Opening Session

Monday, January 25, 2010

Opening Session, Harold A. Schaitberger, IAFF General President
As the Ernest A. “Buddy” Mass Human Relations Conference got underway in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, January 24-27, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger addressed Conference attendees. Read more...

Opening Session, Representative John Lewis (D-GA) Watch Video
Participants at the Ernest A. "Buddy" Mass Human Relations Conference heard first-hand from one of the most instrumental players in the Civil Rights Movement, U.S. Representative John Lewis (D-GA), who kicked-off the conference with a moving speech in which he recalled his first meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His story about the life-changing mission he undertook to fight for equality set the course for an energetic, productive Conference that embraced the theme: Change! Together…Yes We Can!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010  - Town Hall

This ground-breaking town hall session serves as a forum for a discussion of challenges in the fire service and larger labor movement. The town hall included: Cheryl Horvath, International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services; Bill Lucy, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; Joseph Muhammad, International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters; Alberto Olmos, National Association of Hispanic Firefighters; Harold Schaitberger, IAFF; Carolyn Williams, Coalition of Labor Union Women; and Sean McManus, McManus & Huber (moderator).

View Video by Topic:

Ensuring Equity and Diversity - What are the barriers?
Diversity in Our Unions - Click here for AFL-CIO Convention Resolution 2
Hiring and Retaining Minorities - How can we do a better job?
Promoting in the Fire Service - Who should decide?
Harassment - What drives the behavior and how do we change it?