Fire Union Election Results Signal Change

Two positions on Executive Council won by Fairfield

2/19/09

By Marc Garman

Firefighters from Benicia and Fairfield turned out in unprecedented numbers to vote in last week's IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) 1186 local election. Up for grabs were 2 slots on the 5 position executive board: Treasurer and Vice President.

The 1186 leadership consists of a five member executive board and department representation from each city under the local. The cities of American Canyon, Benicia, Fairfield, Rio Vista and Cordelia get one department representative each. Vallejo gets three. The Executive Board, consisting of a President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer and a Secretary was exclusively staffed with Vallejo personnel...until last week.

Vice President Pat Dunn and Treasurer Tim Booth, both of Vallejo lost their seats to Bob Stoffel and Rob Herrick, both of Fairfield (for VP and Treasurer in that order). When asked if the vote was indicative of a political shift, Fire Captain Dennis Hooten of Fairfield stated that “I think our guys started to feel like it was time that we started stepping up and be involved in some of the leadership. We felt it was kinda our turn.”

Anonymous sources in the room at the time of the election have indicated that IAFF 1186 President Kurt Henke was visibly displeased with the results. Henke has enjoyed a vast and overwhelming mandate within the 1186 hierarchy in recent years.

The union members are also on the hook for legal fees from Mr. Henke's failed defamation of character lawsuit against former Vallejo City Manager Otto Giuliani, former councilmember Tony Pearsall, councilmember Joanne Schivley and Fire Department analyst Patty Keener. The bill is expected to be delivered in court this week. Add to this the expense of continuing the legal battle against Vallejo's Bankruptcy without the financial support of the VPOA (Vallejo Police Officers' Association) and one can only conclude that the 1186 membership is likely starting to feel a pinch.

Perhaps Mr. Henke's popularity is waning.