Matt Lay joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 2005 after serving as an Army infantryman in New Orleans and Iraq. He quickly became involved with Tulsa, OK Local 176, serving on committees, as vice president, and representing Tulsa on the Oklahoma State Fire Fighters Association Executive Board. Elected president in 2020, Matt led Local 176 through significant challenges, including inadequate city support during the COVID-19 pandemic, low morale, and economic instability. Despite these hurdles, the Local and Executive Board successfully turned things around, achieving notable victories for the union.
Here, Matt shares more about Local 176’s recent successes and progress:
Q: What have been some significant achievements of Local 176 in recent years?
A: One of our most notable achievements is the recent settlement of over $1 million from the City of Tulsa for unpaid FLSA overtime. What began as a simple delay of almost $300,000 in scheduled and recurring OT was aggravated by the City of Tulsa’s refusal to sustain the administrative grievance or even agree to repay in a timely manner. This led to a deeper investigation into inadequate and antiquated payroll practices, resulting in a judgment and damages more than three times the value of the FLSA OT itself.
This victory was a collective effort involving members’ testimonies, legal expertise, and persistent advocacy. Additionally, our union has successfully overturned several unjust terminations and disciplinary actions through dedicated member involvement in grievance processes and legal challenges. One case was won through conventional grievance arbitration, while the other two were unprecedented in the 105-year history of our Local.
Q: Can you elaborate on the role of the Tulsa Firefighters Benevolent Fund and how it involves members?
A: The Tulsa Firefighters Benevolent Fund has been instrumental in providing critical support to our members and their families. Member participation in the Benevolent Fund’s initiatives—such as fundraising events and donation drives—has enabled us to offer substantial financial assistance to the families of fallen fire fighters, those battling occupational cancer, and now cover 100 percent of the costs associated with members seeking mental health treatment at the IAFF Center of Excellence.
Q: What makes Tulsa a unique environment for politics and the fire service?
A: Tulsa, where desperation met preparation! The Local has faced significant challenges with city budgets, layoffs, bad legislation, and a lack of support from elected officials. However, this has led to a new generation of fire fighter legislators. We actively support members interested in political roles through training and resources provided by IAFF’s Political Training Academy. We also encourage involvement in FIREPAC, which helps fund campaigns for candidates who align with our goals. Members like Kevin Matthews, Stan May, and Ronald Stewart have successfully transitioned into political roles, representing fire fighter interests and influencing policy.
More than 70 percent of our members also donate to FIREPAC through payroll deductions each paycheck. These consistent and dedicated members ensure we have a foundation of resources to support campaigns for our members and partners seeking higher office. When combined with the efforts of politically savvy fire fighters around our state, including Oklahoma City, OK Local 157, Broken Arrow, OK Local 2551, Owasso, OK Local 2789, and others, alongside union brothers and sisters in Plumbers & Pipefitters, IBEW, and the State AFL-CIO, we have a viable pipeline to empower our members to run successfully for election at every level.
Q: How has the Executive Board helped make effective change in Tulsa?
A: The Executive Board and staff of Local 176 are comprised of dedicated union fire fighters and advocates. Their combined efforts have achieved significant improvements for every Tulsa fire fighter. We are fortunate to have a unique blend of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that have enabled Local 176 to be a dynamic and effective 21st-century labor organization.
A few examples include addressing wage disparities. Our team, led by Secretary-Treasurer Josh Lamb and Vice President Eric Acosta, worked tirelessly on wage comparisons and negotiations. Despite setbacks, we applied continuous pressure until the city agreed to raises averaging more than 30 percent over the last three years, including the largest average raise of 16.5 percent in 2022.
In the field of discipline and grievance, Vice President Darren Thames manages a high volume of cases, achieving numerous wins. Vice President Jeff Harper focuses on health and safety needs, and Vice President Craig Deerinwater handles public relations. New board member Colby Wright is committed to pursuing good policy through effective labor-management meetings. Our Director of Operations, Tasha Gilberg, has been a critical resource for over six years, ensuring the smooth operation of our programs and events. With this outstanding team, there is no bargaining goal or legislative objective beyond our reach.
Q: How has the IAFF supported the Local?
A: The IAFF has provided crucial support to our Local in several key areas. Shortly after I became president, General President Kelly and General Secretary-Treasurer Líma approved legal assistance for our federal case, helping us secure more than $1 million in damages for our members.
The IAFF also supports our Local through the life-saving work of the Center of Excellence, emphasizing its commitment to fire fighter health and well-being. The IAFF’s Strategic Initiatives program, which deployed Brother Dave Coker from North Carolina, helped us develop a long-term vision for our Local. Additionally, the IAFF Political Department and FIREPAC have supported Local 176 by backing candidates and political initiatives that align with our union’s goals.
Training programs, such as the Political Training Academy and Communications Training Academy, have already yielded tangible results for our Local and the community. This extensive support underscores the IAFF’s dedication to enhancing the capabilities, welfare, and influence of every Local within our great union.
