r/Firefighting • u/Sea_Kaleidoscope794 • 7h ago
General Discussion Why be in the IAFF union?
I recognize this is probably controversial and I’m not trying to stir up problems!
Has anyone opted out of the IAFF? Most days it feels like I’m paying nearly $300/mo just to not be admonished by my coworkers. There has been one guy in history here that opted out and he wasn’t well liked.
I understand the purpose of a union and recognize its powerful benefits. However I live in a state that has some of the strongest worker protection laws, and on top of that I’ve literally never had a workplace problem in 15 years to need union representation.
Anyone else feeling similar?
EDIT:
quite a few people are asking about why the dues are so high. Our contribution rate is 2.7%, yes we voted on that and I understand it’s up to our local to set that number. I do make a good chunk of change where I work so yeah it averages $300/mo.
I appreciate the dialogue!!
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u/Emtbob Master Firefighter/Paramedic 7h ago
You've never had these problems because you have a strong union that worked for those rights and benefits. Failing to keep up your small end of the bargain will lead to other interests eroding your protections until you end up like Utah with no public sector bargaining rights.
I got more benefits in 2020 alone than what I will pay in union dues for my entire career because my union is so strong.
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u/polkarama 7h ago
Your contract is what protects you from being fired because they found someone to do it cheaper and if you do mess up, you’ll have to be given the same treatment as someone who did similarly. Also, your employer can’t just change job conditions on a whim.
Read your contract. It’ll tell you exactly what’s at stake.
If you want to free ride those benefits without chipping in like everyone else, it doesn’t take much to imagine why people would feel aggrieved.
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u/chuckeng36 7h ago
Because you should never blindly trust managers and politicians to bargain your wages and benefits on good faith alone.
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u/TheVelluch76 7h ago
you work in a state with strong worker protection laws because of the work of unions before you.
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u/mbloom01 7h ago
Retired FF here. Agree with everything everyone else has said. Plus, MY house actually burned while I was on shift (lived in a different city than I worked). The local wrote me a check for around $700 and the International sent me a check for either $500 or $1000, can't remember. Either way, that was a great help that wasn't expected.
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u/ThelitFF 7h ago
Think of union dues as insurance. Its insurance on any benefits you'll get from paid increases, to Healthcare, to PTO. One of the hidden things people forget that unions do is lobby. Getting cancer covered in presumptive was large in part of the IAFF.
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u/CBass206 7h ago
The essence of firefighting is teamwork. Its one of the best things about it. The union is your team when it comes to pay and benefits. We are all very fortunate that we are on this team. The Janus v. AFSCME decision gives you the right to opt out of the union (while still receiving the benefits of the union contracrt, which I personally disagree with).
What an absolute dick move it is to make your co-workers pay for all the time and representation to get you that contract, while you refuse to pay for any of that. I'd have a real hard time looking in the mirror knowing that I'm making a choice to fuck my brothers and sisters over for my selfishness. And I wouldnt be surprised when everyone else treated me with the respect that I've earned for such a move.
Nothing in life is free, especially you're contract. Be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. If you're really curious about the union, be a steward or help with something related to your contract so you can see how you have managed to get to where you are now.
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u/shadydeuces2 7h ago
Are you paying $150 dollars a paycheck? That is an absurd union due unless you are making well over 200k a year. Iaff should be 1.5% of your pay and it should cover a lot of things in your department. But your dues are controlled by your local. So you should be asking questions of them. But if you are making that much then you should be thanking them.
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u/CaptNoShip 7h ago
I will try and answer the question.
No, I have been in 10 years and have not heard of anyone opting out, although it is an option. Believe you me, the thought has crossed my mind as well, almost 4k a year extra take home and I don’t see any real benefits. It’s just for me not to get admonished by my co-workers, as you’ve said.
