As fire fighters we know how important it is to have a government that listens to our concerns. It is our right to be able to speak to and educate our political representatives about our issues and concerns. We also know that this is not always the case.
Think back to the early 90’s when what was thought to be a “labour friendly government” was elected with a majority. We were all shocked when we were faced with the Social Contract. It was a time not to long ago when we were forced to sit by and watch our collective agreements being trampled and our wages frozen.
Rebounding from that, in 1995 and lasting through to 2003 we were faced with a government that set out to change government and its approach with the Common Sense Revolution!
For professional fire fighters in the province of Ontario, the passage of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act in 1997 fundamentally altered our collective bargaining rights, totally disrupted our arbitration system, introduced opportunities for privatization, managerial exclusions and a corporate culture within the fire service.
For the first time in recent memory fire fighters demonstrated at Queens Park, we lobbied our MPPs and Members of Cabinet. We wrote letters, submitted legislative briefs before the government and worked collectively across the province to try to defeat or at least alter this drastic affront on the legislation we lived by for decades as fire fighters in the province.
In 2003, fire fighters did not support the re-election of the Conservative government. A Liberal majority government was elected and it was the dawning of a new era in government relations for Ontario’s professional fire fighters.
Almost 4 years later we have seen the benefits of a government that treats us with respect, considers us a legitimate stakeholder and, truly listens to us when we ask to be heard.
What have we learned from the past 12 years? We must continue to support those who support us – regardless of party. We cannot sit idly by and watch our valued relationship slip away and allow history to repeat itself.
This year the OPFFA is making it easy for you to participate. Following is the OPFFA’s 2007 Provincial election strategy:
Getting Involved means Getting Results – Answer the Call – 4 Hours
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Remembering the past!
"Answering the Call"
The OPFFA has adopted and initiated a political action plan for this fall’s (October 10th, 2007) upcoming Provincial Election.
Our plan, called “Answering the Call” was rolled out in early May of this year and we continue to build on it.
What have we done?
In essence, we have created a virtual “Provincial Fire Fighters Campaign Office”.
The OPFFA’s political action plan, “Answering the Call” uses our existing organizational structure with the additional feature of the aforementioned virtual campaign office.
The plan establishes a support structure that that addresses strategy, resources and communications needs for each of our locals.
As we continue to move forward we will review and evaluate each political party’s platform with respect to fire service issues. We will identify the positive and negative features of each party’s platform on our members and their families.
We have and will continue to evaluate the actions and level of support from each of the incumbent candidates, working with our member locals to ensure that a fire fighter friendly government is elected on October 10th.
Within our campaign we are providing a three pronged approach to not only support our efforts as a provincial Executive Board, but one that provides all the necessary assistance and resources our members need on the ground to achieve success.
Our virtual campaign’s three pillar approach includes:
1. Strategy Desk,
2. Communications Desk and,
3. Resource Desk.
Strategy Desk
Our Strategy Desk will be available from now through to October 11th to assist your local in developing, implementing and adapting your local strategy as need be.
Led by President LeBlanc, the Strategy Desk team will be readably accessible for your local association leaders when the need arises.
Communications Desk
From now until Election Day, and even the days following October 10th our Communications Desk team will be available 24/7 to assist your local in addressing communications related issues that arise.
Whether it be from local media, municipal administration, your fire service management, we will be there to assist in managing the response, if need be.
Led by Secretary/Treasurer McKinnon, and including but not limited to President LeBlanc and representatives from the IAFF, we are confident that our Communications Desk will be there with sound advice when needed.
Resource Desk
The Resource Desk itself will provide a multi-dimensioned level of support and assistance.
We have, developed and populated a “Resource Desk” database within our current OPFFA Database for access by your local and political action committee leaders.
This customized section of our database will provide, at your association’s finger tips, all the information you could possibly need for the upcoming election.
Each and every electoral district (riding) has been researched, and all relevant information with regards to the incumbent, their stance on our issues, their record with us, their opponents bios, candidates' political history (where applicable), media monitoring, past election results, etc. have been complied and are ready for use.
Further, our Resource Desk database in a one stop shopping type format, has links to all necessary Elections Ontario sites, political parties sites, leaders' sites, province wide media clippings, our Legislative Fact Sheets, riding maps and descriptions, current polling, etc.
Secondly, the Resource Desk, led by Executive Vice-President George will be available to provide research and information gathering service from here to Election Day as required.
The Resource Desk will also be providing, during the election period (September 10th to October 10th), on the ground assistance in ensuring we have the representation where and when it is needed across the province.
District Vice-Presidents
The District Vice-Presidents will continue to assist their locals in building the team and resources necessary to effectively participate in the election campaign. They will continue to monitor election preparedness activity for the locals within their respective districts.
Summary
We are both excited and confident in our political action plan, “Answering the Call”.
We hope that this brief synopsis of our plan and our efforts instill a level of confidence for you that we have a sound plan and structure in place.
