Michigan repeals right to work law

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Michigan has repealed its 11-year-old right-to-work law after a push from the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union (MPFFU) and other labour organisations in the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made it official upon signing the legislation calling for the law’s removal at the end of March. 

International Fire Chief’s Association General President Edward Kelly said that he applauds and the state’s legislators for ‘doing the right thing’: “We must all keep up the fight to preserve workers’ rights and use our collective voices to improve working conditions, wages, and benefits. When we fight as one, we win.” 

When the right-to-work law was proposed over a decade ago, the MPFFU and thousands of other supporters descended on the state capitol to protest. Despite the outcry, the law – which prohibits unions from requiring non-union employees to pay dues, even if it bargains on their behalf – was still passed in 2012. 

 I am very proud of everything MPFFU President Matthew Sahr and his team have done to help our union brothers and sisters in this fight,” said 8th District Vice President Mark Sanders. “This is a great day for all of labor in Michigan.” 

“We are very pleased with Gov. Whitmer and the state legislature’s action on this,” said Sahr. “The MPFFU is always proud to stand with its union brothers and sisters on any issue. Stronger unions equal a stronger working class.” 

What is a right-to-work law?

A “right-to-work” law is a type of labour law that allows employees to work at a unionised workplace without being required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. Essentially, it gives employees the “right to work” at a unionised workplace without having to financially support the union.

Opponents of right-to-work laws argue that they weaken the power of labour unions and can result in lower wages and benefits for workers. They argue that these laws can also lead to increased inequality, as some workers may choose not to join a union and thus may not have access to the same wages and benefits as union members.

Town hall for fire fighters hosted by Canadian Prime Minister

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a town hall meeting to discuss occupational cancer, wildland fire fighting response, and other key issues with members of the International Association of Fire Fighters and their families on March 16, hosted by the IAFF and the Mississauga Fire Fighters Association.

Trudeau called the meeting ‘a great privilege for me’ and thanked those in attendance for their service: “As fire fighters, you chose to serve your communities, and your families are also serving alongside you. They make sacrifices because of what you choose to do in your life to keep others safe.”

PFAS

Trudeau was asked about PFAS and stated that the government was studying them “very, very carefully right now” and pledged that, pending its review, the government would take appropriate measures to keep fire fighters safe.

He also noted Liberal MP Sherry Romanado’s Bill C-224, which proposes a national framework to address occupational cancers in fire fighters and is moving quickly through the legislative process.

He said: “You are the folks who are keeping Canadians safe. The government needs to make sure we’re doing everything to keep you safe.”

Wildland firefighting

Answering a question about training for wildland response training, Trudeau confirmed his government’s commitment to train 1,000 fire fighters and noted the IAFF’s leadership and expertise on the issue in the United States.

The IAFF has provided a funding proposal to use the Responding to the Interface (RTI) program to help the Canadian Government meet its training targets and is pressing to have it considered before next year when Trudeau said the government is expecting to entertain those submissions.

Trudeau also fielded audience questions about mental health supports for first responders, the opioid crisis, carbon pricing, and affordable childcare, and expressed his support for a current proposal that would make fire fighter safety an objective within the National Building Code.

IAFF Local 1212 President Chris Varcoe, who introduced Prime Minister Trudeau and cited a long list of fire fighter issues his Liberal Government has acted on since it was elected in 2015, said: “This was a very special night for us and an important occasion for all IAFF members. We’re grateful to Prime Minister Trudeau for listening to our concerns and speaking directly to us about his views on issues that are dear to us.”

‘A great honour’

IAFF General President Edward Kelly said the Town Hall was a testament to the International’s strong political ties on both sides of the border. US President Joe Biden spoke to IAFF members 10 days prior at the US Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

“It was a great honour for the IAFF to host Prime Minister Trudeau and a terrific opportunity for our members to hear his views on issues affecting them and their families,” Kelly said.

Trudeau’s Liberal Government has proven an important ally for professional fire fighters in Canada.

After it was elected in 2015, the Government acted on several IAFF legislative issues, including a National Action Plan on post-traumatic stress injuries, renewed funding for the IAFF Canadian Haz-Mat & CBRNE Training Initiative, and establishing the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders, which provides $300,000 to the surviving families of fall fire fighters as a recognition of their service and sacrifice.

In 2017, the Government also proclaimed the second Sunday each September as Firefighters National Memorial Day in honour of fire fighters who have died in the line of duty.

Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri adds five departments and districts

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The Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri (PFEM) Local 2665 – one of the IAFF’s largest locals – has reported continuing growth as it now representing 11 ambulance districts, two dispatch agencies, and 61 fire districts and departments across nine counties in eastern Missouri. 

