Thank you Brothers, Michael Palmer, Dominic Velasquez, Anthony Mazotti and Gabe Gallegos for representing and inspiring us all and congratulations for your victory in winning the 2011 911 Fitness Challenge. Click link below to view photo.
911 Fitness Mission Statement:
The 911 Fitness culture is a mind-set of machine oriented “CAN-DO” attitudes to jump higher, push more. The basis of this concept is from the 911 Fitness Affect, based on cappilarization – force oxygen through blood vessels for optimum performance.911 Fitness is where you are and where you are headed full steam ahead – GO-GO-GO.
The 911 Fitness Affect is performance at redline - idle is for the couch. Personal development to overhaul any mental limitations you may have. 911 Fitness language includes “I WILL”, “I CAN”, “WHEN”, “LET'S GO” – failure is never an option. Records are broken every year in numbers of events. The human potential for strength and speed has not reached it’s max yet. Reach higher and motivate those around you to excel farther, faster and with excellence!
The International Association of Fire Fighters has grown into a political powerhouse in the Nation’s Capitol and in state houses, county and city halls across the country.
Over the past decade, the symbolism of our profession and the image of our fire fighters and paramedics decked out in this union’s trademark gold and black have become one of the most sought after endorsements in politics at every level. We have grown what was a modest federal Political Action Committee (PAC) into one of the top federal PACs in the nation.
Last election cycle, FIREPAC was in the top 1.1 percent of the more than 7,100 federally registered PACs in terms of dollars raised and was the 10th largest PAC in candidate contributions. It was also one of the most bi-partisan PACs.
In total, we spent close to $15 million in the last election cycle on behalf of federal candidates and both political parties, helping to elect those who support us and defeat those who oppose us.
But the attacks launched at our members since the November 2010 elections have changed the landscape.
Extreme right-wing conservative and so-called Tea Party politicians are coming after fire fighters, paramedics and all public workers with a vengeance across the United States. They are attempting to take away basic American rights like collective bargaining and your right to negotiate for a good quality of life for your families. They are working to eliminate your pensions and retirement security. They want to silence your voice by gagging you with legislation they call Paycheck Protection. They are taking away the long-held right of dues deductions from paychecks to try to weaken the finances of our union. They want to hurt all unions and drive down wages and benefits with Right-to-Work laws.
Not only are extremist Republicans trying to destroy us -- too few Democrats are standing up and fighting for us.
Over the past two years, politicians from both parties have failed to address our issues in Washington, DC. Now, anti-labor members of Congress and their allies are championing measures that would undermine pension security, tax employer-sponsored health benefits, force newly hired fire fighters into Social Security and attack federal fire fighters. And with no pro-fire fighter legislation likely to be advanced in the 112th Congress – it’s time to take a stand.
With the survival of our union and the ability to preserve and protect the rights, wages and benefits our members deserve in jeopardy in the states, we have re-evaluated how to get the best results for our political dollars.
With the full support of our union’s Executive Board, we are turning off the spigot to federal candidates and federal parties, party committees and the super PACs that are created to support them.
Historically, FIREPAC has made most of its contributions to federal candidates. But it’s time to send a clear message to all politicians at every level that the support of this IAFF is not automatic. It must be earned.
The reputation of our members and our profession in the political arena must not be taken for granted. Our support comes with consequences for those who are working to kill this union, and we will hold accountable those supposed friends who don’t stand up for us.
Now more than ever, as our adversaries speak and act with a concerted, focused message, we need our friends to respond with similar strength and leadership to beat back the multi-faceted, well-organized assaults the right has launched at us – funded by anti-labor extremists like the multi-billionaire Koch brothers. And while we are fighting for our very survival, our friends aren’t doing enough to fight back -- they don’t have our backs.
Re-focusing our work on the states will serve to bolster the “Fighting Back” campaign we have initiated. “Fighting Back” is a coordinated effort with our state and local affiliates involving various IAFF Divisions: Communications and Media, Government and Political Affairs, Safety and Health, Technical Assistance, GIS, EMS and Education.
Through this campaign, we have engaged in an internal and external effort to educate our members and the public on these misguided attacks – through television, newspaper, Internet and social media -- to literally fight back with everything we have. For a complete explanation of the “Fighting Back” campaign, click here.
