Supermajority of Senators
Vote to
Consider Cooperation Act
In a remarkable show of bipartisan support for the IAFF and its members, 69 senators voted May 13 to consider H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. The 69-29 vote on the motion to proceed permits the Senate to debate and amend the bill.
“Today, Senators from both parties stood up in support of America's fire fighters, and stood up in support of our right to collectively bargain,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “This vote is truly a testament to the strength of our union and the respect its members garner on Capitol Hill.”
Eighteen Republicans joined all 51 Democrats to vote in favor of the IAFF motion, marking the beginning of a week-long debate on the bill.
“Although we won this first vote handily, this is only the first of many steps we must take before the Cooperation Act passes the Senate,” says Schaitberger. “Our anti-labor opponents will not rest, and neither can we. It is paramount that every member continue to lobby their senators to pass the Cooperation Act.”
The Senate is expected to consider numerous amendments to H.R. 980 before voting on cloture and on final passage later this week.
To see how your Senator voted today click here.
To read General President Harold Schaitberger's statement in support of S. 2123, click here.
Gold's Gym Offer
Gold's Gym is offering Fire and Rescue Department members (and household family members over 14) a discounted membership.
Click here for more information.
Local 2068 Brother Jimmy Ghi To Head Training For The Charleston, SC Fire Department.
Battalion Chief James T. Ghi, former of the Fairfax County, Virginia Fire and Rescue Department has been hired to direct all training for the Department. The appointment of a new training director was one of the primary recommendations of the City of Charleston's Fire Review Team Phase I Report issued last fall.
Ghi was selected from a pool of 57 applicants from the Charleston Fire Department and around the U.S. and Canada.
The Fire Review Team was established under the direction of Mayor Joe Riley, Jr. to provide a comprehensive independent review of the tragic June 18th fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston firefighters.
Chief Ghi will head a newly expanded training division which will consist of Chief Ghi and three soon-to-be-named captains who will develop and lead all training for the Charleston Fire Department. He is expected to begin his duties in the Charleston Fire Department in mid April.
Chief Ghi brings 30 years of firefighting experience in Virginia and Maryland to the Charleston Fire Department. He came up through the ranks, serving in the ranks of firefighter through Battalion Chief in operational firefighting units, including engine company, ladder company and rescue company officer. Currently he supervises five fire stations and 63 firefighters. In a previous position, he served as a field training officer at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, responsible for the planning, development and presentation of training at many levels.
Ghi holds an Associates Degree in Fire Science from Northern Virginia Community College, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Columbia Southern University. He holds the NFPA Instructor IV Certification, NFPA Officer III Certification among a host of other professional certifications earned from the National Fire Academy and state and local training academies.
"We are thrilled to bring to the Charleston Fire Department a highly qualified and well prepared firefighter to lead our training division. There were a number of highly qualified applicants, but Chief Ghi was by far the best. We know that as we carry out the recommendations of our Fire Review Team's phase 1 report, the training division is the key to creating the safety based environment that we are looking for," said Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas.
|
|
 |
| |
