Union Signatures

[FFbeaumont]

Well my probation is nearing its end. I have learned more than I could have ever imagined in the past few months. This is truly the best job in the world.
To join the Union I need three signatures from senior Union members, and from what I understand there is a great deal of bribery involved, lol. Any other departments do the same kind of thing for new Union members. I am looking forward to becoming part of the brotherhood and sisterhood that is the IAFF.
As well, anyone have any advice for new Union members? I have no previous experience in being a member of a Union.
Thanks a lot.

[Pipeman66]

No i got into my union while i was still a probie, it's weird that u gotta get sigs.
As far as advice lol i just kept quiet for the first 6 or so meetings, everything was really formal (speaking anyways) i wanted to get a feel for the meetings.

[itsnotahobby]

Well my probation is nearing its end. I have learned more than I could have ever imagined in the past few months. This is truly the best job in the world.
To join the Union I need three signatures from senior Union members, and from what I understand there is a great deal of bribery involved, lol. Any other departments do the same kind of thing for new Union members. I am looking forward to becoming part of the brotherhood and sisterhood that is the IAFF.
As well, anyone have any advice for new Union members? I have no previous experience in being a member of a Union.
Thanks a lot.

I've haven't heard of this happening before. Is it in your locals constitution, as it certainly is not in the IAFF constitution. Our local inducts all probies at the first meeting of their employment. Although through the probationary period there is not a lot the union can do for you with regards to the corporation keeping you or not, they can however ensure that the corporation abides by the collective agreement with you. So if you are not a member of the local until you pass your probation does that mean that you do not follow the collective agreement? For example can a grievance be filed on your behalf by the association since you are not a member? Sounds like a position I wouldn't be comfortable with.
As far as being a member is concerned you get what you put in. Remember the IAFF has done more for firefighter rights in this country than any other group. They've helped to make the job what it is today and the compensation package where it is. You owe it to yourself and your brothers and sisters to get involved and be informed. Make sure you attend union meetings, this way you know what is going on with your association. Once you feel comfortable with how things are run try to get involved, join a committee, make yourself available to the executive to help out where needed.
Remember our great association is only as strong as the members who drive it.

[FitSsikS]

The "sigs" may be a way of presenting you to be recognized as a Brother.

[itsnotahobby]

The "sigs" may be a way of presenting you to be recognized as a Brother.

Sounds like your right, but I still wonder about the rights of representation as a probationary employee.

[FFbeaumont]

My Local has been doing the signature deal since it was formed in the sixties, it is more of a tradition than anything formal. When I was a probie I was still apart of the collective agreement on paper, I wasn't allowed to attend meetings but all of my rights were covered. I got my signatures and it is all in good fun, one I got from a guy in exchange for gym privileges in which I have to participate in "Challenges" to earn my gym time, pretty funny, its like the frigging Firefighter Olympics. As time goes on I am finding out more and more that my Dept is pretty old school, full of in house tradition, the signature deal was just one of those things.
I am now very proud to be an "official" IAFF member and I am already on our MD committee;
although I did miss our last meeting, there was 2 1/2 feet of fresh powder on the slopes, must have slipped my mind.