Previous Stewards' Notes:
January 2004
February 2004
March 2004
April 2004
May 2004

Frank Rodriguez Chief Steward, 2nd Vice President	Chief Steward, 2nd Vice President	Frank Rodriguez	391.6829
	District Steward 1-O	Byron Williams	286.9700
	District Steward 2-O	Jeffrey Mata	363.1660
	District Steward 3-O	Armando Saucedo	387.5600
	District Steward 4-O	Alfred Sanchez	387.1009
	District Steward 5-O	Louis Jimenez	710.5541
	District Steward 6-O	Gabriel De La O	386.8049
	District Steward 7-O	Mike Gardner	391.4839
	Support Steward	Ricardo C. Garcia	710.6968

I. Opening.

• The meeting was called to order by President Christopher Steele.

• The invocation was given by Ron Rodriguez.

• The pledge of allegiance was recited.

• President Steele swore in the two new union stewards: Jeffrey Mata, 2-0, and Ricardo C. Garcia, Support Steward.

II. Roll Call of Officers.

MOTION: To suspend the regular order of business to hear from guests. PASSED.

The guests were Charlie Urbina Jones, Tomás Larralde and Jesse J. Alaniz. The guests are running for various political offices and addressed the body asking for support. Mr. Larralde attended our last union meeting and stated he was moved by the compassion extended to the Aultman family and made a contribution to the family.

III. Applications for Membership.

None.

IV. Voting on Applications.

None.

V. Initiation of Candidates.

None.

VI. Reading of Minutes.

MOTION: To suspend the reading of the minutes until the next meeting. PASSED.

VII. Communications. (Tentative topics)

Treasurer's Report: Rick Werner noted the legal line was over budget but that money should be recouped from ongoing litigation. He also reported the finance committee will be meeting to develop a new budget for June 1, 2004 through May 31, 2005.

Trustee's Report: Armando Fuentes reported that an analysis was conducted concerning the run-off election. The results were:

One out of every four ballots were incomplete or partial ballots.
Fourteen wrong pieces of mail in Local 624's post office box.
NOTE: Please remember to give all changes in address or beneficiary to to the union hall staff.

Paramedic Policy: On January 28, 2004, a labor/management meeting was held. President Steele noted that he wanted to extend a courtesy to the fire chief and try to deal with the issues at labor/management meeting before going on to the next step. One of the issues discussed was a departmental memorandum issued by the Fire Chief concerning "Information and Requirements Associated with Satisfactory Completion of SAEMS Paramedic Training Course and NREMT/State Certification Examination" dated January 20, 2004. The memorandum addresses the paramedic training course such as sub-scales, number of tests, and minimal passing grade. It also describes disciplinary action regarding the failure of the NREMT written or skills exam such as: failure on 1^st attempt 1-day suspension, failure on 2^nd attempt 2-day suspension, failure on 3^rd attempt 4-day suspension and 48-hour education review, failure on 4^th attempt 8-day suspension, failure on 5^th attempt 15-day suspension and failure on 6^th attempt indefinite suspension. At this point the paramedic policy was modified but the union position is that the policy needs to be rescinded because the Fire Chief was attempting to re-negotiate the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through policy.

Other issues such as commissary additions and e-mail forwarding to all work locations through the SAFD e-mail system were discussed. President Steele noted that he and other union representatives are contact City administrator and council members in an effort to apprise them of the union's concerns.

Random Drug Testing: There are several concerns with this issue such as the proper process (noted in the CBA) not being followed, and randomness of the individuals selected for testing, and ensuring due process is afforded to all.

Surveys: The surveys are still being tabulated and a report of the results will be given in the future. President Steele noted that the survey was put together in a short period of time and his intent was to get information from the union members to get some idea of their wishes. He intends to have two surveys per year and eventually have all members to go to the Web site to respond to the surveys.

Dental/Vision: President Steele will become a fire trustee on the Dental/Optical Trust (by virtue of his office), the other fire trustees are Roger Lopez (by virtue of his office), Richard Werner (by virtue of his office), and Frank Rodriguez (elected position). It was noted that the new SAPD-CBA allows for a $10 contribution increase to the Trust from their association members. Trustees must meet their fiduciary responsibility, which gives them the authority to change contributions and benefits by either increasing or decreasing them. Richard Werner pointed out that the current system of having trustees serve by virtue of their office was implemented when the Trust was first established and positions needed to be filled in order to set up the Trust. Having all trustees elected may be addressed in the future. Currently there are four trustees from fire and four from police on the board. The same fire trustees also serve on the Legal Trust; trustees representing the police are four different people.

VIII. Committee Reports.

Pension Committee Report: Active pension trust Don Wagner noted there was approximately $1.45 billion in assets and the last auditor gave an unqualified audit report (good report). There was no 13^th check last year because the 5-year average didn't meet the threshold. Suggestions will be taken from all members for the next legislative session. The Web site for the pension fund is www.safireandpolicepension.org.

Public Relations Committee Report: Louis Jimenez reported on the Martin Luther King March that took place on January 19^th, 2004. It was a big success.