The latest departments and districts to join the local include the Festus Fire Department, Herculaneum Fire Department, Desoto Rural Fire Protection District, Saline Valley Fire Protection District, and Hillsboro Fire Protection District. These additions increase PFEM membership by 63 members for a total of 2,500 active and 230 retired members. 

2nd District Vice President Mark Woolbright, a member of Local 2665, said: “The PFEM does not actively recruit. Local 2665 steadily attracts new members because they see the value in becoming part of an established local with a proven track record of success. I am very pleased to welcome the five newest fire departments and their members.”  

Local 2665 Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Shoop commented: “There is someone to turn to at every level. Beyond the principal officers, we have seven district vice presidents, and shop stewards for each department, district, and agency. And because of our political action, our area of influence reaches all the way to the federal level.” 

IAFF General President Edward Kelly added: ““Every fire fighter deserves a voice; they deserve a union. The continued growth of the PFEM is a testament to the importance of having a seat at the table and being part of our great union.” 

Firefighter cancer legislation reaches milestone in Canadian House of Commons

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Legislation that proposes a national framework to address occupational cancer in fire fighters reached an important milestone in the Canadian House of Commons after it passed a Third Reading with a unanimous vote and overwhelming support from all parties on 8 March.

Introduced by Montreal-area Liberal MP Sherry Romanado in early 2022, Bill C-224, the act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting, proposes measures designed to reduce the incidence of job-related cancer among fire fighters and promotes equitable compensation for those who contract the disease, regardless of the province or territory in which they serve.

After the vote, which took place with dozens of IAFF fire fighters watching from the Commons Gallery, Bill C-224 will now be passed on to Canada’s Senate to be further studied.

The IAFF has already begun working with MP Romanado to elicit support among senators to ensure the bill advances in the legislative process. Once debated and passed by both chambers of Parliament, the bill will move forward to receive Royal Assent before becoming law.

Bill C-224 proposes a range of measures to not only explain the link between cancer and firefighting, but also to identify educational needs of healthcare and other professionals for prevention and treatment; promote regular cancer screening for fire fighters; and provide research, data collection, and the sharing of information and knowledge about cancer and its effects on fire fighters. The bill also proposes proclaiming January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada.

General President Edward Kelly said: “This is what the mission of the IAFF looks like when we use our political strength to fight for the health and safety of our members. Cancer is killing fire fighters, and ending this epidemic must be everyone’s priority. Bill C-224 is an important step in saving lives.”

General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma commented: “Addressing occupational cancer is a top priority of the IAFF. Bill C-224 provides our Canadian sisters and brothers important protections in the fight against cancer and is another example of how our union is working for our members and their families.”

“The IAFF is grateful to MP Romanado for introducing this critical legislation and to all the MPs who supported it,” Kelly added. “We now hope for swift deliberation and passage in the Senate so it can benefit our 26,000 Canadian members and their families. Time is of the essence.”

Canadian IAFF members gain access to behavioural health treatment

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Canadian IAFF members seeking behavioural health treatment information now have easier access to the dedicated services and preferred rates offered by IAFF partner EHN Canada.

The dedicated landing page provides detailed information about EHN’s trauma-focused behavioural health services for IAFF members, including the types of challenges treated and options for treatment.

EHN Canada has a network of accredited facilities in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and specialises in treating all types of behavioural health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD, and is the leader in evidence-based behavioural health treatment in Canada.

IAFF members will also have priority access to addiction and behavioural health programming available across the EHN network, which serves general populations.

IAFF General President Edward Kelly said he is proud of the IAFF’s partnership with EHN Canada and pleased to see the landing page go live as an additional resource for members who may be struggling with post-traumatic stress, addiction, and related issues.

He said: “EHN Canada’s new website for IAFF members puts a lot of important information about behavioural health resources at their fingertips, which they can access confidentially 24/7 from the comfort and privacy of their homes.

“Our jobs are dangerous and stressful, which is why behavioural health resources are so important Canadian members struggling with behavioural health and addiction need to know they’re not alone, and there’s no shame in reaching out for help.”

EHN Canada’s Chair and CEO, Joe Manget, added that the landing page was a key step in ensuring Canadian IAFF members can access behavioural health treatment options as quickly and easily as possible: “Part of our purpose as a company is to ensure that all Canadians have access to high-quality behavioural healthcare, which means we have to continually remove barriers and ensure our services are easy to find and use,” he said. “We encourage all members to take a look at the services we offer and reach out if they are in need of help.”

