Governor Ritter called for the help of the Denver Fire Department this week when he took a spill on his bicycle. Unlike Governor Ritters response when fire fighters asked for his help, the members of Engine 8 gave Ritter a helping hand. In 2009 Ritter went back on his word to give fire fighters the right to bargain. This was a campaign promise he made to fire fighters and spurred the CPFF to demand more accountability from endorsed candidates. We hope the Governor heals quickly buyt has time to reflect on his poor decision and takes a note from fire fighters to up hold his promises, like the fire fighters that responded to him upheld their oath of service.
On February 22, the Colorado Supreme Court issued its decision in the Amendment 54 case. The Court held that the amendment violated the First Amendment rights of unions and their members and was totally invalid. The Court specifically refused to uphold any portion of the amendment. For locals with collective bargaining agreements, you no longer have to worry about reporting that you are a sole source contractor or worry about whether you can support a candidate or issue in your jurisdiction. You are back to working under Article XXVIII of the Colorado Constitution that limits campaign activity, but allows home rule cities to have different rules. Thanks to Aurora Local 1290 and President Randy Rester for agreeing to be a plaintiffs in the case so that the particular facts about fire fighters were put before the court. CLICK HERE TO READ TO COURT DECISION.
On March 27, 2010 the Littleton Firefighter’s will be hosting the Littleton Firefighter’s Foundation Charitable Firefighters Ball. This event has taken place several times in the past and has been a huge success.The event will be fully catered with an open bar, appetizers, music and dancing, silent auction and a firefighter auction. The event will be held in downtown Denver at the famous 1770 Sherman Street Event Complex. You must be 21 to attend.
President Obama's 2011 budget reconizes the importance and the deficiencies in America's fire service. He has proposed;
$305 million for SAFER (Congress expected to add an additional $500 million to save fire fighter jobs)
$305 million FIRE Act
$28 million USAR
$2 billion to state and local governments to improve emergency response capabilities
The budget will go before congess where the IAFF and affiliates willall have to work hard to get even more money to ensure fire fighters can operate safely and effectively.
This critical funding demonstrates the need to stay politically active.
The Executive Board has elected Thomas Miller to replace long time Secretary Treasurer Vinny Bollon. Vinny recently retired and Miller will serve in the position for the remainder of the term. Miller is well respected and should do a great job for fire fighters. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT TOMMY MILLER.
January 13th marks the opening day for the Sixty-Seventh General Assembly for the State of Colorado. This is also Brothers Clapham and Eulberg first session as the lobbyists for the CPFF. There are several issues that impact fire fighters this session. CLICK HEADLINE TO READ THE BILLS.
The Whitehouse reached an agreement with labor to avoid the proposed excise tax on health care. The deal would exclude not apply to policies covering workers in collective bargaining agreements, state and local workers and members of voluntary employee benefit associations through Dec. 31, 2017.The excise tax is still part of the reform package but it could allinate middle class voters and will be a big threat to fire fighters in the future. The IAFF stands firmly against the excise tax as a means to pay for the much needed reforms. The IAFF has been the lone union to stand against leaving the excise tax as part of the package. If we are going to reform healthcare it should be done carefully and should not pander to individual interests.
Healthcare Reform is taking a nasty turn in the Untied States Senate. It appears that the funding mechanism for the plan is to utilize an excise tax pay for the reforms. The Obama administration seems to be in support of these massive tax increases which could cause firefighters across the United States to pay huge increases in taxes or more likely suffer massive cuts in benefits to avoid losing disposable income. Obamas support flies in the face of campiagn promises of not increasing taxes on those making less than $250,000, not taxing our health insurance benefits, and allowing us to keep exisiting coverage.
The IAFF is angered at this move and will hold endorsed politicians accountable.
Governor Ritter decided suddenly to withdraw from his bid for a second term. He quit citing family as being a priority. Without a doubt he faced a tough fight and his polling numbers were not as good as his opponent. Fire fighters can only hope that the next governor does what he says and helps us accomplish collective bargaining for fire fighters in Colorado. Some potential candidates will be Ed Perlmutter, Ken Salazar, & maybe even John Hickenlooper. No matter who prevails it will be critical that they support working families and fire fighters as Colorado needs some major improvements in these areas.
The Colorado Avalanche has teamed up with the Denver FireFighters Burn Fund again for the 3rd annual Hockey Night fundraiser. Thank you for your tremendous support in the past, and we hope that your members can help us out again this season. We were able to raise over $5,000.00 in the first two years for the Children’s Hospital Burn Unit, because of the generosity of Colorado FireFighters. Please contact George Baker for tickets, more information, or questions at 303-324-7207 or CLICK HERE to email.
The IAFF will be working overtime to make sure the Senate's version of the Healthcare Bill is changed. The Senate's version taxes working people who recieve the so called "Cadilac health plans", these are the modest plans that we fire fighters have today. This taxation would start in 2019 and would have the result of crushing benefits or causing massive tax increases to over 25 million working families. The IAFF will push for the House version of the bill to ensure that once again working people do not pick up the tab.
2010-LFF Ball Flyer FINAL.pdf
