As many of you are aware, the St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters was asked by the Mayor of St. Petersburg - Rick Baker, just a couple of weeks ago, not to tender it's final impasse declaration. In a meeting with our Union President - Winnie Newton, he said, "If you'd please hold off a few days and let us work the numbers again, we'll get back to you early in the week." For those of you who are marking time with the same dogeared calendar, that was a week ago and we've received NOTHING from this supposed man of his word, who's asked us to not only hold off, but to campaign for him in his mayoral reelection bid, too.
Brothers and Sisters - we've met the enemy and the enemy is us! Again and as always, we've taken the high-road and bargained in good faith for more than 608 days - and again we've put our trust in another snake oil salesman's pitch! The time to stop hanging our families security and prosperity on the words of another individual who says one thing yet does another, (MUTT) have got to come to an end. At this very moment, Mayor Rick Baker is attempting to perpetrate the same shell game on the Firefighters of St. Petersburg that's he's using to wow the voters. He's lowered the millage rate, yet unbeknownst to most, he's raised many city services fees, resulting in a net gain. How does this parallel our situation? Read on...
For the past 608 days, both sides have stuck to their guns. We, not unlike the St. Petersburg Police Dept., have largely stuck to our demands, but come to find that we've not been offered anywhere near the same pay and benefits package that our Brothers and Sisters in green, have been afforded. "They've got a 'retention' problem," says KarenRichardson - city negotiator. Really! I've got this sneaking suspicion that St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue's ability to attract quality prospects is about to start taking on the same proportions as that of the City of Clearwater! Quality labor doesn't keep walking through the front door when they know that on the other side, they'll face a lifetime of screwing! And the parallel that I spoke of a moment ago...
Brothers and Sisters - Mayor Rick Baker has held the tyrant's boot on the neck of St. Petersburg's Paid Professional, Career Service Combat Firefighters for the nearly two years that these contract negotiations had been drug-out. Where, prey tell, are you going to spend your 3% pay raise after the City of St. Petersburg switches-up your health insurance provider to one that forces you to pay a deductible of $2,000 (TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS)? Do the math. It adds up to more than the mayor's been offering us for the past 608 days! There are Brothers and Sisters on this job who've children with a chronic illness. Does this shell game afford them a realistic benefit? Only a person with their eyes closed, can't see that we're being eclipsed by smaller departments whose personnel are year by year, averaging shorter work weeks; retiring at an earlier age and banking a better retirement in Florida!
As many of you are aware, we as Firefighters are facing enemies from multiple fronts. If you weren't at the last Union meeting, you missed out on important information that will have an impact on your future as a Firefighter in the City of St. Petersburg - as well as Pinellas County, no less! Call your Union officials if you need a fill-in. A ballot is being mailed-out 'right now' that may well set the tone for future battles, both within this city and this county. On any given day - so much rides on us. We do - do the heavy lifting that is required by our citizenry and we happily carry out our mission every day! With that said - our collective futures shouldn't hold that we be kept in a state of constant vulnerability and as such, we need to quickly and aggressively implement the tools that will fortify our position!
-Editor
November 26, 2005
“WWWD?”
I ran into one of “St. Pete’s Finest” (green shirt variety) last evening, at one of my favorite eateries. He congratulated me on us finally obtaining a contract. To which I queried, “Who told you that? We have an agreement to see if the city’s proposal will fly, but what we don’t have is a contract!”
~~~
In the coming days, we’re to receive the facts as they pertain to the one year contract that the city has offered. Our Union will hold meetings on two consecutive days at Fire HQ. When we’ve availed ourselves of this information, the only thing left to do is to either ratify this contract or vote it down. It is your time to ask the hard questions! Your Union President’s position is that of a neutral one, (as it pertains to the ‘letting’ of information to you and me). Once we’ve availed ourselves of said information, how do we vote? There appears to be a mixed bag of answers out there, because not everyone’s sure as to how their Union President is going to mark his ballot. I’ve got an idea that if we asked, “WWWD?” we’d have our answer.
What Would Winnie Do?
I guess to answer that, you’d have to first ask; what has Winnie done…?
If any of what you’ve just read is any indication of what I think your Union President thinks about the city’s latest contract proposal, then you can bet that he’d turn this ‘dog’ of a contract proposal, down in a heartbeat! It’s got ticks and ticks suck the life out of you!
They’ve dangled a chewed-on carrot in front of us in the form of a potential three year contract, but here’s the hitch. It’s Christmas – you’ve got obligations and if you ratify this one year contract, you may well have a year’s salary (minus taxes) in your wallet before the blessed day! Well, not so fast! Ever been in a pawn shop? Ever see the folks that are pawing their possessions, knowing that they’re getting pennies on the dollar? Yep… that’s us, if we ratify this contract. We’re tired and we’re eager to get the ball moving, but we’re really about to jump over a Dollar to pick up a penny!
“If the city thought that we were worth the money, they’d have made this thing happen by now!” Yeah, sure! The hold-up is not with us. It lies in the fact that we’re dealing with a 5th tier city diplomat by the name of Mike Connors. He’s the Storm Water Engineer who’s taken over management of Human Relations and some other city services. “HR” is the very same office that we negotiate with the city, through. He’s the new kid on the block and since taking over Andy Houston’s role, he wants to shine - in this – his first contract negotiations. Why are we dealing with these lower level city diplomats who carry the water for the Mayor, I ask?
When you receive your ballot, stay the course – vote this proposal down. I cannot cite a single example where we’ve mis-stepped during the course of these entire contract negations. Not only should we be getting 5% for the year past, but it should count as a step, not as a step 'removed' that we bloody our knees on year after year. The three year offer that the city is dangling is a bit light, too - if you ask my opinion. Remember when one member emailed a couple of months back and criticized that we’d backed down on our pay proposal and that Winnie wasn’t holding up his end of the bargain? "No we haven’t!" I’ve yet to hear that the city has agreed to our demands for a 3.25% multiplier like that of Hillsborough or a 3.4% multiplier like St. Pete Beach or a 4.0% multiplier like Palm Harbor! Hell... even Gulfport is prospecting the idea of a 4.0% multiplier! I’ve yet to hear of this city's plans for a 25 and out! And the words “Cost of Living Adjustment” are just a dream – unless you’re working for some of the surrounding communities!
Brothers and Sisters - if you haven't done the math yet, the earlier 3% proposal is a better deal than the city's current 4%-no rollup proposal. Just take a peek at some numbers representative of your future losses.
WWWD?
As Paid Professional - Career Service Combat Firefighters, you only have to look at his actions and then ask yourself if those actions don’t speak louder than words.
-Editor
•He’s the guy who takes the time to figure out if that yellow line in the road (the contract) is strong enough support your position and that of ours, when you feel that you’ve had your rights stepped on.
•He’s the guy who takes all the slings and arrows, no matter the outcome of your tribunal – win or lose.
•He’s the guy who’s often juggling more than one contract at a time, yet maintaining the same fiduciary responsibility to all.
•He’s the guy who’s thinking two steps ahead, when we’re just catching-on to what’s already news.
•He’s the guy, who, on a daily basis, shows us all who’s really in the driver’s seat.
It's us! We are the masters of our own destiny.
•He’s the guy who has kept faith in all of us, when we couldn’t find it in ourselves.
•He’s the guy who reminds the movers and shakers of this city, that without question, we are at the vanguard -- we do the heavy lifting, and disrespecting us is not a viable long-term option!
•He’s the guy who’s guided us down the not-so primrose path that comes with contract negotiations for lo these past six hundred and thirty plus days!
•He’s the guy who’s taken the often unpopular position of not working on ‘our’ very tired, must-have-a-contract timeline… rather, calling for ratification when all options are exhausted – not when ‘we’re’ exhausted.
•He’s the guy who’s had to answer to the ‘prior-plan’ retirees, whose pension is intimately tied to our contract’s performance – or lack thereof.
•He’s the guy who the MUTTS bet against, because they don’t like the tea they’ve brewed. I think I hear the tea-pot whistling now!
