Sound familiar??

Vernon Thymes · Senior Member

Sound familiar??

STRIFE · Senior Member

Whats this have to do with us? Last time I checked we weren't in the IAFF. And most of us are not firefighters. It looks like they have some issues to work out if it is that important to them. One reason why the IAFF may be endorsing Kerry is because of his pledge to put more firefighters on the street, rather then Bush's past tract of shifting all our money elsewhere, while many firefighters are asking to take pay cuts. Maybe take a look at why they IAFF is doing this. Also, this is the union firefighters choose to belong too. When you make that choice, your putting trust into the union that they will make good decisions regarding your future. Obviously a union, especially that size, cannot poll every member about every decision they make. If the majority of FF's disagree with IAFF political endorsements, then they should try to enact change. Maybe look at the reasons why the IAFF is endorsing Kerry. When unions endorse politicians, they are not doing it because of that persons views on abortion and stuff like that, they are basing them on what that politician can do for the people the union represents. Not every member is going to agree with it, but hopefully the majority will. Bush is not making it easy on the majority of fire departments, and law enforcement agencies regarding budgets. Just a thought though, and um.. nice picture, er, whatever...(whats up with the picture?)

Vernon Thymes · Senior Member

If you would read the story, the firefighters do not support the IAFF's endorsement of Bush and that they are very upset that they were not involved in a decision that affects them and their dues. It is very similar to the way SEIU acts towards us as members. Making decisions without getting our input or vote.

shonoa · Member

Is there any more information on this. On the Web or in the NEWS. It's good info. I would like to know more. We have nothing to do with the IAFF and dont want to however we are open to more information on this as the election is just around the corner.

_www.santacruzparamedics.org_

Paramaniac · Senior Member

Vernon Thymes · Senior Member

Rod,

Are you now ignoring Shanoa?

Lead us Rod don't bully us.

medicbill · Member

You know what Vernon your just another example of the ignorance on how the union works that is rampant amonst people especially in EMS. Instead of just jumping to ignorant wrong conclusions that members had no input into the choice of endorsing Kerry or Bush did you ever take the time to look or ask how they came to that decision.

Saying that members have no input is just plain stupid. Members have always had input. Committees are sat up in every county that 250 has members. Leaders and members are invited to serve on those committees and to interview candidates and make the decsion by a democratic process. Guess what? I never saw you or any others like you at these or any other meetings. Also gusess what Republican candidates are invited to be interviewed but they almost never show up. Bush was invited by the international and never acknowleded or showed up to anything. Why would any union want to endorse Bush. His decisions by him and his administration are totally to try and destroy unions and the labor movement. It has nothing to do with the war, abortion or stinking guns. If the IAFF didn't endorse him it was because of of the decisions they made that affect the IAFF and it's members. Plus every IAFF local has officers who are elected by thier membership who make those decisions based upon the input of political committees who are selected by the members who advises the president of the local which then advises at the International level. That is the way it works pal. I am tired of hearing from you and other people that members have no input because it is just plain bull crap. You and others have just sat around and let other people do all the work for thes last 15 years doing noting but taking everything and now you just spew wronginfpormation and just plain lies.

Bill Bower

?

Vernon Thymes · Senior Member

You’re wrong Bill

People have given input for the last 15 years, but every time they do they are ignored or told they are stupid or trumped by the other 1.6 million members who want it their way. If people actually were heard there would never have been a decert Bill.

And on the IAFF issue; read the article again, it clearly states the president took it upon himself to endorse Kerry without the input and procedure you described.

Vernon

Paramaniac · Senior Member

Bill,

Just do your best to ignore it and work around it. They have attacked you all along, and it is clear they have no intention of stopping. Since I have been active on this site and making it to every meeting I can, it's easy to understand I am the easy target.

Everyone, we are doing everything we can to encourage people that wish to help to get involved. Anyone can be part of it, regardless of who you voted for. We understand that the vote was close and the workforce is divided. That is the reason why we have decided to make the By-Laws cmte a voluntary thing, or why we have yet to censor or deny anyone access to this site.

Thank you,

Rod Billings, Shop Steward, IAEP, CoCo

Rdgoosmicp · Member

I have to concur with Vernon........While I understand unions are "for the working people" therefore feel they have to support government supported programs, increased taxes and so on........This has NOTHING to do with that. The members did have a vote for certain people, however those people refused to listen in the past as LOCAL 250.

Now for the caveat, that is the PAST!

