A outstanding captain within the Los Angeles Fireplace Division sued town Monday after he was disciplined following his arrest at a protest in help of resort employees.
LAFD Capt. Frank Líma, who additionally serves as normal secretary-treasurer of the Worldwide Assn. of Fireplace Fighters, a nationwide union, filed the go well with Monday in U.S. District Court docket in Los Angeles, alleging that his free speech rights had been violated.
United Firefighters of Los Angeles Metropolis, the union representing Los Angeles firefighters, and the Worldwide Assn. of Fireplace Fighters are additionally plaintiffs.
The lawsuit claims that Líma final month acquired a discover of self-discipline from the LAFD stemming from his participation in a June 22, 2023, protest over wages and healthcare advantages for members of Unite Right here Native 11, a labor group representing Los Angeles resort employees.
Líma was off responsibility when he went to the protest, in keeping with his lawsuit.
Demonstrators sat cross-legged in the course of Century Boulevard close to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport in the course of the nonviolent protest, The Instances reported on the time. The protest was extensively coated by the media as a result of scores of individuals, together with a number of L.A. Metropolis Council members, had been arrested.
The arrests had been anticipated and the organizers coordinated with the Los Angeles Police Division forward of time, in keeping with the lawsuit. Líma was by no means charged, in keeping with the lawsuit.
The protest drew extra headlines later as a result of Los Angeles Metropolis Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto’s workplace despatched out a memo advising town’s elected officers to chorus from getting concerned in labor disputes, saying such actions might lead to authorized motion in opposition to town. Critics questioned her recommendation, arguing that L.A. officers had lengthy marched in solidarity with unions.
Líma claims in his lawsuit that he was carrying a shirt on the protest with the “IAFF emblem clearly figuring out him as a union chief — not clothes or every other merchandise that might in any approach establish him as a LAFD worker.”
He promptly reported his arrest to the LAFD’s Skilled Requirements Division, as required by the division, in keeping with the lawsuit. In October 2023, he was contacted by an inner investigator concerning the arrest and gave an interview that lasted 5 minutes.
Then, in June, he was given a “written reprimand” from the division and a discover of self-discipline that discovered he violated a piece of LAFD guidelines that requires that members of the LAFD “familiarize themselves with and be obedient to the foundations, laws, practices … and procedures of the Division.”
He was additionally advised he had violated one other part that requires LAFD members to “be ruled by the odd and cheap guidelines of conduct noticed by law-abiding and self-respecting residents” and “conduct themselves in a way which is not going to are likely to impair the great order and self-discipline of the Division,” in keeping with the lawsuit.
Líma’s lawsuit claims violation of the first and 14th amendments of the U.S. Structure, amongst different rights.
A consultant for the Fireplace Division declined to touch upon the lawsuit.
Líma didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Ryan Heffernan, head of communications for the IAFF, advised The Instances that motion in opposition to Líma is “meant to intimidate IAFF members from participating in lawful union exercise.”
“The IAFF is happy with Common Secretary-Treasurer Líma’s management and help of California’s resort employees, and we’re dedicated to difficult this LAFD coverage infringing on our members’ constitutional and authorized rights,” Heffernan stated.
A 32-year veteran of the Fireplace Division, Líma is well-known on the LAFD and the Worldwide Assn. of Fireplace Fighters, which represents 350,000 firefighters and emergency medical and rescue service employees in North America.
Líma has an uncommon association with town, which additionally permits him to work for the nationwide union. He works roughly 48 hours a month on the Fireplace Division, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit claims the self-discipline hurts “Líma’s promotional alternatives throughout the LAFD” and his incomes potential. It might additionally function the idea for “harsher self-discipline” sooner or later.
Líma sued the LAFD 20 years in the past. A jury awarded him $3.75 million after he alleged retaliation by his superiors associated to his oversight of a coaching drill.
