Dear IAFF Local 244 Members,

The City Administration has once again created a dispute claiming the union business performed during the IAFF Local 244 President’s workweek is unlawful. As fire and rescue personnel we take an oath to serve and protect life and property. As fire union officers we are elected to represent job integrity and keep personnel safe so that our oath can be fulfilled. The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board is committed to serving and protecting you and your family. These values we hold core to our mission are now under assault.

We have several unprecedented lawsuits with the City Administration which are waste of time and valuable resources. Let’s not forget the hefty price tag that comes with these disputes; such as the President’s workweek where District Court has ruled against the city proving that we are not “illegal” representatives of hard working firefighters and paramedics. This is a blatant disregard for what has been established by former leadership and for the hard earned tax money that has been spent to advance their unwarranted attacks on us. Albuquerque's citizens also pay for private negotiators that do not benefit from mutual agreements but profit from impasse and disagreement between labor and management. Many of our current elected civic leaders have gone too far by pushing a generic anti-union agenda rather than honoring long established labor/management practices.  Who we are, and what we do is being ignored in favor of polling and wedge issue politics.

Great leadership is what made the Albuquerque Fire Department what it is today, one of the best departments in the country. For decades IAFF Local 244 representatives have served at legislative sessions and in policy meetings/committees with Legislators, Fire Administration, City Council, County Commission, Mayor’s Office and Governor's Office on many subjects to include: firefighter safety, staffing parameters, pension solvency, training, membership counseling, laws that effect fire and rescue personnel and most importantly public safety. The city, county and state do not waste time balancing the budget as it is required by law. So, it is imperative that we have a voice and a presence in government to lend our perspective and insight to achieve amicable solutions that preserve our member’s best interest and keep the public as safe as possible.

The letters from the current Public Safety Director and the Chief Administrative Officer exemplify the deep rooted animosity this administration has for labor organizations (see below). Take note on the dates these letters were issued and keep in mind where we are in negotiations. The long standing policy and practice of schedules that allow union representatives to work on paid status is a privilege that has been negotiated in good faith, not only with the IAFF Local 244, but all other unions in the City of Albuquerque. The Merit System Ordinance Administrative Instruction 7-24 (see below) shows that these labor/management policies have earned their place in city governance and have proven to be beneficial to all of us taxpayers and citizens alike.

Despite our efforts in offering concession after concession since last year, the end results of negotiations are uncertain with only the city's private negotiator benefiting from months of negotiation sessions. Our negotiating team is standing strong and is committed to protecting the integrity of our profession, never forgetting the sacrifices that our forefathers made for us. Even though this administration does not value the significance of our essential service we must continue to serve with the level of professionalism the citizens of Albuquerque deserve.

It is important to remember that these attacks on us are meant to discourage us from organizing, create apathy and dissent. The continued attacks leave us with only two choices, respond in force, or sit back and watch as our values are eroded.  We must withstand these attacks with firm resolve and respond with a well organized campaign to educate the public on the truth. Our voice is powerful and it is time that it be heard!

I would like to acknowledge the AFD Retiree Association and President Sam Trujillo for their unwavering support and guidance during these difficult times.

Fraternally,

Diego Arencón, President

IAFF Local 244

Today June 29, 2011, marks the last shift for Commander Brian LeVie. Brother LeVie has been a pillar of leadership throughout his career not only serving AFD but also IAFF Local 244 as an Executive Officer with strength and compassion. Several crews stopped by Station 20 to pay their respect and send off our brother onto a healthy and well deserved retirement.

The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board would like to acknowledge brothers Keith Clark, George Asi, Jeremy Polk, Scott Aragon and Chris Maes for their commitment and leadership throughout this year’s negotiations. We have tentatively agreed to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for your review. The ratification vote will take place on July 13, 2011 from 7am-7pm at the Union hall and Stations 33, 40.  All members are encouraged to review the proposed CBA in the members’ area on this website. If you have questions or concerns contact your Executive Board Officers.

 Congratulations to Station 3, C Shift for currently leading the charge for our MDA Fill the  Boot drive! Thank you to all of C Shift personnel for making our first report a huge success. We still have till until June 25, 2011 to collect contributions. Keep up the great work!  

