For the past 5 years, the Presidio Profesional Firefighters have been fighting to return Fire Department Staffing to a safe and consistant level. The National Park Service (NPS) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), have stated they simply can not afford to staff to these levels which are REQUIRED by law and contract.
Now, just before an arbitrator is due to rule on these staffing conditions, 19 Union firefighters are facing job loss.
The NPS and Presidio Trust have agreed to contract with the San Francisco Fire Department for fire and emergency medical response in and around the Presidio, Baker Beach and Fort Mason and to rely on NPS Law Enforcement Rangers to provide collateral coverage within the Marin Headlands, with occassional assistance from the Southern Marin Fire Department.
The contract was negotiated without input from IAFF Local F-145 and while 19 journey level, union firefighters are preparing for unemployment, the City of San Francisco is gearing up to hire 55 entry level positions.
Federal stimulus money does not protect federal employees!
Show your support today and:
Tell the NPS and Presidio Trust to, "Protect those who protect you!"
Frank Dean NPS Superintendent 415-561-4720 Jeff Deis Presidio Trust C.O.O. 415-561-5300
Local F-145 found out during our meeting at Speaker Pelosi's office on Wednesday March 24, 2010 the NPS/Trust and SFFD have completed a tentative deal. They believe they have agreed upon a dollar amount and have only some minor issues yet to work out.
This is the status:
May 1st official employee RIF notices to PFD members.
July 1st SFFD to begin coverage on the Presido (Marin to be covered by NPS Rangers and Southern Marin?)
SFFD to aquire 15 personnel (12 FFs and 3 ambulance paramedics)
25 permanents can apply and those who qualify (CPAT, background and physical) will be interviewed and chosen by the SFFD. If 15 members do not apply then the terms may apply.
Thus 19 (55%) of the PFD UNION Firefighters will be let go. 10 perm and 9 term. Some may possibly be retired.
As of Friday's update, the GGNRA Interim-Superintendent Dean stated these dates are "Optimistic" (not sure for who) and that October was a more realistic time frame.
Once again the NPS and Trust have assured our members that the Union will be involved and are willing to discuss other options as NOTHING has ben signed to date.
Local F-145 still has a hard time comprehending how the Presidio Fire Department will lose 19 full time,Professional, UNION firefighter positions during the same year the SFFD will be hiring upwards of 55 ENTRY LEVEL positions.
Local F-145's position is that ALL 34 employees be given the opportunity with the SFFD and we will continue to fight for these positions.
Local F-145 extends our heart felt Condolences to the family and friends of Consumnes Firefighter Richard Ibarra.
Richard Ibarra, 42, died Wednesday at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento in what the fire department says could be a line of duty death -- the first in the department in more than 100 years.
Local F-145 would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!!
Congratulations to our new Shop stewards: Chris Padian and Eli Thomas.
Local F-145 President Al Duncan met with the NPS, Presidio Trust and SFFD Administration on Thursday December 10th for continued discussions regarding the status of the Presidio Fire Departments and the progress of negotiations with the San Francisco Fire Department. The meeting was held in and hosted by Speaker Pelosi's office. Our gratitude to the Speakers staff for facilitating this meeting and ensuring the progress continues. A letter to all was posted in the fire stations with details of the meeting and we will be meeting again on January 12th for further updates.
Our condolences to the family and friends of the 4 Lakewood police officers who were brutally shot down in cold blood on the Morning of November 29th. Our gratitude to our former firefighter-engineer and Local union secretary Jenn Krump, who along with members of her new family of the Oakland Police Department, made the journey to pay their respects.
The positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasure are all running unopposed, therefore per the by-laws, these members are hereby elected.
There are 4 nominees (Buckley/Padian/Potter/Thomas) for the 2 shop steward positions which are up for general election.
As such, the election of officers will take place on the following dates: December 01, 02, 03, 04. The election committee comprised of Santos (Chair), Reed and Conklin will be visiting the firehouses on those days with the ballot box and official ballots.