IV. Voting on Application. There was a unanimous vote to accept
all candidates.
V. Initiation of Candidates. The Oath was administered by
President Steele.
VI. Reading of Minutes.
MOTION. To accept minutes from the
previous regular meeting. PASSED.
VII. Communications. (Tentative topics.)
Treasurer’s
Report: Rick Werner discussed the monthly financial report
ending February 29, 2004. The Finance Committee will continue to meet
in order to develop a new budget for June 1, 2004 thru May 31,
2005. Rick Werner created a budget worksheet to assist the
chairman of each committee develop their budgets.
.
Trustee’s Report: Robert Vargas reported the annual
audit will be conducted next week and the cost would be approximately
$800 to $900. A member requested information that was discussed at
the executive board meeting be explained to the members present.
Robert Vargas, Armando Fuentes, and President Steele discussed
several issues such as firefighters complaints of Grievance
Committee not responding to phone calls, approval of key chains
purchase, decreasing number of cell phones at a cost saving of
$260 per month, and the purchase of two laptops, one each for the
Grievance Committee and president. These issues were initially
discussed at a Finance Committee meeting on February 26, 2004.
Paramedic Policy: Refer to Grievance Committee
report.
Random Drug Testing: Refer to Grievance Committee
report.
FAO Exam: Refer to Grievance Committee report.
Executive Policy: The executive board is working to
modify current policy. |
VIII. Committee Reports.
Pension
Report: President Steele reported on letter to the
Legislative Committee of the Fire and Police Pension Fund
concerning proposed changes supported by Local 624. The proposed
changes are 1) lower the maximum years of service credit to 32
years; 2) raise the 20-year pension to 50% from 45%; and 3)
increase the spousal benefit to the 28-year mark.
Public Relations Report: Louis Jimenez reported on upcoming events
such as the June 13th softball game between SAFD and SAPD personnel;
April 24th night parade tickets will be sold for $10 and seats
will be at Maverick Park; 50 volunteers needed to carry flags; and
discounted Fiesta Texas tickets.
MOTION. To refer to finance committee expenses related to the
Flambeau® Parade giving Public Relations Committee $600 out of
fundraising. PASSED.
The
2004 Calendars are still available at a discounted price; large
for $1 and small for $00.25.
By-Laws: President Steele requested that any members
interested in serving on this committee contact him.
Negotiations: President Steele requested that any
members interested in serving on this committee contact him.
Sub-committees may be used to address specific issues during
contract negotiations.
Legislative: President Steele reported there is not
a current Legislative Committee due to appointees not being
confirmed by the executive board. A member requested information
that was discussed at the executive board meeting be explained to
the members present. President Steele explained that five members he
appointed were not confirmed at the executive board meeting and
that this occurred on two other occasions. It was noted that he has
presented his appointments as a whole not as individual
appointees. President Steele stressed he would continue to work
toward confirmation of appointees.
Grievance: Grievance Committee member John Lowery
reported.
1.
Litigation: There is on-going litigation concerning several
issues. Some of the issues are an alleged violation of the
duty of fair representation (DFR) by an ex-member,
retaliation against a union representative and retaliation
against a member for invoking his FLSA rights.
2. Workers' Compensation: This is an on-going issue that is
currently before the Workers' Compensation Commission.
3. FAO Investigation: The investigation is being conducted
by the Office of Municipal Integrity, a division within the
City of San Antonio. The FAO list has not been certified.
President Steele and the Grievance Chairman attended the
Civil Service Commission meeting on March 8th regarding this
issue. It is unclear when the investigation will be
completed. The integrity of the test process is of paramount
concern to the union.
4. Paramedic Policy: A departmental memorandum issued by the
fire chief 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. The union position is that the
policy needs to be rescinded because the fire chief is
attempting to re-negotiate the collective bargaining
agreement (CBA) through policy.
A grievance was filed and a lawsuit may be pending.