•He’s the guy who has been accused of not working hard enough – of not keeping Council apprised of our situation -- of not holding fair elections – of creating the us vs. them atmosphere – of not being politically astute and of dragging the contract negotiations out for too long. He’s even been accused of not working towards putting an end to this website!
•He’s the guy who’s proclaimed that there’s a new day coming. Business as usual will become a thing of the past as we become better educated as to our position of importance.
•He’s the guy who fights even harder when you tell him that we aren’t deserving of what many of our Brothers and Sisters in other communities have had for years!
December, 14, 2005
You heard it first here; back on November 11th I pointed out for your discerning awareness that that bottom feeder Baker had a four pronged platform called the Baker Plan and the first item in that plan was economic development. It was also pointed out that he “ amassed a $189,000.00 war chest to get elected to a lame duck position in a city of 250,000.” His motive at the time was questioned since it was a given that he would win in a contest in which he was virtually running unopposed. The point was made, however unclear, that there was something other than Baker’s need to serve the public generating his actions. I think now you know what those things are: fifty to one hundred thousand of them every month for the rest of his term.
Then to soften the blow and to provide a whole choir of scapegoats someone has offered an additional plan to give each councilperson a raise in pay also. And on what do they base their calculations for these raises? Why comparison to other council members and like positions in other cities of like size and current compensation. What a revolutionary means to justify a pay raise. Why, I’ll bet this will someday be the standard by which all compensatory increases in pay will be based in all departments of every city in Florida. Could happen.
And I love it. Brothers and sisters before you break out the pitchforks and the torches think about what a great tool these fools have just given us. You can’t buy this kind of ammunition anywhere. This has to be the best opportunity to use their actions against them that could ever present itself. Granted the first gut reaction is amazement and admiration that they have the total balls to throw this kind of insult in our face at a time when so much is at stake. I mean you gotta give them props for pissing off almost all of the fire service in one fell swoop. But then when the rage is under control and a cooler head is in control you realize that what they’ve done has given us the ability to use their actions against them. The public couldn’t care less that they want to give themselves a gigantic pay raise. The public also doesn’t care that the council endorses to the man the tactics being used to stick it up the ass of each and every fire service employee and their individual family members.
It’s already been proven that the public couldn’t care less about us but with some creative thinking on the part of some of the more prolific antagonizers in our midst it shouldn’t be long before we have some ideas on how this situation can be put to our best use. And don’t just think locally. And wouldn’t it be nice if the International got involved. I mean really involved. Maybe someone could show up and give us some of that support we hear so much about in other cities around the country. Make a day of it and get some face time on the tube. Hell make a couple days of it.
And remember I asked you to start counting the days now that Baker has been reelected until he makes good on his promise to Winnie. I’m still counting. You should be too.
Fraternally and wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas,
Dick Tully, Retired Local 747, I.A.F.F.
(Retired Brother, Dick Tully's response to the Mayor's pay raise propasal (see article) of 12-13-2005)
February 12, 2006-
A Little Fishing Story
By Jim Wimberly
November/December Fire Connection
A song played on the radio a few days ago that I've heard a number of times but never really listened to until then. I'm not sure who sings it, but one verse of the song makes an interesting point. It goes something like this: "it's not having what you want. It's wanting what you've got."
After hearing those words, I couldn't help but think how easy it is to get caught up in a cycle of negativity, always focusing on what we don’t have and forgetting what we do. For example, unlike thousand of General Motors employees, we still have a job. Although we’re hopeful to see enhancements to our pension plan, at least we’re not facing another Enron debacle. And most would agree even on our worse day, working for St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue is still one of the best jobs we’ve ever had.
Granted things could always be better. But, improving the quality of our department involves more than just financial gain. Increasing wages and benefits is not the only answer. Much of what we enjoy about this department goes beyond dollars and cents to include intangible benefits such as the camaraderie we have with one another; the time our schedules allow for us to spend with family and friends, and the sense of pride and satisfaction what comes from working together to save a life or battle a structure fire. For many of us, that’s what attracted us to this profession and this department. If we keep these important aspects of our job clearly in mind it will help us maintain our sanity and prevent us from turning on one another. That’s all the more important as we face the uncertainties of our contract negotiations.
To help put things in perspective, let me share with you a story that has been told thousands of times with many variations. This version was shared among friends in Benin, a small West African village.
A fisherman returns home in his pirogue [very small wooden boat] and is met by a foreign expert serving in this developing country. The expert asks the fisherman why he is back so early. He replies that he could have stayed out longer but that he had caught enough to care for his family. “And now, what do you do with all your time anyway?” the expert asks.
The fisherman responds: “Well I do a little fishing. I play with my children. We all have a siesta when it gets hot. In the evening, we have supper together. Later, I get together with my friends for some music, and so on.”
The expert interrupts: “Look, I have a university degree and have studied these matters. I want to help you. You should stay out fishing longer. You would earn more and soon be able to purchase a bigger boat than this pirogue. With a bigger boat, you would earn still more and soon be able to build up a fleet of trawlers.”
“And then?” the fisherman inquires.
“Then, instead of selling fish through a middleman, you could negotiate directly with the factory or even start your own fish-processing plant. You would be able to leave your village and move to Contonou, or Paris, or New York and run the whole thing from there. You could even consider putting your business on the stock market and earn millions.”
“How long would that all take?” the fisherman asks.
“Perhaps 15 to 20 years,“ the expert answers.
“And then?” the fisherman continues. “That is when life gets interesting,” the expert explains. “Then you could retire. You could move away from the hustle and bustle of it all to some remote village.”
“And what then?” asks the fisherman.
“Then you have time to do a little fishing, play with your children, have a siesta when it gets hot, have supper with the family, and get together with friends for some music.”
Perhaps, the lesson here is as simple as: Don’t loose sight of what’s most important. The fact is, we’ll get through the current round of contract negotiations and a few years from now we’ll think back to this time and consider what we’ve gained and what we’ve lost as an organization. My only hope as we go through the bargaining process is that we all check ourselves periodically, so as not to devalue and cheapen the professional relationships we have with one another and loose sight of what’s really important to this organization – the people.
Response...
I think these words might have been saved from paper, if 'daily' there were a little less blurring of the lines.
Involved parties encompass the following entities:
-City of St. Petersburg
-St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue
-St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue Personnel
-St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters - I.A.F.F. Local 747
-Bargaining Unit Members - That would be 100% of the eligible voting members in good standing
To wit:
Not a single member of the bargaining unit, bargains with the 'department' so there should be no real credence given to the notion of an interdepartmental 'rub' mindset being driven by negotiations. We're all on the same team. The better the pay raise that the bargaining unit can secure, the better the yield that typically results for upper management also. 'We' understand that and don't have a problem with it. There's nothing to fix here -- even with the inclusion of a fine parable such as the one written above! If there are members of St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue's management team who feel the pressure of negotiations, take solace in the fact that we do too, but it doesn't involve YOU! In other words... it's not about YOU!
You want to help? Don't help this way! The road to the poor house is paved with good intentions.
The only two "organizations" that the bargaining unit members concern themselves with when negotiations are under way, are S.P.A.F.F. and her bargaining unit members and the City of St. Petersburg -- no others. A visit to a Union meeting would make that abundantly clear to a visitor. St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue is never mentioned! Period!
S.P.A.F.F. bargains exclusively with the City of St. Petersburg. When doing so, bargaining is between the bargaining unit members and the city; not between employees and the city. We're held to a different standard when we negotiation as Trade Unionists!
With that said...
If we continue to fight for pay, time and pension incentives commensurate with other departments of our size, performing the workloads that we do, mitigating the hazards that we do, and acting in the professional manner that we've become accustomed...
We'll see a $70,000,000.00 pension deficit evaporate-
We'll make more money-
We'll work fewer hours-
We'll retire earlier-
We'll retire healthier-
We'll live longer-
and in that...
