Political Action Committee (PAC)

Currently the Political Action Committee (PAC) consists of the Elected members of IAFF Local 2067 Executive Board. The Chairman is the Union President.

Political Action News

Oklahoma City Public Safety Unions Plan More Political Activism
(NewsOK.com)

February 14, 2010 - Oklahoma City’s public safety unions plan to get more politically active this year as they try to mend what’s widely regarded as a broken relationship with City Hall.

The decision marks an about-face for the police and firefighter unions. Historically, the unions have stayed mostly silent on city politics and policy, though they have regularly donated to city council and mayoral campaigns.

After running an unsuccessful campaign against the city’s MAPS 3 proposal last year, union leaders say they now see benefit in political activism. "You will in the future tend to see us to be more vocal than we have been in the past on issues of general concern to the public, like the MAPS issue was,” said Gil Hensley, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123. "I believe we have that responsibility to the public.”

Hensley added: "Who better than the employee groups that are actually on the inside looking out and seeing what’s happening to do that?”

Increased activism by the unions could be a burden or blessing to the political unity credited for Oklahoma City’s ongoing resurgence, political observers and city and union leaders say.

As part of its planned political activity, the fire union plans to launch a Web site soon that Phil Sipe, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 157, said will serve as a forum for the union to "intelligently” advocate for or against city policy. Sipe said the goal is to inform and engage residents.

The unions’ political prowess will be tested quickly by public safety concerns that figure to get more attention in coming months.

Immediately pressing is a 1 percent raise firefighters have demanded that the city says it can’t afford. The matter could go before voters in May.

The city is also preparing to undergo substantial budget cuts — a process that poses another potential political pitfall for the unions. "When everyone is asked to make sacrifices, these unions have got to tread carefully in their negotiations,” said Keith Gaddie, a University of Oklahoma political science professor and local government expert.

Oklahoma City’s budget shortfall this year is $25 million, which is 7 percent below projections.
City officials expect they’ll have much less money to work with next fiscal year than this year and are budgeting in anticipation of that. (Read More...)

IAFF 2067 Endorse Two in Upcoming City Elections
Butch Crawford, President Norman Local 2067 Firefighters

As president of our Local I've talked to councilman Dan Quinn today. Although he hasn't hurt us as a Union he hasn't helped us a great deal either. When Dan first ran for council I met with him and conveyed our issues about fairness and equity among the city of Norman Employees. Again, even though he has not made this situation worse he has not made it better either.

We therefore have elected to endorse Steve Lucas for Council because as a Union Leader he has first hand experience with the issues we face including 'Unfair Labor Practices' and the misinformation that occurs within our City Government that causes poor labor relations and disparate treatment of employee groups.

We have worked for and supported change in our system over the past 10 years. We'll continue to support those that also want that change to a better labor relations system that promotes fairness and equity for all employees. This will give the Citizen of Norman a employee that is efficient and happy with their job; thereby serving the public with the utmost efficiency.

February 11, 2010 - Councilwoman Carol Dillingham, 57, Ward 4, filed a candidacy declaration for the upcoming municipal elections at the Cleveland County Election Board as well, making her the last incumbent council member to do so. The battle for the Ward 4 seat on the Norman City Council is now a four-way contest. We've supported Carol in her first run as a City Councilperson and we also support her run at a second term. She will be challenged by three other candidates for this seat: John Dawson, 65, Austin Dyches, 28, and J. Michael Sherrod, 55.

January 25, 2010 - The IAFF Local 2067 Firefighters will endorse Hal Ezell and Steve Lucas in the upcoming citywide elections. In very much of the same reason, they both are men of high integrity having served the Public and while agreeing with the IAFF Local 2067 that Public Safety is a top priorities in City Government.

To protect and serve the Citizens of Norman, under whom we are employed, is our highest priority. It is also important that the Honesty and Integrity both of these men have is equally expected of all City Employees; not just Firefighters and Police Officers. City management should be held to this same standard of accountability. This level of trust has been questioned by the IAFF within some of our current Council members.

Therefore we anticipate the kind of change these two gentlemen are willing to bring: Accountability, Honesty and a Sharing of information being important to our learning from each other as well as moving forward in a positive way as a team. We wish to enjoy this cooperation for years with these two candidates. It’s time for Accountability within our City Government and Norman's Firefighters believe Hall Ezell and Steve Lucas can help lead us there.