4th District Report
 |
| Randy Sekany |
City of Vallejo Loses Binding Arbitration
Binding arbitration has been a part of the Vallejo city charter for 40 years, but it has been repealed with the passage of Measure A on the June ballot.
The measure passed with 454 votes, despite the opposition campaign by Fire Fighters Local 1186, the Vallejo Police Officers Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Measure A eliminates binding arbitration and makes Vallejo subject to the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA).
"This is a landmark vote in California and now that the other side has seen they're successful in eliminating binding arbitration, I'm sure other cities will try," said Kyle Long, Vice President of Local 1186.
In California, 24 other cities have binding arbitration in their city charters.
For more information on the latest in Vallejo, visit www.iaff1186.com.
Local 3501 Starts Firefighter Baseball League
Two years ago, Vacaville Firefighters Local 3501 President Phil Sanner had a dream - actually a "field of dreams."
 |
| The Fireballers are part of a firefighter baseball league started by Local 3501 President Phil Sanner. |
"We were looking for a healthy way to escape the harsh realities of our jobs as firefighters and the daily grind of union business," said Sanner. "Many of us played softball together, but wanted to go back to our youth and play baseball, the greatest game in the world."
He formed a team with some other firefighters called the Fireballers and began playing in a men's league in Sacramento.
These days, Sanner's dream has grown into a firefighter league with two teams, comprising about 80 percent professional, union firefighters (the other 20 percent have been sons of firefighters and police officers). Players come from Vallejo, Fairfield, Contra Costa and Napa Fire Departments and there is opportunity for more teams to join as interest grows.
Sanner's goal is to expand to four teams and he is currently looking for firefighter players from the Bay/Valley area. Locals are encouraged to form a team from their department or combine with other departments if they don't have enough players. Any firefighter who shares the love of the sport is welcomed.
"Many people are intimidated by playing hardball, but once you step out onto the field, it all comes back to you," Sanner said. "Games are held on Sundays and our families come out to watch and support us. Everyone has a great time."
If you are interested in joining the league, email Phil Sanner at psanner@iaff3501.org.
Livermore-Pleasanton Gain New FC from Modesto
 |
| Jim Miguel is the new Livermore-Pleasanton fire chief. "Every Second Counts." |
Sometimes one local's loss is another local's gain.
Such is the case for Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Local 1974, whose new fire chief, Jim Miguel, comes highly recommended by the brothers and sisters in Modesto City Firefighters Local 1289.
Former Modesto Fire Chief Jim Miguel is a 27 year veteran of the Modesto Fire Department. He joined the department as a firefighter in 1982 and worked his way to the top. In addition, he has contributed to the California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony since 2006. Miguel's new start date with Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department is July 6, 2010.
"We are very excited and pleased that he will be joining us," said Jason Solak, President of Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters. "His reputation precedes him as a man of integrity. I've been a member of the processing panel and I continue to be very impressed with him and his leadership. His heart and his soul are still very much in the fire service."
Livermore-Pleasanton's former Fire Chief William Cody and Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Zolfarelli retired in the past year, after a rocky relationship with Local 1974.
Miguel will be responsible for appointing a new deputy fire chief.
"This appointment provides a much needed fresh start," said Solak. "We're looking forward to the opportunity to work with Chief Miguel and to forge a positive labor management relationship."