December 24, 2013
Hello WPFA Members,
On behalf of the Executive Board I would like to wish our members and their families, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy time with your family over the next few weeks, and to those of us on duty throughout the holidays, stay safe.
Please take a quick read and if you have any questions feel free to contact the WPFFA executive board.
Wages
Our hourly wage has been adjusted to the current award in the collective agreement.
Retro
Our retro should be paid on our first pay cheque of the New Year. The overtime hours may be on a separate cheque. It depends if payroll can complete all the calculations in time.
Mechanic Position
The interviews have been completed, so our new mechanic should be starting shortly.
Clerk Position
The new clerk has been hired. She will start work sometime in January.
Electronic Position
The City is still in the process of securing a person for this job.
Communications
As most of you seem to be aware we have started to send out our messages via the social world. Please get registered on our:
1) Website: www.windsorfirefighters.org
2) Twitter: WPFFA_Local_455
3) Face Book: Windsor Firefighters
Please register and follow us on these sites and pass our message on to your friends. These social media avenues are the least expensive but they get our message out to thousands immediately.
Auxiliary Dispatchers
The FMT is currently gathering information with regards to keeping auxiliary dispatchers trained. Once all the information has been gathered we are hoping to sit down with the FMT and get a policy in place to correct this issue.
Keeping Vehicles in Service
Just a reminder that the FMT has no issues with Firefighters staying over on overtime to keep vehicles in service in the mornings.
Vehicles out of Service due to Training
When the DC’s are moving vehicles around for training purposes it has been agreed to that only 2 vehicles at any time will remain out of service while training. This does not count the command car.
Sick Time Average
Our sick time has been below the City average and we continue to improve on this. If you are going to be placed on sick notes you must be over the Fire Department average for 3 consecutive years.
1) 2010 Average – 8.99
2) 2011 Average – 10.11
3) 2012 Average – 9.35.
If you happen to be on the sick notes the FMT has agreed to look at those members sick time in January instead of later in the year.
Joint Job Evaluation
The City has finally agreed that this is not a joint job evaluation issue and it is a pay equity issue. So, both parties will be reviewing the documentation and getting back to meetings in the New Year.
First Aid /CPR Training
The first aid and CPR training that was on the LMS has been rescinded. It was agreed that the training on the LMS did not meet the standards and was insufficient. We will be receiving our training in the upcoming months by a certified company.
LTD
The LTD proposal was discussed and voted on at our last General Membership Meeting. There will be an increase to our payment, but again this wasn’t touched for over 10 years. Unfortunately, if you ever needed to go on to LTD in the past you would have struggled to make ends meet. On an ongoing basis, we will look at our LTD plan every year, re-evaluate it and make the necessary adjustments.
Hook and Ladder
We have hired a new manager for the Hook and Ladder. Terry Proulx will remain as the manager until our new manager Nikki feels comfortable with managing the Hook and Ladder on her own. We have also hired a new cleaning person. All these changes take place as of January 1st, 2014. Thanks to all of our members who showed interest.
2014 FF's Calendar
The calendars have been selling great. If you can assist with some sales, feel free to contact the FF’s in the calendar. The more we sell the more the Memorial fund receives.
Association T-Shirts
Our T-shirts have been being distributed to the members. Most of us have received them, so if you are still without one please contact someone on the board to receive yours.
Volunteer/Fundraisers
Thank you to all the members who have donated your time to such events as the Chilifest and Sparky’s Toy Drive. A special thanks to Bridgett Chippett, John McRae and Bob Bailey. Your countless hours and the time you spend on these events do not go unnoticed. You make the WPFFA look very good in the press and the public and these are the things that we need to keep doing, especially when we are under the microscope of the media. Also, thanks to everyone who participates behind the scenes to making these events successful, such as the retirees picking up the toys, the servers, all the members who unpack the trucks filled with toys on an early cold morning and all the front line members. I can’t begin to thank all the individuals, but please remember that we all appreciate your efforts and thank you on behalf of the WPFFA.
Media/Press/Council
These have been some trying times for our Association and possibly unchartered areas as well. I wanted to thank the membership for all of the support that the WPFFA Executive board has been receiving. I was truly proud to belong to the WPFFA when we put out a call to the membership to show up at City Council the night before and over 100 members showed up in their Association T-Shirts. We have been challenging the press and the media to write complete stories and not just be one-sided. We have been holding press releases and using valuable resources such as the IAFF and the OPFFA. We are currently working on a short term and a long-term plan for our Association. At the same time we are working on devising a plan, which is better for our Association and the citizens of Windsor. Please be patient and we will keep everyone posted of all upcoming events.
Professionalism
Remember, that we are professionals and we must remain professional at all times. Our issues remain the same. We make decisions based on facts and we all care about the City of Windsor. A reduction in service would mean a reduction in response times, which affects the safety of the community and the safety of the firefighters and the citizens of Windsor deserve better. Remember, we are the face of the Fire Department and the face of the Association. When we are at public relation events or picking up our groceries we may get opinions from the public so, please keep to the message and stay professional at all times. Now is the time to go above and beyond!
Closing Statement
As 2013 comes to close, I want to thank you for your support and friendship this last year. It has been an extremely challenging time for our local and our members’ interests continue to be well represented. Our board continues to work hard and will continue to be passionate about our Association.
Fraternally,
Angelo Gertsakis
WPFAA, Local 455
President