5. Random Drug Testing: There are several concerns with this
issue such as the proper process noted in the CBA not being
followed. A grievance was filed and a lawsuit may be
pending.
6. Lieutenant Test: The announcement date for test material
on January 26, 2004 and the date of the test on April 7, 2004
is a violation of Local Government Code, particularly
Chapters 143 and 174. This issue will be pursued and
hopefully resolved in a timely manner. |
Human Relations:
New members have been added to this committee. They are Bertha
Soto-Lopez, Brooke Hildreth, and Greg Garza. Byron Williams, Nate
Bateson, and Chairman James “Mouse” Hill are still on the
committee. A Human Relations seminar will be conducted March 23rd
at the hall. All union members are invited to attend.
Fund Raising: Upcoming events:
1. Park Party on June 12, 2004 at Camargo Park.
2. Firefighter Appreciation Party on April 2, 2004. See
www.safirefighters.com
for updated information.
3. Halloween Dance and Christmas Dance at the banquet hall.
4. San Antonio Firefighters Annual Picnic Scholarship Fund will be
held September 25 & 26, 2004, at Mission County Park. A raffle will
be held on September 26th and only 400 tickets will be sold at a
donation of $100 per ticket. All proceeds will go toward the
scholarship fund. The Grand Prize will be a 2005 Heritage Softail
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, 1st Place is $1,000 cash, 2nd Place is
$500 cash.
Safety & Health: Jim Reidy gave a report. The
committee has gotten larger; new members have joined. They are
addressing many issues such as additions to the commissary, new
radios, new helmet tag policy, station maintenance, vehicle
safety, SCBA, NFPA 1851, reissue of bunker boots, and staffing
problems.
Athletic Club: No report.
Entertainment: Anthony De La O reported; refer to Fund
Raising Committee report for
details.
Web Site Committee: Roger Lopez gave a report. He
encouraged everyone to get a new e-mail address through the new
“Hive” e-mail system on our Web site.
Firefighters Auxiliary: Bertha Soto-Lopez reported
on upcoming events.
|
1. |
|
March 18, 2004, PAC lunch for firefighter candidates at the
Banquet Hall. |
|
2. |
|
March 21, 2004, 2nd Annual Easter Egg Party at the
banquet hall
for children 12 and under. |
There are various items the auxiliary is selling for fund raising.
|
Unfinished Business. None.
New Business. Trustee Armando Fuentes announced he would stepping
down from the trustee position. Any member interested in serving in the
Trustee position may contact the union hall. The executive board will
appoint a member to fill the vacancy.
President Steele reported on the executive board meeting with Fire and
Police Health Care Fund Trustees Paul Villarreal (active) and Henry
Trevino (retired). The meeting concerned the long-term problem regarding
the trust solvency and how the trustee board plans to address this
issue.
Family Assistance Committee: Rick Burrell, Chairman, reported at
the executive board that the booklet regarding line of duty death
benefits from the federal, state and local governments is ready. The San
Antonio City Employees Federal Credit Union donated approximately $900 to
print 1,500 booklets. Rick Burrell also requested support for the creation of a
crisis intervention team to help firefighters. Dr. Billy James will
do the training for this team. The executive board supports this
endeavor. Rick Burrell can be contacted at 43-A or 210.386.8569 if
anyone has questions.
Adjournment:
MOTION. To adjourn. PASSED.
Note: Ginger Sepulveda, Retirement Specialist with Nationwide Retirement
Solutions, addressed the body. Ginger and other Nationwide
representatives addressed the executive board; they were John Piper,
William Sawyer, Paul McLaughlin, and Antonio Abarca. The IAFF Financial
Corporation has teamed up with Nationwide Retirement Solutions to
provide the “Front Line Plan”. This plan offers investment opportunities
for retirement. All members are encouraged to participate and plan for
their future. Contact Ginger Sepulveda at 210.723.8757 for information
or visit www.nrsforu.com.
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