Forestry Local Statewide Meeting - October 15, 2011

Our next Forestry Local Statewide meeting will be held October 15, 2011 from 0830 to 1200 at Outback Pizzeria (1059 NW Madras Hwy) in Prineville. For those who have fought fires in Central Oregon this is right next to/ behind the Brothers Family Restaurant that has provided firefighter meals to hungry ODF firefighters.

Some of the agenda items are, selecting labor representatives to the Firefighter Equipment Super-committee as negotiated in our recent contract, a discussion of our past fire season and ideas for labor/management discussions or contract revisions, and what the responsibilities of Stewards are and how do you become one. My recent experience is that more Stewards are needed in the Local.

A conference call number will be forthcoming by postcard for those who cannot attend in person. Mileage reimbursement at SEIU 503 rates, lodging (make arrangements as described on the postcard), breakfast (provided by Brothers) and a pizza buffet lunch will be provided by the Local.

For many this is the best time to visit Central Oregon (September 15 - October 31) as the weather is cool and crisp and fall colors vibrant. Please make plans to attend for the views and help with the operation of our Local.

Oregon Forestry Elliott Forest Protest

As our Local President I applaud the Oregon Department of Forestry's commitment to provide a safe work environment for those on the Elliott State Forest and elsewhere during the Elliott's public review period. Fighting forest fires or managing forests can be hazardous enough and protest activity that compromises that safety or ability to protect Oregon's forests from wildfire cannot be condoned. Thank you for all the work you do to protect our forests from wildfire, maintain pure drinking water and fish supporting streams, assessing landslide risk to public safety, searching for Threatened and Endangered species and providing a timber commodity to Oregon's forest related industries.

Forestry Statewide Meeting/ Bargaining Confernce Both July 23, 2011

Our next Statewide Forestry Local meeting will be held the morning of July 23rd 2011 from 7:30 am to 10 am at the Doubletree Lloyd Center. The agenda is still being developed but at least one item will be to continue this Blog or move to a SEIU posting format. As always we will get together to inform, discuss and make decisions about the operations of our Local. A postcard notice should soon be in the mail providing registration instructions and phone number for those who cannot attend in person.

July 23rd is also the date for the next DAS/ OUS Bargaining Conference and not coincidentally starting at 10 am and also at the Doubletree. Important decisions will be made at this meeting about our contract and its ratification. Register to attend this conference with your Organizer or at the SEIU 503 website.

Perhaps now more than ever, in Unity
Dave Wells, Forestry Local 503 President

Forestry Firefighters and Union Representation

Forest Firefighters working for the State of Oregon have the opportunity to be represented by SEIU 503. This is just like many of their structural counterparts who choose to be recognized by Unions of their choice. The important thing now is to join, have a say in what's going on, and add strength (in numbers) to a successful bargaining campaign. A fair wage, health insurance, and retirement bennifts are all more possible when more firefighters and your co-workers are members.

Borrowing from a car sales TV personallity "I can't save you any money if you don't come and see me today" for us it is more like "I don't have a chance of getting your fair wages and benifits if you don't join today"

SEIU Staff and worksite Stewards and contacts will be meeting with Forestry Firefighters, asking you to join, which I hope you will.

Tentative Agreement Reached on Forestry Proposals

Management and Union reached agreements covering the Work Capacity Test, boot reimbursement and incident lodging just before midnight Monday, May 16th. These were the last of a set of proposals originally brought to the table in February. The final package (where proposals are considered together and not separately) was telling of the work done as management and union each had two proposals in the mix. Dave Wells commented "it's tough out there, but there are solutions, you just have to keep looking, there were no losers this time". Union membership will have the final say with a vote in these proposals tentatively agreed to.

Details of the Tentative Agreement:

Work Capacity Test: In general if you are a professional (non-strikeable) permanent or seasonal firefighter you are expected to take and pass the WCT unless a you are prevented from taking it for a medical reason. A medical certification option that attests to ability to preform the duties of a firefighter is available if you cannot take the WCT.

Other employees (strikeable) who seek to assist in firefighting efforts need to pass the WCT at the appropriate level or get a medical certification to work on a fire.

A $25 reimbursement is available for those needing a medical release or certification to assist in co-pays.

Boots: Contract would change to provide both boot repair and maintenance and the dollar reimbursement raised from $200 to $220 for permanent employees and from $100 to $110 for seasonal employees.

Incident Lodging and Equipment: A six person committee (3 management, 3 union) will be formed to provide recommendations to the Executive Team about the tents, sleeping bags, pads, and fire field packs that really meet firefigher needs. Reasonable fit and agency identity will be considered.

Next dates:

May 20th Rally at the Oregon State Capital, this is important to show Bargaining Team support towards a fair contract. 11:30 A, front steps

May 31: ODOT Bargaining continues, 5:30 P at ODOT Human Resources

Real Work to Resolve Real Issues

"Whatever it Takes" must be within us at ODF. Last night bargaining started at about 6:00P and as others of the ODOT Coalition left to sleep, ODF Management and Labor representatives met to discuss the finer points of the Work Capacity Test finishing just after midnight. In an unusual move, Tom Perry from the Department of Administrative Services will take another look at the latest WCT language presented by Management and try to make it clearer that the Medical Certification option is available for strikeable and non-strikable employees that cannot take the WCT.

Very real work to resolve a real issue.

"Lodging" at incidents and fire duty packs is another real issue. We received an innovative idea from Management, create an ad-hoc committee to see what the needs really are from our fire fighting community. Labor looked at the idea and is preparing a counter proposal with ideas gathered from others in the ODOT Coalition to include action items. Any ideas of what should be on the list? Contact me or your organizer.

More very real work to resolve a real issue.

Bargaining continues on Monday, May 16, 2011 beginning at 5:30P at ODOT Human Resources and ending at "Whatever it Takes"

Another important date:

Rally at the State Capital on May 20th starting at 11:30A.

Work Capacity Test + Listening = Amazing

The first re-write of the Work Capacity Test's contract language is nearing it's conclusion. Management returned a proposal last night that incorporated firefighter safety and financial help when a medical certification is needed to take the WCT. These are the two issues identified when proposals were handed back and forth on March 1st.

Amazing describes the very real work that Management and the Union have done to find a solution that can be supported. Contact your organizer or me if you have questions about the specifics.

The ODOT Coalition meets next on May 2, 2011 starting at 5:30P at ODOT Human Resources in Salem.