"Have time to do a little fishing, play with our children, have a siesta when it gets hot, have supper with the family, and get together with friends for some music-"
Well, what do you know... you were right all along!
-Editor
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
"Pay Yourself First"
Tuesday, March 14th, 2006
As many of you may recall from reading the 'minutes' or from attending the last Union meeting, the Executive Board brought a funding proposal forward to the membership that would help bolster the building fund and better situate us for the future. Along with the funding proposal was a discussion centered on a piece of property that is available for purchase on 31st Street and 5th Avenue North, for the tidy sum of $500,000.
Within the last couple of years, we as a bargaining unit, changed the way in which we calculate a 'portion' of the remittance of dues which funds all of our Local's expenses. Monthly, a portion of the monies derived from each member's dues payment, arrives in one hand and goes out the other! Most notable - IAFF 'per caps' and FPF 'per caps'. A moment ago, I made mention of a "change" in the way we calculate dues. Each time we see an increase in per caps from the IAFF or from FPF we automatically increase the amount of your dues deduction - accordingly to keep up with the demands that are made of us. In the past, we as a voting body had to meet and decide just how much we wanted to increase our dues by, just to keep up with outside demands. That is no longer the case but what doesn't increase automatically, is a funding method to combat stagnation and spur growth and positive economic opportunities in our organization. The one line-item that needs the most attention at the present time, is the Building Fund.
All of us (that's ALL of us) currently give $1.00 each payday towards the Building Fund and while it's possibly enough to simply maintain what we've got a present, it's not enough for growth.
With that said, the information that you need to be aware of right now, is as follows:
The property immediately to the west (5260 1st Avenue North - corner lot) of your Union Hall, has been placed on the market.
Upon placing the property up for sale, the owner was immediately hit with multiple offers. The Executive Board members were quickly contacted and agreed in principal to place a bid on the property at the current asking price - $199,900.00. The bid to purchase this property is contingent on membership approval. The owner had accepted our bid as it stands, meaning - other offers (even greater offers) will not be heard.
We owe no money on our current property!
During last month's Union meeting, the Executive Board recommended a dues increase to augment the Building Fund only in the amount of $5.00 per pay day, per person (375 members), or about 35 cents per day per person. I say only to illustrate the fact that your monies will be easy to track as they will be applied to the Building Fund only! That's $3750 per month for the Building Fund! [corrected figures]
Local 747 President, Winnie Newton and Secretary Treasurer, Bill Mott, are currently making the rounds to some of the stations - gauging feedback. In my last cell phone conversation with Bill, as I'm typing, there is almost universal acceptance to that which the Executive Board is proposing, on BOTH COUNTS!
Our current property resides on 1.5 lots and dimensionally is 75' wide by 100' deep.
The proposed property resides on 2.0 lots and dimensionally is 100' wide by 100' deep.
Our credit rating is excellent and we have secured a lender.
We are prepared to offer as much as $50,000 as a down payment to keep the mortgage manageable - also allowing us to pay it down more quickly.
If in the future we chose to build a new structure on our property, with setback constraints taken into account, we could construct a new multi-purpose Union hall with a maximum footprint of 147.5 feet by 55 feet.
Both properties are Zoned RO-1 (Residential-Office).
The Building Fund currently stands at $11,000.00.
What once provided a nice sum of money for the Local's charities and other endeavors - "Solicitation Funding" has all but dried up. Gone are the days where we realized $20,000 a year in revenue. The tally sheets for 2004 and 2005 are in. Not alone in this - Local 747's share amongst the other Local's that operate under the Pinellas County Council of Fire Fighters is way down. For 2004 we received monies totaling just over $7500.00. As of last year, our take was on the order of $2200.00.
Local 747's leadership is heading to the IAFF Legislative Conference in Washington, DC (March 19-22). With that in mind, it's time to start the ball rolling. Ballots will be in the mail by Thursday or Friday of this week!
All of us continue to prosper and make strides under Local 747's current leadership. Gulfport, South Pasadena, Lealman and St. Petersburg FD's all operate under different contracts but we share common strengths that are brought about by electing and maintaining strong leadership. That being the case, it's time that we take a small leap of faith -- and in taking that leap, we invest in ourselves -- we pay ourselves first!
-Us Versus Them Webmaster
Monday, April 24, 2006
Organized Labor Dodges County Bullet!
By John Little - Pinellas County Council of Fire Fighters President
Monday, April 24, 2006
Brothers and Sisters,
The CRC met this evening to discuss what Charter Amendments to add to the ballot(s) for the fire service in Pinellas County. There were two items on the agenda.
The choices were the formation of 5 fire 'districts' and the 'standards' that the County Administrator and County Fire & EMS had presented and would ultimately impose upon labor. The other was the abolishment of the 4 Special Districts and making them one County department - stripping them of their bargaining rights and current contracts.
Both of the proposed amendments were defeated by a 5-4 vote. Commissioner Susan Latvala voted to defeat both amendments and spoke against them in the discussion of the proposed amendment.
Commissioner John Bryan from St. Petersburg also voted to defeat both amendments and made the motion to defeat the County's amendment to have 5 districts.
I would like thank all of you who have attended the meetings and been vocal with your officials and administrations. This was no small accomplishment. If you have the opportunity to thank these elected officials please do so.
We will now keep a close eye on the Dual Referendum amendment and make sure the fire issues do not get back for ANY consideration.
If you have questions or concerns please call me to discuss them.
Fraternally,
John Little - Pinellas County Council of Fire Fighters President
Editor's Note: If you've not been following the Charter Review Committee's ongoing meetings, it has been proposed that the four present Special Fire Protection Districts (Lealman, East Lake, Palm Harbor & Suncoast) be dissolved, with those districts members possibly being absorbed by other departments. The remaining 'current' departments would find themselves joining forces (example: St. Pete/Gulfport/South Pasadena) to form five new 'county' districts. As was mentioned by John Little, above - all present labor contracts would become null and void. We'd all be working for Pinellas County! It should come as no surprise - some fire station would close!
If their Crash Fire-Rescue operations at St. Pete-Clearwater Airport is any indication of what the future might hold -- hold onto your ass! They are the most poorly paid, overlooked, non organized firefighting labor force in this county. They contribute NOTHING to organized labor and as such, get no backing from us! I have been told that they have been approached by members of the Pinellas County Council of Fire Fighters in the past! As it stands, Pinellas County's "fiscally conservative" boot is on their neck - every day!
Both Susan Latvala and John Bryan should receive accolades for the roles that they've played.
You know it; you feel it, but you don't often hear it... upon voting down both initiatives, Susan Latvala made comments to the effect that she was not going to vote against more than one thousand, three hundred of Pinellas County's Fire Fighters, thus committing political suicide and that others shouldn't do it either!
Brothers and Sisters - - daily, 'we' do the heavy lifting in this city and in this county. We are a political engine to be reckoned with! Union Strong - Union Proud!
èddi táwree əls
"An article giving opinions or perspectives"
Friday, May 19, 2006
Working without a contract?
By Guest Author
Addressing the comments of 4-25-06 "Working without a contract" on the "Contract II" page...
YOU or NO-ONE else in the Rank and File or in the Supervisory Unit are working WITHOUT a contract. That is Bullshit spread by the FINO regime. Whatever contract that is in the station, (hopefully you have one as some station Captains threw them out because of FINO education) is the one you are working under. Working without a contract would mean, no sick leave, vacation time, R-days, safety shoes or glass's, etc. Got it straight now? Just because you may be topped-out in the salary range and haven't gotten a pay raise does not mean you are without a contract.
Try the following for obtaining information:
Step 1. Make the time to attend a meeting. “I was on duty” don't cut it. I'm sure you have some time on the books or at least one friend that will swap with you. If it's important you will find a way.
Step 2. Contact your elected Station Steward. If he doesn’t know, ask him why. If he is also unable to attend meetings, maybe it’s time to replace him.
Step 3. Contact your Shift Vice President. If he doesn’t know either, see above.
