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.

Sustainable Jobs, Sustainable Forests

I grew up playing in the forest, I learned in the forest, and now I work in the forest.

Oregon's Stewardship Foresters help ensure that Oregon's forests will always provide the benefits of clean water, protection of wildlife habitat, and the continued growing of trees. When called they provide leadership in the suppression of wildfires. Sustainable forests for sustainable jobs it takes a dedicated group of forest professionals to make it happen.

For everyone else who will play, learn, and work in the forest.

Work Capacity Test Center of Attention

Bargaining on March 21 was a good warm-up for fire season when members and management came from all of ODF's Areas to work on the WCT.

At ODF in Salem we heard about why it should be changed:

Management's focus was on how the ability of few could effect the safety of many.
Union's focus was on how to remove the financial burden of obtaining a physician's medical release when needed to take the WCT.

It is now up to the Union (us) to prepare a counter proposal, promised to Management at our next meeting on April 4th at 5:30P, ODOT Human Resources in Salem.

Reading the tea leaves, it's time to start your conditioning program for the WCT.

Lobby Day Connects

We met Legislators who are supportive and good listeners at the Capitol on 3/17. To quote Rep. Bob Jenson "it's pretty tough times" but also provided hope in what is budgeted for Natural Resource agencies.

For specifics HB 2123 that would allow the Department to provide legal protection to firefighters alleged to have committed a crime in the course of fire suppression activities passed out of Committee with amendments. The first step in the long journey to become a law.

Bargaining will be no less of a journey.

We bargain next on Monday night 3/21 starting at 5:30P at ODF Salem Headquarters. The work capacity test is on the agenda.