Free cancer screening offered to Chicago Local 2 members

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More than 1,400 active and retired Chicago Local 2 members have received free cancer screenings as part of a partnership between Local 2 and the Rush Lung Center.

Local 2 Vice President Pat Cleary got the idea to offer free cancer screenings for active and retired members after hearing retired member Bill Nolan’s story. Nolan, who survived two bouts with lung cancer, was speaking on the importance of early cancer screenings, especially for fire fighters.

Cleary said: “As our members contract cancer at a much higher rate than the average population, we should be tested earlier and more often. After hearing Brother Nolan’s story, I wanted to see what Local 2 could do to make that happen. I reached out to Dr. Christopher Seder, a thoracic surgeon at the Rush Lung Center, to determine what could be done on behalf of our members.”

From there, Local 2 and the Rush Lung Center solidified their partnership. There was still a question of funding, however, as specific criteria must be met for annual cancer screenings to be covered by health insurance. So Local 2 agreed to pick up the cost for those members who do not meet the criteria.

The first of the screenings were held in March 2022 and have continued with regularity. Technicians primarily check for lung cancer, but the process also includes screening for markers (i.e. high levels of calcium, etc.) of other cancers and heart attack risk.

“These screenings are especially important for our older members who were on the job when protective gear was either of a lesser quality than we have today or non-existent,” said Cleary. “I truly believe these screenings have already saved lives.”

While some of these screenings have come up clean, others have found early stages of cancer, advanced cancer needing emergency surgery to remove tumour(s), and some at risk for a heart attack.

General President Edward Kelly, commented : “More than 75 percent of the names that go up on the walls of the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial are due to occupational cancer. Early screenings can save lives and keep names off that wall. I applaud the great work being done by Local 2 and the Rush Lung Center.”

Kelly added: “It will take all of us to battle the scourge of cancer within our ranks. This unique partnership in Chicago can serve as a model for other local affiliates to serve their brothers and sisters.”

The IAFF and the American Cancer Society are working together to prevent cancer in fire fighters and support those currently battling the disease. Go to iaff.org/fightcancer to learn more.

Alexandria firefighters secure pay increase

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VA Local 2141 has become the first Virginia IAFF affiliate in more than four decades to ratify a contract with its employer when the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously 24 January to approve the historic agreement.

The contract calls for a 5 percent pay increase for fire fighter and fire/paramedic positions and an additional 10 percent increase for fire and EMS lieutenant captain positions. There will also be an annual raise of 2 percent and merit increases for eligible employees.  

The newly approved agreement will be effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026. 

The agreement provides a path to reduce shifts from 56 to 50 hours per week by July 30, 2025. That effort will be supported by $12.52 million through fiscal year 2026 to add 52 positions. 

The Virginia state Supreme Court ruled collective bargaining unconstitutional in 1977. Recent lobbying efforts by the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters led to legislation allowing local governments to create ordinances recognizing their employees’ labor unions, thereby allowing collective bargaining for public workers. 

Local 2141 President Josh Turner said: “Collective bargaining has created a path for labor and management to discuss and resolve issues. We believe that the provisions of this contract show that we all want to serve our community by ensuring that resources are in place to keep the citizens of Alexandria safe.” 

Alexandria City Mayor Justin Wilson said: “We are proud of the collaborative work that went into making this agreement possible. City staff, alongside Local 2141 leadership, were committed to finding common ground in the interest of public safety, as well as elevating the collective voice of the department.” 

Four other local governments in the state have passed collective bargaining ordinances.  Arlington County Local 2800, Fairfax County Local 2068, Loudoun County Local 3756, and Richmond Local 995 are all working toward their first contracts. 

Oshawa Ontario approves the hire of 20 new firefighters

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Following a campaign by International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 465 to address fire fighter and public safety shortfalls in the fast-growing city, Oshawa, Ontario has officially taken steps to improve frontline emergency response capabilities as city council members voted on to hire 20 new fire fighters.

The move will see 15 more firefighters than initially planned to ensure a new rescue vehicle at the city’s downtown firehall will be equipped with four fire fighters, the minimum number required to conduct interior search and rescue upon arrival at a structure fire.

“It’s been a four-year journey, but we’re happy that [the] council has agreed that public and fire fighter safety necessitates four fire fighters per vehicle,” said Oshawa Local 465 President Peter Dyson. “We’re very grateful.” Dyson highlighted Oshawa’s recent growth and the need to assign four personnel to the new vehicle in a presentation before the council’s vote.

Dyson told councillors: “It would not only ensure that there are enough fire fighters to protect our city, but it would prevent that gut-wrenching situation where two or three fire fighters roll up to a structure fire where people are trapped, but they have to wait outside for more crews to arrive, letting precious minutes pass at a time when every second counts.