Step 4. Call the union's information line at 727-323-1786 ext 9. It gets updated fairly regularly. It might not tell you what you want to know today, but it might next week.
Step 5. Take the shift calendar out of your wallet or the large one off the wall that the Union sent you and call one of the three Officers phone numbers that are on it. Yes, you expect to be asked why you haven't been coming to any of the meetings. Since you’re going to be getting in their asses for not doing their job’s (your opinion) then it’s only fair that they be allowed to fire back. I know that many of our members can make the time to go to church events, school events, camping, fishing, snow skiing, swimming, car racing, bicycling, and jogging. And don't EVER think that we will pass up an opportunity to tie one on with the boys - but they just can't find the time to stay current with things that effect their jobs. If that's you, then just continue to sit back with the rest and wonder if that job at ‘Dig a Ditch Inc.’ is still available. Hey, there are lots of jobs out there that will pay you in CASH everyday that they have work for you, and they don't have a contract for you to worry about. Also no paid leave, no paid vacations, no R-days, no safety shoes or glasses (you will be required to wear them but they aint gonna pay for them).
I hope I have been able to set you a little straighter. It will take a longgggg time to debrief everyone from the old FINO way of thinking, but it is possible. Oh yeah, but you don't want anything else to be done until the contract is completed. Tell that to the many individuals that get written up, complain about their physicals, lose out on overtime premium pay when they get MANDATORY OT, have pension concerns, wrong pay checks, get into vehicle accidents and all that. Yes, I know you think I must be a Union Official. Well yes I was at one time. I got out after spending some time in that old hellhole of a building, and feeling that our members were so hopelessly unaware of what happens that I was just spinning my wheels.
And you know what? If I would have stayed and put a bigger effort into it, and said the things then, that I'm saying now, maybe I could have gotten rid of the S/S offset that I still have. Maybe I could be enjoying the no cap 3% multiplier that you whiners have instead of my Max 50%. Maybe I could have had a three year average final compensation package instead of my 5 year AFC (yes it makes a nice difference). So you see, the day the union goes back to worrying about only one thing at a time, (in my days it was volleyball championships, and bed races), then you will have every right to sit in front of your computer and bitch and moan about how bad you have it. Try this the next time you are picking up your paycheck, think real hard and ask yourself, "I wonder how this pay got to this level?" The answer won't be, because someone in City Hall likes you.I'm sorry if I offended anyone but the facts is the facts.
FTM - FINO's SUCK - Lets get this organization rollin' again.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
The 2006 City budget
Emails pulled from the BS page
Note: The TEAM thought that this discussion thread was so cental to our current state of affairs, (owing to
the fact that it dovetails into our upcoming 2006 budget hearings) that we had to add it to the Editorials page.
I was just going through the 2006 City budget and found the following info: The fire dept was slated to receive $165,000 for new E-5, $145,000 for new E-6, $50,000 for a new Haz-Mat vehicle, $125,000 for a new Dive boat and $50,000 for Sta 10 renovations. All totaled $535,000. Sounds impressive don't it?
Well folks that's $65,000 less than the $600,000 set aside for more of those damn speed bumps and even more disheartening - its $415,000 less than the Police dept. gets to buy more TAKE HOME Cars for their officers and this is what they call cycle two. In other words they have already bought one cycle of cars before. I guess we see where we stand. But wait, there is so much more. There is another $230,000 for fire station hardening. This means our stations should be capable of withstanding storm damage while at the same time providing us a safe haven before, during and after the mayhem. Strange... I seem to remember many stations still with out adequate generators, sleeping facilities for the added personnel, and of course no plans for supplying food.
But shit-fire I found out why -- the city needs $565,000 to build and mark new bicycle paths.Yup thats right bicycle paths are worth $335,000 more dollars than making sure that you as an emergency service provider who is mandated to be on duty, have a place to protect and shield yourself from danger. Hey, I don't know why, but this shit just keeps pissing me off. Just a couple more items of malfeasance we can thank our beloved Mayor and never to be forgotten, Bud-King for.
Response 1:
You're a class act brother. A well defined, undistorted presentation of the facts. I'm happy to see that you took the time to back up your point with data and solid comparisons. I have only one question. Did the department receive all those things you describe at the beginning of your post? Because if it did, your point is somewhat weakened. You say the department was "slated to receive" etc., etc. But did it? If not then your point is strengthened. However the comparisons point out the disparity between the fire department and other expenses deemed more important. Especially those bicycle paths. Now there's some important stuff on which to spend a half million dollars. You really can't fault the po-po's for wanting to perpetuate the idea that officer's parking a cruiser in front of their house is a deterrent to crime. Everyone knows that's a crock of shit but they still do it. And there's a reason for it. However it's doubtful that any crime has been averted by a parked marked cruiser. You make some very good points as to where the priorities lie in the in the minds of the leadership at city hall. Uh, one other really small inquiry has been sneaking in here and that is why a body recovery boat would cost $125,000.00. You may call it a dive boat but the question is what does it do? You can do the same thing with a jon boat and some scuba gear. It sure will be impressive to the public. And it'll stick in their minds when it comes time to ask for more wages. Overall it looks to an outsider as if there is already enough money being spent by the city on the fire department. No one wants to equip you with anything but the best but when you compare speed bumps and bike paths to $125,000.00 boats that are virtually body recoverers it gets a little ridiculous.
Response 2:
The question of whether or not we received all of what was listed is not the true point here. What was being shown is the less than enthusiastic support that we as Fire Fighters get from our Administration and the City leaders as a whole.Unfortunately the Council members know only what they are told so they can only assume we are the best equipped in the country. "God knows they are... it's said often enough." Fact is I remember way back, when we were going to the "Lets tell the Fire fighters what we want them to hear" meetings, that station hardening was going to become a priority. Safety for those of us in the stations is a MUST. Safety includes necessities such as food, water, and some comfort. Ask any of our own Brothers and Sisters that have deployed to those areas that were ravaged, and they will tell you that food, bathing and sleeping were the big three that keep the crews from becoming irritable. So how long ago was that? 4-5 years, maybe longer? Lets let the leaders of this city know that we are way past fed up with the stepchild treatment we have continually endured throughout the years. Tell them we need to be able to respond at any and all times, and we can only do that with proper planning and immediate implementation of all of the plans we have discussed many many times at the station levels all the way up to the City.
WE WANT MORE, WE DESERVE MORE, THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY EXPECT MORE!
I think the citizens might not understand when shown how much more is spent on bike paths over emergency preparedness and services. This department has been Lotto-ized and we must fight to get our funding back. Ever since we lost the first dollars with the county EMS service, (county pays, city uses money elsewhere), then came the Penny for Pinellas funds, (many vehicles and building improvements come from this source) more $$$ not paid by city, and lets not forget all the Grants we get for EMS, Prevention, Smoke Detectors, Car Seats, Juvenile programs, WMD, Homeland Security etc. The list is massive, and all we get from our Mayor is, "I must cut the tax rate so I will look good when I choose to further my political career elsewhere, therefore you must cut back." All of these programs at one time or other were funded through City tax dollars. Many of these grants are drying up or are being awarded in much smaller amounts and frequency. So we must insist, just like our Tampa neighbors, the small tax decrease won't do for a single family what the total amount will do for us all. Spock said it best "The needs of the many, out-weigh the needs of the few, or the one." Lets see if we can get this Administration and City involved with Logical thinking for once.
As for the po-po's getting take home cars to help deter crimes, what about more fire stations and equipment for the fire department as well? Our 13 engines and 4 truck companies can hold only so many calls at the same time, while the po-po's have an extra 200+ cars sitting in driveways at any time. Give us 3 extra engines 2 more trucks and 6 more rescues with adequate staffing so we can run our own calls that happen at any time of day.
