DANBURY PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS, LOCAL 801, IAFF, AFL-CIO

P. O. Box 901

Danbury, Ct. 06813-0901

Tel: 203.743.2415

Fax: 203.730.9933

Louis P. DeMici, President                               Kevin S. Plank, Vice President

Thomas S. Corbett, Secretary                          Christopher T. Ryan, Treasurer

GENERAL MEMO: 06-002

To:                   Principal Officers – Executive Board Members - Membership

From:              Louis P. DeMici, President

Re:                  An Open Message to the Membership

I feel compelled and embarrassed to share the following with our members, but it needs to be addressed especially to the members whom attended the January 9, 2006 Union Meeting.

For those of you in attendance at this meeting, you will recall that we had a HEALTHY DEBATE among the membership on several issues, and rightfully so, as this is the place to address matters impacting the members of this Local.  However, a member or members felt that being in attendance that they were also in a HOSTILE WORK ENVIORMENT.

On Saturday I meet with  Chief Siecienski along with Secretary Corbett to address some pending issues, at the conclusion of this meeting, the Chief brought to our attention a concern he had regarding the Union Meeting of January 9^th, in that the day after the Union meeting he was informed by a member or members, of the discussions that took place at this meeting, and they felt that these discussions created a HOSTILE ENVIORMENT,  I assumed that those issues were the Uniforms and the NIMS training, and that several members in attendance took some cheap shots at other members of the Union/Department.  To say the least I was somewhat astonished as to what the Chief was telling me, however, in a very diplomatic manner, I informed the Chief that I don't feel compelled to respond to this, but I did inform him; that in my opinion which Secretary Corbett confirmed that first, no CHEAP SHOTS WERE TAKEN AGAINST ANOTHER UNION MEMBER AND/OR DEPARTMENT MEMBER  and in fact what simply took place was a debate on issues that were brought to the membership’s attention, after discussion with the Administration of the department.  The Chief stated that he understood, and that his concern was that even though the events explained to him were at a Union Meeting, however, it was conducted on City Property and he did not want to get involved with members being felt that when at work they are being subject to a HOSTILE WORK ENVIORMENT. 

Which bring me to the following, as President of this Union, it has always been my position, and will continue to be, that it is every UNION MEMBERS right to address at a Union Meeting, or Executive Board Meeting, an issue they feel is important to them and for the betterment of  this Union, and I know this is supported by the other Principal Officers and Members of the Executive Board, the leadership of this Union has always and will continue to solicit input from the Officers, Executive Board and Membership of this Union, on matters impacting Wages, Hours and Conditions, and yes at times those matters may be controversial but unless we openly discuss them and gain input, the administration of this Union would be unable to openly debate them with the Administration. 

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR MEMBERS to UNDERSTAND, THAT THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS UNION CANNOT ADDRESS AN ISSUE OR ISSUES, BASED ON ONE’S PERSONAL AGENDA WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE ADDRESS ISSUES BASED ON THE MAJORITY OPINION OF OUR MEMBERS.    

In closing, and if in fact, someone was upset as to the way the meeting was conducted on January 9^th, that you would at least bring your concerns to myself, the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or your Representative on the Executive Board, rather than discussing Union matters with the Administration, whether you want to accept it or not, and with no disrespect to the Department Administration, I know for a fact some of these matters do eventually get to City Hall, and depending on the issues, it places our Union at a disadvantage when addressing these matters with Representatives of the City.

Over the next several months, I anticipate several major issues confronting this Union and its members, we need to address them openly with the membership without any fears that their comments will filter down to the front office, and that every member should be afforded to voice their opinion at Union Meetings. 

Thank you.