Advantages of Union Membership

What are the advantages of Union membership? Just what do we get for our dues? There are many advantages to being a member of  Union, especially the International Association of Firefighters, the California Professional Firefighters, and the Santa Clara City Firefighters, Local 1171. For just a short list, download the "Advantages" document here.

Posted 02-11-2006

Employee's Right to Representation and to Contest Future Discipline

Our employer, the City of Santa Clara as represented by the Administrators of the Fire Department, has the right and the obligation to maintain order, discipline and morale amongst the employees of the Fire Department. Fire Department employees are members of Bargaining Unit #1. Those members are represented exclusively by Santa Clara City Firefighters, IAFF Local 1171 representatives who are elected by the members in two-year cycles. As member representatives it is the legal obligation of Union reps to preserve the members due process rights and to ensure that none of their rights (property or due process) are violated by City (Fire Department or otherwise) administrators.

To read a comprehensive report on the employee's right to Union representation please see the article immediately below this article.

Employee's also have the right to contest written documentation of any sort that the employee believes could lead to future discipline. The Union recommends the following steps be taken by members regarding their rights as classified (protected) employees. 1) Ask for Union representation and secure the services of a Union rep. (This would normally be your shift Vice President.) 2) Understand the meaning and purpose of the employer documentation. If you do not understand why you are being interviewed by the Administrator seek clarification. 3) If you are asked to sign anything that could lead to future discipline the employee has the right to include a hand-written note on the documentation. The Union recommends that all members who receive written documentation that could lead to future discipline add the following language to the documentation at the time the employee signs.

"I disagree with the reasons and conclusions in the (documentation) dated XXXX. And/or "I reserve the right to contest this (documentation) should it be relied upon in the future for disciplinary action."

The purpose of this language is to give the employee the right to contest the documentation referenced if it is brought up in the future to attempt a pile on of discipline. Since the employee is not opting to grieve the letter of reprimand or documented action at the time it is presented, it gives the employee the right to grieve it or contest it at a later date, should it be used against him/her in the future.

It is important to note that if requested or ordered to sign the documentation the employee must do so. Your signature indicates receipt of the documentation. The suggested language indicates that the employee reserves the right to contest the documentation should it be used against them in future.

Posted 01-15-2006

Employee's Right to Union Representation

The rights of employees to have present a union representative during investigatory interviews were announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1975 case (NLRB vs. Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251, 88 LRRM 2689). These rights have become known as the Weingarten rights. Employees have Weingarten rights only during investigatory interviews. An investigatory interview occurs when a supervisor questions an employee to obtain information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his or her conduct. If an employee has a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse consequences may result from what he or she says, the employee has the right to request union representation. Management is not required to inform the employee of his/her Weingarten rights; it is the employees responsibility to know and request. To read the full article on these important rights click here (MS Word format). Adobe format.
 

Posted 01-15-2006

Sister Sandy French, Fire Prevention Past Vice President Appointed Exposure Report Manager

At the January 12 Union meeting sister Sandy French accepted the appointment of Exposure Report Manager. Thanks to Brother Pat Brown who pioneered the program from it's inception and who is stepping down from the position. Exposure reports are an extremely important part of the Local 1171's efforts to keep our members safe, and to document all exposures experienced by our members. The Local cannot emphasize enough the importance of keeping accurate and detailed exposure reports on file. Exposure reports can be found on the left-hand frame of the Union website. All members should fill out an exposure report when they have been or when they suspect they have been exposed to a hazardous condition that either does our could adversely affect their health now or in the future. Brothers and Sisters should keep one hard copy, one e-copy and send an e-copy to Sandy French, Exposure Report Manager at her City email address. For more information please contact your Shift Vice President. Click here to view the Exposure Report webpage.

Posted 01-14-2006

Access the Union Website from Work

The union website has been reorganized and there is now a large link on the home page to the "Union Bulletin Board." From now on, this electronic bulletin board will serve as official notification of union activities (meetings, elections, contract ratifications, etc.) Chief Kleinheinz has authorized all Local 1171 members to access and view the Local 1171 website from the city computers while on-duty. Therefore, there is no longer an issue with members being unable to access the website if, for example, they do not have a home computer or internet access. The Executive Board will continue to notify members who have provided us with a home email address of events via email. If you do not currently receive Local 1171 email and would like to, please send me a non-city email address, and you will be placed on the Local 1171 email list.

Posted 12-30-2005

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09/06/08