Thursday, July 6, 2006
Runnin' 10-18 on four flat tires
By rather reluctantly recently retired Brother Kevin McConn - Fire Fighter Paramedic
Brother and Sister Firefighters,
I am taking the opportunity to state my position for leaving SPF&R. I worked for the city and the FD for just over 26 years, never in all those years did I feel like I have recently. Although our run numbers have steadily increased over the years, our staffing has not kept up. Our trucks are in need of competent repairs and/or replacement. It is a crying shame that we should need to borrow a truck from another department, just to maintain service! Our department has suffered for many reasons. We can point our fingers at HQ personnel both past and present, but I feel we are missing the point. Our city does not care about us, the employees any more. I can remember when our Mayor would visit each and every fire station during the holidays and spend a minute to just say "thanks" and actually have a 2 sided conversation with us. It wasn't as good as a raise, but at least we knew we were appreciated. The city now seems to be concerned only with new construction/high rises (and their tax $) and how to squeeze more from their workers without paying for it. Anyone seen the mayor lately? Hasn't been to ‘Big 6’ that I know of. It is an insult to us all that the city refuses to negotiate in good faith. The job of the city negotiator is to negotiate our contract. Refusing to set a date for a meeting is unacceptable and wreaks of someone not doing their job. If it was one of us not doing their job, there would be heck to pay. Instead, negotiations keep being dragged out. I for one, am sick and tired of hearing Oracle being the blamed for all the payroll, leave accruals and pension errors. Computer programs do what they are told to. Yet another example of a job not being done. All those items used to be kept up to date with a #2 pencil and a pad of paper (with no errors!).
Our pension started out needing many fixes. Through the years, we have been told by our union officials that many of the issues were "illegal" and would fix themselves. I thank God for our current union officials for standing firm and getting enough things fixed so that I have been able to secure my financial future and the future of my family. Yes, the pension at SP Beach has a better multiplier and a COLA, but there are other reasons for the move. Work load is greatly reduced, pay isn't bad and other benefits are equal or better to that of the City of St. Petersburg. Instead of working at SPFR for 5 more years, I will be working those same 5 years plus only 5 more for a second pension with a COLA. I have set my own private DROP type savings plan, so I haven't lost out on the "big bucks" at the end of my career. SP Beach’s city administration has less levels of BS, so dealings with city hall are a good experience and people genuinely care and are happy to be of service. What a concept!
I have spoken with some of the chiefs and have voiced my concerns with them. Today I was asked if I had an exit interview. I pointed out that a questionnaire had been sent, but no "in person" interview was scheduled. The chief I spoke to asked if I could find the time for one and that the training chief was responsible for the interview. I am waiting, but will not be holding my breath...
I will miss working with all of you in the department and thank those of you that were able to attend my send off. I encourage those of you with the opportunity, to go for better work conditions, pay, pension and other benefits, be it in St. Pete, or wherever the opportunity happens.
Kevin L. McConn, a proud Union member since 1980.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
A Letter of support from former Council Member Kathleen Ford, Esq.
Both the City Council and Rick Baker ignore their obligation to make sure that Public Safety comes first when serving as elected officials. With the predicted and actual increase in hurricane activity and the increased need to prepare to respond or assist in responding to terrorists' threats (imagine an attack at MacDill or Tampa International Airport) where a coordinated disaster response from all Tampa Bay area first responders would be critical to save life and property, it boggles the mind that the City does not have a contract with these critical city employees executed yet. They certainly have demonstrated nothing that shows me that any of them aren't entitled to their salary and benefit increases!
Kathleen Ford, Esq.
Response:
Thank you, Ms. Ford for taking an active interest in your Fire & Rescue personnel and noting also that we're very much an active part of the "bigger picture."
While this web site is not officially endorsed by the Saint Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters, the words that you read on it's pages are very much a reflection of the feelings of her membership.
Many who post their thoughts here have many years on the job, serving and protecting the citizens of a city that we dearly love. Never before have we realized such an adversarial relationship with the City of St. Petersburg. You, yourself sat on Council in years past when we found rocks in the road, but we always found a way to work around them. Looking back, could we ever have imagined that those 'rocks' would have turned into the machinations of organizational creep?
As of late, we have repeatedly found ourselves being stonewalled in our attempts at gaining a better benefits package by the Mayor's office, throughout what has become a nine-hundred day ordeal. As you are abundantly aware, the men and women of St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue will typically give their entire working lives to one employer. To now find us in the position we're in -- constantly embroiled in a game of tug-o-war with with Mayor Rick Baker's office and Human Relations - it's beginning to exact a toll. Sadly, we are now witnessing what our Brothers and Sisters of St. Petersburg Police Department have been living with for some time now - the slow death of a 'premium' public safety service, here in our own Fire & Rescue service. For the past few years we've been told in contract negotiations with the city that we weren't worthy of certain benefits because we don't have the 'retention' problem that SPPD has. Well, we too are starting to feel the sting. We're experiencing problems, both attracting and retaining Florida State Certified Fire Fighter Paramedics.
Much like an 'all hazards' insurance policy that you pay your hard earned money into over a long period of time - Fire, Rescue & Law Enforcement services can be considered a type of insurance policy, too. And with all things great and small, you get out of them what you put into them.
Throughout our history it has been the right of the citizenry to take city hall to task when they believe that their tax dollars are being ill spent. In recent years we've witnessed plenty of rhetoric dealing with privatizing those government services that government either can't or won't perform efficiently. One area where there seems to be little point of contention and the public very much wishes to maintain control - is in public safety. It is one of the vital areas of local government that history tells us, shouldn't be farmed out to private enterprise and it's profit motives.
The citizens of St. Petersburg want their safety and security ensured and the men and women of St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue would ask the same of her citizens.
Thanks again, Ms. Ford for your thoughtful consideration in addressing the Men and Women of St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue with your words of encouragement.
Us Vs. Them Webmaster
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Brothers and Sisters
As you are all no doubt aware, two and a half years have passed since St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters began bargaining in earnest with the city of St. Petersburg for long overdue pay, pension and workweek benefits reform. Finding nearly no movement on the part of the city's negotiations team over this entire time period - while other Fire Fighters in our own backyard make gains, Local 747 has once again found itself in an unenviable position. We are formally declaring impasse with the Public Employee Relations Commission for the second time in twelve months.
Outside entities such as the League of Cities are heavily relied upon by municipal leaders as an ideological and tactical resource bent on squeezing the most work out of a workforce for the least amount of compensation. There is a growing commitment and trend among gov't entities to water-down, change or altogether strip retirement benefits from employees. Fire and Law Enforcement pension funds are constantly under attack as they are more expensive to fund. They're expensive for good reason. Each year Fire Fighters and Law Enforcement Officers literally give up their good health and their lives for the communities they are sworn to protect. Compensation is due and warranted even when part-time politicians blur the lines and foul the good intentions of the citizenry
As we go to impasse, be mindful of the fact that Florida law allows us to now plead our case for just a single contract year. We're essentially in the same position we were in a year ago (being a single year behind) and as such, we're negotiating for the contract year in arrears - '05-'06.
A couple of final thoughts...
At no time in the past decade has the city of St. Petersburg been in a more enviable position to assuage some of the sins of the past. Both the 2006 & 2007 city budget numbers reflect record funding in ad valorem tax dollars (see the Property Tax vs. Police/Fire Expense chart on the Contract page). 100% of the dollars brought into the city coffers from property taxes are mandated to be used for public safety. While those ad valorem tax dollars never quite fulfill the 100% funding obligation (currently at just over 90% for the first time in over 14 years), the city now enjoys the benefits of being in the best position it's been in in years to help us catch up in pay, benefits and pension with our Brothers and Sisters at Tampa FD, Hillsborough County FD and Palm Harbor FD - all of whom are within 30 minutes driving time of St. Petersburg..
Take a moment to review the Tampa Tribune article that delves into Tampa PD's refusale to accept their city's contract proposal. You'll see many similarities in our two situations. On a possible bright note, Mayor Pam Iorio states, "contract negotiations are a process and sometimes the first go-round isn't agreeable to everyone. We'll work it out." That's an example of dialogue we've not seen coming from 'this' side of the bay!
