Public Employees are No Shrinking Violets 9. June 2011 Jane Blume While politicians keep trying to take away their workplace rights, public workers and their supporters keep finding ways to have their voices heard. Hundreds of New Hampshire small businesses took part in a 36-hour tweet-a-thon this week urging House Speaker Bill O’Brien to shelve Right to Wo... [More]
NIOSH Seeks Comments on IOM Report 8. June 2011 Rich Duffy The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) has announced the availability of the Personal Protective Technologies (PPT) Conformity Assessment Docket, NIOSH Docket 237, and solicits input from interested parties... [More]
The Hiring Gap 8. June 2011 Jane Blume A new report by CBS News finds current chronic unemployment is worse than the Great Depression.While the jobs outlook may be improving statistically nationwide, it isn’t for those who are looking for work. CBS finds about 6.2 million Americans (about 45.1 percent of all unemployed workers in ... [More]
What Would You Do? 7. June 2011 Jane Blume Three years ago, the City of Alameda Fire Department had a top notch water rescue program. That changed in 2009 when funding for fire fighters water rescue and marine operations was chopped from the City of Alameda budget. At the time, fire fighters spoke out about the dangers of the city not payi... [More]
Will You Stop Working Even After Retirement? 6. June 2011 Jane Blume A new Gallup poll indicates American workers plan to work even after they retire. Eight out of 10 Americans think they will work full or part-time after retirement. What’s most surprising is that most of those surveyed say they will do so because they want to rather than out of necessity. Ga... [More]
Voter’s Remorse 2. June 2011 Jane Blume We couldn’t help but notice the slew of stories and polls published in the past week asking voters who is the worst state governor in America. There are a lot of candidates to choose from this year as IAFF members see their pensions go up in smoke and their political rights evaporate. We wan... [More]
Swaying the SB5 Debate 31. May 2011 Jane Blume Ohio takes another turn in the spotlight as a new committee has formed to promote the divisive SB5 legislation to state voters. “Building a Better Ohio,” a non-profit group was launched Tuesday to raise money and strategies over how to influence voters who want to ditch SB5. A long-tim... [More]
Act Now: Tell Congress to Stand Up for SAFER 31. May 2011 Barry Kasinitz The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grants are on the chopping block. On Wednesday, Congress will consider legislation that will cut the programs by more than 50 percent, as well as eliminate the SAFER waivers that allow fire depar... [More]
Behind the Scenes at Fox News 26. May 2011 Jane Blume New York magazine published an interesting piece on Roger Ailes, president of Fox News and Republican Party insider.The story paints an intricate portrait of how Ailes engaged top Republican leaders to become a part of FOX.It also takes the reader inside the messy break-up with Glenn Beck and the ne... [More]
IAFF Update from Joplin, Missouri 25. May 2011 Rich Duffy Many IAFF members have expressed concern about the members of Joplin, Missouri Local 2618. Fire fighters are being assisted by District Vice President Mark Woolbright, Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters President Tony Kelley and IAFF members throughout the IAFF’s 2nd District. Joplin Loca... [More]
Stop Blaming Fire Fighters 24. May 2011 Guest Blogger Richard "Rick" Cailler, president of Lewiston, Maine Local 785 serves as today's guest blogger. Fire Fighters are not the enemy, but some elected leaders will have you think we are the root of all evil. They are finding it easy to blame us and other public employees for all that’s wro... [More]
New Online Degree Program to be Available for IAFF members 23. May 2011 Pat Morrison The IAFF through a collaboration with Penn Foster College will provide an A.S. Degree Program in Fire Service to its active members. The Princeton Review will provide the online service. The program is designed to meet the needs of working fire fighters seeking to advance their careers and will be... [More]
Why Generation X Can’t Afford to Retire 20. May 2011 Bill Glanz The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Maria Panaritis writes an interesting story on what Generation X can expect from their pensions and wages as they prepare to retire from the workforce. Generation Xers are considered the group born after the baby boomers during the mid-1960s through the early 1980s... [More]
Recipes from the Fire House Chef 17. May 2011 Jane Blume Here are two recipes selected from the Firehouse Chef web site and the IAFF Menu Planner that will make you say ‘mmmm good.’Recipes from the IAFF Menu Planner CHICKEN W/ RED PEPPERS, MUSHROOMS, FETA INGREDIENTS4 (6 ounce) boneless breast of chicken, sk... [More]
Fire Fighters ARE REALLY a tough group 16. May 2011 Jane Blume Talk about the 2012 presidential elections is gaining momentum as more GOP candidates announce intentions to challenge President Obama for America’s top job. On Facebook, we asked what issues are of greatest concern for the 2012 elections. Of the 381 responses to our survey, 159 said the econ... [More]
