August 11, 2008 -- Three members of the International Fire Fighter Unions Alliance are attending the 49th Convention as the IAFF continues to foster relations with fire fighter unions across the world.

Mick Farrell, National President of the United Firefighters Union of Australia, Peter Marshall, National Secretary of the United Firefighters Union of Australia, and Mick Shaw, President of the Fire Brigades Union of the United Kingdom, each made the international journey to attend the Convention.

The IAFF has joined fire fighter unions from Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand to create the IFFUA.

“I am honored this morning to recognize a group of distinguished fraternal delegates joining us on behalf of fire fighters across the globe,” General President Harold Schaitberger said.

The IFFUA is intended to strengthen all affiliated unions by sharing information and engaging in collaborative efforts to defend against attacks from elected and appointed officials whose policies put fire fighters at risk.

“The IFFUA will provide a united front to fight for fire fighters rights worldwide,” said Schaitberger.

In 2009, the IFFUA plans to host an inaugural conference inviting union fire fighters from some 70 countries.