Election Is Over - Offer Your Advice To John and Rich

Now that the election is over, we think it would be a good idea to try to get some feedback from Local 2068 members on where we go from here. Like it or not - John Niemiec will remain President for the next two years. A lot of issues were raised during the campaign. Nobody is perfect.....not John, not Rich, nor ANYONE in our department. With that in mind, we think it would be prudent for both John and Rich to evaluate the issues that were raised, and perhaps make some adjustments to improve the service to Local 2068 members.

RULES FOR THIS TOPIC - All of our readers are welcome to submit CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions. Non-constructive attacks such as "John stabs people in the back" or "Rich is a liar" will not be allowed, even if your comment otherwise has good ideas. We will simply reject them without comment, so please don't bother.

To get the ball rolling, we will offer a few ideas, although we plan on reviewing the debate video on the Local 2068 website to gather more information for suggestions.

Suggestions for John Niemiec

1. We believe that John's number one goal should be to reduce the divisiveness in Local 2068. We are smart enough to realize that it isn't practical to have everyone on the board in complete agreement on all issues, however, the membership isn't being properly served the way things have been going the last two years. This goal will be a significant test to John's leadership skills. Clearly he will have to swallow his pride, and include those executive board members with whom he has had major disagreements with in the past.
2. John needs to work on behalf of the majority of the membership. In the debate, John stated that it has always been a goal of Local 2068 to achieve a second safety officer. In this example, we believe that this was more of a personal goal, rather than a goal that the majority of the membership truly wanted.
3. John needs to repair his strained relationship with the Fire Chief. The local will have a more difficult time achieving its goals without the help of the Fire Chief, regardless of whether or not we think the FC is the best person for the job.

Suggestions For Rich Merrell

1. Your loss to John Niemiec in the presidential election removes you from the executive board. We think there is a good chance that you will now run for election to the open spot on the executive board. We would encourage that you run for this position, providing that you take positive steps to repair your relationship with the President as well as some other members of the Executive Board. Of course, this assumes that the President does his part to do the same thing. We aren't asking you to agree with everything that other members on the board have to say......but clearly, a more professional working relationship is something that needs to be worked out. We believe that this will also be a test to your leadership skills, and feel that it will be an important factor should you choose to run for President again in the future. In future elections, you should be able to answer the question "what steps did you take to improve your working relationship with the President"? Will you be able to cite specifics that you made reasonable efforts to avoid unnecessary conflict, and in fact, promote a more positive working relationship?
2. Assuming that you are elected to the vacant spot on the board, we felt that you brought a lot of great ideas to the table in your campaign. Your concerns about Local 2068 NOT being involved in key issues, such as Career Development, EMS Plans, etc were dead on. Local 2068 MUST have a voice in major changes to our department, and cannot sit by idly and wait for the Fire Chief to make decisions without our input. Continue to be an advocate for these things, and try to professionally persuade others on the board to join you.

We may come up with other suggestions, but wanted to get the ball rolling - please respect the rules for this topic!

Brother Big Eye

Should We Give Up Medic Incentive Pay?

One person submitted a suggestion to The Big Eye that we give up medic incentive pay. According to this anonymous suggestion, "looking at the budget we would save a couple of million if we gave this extra money up. This money could be used to restore cola's and pay merits for all in teh FD."

We thought this should be posted as its own topic to give people the opportunity to offer their thoughts. Fire away!

Niemiec Wins In Landslide Vote

TO:

Daniel V. Gray

Secretary-Treasurer

FROM:

Philip A. Pommerening

2009 Election Committee Chair

SUBJECT:

Election Results

Ballots for the 2009 Union Election of Principal Officers were counted today
by members of the election committee with the following results:

President Election:

Richard Merrell: 465 votes

John Niemiec: 715 votes - elected

Secretary-Treasurer Election:

Danny Gray: 660 votes - elected

Bobby Wheeler: 513 votes

Vice-President Election:

Willie Bailey - ran unopposed and elected by acclamation

Ballot Count Breakdown:

Number of ballots mailed (all members): 1763

Number of ballots returned by October 30 dead line: 1185

Percentage of mailed ballots returned by dead line: 67%

Number of replacement ballots issued: 20

Number of ballots dis-qualified for member not in good-standing: 5

Number of ballots dis-qualified for "defacing marks, comments or write-ins":
zero

Total number of ballots counted: 1180

I would like to acknowledge the hard work put in by the 2009 Election
Committee members, including: Co-chair Rick Roatch, Gary Branton, Ry
Chapman, Steve Hartman, Sr., Yolanda Hartwell, Mike Regan, Chris Thompson
and alternate Tim Walker. They made the project go smoothly.

