Here are a few updates from the Executive Board after the September Union Meeting, thank you to everyone who attended. Our next membership meeting will be held on October 5th at Station 46, starting at 6pm. 

New Phone App Launches 

After launching our new website this summer, we are now rolling out a phone application to go with it. This will allow you to view all parts of the website more easily on your phone, including (but not limited to!) online voting and the message board. You will also be able to opt into push notifications. Push notifications will be our primary way to send notifications to members unless they have more urgent timelines then text and/or emails will be sent. Please read information below on how to download the app on iPhones or Android devices. 

iPhone: http://apps.unionactive.com/install_iphone.php?siteid=iaff1747

Android: http://apps.unionactive.com/install_android.php?siteid=iaff1747

Firefighters Foundation Needs Volunteers 

The KFF needs volunteers to help work a booth at the Lionhardt Golf Tournament on Sept 18 from 0900-1700ish at the Canterwood Golf and Country Club in Gig Harbor. Breakfast and dinner will be provided, as well as some adult refreshments. We need 2-3 members to assist. Reach out to Nikki by text or calling (253) 797-3001 if you are available. It will be fun! 

RN/SW Bargaining Unit Representative 

Daniel Henriquez has provided notice of his resignation as the bargaining unit representative for the RN/SW’s. His replacement is identified in Article V Section 10 of our current Bylaws. Notification has been sent to all members of the bargaining unit and at the next Executive Board meeting we will make an appointment for the remainder of term, which expires December 31, 2023. 

Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) 

We continue to meet with Admin on making changes to the definition of sick leave to work toward guaranteed access to PFML. We have been working with a labor attorney that has presented and solved many issues for IAFF locals around the state. One issue we have identified is that members who take PFML and go on unpaid leave are not having union dues deducted. The Executive Board discussed at our last meeting and will continue to float your dues forward and work on individual solutions to have past dues paid. A concern is that a break in employment that causes disability payments to be unpaid may cause you to no longer have STD or LTD insurance. More work on a better solution will take place and, in the meantime, we will be working with each person taking PFML.  Look for more information in the coming month. If you have any questions, please contact Keven. 

IAFF 7^th District Education Conference – Work Replacement Needs 

Most of the Executive Board will be at a union training event in Boise on October 22-24 and will need coverage. The annual IAFF 7^th District Education Conference will help your union leadership gain more knowledge on several different subjects and any help of covering their shifts will prevent 1.5 overtime coverage reimbursements back to the FD.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4EAFAC23A6FD0-union#/

Holiday Cash Out – Pensionable Earnings 

The HR Department recently confirmed parts of the payroll process to make certain contractual provisions were correct. In doing that, they inquired if the holiday cash out provision in Article 33 should be reported as pensionable earnings. They have received word from DRS the cash out of holiday time as written in the collective bargaining agreement is not pensionable. We are in the process of confirming if the response was a formal opinion and what the next steps are to provide status quo and continue as pensionable earnings. The intent of the FD is to have the cash out pensionable and is committed to making changes necessary to fulfil the intent of the CBA as understood. When we have more certainty on this fluid issue we will provide an update to members. 

Committee Members Needed 

We will be activating a new Bylaws Committee and also reestablish the Union Hall Committee. Both of these are a result of goals outlines in the Strategic Plan the membership approved. If you have any interest to serve on one of these committees please email both Alex at alex@kentfirefighters.org and Keven at keven@kentfirefighters.org 

Name Change Update 

With the recent vote and approval to change our name to Puget Sound Fire Fighters, we submitted a formal request to the IAFF with a minor Bylaws change in two places. We are awaiting word from the IAFF and asked for expedited review.