Firefighters union changes endorsements

The Village News readers who also follow local social media pages may be confused about endorsements for three of our local races on the November ballot. Ads placed show three candidates for North County Fire Protection District endorsed by the firefighter’s union, local 1622.

And yet, in early August, the social media pages for this union show that three different candidates were endorsed: incumbents Ross Pike for District 1 and Jeff Egkan for District 4. In fact, the endorsements were unequivocal, stating that both incumbents “have consistently demonstrated their ability to lead and enhance our fire services.”

Sheila Lancaster, endorsed for District 5, was lauded for her “fresh perspectives and unwavering dedication.” This is puzzling because six weeks later, the union leadership announced that they were endorsing three entirely different candidates. It is puzzling until voters look at the timeline of events between early August and mid-September.

In August, just two weeks after unequivocally endorsing Pike, Egkan, and Lancaster, the union leadership asked the NCFPD board for a 10 1/2% annual raise; 4 1/2% of this was an out-of-contract raise, adding to the substantial 6% raise this year provided for in the current 4-year contract, and following an 8% raise last year.

It is my understanding that the board did not grant that additional raise. Just three weeks later, the union leadership switched the endorsements from the two incumbents, Egkan and Pike, along with newcomer Lancaster, to three different candidates.

One can only imagine why. Is the union leadership trying to find candidates who will support their now yearly out-of-contract raise requests? In my long history with various public unions, I cannot recall seeing a union switch endorsement at all, let alone over the course of a few weeks.

The additional 4 ½% “ask” would cost the district $700,000 this year and every subsequent year and make the NCFPD firefighters among the highest paid in the county.

I have lived in incorporated areas most of my life and I know that cities, such as Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Vista have revenue streams not available to special districts in unincorporated areas. Fallbrook cannot pass a sales tax increase, as San Marcos is doing now, to finance the building of a new station. NCFPD must live within its means.

As a reader of the Village News, I have frequently read articles about the recent facilities improvements for NCFPD, I’m assuming, approved, and advocated for by the current board.

Just two weeks ago, there was a photo of the current directors with shovels in their hands at a ceremony for the ground-breaking of a major renovation of the Station 3 in Rainbow. I have also seen announcements of remodels of two of the other NCFPD stations and the announcement of county planning stages for a brand-new Station 4 on 395/Pala Mesa.

All these remodels and new construction, all of them touted as providing better living conditions for the NCFPD personnel who live there for 48 hours at a time, and all helping lower response times, must cost the district a substantial amount.

Can our fire district, in our small community, afford to enhance our long-neglected facilities and recognize our local heroes with substantial salary increases? If one looks at the NCFPD budget, available on their website, the answer is yes, the current board has managed to do both of those, providing new facilities and substantial raises over the last three years. However, can the district afford to write a blank check? Can any district?

As a homeowner and a voter, I am concerned about the independence of our local boards. As a strong supporter of unions, I want board members to have a dialogue with labor, but also to make their decisions based on their fiduciary responsibilities to the public and in the best long-term interests of the district as well as provide for those who so valiantly protect us.

Julie Diaz Martínez