“This budget exercise is a golden opportunity for you to do what a growing number of Canadian fire departments have recently done and make the conscious decision to grow our fire department in step with community growth and ensure that when someone calls 9-1-1 in their moment of need, they get the help they expect and deserve.”

Dyson said that having former IAFF leader and senior staff member Jim Lee on the Oshawa council was a tremendous help in advocating the additional personnel: “We have someone who speaks the language of fire fighters and has a wealth of experience and expertise in fire department deployment and its direct impact on public and fire fighter safety.”

Dyson also thanked other members of council who advocated for improved fire department resources, including Tito-Dante Marimpietri and Brian Nicholson, as well as the Local 465 Executive Board and membership for their hard work.

International Association of Fire Fighters join front lines of hurricane aftermath

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Members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have been on the frontlines responding to the devastation Hurricane Ian left behind after it made landfall in Florida and continued its way up to the Carolinas.

With thousands of members located within the storm’s path, the impact on the membership is expected to be significant.

The Association said that when disasters strike, IAFF members leave their own families to answer the call to serve and protect their community in need, with the IAFF Foundation following closely behind to ensure members’ needs are met in a time of crisis like Hurricane Ian.

As part of the IAFF Foundation’s Disaster Relief program, the IAFF Go Team and Headquarters staff have been in Florida assisting members with financial relief, food and water, necessities, behavioural health counselling, emergency home repairs, fuel, generators for those with urgent medical needs, and anything else they need.

IAFF General President Edward Kelly commented: “While our members are out there answering calls for help, it is our job at the IAFF to make sure membership needs are addressed as quickly as possible.

“I know many of our members will want to pitch in. The best way for them to help their brothers and sisters is to donate to the Foundation’s Disaster Relief program.”

IAFC honours leaders with President’s Award for promoting cancer awareness

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The International Association of Fire Chief (IAFC)’s honored IAFF General President Edward Kelly, Canadian Trustee Alex Forrest, and Halifax, NS Local 268 President Brendan Meagher with President’s Awards at its Fire-Rescue International (FRI) Conference and Expo earlier this month.

The awards are given to individuals who have made profound contributions benefiting the firefighting community.

Chief Ken Stuebing, outgoing IAFC President said: “General President Kelly, Trustee Forrest, and Halifax Local 268 President Meagher are working tirelessly to spread awareness and to protect fire service personnel from occupation-related cancers. It is my honour to recognize their valiant efforts to save lives and to build a safer future for fire fighters.”

Stuebing commended Kelly for the partnership he developed with the American Cancer Society, as well as the recent adoption of a convention resolution providing $500,000 annually to expand occupational cancer research.

Kelly commented: “We need to stop cancer before it starts, and until that day, the IAFF will work tirelessly toward extinguishing cancer from the fire service. I am humbled by the IAFC’s recognition for what this IAFF does, and honored to receive the President’s Award from Chief Stuebing, who has been a true partner and friend.”

IAFF Canadian Trustee and Manitoba Professional Fire Fighters Association (MPFFA) President Alex Forrest has also been a long-time champion, fighting against the threat of occupational cancer.

Thanks to his Forrest’s advocacy, Manitoba became the first province in Canada to enact cancer presumption laws for fire fighters in 2002. When first passed, the presumptions included four cancers: brain and kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and leukemia. Forrest has pushed the province to expand that list to include 19 cancers in the years since.

Forest commented: “Our fight against occupational cancer is not done. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), just classified the firefighting profession as a Group 1 carcinogen. The IARC is acknowledging the extreme risk fire fighters have of developing cancer. We can now take this ruling and successfully lobby for the passage of cancer presumption laws in areas they could not before.”

Halifax Local 268 President Meagher, who also received a 2022 IAFF Leadership Award, has been a tireless advocate for occupational cancer presumption laws in his home province of Nova Scotia.

Thanks to Meagher’s continued advocacy, the province recently added 13 types of cancer to Firefighters Compensation Regulations, including esophageal, lung, testicular, ureter, breast, multiple myeloma, prostate, skin, ovarian, cervical, penile, thyroid, and pancreatic. This supplements the existing coverage for bladder, brain, colorectal and kidney cancer, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Meagher said: “Fire fighters in Nova Scotia spent a long time with very little protection in case of cancer. Now, protections are in place in case the of the cancers most common in fire fighters.

“I am grateful for outgoing IAFC President Stuebing’s recognition. But I did not do this alone, I share this recognition with all of the Nova Scotia members who dedicated their time to fight for cancer protections.”