At our statewide meeting at the end of January we made some changes to our Local’s Constitution and By-laws. The Area Representative position was removed from our governing documents and elections will not be held to fill these positions. One of the Area Representative’s main job was to recruit Stewards in there Area and this duty was transferred to all of the Statewide Officers.
Elections are now open for the Statewide Positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Information about these positions and election information is available from Troy at barnardt@seiu503.org.
Doug Firoved reported that the Tent and Field Gear committee has been busy preparing tent, sleeping bag, pad and field pack recommendations for the Executive Committee’s review. Generally, here are the their thoughts to date: Tents would have a minimum of 42 square feet of floor space with a 3½ foot height, sleeping bags would be rated to 20, pads would be gray closed cell foam, and field packs would be large enough to hold 4 canteens and the next generation fire shelter.
Doug Decker, our State Forester, spoke to the group about lean budgets and listening to our customers. Training, always important to us, is one of the casualties of our current budget situation. When money for training becomes available it will be provided using a list of priorities currently being developed by Clark Seely. Decker is concentrating on listening to the different “communities of interest” that have influence on Oregon’s forests. When meeting with these groups he is thinking of it as an opportunity to “stand a little closer together” and find the common ground that already exists and making an extra effort to listen when that common ground is not immediately apparent.
Our next meeting will be a joint meeting with ODOT on May 5, 2012 in either Lincoln City or Newport.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Forestry Local Elections Open February 1, 2012
Nominations for the Local offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer open February 1, 2012. Your Local officers serve as your executive committee and represent the Local’s interests at Labor/ Management, SEIU 503’s General Council and contract bargaining.
Nomination forms can be obtained from your SEIU 503 Field office or our Statewide Coordinator Troy Barnard at barnardt@seiu503.org.
Nominations must be received by 5:00 pm on 2/22/2012 at the SEIU Portland Field Office and candidate statements are due 2/29/2012 at 5:00 pm at the same location.
Ballots will be mailed out 3/7/2012 and are due back to the SEIU Salem Headquarters by 5:00 pm on 4/5/2012.
Absentee or replacement ballots can be obtained from the SEIU Portland Field Office no later than 5:00 pm on 3/29/2012.
New officers will be installed at the Local’s next statewide meeting tentatively planned for May 5, 2012.
The Area Representative offices will not be filled this year as a result of change to our Constitution and By-Laws made at our January 28th 2012 meeting.
Nomination forms can be obtained from your SEIU 503 Field office or our Statewide Coordinator Troy Barnard at barnardt@seiu503.org.
Nominations must be received by 5:00 pm on 2/22/2012 at the SEIU Portland Field Office and candidate statements are due 2/29/2012 at 5:00 pm at the same location.
Ballots will be mailed out 3/7/2012 and are due back to the SEIU Salem Headquarters by 5:00 pm on 4/5/2012.
Absentee or replacement ballots can be obtained from the SEIU Portland Field Office no later than 5:00 pm on 3/29/2012.
New officers will be installed at the Local’s next statewide meeting tentatively planned for May 5, 2012.
The Area Representative offices will not be filled this year as a result of change to our Constitution and By-Laws made at our January 28th 2012 meeting.
Friday, January 13, 2012
State Forester Doug Decker to Speak at Statewide Forestry Local Meeting, January 28th
Oregon State Forester Doug Decker will be the featured speaker at the next Statewide Forestry Local Meeting to be held January 28th in Portland. “It’s all about the people” will be the theme of the talk which should be very interesting considering these tight budgetary times.
Other agenda items include a general report on Local operations and finances, updates from the tent and field gear committee and on the hiring freeze, and discussion and vote on a proposed change to the Local’s By-Lays to remove the “District Representative” position. Forestry Local T-shirts for members and ¼ zip sweat shirts for Stewards (past and present) and officers will be available at the meeting.
The meeting will be held at the SEIU 503 Portland Field Office located at 6401 SE Foster Road in Portland on Saturday, January 28th. Light refreshments will be available at 8:30 am with the meeting beginning at 9:00 am. Lunch (provided) and adjournment are both planned for 12:00 pm. Please RSVP with Troy at 503-408-4090 who can also provide a conference call number for those unable to attend as well as lodging information. Mileage will be reimbursed at SEIU 503 rates.
Other agenda items include a general report on Local operations and finances, updates from the tent and field gear committee and on the hiring freeze, and discussion and vote on a proposed change to the Local’s By-Lays to remove the “District Representative” position. Forestry Local T-shirts for members and ¼ zip sweat shirts for Stewards (past and present) and officers will be available at the meeting.
The meeting will be held at the SEIU 503 Portland Field Office located at 6401 SE Foster Road in Portland on Saturday, January 28th. Light refreshments will be available at 8:30 am with the meeting beginning at 9:00 am. Lunch (provided) and adjournment are both planned for 12:00 pm. Please RSVP with Troy at 503-408-4090 who can also provide a conference call number for those unable to attend as well as lodging information. Mileage will be reimbursed at SEIU 503 rates.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Forestry Good to Great
What a good year.
