The IAFF hit two major milestones with the addition of its newest affiliate, Blood Tribe Emergency Services Association (Alberta) Local 5565. It’s the 200th Canadian Local to join the union and the first representing a First Nation. .
Local 5565 members provide emergency fire and medical services to the nearly 13,000 tribe members living on the reserve in Southern Alberta. They respond to calls from three fire stations.
“The future of our department, the health and safety of our members, and the well-being of everyone living in the Kainai Nation are important to us,” Local 5565 President Codi Payne said. “So, we wanted to have a seat at the table as decisions were being made about our PPE and apparatus, as well as things like wages and benefits.”
Joining Payne on the Local 5565 executive board are Vice President Brady Moore, Secretary Chelsea Epp, and Treasurer Jordan Klotz.
I am looking forward to helping our Local 5565 members build a positive labor-management relationship with the tribal government. Our new members are motivated and committed to doing what’s best for the future of the department and the services it provides to the reserve.
6th District Vice President Mike Carter
Although there is some crossover with federal and provincial governments, the tribe is independently governed by the chief, Tribal Council, and several departments. Emergency services fall under the Blood Tribe Department of Health.
“I am looking forward to helping our Local 5565 members build a positive labor-management relationship with the tribal government,” said 6th District Vice President Mike Carter, who presented the affiliate with its charter. “Our new members are motivated and committed to doing what’s best for the future of the department and the services it provides to the reserve.”
With the new members of the Blood Tribe, also known as the Kainai Nation, the IAFF now represents more than 362,000 members, including nearly 30,650 in Canada.
