The Executive Board of IAFF Local 42 and its Full Membership have unanimously endorsed Louie A. Wright for 2nd District Vice President.  This election will be conducted during the IAFF 49th Convention, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 10-15, 2008. 

The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 42 has petitioned the State Board of Mediation to be recognized at the exclusive bargaining agent for the member of the Kansas City Fire Department.  For the past 90 years the City of Kansas City, Missouri has voluntarily recognized IAFF Local 42 as the exclusive bargaining agent; however, we have never been certified by the State of Missouri. 

On September 8th, 9th and 10th the State Board of Mediation will conduct and election.  The Fire Department will rotating companies through Century Towers over the course of these three days to allow everyone on duty the ability to vote.  If you are off work on N-Day or Vacation and would like to participate you may show up during the hours of 9:00 AM till 5:00 PM on one these dates and you will be allowed to vote.  All voting members will be required to provide Fire Department ID or a valid Missouri Drivers License for identification to be able to vote.

Eligible voters shall be those employees included in the bargaining unit who were employed during the payroll period ending Saturday, August 16, 2008, and also employees who did not work during said payroll period because they were ill or on vacation, but excluding any employees who have since resigned or been discharged for cause.  On Saturday, August 16, 2008, the City of Kansas City, Missouri will furnish to the Board of Mediation an accurate list (including the names, addresses, and job titles) of all the eligible voters in the bargaining unit. 

We are requesting every member of the Kansas City Fire Department that has had a change of address within the past year to notify the Fire Department through the normal change of address forms by Monday, August 11, 2008.  Please spread the word to all your co-workers...

Letter to Membership

On Friday, August 1, 2008, news articles appeared in the Wall Street Journal and Reuters exposing the unfair political tactics of America's largest employer.  Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has warned its U.S. store managers about the possible consequences of a labor-friendly bill backed by Democratic hopeful Barrack Obama which would make it easier for workers to organize and join a labor union. 

Information about this anti-union campaign on the part of Wal-Mart can be read on the AFL-CIO Now Blog and the WakeUpWalmart websites.  In a recent poll that was conducted by Zogby International on the part of the IAFF one of the questions that was asked of the membership during this polling was - How often do you shop at Wal-Mart?  The answer to this particular question by those who participated in the survey was troublesome to say the least; however, some members replied they NEVER shop at Wal-Mart. 

In today's current economy the cost of fuel, groceries, and rising increases of utilities we are all looking for some way to cut back or make changes to our overall spending.  Please do not be penny wise and pound foolish when spending your hard earned dollars that are earned as a member of organized labor at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club. 

Proceeds benefit KC Metro children

The Have a Heart Foundation is hosting its 2008 Annual Raffle.  This year's event will be held at the SOL CANTINA located at 408 E. 31st Street (Martini Corner), on Friday, August 22, 2008, from 8:00 till 11:00 PM.  Donations $10.00 per person. 

The prizes for this event are listed on the attached flier.  If you are interested in purchasing Raffle Tickets for this event please contact Travis Williams (816) 419-4516 or Sherwood Smith (816) 536-2662. 

Have a Heart Raffle Party  

IAFF Local 4, West Des Moines, Iowa will be hosting its 1st Annual Firefest 5k Run.  This event will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008, at the Waterworks Park, Des Moines, Iowa, located at 2201 George Flagg Parkway.

Click here for a Registration Form.  Race begins at 8:00 AM and on site registration starts at 7:00 AM.  For more information on this event please visit IAFF Local 4 website or E-mail - Firefest5k@iaff-local4.org.

The Midwest Regional Burn Foundation will host its 15th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, August 25, 2008, at 9:00 AM Shotgun Start.  The Tournament will be played at the Prairie Highlands Golf Course, located at 14695 S. Inverness Street, Olathe, Kansas. 

The cost to play in this event is $400 per team (Entries are Tax Deductible).  Deadline to register for this event is August 5, 2008.  There are 36 teams guaranteed for this tournament and are first come first serve.  Click here for Registration Form.

10-33 means "Officer in Trouble"

The 10-33 Benevolent Fund is a public charity established to help families of public safety personnel who have died in the line of duty.  Personnel who are covered by this charity include Sheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs, EMT's, Paramedics, Highway Personnel, National Guard, Park Rangers, Police Chief's & Officers, Judges, Probation/Parole Personnel, Public Defenders, Water Patrol, Fire Fighters, Capitol Police, Conservation Agents, Correction Officers, University Police, Mental Health Workers and others. 

On Monday, September 15, 2008, the 10-33 Benevolent Fund Golf Tournanment will be held at the Columbia Country Club, located at 2210 Country Club Drive, Columbia, Missouri 65201, (573) 449-4115.  Tee times are 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM.  The cost of this event is $100 per participant and please make checks payable to 10-33 Benevolent Fund.  Click here for Entry Form.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser calls pensions as antiquated as the City's sewer system and targets the two Defined Benefit Systems as one of his priority initiatives for this year. 

Funkhouser's State of the City Address   

The UMKC School of Medicine is hosting a Bone Health Assessment which includes a bone desity test.  We are encouraging all members of IAFF Local 42 to contact the Kansas City Osteoporosis Study (KCOS) Center and schedule an appointment.  The testing facility is located at 2301 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Missouri 64108, and the telephone number is 816-404-5414 or you can E-mail them at bonestudy@umkc.edu.  Please find the attached brouchure that provide most of the FAQ about the testing and if you would quailify for this free testing. 

Bone Health Assessment Flier

Click Here.