-editor
Friday, November 17, 2006
Should we be AFRAID?
By "A Very Enlightened Person" (received via emal)
Should we be AFRAID?
I had absolutely nothing to do last night so I somehow found myself in the attendance of the monthly Union Meeting. The beginning of the meeting was as I remembered with the typical chat, new members, etc. But then within the blink of an eye, I felt that I was sitting outside under a tent whiles the good Reverend preached fire and brimstone at me.
What am I am blundering about, you ask?
If you believe in only 10% of what the Union has Preached to us all during your career, than make sure the political agenda is what you are paying the most attention to.
First, we were reamed good by OUR Mayor and Council when they choose to cut the mileage rate before they made sure that our contract, pension, and post employment Health care were taken care of.
Second, came the removal of County Firefighters from the Sarasota airport a couple of months ago. They were replaced with employees that are not certified as firefighters in the State of Florida. How did this happen? An Elected Board of Commissioners who did not care for Firefighters as much as they did about a few dollars.
Third, an attempt by OUR own county to consolidate the county services into one big family (1 fire dept). That too was an attempt to pay less to firefighters and save a few pennies. This initiative was voted down by the citizens last week. Thank you Jesus.
Fourth, OUR City is seriously studying the aspects of decreasing or abolishing the amount of money they provide to you for you health care after you retire. This includes EVERY Current and Retired employee of this City.
And now the City of Clearwater has decided to challenge the results of an Arbitrator in the case of an employee wrongfully terminated. But that's not the worrisome part. What makes this so dangerous to EVERY Firefighter in the County is that the Cities anti-labor law firm is willing to take on the case for FREE....
We are in an everyday war for our very existence and the Cities are attacking on every front. They know they can outspend us, especially when well established law firms are willing to work for nothing. If they win they will probably get the business from every City in the County and beyond.
How do we stand a chance?
The ONLY way we can survive this onslaught is through that EVIL word, POLITICS..
Politics is not that bad when you break it down into simple meaning, If you can remember back to your childhood, when your birthday was coming you started buttering up the folks for that new bike, you suddenly started taking out the trash, for the new adorable puppy. As you grew older you had to work a little harder, painting and mowing, to get your first set of wheels. When you started on the course of companionship you really began learning the true art of Politics, wining and dining, and new set of clothes, in order to achieve your goal with your dates and even now with your spouse.
Yes, that is Politics, and that is what we need to put every ounce of our energies, and monies into for the survival of our future. No, I am not saying we are on the brink of all being fired. I am saying that the quality of life that we have enjoyed and are planning for our retirement years, are very much in doubt. The decisions of every City everywhere affects us all. Unlike, as a child your parents did not fall for the "everyone else gets to do it" plea, Its the exact "keeping up with the Jones family" mentality when dealing with Cities. We have it and they don't want to pay for it anymore. Its that simple and we need to wake up to these facts.
Contact your Union President and ask him what you can do for your future. Do it now, do it for your future and those you cherish most.
"A Very Enlightened Person"
April 2, 2007
Get an "A" for Attendance...
By one of our readers
Is it just me, or is the answer always the same? Have you noticed how the favorite answer of the union has something to do with, "did you attend the last...?” Be it a monthly meeting, special informational session, contract explanation, negotiation session, meetings for Officers and Officials or other, the sad truth is that we as members DO NOT attend. This can only be viewed as lackadaisical, lazy, and not caring. It is so easy to sit back, watch from the sidelines and scream "I pay my dues, so they can do it for me.” It is a wonder this Union has ever advanced further than a minimal 3% raise. There have been great ideas but no faith in ourselves. Too many times in years past we have come forth and presented ourselves only to hear “no”. We have given up too easily in the past and now that a team is standing ground it is wrong.
Is "did you attend" a cop out? Hell no!! If a membership as a whole fails to stay informed, it fails. The more gaps in one’s armor the easier it is for bad information to slip into the cracks and sprout. Just like a weed in the crack of a sidewalk, bad info causes damage.
More opportunities to be informed are available to this membership than at any other time. Meetings, info lines, and a web site, are only a beginning. Once you begin learning, there is never enough available. Before long this will lead to new found interest and a greater sense of pride in yourself and what you are about.
Think about this with an open thought, and see where it takes you. Stay positive and faithful.
“We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.” —C.S. Lewis
What a surprise, The Times prints another article to prove how public safety is such a drain on the tax rolls. This time how much money they have added to the pension funds. Police Pensions alone have "increased 166% between 2001 and 2007". How thoughtful of them to care sooo much about public safety. Maybe the increase wouldn't have been so high is the city had properly funded it in the first place instead of diverting the money to other important projects. I didn't see them mention that you have to contribute 7% of every earned dollar toward your pension either, must have been another inadvertant oversight. How about we take that 7% off the pay scales and see where we rank among other agencies? Then factor in work load, the real work load not the perceived one, attrition rate, training costs, etc, etc, etc.... Where would the SPPD rank then?
Even more of a surprise is that the City, who wants to negotiate in good faith, keeps being the topic of such articles. Maybe its not the City, its the League of Cities, which lets St. Pete off the hook. I bet its also a coincidence that they were not going to make any public statements to the Times about the Matrix study, then did a press release to say how wonderful the City is and that the department is doing everything they can to do the very best for their employees. Funny thing, I read the study from cover to cover and didn't find any of that. I guess my level of education is not high enough to read between the lines in that manner. Phil and I both have a copy if you want take a look and try to help us.
As far as the FOP goes, we have offered to work with the City. We made it clear that we're willing to take a one year contract so the City can get a complete picture of the true impact of any property tax reform before making a three year commitment. We also talk on an ongoing basis with several of the PBA reps and are, for the most part, on the same page. Unfortunately, the actions of the City are completely opposite of their verbal intentions. Kinda makes them look like they're using deception for their own benefit. What a surprise again.
What has the City really done over the past several years? Dropped the Ball!!!! Lots of beautiful new parks and trees, overwhelming amount of development, paved streets, new sidewalks, lots of subsidized events for our entertainment, I'm sure we'll soon have our own City of St. Petersburg airship to park at the new 5 million dollar terminal across from yet another new waterfront park (Lot 51), but they have completely ignored Public Safety!! On top of that, a Councilperson makes a public statement about wanting to "firing police officers" (that's another story for another time). Unbelieveable and completely Unprofessional!!
With all the recent statements by the City maybe they aren't so willing to negotiate in good faith...kinda makes you wonder. We will continue to be professional and deal in good faith, but maybe its time to turn up the heat a little. In fact, we're even considering helping them solve their own financial problems relating to the tax coffer draining police department. We, FOP, are meeting with CONA representatives and support their efforts to get an objective opinion of the benefits, financial and otherwise, of having the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office contract policing services in the City. Its not the most popular position, but its necessary.
Have an opinion? Get with Me, Phil Quandt or some of the PBA reps who we regularly talk with (George, Joe and Mark M).
Don't hold back!! Throw some opinions out there...its about time that you start letting your constructive opinions known (not just the he said, she said whining bs that overwhelms this forum).
Today's Letters: City to blame for high pension costs
In your article on pensions, you fail to tell the reasons why some pensions are costing taxpayers a lot of money. The fire and police retirement plans in the city of St. Petersburg are costly today because the politicians and city administrators did not fulfill their financial responsibilities. The proper amount of money was not being put into funds, resulting in huge underfunding of the benefits and pushing the cost out to future taxpayers. This took place in the 1960s and 1970s.
In the late '70s and throughout the '80s, the firefighter and police unions lobbied for pension reform, particularly in the area of funding. St. Petersburg had for many years the worst- funded plans in the state. Now taxpayers are having to make up the difference.
That unfunded liability is used against the firefighters every time we attempt to negotiate benefits. Keep in mind that firefighters and police officers contribute to the plans. Each time new benefits are negotiated, firefighters have increased their contribution to the plan. The firefighters' contribution rate is now at 7.5 percent of salary.
