Dear Members,

Dear Members,

Albuquerque Union Leaders have united to address our City's budget issues on behalf of the workforce. Collectively we represent over 6,000 employees. We have requested a meeting with Mayor Berry to discuss possible solutions to this critical issue that affects us all. Please click on link below.

 Fraternally,

Diego Arencón, President

IAFF Local 244

Jim Kelly, former NFL quarterback for the Buffalo Bills and founder of  Hunter’s Hope Foundation (an organization addressing the acute need for information and research with respect to Krabbe Disease and related leukodystrophies), would like to see more states add tests to their newborn screening requirements.  Kelly lost his son, Hunter, at the age of 8 to Krabbe Leukodystrophy.  The disease would be one of five added to the current newborn screening requirements for New Mexico infants under legislation sponsored by Rep. Rhonda S. King (D-Stanley). The additional screening will test for congenital muscular disorders, rare genetic neurological disorders, and inherited metabolic disorders.  This bill will encourage surrounding states to also adopt a more comprehensive newborn screening panel so that early detection of diseases will foster early treatment before the diseases become fatal. IAFF Local 244 was very proud to support this legislation.

Letter hand delivered to all City Councilors on February 2, 2010:

"On behalf of the IAFF Local 244, we would like to thank you for responding to the needs of the Fire Department as well as the safety of our Members. The passage of R-10-30 secures our Fire Fighters with necessary equipment to deliver optimal emergency resources to the citizens of Albuquerque. This resolution significantly enhances the working conditions, safety and the general well being of our Fire Fighters. We appreciate your continued support of Fire Fighters and our commitment to public safety.  Your partnership is invaluable and has provided the necessary foundation to meet the growing public safety priorities.

 We take great pride in the relationships we have established with the City Council and remain dedicated to your efforts to improve services for and to protect the public." 

Respectfully,

Diego Arencón, General President

IAFF Local 244

Ahren Griego, City Vice-President

IAFF Local 244

Hello Everyone,

There has been an influx of people wanting information on how to sign up for the web page, when our meetings are, and what's going on.  So here's a brief tour.

Unless you have signed in on this webpage before, you don't have an account.  No accounts were automaticly created for you.  ON the right corner of this page is the "LOGIN" area.  There is a sentence that says " Not Registered Yet, Click here to sign up".   This will take you to a LOGIN REGISTRATION page.  Fill out the form and usually within 48 hours we can have your account activated.  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR IAFF MEMBER NUMBER TO CREATE A LOG IN. If you don't have your member number contact the General Secretary, Brian Kadle @ 288-2292 or contact our Administrative Assistant, Kelly Silvis @ 288-2313.

Once your account is active, look around. 

The Calendar has dates and times of General meetings and Eboard meetings, sponsorship periods, and other information. 

The Contract section has each chapters contract and the active MOUs are to be posted soon.

The Union Store is coming along.  You can see what products we are trying to keep on hand at the hall.  All purchases must be done at the hall with cash or check.  We are not taking online orders at this time.

Phone numbers and information for your Executive Board is on the left hand column

If you have questions use the contact us area or call Kelly or Brian at the numbers given above.

On January 27, 2010, District Court Judge Theresa Baca ruled that the fire Union President conducting union business during his 40 hour work week is not a violation of  the "anti-donation clause" which stipulates that the city cannot gift or pay individuals without receiving due "consideration." The anti-donation argument was the basis for reassigning IAFF Local 244 President Diego Arencón in mid-January and prohibiting him from working on union business during his 40hr work week. The Judge's ruling was reached after testimony was heard from Paul Broome (who previously represented the City in contract negotiations with the IAFF Local 244), former Fire Chief Robert Ortega, former Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Perlman, Fire Chief John Garcia as well as President Diego Arencón himself. All testimony confirmed the benefits of having a strong collaborative relationship between the City and the IAFF Local 244.  Protecting our collective bargaining rights is very important to us and our families!

Per the direction of the Membership at our General Meeting on January 14, 2010 we conducted a department wide phone poll to determine the consesus on the 2010 Bid Process. A motion was made to poll our Members to ask whether they wanted "In-shift" bids or no bids at all. The Executive Board is meeting with Administration on January 19, 2010 to present these results along with a counter-proposal for the bid process, should the Fire Chief decide to go through with the bids. We would like to thank Brothers; Richard Sanchez, Justin Cheney, Santos Baca, Jose Sedillo, Manny Valenzuela, Martin Salazar, and Sean Frazier for volunteering to conduct the poll. The results are as follows:

326 no bid - 159 in-shift bid

Dear Members,

I would like first to thank all the members who came out to vote. It is my privilege and honor to be re-elected to serve as General President of our great union. Thank you all for allowing me to represent the very best in our community.

Our union is thriving right now and it is all because the active involvement from its membership. I would also like to thank the IAFF Local 244 Executive Board for their dedication to our members and most importantly to our members families. Without this strong Executive Board none of our achievements would have been possible.

Happy Holidays!

Diego Arencón, General President

IAFF Local 244