October 7, 2021
Bulletin 31 – 21

Bargaining Update

UFLAC Members,

Yesterday, the UFLAC Negotiating Committee met with the City regarding the impacts of the vaccine mandate. No agreements were reached and we have scheduled another bargaining session for Friday, October 8. We hope to have more to report after the Executive Employee Relations Committee (EERC) meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 12.

Reminders

The Department has given a direct order that all employees must report their vaccination status by October 19. If you have not yet done so, we strongly recommend that you report your status as soon as possible. Failure to comply with the direct order may lead to discipline.

For those individuals who intend to file for a medical or religious exemption, the forms are available and we encourage you to begin the process.

We will continue to keep you informed.

In Solidarity,

UFLAC Negotiating Committee

 

October 4, 2021
Bulletin 30 – 21

UFLAC Alert – Vaccine Mandate and October 5

UFLAC Members,

This communication will address concerns from UFLAC bargaining unit members regarding the October 5 deadline relevant to employee’s vaccination status.

Section 4.701 under the “COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement For All Current and Future City Employees” (“Ordinance”) states, in part, that employees must receive either the single-dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine no later than October 5. Unit members have asked what will happen if they have not yet been vaccinated as specified in the Ordinance by October 5.

UFLAC’s position is that the City cannot impose any consequences relevant to the October 5 deadline. The Ordinance does not provide for any consequence and any intended discipline must first be bargained with UFLAC. Further, the City has not provided any notice to UFLAC that it intends to discipline employees for not meeting the October 5 deadline.

If any Chief approaches you and asks you to state your vaccination status to them, please contact UFLAC immediately. You are not required to tell any LAFD supervisor what your current vaccination status is. You only have to report your vaccination status to LAFD Human Resources Liaison within the Personnel Department. If you have not yet reported your status, the Fire Chief is expected to send directions today regarding how to report.

UFLAC continues to bargain with the City over the impacts of the Ordinance. Please keep in mind that, whereas we will fight hard for the rights of all bargaining unit members, the outcome is unclear.

In Solidarity,

UFLAC Executive Board

 

October 1, 2021
Bulletin 29 – 21

REPORTING TO MLU

Dear Members,

As discussed at our last UFLAC General Membership Meeting, if any of our members have an adverse medical reaction after receiving one of the coronavirus vaccinations, the LAFD Medical Liaison Unit (MLU) has advised you to initiate the IOD procedures and to contact MLU for guidance if needed.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact UFLAC Health & Safety at [email protected].

 

In Solidarity,

UFLAC Health & Safety Committee

October 1, 2021
Bulletin 28 – 21

Mandatory Vaccine Updates

UFLAC Members,

This has been another busy week for the UFLAC Negotiating Committee and Executive Board.

We held our monthly General Membership meeting with hundreds of UFLAC members in attendance along with Fire Chief Terrazas to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. We also hosted a productive meeting with the board members of the Firefighters 4 Freedom along with their attorney.

Here are some Questions & Answers that will hopefully provide you with the latest information on the City’s mandatory vaccination policy:

Q: Does the City have to bargain with UFLAC over the impacts of the vaccine mandate?

A: Yes. The City is legally obligated to bargain in good faith with UFLAC over the impacts of the mandate until either an agreement is reached or impasse procedures have been exhausted.

Q: What is UFLAC’s position on the Mandatory Vaccination Policy?

A: From the very beginning, UFLAC has been clear with our members, the general public, and our elected officials that WE DO NOT SUPPORT A MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY.

Q: What is UFLAC doing to fight to ensure bargaining rights are protected, the provisions of our MOU are followed, and that the City of Los Angeles is complying with State and Federal laws?

A: Your UFLAC Negotiating Committee consists of Freddy Escobar, Chuong Ho, Domingo Albarran, Adam Walker, and our UFLAC attorney Dana Martinez. We have already sat down with the City’s lead negotiators at least three times for formal Meet & Confer discussions and we are having another meeting this upcoming week (Week of October 4th). We expect to receive a proposal from the City at our next Meet & Confer.

At these Meet & Confer sessions, the UFLAC Negotiating Committee continues to fight to mitigate the impact of this mandate and has proposed alternatives that will protect the health and safety of the public and our members, and that will not have a devastating impact on staffing and service delivery for the LAFD.

Q: What else is UFLAC doing?