Your article was biased because it makes all fire and police plans sound costly. But there are many plans in the state that are well-funded or even fully funded because of proper management of the funds. Had the leaders of the city of St. Petersburg funded the plans properly, there would be little to no obligation on the part of the taxpayers.
Finally, firefighters and police officers deserve the pensions they have. We put our lives on the line to protect citizens' lives and property, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Michael Wimmers, past president, St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters, Local 747, Kenneth City.
This letter is in response to Mr. Swift’s letter dated May 30, 2007. Aside from Mr. Swift’s point of view, there have been other recent attacks by city, county, and state leaders, and citizens which focus on the many privileges, benefits, and "golden parachutes" that emergency services workers are purportedly enjoying. Please allow me, as someone who has earned, bargained for, and paid for these privileges, to respond.
Approximately one-third of your city employees are considered "Emergency Critical" and are required to remain available at ALL times when faced with emergency situations. Another one-third are considered "Emergency Essential" and are required to report back to work as soon as called. In both cases, these employees are required to leave their homes, families, and loved ones when duty calls, regardless of their own necessities.
How many private sector employees of this city can recall the last time they were notified while sitting at their desk job that they would be leaving in one hour for a 3- to 5-day deployment to another area to provide assistance to a storm or fire ravaged area? How many have been told during the day that they would not even be allowed to go home until after the storm or emergency has passed? This is what is faced by many of the employees of this city, and for these considerations, this is why they are afforded the privileges not seen by the private sector.
This city has an obligation to its citizens and business community to provide certain services to maintain a safe environment for its population. This is only possible through services that require public servants to operate, not only on a guaranteed basis and within set time frames, but also at a moment’s notice when faced with an impending natural disaster, unforeseen calamities, civil unrest, or to ensure public safety when the city puts on "the big show" for a national holiday. Many of these services require 24/7/365 staffing.
While Mr. Swift is concerned about the widening gap in values of retirement benefits between public and private sector employees, I felt it important to expand this letter to include comparisons of the health care provisions as well. In order to provide quality service to the community, a well-maintained and healthy work force is required, and, therefore, the City must provide health care that most private sector employers are gutting. For example, if, in the normal private services market, a business owner were to experience a loss of productivity due to a large number of employees becoming ill, it would not have the same impact on the community as fire or police shortages due to illness would have in times of emergency. Because we work with the public, we are encouraged not to come to work if we are sick with the flu or other contagious illnesses. This could not be accomplished if we did not have the assurance of paid compensation for sick leave.
As for the pensions, Mr. Swift stated in his letter that he has "worked for numerous Fortune 500 companies in the past 12 years." Employees in his situation are typically provided with a 401K or similar type retirement plan. America has seen a tremendous downturn in industrial jobs in the past two decades due to outsourcing to other countries where workers are paid less and provided with little or no benefits. In their exodus, corporations have chosen to provide for their upper level management while abandoning their promises made to the work force that they leave behind. Americans, as a result, have to live with substandard services and merchandise and deal with service centers located in other countries.
Mr. Swift fails to understand that there is a vast difference between the private sector and the public sector. When private sector employers abandon their workers, they continue to produce their goods and services in a competitive market. The public sector employer, on the other hand, must provide quality service to the community in which it exists. The community benefits from the many years of dedication and experience provided by long-standing employees. Rewards of guaranteed pensions provide an incentive to those employees who remain employed by the same city for many years. When a public sector employer adequately funds attractive health and pension plans, employees tend to want to remain with that employer. The private sector is driven by profits, often at the expense of employee wages and benefits. The public sector, on the other hand, must factor in competitive wages and benefit packages if the community is going to be well-served.
As a member of the Council, it is your responsibility to set a budget that assures that this city has all of the necessary equipment, staff, and finances available to endure the everyday routines as well as the unexpected. You cannot control the costs of insurance, fuel, food, or durable goods. You must, however, plan for and provide the means that will ensure quality service from experienced employees. We ask for your continued support and guidance to properly fund the services of this great city. The 3,000 employees and their families do not deserve to be punished in order to appease a small handful of anti-city government reformers. Is $2.47 per day from the General Fund (Citizen’s Budget Fiscal Year 2007) too much to enable us to continue to provide the quality of life services we have come to know and enjoy?
We understand that you and each member of Council will be faced with many unpopular decisions in the uncertain and difficult days ahead. Please keep in mind, a city is only as great as the services provided. While to some people, providing quality wages and benefits to public sector employees is viewed as a money loser, we believe that the City of St. Petersburg will be seen as a winner if it chooses treat its fire and police employees with the highest regard.
Sincerely,
Winthrop M. Newton
President IAFF Local 747
cc Mayor Baker & City Council (All)
Balance retirement, effects of inflation
Mike Reilly is a man in distress. When he retired from the St. Petersburg Fire Department three years ago, he thought he was set financially. Now he is looking for another job.
Mike Reilly is a man in distress. When he retired from the St. Petersburg Fire Department three years ago, he thought he was set financially. Now he is looking for another job.
"Between my house insurance, my health insurance, auto insurance and real estate taxes, I am being consumed," he said.
Reilly, 54, has a $43,000 pension from his 31 years as a firefighter. But the family health care plan that cost him $211 a month when he was working jumped to $497 a month when he retired and is now up to $625, or $7,500 a year. His insurance company just dropped him, his daughter is in college and, to top it off, his son just moved back home.
"In 15 years, my pension will be worth zip," he said.
While that's an exaggeration, Reilly makes an important point. It takes $1.48 today to buy what $1 could buy 15 years ago. Even if you have a generous pension - which most of us don't - if your income stays the same, your purchasing power will decline.
Reilly thinks the city should give retired firefighters a raise more on that later and he might be right, but in this day of government budget cutting, he had better have a Plan B.
We all should. For a couple, both age 55, there's a 45 percent chance that at least one spouse will live to be 95.
Here are some of the options we have to counteract the corrosive effects of inflation:
- Keep working. The fewer years that have to be financed from your savings, the better. Even a part-time job can pay big benefits.
- Delay tapping Social Security. Each year you delay up to age 70 means a higher benefit. For example, if you were born in 1960 or later, your benefits will be 30 percent higher if you wait until 67 (full retirement age) instead of starting at age 62.
- Own stocks, including stock mutual funds. A portfolio that's 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds will give you a chance to maintain your purchasing power. Stashing all your savings in CDs won't.
- Keep your withdrawals small. Many financial advisers suggest withdrawing 4 percent of the value of your portfolio then increasing the dollar amount each year by the rate of inflation. However, if you're a 55-year-old retiree, even 4 percent may be too much to start and if you're 70, you can afford to withdraw more. A financial adviser can help with a more personalized plan.
Most people don't have a traditional pension, but if you're lucky enough to be one who does and you can talk your employer into giving you a raise, that works, too. However, it may not be realistic.
In St. Petersburg, retired firefighters only get a raise when the city decides to give them one, which has happened three times since 1988.
Lt. Ray Landes, who serves on the firefighters' pension board, said firefighters are forced to retire young because of the physical demands of the job. But he said many have health problems that prevent them from getting other jobs.
Unfortunately for them - and the city - the plan's assets come up $65-million short in covering benefits already promised. The city's required contribution to the plan is $11.2-million this year, a whopping 68 percent of payroll. Firefighters and the state will each contribute about 7 percent.
"We're faced with a difficult time of balancing the tax reform initiative brought forward by the state government while trying to appease retirees, pensioners and active employees," said Mike Connors, city internal services administrator.
Its 4:30 and I’m wide awake. It’s another perk of over 21 years at St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue. My sleep pattern is so screwed up that I can’t even sleep when I’m at home. So, it’s time to vent.
