The bi-annual election for IAFF 134 president and first trustee will be held by mail-in ballot from November 28th to December 13th, 2011.  The filing period for candidates will be from Thursday, November 5th through Monday, November 7th, 2011 from 0900 to 1300 each day.  Candidates must register in-person at the union hall at 161 Mangum Street, SW, Suite 205, Atlanta, GA 30313.  Any member in good standing for 12 months prior to the first filing date are eligible to stand for election.

Results will be announced at the regular monthly meeting in December and officers will take office at the regular monthly meeting in January.

PENSION ELECTION

Many members are reporting that the pension statements they received from the city contain errors which makes it difficult or impossible to make an informed decision on the pension election. IAFF 134 has made this condition known to the Administration and City Council and legislation is currently being drafted to extend the pension election by 30 days to allow for corrections to be made to the statements.

In the meantime, if you were issued a pension statement that is in error, it’s critical that you call the city’s Pension Helpline at 404-330-6036, so that they can begin the process to issue a corrected statement.

If your statement is in error, IAFF 134 recommends that members delay their election until your statement is corrected or until we can confirm that the Administration and City Council will support the extension. The current deadline is October 31, and we should be able to advise regarding the extension by the end of this week.

In the meantime, here is a link to an online calculator to perform a comparison of your participation in each plan:

http://www.modelmychoice.com/

Fraternally,

Jim Daws
President
IAFF 134

Pension Plan Election – In response to members’ requests for information and clarity on the upcoming pension plan election, IAFF 134 has engaged a pension expert to conduct an analysis to determine the possible consequences to members with various years of service.  We expect this analysis to be competed by October 16th and will hold 2 special called meetings during the week of October 17th to inform members.  The exact date, time and location will be announced in another update to follow.  Please register at our Facebook page at Atlanta Professional Firefighters to make sure you receive the invite.

October Meeting - The next regular meeting monthly meeting for IAFF134 will be Tuesday, October 11th at 7pm.  The meeting will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church at Peachtree Street and 4th Avenue (one block north of the Fox Theater) in Rudisell Hall.  Topics on the agenda will include the pension election, the pay and class study, possible pay increase and upcoming elections for the local.  Please make plans now to attend.

In response to their pension presentation, Mayor Reed accuses Fire Fighter of bullying tactics. Watch the presentations below and see if you agree:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/atlanta-firefighters-commuter-tax-pensions-20110421-es

You can watch the IAFF presentation to City Council’s Finance Committee in response to Mayor Reed’s proposed pension legislation here:

http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/media/pension042011.wmv

and here:

http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/media/pension042011b.wmv

MEMBERS PENSION MEETING WITH MAYOR’S OFFICE - The Mayor’s office will host a meeting on the pension issue for Fire Rescue employees.  This will be a great opportunity to gain first hand information regarding the pension and ask any questions that you may have on this issue.   The department has been instructed to allow on-duty personnel to attend if staffing permits.

Date:  April 11, 2011
Location:  City Hall in the City Council Chambers (2^nd floor)

Time:  2pm – 4pm

NEXT REGULAR IAFF134 MEETING - The regular meeting for IAFF 134 will be next Tuesday, April 12th at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, located at Peachtree Street and 4th Avenue, about a half mile north of the Fox Theater.  We will convene in Rudisill Hall at 7pm.

We will discuss our legislative and legal strategy in opposition to the pension changes and need all interested parties to attend so that we can assign members specific tasks for the final push before council votes.

CALL TO ACTION!!  – IAFF134 PENSION PRESENTAITON TO FINANCE COMMITTEE – On April 20^th at 1pm, IAFF134 will make its presentation to City Council’s Finance Committee.  We have to fill the room with firefighters to let Council know that we are united in our opposition to the proposed changes to existing employees. The meeting will be held in Committee Room 2 in City Hall Atrium at 55 Trinity Avenue.  Make plans now to attend and bring other firefighters with you!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Daws
Tel: 404/406-9913
Email: jdaws@atlantafirefighters.org

Atlanta,  Georgia – Tuesday, March 16, 2011

Today, Mayor Kasim Reed unveiled proposals to unilaterally change the terms of Atlanta’s pension plans for existing employees that would violate a binding legal contract between the city and its firefighters, police officers and public employees.  The proposals represent an unconscionable break in faith with those men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the life and property of Atlanta’s citizens.

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What: Mayor Kasim Reed makes pension proposals to Atlanta City Council’s Finance / Executive Committee
When: Wednesday, March 16 at 1300
Where: Atlanta City Hall, Committee Room 2, 55 Trinity Avenue, SE
Action: Attend in large numbers

We have just learned that on Wednesday, March 16th at 1300, Mayor Kasim Reed is expected to propose changes to Atlanta’s employee pensions to the Finance / Executive Committee. The Mayor is expected to propose changes that reduce, going forward, the pensions of currently enrolled, active, members.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, along with the Police Benevolent Association, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees, and the Professional Association of City Employees have retained lawyers who all agree that any involuntary changes that reduce pension benefits to existing employees are barred by the U.S. and Georgia Constitutions and Georgia statute. We will work to defeat any unlawful proposals during the legislative process and are prepared to vigorously defend our members legal property rights.

We are calling on all Fire Fighters not on duty to attend Wednesday’s Finance Executive Committee meeting to demonstrate to the Mayor and Council that we are ready and engaged in this debate. Please make plans to attend!

The next regular monthly meeting of IAFF 134 will be Tuesday, March 8th at 7pm. The meeting will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer located at 731 Peachtree Street, NE about a half-mile north of the Fox Theater. We will meet in Rudisell Hall.

At this important meeting we will discuss the attacks on our pensions and organize our efforts to defend our retirement security. This is your chance to get accurate information first-hand and have your questions answered.