Challenges and Opportunities

Measuring success on an emergency scene is relatively simple. If lives and property are saved and our members return unharmed, then we’re successful.

But what does success look like for your union? Expectations are more difficult to meet. How many times in past years did you hear, “What has the IAFF done for me?”

Our mission is to ensure a safe workplace and improve the lives of professional fire fighters. We achieve this goal by responding to challenges and seizing opportunities.

In 2003, this union and its members faced many challenges. On Capitol Hill, bitter partisanship dominated Congress. Encouraged by gains made in the off year election, conservatives went on the offensive. Caught in the cross hairs, organized labor adopted a defensive strategy.

But the IAFF viewed these challenges as an opportunity to engage a divided Congress to push key legislative initiatives. We took a daunting situation and boldly created new opportunities for success.

Throughout my administration, we have made a sincere and conscious effort to partner with fire fighter-friendly Republicans to advance our issues. Clearly, there are areas in which we will never win broad-based GOP support—most notably collective bargaining.

But, with the help of many senior Republican leaders and our Democratic allies, the IAFF enjoyed a banner year. The enactment of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) authorizing nearly $8 billion to hire 75,000 new fire fighters over a seven-year period was an unprecedented triumph for our union.

The undisputed reality is that organized labor has not experienced a significant congressional victory since 1995 when the GOP took control of Congress. SAFER, which addresses the chronic staffing shortfalls that plague fire departments nationwide, proves that your union can and does work with both parties for the benefit of our members.

The ink was still wet on SAFER when we began closing the deal on another legislative priority: including heart attacks and strokes under the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program. The IAFF has fought for this expansion since its original enactment in 1976.

Through your grassroots efforts, more than 400 members of Congress co-sponsored House and Senate versions of this bill. However — as is often the case — the bill languished in committee, so the IAFF brokered a meeting with senior Republican leaders to break the logjam.

Immediately, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert personally intervened to ensure passage as the House moved towards adjournment. Similarly, support from several GOP Senators guaranteed success in the upper chamber. In the end, I was proud of our efforts as I stood by President Bush in the Oval Office as the only fire service organization invited when he signed the measure into law on that historic day.

Few other unions have the ability to work as effectively with the Republican majority. Our ability to do so is the result of our bi-partisan approach. While the first session of the 108th Congress was devastating for labor in general, professional fire fighters have reason to celebrate.

In Canada, our members played a major role in the election of Paul Martin, the country’s new Prime Minister. Having greatly expanded both the Canadian federal legislative program and FIREPAC Canada over the past three years, the IAFF’s power and influence is at a peak. We look forward to working with congratulate Prime Minister Martin and his newly formed government to implement a PSOB-type program in Canada.

In communities large and small, the IAFF has responded to layoffs, station closings, reductions in force and other cuts in service. Working with our affiliates, the International provides the resources to fight city hall and protect your jobs.

Most recently, after a tenacious battle in Cleveland, 80 fire fighter jobs were saved. Regrettably, another 70 of our brothers received pink slips. But we won’t rest until every single member in Cleveland is back to work protecting their communities. Just as we were victorious in Minneapolis, Worchester and many other departments, so will we be in Cleveland.

The IAFF’s more than 262,000 members are on the front line confronting challenges every day, and I am honored to be allowed to represent each and every one of you in upholding our mission. Together, we will continue to create opportunities to advance our profession and better the lives of the men and women of the IAFF.

This great union will always be there for you.

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