Establishing a Local Human Relations Committee

It is the recommendation of the IAFF that, wherever possible, an IAFF affiliate establish a Human Relations Committee within its local union. Following are guidelines to observe that are helpful when forming a Local Human Relations Committee.

1. Members
   • Determine the number of members to serve on the committee.
   • The membership elects or the local union present appoints the committee members.
   • The committee reflects, as much as possible, all members by race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.
   • Make the local union president and chairperson of the grievance committee (if one exists) committee members as well.
2. Responsibilities
   • Acquaint yourselves with the contract (if one exists), work rules and the city’s hiring and promotional policies.
   • Establish a rapport with various group and governmental agencies at the local, state/provincial and federal levels.
   • Familiarize yourselves with the procedures for filing complaints with city, state/provincial and federal agencies.
   • Do not separate yourselves from the activities of other local union committees, and maintain continuous communication with the grievance committee (if one exists).
3. Paperwork
   • Establish a budget, if needed.
   • Keep accurate minutes of all committee meetings on file.
   • Submit regular reports of activities to the principal officers, the local union executive board, and the membership (whichever is appropriate or in compliance with local bylaws or policy).
   • Maintain effective communications with the local union president concerning all action reviewed by the committee.
4. Meetings
   • Meet on a regularly scheduled basis.
   • Open meetings to all members, and give ample notice of each meeting.
5. Complaints
   • Concern yourselves primarily with allegations of discrimination in employment practices.
   • Hold meetings with members upon initiation of a complaint.
   • Investigate all relative facts to determine the validity of the complaint.
   • Be honest, sincere, and tactful in dealing with members who initiate complaints.
   • Never infringe upon the duties and responsibilities of the grievance committee.

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