Brothers and Sisters,

We have reached impasse in negotiations and will be going to mediation sometime in the near future.  Please find attached a copy of our last proposals presented to the City, at this point they are claiming inability to pay. So, we will continue to press on and will keep you informed as we move forward.

Thanks,

Robin Chitwood

President, L-314

Brothers and Sister’s

At the March 2010 Union meeting a motion was made to bring four proposals to the membership to attempt to fix our current budget issue of placing money into savings. As stated in that meeting we have been reducing our savings account to cover extra ordinary expenses. The last deposit into savings other then quarterly interest payments was 2002.  The OSFFC and the IAFF both recommend a savings with $ 500.00 to $ 1000.00 per member. It is very important to have a “war chest” for unforeseen extra ordinary expenses, and the ability to replenish these funds. Budget committee has met numerous times to come up with theses four options to build our savings.

A posting will follow this email for a ballot box vote to be held in 15 days (tentatively July 10^th-12^th) per the constitution and bylaws. All four options will be placed on the ballot, the option with the most votes will be taken to another online vote as one choice and a NO option as the second. These options will be discussed at the next union meeting to be held July 6^th.

Any dues increase will be a bylaw change and would be changed next election cycle in October.

Thank you to the budget committee for all your hard work on this.

In Unionism

Scott Miller

Secretary/Treasurer

Current Assessment: Is $25 a pay period for a total of $50 per month for four months. This is based on 155 members and is an increase in dues of 1.9% which equates to $7,750 brought in each month until the end of four months is reached with a goal of $31,000 to pay off attorney bills.

Current Monthly Dues: Each member of Local 314 currently pays 1.5% of their Base monthly salary. Most other locals operate off a percentage of Top Step FF salary.

These dues are paid based on the current number of members under the current 2007-2010 contract.

Average of Salem Members per pay period:

Top Step Capt. $47.41

Top Step A/O: $42.82 (includes EMT-P)

Top Step FF: $40.87

The State, and International all recommend from $500-$1000 in savings per member.

Comparables Union Dues:

TVF&R: 1.25% of Top Step FF + 12% to Building assessment fund + $ 1.25 building reserve fund + $ 1.25 to legal reserve fund.

Gresham Fire: 1.75% of Top Step FF + $ 5.00 Charitable Fund

Springfield Fire: 2.00% of Top Step FF

Eugene Fire: 1.85% of Top Step FF + $ 10.00 Charitable Fund + $ 13.00 Station Fund

Portland Fire: 1.50% of Monthly Salery (Includes Premiums) + $ 2.50

Option 1: To change the language from 1.5% of Base monthly salary to 2% of Base monthly salary which would save approx. $861.88 a month, approx. $10,342 a year, and take approx. 9.67 years to reach a goal of $100k in savings.

This is on your current Base monthly salary (Including Premium Pay), not Top Step FF.

It is a variable amount per pay period that is deducted from your wage based on current rank and pay step.

Option 2:  To change the language from 1.5% of Base monthly to 2% of Top Step FF monthly salary which would save $3,932.20 per month, $47,186.40 per year, and take approx. 2.1 years to reach a goal of $100k in savings with no continuation of the assessment.

Each member would then pay $54.62 per pay period.

Option 3:  Continue the current short term assessment for one year past the current four month period which would equate to approx. $93k in savings. Then increase the monthly dues from 1.5% Base monthly salary to 1.85% of Top Step FF monthly salary with no additional assessment after one year.

By changing to 1.85% of Top Step FF monthly salary this would then allow $2,662.75 per month to go into savings after the end of the assessment continuation period.

This will take approx. 2.1 years to obtain our goal.

Everyone will pay their current amount dependent upon their pay scale plus $25 per pay period for the assessment. Each member will then transition into paying $50.92 per pay period with no assessment.

Option 4: Continue the current assessment for one year past the four month period which would equate to approx. $93k in savings, and increase the monthly dues from 1.5% Base monthly salary to 2% Top Step FF monthly salary. This would allow $3932.20 per month and $47,186.40 per year to be added into savings.

It will take approx. 1.2 years to obtain our goal.

Each member will pay $79.62 per pay period for one year. At the end of one year, each member will then pay $54.62 per pay period.

WHEN: August 27th & 28th

WHERE: Liberty & Trade (station 1) AND Market & Lancaster

CONTACT: Chuck Ettel 503-871-5158

Salem Fire, Local 314 is is proud to host MDA's 2010 Salem Fire Fill-The-Boot. In 2009, Salem Fire raised more money than any other department in the state and we want to do it again this year! Last year we raised $38,000 and this year our goal is $42,000.

All you have to do is click here to make a secure, online donation before 08/28/10. Your donation will help families in our community who live with neuromuscular disease. We can't wait to add you to our list of contributors.

Thanks in advance for your help. Don't hesitate to call or email me with any questions.

Together we'll make a difference,

Salem Fire

P.S. I'm counting on you, click here to donate.

If the link above does not work, please cut and paste the address below into the address bar of your Internet browser.
https://www.joinmda.org/2010salemftb/chuckettel

Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for all of you who turned out to put out flyers and put up signs.  Even though the election did not end completely as we had hoped it is a time for all of us to be proud to support those who support us.  A special thanks to Chuck Ettel for organizing events for the local and being the liaison with the candidates.  I saw many of you on more than one occasion and that is nice to see. 

Without support during elections and throughout the year, it would be impossible to influence through politics.  That influence is crucial to all of the things that are enjoyable about this profession.  It is through this support that we show we really do stick with those that stick with us.  Those that came before us have set us up to enjoy a long career with good benefits, wages and a retirement.  Honor those people, be it union members or union leaders, everyone has a role to play making sure those things are not taken away or reduced.  Thank you again.

In Unionism,

Trever Elmer

Local 314 Vice President