IAFF: Schaitberger Emeritus?
California’s Brian Rice is right: not till the facts are in
A much coveted parting plum for an outgoing international officer is to be voted “emeritus” status at their final convention.
Our constitution says,
This position shall carry with it ex-officio lifetime membership in the International Association of Fire Fighters and automatic selection as a delegate-at-large to each of its conventions.
This position shall also carry with it the duty on the part of the President Emeritus to advise and consult with the General President and/or the Executive Board upon request when such service is desired in the best interests of the International Association.
By voting an outgoing officer emeritus status, we are both according them an honor and giving them a perpetual voice.
Harold Schaitberger, IAFF president for 20 years, has embroiled our union in a federal investigation involving the FBI, Department of Labor, the U.S. Attorney and the IRS.
He may be a target of the investigation himself.
These investigations, rooted in his misconduct, have resulted in unfavorable public notice at a time when we desperately need public support.
Brian Rice, president of the California Professional Firefighters, recently asked members to “keep their powder dry” regarding an IAFF presidential endorsement.
His reasoning is that the ethics committee has yet to release its report which may have important information.
Rice’s reasoning should logically be extended to any vote awarding Schaitberger IAFF emeritus status or, for that matter, emeritus status for any serving officer, including trustees.
As IAFF leaders, they are implicated in the federal investigations.
As Rice says, “we should wait for all of the facts.”
Let’s allow the federal investigation to play out and make emeritus decisions at the 2022 convention; there’s no reason to hurry.
Brian Rice is right and it’s also the right thing for the IAFF.
