5TH DISTRICT REPORT | CHARLIE MARTINEZ

Equality for Industrial Firefighters

Leaders don’t sit and complain… leaders put in work!

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) I-94 President Steve Cueto is making I-Locals seen and heard. An inequity discovered in California’s presumption laws showed that industrial firefighters are left out of most presumption laws that are afforded to all municipals, and he set out to fix it. He authored a resolution and won approval of the CPF membership. That resulted in the introduction of SB 230 in Sacramento by Senator John Laird and the CPF Legislative Team. Industrial firefighters come with the same risks, dangers, and hazards as all other departments, however California’s presumption laws do not reflect this. The CPF’s 5th District stands in solidarity with Brother Cueto and his mission to bring equality for every industrial firefighter in California.

Federal Workforce Under Attack

America is learning about the chaos the new administration is creating for the federal workers, including federal firefighters. IAFF 16th District Leadership has been working non-stop, sifting through the information and misinformation. There are hundreds of probationary firefighters showing up to work, wondering if they will receive an email informing them that they are no longer employed. Almost ALL of them once wore the uniform, serving their country on active duty. This is NO WAY to treat loyal civil servants.

There’s also a GOP-led push to reduce federal benefits, such as Social Security and federal pensions. The Trump Administration last month cut out three additional cancer presumptions, including female breast cancer, that the Biden Administration authorized before they could take effect. An Executive Order signed early this month brings back three direct attacks on federal unions. Everything we’ve gained the past four years is in jeopardy. Find me anytime and I will have a more in-depth discussion about our federal brothers and sisters.