Biden/Schaitberger Meeting Focuses on Economy and Homeland Security

February 17, 2009 – IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger spent the Presidents’ Day holiday meeting with Vice President Joe Biden to discuss major issues of concern to the IAFF and its members – particularly the economy – to be addressed in the 111th Congress.

As the economy continues to affect IAFF members through staffing reductions, station closures and benefit and wage concessions, Biden lobbied favorably for the IAFF in securing $8.8 billion in the recent stimulus package to protect the interests of fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. In addition, he sought and won a provision for $210 million in new funding for fire service infrastructure.

“Joe Biden has always been on the frontline for fire fighters, and his recent work in ensuring money for public safety in the stimulus further demonstrates his commitment to this union and its members,” says Schaitberger.

In the meeting, the vice president and Schaitberger also addressed homeland security and first responder issues in large-scale events, including the IAFF’s position that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must remain an integral part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Later this week, President Schaitberger will travel to New York City with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to meet with various governmental and local leaders on homeland security issues. Schaitberger will also meet with President Obama that evening to discuss in more detail issues affecting the nation’s professional fire fighters.

“In under a month, this union has had more positive interaction with the Obama team than with the previous administration over the past eight years combined,” notes Schaitberger. “It’s great to have a partner in the White House.”

In his discussion with Schaitberger, Biden also reaffirmed the Obama administration’s support for the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, the IAFF’s national collective bargaining bill that will give collective bargaining rights to every fire fighter. Obama and Biden both co-sponsored the legislation as senators in the previous Congress.

“President Obama and Vice President Biden have always stood tall for the interests of organized labor and, in particular, the nation’s fire fighters,” says Schaitberger. “I look forward to joining the president in the White House when he signs the bill providing all professional fire fighters the right to collectively bargain.”

Vice President Biden’s Chief Domestic Policy Advisor Terrell McSweeney and Chief Economic Advisor Jared Bernstein were also part of the meeting with General President Schaitberger.