We heard some rumblings about this when the City transferred to the RAPIDS timekeeping software but we are starting to hear more unsettling news. Basically, since the RAPIDS program wants us to log in and log out of work, we will only be able to work mutual within the SAME PAY PERIOD. WOW. So much for the brotherhood. If true, you can't come in early for someone cause that would be overtime. You couldn't hang over for someone cause that would be overtime. We really hope this isn't true. Really, really hope this isn't true.
Chief, if this is being pushed on you by the city, here is an opportunity to win back some support from your firefighters. STAND UP for us. You know we aren't like every other city department. We have to pick vacation a year in advance, we need this trade time. It is essential to us and our families. For us to see our kids play baseball, our families on vacation and stay at home just a little longer on Christmas cause you know your brother/sister is covering you. You have a golden opportunity to fight for us. Time to be a leader.
Oh an the city is pretty pissed about the fire department needed an note for every day we mark off sick and that being a cause for rising health care cost. What do you think getting rid a mutuals is going to do?
Really hope this isn't true.
Who knows what is and what isn't true anymore. They did request all outstanding mutuals be listed and turned into the Chief.... If this is true the impact would be devastating to most firefighters and their families. We are different from the rest of the city however we always had a Chief who made sure that was known. We also stood together in times like this when politicians put their hands in our families pockets. The Chief is not going to stand up for us and that's just the way it is. This goes. All the way down to who he is and that is not going to change. We need to stand together and do what's right. Enough is enough. If he won't we will.
ReplyDeleteI understand that a couple of weeks ago there was an officer called to work overtime on a day that she had a mutual. She accepted the overtime day and was asked to leave about three hours into the shift because this was not allowed. My question is why was her name on the overtime list that day anyway. If she was scheduled to be on duty that day then her name should not have even been on the list. How did her name get on the list for that day? Was this incident part of the whole mutual blow up? I understand that the chief was surprised to hear the number of outstanding mutuals still out there. Come on chief! REALLY! Weren't you part of operations at one point in your career. This is nothing new. Just another example of how far out of touch you are with the folks that really care.
DeleteThere is nobody in city thats stands up for us. The union sbould but they dont but when they want to. The tax payers need to know what is going on the waste full spending of there money. The way there fire and police are treated by the high UPS how under paid we are for the job we do for them. go to the media union stop playing golf and drinking. Maybe everybody should quiet the union and give them selfs a raise with the union dues that they pay for nothing. They can use that money to pay for there great health insurance. When is the last time the city did anything good for us and im not talking about a little 2 hundred dollar bonus last year. We want our raises and respect
ReplyDeleteThis is not the place to bash the union. May I ask what you have done to make things better? I know for a fact that Keith Andes is not out playing golf and drinking with our money. He is out there each and every day doing what he can for all of us. Even those that are not in the union. If you are in the union the best thing for you to do with your dues is to take them and enroll yourself into an English class. That way the next time you attempt to post something on here you will not embarass yourself or the RFD with your grammar and sentence structure.
DeleteSo..the union only looks out for you when they want to? Really? The union gives a voice to all members and non members on any number of topics. The union will stand up for you or anyone with a problem at any time. If you are a member. Come to the meeting and stand up and lets here your problems. If you are not...please come to the meeting and stand up so we can here what your problem is also. Are there problems that needs to be addressed ...yes..and the union is doing what it can to fix them..if you have a better way...come to the meeting and lets here it. But to come on a blog and say that the local only stands up for what they want to is wrong. For anyone to come here and hide behind your key board without your real name is cowardly. Please stand up from the tall grass and lets see who you are and lets here what you have to say. There is a union meeting the 3rd Thursday in June at 7pm.....if this does not help you well I here Bojanges is looking for help...My name is zack and yes what I say here I will say to your face....and yes. I APPROVED OF THIS POST....thanks and keep the faith.
DeleteAs soon as career development comes back, do us all a favor, and take the basic college English class. I have no doubt you were the 'most qualified' candidate.
DeleteYou are clearly not a union member. Ask yourself, what has the BBC done lately? Absolutely nothing. Does Chief Carter still work year or is he just collectly a check?
DeleteI for one want to thank Capt Andes. A truely great man continues to stand up for what he knows is right even when he is pushed down time and time again. Captain you have a great heart and an incredible character. Thank you for what you do and what you will do in the future.
DeleteHis grammer might not be very good but he has a point. What is the last thing the union has done?
ReplyDeleteYou may pick on his grammar, but yours isn't much better. It's "embarrass" not embarass. He DOES have a valid point. There are very few people I hold in higher regards than Keith Andes. He is a stand-up guy with outstanding morals and values; I think you'd have a hell of a time finding someone [anyone] who whistles a different tune. However, I just wish he was a little more staunch, assertive and "public" in his efforts. Don't knock on The Style Weekly's door, knock on the news networks and Time Dispatch's door. Anyway, I also hope this change in mutuals is NOT true. This is going to kill a lot of people's lives outside the firehouse [not like anyone downtown care] and FORCE unnecessary "mark offs." If only we had a Fire Chief that fought for us....if only.
ReplyDeleteFirst I would like to say that although I do not share in your opinion, I do believe that this is the place to share it. I would ask that we be a little more tactful in how we say it only because members of the public read this blog. If you would like to argue and call names you know which site you can do that on. I believe the point of this post was to get to the bottom of the rumors regarding mutuals. There is no way they will be able to change the mutual or any other payroll policy through this RAPIDS program. As we said from the beginning, RAPIDS will not work within the police or fire departments. Should Creecy have told them this instead of ignoring it and giving false promises...sure, but then pigs would fly and places would freeze. The auditor will take care of this problem as he seems to be running most of this city. One man with common sense is better than none. If you feel the union is not spending time on topics you feel strongly about please show up to a meeting and help steer it in the right direction. Keith is trying very hard but without everyones support his efforts are in vain. One last thing,before you leave the station next day stop and take a look at the honor roll (that Keith bought) and when you get home take a look at your family and ask yourself one question; for someone who puts so much on the line every day protecting the lives of others, why are you treated so poorly by the City you serve and if your name one day sits on that wall, who will truely care?