As far as the people that I’ve been able to help over the years - I’m glad I could be there to help. As far as this job - I’ve been told by those closest to me that what we do is so important and noble. However, I don’t believe this. If it were true, we would be treated and compensated as such. Instead, I’ve worked 2 and 3 jobs during my time here, just to have a decent standard of living. I (we) have also been shown our lack of importance by the city administration, Mayor Baker and the members of the city council – past and present. In my over 21 years, we’ve had to beg for any small raise or improvement in benefits and working conditions that we have received. The one decent contract that we got wasn't what it seemed. If my memory is correct, we got a 3 year contact of 4/5/6 but that was put in our hands and then the city took it back by doubling our contribution for health insurance. I also blame the current and past administrations of the fire department for allowing this to happen. However as with many people, you’re only going to push so hard, (even for what you know to be just and fair) for fear of jeopardizing your own position. At the top of the department, you’re taken care of pretty well.
Chief Wimberly, when you were EMS chief, I used to hear you say, “That’s a good idea but I’m fighting “down the hall.” Well it seems you’re still fighting "down the hall"but now it’s City Hall.
Chief Large and Chief Wimberly, you have both done well for yourselves. But don’t sit and gloat about it too long. There are many in the ranks that could be doing your jobs but chose not to follow that path or put in the time required. However, in taking that role, you should be fighting to protect the interests of those you supervise. While I’m on the subject of department issues - when I first heard about the job satisfaction survey to address the hiring and retention problems - at first, it pissed me off that the administration could be so out of touch. Then I saw it for what it really is - an attempt to look like you’re addressing a problem without really doing anything. This is just another example of this administration selling out, instead of fighting the hard fight for what’s right. And lastly, we’ve been shown our lack of importance when the public voted for Amendment 1. Even though Governor Crist took the gamble, that if he saturated the airwaves with his one-sided ads, that the numb minded sheep would follow each other to the polls and vote it in. Well, sadly, he was right. I hope the $25 a month that the average homeowner saves will be worth it.
Some may get angry reading this. I no longer care. I’ve always been a voice of dissension. You can’t run any piece of shit up a flag pole and expect me to salute it.
Sincerely,
Scott A. Harper
In the Op-Ed below, Brother Dave Fraser responds to a recent 'Times article, decrying the use of the D.R.O.P. in the state of Florida as a method of 'double dipping'. While it's nice to see Dave's words in print - what would really be a exceptional, is to find all of Dave's words in print as they were originally intended. Note the fifth paragraph. That paragraph was excised, expunged, scratched, redacted, couched, edited or maybe even SENSORED from the final publication! Pretty shitty, eh?
February 27, 2008
In defense of DROP
I understand how a casual discussion of the state retirement system's DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) appears to be a double-dip fleecing of the taxpayers, but a deeper examination of the issue will expose the whole truth. DROP programs perform two valuable functions.
- DROP does not discourage the hiring of younger talent by keeping senior employees on the payroll longer. It does exactly the opposite by requiring that senior employees leave the job after the five-year term of the DROP has expired. Many of these employees, perhaps most of them, would have stayed in their positions well beyond those five years without the DROP. Because of this, the position is available for new hires sooner, not later.
- The term double dipping suggests that additional funds are being drained from the government's coffers. This is not true. When employees enter the DROP plan, they are paid the salary they were making prior to signing on. This is an expense government would have had whether it was going to a new, inexperienced employee or to the seasoned veteran. In addition to maintaining their current paycheck, the employees' pension income is put into a tax-deferred fund. They do not receive the money until after they've surrender their jobs.
No matter who is working the job, the experienced employee in the DROP or a new employee, both the salary and the pension would have to be paid. It is also important to remember that many pension plans are in part paid for by the employee, so when the benefit is received, it is by the employee who helped fund it in the first place.
In the city of St. Petersburg for instance, both the police and fire departments have been utilizing DROP plans for years. St. Petersburg used to offer up competitive pay and retirement incentives to these employees, but as the city has grown more interested in parks and baseball at the expense of their public servants, fewer applicants arrive there every year seeking employment. Because of these dwindling numbers, the city has been known to extend the number of years an employee can stay in the DROP from 5 to 7 as an emergency measure to maintain the numbers needed to keep the city safe.
There is no doubt that the DROP plan enhances an employees benefit package, but it is a package that has been deteriorating for years. When you account for the time and money spent training new employees, it can actually be viewed as a savings.
There is plenty of waste in government, but the DROP plan is one of the few programs where everyone benefits.
A mere few months ago we lost out on an opportunity to help a pro union Mayoral candidate get elected to office. Words have been bandied around the fire house that even though in the end, Bill Foster won, we're sitting pretty good because Bill's always been in our corner and that in all reality we probably should have backed Bill, anyway's. No one person passed judgement on who we'd back for Mayor but the final decision by our E-Board to back Kathleen Ford was made much easier because a panel of our peers quantified and qualified each and every candidate in a tried and proven screening process. "What?" you ask, could have been one of the greatest differences between the two candidates that the screening committee realized when it came time to single out just one to back for the next several years?
Read the story below and see if you can find the answer. Also ask yourself how we manage such a program.
-editor
Albuquerque President Back to Union Work
March 5, 2010 – The County of Bernalillo Second Judicial District Court in New Mexico has ruled in favor of Albuquerque Local 244 in its prohibited practice lawsuit against the City of Albuquerque. In its ruling, the court ordered the City to honor the collective bargaining agreement by allowing Local 244 President Diego Arencon to return to his 40-hour work week exclusively dedicated to union business.
“In this case, the language in the labor-management agreement was very specific,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “The local president is a valuable asset to not only Albuquerque fire fighters, but also to the community as a whole. It would behoove the City to embrace this fact.”
“I am thankful that the court has handed down this just ruling so that I can focus on the business of not only serving and protecting Local 244 members, but also ensuring that the community continues to receive high-quality public safety services,” says Arencon.
In January 2010, Local 244 filed the suit after the City ordered Arencon to report to the fire administration for assignments, which would not include conducting union business. The move was in direct violation of the labor-management agreement which states: “To develop a more cohesive relationship between the union and the Albuquerque Fire Department, upon the request of the union president, to place the union president on a 40-hour work week for union business.”
Mayor Richard Berry and his administration alleged that New Mexico state statute does not allow City employees to conduct union business on City time. But, when the case was reviewed in court, District Judge Theresa Baca found no discrepancy between New Mexico State statues and City employees receiving regular pay while conducting union business.
As litigation continued, Local 244 presented several witnesses, including Arencon, former Local 244 President and current Fire Chief John Garcia, former Fire Chief Robert Ortega and others.
The testimony brought forth several key points: (1) Contract language allows union presidents to use work hours for union business and (2) The practice has been ongoing for more than 12 years.
Additionally, it was noted that allowing union presidents to conduct union business during regular work hours prevented labor unrest, allowed personnel issues to be resolved quickly, enabled the union president to be the voice of Albuquerque fire fighters during state legislative sessions and made it possible for the union to work toward securing life- saving resources – such as a new paramedic rescue unit – for the City.
During the legal proceedings, the court noted that the City did not provide any testimony or evidence that contradicted the union’s position. Therefore, the court ordered that Arencon be allowed to return to his 40-hour work week consisting exclusively of union business.
"Throughout this legal process, I am proud to say that my executive board and I continued to work hard for our members," says Arencon. "We have a proud membership of over 850 active fire fighters who depend on us. Words cannot express how thankful I am to the dedication the executive board has shown throughout this process."
Despite this positive ruling, Mayor Berry is continuing his anti-labor practices by refusing to meet with Local 244 and other unions on important topics such as the $20 million shortfall in the FY 2010 budget and the projected $54 million shortfall in the FY 2011 budget.
Union leaders believe this is due, in part, to Berry’s administration contract with Management Associates Inc. The firm is known around the state to be anti-labor.
“We have some solid ideas on how to work with the City to save money while maintaining public safety and other important services,” says Arencon. “We hope the City and Management Associates will have a change of heart and hear us out before it is too late.”
He’s the guy who takes the time to figure out if that yellow line in the road (the contract) is strong enough support your position and that of ours, when you feel that you’ve had your rights stepped on.
