IAFF 2008 Convention Coverage

With A Nod to the Past, IAFF Surges Forward
State-of-the-Union Address, General President Harold Schaitberger

August 11, 2008 -- "Everything our members receive -- every benefit, every right, every gain -- has come from the work of this union over the last 90 years," said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger in his state-of-the-union address during the Opening Ceremony. Read more...Watch video...Download video (90 mb)

Convention Opens With Tribute to 90 Years of Service

August 11, 2008 -- The IAFF 49th Convention opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a spectacular Opening Ceremony that paid tribute to "90 Years of Service" with an exciting mixture of music imagery and performance art. Read more...Watch IAFF history video...Download video (40 mb)...

Canadian Leader Praises IAFF's Political Action

August 11, 2008 -- A Canadian leader who has become a great friend of professional fire fighters addressed delegates Monday, thanking fire fighters for their dedication while praising the IAFF’s political action efforts. “Thank you to all of you for protecting the most important people in the world to us, our families,” Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said. “Thank you for protecting our properties, our businesses, our jobs." Read more...Watch video...Download video (40 mb)...

Host Local 1908 Hospitality Showcases Las Vegas’ Best

August 11, 2008 -- Clark County, NV Local 1908, the host local for the 2008 Convention, welcomed delegates with a series of events designed to showcase the beauty and excitement of Las Vegas. Read more...

August 11, 2008 -- Three members of the International Fire Fighter Unions Alliance are attending the 49th Convention as the IAFF continues to foster relations with fire fighter unions across the world. Mick Farrell, National President of the United Firefighters Union of Australia, Peter Marshall, National Secretary of the United Firefighters Union of Australia, and Mick Shaw, President of the Fire Brigades Union of the United Kingdom, each made the international journey to attend the Convention. Read more...

Commissioner Says “Thank You”

August 11, 2008 -- Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani thanked fire fighters with Clark County Local 1908 yesterday for helping elect her to office and said the endorsement of fire fighters has significant influence. Read more...

August 11, 2008 -- Delegates approved a resolution Monday that says federal and provincial officials should mandate that all relevant building standards and codes developed in the United States and Canada include a requirement for photoelectric smoke detectors. Read more...

Collective Bargaining Rights for All Workers At Stake, CWA President Says

August 12, 2008 -- Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen urged delegates to support a labor-wide effort to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. The bill will finally protect workers against discrimination and harassment during organizing campaigns and protect private sector workers' bargaining rights. Read more...Watch video...

Governor Douglas Praises Delegates for Smoke Detector Resolution

August 12, 2008 -- Vermont Governor James Douglas credited Vermont fire fighters for their work helping to pass a law in that state mandating the use of photoelectric smoke detectors in homes. “Our professional fire fighters in Vermont have been steadfast allies to improve our state and make it safer,” the governor said. Read more...Watch video...
 

Fire Fighter Deaths Cast Cloud Over Convention

August 12, 2008 -- An American fire fighter who died in Iraq and a Canadian member who died in the line of duty were recognized Tuesday by delegates at the Convention. Indianapolis, IN Local 416 member Gary Henry was killed August 3 by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. Henry was a Sergeant with the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Military Police. Toronto, ON Local 3888 member Robert Leek died August 10 of a heart attack while helping evacuate thousands of people following a propane depot explosion. Read more...
 

August 12, 2008 -- Delegates adopted resolutions Tuesday that will increase per capita effective September 1, 2008, by 62 cents per member per month, plus an additional eighth of a cent. Read more...
 

Delegates Honor Dominick Barbera With Emeritus Status

August 12, 2008 -- Dominick F. Barbera, former 12th District Vice President who retired in 2006, was honored with Emeritus status Tuesday. Read more...
 

Schaitberger, Bollon Triumphantly Re-Elected

August 13, 2008 -- The IAFF’s principal officers, Harold A. Schaitberger and Vincent J. Bollon, will lead the IAFF for another four years. Re-elected today by acclamation and with a massive show of support and confidence by delegates at the 49th Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, General President Schaitberger and General Secretary-Treasurer Bollon raised their arms triumphantly on stage but made it clear they accept the honor with humility and a deep commitment to continue to serve the International and its 290,000 members. Read more...
 

IAFF and IAFC Sign Labor-Management Agreement

August 13, 2008 -- IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger and International Association of Fire Chiefs President Steve Westermann signed a joint agreement yesterday at the 49th Convention to provide a framework to improve labor relations between fire fighters and the nation’s fire chiefs. Read more...
 

Governor Manchin Praises IAFF Politics

August 13, 2008 -- West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin told delegates yesterday that he respects the IAFF for supporting those who support fire fighters. Read more...Watch video...
 

Auxiliary Makes Donations, Appoints Officers

August 13, 2008 -- The Auxiliary to the IAFF (AIAFF) is giving thousands of dollars to IAFF charities this week. The largest donation by the auxiliary — $1,260.25 — went to the John P. Redmond Foundation, which conducts research and education regarding the occupational hazards and diseases associated with fire fighting. Read more...
 

It’s Philadelphia In 2012!

August 14, 2008 -- IAFF locals representing the great cites of Detroit, Michigan, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made their bids for the IAFF 51st Convention in 2012. Dan McNamara, president of Detroit Local 344, and Brian McBride, president of Philadelphia Local 22, both gave fervent cases for holding Convention in their respective cities. Read more...

Election Results In for Two Trustees, Two DVPs

August 14, 2008 -- The democratic process for the IAFF 2008 Convention concluded Thursday with the election of two District Vice Presidents and two Trustees. The IAFF Elections Committee reported on ballots cast in four contested elections for the positions of 2nd District Vice President, 15th District Vice President, Western Region Trustee and Canadian Trustee. Read more...  

IAFF Endorses Senator Obama

August 14, 2008 -- The IAFF announced its endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for president, praising the Illinois senator for his support of fire fighters and working families. Read more... Watch video... Download video...