We know we have legislative fights, ballot measures and re-call elections that will require us to be on the offensive at the state and local level through this fall. I expect this strategic decision to focus our resources on state and local efforts, and the freezing of federal contributions, to last as long as the fights in the states remain at such a high level and until we see some real results and leadership from those in Washington, DC on our members’ behalf.
Sticking together and having each other’s backs is part of this great profession we call “the job.” It’s the core principle of our political work. And sticking to it is what will ensure that we ultimately prevail in the fights we face across America today.
The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board would like to acknowledge Charles Sanchez’ leadership for volunteering his time and expertise to help the St. Felix Pantry and the Felician Sisters Convent on Meadoelark. Brother Sanchez helped organize and set up their computer equipment centered in three locations so they could manage business more efficiently. Please click the PDF link below read the letter from the President and the Operations Manager from St. Felix Pantry.
A Special Meeting will be held at the Union Hall on Wednesday April 20, 2011 at 7pm. This Special Meeting will be for informational purposes only and will include a presentation by General Treasurer John Roumpf detailing total assets, expenses and justification for a dues increase.
The Carlos Rey Elementary School Community and IAFF Local 244 co-sponsored a Car Wash Fundraiser for baby Joaquin Otero, age 2, who has an auto-immunodeficiency disorder. He must be kept isolated to keep him from everyday germs that can be dangerous to his already compromised immune system. The family will be leaving soon to Denver Children's Hospital for diagnostic testing and possible treatment. Joaquin's two siblings attend Carlos Rey Elementary School, where Carlos Rey's administration and staff have been providing support and resources for the Otero family. The car wash was held at O'Reilly Auto Parts (98th & Tower) on April 9th, 2011 from 10am to 2pm and was a great success! Thank you to all the members who showed up to support the event and wash cars. A special thanks to the Fire Fighters Wives Auxiliary for helping with this event.
Susie Dominguez, more commonly known as the “Snow-Cone Lady”, and her family began selling sno-cones and other items in and around the pueblos in the late 1960’s. Since retiring, Susie has thoroughly enjoyed continuing on this family tradition of selling snow-cones. Yet on Tuesday everything changed when a fire destroyed her San Fidel family home and all of her personal belongings to include her snow-cone machine and equipment. Today Albuquerque Area Firefighters Union gave Susie a new snow-cone machine and sponsored a snow-cone fundraiser at New Beginnings Church on the corner of Montgomery and Carlisle. All proceeds from the snow-cone sales will be donated to Susie and her daughter. People can also donate to the “Susie and Vanessa Dominguez Donation Fund” at any Wells Fargo Bank.Special thanks to De La Vega’s Pecan Grill in Las Cruces, New Mexico for their generous donation to help this event and the Engine 19 crew who stopped by to help on their way back from a house fire. We would like to thank Chaplain Mike Trujillofor organizing this charity event. Great Job!
Dear Members, Today the 2011 NM Legislative session has come to an end. I am truly honored to have stood alongside the many Labor Leaders of the NMFL who represent the working families of New Mexico and together we managed to protect our members’ pensions, this year. I would like to thank our IAFF Local 244 Executive Board for their hard work and guidance during this session.
The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board would like to thank all the members that have been showing up to meetings, representing at the Capitol, participating in neighborhood outreach programs and writing letters and emails of support that provide valuable input and insight. Below you will find two letters we felt were important to share with the General Membership. Thank you, Brothers Bricault and Fejer for your leadership.
On February 22, 2011 the IAFF Local 244 stood strong alongside hundreds of New Mexico Labor Leaders at the Capitol in support of our Brothers and Sisters in Wisconsin whose collective bargaining rights have been threatened. Several Senators and Representatives stood with us and shared their testimonials throughout the rally. Trustee Michael Trujillo gave a great speech to close out the event. We would like to thank all the members who showed up and proudly represented and especially our retired Brothers who also have given us tremendous support with our trials at the legislature this year.
IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger addressed a crowd of over 25,000 people gathered on the Wisconsin Capitol Square on February 17, 2011 (click link below to view the footage of his speech). Protests and demonstrations are ongoing in response to provisions in Gov. Walker's budget repair bill that would strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights.
Gallegos - Velasquez - Palmer - Mazotti.jpg
Charles Sanchez Acknowledgement.PDF
48-96 Poll.pdf
Michael Bricault's Letter.docx
