We are calling a Special Meeting on May 20, 2010 to review the PAC Committee’s recommendation for the Gubernatorial endorsement. The final decision in the endorsement for the Governor’s race will be reached at this Special Meeting. This meeting is in accordance with ARTICLE IX, SECTION 6. Political Action Committee, of the IAFF Local 244 Constitution & ByLaws. The meeting will be held at our Union Hall and will begin at 11:00am.

Thomas A. Woodley, IAFF General Counsel addresses the IAFF's concerns to Mayor Berry. Please click link below.

On April 14, 2010 we met with the City HR Director to discuss our pending Prohibited Practice Complaints and the proposed MOU. Please click link below. 

There will be a car show to benefit MDA on July 17, 2010.

At the direction of the membership we have proposed our budget saving ideas to the City Council. Our proposal deferring the scheduled raises until FY12 (July 1, 2011) was well received by Council. The Albuquerque Police Officer's Assoc has also agreed to the same MOU concept. This would relieve the City of Albuquerque of 9.8 million for FY11. We also included some cost saving suggestions for the Department that were decided upon at our Special Meeting held on April 5, 2010. Our union is strong and thriving. There were over 80 members in attendance for the Special Meeting and we have received numerous emails with budget saving ideas. Remember, this is only the beginning of the budget process so please continue to provide input. Thank you to all members, we cannot do this without you!

Please click on link below to view our proposal:

The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board is calling a Special Meeting on Monday, April 5, 2010 @ 1pm to discuss the Mayor's budget proposal. The proposed salary cuts are not sustainable. We encourage members to identify areas in our Department that can be cut and/or modified without jeopardizing Fire Fighter safety or public service delivery.  We ask that you present your ideas in writing because we have received over 100 calls from many concerned members. We are presenting our proposal to City Council on April 7, 2010 and your input in critical. If you cannot attend the special meeting please email your ideas to: iafflocal244@hotmail.com.

The IAFF has issued this "What does Health Care Reform Mean for Fire Fighters?" memo that might help answer some of our concerns. Also, a helpful resource from the Washington Post. Please click the links below.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/what-health-bill-means-for-you/?hpid=topnews

The City Human Resources department has requested from all labor unions to attend the Guidlines Committee on March 24, 2010 to provide presentations. Please click link below to read our response.

We have returned from the 2010 IAFF Legislative Conference with a greater understanding of the  issues that directly affect Fire Fighters across the Country. The issues pending before the 111th Congress include legislation such as: HR 413 & S 1611 , the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, this Act would give Public Safety Officers basic collective bargaining rights in all States; HR 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009, would guarantee professional departments a minimum % of funding and increase the amout for larger departments, shortening the grant period and reduces the local match from 20% to 10%; HR 847 & S 1334, the JS 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, provides comprehensive medical monitoring and treatment for 9/11 responders, residents and students to include reopening the 9/11 Victim Compensation Act to compensate victims for economic damages and loses. It was truly an honor to stand along side our IAFF brothers and sisters to support this legislation. IAFF Local 244 was represented proudly. We also met with Senator Bingaman, Senator Udall, Representative Heinrich and Representative Lujan. They all were very receptive to the current issues affecting IAFF Local 244. We discussed many solutions including assistance with FEMA grants. We will be in close contact with our Congressmen  through these difficult times.

General President Schaitberger recognizes Local 244's victory for labor statewide. Please click link below.

http://www.iaff.org/Comm/SpotLight/10Stories/030510AlbuquerqueCourt.htm