Last week’s column by Adam Kinnon entitled “The Fire Fighter Union Movement and the Volunteer Fire Service” caused quite a bit of positive and negative response. I even received a response from Mike Martinez, President of the Austin Association of Proffessional Firefighters, IAFF Local 975. I decided to republish Mr. Martinez’s response, in its entirety so that we can see both sides of the issue. Which side you are on is your choice, and the discussion rages on in the same location...
My name Mike Martinez and I am the President of the Austin Association of Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 975.
After reading a recent column on your web site titled “The Fire Fighter Union Movement and the Volunteer Fire Service”, I felt it was appropriate to respond to some of the comments and statements.
Firefighter Adam Kinnon (the author of the article) and I are not bitter enemies and I have appreciated his perspective on certain viewpoints. But I also don’t agree with many of them and I feel it is important to respond to what could certainly be viewed as an attack on Local 975 and the IAFF.
Mr. Kinnon asserts that Local 975 “circumvented” right to work laws via our most recent negotiated contract with the city of Austin. Our current negotiated contract allows for members to donate up to 5 hours of their sick time to the association in order for the association leadership to represent its membership, attend meetings, seminars, conferences, negotiation sessions etc. ALL members of the department have the option to not have any time taken from them. This is strictly a volunteer donation. Mr. Kinnon chose to exercise his right to not give hours. Approximately 835 of 1000 firefighters within the department chose to allow the hours to be deducted. This is their right as well. It is important to point out all facts surrounding this issue as it appears to be an insinuation of violating an individuals rights and/or breaking the law, which is not the case.
In regards to Firefighter Kinnon not being “allowed” to negotiate or vote on the contract…he and every single firefighter have the absolute right to do both. They choose to exercise their right to be non-union members therefore eliminating their privileges as a union member. It can not be had both ways, membership to unions does provide privileges….not rights. Choosing to not be a union member is a right.
Mr. Kinnon also states that he is being forced to fight the people who are supposed to be fighting for him. This is also a matter of opinion and we humbly submit that we have and will continue to fight on behalf of Mr. Kinnon and all firefighters within AFD, as well as our brothers and sisters in other departments. All benefits negotiated under our current Collective Bargaining system apply to everyone in the department, regardless of membership status (Duty of Fair Representation). Mr. Kinnon and others enjoy every pay and benefit this union, the TSAFF and the IAFF has gained without every having to be a member. And that will not change.
The Austin Fire Department is also made up of many firefighters who live in rural areas and provide invaluable volunteer fire service and emergency medical response to folks who would not have protection otherwise. This union has NEVER once attempted to expel, harm, chastise or ridicule any volunteer firefighter. In fact, we have awarded our neighboring volunteers for going above and beyond the call of duty in performing acts of bravery and heroism. Local 975 never has never, and will never, expel a member for volunteering in their respective communities nor will we support that action by others who may choose to do so.
It is very intriguing that firefighter Kinnon poses to everyone a solution that sounds very much like creating a union in order to accomplish goals. I applaud him in understanding that it does take unity to make change and it does take hard work. I wish him and all other firefighters, who subscribe to his methods and tactics, well in your endeavors to pursue your goals. Keep in mind…what you are doing or are planning to do has been done for years by the men and women of the IAFF and each and every local union in this country.
God Bless and stay safe,
Mike Martinez, President
Austin Association of Professional Firefighters
mike.martinez@aapff.org
www.aapff.org
Discuss this column at: http://www.volunteerfd.org/phorum/read.php?f=20&i=278&t=278