Labor Management; Fire Chiefs in Trouble

Pitfalls for Fire Chiefs Never being wrong/no apologies Refuse to respect labor Not establishing a personal relationship Not taking input prior to decisions Being a “willow in the wind” Talking down to labor

Pitfalls (cont.) Not educating labor on issues and the LM process Not setting ground rules Getting the “Mad Cow” disease

Starting Well Must establish a good relationship Establishing trust Take input and listening Agreeing on the rules of the game Establishing personal relationships Meet on a regular basis

Fixing a Bad Relationship

“Who You Gonna Call?”

The LMI Program LMI - Labor Management Initiative Joint Program of the IAFC/IAFF Started circa 1999 Can do a lot to establish or fix a relationship between Labor & Management

LMI Benefits Improves interpersonal communications Increases involvement and cooperation Gain an increased focus on the goals that will benefit your organization and its members Minimizes the number of grievances and other adverse actions Introduces new ways to work through obstacles to accomplish more for the fire department and the community

Four Day Program Part I – Educational issues, establishing a relationship and looking for solutions to current challenges Part II – Shared goals, leadership, relationships & status of accomplished items

Technical Assistance Two day session for the Chief, President and other designated members of their teams Two facilitators – one from the IAFC, one from the IAFF Customized to the issues at hand, assisting with feasible solutions

LMI Conference Conferences every other year Next Conference is January 2013 Encourage bringing both Management and Labor

Miami to Miami-Dade

Look who’s come to visit?

Moving from Miami to Miami-Dade What I left in the MFD The Environment I stepped into MDFR –Open contract –Pay Cuts looming – 11% –Terrible Labor Management Relationship –60+ pending grievances and arbitrations –Low morale

Corrective Actions Plan of Action –First priority - establish a working relationship with the Local –Negotiate a Labor Agreement –Pull our management team together –Steps to improve morale The first two helped Establish relationships and communication Push our principles – professionalism, work ethic, pride

Corrective Actions (cont.) Re-establish LM meetings Put together a great staff for top management Ensure new Officers receive training Change the disciplinary philosophy and procedures

Most Recent Issue Facebook post by MDFR Captain concerning the Tryvon Martin issue

The End