The biennial IAFF Convention kicked off in Boston today with a focus on union leadership and reform.
In a keynote address during the Opening Ceremony, General President Edward Kelly shared his personal connection to the city.
“This is where I grew up,” he said. “My mother’s father was on the job here in the late ’30s and early ’40s. My love for being a fire fighter comes from my father’s love for being a fire fighter.”
His address highlighted major reforms and accomplishments since he and General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma became the IAFF’s two principal officers in 2021.
My love for being a fire fighter comes from my father’s love for being a fire fighter.
General President edward kelly
“We’ve brought checks and balances back to the IAFF,” said Kelly. “We’re now prepared to take on the fights. Wherever those fights are, we’re going.”
The IAFF has made significant strides in recent years, including implementing 77 out of 78 recommendations from the Ethical Practices Committee (the last issue will be resolved soon), and increased the IAFF’s reserves from $4 million to $18 million in just three and a half years.
The IAFF has also played a crucial role in supporting fire fighters across the U.S. and Canada. The union mobilized quickly to support Newark fire fighters after the tragic deaths of Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr. in a cargo ship fire.
“Within 24 hours, we had IAFF staff on the ground. When they saw the power of the IAFF, they voted to rejoin the IAFF, and we’re proud to have them,” he said.
More than 100 IAFF members and supporters recently gathered outside Boeing headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, to protest the company’s lockout of Boeing Fire Fighters Local I-66 members in Washington state.
The lockout began on May 4 after the Local union demanded better pay and working conditions.
“It was truly a David versus Goliath battle,” said Kelly. “In the original story, David had a slingshot; in today’s story, the Boeing fire fighters had you, the 350,000 members of the IAFF.”
Kelly also emphasized the IAFF’s ongoing fight against occupational cancer. Recent victories include the enactment of Bill C-224 by the Canadian Parliament, a lawsuit against the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to improve safety standards in firefighting gear, and a new federal grant of nearly $2 million from the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) funding training for nearly 1,700 additional fire fighters in hazardous materials response.
A new federal rule finalized this year will also give fire fighters and other first responders critical information about the hazardous materials being transported through their communities.
“Through our efforts, the U.S. Department of Transportation has included IAFF members in critical investigations like the East Palestine train derailment,” he added.
At a time when little is being accomplished in Congress, Kelly said the IAFF continues to get results.
“National collective bargaining – which we’ve been fighting to get in Congress for decades – remains a top priority. But we’re not going to let Congressional inaction keep us from taking up that fight.” The union has engaged Local and state affiliates in an effort to expand collective bargaining rights state by state and city by city.
We live in divisive times, but what unites us is our commitment as fire fighters.
general President edward kelly
Kelly highlighted the importance of political strategy and engagement, noting that 86% of respondents to the IAFF’s all-member survey want the union to tell them which candidates have a strong track record on fire fighter issues.
Fr. John Unni, Chief Chaplain of the Boston Fire Department, addressed delegates and members with a call for a house united.
“In this gathering this week, I hope we join as a house united amidst such divided times in the world, our country, maybe in our own towns, families, and hearts,” he said.
Kelly echoed the statement, stressing the importance of solidarity and fighting with those on the frontlines. “We live in divisive times, but what unites us is our commitment as fire fighters,” he said. “It’s our job to ensure they make it through the end of a tour.”
