Shift Calendars (private vs. union)

[Livin' in GOD's Country]

OK, it been some time since we had a new issue, and even longer since I posted one, (actually this is my first).
Our Department, for as long as I can remember (17.5 years) has always provided us with shift calendars, for our wallets and Station wall, at the beginning of the New Year. Our Union has provided us with flip shift calendars that have a vintage fire engine on the first page. These calendars are nice because it gives you space to write other events and/or appointments in the daily space.

Now my question is with us paying $8.00 to the union, and I think some of that money stays with the union, why are we allowing a private photographer to come to each station and take picture to compile a calendar and sell it to us for $15.00 and all the profit goes in his pocket. I know we are in bad economic times but why are taking monies from our union and giving it to a private business.

This is just one (mine) opinion and I hope to here some constructive feedback.

[firemedic301]

OK, it been some time since we had a new issue, and even longer since I posted one, (actually this is my first).
Our Department, for as long as I can remember (17.5 years) has always provided us with shift calendars, for our wallets and Station wall, at the beginning of the New Year. Our Union has provided us with flip shift calendars that have a vintage fire engine on the first page. These calendars are nice because it gives you space to write other events and/or appointments in the daily space.

Now my question is with us paying $8.00 to the union, and I think some of that money stays with the union, why are we allowing a private photographer to come to each station and take picture to compile a calendar and sell it to us for $15.00 and all the profit goes in his pocket. I know we are in bad economic times but why are taking monies from our union and giving it to a private business.

This is just one (mine) opinion and I hope to here some constructive feedback.

Best part was it was an SB COUNTY Fire Engine;) We could put our own calander together and keep ALL the money in house. I could take the pic for free and have Staples/Kinko, or one of our guy's that is computer savvy could do it. I will ask the union how much the Company charges us for each calander. They are nice calanders though.

Just my .02 cent from 2 miles EAST of GOD's country - I would say WE were also in GOD's country however the 187 last night 200 yards from the station is not GOD's country!!!

[firemedic301]

Now I realize what you are talking about Dave. The Earhart calanders are not being paid for by the UNION and it is up to you if you want to buy the Earhart ones for $15.00. I think the concept of a calander with a picture of each shift per month is kinda cool and worth $15.00, but I do think WE could take our own shift pictures and again have Staples, Kinko put then together at a cheaper price. Greg said the UNION calanders cost US $7.00 and sell them for $8.00 and the UNION makes a buck. Check with Staples and find out the price they charge for "personalized calanders"

[Livin' in GOD's Country]

This what I was referring to, why are we, the union allowing a private business to take pictures of the stations and apparatus and keeping all the profit from the sales. Could we the union or the City get a percentage of the profit? I too think the concept is cool but this looks like he is trying to take all the sales away from our union and keep all the profits.

Just what it looks like to me?


Remember the boundaries, living the Dream to the north and Paradice to the south.

[KungFooPanda]

Just my .02 cent from 2 miles EAST of GOD's country - I would say WE were also in GOD's country however the 187 last night 200 yards from the station is not GOD's country!!![/QUOTE]

SAY WHAAAT? they be busting caps on the northside?? i'm soooo sorry that we chased the bad peeps from the amapolo's to the north. 301 come to the west central.

[maddog411]

I hear what you are saying God's Country..
You guys should put your own apparatus on there and make your own fundraiser calendars. I don't think the calendar is your issue, it's the process right?

[Livin' in GOD's Country]

I think you hit the nail on the head Maddog. I think it would be great to go into a partnership with this local photographer and put this calendar, with our rigs on it, together. He could have his take in the monies and our union could get some monies through the sales also. To me it's a win win deal.

[firemedic301]

I think you hit the nail on the head Maddog. I think it would be great to go into a partnership with this local photographer and put this calendar, with our rigs on it, together. He could have his take in the monies and our union could get some monies through the sales also. To me it's a win win deal.

The way WE could combat this is just not to buy them!!! With that said I hear a guy on the job put some money up front for him to start the process. So this puts us in a tight place, I will buy one if it gets OUR guy back his money, however I still tink WE should have made our own. EACH shift can take one of there own shift (everybody has a digital camera) and do it with a dead line? Just another .02 cents

[deceptacon]

Spend the $15 and look at all the station pictures.
It will give you something to do in GOD'S COUNTY.:eek:

[BCLepore]

I don't have a lot of background about this particular issue, but one thing struck me as I read this thread. The rigs and the station belong to the public, NOT the firefighters. They are paid for with tax dollars. You (we) do not have the right to tell someone that they cannot be photographed. Furthermore, we do not have the right to tell them what they can do with any photographs taken.

Think back to all of the 911 photos. For that matter all of the photos you see in Firehouse and Fire Engineering magazine (just to name a few). Someone else is profiting on these photos......

It sounds like these photos are being used as a part of your shift calendars and then sold back to you?? It also sounds like someone had an idea and forwarded the seed money and took the chance that it would sell. Sounds like free enterprise to me??? Maybe I don't have enough background on the subject though.....

[Livin' in GOD's Country]

Chief,
Sorry I am hitting your buttons, but I mean no ill will. You are right that it is a free enterprise and the apparatus do belong to the taxpayers. Our union has in place, a program where we sell shift calendars for $8.00 and of the cost, the union retains $1.00. I was just stimulating thoughts on us “the union” losing those monies. The private photographer is a friend of the fire department and has taken many pictures of personnel and deliveries of new apparatus.

[BCLepore]

Livin,
You're not pushing my buttons. I admire your passion for our profession. Asking questions and holding people accountable is healthy for all of us. I certainly do not have all of the answers. I am often corrected for some bonehead thing I say.

Like I said in my post, I did not have all of the facts. I was simply responding to the statement regarding "letting" someone take photos of the rigs. I find sometimes that guys can get possessive of "their" rigs and stations. It sounds like a partnership between your union might have been a good idea.

There may be some bylaw that prohibits your union from a commercial venture. I would guess your union guys are pretty saavy. It might be a good question to ask them. You might be surprised at the answer.......
Stay safe,