The January 30^th, 2004 Junior Firefighter movie at the banquet hall was also a success but there will be some modifications for the next one. The benevolent fund contributed $500 for the event.

He reported that $500 was donated to fundraising for the Fallen Firefighters Memorial through the Donate-a-Vehicle program. Retiree Frank Walsh donated a 1985 Suburban which was sold at the auction. Mario Luna is the liaison and he was able to et the vehicle auctioned at a reduced fee.

Key chains are currently being sold at the union hall for $6 and can be monogrammed for $2 more. The profit from the sale will be distributed to the Junior Firefighter Program and the Firefighter Memorial.

The 2004 Calendars are now available at a discounted price: large $1, and small 25 cents.

Upcoming events include:
1. June 13^th, 2004 softball game between SAFD and SAPD personnel, athletic club will run the event.
2. The evening of April 24^th parade tickets will be sold for $10 and seats will be at Maverick Park. Also, fifty volunteers are needed to carry flags. The theme will be "Heroes Across America"; military personnel will be riding on the fire truck.

MOTION: To replace broken side window on the fire truck. PASSED.

By-Laws Committee Report: No report.

Negotiations Committee Report: No report.

Legislative Committee Report: T.T. Moreno reported and recommended endorsements for Larry Knoll for 288th District Court and Louie De La O for Constable in Precinct 4.

MOTION: To adhere to the recommendation from the Legislative Committee and endorse both candidates. PASSED.

Grievance Committee Report: Grievance Committee Chairman Carlos Cordell reported on the following litigation and grievances:

1. DFR Litigation: Current litigation against Local 624 brought by former union member claiming the union violated the duty of fair representation (DFR) when he was given an indefinite suspension. It was noted that DFR does not apply to statutory appeals such as suspensions. Craig Deats, general counsel for the TSAFF, is representing Local 624 and he addressed the Executive Board.

2. Workers' Compensation: Over 300 cases are being processed so far. This is a complicated issue because it involves three laws: Worker's Compensation, Labor, and Municipal Civil Service 143. Some of the issues involve alleged overpayment by the City and method of re-coupment by the City. Attorney Allen T. Craddock is handling these cases and he addressed the Executive Board. Union members can still submit a claim.

3. FAO Investigation: This investigation is being conducted by the Office of the Municipal Integrity, a division within the City of San Antonio. The general counsel for the union will be contacted concerning this investigation.

New grievance committee members are Chairman Carlos Cordell, Mario Cortez, Walter Yates, John Lowery, Oscar Linares, Kevin Campbell, Cliff Aultman, and Frank Rodriguez (by virtue of his office). There was some discussion from the body to President Steele questioning the need for replacing grievance committee members and he explained his reasoning.

Human Relations Committee Report: Byron Williams reported that he went to IAFF Human Relations seminar with Nate Bateson and James "Mouse" Hill. He informed the body that "Mouse" did not get re-elected to a position on the IAFF Human Relations Committee and lost by four votes.

Fund-Raising Committee Report: Rick Garcia discussed the following upcoming events:

1. Park Party on June 12, 2004
2. Firefighter Appreciation Party on April 2, 2004
3. Hallowe'en Dance and Christmas Dance at the Banquet Hall

Safety and Health Committee Report: Jim Reidy, Jim Campbell, and Bruce Moore are the committee members. Some of the issues they are currently addressing include adding to the commissary a multi-tool, small hand-held flashlight, duty watch, glove holders, and dress uniforms. There are problems with SCOT-SCBA: some face mounted regulators have quit working and SCOT was recalling them. Nine hundred repair kits will be sent to the City.

Athletic Committee Report: No report.

Entertainment Committee Report: No report.

Web Site Committee Report: Alfred Sanchez addressed the body and pointed out the new "Forum" area on the Web site and that the new software, Hive E-Mail, would be available the week of February 16^th. There are approximately 144 current e-mail addresses using the old software, Horde E-Mail. The old Horde software will not be compatible to the new Hive software and the current users will need to re-register to set up their e-mail boxes.

Firefighters Auxiliary Committee Report: Gina Mirelas reported the 50^th Anniversary of the Auxiliary was celebrated at the banquet hall on Sunday, January 18^th, 2004. The event was successful and she thanked everyone who participated. The auxiliary assisted at the Travis Moore memorial lunch and also donated $100 to the family. Upcoming events are:

1. March 18^th, 2004 PAC lunch for firefighter candidates at the Banquet Hall
2. March 21^st, 2004, 2^nd Annual Easter Egg Party at the Banquet Hall

There are various items the auxiliary is selling for fund raising. President Laura Walker addressed the Executive Board and stated that the auxiliary is available to assist any committee but would like a one-week request notice.

Family Assistance Committee Report: Chairman Rick Burrell reported that the booklet regarding line of duty death benefits from the federal, state, and local governments is ready and is seeking sponsors for printing. He thanked everyone involved in the Travis Moore barbeque benefit, funeral, and memorial lunch.

New Business: Jim Reidy submitted a written request to President Steele for consideration for the By-Laws Committee.

MOTION: To adjourn. PASSED