asked the City to reconsider their position prior to seeking legal remedies, to which they received no response from the City.
The motion to compel arbitration was filed in May of 2010, and the Judge’s decision to grant the motion was issued on August 12, 2010.
The firefighter’s only desire in this matter was to bargain in good faith, have our rights respected, and to be treated fairly. What is most disheartening is that the City chose to waste taxpayer’s money, which seems to be becoming a trend by the Interim City Manager, forcing this process, including the added expense of hiring outside counsel.
No dates or arbitrators have been selected as of yet to comply with the Judge’s order, however attorneys for the firefighters will be contacting counsel for the City promptly to arrange.
Alameda Firefighters Endorse
Marie Gilmore For Mayor
Alameda, CA - Alameda's firefighters announced today that they have endorsed Marie Gilmore for Mayor, citing her leadership abilities and commitment to solving problems. Gilmore, an attorney, has served on the Alameda City Council since 2003, when she became the first African American woman to serve on the council.
"Alameda needs a thoughtful leader who bring our city back together to find positive solutions to the challenges we face," Alameda Firefighters President Dominick Weaver said.
"We've been working with Marie for years. She is smart, focused and interested in results, not political games. She's in this race for the right reasons. She believes in making Alameda city government more efficient, but not at the expense of public safety. We trust that Marie Gilmore will build consensus at a time when Alameda needs it most."
"I am honored to have the support of Alameda's Firefighters," said Marie Gilmore. "The momentum that their endorsement gives this campaign can't be underestimated. I look forward to knocking on doors side by side with the men and women who save lives and protect property in our city."
Gilmore has held leadership positions in Alameda for over 15 years. Before joining the City Council in 2003, she served as President of the Planning Board and Chair of the Recreation and Parks Commission.
Marie first moved to the Bay Area to earn a bachelor's degree from Stanford University. Marie met her husband, Rod, while they were attending Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law. They moved to Alameda in the 1980s to raise their children, Anthony & Nicole. Marie practiced law for several years before devoting her time to her family and community. Rod is a business attorney and a football sportscaster for ESPN.
For more information about Marie's campaign, please visit www.GilmoreforAlameda.com
FEMA Awards $11 Million More in SAFER Grants
July 16, 2010 -- The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded another round of Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, this time totaling $10,923,018 to help bring fire fighters back to work.
These grants come at a critical time for IAFF affiliates as they struggle to prevent layoffs and maintain staffing levels in the face of tight budgets.
“Because of these grants, thousands of fire fighters will be able to stay on the job with the resources they need to make sure that communities are safe,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “State and local lawmakers should embrace this program with both arms for the safety, security and the economic stability that it offers to the communities they have been elected to serve.”
U.S. fire departments have now received approximately $162 million in SAFER grants in Fiscal Year 2009, putting more than 1,500 fire fighters back to work.
IAFF locals to benefit from SAFER grants this round include: Alameda Fire Department and Alameda Local 689 ($1,763,753) and Hemet Fire Department and Hemet, CA Local 2342 ($2,260,448).
Administered by FEMA, $210 million is available in Fiscal Year 2009, and another $420 million has been appropriated for Fiscal Year 2010 under the new guidelines negotiated by the IAFF that allow SAFER funds to be used to rehire fire fighters laid off as a result of the economic crisis. The grants available in Fiscal Year 2010 will restore another 3,400 jobs.
Click here to learn more about the Alameda Fire Department SAFER Grant
Alameda Firefighters Release First Public Service Announcements!
The Alameda Firefighters Association is pleased to announce the release of the first 2 in a series of Public Service Announcements aimed at informing the community of emergency situations and how to handle them.
The first PSA’s were filmed with the co-operation of Alameda City Council Members Marie Gilmore and Lena Tam. These 30 second clips focus on the importance of having an escape plan for your home in the case of a fire or other emergency, as well as pulling to the right for sirens and lights.
The second installments due out in early summer will focus on water safety and assisting the elderly. It is our hope that all City Council members will participate in a PSA that helps the community cope with emergencies.
Please look for the clips at the Alameda Theater and soon on Local Network Television Channels.
For more information, or to carry these PSA’s, please contact info@alamedafirefighters.com
Firefighter's Union Leadership
President- Domenick Weaver
Secretary- Jim Colburn
Treasurer- Steve Menger
Political Director- Jeff Delbono
Webmaster- Don Pemberton