We will have control, We will demand that vote for whom we support whether it be for what i believe or not, need not matter. The key will be we will have a say. Why?? Whats diffrent ?? We have a say in the By laws RIGHT NOW and can make sure this occurs. If we dont and complain later, our fault. If we dont accomplish this because of differing opinons everyones fault.

Thanks,

Mark Thomas, Shasta

Paramaniac · Senior Member

Mark,

How do you feel about incoporating language into the By-Laws that allow for a re-call of anyone voted into office that shows they are, for whatever reason, incapable of fulfilling their duties?

In SEIU's By-Laws, it is covered under Article 16(4), but that would require convening a Hearing Cmte, then a trial, etc. It seems to me that if a pre-determined amount of members want that person out, so be it. What that percentage would be, I don't know. Just throwing ideas out there to try and make this better than 250.

What's your thoughts?

Rod

Vernon Thymes · Senior Member

"That is the reason why we have decided to make the By-Laws cmte a voluntary thing, or why we have yet to censor or deny anyone access to this site." Rod Billings

So Rod, Who is this we you are talking about? You and Bill? You and Pinkas? You and Roland?

This is exactly what I am talking about. Who elected you king!

Lets look at some of your other self -proclaimed authority over everyone else:

But I am much more busy with getting our new local off the ground. Rod Billings

Marc Pinkas and I will be hosting this meeting at the Baypoint station from 8 - 10 am. Rod Billings

There have been no changes in our plan: Rod Billings

we feel it is best to fill the seats on this cmte on a voluntary basis. Rod Billings

You may contact either Marc Pinkas (email address on this site), or myself at Maybaby00@msn.com if you wish to participate. Rod Billings

Our goal is to have the entire Constitution and By-Laws written and ready for a ratification vote within the next 45-50 days. Rod Billings

We are planning on sending out an IAEP newsletter to all of the members bringing everyone up to speed on our progress. Rod Billings

Hey Rod, let me give you a hint: The earth revolves around the sun not you.

The members have had enough of being bullied by the goons in COCO County.

If this local is going to function at all you have to stop using the SEIU model of down your throat leadership! You are going down the same path that got us here.

And I would suggest you not blow me off as a NEMSA die hard. All that does is make you look like you cannot handle anyone that does not conform to your way of thinking. I told you I voted for 250, but seeing your leadership has made me regret it, does that make me a second class citizen Rod? It would seem so.

Vernon

-- Edited by Vernon Thymes at 12:25, 2004-09-29

STRIFE · Senior Member

Jeez Vernon, how many threads are you gonna post that on? Anyways, I noticed that you never answered shonoa's question about the article you posted. Also, do you have any immediate input on bylaws that you would like post on this forum, I would love here some ideas if you have any, I hope the bylaws aren't all 100% boilerplate language, and that as a creative group of people we put some cool stuff in. because we are cool...

Play with My Money · Senior Member

o.k. back on topic,

50% of fire fighters in the state of California are registered Republicans. This has been a growing trend over the past decade while fire fighters have had gargantuan salary and benefit increases. From a simplified economic point of view, they qualify as Republicans based on their income bracket of working people and seek tax relief/ shelter.

Fire fighters are usually family valued people. The Republicans have successfully campaigned to the hearts of fire fighters over the past decade. Democrats have traditionally been the guardian of fair working conditions. Democrats have also been inclusive of people from all walks of life, even if they do not fit in with family values. The polarities of job security versus a family values moral code has plagued fire politics for the past generation.

The IAFF has had an interesting struggle supporting John Kerry. Kerry has always been an advocate for the fire service. John Kerry received the endorsement based on his past performance and support of fire fighters. If you visit WWW.IAFF.ORG, there is a lovely speech that explains why the endorsement and election of John Kerry is the most important election this voting generation has seen.

Remember, union politics stay out of moral conduct. Union politics is a simple stance. It is to further advance and protect workers, their hours, wages and benefits. Period. That is how an endorsement is given to a candidate. When Bush revamped FLSA this year, over 6 million Americans were no longer eligible to receive overtime pay. They became FLSA exempt. It almost happened to EMS workers. The only reason you are still entitled to your overtime is because of an extremely complex network of political work by police unions, IAFF and yes, the IAEP.

