RAY AUSTIN
Support
IAFF Local 1762

Ray Austin

Experience • Leadership • Results

More than two decades of Local 1762 leadership with extensive experience in collective bargaining, labor-management relations, contract administration, grievance advocacy, political action, and union governance.

See current-term results Leadership experience
Ray Austin
$2.2M+New compensation & benefits
in the FF/CO CBA
29 → 13Executive Board restructuring
to streamline responsibility
$6,500Approx. monthly legal savings
with new legal counsel
5Distinct bargaining units
all with new CBAs/span>

Consistent access to effective representation across all five bargaining units.

More than two decades of Local 1762 leadership with extensive experience in collective bargaining, labor-management relations, contract administration, grievance advocacy, political action, and union governance. Currently serving as President of IAFF Local 1762, representing five distinct bargaining units: FF/CO, Support Staff, Battalion Chiefs, Snoqualmie, and Fall City. Focused on strong member representation, responsible stewardship of Local resources, organizational accountability, and providing consistent access to effective representation across all five bargaining units.

CURRENT-TERM RESULTS

Building on the strong groundwork laid by the previous Union administration, led the completion and ratification of the 2025 FF/CO CBA, bringing more than $2.2 million in new compensation and benefits into the agreement and positioning members in the top tier of regional total compensation.
Streamlined Local 1762’s governance structure, reducing the Executive Board from 29 members to 13 and transitioning from Station Representatives to Battalion and Bargaining Unit Representatives to create a more efficient and representative structure for the expanded Local.
Led the evolution of Local 1762’s representation model to provide more direct and consistent representation across all five bargaining units, strengthening the voice and access to Union resources for FF/CO, Support Staff, Battalion Chiefs, Snoqualmie, and Fall City members.
Helped transition the Local to new labor counsel and subscribed the Local to a comprehensive flat-rate legal services plan, reducing legal expenses by approximately $6,500 per month while significantly expanding access to legal advice and representation.

UNION LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

NOVEMBER 2024
– PRESENT

IAFF LOCAL 1762 — PRESIDENT

  • Serve as President and executive head of IAFF Local 1762 with responsibility for the overall leadership, direction, governance, and administration of the Local.
  • Serve as chief bargaining representative for five distinct bargaining units: FF/CO, Support Staff, Battalion Chiefs, Snoqualmie, and Fall City, with responsibility for contract negotiations and administration across all five units.
  • Provide leadership and oversight to Executive Officers, bargaining-unit representatives, committees, bargaining teams, grievance activities, political programs, and member representation.
  • Serve as lead negotiator on collective bargaining agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Agreement, and other labor matters affecting represented members.
  • Direct contract-enforcement and grievance matters involving wages and overtime, leave and PFML, promotional processes, bargaining-unit work, discipline, working conditions, and employee rights.
  • Negotiate agreements involving organizational restructuring, program transfers, special assignments, and preservation of bargaining-unit work and member opportunities.
  • Helped establish a more collaborative, interest-based relationship with the current administration through direct communication and problem solving while maintaining strong contract enforcement and member advocacy when disagreements arise.
  • Work directly with labor counsel on grievances, bargaining strategy, contract interpretation, employee representation, arbitration, Unfair Labor Practice matters, and other issues affecting the Local.
  • Represent Local 1762 with the IAFF, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, elected officials, regional labor organizations, and other stakeholders.
  • Advocate for long-term issues affecting members and the future of the organization, including sustainable funding, staffing, governance, and exploration of a Regional Fire Authority.
  • Provide leadership across bargaining units with differing contracts, classifications, priorities, and employers while working to maintain unity and advance the interests of Local 1762 as a whole.
JANUARY 2024
– NOVEMBER 2024

IAFF LOCAL 1762 — VICE PRESIDENT

  • Assisted the bargaining team and Local leadership during the organizational transition that resulted in the newly structured IAFF Local 1762.
  • Assumed additional leadership and administrative responsibilities to support the integration and success of the new organization.
  • Applied extensive bargaining experience to CBA preparation, grievance evaluation, contract administration, labor-management coordination, and organizational strategy.
2006 – 2023

IAFF LOCAL 1762 — PRESIDENT

  • Provided strategic leadership and organizational oversight while representing members in collective bargaining, labor-management relations, political advocacy, and contract administration.
  • Led negotiations for six successful collective bargaining agreements.
  • Successfully organized two previously unrepresented Training Officer positions into the bargaining unit despite significant resistance from administration.
  • Successfully negotiated inclusion of the previously unrepresented Fire Marshal position into the firefighter bargaining unit.
  • Led negotiations establishing the 48/96 work schedule in 2010.
  • Reestablished and maintained a strong political action program and helped establish Local community programs including Fill the Boot and the annual food drive.
2004 – 2006

IAFF LOCAL 1762 — VICE PRESIDENT

  • Participated extensively in collective bargaining, labor-management relations, member representation, and organizational leadership.
  • Helped develop and expand the Local’s political action and community-service programs.
  • Participated in negotiations resulting in multiple successful collective bargaining agreements.
  • Assisted in successfully organizing three previously unrepresented positions into the bargaining unit.
2003 – 2004

IAFF LOCAL 1762 — POLITICAL ACTION DIRECTOR

  • Volunteered to serve as the Local’s first Political Action Director.
  • Worked with the Local’s political consultant to educate elected officials regarding the need to replace aging fire apparatus.
  • Successfully advocated with the City Council for the purchase of new fire engines.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC LEADERSHIP

JANUARY 2009
– DECEMBER 2015

FIRE COMMISSIONER

  • At the request and with the support of IAFF Local 1810, successfully ran for and was elected to the Fire District Board of Commissioners.
  • Provided policy, financial, and organizational oversight and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2013.
  • Served as lead negotiator on significant district matters, including a critical administrative-services agreement.

IAFF & WSCFF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS

JANUARY 2024 – NOVEMBER 2024

  • More than two decades of active involvement with IAFF leadership, conventions, educational programs, seminars, and affiliate activities.
  • Served numerous times as a delegate to the IAFF Convention.
  • Developed longstanding working relationships with IAFF District leadership and affiliate leaders.

IAFF AFFILIATE LEADERSHIP TRAINING SUMMIT

2006 | 2008 | 2011 | 2014 | 2016 | 2020 | 2022

Training focused on collective bargaining, union administration, organizational leadership, and labor relations.

WASHINGTON STATE COUNCIL OF FIRE FIGHTERS

REGULAR PARTICIPANT, 2004 – 2026

  • Extensive involvement with WSCFF leadership, conventions, educational programs, and statewide labor activities.
  • Served numerous times on WSCFF Convention committees, including multiple years on the Organization and Policy Committee.
  • Participated as a panel member during labor education programs at the request of presenters.
  • Maintain strong working relationships with WSCFF officers, district representatives, and Local leaders throughout Washington State.

WSCFF ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

Continue to participate in continuing education in collective bargaining, labor law, grievance administration, political action, leadership, and union governance. Working to stay current on evolving issues.