A: We are literally working on the vaccine mandate and related issues every single day. We are making our case to elected officials and city staff, working with our attorney to track the status of all outstanding legal challenges regarding vaccine mandates nationwide, testifying in key city council committees, working with other labor partners, fielding questions from members seven days a week, and much more. This issue has been our top priority for months now.

Q. Do I have to report my vaccination status on or before October 19, 2021?

A: Yes.

Q: Am I required to inform my Battalion Chief, Section Commander, or any other LAFD supervisor of my vaccination status?

A: NO. You are not required to tell any LAFD supervisor what your current vaccination status is. You only have to report your vaccination status to LAFD Human Resources Liaison within the Personnel Department. If you have not yet reported your status, the Fire Chief is expected to send directions today regarding how to report. Check your email.

Q: If I did not file an intent to request a medical or religious exemption, can I still request an exemption?

A: Yes.

We will continue to update you on a regular basis and provide important information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, you can contact any member of the UFLAC Negotiating Committee or Executive Board.

In Solidarity,

Negotiating Committee
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

UNITED FIREFIGHTERS OF LOS ANGELES CITY FIRE FOUNDATION
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Fire Foundation (UFLACFF) Grant and Scholarship Program provides educational assistance to fire service members and their immediate families.

The UFLACFF will be awarding the following grants and scholarships twice in year 2021:

Two – $2,000 grants/scholarship

Four – $1,000 grants/scholarships

Four – $500 grants/scholarships

 

FUNDING

Funding for the grants and scholarships is made possible by UFLACFF, a 501 (c) (3) Charitable Organization, created by United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112 (UFLAC) to assist firefighters and the families of firefighters. Donations from Supporters of UFLACFF and UFLAC Local 112, have been designated specifically to support these opportunities for firefighters and their immediate families.

 

AWARDS AND GRANT AMOUNTS

  • Each Grant Award is based on the specific needs of each applicant
  • Awards will be announced in the month of December of 2021
  • Awards will be made directly to the applicant, if over age 18, or to the parents/guardians of a minor child
    * An active firefighter or his or her immediate family member is eligible for an Award Grant once every 12-month period.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The Applicant must be an active firefighter, or a dependent of an active firefighter, wishing to further their education, or in need of assistance with tuition, books, materials, trade specific tools or equipment, internet access etc.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants seeking a Scholarship or Grant Award must complete the application packet and forward it to UFLACFF by the application closing date. Applications may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] or mailed to:

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local #112
c/o UFLACFF Scholarship/Grant Program
1571 W Beverly Blvd, Suite 201
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Application closing date is November 1, 2021 for the December 2021 Awards

Application Packets include:

  • Completed Application
  • Jpeg photo for our files and to use in Foundation related material.
  • A brief essay (500 word maximum, typed or written and clearly legible) prepared by the applicant or the parent/guardian. The essay should include how the award will benefit his or her life and serve others in the future, listing their area of study, last grade completed and the school of their choice for their higher education purposes.
  • A short Bio (2 page maximum).

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications will be evaluated, and awards granted based on the information provided by the applicant, by the UFLACFF Awards Committee (comprised of Foundation Board Members), active firefighter (non-Board members) and the UFLACFF Advisory Committee. The name, and any personal identifying information of the applicant, will be redacted prior to review by the committee.

Please CLICK HERE to fill out the online application.
Please CLICK HERE to download a PDF application.

 

Special thank you to the main Education Grant sponsors & our supporters!

September 28, 2021
Bulletin 27 – 21

 

UFLAC General Membership Meeting
September 29, 2021
***LOCATION UPDATE***
Building & Construction Trades Office
1626 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST AND COFFEE

 

 

Due to the anticipated attendance of the General Membership Meeting, the location of the meeting has changed. The meeting will now take place at the Building & Construction Trades office.

You may utilize the parking lots at UFLAC and the Building & Construction Trades office.

Please see the updated location below:

Building & Construction Trades Office
1626 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

 

Adjournment
Executive Board – United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local #112

September 20, 2021
Bulletin 26 – 21

 

UFLAC General Membership Meeting
September 29, 2021
UFLAC Offices
1571 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA  90026

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST AND COFFEE 

 

 

 

0730     Stewards Meeting

0800    General Membership Meeting

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence for our past fallen UFLAC Firefighters
Invocation
Roll Call of Officers
Adoption of the Minutes
Committee Reports

GUEST: Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas

  1. Report on UFLAC budget
  1. Update on COVID vaccinations
  1. Unfinished Business
  1. New Business

 

Adjournment

Executive Board – United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local #112

Bulletin 25-21
September 2, 2021

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine & Exemption Request Update

Local 112 Members:

As you know, on August 18 the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 187134, COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for All Current and Future City Employees, requiring all city employees to receive one of the three available coronavirus vaccines. The ordinance went into effect on August 25 and UFLAC continues to oppose a mandatory vaccination policy as a condition of employment.