No Confidence Poll - Please Vote

Ron Mastins latest email to the troops saying that he plans to "move forward judiciously with hiring and promotions in order to keep pace with regular attrition" has a lot of people questioning his leadership and management skills. We posted a poll in the left column of this site asking people to vote on whether Local 2068 should allow its members to make a "no confidence vote". Please take the time to vote, and post your thoughts here in the comments section on this topic.

Brother Big Eye

Fixing EMS - By Medic Money Man

Editors Note: This post was received from Medic Money Man, and we posted his editorial as its own topic.

I was a paramedic my entire career and it saddens/... I was a paramedic my entire career and it saddens/digusts/angers/ nauseates me (pick a negative descriptive adjective, it probably applies) to see the current state of Fairfax County EMS. My opinion is the current condition can be directly related to two people; the King (medical director) and Queen of EMS (the queen of mean in quality assurance, or whatever lofty title she has these days). The current EMS Deputy, while highly edcuated and well intentioned, is just another pawn in their game.

During a stint on light duty at HQ in 2005, (hey, even superman had kryptonite) I personally witnessed the Senior Staff bypass the EMS Deputy and EMS BC's and go straight to Quality Assurance for poilcy decisions. Once in the coffee break room at lunch, then AFC Wheatly asked me if I had seen the queen; I told him "No, but DFC Snead and BFC's Gray and Willliams are in their offices, to which he replied in front of about six other employees having lunch there " that's ok, this is an important policy question and I want someone who knows something about EMS and can give me an intelligent answer" . For him to say that in front of people floored me. I know it was generally considered "Baby Boy" was out of his league, but I had worked with Gray and Williams when they were EMS Captains and thought they were pretty well respected by the troops regarding EMS matters.

During this stint of light duty the then Fire Chief and other A/C would call/come looking for her frequently too; when I offered to forward them to one of the uniformed EMS staff..they would kinda chuckle and say "have her call us when she gets in"

The current state of increasing clusterfuckerly regarding internship and certification can be directly attributed to them.

EMS has been on a downturn since the move away from 3 person medic units in 1995, which I believe was the subject of some resume buiding fire chiefs masters thesis. That was a system that worked well and maximized the available resources. The three poeple could handle most ems calls and seldom had to call for help. The three people were still available to assist with the occasional fire if needed. Staffing and training were much simplier then.

The current administration from the Fire Chief down to EMS Captains have no idea how to even stop the bleeding, much less heal the wound (I had to use an ems metaphor, I can't help myself).

I know you're thinking "brillant PMM, you've identified the obvious problem, how do we fix it?" Well, here's my opinion:

1. Pack up the King and Queens offices and Fed Ex the stuff to their homes and tell them thanks for screwing up what was once a great EMS system.

2. Bring in some one from the outside (or a retired insider.."Fossile Medic" hint hint) to head up EMS and straighten this mess out. How about demoting "the Duke" back to captain (the last position he was even marginally competenant at) and putting the currrent EMS Deputy at OPS-C. She could not possibly do any worse than he has.

3. You're going to roll your eyes at this one, but work with me here; put together a group of consulants who know ems and can offer viable alternatives to our current system. I'm not talking about high dollar look at all my degrees people, I'm talking about veterans with real world ems experience. The union could spearhead this effort. The department has a wealth of retired ems talent (ALS and BLS) to pool together to brainstorm some solutions (sorry, the PMM is just an idea man, my social schedule is full)

So, what do you think?

Attention Suppression Officers

We would very much like to hear from suppression OIC's who are being assigned to ride in a FF's position. We would like to compile a list of dates and riding assignments (we don't need your names, if you do not wish to provide them). Keep us updated by emailing or posting as a comment to this topic.

