Help the Reedy Creek Firefighters

[caparamedic]

:sohappy:

When you visit, please help support the Reedy Creek Firefighters! Stop by Station One on Buena Vista Drive at Victory Way and buy a Tee-shirt! Too busy? Go to www.reedycreek.org and get one there!

These firefighters protect the magic and save lives at Disney World! They have been without a contract since December 31, 2001 and without a raise since September 11th, 2001!

Since then they have been fighting successfully to get back jobs for firefighters and communicators who were fired and ordered to be made whole by arbitration. The District has not made good on their promises and has been refusing to pay back the rehired employees the money they are owed.

Ask Steve Colston, the District's Personnel Director why is he trying to break the Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters' Union? Send him e-mail! scolston@rcid.dst.fl.us Thanks to Steve's efforts the union is now larger and stronger than ever! Great job Steve!

 

[mkt]

that sounds like a good cause... I'll try to swing by tomorrow and pick up a shirt You guys have saved my @$$ enough times... it's the least I can do.

 

[bamboo7]

great idea! i've had nothing but great experiences with the RCFD!

 

[aim]

Thanks for the link! As soon as I get money, I'll be buying one!

 

[shuflemstr]

Thanks for the information. I had no idea this was going on. I know I will be buying one.

Brian

 

[tiggerlover1971]

OH I want one darn it I was just up there if I knew about it I would have bought one last week

 

[SteamBoat Jimmy]

I will be stopping by on my trip over the Christmas Holiday. I've been on our Paid on Call department for 17 years. At times people forget about the men and women who protect our lifes and property at home and away.

 

[blue_dragon_192]

Here is a pic of their new Fire Department.
Blue

 

[Grumpy56]

Thanks for letting us know. Looks like a good Chrismas present for some of my family members!

 

[caparamedic]

Photo of the new station four

:lol:

Great photo of our new station!

Funny thing is the station sat empty for two months because they didn't have a plan for manning it. We moved in on October 19, 2003.

The opening ceremony was in August 2003 and the on duty and off duty firefighters were ordered not to attend! Two off duty guys got pulled over by the Orange County Sherrif just for driving by the station and were ordered to leave the area! That is a public road and a public building! Welcome to the new Disney police state! We now share that building with the deputies!

This is the first Reedy Creek building to fly the American flag! Employees, however, are FORBIDDEN to wear the American flag on their uniforms. Flags can not be displayed on Reedy Creek Fire vehicles either.

Yes, we wear UNIFORMS, not costumes like the Disney folk. Over at Disney they can have mustaches, we can't!

The District finally moved some stuff and personnel from Station 1 so it really just spreads us thinner. Some response times are now longer due to the new location of equipment. Headquarters doesn't have an engine and really has no need for fire fighters! Only paramedics, engineers and Lieutenants!!

 

[caparamedic]

latest news

Most likely, the firefighters will be going to an imposed contract which will ensure no raises for at least another year, no back pay, no retiree benefits.

The District will not be able to drop the Fire Safety Inspector requirement and will not be able to recognize or give extra pay to the elite Special Operations and Response Team (SOAR).

The civil cases over the wrongful terminations who were not made whole after being reinstated are in the court system now and awaiting a trial date.

Are we having fun yet? Is this anyway to treat firefighters? :hammer:

Have a great and safe holiday season!

www.reedycreek.org

 

[caparamedic]

BIG News from Reedy Creek Firefighters

Here is some BIG news!

As of Friday, December 5, 2003 The Reedy Creek Improvement District has refused to agree to a fair contract and the firefighters are now at empasse. Happy Holidays from Reedy Creek!

Look for "informational gatherings" soon! Look for all "extra" services from the fire department to END.

All of the unions on Disney property support the firefighters in their effort to ensure a safe work environment, fair pay and retiree benefits. These unions will actively participate and support the IAFF Local 2117 Reedy Creek Firefighters Association. www.reedycreek.org

Do you want to help? Here is how:

When you visit, please help support the Reedy Creek Firefighters! Stop by Station One on Buena Vista Drive at Victory Way and buy a Tee-shirt! Too busy? Go to www.reedycreek.org and get one there!

These firefighters protect the magic and save lives at Disney World! They have been without a contract since December 31, 2001 and without a raise since September 11th, 2001!

