Columbus Fire Fighters Join IAFF

July 7, 2008 – The International Association of Fire Fighters is more than 200 stronger since Columbus, GA Local 4655 received its charter in June. The Columbus Firefighters Association had been the largest unaffiliated fire fighter association.

“I am very proud to welcome the Columbus fire fighters into our union,” says IAFF 12th District Vice President Larry Osborne. “I know that they are going to bring a lot to the table and we’ll be able to do the same for them.”

For the past 30 years, the Columbus Firefighters Association handled labor-management relations without outside assistance.

“When I took over as president, it was clear that it was time for a change,” says Bobby Dutton, president of Columbus Local 4655. “For the most part, we have enjoyed a good relationship with our City administration. But when we needed to present the city council with research data related to wages, benefits or other important issues, we never seemed to be able to gather the information fast enough.

“The International not only has the ability to efficiently assist us with that process, but it also offers networking opportunities that our association alone cannot provide.”

Because Columbus, Georgia, sits on the border between the IAFF’s 12th and 14th districts, organization was a collaborative effort between, 12th District Vice President Osborne, 14th District Vice President Danny Todd and District Field Service Representative Thomas Malone.

Union organization is sometimes a tough sale in southern towns because there is no collective bargaining, and anti-union sentiment is common. “What we had to make sure was clear to the City was that our operations were not going to be vastly different than before,” remarks Dutton.

“By joining the IAFF, we’re obtaining benefits for ourselves that did not cost the City anything,” he adds.

Columbus Local 4655 currently has more than 200 members and growing. “We have not pressured anyone to join,” says Dutton. “I think our fire fighters are naturally encouraged to be a part of the IAFF and all it has to offer.”

The Local 4655 executive board includes: President Dutton, Vice President Eric Reeves, Secretary James Brown and Treasurer Carl Kinzalow.