Going chronologically Doug Decker was selected State Forester, firefighters kept ‘em small, Stewardship Forester positions were reinstated, the State Forest revenue slide was less steep, and our contract was ratified. ODF’s front line firefighters deserve a special note because they kept the fires small when lightning struck day after day saving both Oregon’s Forests and fire fighting budget. For the second year in a row ODF did not deploy a full IMT to an Oregon wildfire suppression incident.
Getting to great
As good as the year was there are ways to improve and move towards great. These are my observations from Labor/ Management meetings and other sources that I see as the trends, opportunities, and awareness items for 2012 and in keeping with the season’s traditions here is my list:
Tents and field gear: Let’s get this solved and off the table. Incident lodging has been contentious ever since we moved into tents more than 10 years ago. During bargaining this year a collaborative approach was developed to address the issue and the committee that just met has my support in developing good recommendations for the Executive Committee.
Position descriptions: This year look at your PD during your annual review and make sure it describes what you are currently doing. We are all doing “more” but when that extra work adds responsibilities you may be eligible for additional compensation.
Physical fitness: For professional firefighters and others seeking to participate in the fire program the primary path to that work is through the Work Capacity Test. A level of fitness is needed to safely be part of a wildfire suppression team.
Professional organizations: Join them if you can, attend their meetings if allowed, just share ideas and bring new ones back. Maybe you will discover a way to improve operations.
Prepare for advancement: Look for the leadership opportunities where you work. One leadership opportunity is to become the Steward of your District. Currently there are openings and developing your leadership ability is part of the training. Ask a local officer or your organizer how to become one.
For 2012 find something you love doing and do it.
Best wishes
Dave Wells
Forestry Local 629 President
Going chronologically Doug Decker was selected State Forester, firefighters kept ‘em small, Stewardship Forester positions were reinstated, the State Forest revenue slide was less steep, and our contract was ratified. ODF’s front line firefighters deserve a special note because they kept the fires small when lightning struck day after day saving both Oregon’s Forests and fire fighting budget. For the second year in a row ODF did not deploy a full IMT to an Oregon wildfire suppression incident.
Getting to great
As good as the year was there are ways to improve and move towards great. These are my observations from Labor/ Management meetings and other sources that I see as the trends, opportunities, and awareness items for 2012 and in keeping with the season’s traditions here is my list:
Tents and field gear: Let’s get this solved and off the table. Incident lodging has been contentious ever since we moved into tents more than 10 years ago. During bargaining this year a collaborative approach was developed to address the issue and the committee that just met has my support in developing good recommendations for the Executive Committee.
Position descriptions: This year look at your PD during your annual review and make sure it describes what you are currently doing. We are all doing “more” but when that extra work adds responsibilities you may be eligible for additional compensation.
Physical fitness: For professional firefighters and others seeking to participate in the fire program the primary path to that work is through the Work Capacity Test. A level of fitness is needed to safely be part of a wildfire suppression team.
Professional organizations: Join them if you can, attend their meetings if allowed, just share ideas and bring new ones back. Maybe you will discover a way to improve operations.
Prepare for advancement: Look for the leadership opportunities where you work. One leadership opportunity is to become the Steward of your District. Currently there are openings and developing your leadership ability is part of the training. Ask a local officer or your organizer how to become one.
For 2012 find something you love doing and do it.
Best wishes
Dave Wells
Forestry Local 629 President
Friday, November 4, 2011
Keeping Our House in Order
I am excited that new leaders have come forth, and have been elected in their work sites to become Stewards. The Steward is not just a title it is an action position. It's knowing your co-workers and being able to provide suggestions when suggestions are needed to help them stay on track for effective and efficient performance at work. Oregon expects that of us.
At Wednesday's (11/2/2011) Labor/ Management meeting our Human Resource Director shared a concise list, in understandable terms, of these expectations. Just as LCES can save your life on the fire line, many personnel problems can be avoided using this list as a guide for your actions at work.
Come to work: Be on time, let your supervisor know if you are going to be late
Be nice: use the working guidelines, respect co-workers, maintain your professionalism
Bring a lunch: Lunches are un-paid 1/2 or 1 hour long, 2 paid breaks per day they cannot be combined, combined with lunch or taken at the end of the day, code your time correctly
Do your job: Know what the essential functions, assigned duties and expectations are
No drugs or alcohol: come fit for work, alert and with full personal protective equipment, we are a drug free workplace, if you have a CDL random drug testing is a federal requirement
At Wednesday's (11/2/2011) Labor/ Management meeting our Human Resource Director shared a concise list, in understandable terms, of these expectations. Just as LCES can save your life on the fire line, many personnel problems can be avoided using this list as a guide for your actions at work.
Come to work: Be on time, let your supervisor know if you are going to be late
Be nice: use the working guidelines, respect co-workers, maintain your professionalism
Bring a lunch: Lunches are un-paid 1/2 or 1 hour long, 2 paid breaks per day they cannot be combined, combined with lunch or taken at the end of the day, code your time correctly
Do your job: Know what the essential functions, assigned duties and expectations are
No drugs or alcohol: come fit for work, alert and with full personal protective equipment, we are a drug free workplace, if you have a CDL random drug testing is a federal requirement
Friday, September 23, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
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.
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