Ask Steve Colston, the District's Personnel Director, "Why is he trying to break the Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters' Union?" Send him e-mail! scolston@rcid.dst.fl.us or stop by his office on the third floor of the District Administration Building on Hotel Plaza Boulevard. It is a PUBLIC GOVERNMENT building, so feel free to go in! Thanks to Steve's efforts the union is now larger and stronger than ever! Great job Steve!

Ask him why the District will not bargain in good faith and why they have dragged out these negotiations for two and a half years at the expense of those who put their lives on the line to protect the citizens who live and visit the Walt Disney World Resort?

Ask Steve why retired firefighters have to pay 600-800 a MONTH for health insurance just for themselves (families are extra)?

Ask Steve why the District will not provide workers compensation for diseases contracted while on the job, in violation of Florida law?

Ask Steve why he will not recognize our fire inspectors right to be in the union?

Ask Steven why he thinks new firefighters should not hold a fire safety inspector certification, like the rest of the firefighters do?

Ask Steve why he won't given equal raises to firefighters even though insurance and cost of living has increased?

Ask Steven why he used the death of 343 firefighters as an excuse to refuse to negotiate a contract in September of 2001?

Thank you.

:xmas:

 

[bamboo7]

Re: BIG News from Reedy Creek Firefighters

Originally posted by caparamedic
Here is some BIG news!

As of Friday, December 5, 2003 The Reedy Creek Improvement District has refused to agree to a fair contract and the firefighters are now at empasse. Happy Holidays from Reedy Creek!

Look for "informational gatherings" soon! Look for all "extra" services from the fire department to END.

All of the unions on Disney property support the firefighters in their effort to ensure a safe work environment, fair pay and retiree benefits. These unions will actively participate and support the IAFF Local 2117 Reedy Creek Firefighters Association. www.reedycreek.org

Do you want to help? Here is how:

When you visit, please help support the Reedy Creek Firefighters! Stop by Station One on Buena Vista Drive at Victory Way and buy a Tee-shirt! Too busy? Go to www.reedycreek.org and get one there!

These firefighters protect the magic and save lives at Disney World! They have been without a contract since December 31, 2001 and without a raise since September 11th, 2001!

Ask Steve Colston, the District's Personnel Director, "Why is he trying to break the Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters' Union?" Send him e-mail! scolston@rcid.dst.fl.us or stop by his office on the third floor of the District Administration Building on Hotel Plaza Boulevard. It is a PUBLIC GOVERNMENT building, so feel free to go in! Thanks to Steve's efforts the union is now larger and stronger than ever! Great job Steve!

Ask him why the District will not bargain in good faith and why they have dragged out these negotiations for two and a half years at the expense of those who put their lives on the line to protect the citizens who live and visit the Walt Disney World Resort?

Ask Steve why retired firefighters have to pay 600-800 a MONTH for health insurance just for themselves (families are extra)?

Ask Steve why the District will not provide workers compensation for diseases contracted while on the job, in violation of Florida law?

Ask Steve why he will not recognize our fire inspectors right to be in the union?

Ask Steven why he thinks new firefighters should not hold a fire safety inspector certification, like the rest of the firefighters do?

Ask Steve why he won't given equal raises to firefighters even though insurance and cost of living has increased?

Ask Steven why he used the death of 343 firefighters as an excuse to refuse to negotiate a contract in September of 2001?

Thank you.

:xmas:

well, i wish you guys the best of luck, and i'll be stopping by the station when i am down there in january.

 

[Firewolfe51]

RCFD

:fork: hey folks im a PAID Firefighter/Paramedic. I guess just me being stupid i asumed "you" WDW firefighters and medics were some of the best paid and treated around! BUT im sorry to hear your treated just like the rest of us .....and that "WE" are a thorn in someone's side until they need "US". My department has also been without a raise for 4 years!!!!!!!!!!!! but we still bust our a$$ to save and take care of everyone else! I would love to stop by a staion for a shirt, but i didn't want anyone to think i was just another geek fireman that has to stop at every fire station he comes too!.Because believe me in my small town we see plenty of those guys. Hey guys let us know what else we can do to help...please thats why we're all brothers!!!!!and im about to order myself a shirt right now!

Scott Wolfe
Gadsden Fire Dept
Engine 1 & Rescue 1
Gadsden Alabama
Local 454

 

[Firewolfe51]

Question

one more silly question.....why is it called reedy creek and not WDW FD or something of the sort. also are you WDW employees????do you just cover and protect WDW property?


