Federal Firefighters of Hawaii Gains 104 New Members

F-263 fire fighters at the Pohakuloa Training Area with U.S. Senator Dan Inouye

September 4, 2009 – The Federal Firefighters of Hawaii Local F-263, which represents fire fighters on Hickam Air Force Base, Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) and all military installations on the Island of Oahu, has added an impressive 104 new members over the last year.

F-263 President Reid Shimabukuro believes aggressive efforts to protect, serve and inform members have made all of the difference. “Our goal was to increase our membership to 80 percent over the next five years,” he says. “In just one year, I’m proud to say we surpassed that goal and are now 85 percent union.”

Strategies have included increasing members’ benefits, keeping dues the same and making it a priority to keep members informed on what their union is doing for them.

The Federal Firefighters of Hawaii have also challenged the Department of Navy in arbitration and won and negotiated a contract for its Army fire fighters at the Pohakuloa Training Area.

“Increasing our membership to 100 percent is a real possibility for us now,” says Shimabukuro. “This is a very exciting time for us.”