Brother Big Eye

Mastin Continues To Keep His Head Stuck In The Sand

Below is an email sent out by Chief Mastin - in one breath telling us all how dire the budget is, and will continue to be in the future......and in another breath saying that he is going to continue to "move forward judiciously with hiring and promotions in order to keep pace with regular attrition". It is unbelieveable that he continues to believe that he can continue to make promotions when we already have an over-abundance of officers. We have to wonder why the BOS haven't stepped in and told him to cool it. Post your thoughts here, and as always, we welcome more detailed editorials to be emailed directly to us to be posted as its own topic.

Brother Big Eye
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The Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) submitted its FY 2011 budget for the period of July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011, on Friday, October 2, 2009.

In accordance with FY 2011 budget guidelines the Fire and Rescue Department’s submission for personnel, operating, and capital equipment totals $160,343,345 - five percent or $8,039,331 less than the FY 2010 Adopted Budget plan. The $8,039,331 reduction will be implemented incrementally with $5,916,923 to be taken in FY 2010 and an additional $2,122,408 to be taken in FY 2011. These figures assume no compensation increases for FY 2011.

A copy of FRD’s submission has been placed on the department’s intranet. I encourage everyone to read these documents to understand the impact an $8 million dollar reduction will have on our organization. I believe we can accomplish this reduction without a loss of positions through vigilant overtime management and implementing Service Adjustment Models.

Updated revenue forecasts reflect a continued decline in real estate revenue, increasing the county deficit to over $315 million. In response to this increase, DMB contacted FRD on October 14th and directed us to prepare a list of reductions totaling $4.5 million dollars. This is in addition to the $8 million reduction.

The $4.5 million dollar list will be provided to the Board of Supervisors as potential options should additional savings be necessary as a result of continued economic decline. I will be working with staff to identify this list during the next few weeks.

I caution you, the $4.5 million will include options that if implemented will result in the elimination of positions. FRD cannot sustain a $4.5 million reduction on top of the $14 million reduction spanning the last two fiscal years without loss of positions. Due to the uncertainty of the budget at this time it is unclear if any of the options presented with the $4.5 million reduction will be implemented. With this in mind the department must continue to move forward judiciously with hiring and promotions in order to keep pace with regular attrition. As always, if you have items for consideration, please submit them through your chain of command.

The County Executive is scheduled to present the FY 2011 Advertised Budget to the Board of Supervisors on February 23, 2010. I will continue to provide you with information as it becomes available.

I understand we are operating in exceptionally difficult and uncertain times as the economic forecast seems to change daily. I greatly appreciate efforts to control spending throughout all levels of the organization. I ask all of you to continue to perform your duties and provide the public with the highest level of service and care.

Chief Mastin

Time To Nut Up - By Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

EDITORS NOTE: This editorial was submitted by Mike “FossilMedic” Ward


TIME TO NUT UP

To borrow from Woody Harrelson’s “Zombieland” character, it is time to consider what to do AFTER the Local 2068 election results are known. You had to dig through the rancor and personal attacks on The Big Eye to find valuable discussions of labor issues. With over 600 ballots returned in the first week, this may be the best voter response in the past two decades.

Here are five suggestions:

TIME TO SHOW UP

Article 4, Section 3 of the bylaws require a minimum quorum of 25 members in good standing and two members of the executive board to make a regular, special or emergency meeting of the local “legal.” Making the quorum has been a challenge since Glenn Benarick was the Local 2068 president.

Even with the attendance of ON-DUTY members, it appears that one of the TEN monthly meetings each year lacks a quorum. No quorum means that no official work can be done, the membership cannot approve the minutes of the last meeting and cannot officially move the organization forward.

I have attended half-dozen monthly meetings in the past two years. I notice that at each meeting there are three or fewer members who came on the job since I retired nine years ago.
Both presidential candidates reached out to those who recently came on the job. If you don’t like the retirees or those in middle management running the local, you need to show up at the meeting. You really want a fossil to decide on working conditions that will affect you for the next 15 years?

TIME TO SMART UP

We need to take a page from the International and be superiorly prepared on a topic before a meeting takes place. I heard that headquarters staff needed to call the Department of Fire Programs to determine what officer level is required for a Fire Instructor III certification during a meeting about career development. Mastering the facts + political influence + clear objective = local success.

