Los Angeles Firefighters Local 112

Los Angeles Firefighters Local 112
Name	Los Angeles Firefighters Local 112
Founded	1900s
Location	Los Angeles, California
Members	1,000+ (approx.)
Affiliation	Independent

Los Angeles Firefighters Local 112 is a labor organization representing a portion of professional firefighters and emergency personnel in Los Angeles, California. The union participates in collective bargaining, political endorsements, and public safety advocacy while engaging with municipal agencies and community stakeholders such as the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles City Council, and state legislators. Local 112 has a history of labor actions, training initiatives, and involvement in policy debates affecting emergency response, public safety budgets, and pension systems.

History

Local 112 traces origins to early 20th‑century firefighter mutual aid and trade union movements connected to organizations like the International Association of Fire Fighters and local fraternal lodges. During the Great Depression and World War II era, firefighting labor in Los Angeles County evolved alongside municipal reforms from administrations such as those of Frank L. Shaw and Fletcher Bowron, influencing bargaining units and civil service rules. In the postwar period Local 112 engaged with issues that paralleled statewide developments under the California Public Employees' Retirement System debates and the passage of laws affecting public sector unions during the administrations of governors like Pat Brown and Ronald Reagan. The union's actions intersected with major events including the Skid Row fire responses, the development of the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum, and disaster responses to incidents such as the Northridge earthquake and the Station Fire (2009).

Organization and Membership

Local 112's internal structure mirrors typical trade union frameworks with elected officers, stewards, and committees corresponding to divisions within the Los Angeles Fire Department such as engine companies, truck companies, and rescue squads. Membership includes career firefighters, paramedics, and specialist technicians who hold classifications codified by the City of Los Angeles Civil Service Commission and represented in negotiations with the Los Angeles Mayor's office and the Los Angeles City Administrative Officer. The union maintains ties to neighborhood organizations and community groups like the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council system, and coordinates with regional agencies including the Los Angeles County Fire Department during mutual aid activations. Training partnerships extend to institutions such as the Los Angeles City Fire Training Academy and higher education providers like Los Angeles Trade–Technical College.

Collective Bargaining and Labor Actions

Local 112 negotiates collective bargaining agreements that address wages, work schedules, overtime, health benefits, and pension provisions linked to entities such as the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 discussions and municipal budget cycles administered by the Los Angeles City Controller. The union has participated in labor actions aligned with other public sector unions including those representing members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and police associations like the Los Angeles Police Protective League in citywide campaigns over compensation and staffing levels. Strike authorization votes, work slowdowns, and grievances have been filed before forums including the California Public Employment Relations Board and municipal arbitration panels involving mediators from organizations such as the American Arbitration Association.

Safety, Training, and Community Programs

Local 112 promotes firefighter safety standards, wildfire preparedness, and emergency medical training through initiatives coordinated with the United States Fire Administration, the California Office of Emergency Services, and regional fire chiefs such as those in the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force network. The union supports community outreach programs with partners like American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and local hospitals including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to provide CPR training, smoke alarm distribution, and disaster preparedness workshops. Training curricula reference national standards from bodies such as the National Fire Protection Association and institutions like University of California, Los Angeles for research on occupational health, cancer screening, and post‑traumatic stress resources offered in collaboration with nonprofit groups including First Responders Children's Foundation.

Political Activity and Endorsements

Local 112 engages in municipal and state politics through endorsements, campaign contributions, and ballot measure advocacy, interacting with elected officials ranging from the Los Angeles Mayor to members of the California State Assembly and California State Senate. The union has taken public positions on ballot propositions impacting pension policy, public safety funding, and labor rights, coordinating with coalitions involving organizations like the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC), and civic advocacy groups. Endorsements have influenced races for offices such as Los Angeles City Council seats, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors contests, and statewide campaigns involving figures like Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Local 112 has been involved in disputes and litigation related to disciplinary actions, political expenditures, and contract enforcement that intersect with municipal oversight bodies such as the Los Angeles Ethics Commission and litigation venues including the Los Angeles County Superior Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Controversies have included disagreements over staffing levels during major incidents like the Griffith Park fire and public disputes with city administrators over budget priorities under mayors such as Eric Garcetti and James Hahn. Allegations in some cases prompted investigations by oversight entities like the Office of the Inspector General (Los Angeles) and civil rights complaints processed by the American Civil Liberties Union and were litigated alongside matters involving collective bargaining precedent from cases like those before the California Supreme Court.

Category:Trade unions in California Category:Organizations based in Los Angeles