Vallejo FFs Local 1186 Wins Statewide Labor Fed Organizing Award
Even as it faces one of the most aggressive management attacks in the history of collective bargaining, Vallejo Firefighters Local 1186 has been able to count on a united and active Napa/Solano Central Labor Council.
This week, Local 1186 was recognized for its part in creating that steadfast labor unity. At its annual awards dinner in Oakland this week, the California Labor Federation presented Local 1186 with its award for Outstanding Volunteer Mobilization.
The award is culmination of an effort that has been a long time in the making. Six years ago, Vallejo Firefighters Local 1186 was involved in a local election campaign against an anti-labor candidate. Sadly, when the Local’s leaders tried to enlist the support of other labor organizations in Solano and Napa Counties, they found that the labor coalition in the area was a coalition in name only.
“You’d drive down the street where many of the local labor organizations had their headquarters and you’d see signs for many different candidates,” said Jon Riley, Local 1186 Vice President and Chair of the Napa/Solano Central Labor Council. “There was no cooperation, no coordination, and no labor unity.”
Moving aggressively, Local 1186 moved to build a politically effective Napa/Solano Central Labor Council. “Prior to the 2005 Special Election, we began meeting once a month with leaders from other labor organizations to develop a united political campaign against the anti-worker initiatives on the ballot that year,” Riley said. “We started with just five or six labor organizations. Today we get representatives from 20 to 30 organizations at our coalition meetings each month.”
The Council’s first joint political effort was the No on Prop. 75 campaign. “We were very successful,” Riley said. “In fact, Solano County had one of the highest percentages of “No” voters anywhere in the state.”
Over the past year, Local 1186 has once again found itself in the midst of upheaval over anti-labor actions by its local city council. This time, labor came through big time for firefighters, packing city council meetings and helping to oust some anti-labor council members.
Riley, who was chosen as chair of the Central Labor Council in 2007, is in a unique position to keep the momentum moving forward. For the 2008 elections, the labor organizations in the Council will conduct joint interviews with local candidates. These interviews will determine which candidates the Council endorses. “To have joint interviews and one endorsement sends a clear message that labor is united,” he said.
Riley, who spoke at the January CPF District Meetings in Sacramento and Long Beach, encourages other firefighter Locals to work with the labor coalitions and Central Labor Councils in their areas. “If you have a strong Central Labor Council, join it and get active. If you don’t have one, build it.”