Today marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of your union. Firefighters in the city of Greensboro have a long history of engaging in collective action and trade-unionism through our affiliation as a Local of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

Since our founding in 1947, Greensboro firefighters have advocated to make a difficult and dangerous job safer and more equitable. Many aspects of the fire service and trade-union movement have changed for the better since that time, but our overarching mission has remained the same; to be a vehicle of positive change within the Greensboro Fire Department, to promote trade-unionism, to build positive working relationships with elected officials and other decision makers, and advocate for health, safety, and training initiatives.

Greensboro's firefighters are part of a proud tradition of education, organization, and advocacy for firefighters, firefighter families, and the public we are sworn to protect.

We are excited to present this overview of our proud history as part of our 75th anniversary.

You can read more about our history at our website and at pffpnc.org

In 1947, firefighters in Greensboro organized for better working conditions and a voice on the job. On October 31, of the same year the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) issued a charter to Greensboro firefighters. The Local was organized by W.P. Copley, President of the State Fire Fighters Association of NC. Listed on the charter were the following personnel:

Local 947 Temporary President: George C. Wuchae

Local 947 Temporary Secretary/Treasurer: William L. Leonard

"May we always work in harmony to better the working conditions of the fire fighters and our service to the citizens of our city."

-E.S.Lee, Local 947 Recording Secretary 1957

Throughout the late 40s and 1950s, Local 947 worked diligently to better the working conditions of Greensboro firefighters. In 1956, they won a reduced work week of 72 hours and had nearly 100% membership. 

In the summer of 1958, Rep. Frank Snepp of Mecklenburg introduced a bill that would become GS 95-98. The proposed bill made it illegal for police officers and firefighters in North Carolina to even be members of a union. The law also prohibited units of state and local government in North Carolina from entering into contractual agreements with labor unions. 

Although Greensboro firefighters were prohibited from union membership by law during this time, they still organized for better working conditions. In 1967, Greensboro firefighters engaged in a work slow-down, refusing to perform station duties or train, and demanded a 10% pay increase and a reduced work week of 56 hours.

In the spring of 1969, a three-judge federal court panel decided that North Carolina Statutes outlawing union activities by police and fire department employees were unconstitutional. This ruling allowed police and firefighters to rejoin and reorganize unions. Unfortunately, the panel upheld the ban on public employee collective bargaining and the law still impacts us today.

Greensboro was one of the first to re-affiliate with the IAFF and in March of 1969 Local 947 was reinstated with over 200 members at 90% of the department.

Firefighter Jesse Gray, LODD, 12/31/1969

The same year our union reorganized, tragedy struck and we saw the first LODD of a member. Firefighter Jesse Gray was killed while responding to a structure fire on New Year's eve.

Research by President Emeritus Richard O'Brien confirmed Gray's status as a Local 947 member at the time of his death and in 2016, FF Gray's name was added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs. Local 947 sent Gray's surviving children to the memorial service accompanied by Local 947 member Jim Johnston.

1981 was a low point for our Local. Our union dissolved in November and the charter was forfeited for non-payment of per capita taxes. Greensboro’s charter and seal were then returned to the IAFF and the union ceased to exist.

In 1988, Greensboro firefighters again organized, this time spurred to action by FLSA violations by the city and GFD. In June of 1988, the Local reorganized and was assigned as Local 3157.  The officers and members of the new Greensboro Local soon requested that the number 947 be reinstated. In October 1988 the IAFF approved the request and Greensboro’s Local was restored to its original: 947.

Our union fought some bitter battles during this initial period of reorganization. Union members were segregated into two fire stations and worked a different shift than the rest of the GFD. Eventually, Local 947's efforts paid off and the city began complying with FLSA law and our union won the overtime rights we still enjoy today.

Throughout the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s, our Local engaged in the community in a big way. We participated in Fill-the-Boot drives for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and ran a mobile fire safety smoke house for school children. The Local had a robust fundraising arm and purchased equipment for the department through those efforts.

Members were also were heavily engaged in the state and national political process at this time. Local 947 members worked diligently to extend collective bargaining rights to NC firefighters.

Today, Local 947 is the largest public employee union in the city of Greensboro, and the largest union of active duty firefighters in the state. Over 96% of Greensboro firefighters are members of our union.

Over the last several years, Local 947 has been extremely successful in moving a pro-firefighter agenda forward in Greensboro. As a direct result of our advocacy, we have seen increased ladder staffing, defense of our worker’s compensation benefits, increases in compensation, and many other initiatives that benefit firefighters and their families.

We have built an effective local political action program and have greatly expanded our benevolent and charitable efforts through our 501(c)3, the Greensboro Fire Fighter's Charitable Fund.

Today, we reflect on our past and continue to plan for our future. We are proud of the union tradition in our fire department and will continue to do the work to make our job better and safer for Greensboro firefighters and our families!