Scott Wolfe
Local 454
Gadsden AL

 

[caparamedic]

Hey Scott!

The Reedy Creek Improvement District is named for the creek that runs through the property and drains into the Kissimmee River and eventually winds up in the Everglades.

Since it is a governmental body (a special taxing district) set up the the Florida Legislature in the 1960s, it is NOT a part of the Walt Disney World Company. Rather it is the government that controls the property that is now the Disney Resort

If the District was not set up, the land would not have been drained, canals would not have been dug and building could not have been built.

Check out this book from your library, "Married to the Mouse" by Richard Fogelsong. Also go to the union's web site. The District web site is very sad and hasn't been updated in years.:wave:

 

[Firewolfe51]

CAPARAMEDIC...I just sent your boy steve an email!...if you wil sent me a PM with your email i'll send you a copy of the mail i sent

Thanks Scott

 

[Firewolfe51]

hey people....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! these guys need a little help and "WE" need to help them! If anything happens to you, your spouse, your kids, your grandma or grandpa, your aunt, uncle, cousin, good friend, or the smelly person standing in line in front of you these guys are the your only hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't believe me just think about it a little while. what would happen if a little cardiac chest pain started ....lets say around Big Thunder Railroad! BETTER YET how about this ......BIG THUNDER RAILROAD of WDW derailed like Disneyland's ..... These people are there for YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!hey folks firefighters are like an insurance company, we are a pain to pay and put up with, unless YOU need US and we are PRICELESS. I can remeber not too long ago this site was covered up with people soooooooo upset because Monorail LIME was to be repainted. The response to that was unreal! People you may or may not want to believe this but your lives are in the hands of the REEDY CREEK FIRE DEPT, and not the CM who ask "how many in your party". lets show a little more support for these people! we can still all talk about Horizons and the Cop closing , or what is the best moderate to stay at.... just please show support to these people...if nothing else just give a wave the next time you pass a fire truck or firemedic truck in your hometown. THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU! most of you just don't know it!

 

[aim]

Oh wow! This is sad to hear! I will be there in March, I will be buying a shirt!! Please keep us updated! :wave:

 

[caparamedic]

More news. Here is the counter proposal from the District

This is the offer from the District. Read carefully and you will see the problems. This offer was soundly rejected by the union.

3% signing bonus on base salary, no overtime

Contract would be 3 years starting 1/1/04 thru 12/31/06

All topped out employees would receive 5% lump sum pro rated to their anniversary date

Add two steps at the top across all ranks (step 8 & 9)

A 3% across the board pay increase on 1/1/04

A 3% across the board pay increase on 1/1/05

A 4% across the board pay increase on 1/1/06

3% minimum slotting into the new steps upon ratification

The District rejected the Union's proposal on retirement insurance for past retirees

The District also rejected the Union's proposal on Article 21 for a mutually agreed to Board.

Problems with the above listed proposal:
1. It was verbal. They didn't even bother to put it in writting. All of the union proposals were written.
2. It does not compensate the members for the years 2002, 2003 at all. No one has had a raise since January 2001. Insurance costs and living expenses continued to climb during that time.
3. Members have been working a lot of over time because the District hasn't been able to attract qualified employees. All the overtime worked would not be part of the percentage of the "bonus". A 3% bonus is much less that 1% a year.
4. This would give the District was they first proposed, no raises for three years!
5. Eleven retirees who would have received benefits in exchange for giving up 1 year of retro active pay raises would not be covered. Many more firefighters will be retiring over the next three years and will receive no benefits. Most of these people have worked 25-35 years, risking their lives so others may live!
6. The District will still not recognize the Fire Inspectors as members of our union, although PERC (Public Employees Regulatory Commission) does!
7. The District will not cover illnesses that firefighters contract while on the job! This includes exposures to chemicals, heart disease, stroke, etc. This is in direct contradiction to Florida law!
8. The District still has not complied with orders to "make whole" employees who were wrongfully terminated and rehired.


Summary: The District has lied to Disney about its ability to deal with terrorism, biohazards and other large disasters. They continue to lie to the firefighters about the contract and then say it was a typographical error. Now to avoid those errors, they will not even put their proposals in writting!

Express your concern to the Disney people who think everything is OK at Reedy Creek!