Pursuant to Ordinance 187134, all current and future City employees shall have the right to petition for a medical or religious exemption from the mandatory vaccination requirement to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, consistent with City procedures for reasonable accommodation requests.

If you intend to file a request for a medical or religious exemption, you must submit the “Intent to File a COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form” no later than September 7, 2021. Specific forms and procedures are currently in development. If you intend to file for a medical or religious exemption to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination pursuant to Ordinance 187134, please complete the Intent to File COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form no later than the close of business on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Please contact your LAFD Human Resources representative at (323) 283-3933 if you are unable to fill out the online form.

You are not obligated to file an exemption if you fill out the Intent to File COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form should you change your mind, but it allows you to complete the process as soon as procedures and forms are established. You will be contacted soon with details about how to complete your exemption application for final review and approval. If you are on vacation or on an approved leave of absence, you must file your Intent to File Exemption Form prior to your return to work.

We want for our members to know that the UFLAC Negotiating Committee is actively participating in the meet & confer process with the City of Los Angeles to discuss the impact of this mandate. We are at the table along with representatives from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Coalition of LA City Unions, and other city employee labor leaders.

We know that this is an issue that our members feel passionately about. UFLAC consists of nearly 3,400 firefighters who have very personal feelings on all sides of this debate. We represent all of our members and are working on your behalf every single day. In the meantime, let’s stand united as professionals on the job serving the City of Los Angeles. There are clear limitations to what we can and cannot do while in uniform. Do not give anyone a reason to put a target on your back or to come after your brothers and sisters in the LAFD.

We will continue to keep you updated with additional information as it develops.

In Solidarity,
UFLAC Negotiating Committee

August 19, 2021

Bulletin 23-21

Los Angeles City Council
Passes Mandatory Vaccination Ordinance

Local 112 Members,

On Wednesday, August 18th, the Los Angeles City Council passed an emergency ordinance with a unanimous 13-0 vote mandating that all Los Angeles City Employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or request an exemption, and report their vaccination status no later than October 19, 2021.

A copy of this ordinance is attached and can also be viewed by clicking HERE.

Yesterday (August 18th), UFLAC also hosted our Monthly General Membership Meeting which was attended by nearly 200 Local 112 members in good standing. At this meeting our UFLAC Board heard all concerns regarding this mandatory vaccination policy and answered every question.

We also made it clear to our membership that UFLAC does NOT support a mandatory vaccination policy as a condition of employment.

Over the coming weeks, UFLAC will be joining other Los Angeles City unions in the meet and confer process to determine what, if any, punitive action will be taken against city employees who choose to not take the COVID-19 vaccine.

UFLAC will be partnering with labor leaders representing police officers, sanitation workers, librarians, construction workers, DWP employees, and many other city workers in continuing to advocate for alternatives to mandatory vaccinations. In addition, our UFLAC attorneys are continuing to examine the legality of the actions that have been taken by the City and the legal options that we have moving forward. In an effort to provide full and complete transparency, however, it must be clearly stated that labor attorneys all over the country have examined this issue and there is a near unanimous consensus that States, Cities, and Counties have the legal right to proceed with mandatory vaccination policies.

We are not the only ones experiencing this issue, as this ordinance (in its final implementation) will apply to ALL Los Angeles City Employees. In addition, firefighters from New York City to Seattle to San Diego are going through various forms of mandatory vaccination policies right now in their respective cities and states.

UFLAC will continue to keep our members updated with the progress of our meet and confer discussions with the City. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me or any UFLAC Executive Board Member.

In Solidarity,
Freddy Escobar
President
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

August 6, 2021
Bulletin       22 – 21

 

UFLAC General Membership Meeting
August 18, 2021
UFLAC Offices
1571 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA  90026
JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST AND COFFEE 

 

0730                Stewards Meeting

0800                General Membership Meeting

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence for our past fallen UFLAC Firefighters
Invocation
Roll Call of Officers
Adoption of the Minutes
Committee Reports

1. Lessons learned from Executive Board members who attended LRIS and PEP.
2. Update on staffing issues (Recall, Assign Hire).
3. Unfinished Business
4. New Business

Adjournment

Executive Board – United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local #112