Arizona Local Gains Meet and Confer

September 30, 2008 – Perseverance has paid off for the members of Buckeye, AZ Local 4311. After months of lobbying by the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA) and Local 4311, the Buckeye Town Council voted in favor of an ordinance granting fire fighters the right to meet and confer.

“Former Buckeye President Chad Gilliam and current President Mike Russell both put in a lot of long hours to make this possible,” says Bryan Jeffries, PFFA Executive Vice President and President of Mesa Local 2260. “They never backed down, even in the face of some resistance from the town administration.”

The push to pass the meet and confer ordinance began in the fall of 2007. After the mayor promised support, it went up for a vote in May 2008. At the last minute, the mayor shifted sides and voted against the proposal along with three town council members.

In June 2008, a new mayor – Jackie Meck — and one new council member – Brian McAchran — were elected to office. Immediately, fellow council member and United West Valley Local 4371 President Robert Garza began educating the newcomers about the importance of meet and confer.

The ordinance went up once again in September 2008 for a vote and passed. Local 4311 will begin negotiating its first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in November.