The IAFF hosted its 2008 Ernest A. "Buddy" Mass Human Relations Conference in New Orleans, January 20th-23rd.  The Theme this year was "Many Faces, Many Voices, One Dream, One Union".  As an elected member of the IAFF Human Relations Committee, I witnessed first hand, the impact that recognition of diversity in the Fire Service has within our own Local and abroad.  We were fortunate to have five of our members attend.  They were Craig Willman- President, James Wilkins- Vice President, Ronel Brown- E-Board, Salvadore Melendez and myself.  We had a record setting number of attendees (400) that kept us busy throughout the conference.  This year was also special in that we shared our conference days with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  While many of you know he was the "King", if you will, of the Civil Rights Movement, I'm sure many of you don't know the impact he had on the Labor movement.  In fact, at the time of his death, he was in Memphis trying to assist AFSCME with a collective bargaining agreement for the sanitation workers.   He believed that Civil Rights and Labor overlapped one another and that we all had a responsibility to see that everyone was treated fairly.  

     One of the speakers at the conference was William Lucy.  Mr. Lucy is a founder and the first and only president of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.  He is one of the most revered and highest-ranking black labor leaders in the world.  He is presently the Secretary-Treasurer of the 1.4 million-member AFSCME, AFL-CIO serving since 1972, just recently being re-elected to another four-year term.  In 1968, Lucy worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the above mentioned historic Memphis sanitation workers strike.  In the aftermath of Dr. King's assassination, Mr. Lucy helped maintain the labor-civil rights-community coalition that sealed the worker's victory and became the model used throughout the nation.  It was such an honor to sit and listen to such history and feel the responsibility he feels toward all people.  May we all learn that there is "Power in Diversity"!

     This year at the conference was election year for committee members and I would like to share that I've been elected to serve another four year term on the IAFF Human Relations Committee.   If anyone is interested in serving on our own Local Human Relations Committee, please call me.  We'd love to have you. 

     Stay safe and peace to you all!

     Roxanne Hack-Smero     

Please click on the article below from Karen Lane on the Louisville Fire Dept. Wellness Initiative.

Attention all Firefighters!!!

An inexpensive way to market your business and or a Company of a friend or relative via the Union.

RLC Official Calendars is constructing an 18 x 32 pictorial calendar for Local 345.  The top part of the calendar will feature Local 345 Firefighters and the bottom half will have ad space for the businesses.  Every sponsoring business will get a complimentary copy of the calendar.  We already have attorneys, physicians, restaurants, automotive and other businesses who have paid to be a sponsor.  Remember your ad will be hanging in these places of business all year long.  Business card size is 3 x 1 1/2 for $75.00 or you can get a 3 x 3 ad for $150.00.  Make check payable to RLC Official Calendars and mail to Union Office.  LPFF UNION, Local 345 ATTN: Richard (calendar)

400 Bakers Ln.  Louisville, KY  40214  

Any questions please call Richard at 502-356-9007.

For all of you who didn't know, $25.00 is placed in an enevlope every month for some lucky person to win for showing up at the Union Meeting.  At the last meeting, Jackie Graviss, could have won $325.00.  At next month's meeting (7-23), it is up to $350. 00.  The name is drawn randomly and you must be present at the end of the meeting to win.