To be successful, all we need is 4 hours of your time between Labour Day weekend and October 10th.
If you would like to do more, that would be even better.
4 hours is very little to ask for to display our appreciation for what we have achieved and to ensure we continue to have opportunities for future success.
Getting Results means Getting Involved!
Contact your local President or the OPFFA today to find out how you can do you part to Answer the Call.
Sign me up for your 4 Hours
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Respect !
For the past four years, we, professional fire fighters in the province of Ontario, have enjoyed a working relationship, built on a mutual level of respect and a level of recognition as legitimate stakeholders with this government.
Fire fighters in this province have not experienced a relationship like this in a long, long time.
There is a lot more than a couple of pieces of legislation at stake this October!
Contrast this !
Under the previous Conservative provincial government (1995 - 2003) we, professional fire fighters in the province of Ontario, spent $563,735.67 defending our rights against the attacks of the government.
We have yet to spend a dollar fighting legislation introduced by the current government!
Our Issues: Going Forward!
Arbitration Process for Fire Fighters
The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 introduced a new process for the interest arbitration process resulting in lengthy delays for decisions and significantly rising cost for both the municipality and the local association.
The FPPA introduced conciliation through the Ministry of Labour prior to moving to arbitration. Furthermore the introduction of mediation/arbitration (as opposed to arbitration) has resulted in lengthy delays for decisions and increased costs for all parties.
The OPFFA is seeking to streamline the current process with a goal to return to the arbitration system as previously set out in the Fire Departments Act (repealed for the FPPA). The previous system allowed for a direct step to arbitration and resulted in a much quicker and more efficient process.
Funding for Front-line Staffing
Currently over 80% of the full-time fire departments are operating with understaffed vehicles (less then 4 firefighters per vehicle) and do not meet NFPA standards for staffing and deployment. In many cases these departments cannot even meet the Fire Marshals’ Office guideline of “10 in 10”. In the past the government has made provisions for the funding of front line staff for police and paramedics. While the Fire Services Grant (2005) was welcome funding, it was only a one-time grant.
The OPFFA is seeking a similar funding program (Community Policing Partnerships Program) where the province invested in the hiring on 1,000 additional front-line police officers.
Mandatory Retirement
The Ontario Human Rights Code (“Code”) was amended to allow workers to work beyond age 65 without being forced to retire based solely on age. The “Code” does allow for mandatory retirement based upon a bona-fide occupational retirement (BFOR). Notwithstanding, the BFOR must be proven on an individual or case by case basis.
The OPFFA believes that the BFOR should apply to all fire fighters who engage in suppression or training activities as the effects are similar regardless of location. Currently there are numerous cases moving forward to the Ontario Human Rights Commission on an individual basis. The effect of challenging these claims introduces an enormous financial burden on both the municipality and the local association. Having an “exemption” for fighters identified within the legislation recognizes a BFOR for the occupation and prevents future challenges.
IAFF Logo on Ontario License Plates
The OPFFA is working with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to produce OPFFA graphic license plates with the IAFF logo. These license plates would only be issued to OPFFA active and retired members in good standing.
President LeBlanc's letter to Local Presidents
August 7, 2007
Attention All OPFFA Local Presidents
2007 Provincial Election – Are You Ready?
Dear Local President:
As we try to enjoy another summer season filled with family vacations, rest, and relaxation (of which we all deserve) the reality is the clock has started ticking towards a very important provincial election.
We have made great strides as professional fire fighters and enjoyed unparalleled success these past four years at Queen’s Park. That success did not come without hard work and dedication. We are blessed to be in the midst of one of the best relationships with a provincial government in our history. Having been through the social contract and years of unfriendly governments, a relationship on which we can rely upon is priceless.
This fall that relationship will be tested insofar as getting our members to participate during the election. I am acutely aware of the difficulties getting our membership actively involved but we are asking all members to “Answer the Call” and simply commit 4 hours of their time. When you think about what we have achieved it is truly a pittance of time over the course of one month.
I am calling on your leadership to personally reach out to your members whether it is through station visits or by whatever means is required to ensure our members understand the importance of participating in this election.
The OPFFA endorsed Premier McGuinty during our convention but we took great care to ensure that locals were free to support whatever MPP they chose. Previously when I referred to our relationship with government, that relationship extends beyond any one political party. Our credibility is extremely high given our approach to political action.
This fall is our time to show that we truly support those who support us. The OPFFA has developed a strong election campaign:
Answer the Call - Getting Results Means Getting Involved - 4 hours is all we ask.
To make this work and give the OPFFA and our membership the reputation it deserves we need you as the local President to become active to get your members to participate.
To learn more about the OPFFA’s campaign, how to participate locally or, to get assistance with your members contact OPFFA S/T Mark McKinnon, Executive V/P Brian George or me. October 10th will be here before we know it.
Fraternally,
Fred LeBlanc,
President
