IAFF Talks About Global Alliance With Other Fire Unions

July 28, 2006 – A delegation led by IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger met with representatives from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) of the United Kingdom; the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA); and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) July 25-27 in Hawaii, to begin discussions and set parameters for an information sharing process that could develop into a powerful global alliance, after the unions involved take the information they learned at the meetings to their respective memberships for review and consideration.

“These meetings were important for us to be able to share information and learn about each other so we could clearly see the benefits of a potential partnership down the road,” says General President Schaitberger. “I will be taking this information back to my union and presenting a report to the delegates at our Convention in August to let them know what we learned and to get their guidance."

The IAFF was represented at the meeting by General President Schaitberger and District Vice Presidents Louie Wright (2nd District), Jim Ferguson (10th District), Michael Mullane (3rd District), Thomas Miller (8th District) and Lorne West (6th District). The Australian representatives were Mark Walker from the Queensland branch of the United Firefighters Union, Leigh Hubbard National Executive Officer, national president Ron Hanna, General Secretary Peter Marshall, and branch officials Tony Scully and Tony Trimble. The New-Zealand Professional Firefighters Union was represented by national committee member Steve Warner, National Secretary Derek Best, and President Michael McEnaney. The FBU was represented by AGS Andy Dark.

“Along with the other members of the IAFF delegation, I will be reporting to our convention that what I learned from the unions and esteemed leaders we met with has the potential to strengthen all fire unions around the globe, including the IAFF,”  says Schaitberger. Delegates at the convention will be considering a resolution on this issue, as well.

“The fight for better working conditions, adequate benefits and sufficient training for fire and EMS personnel is not only an issue in the United States and Canada; it’s a worldwide concern,” Schaitberger says. “Together with our brothers and sisters in other countries, we can speak louder and we will be heard.”

While the alliance is still in the information gathering stage, that process will take place under the umbrella of the participating unions. The alliance participants will also be inviting other like-minded fire fighter unions to join this partnership process.

The unions agreed to begin with a sharing of information, development of standards, assistance with campaigning and responding to international trends in the firefighting and fire services industries.

The Fire Brigades Union is the sole trade union representing emergency fire fighters control staff in the United Kingdom. The United Firefighters Union of Australia represents the 14,000 professional fire fighters providing fire and rescue services across the country. The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union represents New Zealand members in all matters having an impact on fire fighters.