Vice President’s Message

rom the first article I wrote eight months ago, as a newly elected Vice President, I must say that there have been many unforeseen challenges never faced in the history of our Association.

During the worst times of the pandemic crisis, our members displayed the very reason why we are recognized as highly respected and trusted professionals within our communities. Each and every one of you responded and continued to respond to your calls of duty with strength and courage, while putting your own concerns aside to help others. For this, I personally want to say thank you. Your efforts are recognized and deeply appreciated. You make us all proud to be part of Local 3888.

Getting down to business, I’d like to address how the Executive board has been very busy representing our members. The past few years have not been “business as usual.”

Allow me to summarize a few of the items over the past eight months.

Grievances are at an all-time high. Due to the pandemic, scheduling has been an issue.

To clarify the process and appreciate the time involved, step one begins by filing the grievance. Step two is a discussion between the Association and TFS with the objective of resolving the grievance to avoid the next steps. In the event there is no resolve, we proceed to step three, involving a meeting with the City of Toronto and the Association. Step four is the final step where we agree on an Arbitrator. The Arbitrator makes the final decision.

Our Association has had two government relations wins. The city budget passed, whereby the hiring of firefighters this year will have two groups of at least 96 per class. Historically, we have only had one group of 96. This number, in itself, is the highest in our history of Toronto Fire.

At Queens Park, our Association, along with the OPFFA, lobbied to have all firefighters recognized as certified province-wide. We were successful. This was a win for all firefighters within the province of Ontario.

Within our 24-year history, TFS has never exercised the call back provision outlined in the MOA, nor the cancellation of vacation/lieu days, which is also outlined in an MOA. The Association has always had a concern that the provisions would prevent the hiring of additional firefighters. Fortunately, we have had a successful outcome, resulting in the two groups of 96 per class, as mentioned above, in addition to the commitment of staffing 156 firefighters above and beyond normal hire complement within the next three years. Notably, training was a factor in the three-year timeline, as only so many new hires can be trained yearly. The Executive committee collaboratively responded to the task at hand and raised the bar towards proper staffing to ensure all apparatus remain in service. We heard the members’ concerns loud and clear. The Association reacted by engaging with management. The main topic surrounded health and safety concerns regarding “out of service” apparatus, due to staffing shortages.

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In addition, we have recently had the opportunity to review the final collective agreement. We will be returning to a red cover hard copy, some fondly referred to during my old Scarborough fire days as “the red bible”. Hard copies will be available in the near future. I urge all members to educate themselves on the Collective Agreement, jointly signed off by the City of Toronto and the Association. Both sides are to adhere to the language.

In closing, I look forward to the day when we no longer need to conduct our business through Zoom or WebEx. There is something to be said for faceto-face contact with our members. Our cities and small towns are beginning to reopen, restrictions are being lifted and, hopefully, we are at the tail end of the pandemic, where people can once again travel and have their lives return to normal.

Until my next article, stay well and remain safe.

John MacLachlan, Vice President Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888