IAFF Presidential Election Endorsement

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Brothers and Sisters,

As your General President, I’ve made it a top priority to ensure that our IAFF is completely transparent as we consider decisions that affect you and your families. Your IAFF Executive Board has fulfilled that commitment to you as we have considered the upcoming United States presidential election and whether to endorse either of the candidates.

That’s why the IAFF has taken such unprecedented measures in recent months to hear from you. In addition to inviting all members to take a survey and hosting in-person and virtual town halls, we’ve conducted focus groups and welcomed both vice presidential nominees, Tim Walz and JD Vance, to our Convention in August.

As has been consistent for the 106-year history of our great union, one truth remains: we are fire fighters and emergency medical workers, and we will always have each other’s backs. It is the thread that binds us together and is the bond we rely upon to navigate turbulent times. Disagreements and honest disputes are part of life, and, like a family, they are certainly part of being a member of a union. Both General Secretary-Treasurer Líma and I, as well as each of our District Vice Presidents, worked tirelessly to hear from as many of you as possible. We are elected to serve you and that includes listening and doing our best to understand all points of view.

In the end, after debate and deliberation, the IAFF Executive Board voted to not endorse a candidate in the 2024 election.

To ensure that each member’s voice was heard, the provision of the IAFF Constitution and By-Laws that allows for a “per-capita” vote was enacted. With an extremely close margin of just 1.2%, the Executive Board voted to not make an endorsement. The Executive Board vote further solidifies our mission, requiring us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to improve the lives and livelihoods of each of our 351,535 members.

Your vote is your voice. Don’t waste it. We encourage you to get out and vote in this election.

Be You. Be Strong. Be Fire Fighters.

Sincerely,


Edward A. Kelly
General President

Open Enrollment Kick-Off! 09/16/24 – 10/11/24

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OPEN ENROLLMENT KICK OFF!!!

The Open Enrollment period for Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA and Life changes starts today, Monday, September 16, 2024, through Friday, October 11, 2024. Registered ADP users will receive an Open Enrollment email from ADP.

Click here for the rate sheet

IMPORTANT NOTES

*PERS PPO plans (PERS Gold PPO and PERS Platinum PPO) will be moving from the Anthem Blue Cross carrier to the Blue Shield of California carrier. For more information on the change, click here.

*2024 FSA does not roll over to the 2025 plan year, so a new FSA amount will need to be elected during Open Enrollment.

*If you are currently opting out of medical coverage, please complete the 2025 opt-out form located on the Human Resources Open Enrollment webpage and return to the Human Resources Department by October 11, 2024, with proof of outside coverage.

MAKING BENEFIT ENROLLMENT CHANGES

Log onto [my.adp.com]myADP.com and make any of the following changes:

*Enroll in city health insurance (if previously opting-out)

*Opting-out of city health insurance (if previously opting-in)

*Change health plan (i.e. moving from Kaiser HMO to PERS Gold PPO)

*Elect employer zip code for medical insurance

*Add dependents

*Remove dependents

*Add voluntary life insurance

*Enroll in FSA (HealthCare FSA and/or Dependent Care FSA)

*Update beneficiaries

Please go available

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2024 Executive Board Election Process

Following is the process for the upcoming 2024 Executive Board Elections.

Members interested in running for a position shall use “Contact the E-Board” tab found on the Union website homepage. In the comments section declare the position desired. Prior to the next General Membership meeting, August/September, an Executive Board Member will contact interested parties to ensure commitment. At the General Membership meeting your name and desired position will be announced. Post announcement, a member must officially nominate the individual for the position desired. Additionally another member must Second the nomination. Once a candidate has been nominated and seconded they are now officially entered into consideration for the position. If there is only one candidate for a given office, such candidate shall be declared elected by acclamation. If the number of candidates exceeds the number of positions, then a runoff election will occur. Elections shall be held using the current online, web based, voting system. Write in voting shall not be permitted. Should a runoff occur, the candidate receiving a majority of the ballots case shall be declared elected.

Election/Re-Election for consideration:

President – 2 year term
Vice President – 2 year term
Secretary – 2 year term
Treasurer – 2 year term

3 of 5 trustee positions – 4 year term

IAFF Survey

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2024 MOU Resources and comments

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Employee Survey

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Brothers and Sisters,

On July 5 an email was sent to “All Users” from Hedieh Khajavi, the COT Human Resource Director. It presents an Employee Feedback Survey. She has reached out to me personally, respectfully requesting TFFA participation. She stated that the City Manager reads every single submission. The survey takes 5 minutes. If you feel your voice has not been heard by our Fire Chief/Command Staff, now is your chance to make the CM aware. Possible topics:

  • Locution/Room Alert
  • Apparatus maintenance issues.
  • Station rodent infestation
  • Station repairs/updates.
  • Costly repairs and remodeling at an unreasonably slow rate.
  • Investing time in maintaining old and new apparatus without adequate storage.
  • Paramedic units are forced by command staff to transport patients, violating current agreements.

Link to survey: Electronic Employee Feedback Survey

QR Code to survey

https://forms.office.com/g/caWfnm5p8g

FLSA Calculations

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2023 BEACHLIFE RANCH

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Brothers and Sisters,

The organizers of the BEACH LIFE RANCH Festival is offering a 15% discount on admission pricing for those that are interested.  Please see the flyer below.

Ticket Purchase Link

https://www.beachliferanch.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwsvujBhAXEiwA_UXnACLDkDidFmGLX_IqJePlOJhHMIhwzaUn7jkd1kGh1tDeh4dG1mvD0RoCeboQAvD_BwE

A few important notes:

  • Your discount is valid for up to (2) tickets to BeachLife Ranch 2023
  • All discounts will expire July 3rd, 2023, or as supplies last
  • BeachLife will approve these discounts according to their criteria and discretion
  • A valid Department ID is required upon ticket pickup at the festival will-call.
  • You must select “Hero Pickup” under “Delivery Options.” Instructions for the will-call location and dates will be distributed within two weeks of the festival.
  • Use Code BL2TFA