STRIFE · Senior Member

New York Fire Fighter Locals Overwhelmingly Endorse JOHN KERRY For President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2004

Contacts:
Charles J. Morello, President NYSPFFA, 518-436-8827
Peter Gorman, FDNY Officers, 212-293-9300
Samuel Fresina, Albany Local 2007, 518-365-3746
John Janos, Binghamton Local 729, 607-427-4683
Joseph Foley, Buffalo Local 282, 716-998-4130
Joseph Montesano, Rochester Local 1071, 585-458-9250
Joseph Carrier, White Plains Local 274, 914-684-0027
Jeff Zack, IAFF, 202-824-1506 or 202-360-9778

New York Fire Fighter Locals Overwhelmingly
Endorse JOHN KERRY For President

FDNY Officers, Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, White Plains

Among Over 100 Local Affiliates in the NYSPFFA to Endorse John Kerry

Albany, NY Professional Fire Fighters from across the State of New York recently gathered in Binghamton for their Annual Convention. By a huge plurality they endorsed John Kerry for President. New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association President Charles J. Morello issued this statement on the endorsement:

Fire fighters’ support of Kerry is based on the records of the two candidates, which couldn’t be more different when it comes to delivering for fire fighters in New York and across the country.

George Bush failed to direct homeland security funding after 9/11 to high-threat areas, leading to an unexplainable discrepancy in homeland security funding of $5.42 per capita in New York, versus $37.94 for Wyoming in 2003. Bush also opposed funding the Fire Act, and in fact had to be forced by Congress to provide any funding in its first two years, which provides local fire departments with the resources they need. He continues to oppose a program, which would add fire fighters in two-thirds of communities across the country that have an inadequate number of fire fighters. His 2005 budget cuts homeland security funding for first responders by $700 million from current levels, and Bush actively opposes collective bargaining rights for all fire fighters. And when it comes to all workers, our country’s lost over 2 million jobs, including thousands of hi-tech jobs from New York, which have been sent overseas, health care costs are up, and fewer people are covered.

Compare that to John Kerry’s over 20-year record of supporting first responders. He authored the Father Mychal Judge Act to hire 100,000 fire fighters. John Kerry is an original co-sponsor of our national collective bargaining bill, he co-sponsored the establishment of the FIRE Act and has supported fully funding the program, year after year, even as George W. Bush zeroed out the program.

In addition to the support for NYSPFFA’s endorsement of Kerry by virtually every local in the state, the International Association of Fire Fighters Executive Board unanimously voted to endorse John Kerry in September 2003. Since that time, the union’s members have become a mainstay at Kerry events across the country, from the earliest days of the primaries to the latest campaigning in the battleground states where this election will really be decided.

The NYSPFFA represents approximately 20,000 fire fighters and paramedics in New York State. It is an affiliate of the IAFF headquartered in Washington, DC. The IAFF is the 16th largest union among the 64 nation unions that make up the AFL-CIO/CLC, representing more than 267,000 professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel who protect 80 percent of the population on the continent. More than 2,900 affiliates keep safe nearly 6,000 communities in every state in the U.S. and in every region in Canada. The IAFF is one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington and its Political Action Committee, FIREPAC, is in the top 1% of all PACs.

Forfend · Senior Member

quote:
Originally posted by: Rdgoosmicp
"I have to concur with Vernon........While I understand unions are "for the working people" therefore feel they have to support government supported programs, increased taxes and so on........This has NOTHING to do with that. The members did have a vote for certain people, however those people refused to listen in the past as LOCAL 250. Now for the caveat, that is the PAST! We will have control, We will demand that vote for whom we support whether it be for what i believe or not, need not matter. The key will be we will have a say. Why?? Whats diffrent ?? We have a say in the By laws RIGHT NOW and can make sure this occurs. If we dont and complain later, our fault. If we dont accomplish this because of differing opinons everyones fault. Thanks, Mark Thomas, Shasta"

I think that all of us need to refer to this post and if we do not, we are all doomed!

Forfend · Senior Member

quote:
Originally posted by: Rdgoosmicp
"I have to concur with Vernon........While I understand unions are "for the working people" therefore feel they have to support government supported programs, increased taxes and so on........This has NOTHING to do with that. The members did have a vote for certain people, however those people refused to listen in the past as LOCAL 250. Now for the caveat, that is the PAST! We will have control, We will demand that vote for whom we support whether it be for what i believe or not, need not matter. The key will be we will have a say. Why?? Whats diffrent ?? We have a say in the By laws RIGHT NOW and can make sure this occurs. If we dont and complain later, our fault. If we dont accomplish this because of differing opinons everyones fault. Thanks, Mark Thomas, Shasta"

I have to concur. Mark Thomas and Shasta may suffer a credibility issue over this.

Forfend · Senior Member

Does Cliff Kincaid seem like a trustworthiy guy?

-- Edited by Forfend at 02:32, 2004-10-17