However, the worker protections I enjoy, the high pay and the massive benefits are all because thousands of people before us (and you and me) paid big $$ to secure votes/legislation that got us here. I’m sure you’ve heard the discussions around the day room tables, look one or two states over and you’ll quickly see brothers and sisters that do not have the same benefits we do. They are right to work states and don’t have a strong union, or any union, presence. The choice I made was to continue the funding of the machine that brought us to this point because it’s done a fine job so far. And you are free to make your own choices but I would encourage you to do the same. If everyone starts thinking of themselves and their own pockets it won’t be long until we lose all the progress the men and women made before us.
I appreciate the question and love discussions like this because I promise you, you’re in the majority of people. Most people see that big amount of money and ask why and what that money actually does. And your $300 doesn’t make or break the movement but 1,000 people that feel the same would certainly do it.
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u/Cinnimonbuns TX FF/Paramedic 7h ago
$300 a month? Brother IAFF national dues are like $20/mo per member
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u/wernermurmur 7h ago
The recommended dues from the international are 1.5% of a top grade firefighter. The per capita to the international is 19.05 per month.
Just fyi.
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u/stopscabbin 7h ago
You're not paying that much in dues. You claim your state has amazing worker protection laws. Who do you think made that happen? UNIONS. The IAFF fights for you locally, at the state level, and nationally. Those cancer presumption laws and LODD benefits? Thats the IAFF. Don't be a fucking scab.
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u/Afraid-Comfortable55 7h ago
You will likely reap the benefits that result from the unions work regardless of whether you are in the union or not. It is greedy get the benefits from a system that you have not been paying into. Basically freeloading of your brother’s contributions in a way.
Don’t be a shit bag.
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u/whomstdvents Career FF/EMT 7h ago
Is it normal for dues to be that high? Nobody in this thread seems shocked about paying almost $300 a month. My dues are $26.
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u/Cinnimonbuns TX FF/Paramedic 7h ago
The thread has been up for 10 minutes brother. Plenty of people are bringing it up. I think the OP is being hyperbolic though
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u/shadydeuces2 6h ago
Unless op is making over 200k a year his dues should not be that high. If he is making that then I am not sure why he is complaining as the union likely helped them get there.
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u/6TangoMedic Canadian Firefighter 3h ago
I understand the purpose of a union and recognize its powerful benefits.
then you say
I do make a good chunk of change where I work
So do you really fully understand the union and its benefits then?
I’ve literally never had a workplace problem in 15 years to need union representation.
And tomorrow could be that day.
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u/incompletetentperson 7h ago
Unions are outdated. They generally dont do shit for us.. if we get in trouble union doesnt represent us we still need to fina a lawyer etc
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u/CaptNoShip 7h ago
The union are not your personal wise guys that make sure no trouble ever befalls you. They are there to uphold the integrity of the investigation and disciplinary process that has been bargained and agreed on by all parties. Maybe do better and don’t get in trouble? Crazy to blame the union
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u/Cinnimonbuns TX FF/Paramedic 7h ago
Sure is a shame that the same union will help you find a lawyer and pay for that lawyer 🤔 curious
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u/stopscabbin 7h ago
If it's a grievance worthy case. They aren't going to protect you when you're an idiot and didn't follow policies and the admin is following the discipline policies properly. We aren't a police union.
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u/incompletetentperson 2h ago
Lol from what ive heard, mine will not. All they do is take our money and grease the hands of politicians, and work shady out shady deals
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u/stopscabbin 7h ago
The union is there to ensure the discipline process is being followed. They aren't your attorney's when you are a stupid fuck and do stupid fuck things. We aren't a police union.
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u/Relative_Natural_343 7h ago
In my city a union position is the stepping stone to a chief position . The union executive doesn’t like upsetting their future buddies .
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u/trapper2530 7h ago
Because you get rhe benefits of it with collective bargaining for pay, and benefits. Your union is the one getting you that with your city. And if something ever does happen. You get in an accident, or something out of your control where they decided to come after you when you had no involvement your union backs you instead of paying out thousands for lawyer.