The IAFF Local 244 County Chapter Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has been tentatively agreed upon as of Friday, January 22, 2016. The ratification vote will take place on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 7:00am -7:00pm in accordance with Article II, Section 2 and Article XI, Sections 1, 2 & 5 of the IAFF Local 244 Constitution & By-Laws.

The designated poll sites will be: Union Hall, Station 33 and Station 40. To review the strike-and-delete version of the TA’d agreement, log in and click on the Contracts section under main menu.

Absentee voting shall be provided for members unable to attend the ballot vote in the event that the member is on leave, departmental trip, training status, or on paid status at the time of the vote, in accordance with the IAFF Local 244 Constitution & By-Laws Article XI, Section 3.

Members who meet the requirements for Absentee voting may complete an Absentee Ballot at the Union Hall from 0900 to 1500 hours on the following dates, per the Election Committee:

Monday, February 1, 2016 & Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

The Executive Board would like to acknowledge the County Chapter Negotiating Team for their diligent work and leadership in representing our collective interests. A job well done!

On Friday 1/15/16 my family was involved in a serious accident in Albuquerque. From the moment the Captain Lloyd Rantanen found out this was my family, phone calls started being made and we had the support of hundreds of brother in blue. President Arencon and Vice President Sanchez were with me in the ER along side Chief Aragon, Chief Chavez, and Chief Dye. Since then the support has continued to flow in. Knowing that the support and caring is there has allowed me to focus on my family. My son Kris has taken the worst of it with a brain injury. He requires peace and quiet so we sit quietly in a dark room all day tending to his needs. I thank each and every one of you from the crew that cut him out of the car to everyone who thinks of us and sends positive thoughts and prayers. Knowing that the brotherhood of IAFF L244 is strong behind me gives me strength every day.

Thank you.

Brother Keith Clark L244

It is with profound sadness that I inform you that our beloved Brother A. Michael Mullane passed away early this morning, January 1, 2016.

Michael was the longest-serving member of our great union’s Executive Board, representing IAFF members in the 3rd District for over 30 years as our District Vice President. He was also one of the greatest champions of our members and workers everywhere that this union and our labor movement will ever know.

All of our thoughts and prayers go out to Elaine, Neal Jr. and Michael's personal family, as well as his Boston Local 718 and IAFF extended family. 

There will be so much to say about this extraordinary man. We have already begun the process of assisting with the plans to celebrate and honor Michael's life and incredible career. We will keep you informed.

Stay safe,

Harold A. Schaitberger 
General President

A County Chapter Special Meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 18, 2015 in accordance with Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution & By-Laws. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the promotional policy and issues associated with the current examination process. The meeting will begin promptly at 10:30am.

As Congress winds down its 2015 session, the IAFF is leading a last-minute push to delay the tax on high-cost health plans that is scheduled to take effect in 2018. House and Senate leaders are currently negotiating a year-end tax bill, and postponing the effective date of the so-called “Cadillac Tax” is high on the agenda. Despite strong opposition from the White House, key Republican and Democratic leaders have joined together to push for a two-year delay until 2020.  House Ways and Means Chair Kevin Brady (R-TX) has indicated he wants to include the delay in a comprehensive bill nicknamed the “extenders” because it extends tax breaks that are due to expire at the end of the year.  

The effort to delay the tax gained momentum last week when the Senate voted 90-10 in favor of an amendment to repeal the Cadillac tax. That vote was largely symbolic because it was added to a bill that President Obama had already vowed to veto, but the lopsided margin demonstrated the strength of opposition to the tax. “Delaying the tax doesn’t solve the problem, but it gives us the time we need to find a permanent solution,” says General President Harold Schaitberger. “In addition, postponing the tax until the next presidential administration means that we are more likely to have a sympathetic ear in the White House.”

The IAFF has long opposed any taxation of employer-provided health benefits and led the opposition to the Cadillac tax when it was first proposed as a way to fund the Affordable Care Act. The IAFF succeeded in delaying the tax until 2018 and reducing the number plans affected, but a smaller version of the tax was eventually included in the final law.

Beginning early this year, the IAFF has worked with allies in both the House and Senate, as well as a diverse group of organizations, to repeal the tax. Four separate bills repealing the tax have been introduced this year and have garnered broad bipartisan support — most notably HR 2050 sponsored by Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT) and S.2045 sponsored by Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

While continuing to fight for a full repeal, the IAFF is focusing this week on a two-year delay before Congress adjourns for the year. In a meeting earlier this week, President Schaitberger made the case for a delay to White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, and has also pressed House and Senate leaders to accept the delay until 2020.  “This anti-worker tax has got to go,” he says. “And this delay gives us the room we need to get rid of it once and for all.”

The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board would like to thank all candidates and voting members who participated in the General Election. Very special thanks to the Election Committee and volunteers that helped make this a successful election. Congratulations to the new Executive Officers!

Please click PDF Below to view election results.