ReplyDeleteLets stick together and one day we will prevail.
I looked at that plaque this weekend while at my station and I felt sick. I felt sick that our department has come to this. I am having a hard time even putting into words how I felt while staring at the honor roll. The Richmond Fire Department has seen a lot in its 150+ years. There have been Great firemen and not so great firemen. There has been tragedy and there have been incredible acts of heroism and bravery. A list of the lives that our members have saved or changed would go on forever. Everyone knows that most brave acts would go unnoticed and that you would never get rich doing this job but you would wake up every day wanting to go to work. You had the comfort and security that if you worked hard, there would always be a job there for you. You also knew that you only got out of this department what you put into it. It was not until I took a moment like you asked and looked at that list of names on the wall that I realized this was no longer true. When I got hired I was so proud of what I had accomplished. I studied everyday trying to be the best and tried to bring everyone up with me. These days are gone. The actions and behaviors within the RFD that have become accepted and even normal, are disgusting. Failing a year’s test, lying, stealing, hit and runs, failing to show up for work, discrimination of any kind, sick leave ABUSE, refusal to perform your duties, fear of firefighting, neglect of duties, neglect of care, DUI’s and the list goes on. WHAT IS GOING ON??????? How do you fail a test you have a year to study for? How do you allow someone to remain employed after they fail a test they had a year to study for? There is absolutely no leadership or guidance from above. There is also no guidance or leadership from below. What happened to fire fighters looking out for one and other? There is so much wrong no one knows where to start. Fitch???? Are you serious? Chief how do you still have a job? You publicly admitted you have no idea how to fix something that was broken under your watch. When and where does the insanity end? A 10% approval rating from your own department. What is the point of an internal study if nothing happens? Do you not see that the fire fighters are screaming for help and no one is listening? 10% approval rating... are you serious? I too sat and listened to you state the quint concept was going to continue and how great it was and how we were the problem Then why Sir are they not being replaced? You spent 5 million on all those quints that will now hold us back in the end. We will more than likely never see that sum of money again and you wasted it. The citizens thank you.
DeleteEverything in life has gone up, Cost of living, gas, HEALTH INSURANCE, to name a few. Salaries however have been frozen and there is no end in sight. As I said in the beginning, we got into this knowing we would never be rich but I never imagined I would be poor. I never imagined 15 years later I would see this department in such a hole. We risk our lives every day for others and for what, a Chief who will not stand for us and a group of leaders who look at us as trash? The Police had to sue the city they work for just to get paid. This is not going to change and standing up will unfortunately do nothing. If the presence of all who stood at the safety council meeting and listened to a speech from Captain Andes heart did nothing, then the writing is on the wall. You may get your numbers Chief and the politicians will always win, but as you walk by that plaque and look at those names, look down at the open spots and know that as we add names to that list, some did it proud, some did it brave, we struggled the whole way and we did it for $8 an hour.
Well said
DeleteIf there is better than well said then this most certainly is it...
DeleteVery well said , 10% approval rating ,i always said he was never a 30 percent-er.... what the hell is wrong with us when we the proud continue to let the lying, cheating and no morals continue? How in the world is the battalion chief from Batt 4 allowed to keep her job ??????? what an absolute embarrassment.. grow a set Robert and start doing the right thing.
DeleteWhen did we become teatotaller's , everything else aside most people have drank and drove some get caught, some get caught a lot, let them go if they don't get the message but DUI's are not new, the cops that enforce them are. The game has changed! Let's get rid of the real bad guys
DeleteIf our fire chief had half of the character or morals that Keith has then we would have no need for this site. Thank you for what you do for us Captain and please know that this was the opinion of one and we are all behind you. Chief if you ever decode to meet with the union again, take notes on how Keith thinks, his morals, beliefs and most of all ability to look out for others.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me everybody talks a good game including the union but nobody takes action. WE NEED LESS TALK MORE ACTION. TALK TALK TALK STOP TALKING AND DO SOMETHING
ReplyDeleteDid you make it to the union meeting? Where your concerns addressed? If not please let me k.ow I will be happy to stop off at your station to chat with you..my name is zack and I approved this post...thanks and keep the Faith.
DeleteSo tell me...what did you think about the meeting last night? Tell us all. My name is zack and I approve of the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chief!!!! Hey everyone, he handed the decision over to the City attorney regarding mutuals. Great leader you are! We know you do not care but you are a disgrace sir. I have now hit the poverty line based on the City's bullshit insurance and you mess with our mutuals for no reason. Here's an idea for you, research something before you open your mouth. Oh and just so you know the 10% approval you did get was 1% TAT and Big boy plus 9% who only respect the position. You truely have ruined this place. Enjoy yourself while those out there working are starving to death. My family thanks you for all of your hard work and dedication!!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. no one cares about your stories and lies of things you have done or your great triumphs. Keep the stories to yourself.
I agree to that. He is a leader of his self in his eyes he is the greatest. He thinks everybody likes him and his stories. I hate his war stories the same ones over and over. You cant lead your way out of a wet paper bag so called chief. Do you even know what a firefighters job is anymore, I think you are that lost from the job
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