Monthly Local 77 Union Newsletter
Hello guys, sorry it has been so long since
our last newsletter. Delus Johnson has been kind enough to
assist us with placing it on our website and saving us money on
postage going up every couple of months. We have been attending
a lot of meetings right now during budget times. Kelly has been
an asset to the e-board with his research work for the union.
The council has finally realized that we are way behind the 90%
that was promised to us years ago. One of the council members
asked Carolyn Harrison the other day if the cities promise to
the citizens was fulfilled by completing all of the previous CIP
items. I asked him what about the promise to bring us to the
90%, you could have heard a pin drop in the room, and no one had
a reply. We have done the survey and proven to them how far
behind we are, now it is time for them to step up and take care
of the cities greatest assets (us). One thing that does upset me
is all of these meetings we have been attending once again it
seems like the Local is the only dept. showing up to sit through
all of these long boring meetings. The FOP has been to a couple
of them with us, we have been attending everything from Budget,
City Council, TIF, and etc. The other day at the Health Ins.
Meetings we were the only group there; I guess everyone is happy
with Ins. We are not. Lance will address the insurance more in
his letter. One very important thing we are trying to get
accomplished is re-establishing a pay matrix with COLA added in
this time, which was very hard on us losing that during the last
matrix.
On the Fire Chief's job, we have told the council and City
manager that we will be supporting Local (period). I have been
trying to get a hold of Diana to ask her when the application
request is going out and to see what kind of degree is required
if any. I have heard everything from no degree to a 2 and 4 year
degree. We need to know this for our members to determine who
can apply. We will be involved in the interviewing process and
hopefully in the selection, but don't worry we will not come out
with a name unless we only have one apply. As long as we get
Local we win... Jack has been a great Chief for us and gotten a
tremendous amount of things accomplished for the dept., I will
miss working with him. Jack is going to be involved in the
replacement of his job as well.
I have heard that guys are worried about a new Chief coming on
board with new changes coming along... Guys believe it or not
change is not always a bad thing, change can be for the good as
well.
If any of you have questions or concerns about anything going on
right now please don't hesitate to call one of us. Guys be safe
and watch out for each other.
Travis
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Brothers,
Well we are finally getting ahead enough that I'm having a few
projects fixed here at the hall. Our non-smoking Hall is holding
its own on Bingo nights and we have given each group a small
concession on rent if the crowd drops below 175. It has happened
a few times but by cutting the rent a little every once in a
while we have maintained our 5 nights of rent.
I've had 2 new pressure assist stools installed in the women's
restroom and have gotten bids on some guttering for the front
porch. All work is being done union.
I've asked Kurt to check on insurance through the IAFF financial
group because what we currently have for life insurance goes
away at age 75. We have to get a little more info to them but it
looks like we will get the 10,000 and when you hit 75 it will
reduce to 2500.
Kurt has dealt with the IAFF financial group over the Frontline
and can get info on most all of their products including credit
cards.
Last thing I have is the Fire Museum I know several of you buy a
membership each year which is a help to them. Most of you don't
attend meetings however. The membership cost is $5.00 and their
meetings are the 3rd Thursday of each month at the museum at
7:00 PM.
The dedicated group running the museum would welcome your input
and help. They have solidified the museums finances and
currently pay all bills except those pertaining to the La France
fire truck. They also have had more attendance than most or all
of the other museums. This is our history so if you want to help
preserve it call John Nelson, the current president of the
museum.
P.S. The Executive Board wants to thank Chief Tim Deen for his
help in getting raises for the state firefighters and for
resolving all grievances in house. Tim resigned his position
effective March 1st.
Travis and I will meet with his replacement Brian Jansen soon.
Steve Dalsing
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Brothers,
The city will stay with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for health
insurance, but there will likely be a change in the plan. To
stay with our current plan BCBS proposed a 14.5% increase. They
gave the council 5 different options, each with different rate
increases, one with a decrease. The option they all seemed to
like comes with a 1.2% increase but with a reduction in
benefits.
If you have family coverage the new rate will be $824.94/month.
If you want to keep the same plan we have now it will cost
$54.03/month. The family rate will be $981.04/month. If you want
the PPO plan like we have now it will be $180.05/month. The
family PPO will be $1398.01/month. Not much of a benefit is it?
The council has not made a decision just yet, but the consensus
was that they liked this option. They will make a decision soon.
Chris Koster spoke to the Central Labor Council he is running
for Attorney General. The MO. State Council is endorsing him and
I think the CLC will to. Jeff Harris is also running for the
same position and also spoke with CLC. Any questions or safety
issues give me a call.
Be Safe, Lance
Lance Juhl
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Well Guys this will be pretty short. It seems like we have all
been working on the budget and our pay issues. We have done a
lot of work on this and hopefully we will have some answers as
to where we will be going with our pay.
The MDA lock up will be April 23 and 24 this year.
Anyone interested in helping out with that I would appreciate
it. It does take up about half of your day but is for good
cause. We have raised a lot of money for MDA this year and it
would be great to continue that trend.
Well I don't have anything else right now. If you have any
questions give me a call.
Kurt
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Welcome
The Firefighter Auxiliary would like to invite all wives,
mothers or daughters of a firefighter to join us. Our dues are
$5.00 for the year.
We, as a group, award two($250.00) scholarships for college each
year, give an annual widow's brunch, and help assemble widow's
Christmas baskets and deliver them. Our widow's just love the
time we take to visit with them.
We support Local 77 in all their charities. Help work Bingo
nights, boot blocks or any other function when needed.
We meet the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at the union
hall. In the summer months we try out different restaurants for
fun. Mail your dues to Gayle Roe 2815 Seneca, St. Joseph, MO
64507.
Please come and join us!
Ladies Auxiliary
NOTICE
WE WILL BE TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR DELEGATES TO GO TO THE IAFF
CONVENTION IN AUGUST AT THE APRIL UNION MEETING.
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