What's New at IAFF 1268

Posted On: Nov 19, 2008 (10:45:08)

President Ron Cassford and the Members of the Randolph Firefighters Local 1268 regret to announce the death of retired Local 1268 member Deputy Fire Chief Robert A. Heger – (Retired), Badge #25, on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Deputy Chief Heger became a Member of the Randolph Fire Department on September 14, 1969 and served as a dedicated and professional Firefighter for our community for over 27 years until his retirement on January 31, 1998. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during these difficult times, please be at peace our brother.

Firefighter- September 14, 1969

Fire Lieutenant- August 12, 1973

Fire Captain- August 16, 1981

Deputy Fire Chief- February 14, 1982

Retired- January 31, 1998

Services will be private at the request of the family. Burial in the V.A. National Cemetery, Bourne MA on Tuesday, November 25, 2008.

CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS

Updated On: Nov 13, 2008 (14:58:00)

As the holiday season fast approaches and with the economy dominating the headlines, we at Randolph Firefighters L1268 would like to take the time to remind the many locals of our US troops still serving overseas. We would like to thank those who have supported our involvement with the registered non profit charity Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was established in 2004 by a then twelve and thirteen year old brother and sister from Norwell, MA. The goal is to provide a means for service men and women to call their families from overseas at no cost. The mission is to collect and recycle unwanted cell phones, chargers and accessories and use the proceeds to purchase pre paid calling cards for our military personnel.

The recycling industry estimates Americans replace 130 million cell phones annually. Cell Phones for Soldiers estimates its program will have donated over 12 million minutes in calling cards for our troops this year alone.

Randolph Firefighters L1268 is extremely proud to have shipped 2800 cell phones worth over $14,000 in calling cards since Veterans Day weekend 2005. We would greatly appreciate any further donations to help reach our goal of 3000 cell phones by years end. We accept any make or model cell phone, cell phone battery, pager, charger, PDA or accessory in any condition as well as ink jet cartridges for this incredibly simple and successful cause.

Though these can be the most trying of times, thank you for supporting our troops during what can be the most difficult time of year for our soldiers and their families

Patrick Connors, Randolph Firefighters L1268

Newest Local 1268 Members report for duty.

Posted On: Oct 22, 2008 (16:32:36)

The Randolph Fire Department had 3 members graduating from the 181st Recruit Fire Training Program for Firefighters. Pictured below are FFOP Anthony Phinney, FFOP Cheri Harte and FFOP Peter Kourafas who graduated from the T. Dustin Alward Massachusetts Fire Academy on Friday Sept. 26th 2008 . Congratulatons and welcome to Local 1268!

Newton Awarded Back Pay in JLMC case.

Updated On: Aug 26, 2008 (20:46:00)

Newton firefighters to receive $6.1 million in retro pay and benefits

Newton firefighters are expected to receive $6.1 million in retroactive salary and benefits pay from the city thanks to a binding collective bargaining award from a state labor panel, according to a memo to the city's Board of Aldermen from Mayor David B. Cohen.

The Aug. 6 ruling settled a five-year dispute between the firefighter's union and city. Cohen filed a request today asking the Board of Aldermen to appropriate the money.

"As is typical in an arbitrator's decision, there are no absolute winners and losers," Cohen wrote in a memo to the board today. "Both sides in this dispute gained some of what we wanted and both sides failed to gain some of what we wanted ... it is now time for us to move forward."

Along with five years of retroactive raises, the contract determination by the Joint Labor-Management Committee gave firefighters money for education, set aside a request for random drug testing on firefighters and eliminated a controversial clause requiring firefighters to present a doctor's note confirming each time they or family members are ill.

The award rejected requests by the firefighters for an additional training stipend and an additional union pay step, however.

The contract is only valid until June 2009, and both sides will sit down again in January to begin the collective bargaining process on a new contract.

Tom Lopez, spokesman for the firefighter's union, has declined to comment until the board appropriates the money. The board is expected to take up the matter at its Sept. 2 meeting.

-- Rachana Rathi

IAFF endorses Senator Barack Obama for president.

Posted On: Aug 14, 2008 (18:29:32)

IAFF Executive Board Votes Unanimously

to Endorse Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States

Dear IAFF Affiliate Leader:
The IAFF Executive Board has voted unanimously to endorse Senator Barack Obama for president of the United States based on his support of fire fighters and working families.
I will announce the IAFF endorsement today during the IAFF 49th Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As part of the IAFF's "Fire Fighters For Obama" effort, we have assembled a Leadership Toolkit to assist you in educating your membership about Barack Obama and his record and commitment to the IAFF and its legislative priorities.
The toolkit -- mailed to affiliate leaders and available on the Fire Fighters For Obama web site -- includes an introductory video, videos of Senator Obama and how the IAFF makes its political decisions, a talking points booklet and election guide summary, several fact sheets explaining the respective positions of both candidates, as well as a sample press release, media advisory and newsletter story.
This toolkit will provide you with information about the candidates on our issues and includes material that will be helpful in your education, persuasion and get-out-the-vote efforts on behalf of Senator Obama. In addition, the toolkit includes information explaining the reasons for our endorsement to members who may be inclined to support his opponent.
The stakes in this election are very high for the IAFF, organized labor and, indeed, our nation. Senator Obama has a record of looking out for fire fighters and working families. Senator McCain has not been there on our issues.
Let's make sure we elect the candidate who has been there for us. Let's elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.
Fraternally,

Harold A. Schaitberger
General President