President’s Message

BACK TO BASICS

As I looked out at more than 90 future Toronto Firefighters, I thought, “where do I begin?” After the last two years of unprecedented chaos, it was time to get back to basics and provide these recruits with the building blocks of what it means to be part of the TPFFA. We were still wearing masks, and the facilities were not home, but the future was bright. After a successful city budget campaign, where the mayor and council finally accepted what the union had said for years, we would finally see an increase of 156 operational firefighters above complement. In the meantime, Local 3888 had negotiated call-backs and the ability to revoke vacation or lieu time to keep staffing levels up in all divisions.

I had to share the pride I have for our current members. Although things were far from “back to normal,” with each challenge, we found a way to push through while remaining professional - a welldeserving title associated with Local 3888. TPFFA’s success has been a group effort; with the work of the Executive Board, stewards, and each individual member;

anything is possible.

Like most things, it starts in the beginning with BACK TO BASICS…the ABCs and 123s of your union.

Article 1 RECOGNITION 1.01 The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association is the sole bargaining agent for collective bargaining for all firefighters, as defined in Part IX, of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and employed in the City of Toronto.

Every union member should

know, and often management needs to be reminded, that Local 3888 is the sole bargaining agent for all its members. For example, when the city tries to put in a practice like selling vacation at straight time, without Local 3888 involvement, it will lead to a grievance, and chances are we will be successful. Article 1 also means that if members try to negotiate directly with management, it is considered bargaining in bad faith, and both parties could face repercussions. Most importantly, this section of the Collective Agreement clearly gives your Association the ability to represent its members on ALL MATTERS.

So, before you go into that meeting, or answer that question you are unsure of, give us a call and understand your rights. We did not get promoted into our positions; you chose us and we are here to support you and represent you.

Article 2 MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION 2.01 It shall be a continuous condition of employment with the City: (a) that all present employees who are members of the Association shall remain members in good standing; and, (b) that all future employees shall become members of the Association upon the respective dates of the commencement of their employment with the Fire Services Division of the City and thereafter shall remain as such members in good standing.

Believe it or not, our union dues are the lowest in the City of Toronto. As of January 1, 2022, all ranks pay a set amount of $53.73, bi-weekly, based on 1.3% of a first-class firefighter, for a total of $1,397 yearly. Furthermore, union dues are taxdeductible.

Compared to the rest of the city: CUPE 79, CUPE Hydro, and CUPE 416 pay between $1,620 to $2,154 yearly, while TTC pays a flat rate of $1,980 and TPA pays a flat rate of $1,651 annually.

More importantly, our members get an array of services that expand beyond just representation. For example, we enjoy the family Christmas parties, free concert tickets, parades, events, scholarships, and bursaries, just to name a few.

Article 3 MANAGEMENTS’ RIGHTS 3.01 (a) Local 3888 acknowledges that it is the exclusive function of the City to: (i) maintain order, discipline and generally to manage the operations and undertakings of the City and without restricting the generality of the foregoing to select, install and require the operation of any equipment, workplace and apparatus which the City in its sole discretion deems necessary for the efficient and economical carrying out of the operations and undertakings of the City; (ii) hire, discharge, direct, classify, transfer, promote, demote, lay-off and suspend or otherwise discipline any member of Local 3888, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, provided that a claim of discriminatory promotion, demotion or transfer or a claim that any such member has been discharged or disciplined without just cause may be the subject of a grievance and dealt with as provided for in this Agreement.

How often has a member contacted the union and asked why TFS management is doing this or that?

Under the management rights clause, the employer can manage unilaterally, without employee input. Obviously, many factors need to be considered, such as our Collective Agreement, health and safety, past practices, human rights codes, and other labour laws, for example. Although it can sometimes be frustrating to our members, sometimes the only route Local 3888 has available is to grieve the employer’s actions.

In all Articles, the parties understand and acknowledge the other’s rights and responsibilities. Therefore, it is essential to work within that framework and find mutually agreed-upon resolves.

As the large group of recruits finished their oath of membership and lowered their right hands, responding in unison, “I do so promise,” I was convinced that our opportunities for succession planning and transitioning TPFFA into the future were bright and promising.

I congratulated and welcomed everyone to our family. I reminded our newest members that their Association is here to support them, and that no matter what path they take in their career, it will be governed by our Collective Agreement.

Kevin McCarthy, President Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888