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IAFF 50th Convention
On Monday, August 23, 2010, the IAFF 50th Convention was called to order in San Diego, California by General President Harold A. Schaitberger. This year there are over 1660 Delegates and 575 plus Alternate Delegates who are attending this Convention from the United States and Canada.
There are also leaders from Australia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The IAFF continues to work towards a Global Alliance to bring Firefighter, EMS Workers together across the world.
For highlights of the 50th Convention and to keep informed of the resolutions and actions taken by the delegates click here.
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Kenneth Garrett Appointed to Jackson County Bench
We are very proud to announce that IAFF Local 42 member Kenneth Garrett, III, a member of the Jackson County Prosecutors Office was appointed as an Associate Circuit Judge for the 16th Circuit, Division 26 for Jackson County by Governor Jay Nixon last week.
We congratulate Kenny on his new position and he will be missed within the bargaining unit and in the Prosecutors Office. We commend him for his hard work serving the citizens of Jackson County, Missouri as an Assistant Prosecutor for the past six years.
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Kansas City files petition related to E-Tax initiative
The City of Kansas City, Mo., filed a Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief in Cole County Circuit Court on Friday August 13, 2010 challenging the constitutionality of a recently certified earnings tax initiative petition and asking the Court to enjoin the Secretary of State from taking any further measures to place the issue on the Nov. 2, 2010 ballot.
The lawsuit argues the initiative petition violates several provisions of the Missouri Constitution including the Hancock Amendment.
The lawsuit argues the initiative petition violates the Hancock Amendment, which prohibits the state from requiring any new activities by the City without full state funding, because the measure would require the City to have an election in April 2011 and every five years thereafter in order to continue the tax. A single-issue election will cost the City about $500,000.
The lawsuit also argues the initiative petition violates a provision of the Missouri Constitution which prohibits the use of the initiative for the appropriation of money unless the initiative provides the new revenue, because the petition fails to provide the revenue for the required elections.
The lawsuit argues the petition violates the single subject rule because it involves both the earnings tax and the net profits tax on businesses and also because it prohibits earnings and net profits taxes in the future in cities that do not currently have them.
The lawsuit argues the petition violates the rule that the subject be clearly expressed in the title because the title does not reference the net profits tax.
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2nd Annual Clays Shoot
On Friday, October 1, 2010, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance is hosting its 2nd Annual Kansas City Area Sporting Clays Shoot. You are cordially invited to participate in this special event as an individual shooter.
The event is being held at Powder Creek Shooting Park, located at 8601 Monticello Rd, Lenexa, Kansas 66227, phone is 913.422.5063. Registration will begin at 7:30 AM with a Shotgun start at 9:30 AM and a lunch and drawing to follow the event.
Individual Shooters may compete at the cost of $125.00 each. Please see the attached Registration Form.
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Detroit Fire Fighters Documentary: BURN
Detroit is the largest city in the State of Michigan and has many nicknames, the “Motor City” or “Motown” to name a few and was one the most thriving cities in the United States. The Automotive Industry while at its peak with the “Big Three” (Ford, General Motors and Chrysler) having their Headquarters in Detroit, which resulted in the automotive industry being an anchor for employment for many Americans.
In the early 1950’s the population in Detroit, Michigan was approximately 1,800,000 in an area that amounts to 143 square miles, today the population is about 900,000 residents. In comparison, Kansas City, Missouri is 318 square miles and the population is approximately 483,000. That being said, Kansas City has half as many residents, and more than twice the area in which we live.
Detroit’s economic woes with the reductions of jobs and the continued outsourcing of the Auto Manufacturing jobs being eliminated has played into the demise of this great city. As a result, Detroit has been plagued with neighborhoods being abandoned and the city is crumbling.
Amongst this city of ruins is the Detroit Fire Department, which is represented by IAFF Local #344. There is a film documentary that is in the works, the title is BURN and the filmmakers are seeking donations to be able to complete this project. Click here to watch the movie trailer.
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International Fire Fighter Magazine
 In an effort to improve communications with its membership the IAFF has just activated a new component on its website. The IAFF Fire Fighter Magazine (Bi-Monthly Publication) is now available online. Several editions of this magazine are archived on the IAFF website.
The IAFF has taken advantage of the latest state of the art technology and provided a tool to its members to read these publications online in a 3D version of the magazine.
If there is something that you read months ago or your magazine didn’t get delivered to your home because you recently moved perhaps, you may now access this publication online. We have provided a link on the right column of the front page for your convenience: International Fire Fighter Magazine.
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The Key Benefits of Health Care Reform in Missouri
On Sunday, March 21, 2010, the House of Representatives voted on the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872), and it passed by a vote of 220-211. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), was signed into law by President Barrack Obama on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. After two minor provisions stricken under the Byrd Rule (Reconciliation), it passed the Senate by a vote of 56-43. It now awaits a re-vote in the House before President Obama can sign the bill into law.
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9/11 Health and Compensation Bill Defeated by Narrow Margin in House
July 30, 2010 -- Legislation to establish health treatment and monitoring programs for World Trade Center responders was narrowly defeated in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, H.R. 847, failed by a vote of 255-159 July 29.
Democrats voted 243-4 for the bill, with 7 absent.
Republicans voted 12-155 against the bill, with 11 absent.
The House considered H.R. 847 under procedures that required a two-thirds vote for passage, but the measure fell 21 votes short of a two-thirds majority.
“I am deeply disappointed and saddened that, despite our efforts and the hard work of the bill’s sponsors, the 9/11 Act failed to garner enough votes to secure passage,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “As we have all year, we will continue fighting to pass this crucial legislation to provide World Trade Center responders the care and benefits they need and deserve.”