 C Shift Total  $28, 107.00

1 –    3,034           13 -      226

2 -       144            14 -     219

3 -    7,022            15 -     423

4 -       732            16 -  1,617

5 -       919            17 -     406

6 -    4,002            18 -     760

7 -       628            19 -  2,285  

8 -       797            20 -  1,021

9 -       680            21 -     479

10 -     356            27 -     759

11 -     306            29 -     655

12 -     637       

IAFF Brother Greg Vallejos is a 17 yr veteran of the Albuquerque Fire Department. Join him in his efforts to support LIVESTRONG in the fight against cancer! Greg is running in the ING NYC Marathon on Nov. 6, 2011 for TEAM LIVESTRONG in honor of his father, retired AFD Lieutenant and Vietnam Veteran, Valentin Vallejos, who passed away on Aug. 14, 2008 after a two year battle with colon cancer.

We encourage all members to make a donation and help Greg reach his goal of raising $5,000 by Sep. 30, 2011 please visit his fundraising website at:   run.livestrong.org/teamls2011/gregvallejos

It is with deepest regret and sorrow that the IAFF reports the line-of-duty deaths of two San Francisco, CA Local 798 fire fighters, Lieutenant Vincent A. Perez and Fire Fighter/Paramedic Anthony M. Valerio. Brother Perez, 48, died June 2, 2011, from burns sustained while battling a two-alarm fire. Brother Valerio, 53, died from his burn injuries June 4, 2011. A Rosary will be held for Brothers Perez and Valerio on Thursday, June 9, 2011 and a  joint funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 10, 2011 at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Fransico, CA.

If you would like to send expressions of sympathy or condolences to San Francisco IAFF Local 798, 1139 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1514 or email gail@SFFDLocal798.org

The 2011 Albuquerque Fire Department “Fill the Boot” Drive will be held from Monday June 20^th through Saturday June 25th. The IAFF Local 244 and the Albuquerque Fire Department will carry on the tradition again this year in support of Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Across the Country Firefighters have been committed to a cure through the annual MDA “Fill the Boot” campaign. The IAFF’s efforts play a vital role in supporting those families who are afflicted with any one of the 43 different types of Neuro-Muscular Disease. The Families of MDA depend on us in order to continue their MDA Summer Camps, the clinics they attend at UNMH and helping with the repairs of durable medical equipment, i.e. car lifts, wheel chairs, leg braces, etc.

There are no time restrictions for “Fill the Boot”. All units and crews are encouraged to take advantage of this once a year event. All units will be assigned pre-approved locations and are allowed to frequent these locations at any time during the drive. The donations will be collected by MDA staff.

Support Divisions and Civilian Staff schedule:

All Support Divisions and Civilian Staff are allowed to take advantage of this full week of Fill the Boot at the discretion of your Division Officer to any of the approved locations. All support staff, civilian employees, family members, guests and off duty fire fighters are invited to participate.

*All locations will be identified in a forthcoming memo from Fire Administration.

The IAFF Local 244 is announcing our annual co-sponsorship for Project Heart Start. Last year was a great success because of the amount of volunteers we were able to organize. We trained over 1400 people in compression only CPR. The goal for this year is to train 3000 people. If there are any members interested in participating this year please contact Martin Salazar at martindsalazar@msn.com or sign up at  http://projectheartstartfacilitators.eventbrite.com/

This year Project Heart Start will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Isotopes Park.

The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board and County Chapter Executive Board Members who serve on the Labor Management Committee have been working with Fire Administration on this policy prior to its implementation. We submitted a letter to the Fire Chief on April 20, 2011 expressing our position to include the proposed policy changes by the IAFF Local 244 Executive Board. After careful deliberation over the joint labor/management Promotional Policy Committee's recommendations the Executive Board recommended only one change; the removal of the value of the Chief’s Interview. It is the position of the Executive Board that promotions should be awarded for our member’s hard work and merit alone. We believe that the policy submitted by the Executive Board is consistent with our union’s fundamental values of equity. Below you will find links with the Fire Chief’s memo and the Executive Board’s recommendation. Please email your County Chapter Executive Officers with your questions, comments or concerns.

The IAFF Local 244 General Membership has approved a dues increase of $2.50 per pay period by secret ballot vote with 56 for and 18 against at today’s General Meeting. This was in accordance with the IAFF Local 244 Constitution & By-Laws Article IV, Section 5 to include a Special Meeting for the budget presentation and justification for dues increase held on April 20, 2011. The dues increase will take effect on the pay period ending May 20, 2011.