TIME TO PROCESS UP

Participating in the inclusive committee process to write the OMD white paper was painful. Four 4-hour sessions in Massey that were more unfocused discussion sessions than developing a product, followed by another dozen hours of work by a subset of the committee to actually write the paper.

Both labor and management own this unproductive and dysfunctional process that is more of a waiting/bait-and-switch game than obtaining consensus and problem solving. There is an opportunity for labor to change this process, regardless of who wins the election.

TIME TO MAKE UP

Both factions will be in the local after the election results are revealed. Will we see another two years of sniping and undermining? Imagine what could be accomplished if all of this energy was focused on moving the local forward.

TIME TO STEP UP

About a dozen newly active members can change the direction of the local. The door remains wide open …


Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

To: Local 2068 Retirees - From: Rich Merrell

Dear Retiree Members of Local 2068,

In light of the misinformation and rumors that are being generated and spread in the midst of a close election, I felt it incumbent on me to send an email speaking directly to these falsehoods. Earlier today, you received an email from Louis Berkeszi that, with all due respect, included information that was incorrect.

The motion attributed to Bobby Wheeler and seconded by me has been incorrectly described to you. Further, I conveyed this information to Louis Berkeszi earlier this year (email below).

The motion was to form an 8th Battalion that would be designated to the retiree group. In the discussion that followed, it was suggested that only the retirees would vote on this position to assure that you get to pick your own representative. However, there was never a discussion that this would preclude you from voting on all other representatives as well. This new position was to assure your voice NOT limit it. Ultimately, there was no vote on the motion as we realized it would require a bylaws change.

I encourage you to go look at the minutes of the February meeting before you believe the rumor mill. I hope to be part of your group some day so it does not make sense for you to think that I would want to limit your voice now or in the future. This is the kind of misinformation that can cause unwarranted tension between groups in our local and I will not sit silent while you are given bad information that will harm us all.

I want your vote and your respect and I assure you if you give me the first, I will earn the second.

Best regards,



E-mail sent President Berkeszi on April 18, 2009

From: Merrell, Richard L
Sent: Sat 4/18/2009 9:15 PM
To: 'louis@englesidecarcare.com'
Subject: rumor patrol



Hey Louie,

A retired buddy called me yesterday to confirm/deny on a rumor he heard from one of the other guy's.

They heard I was planning to try and pass a constitution & By-Law that would limit the retiree's from voting on elections or the ability to get retiree's elected to the L2068 E-Board. Well, when I stopped laughing and realized he was serious I told him this was absolute hogwash! I would NEVER take a position to harm or limit retiree benefit or representation.

The only place this could have come from was an E-Board meeting a few months back this came up. One of the Battalion Reps. asked about the idea of having an 8th battalion Rep. set aside for a retiree. I had stated during discussion that this would require a by-law change and further asked how could we make this fair to both sides? The idea never went anywhere and the battalion rep certainly intended no malice but I think just the opposite, they wanted to ensure a retiree always had a place on the board.

As it stands now, we could elect an all retiree board under existing rules.


We have spoken on several occasions and my support and commitment for all retiree's is unyielding. I have been an ardent supporter and activist regarding medical benefits, pension protection, reduction of SS offset, maintaining the blended rates for retiree premiums and at our last conversation maintain a position that the retiree group should have a representative of the OPEB committee of your choosing.

I'll follow up with a call in next day or two, just wanted to address with you in case.

Rich

Post Your Debate Reviews Here

UPDATE: The 2009 Debate was posted to the local 2068 website late last night. You must be registered with the 2068 website to view the videos: www.fairfaxfirefighters.org

We would very much like to hear your reviews on the Local 2068 Debate! Those persons who attended the debate in person can post now - once the videos are posted to the internet, others can share their thoughts on how each candidate performed. We will update this post with a link to the video's as soon as they are available. Please note - the videos are most likely going to be in the members only section of the Local 2068 website. If you do not have a user account, you will probably won't be able to view the videos. Register for your account now, so you will be good to go once the videos are posted.

Brother Big Eye