Congress first established screening, treatment and compensation programs for 9/11 responders shortly after the terrorist attacks, and has continued to provide funding for the programs each year since. H.R.847 would strengthen the existing programs in three important ways. It expands coverage to include those who lived near ground zero, it makes the program an entitlement program so that it is not subject to annual appropriations and it reopens the Victims Compensation Fund so that people who became ill after the Fund was closed in 2003 can receive compensation.
Opposition stemmed from creation of a new entitlement program to concerns over funding. The program would be paid for by closing a tax loophole used by foreign corporations incorporated in off-shore tax havens from avoiding taxes on income earned in the United States.
Members of the New York delegation took to the floor to defend the bill and refocus the debate.
“If you believe that we owe a debt to the people who have served our country, this is your moment to repay it…. These people are entitled. They are entitled to our care. They are entitled to our indebtedness. They are entitled to what we are doing in this bill,” Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY) argued (see his testimony).
The legislation was sponsored by Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Peter King (R-NY), and enjoyed the strong support of IAFF Locals 94 and 854.
“Our two New York City affiliates did us all proud by leading the way on this important issue,” says Schaitberger. “Their tireless lobbying campaign pushed the bill to the top of Congress’ priority list.”
Despite the setback, the vote demonstrates that the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act has the strong support of a majority of the House. The IAFF will push to reconsider the bill when the House returns from its August recess.
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IAFF Launches New Fit to Survive Program
Fit and Healthy for 2010
The IAFF has launched a new feature to assist in improving the health of its membership. Please visit the Fit to Survive website for new tools designed to improve your health, wellness and nutrition. If you are searching for new and innovative recipes for the “Cook Shack”, you can use the Menu Planner which features simple and healthy meals.
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SEPTEMBER UNION MEETING NOTICE!
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U.S. and British Unions Support Bangladeshi Workers
Updated
On: Aug 10, 2010 (22:09:00)
In a major act of international solidarity, both the 11.5 million member AFL-CIO labor federation in the United States and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Britain have released strong statements of solidarity in support of the Bangladeshi garment workers modest demand for a new minimum wage of 35 cents an hour. If the 3.5 million mostly women garment workers win their wage increase, it will allow them to climb out of misery and at least into poverty.
The current minimum wage, which has not been raised since 2006 despite annual inflation rates of 6.5 to 10 percent, is just 11.5 cents an hour, which is the lowest industrial wage in the world. Bangladesh’s garment workers are among the hardest working women in the world, and the most exploited. Despite working up to 12 hours a day, often seven days a week, the garment workers and their families are crowded into primitive one-room hovels, forced to live from hand to mouth, barely subsisting on rice and lentils. Dozens of families share one primitive hand water pump where they queue up to bathe, scrub their clothes and wash their dishes. Read the entire statement by the AFL-CIO by clicking here.
Wake-Up Wal-Mart has also launched a massive email letter-writing campaign-pressing Wal-Mart to support the Bangladeshi workers modest demand for a 35-cent-an-hour minimum wage. Send a letter to Wal-Mart in support of these workers by clicking here.
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Making the Right Choices for the Economy
Updated
On: Aug 07, 2010 (19:05:00)
August 4, 2010: President Obama addressed the AFL-CIO Executive Council today. During his speech his message included three very important words “MADE IN AMERICA” which are vital to our economy rebounding and putting Americans back to work here at home.
Part of his message included providing tax breaks to companies who are investing in jobs here on American soil, instead of giving tax breaks to companies who are outsourcing jobs overseas.
New innovative technologies, such as wind turbines, solar energy, electric cars etc...will enable us to free ourselves from being dependent on foreign oil and fossil fuels in general.
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Wake-Up and Smell the Coffee!
Updated
On: Jun 05, 2010 (05:36:00)
Some of you may read this and ask yourself why does my union care about what happens at the single largest employer in America (Wal-Mart)? This website was established with the intention of communicating information to our members in a timely fashion and to try and educate our members on matters pertaining to UNIONS in general.
Let us examine these facts:
§ According the Bureau of Labor Statistics Report, in 2009 the percentage of wage and salary workers who were members of a union was 12.3 percent, essentially unchanged from 12.4 percent in 2008.
§ The single largest employer in America today is Wal-Mart.
§ Six percent (6%) of employees in the retail industry are represented by a union.
§ Unions provide job security, higher wages and benefits and better working conditions.
§ How is it that not a single employee at Wal-Mart is represented by a union?
Part of the Wal-Mart plan is to have a Union-Free State and if an employee mentions the word “UNION” they are harassed, intimated and persuaded to quit or they find an excuse to terminate their employment. A recent publication entitled An American Rights at Work Report gives a very comprehensive analysis of Wal-Mart and how it treats its employees.
Each of you that are members of this very proud union has choices that you make each and every day in your personal lives including shopping wherever you so desire. Why take your hard earned union wages and spend them at Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club?
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Union Hotel Guide
Updated
On: Jun 02, 2010 (15:44:00)
If you have plans to travel during the holiday season or are planning a family vacation, check out the UNITEHERE! Union Hotel Guide before you book a room. This website enables you to select the city and state where you are planning to travel and it will list the hotels that are within your destination that employ UNITEHERE! Members, or simply put a union hotel. You may be surprised at how many locations have union hotels and competitive room rates and accommodations. Click here for the Union Hotel Guide.
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Updated
On: Jan 22, 2010 (18:11:00)
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WakeUpWalmart
Read the truth about Wal-Mart and how it treats it's employees. |
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