In recent months, the Department has intensified its investigation of Firefighters for alleged sick leave abuses by SMLP, designation of chronic abusers, or detailing Firefighters to less active companies. While the UFA has filed grievances, sought injunctions, and attempted to negotiate a clear policy and procedure with the City, we still believe that the Department is violating our members’ rights. Our labor attorney Michael Axelrod has recommended that we conduct a comprehensive study of your individual complaints to lay the groundwork for a possible Federal lawsuit. Toward that end, we have hired the leading employment discrimination law firm of Leeds Morelli & Brown to conduct this investigation. We are scheduling three days at our office for Firefighters with complaints regarding the Department’s past and present treatment of their alleged “abuses” of medical leave to meet with these professionals and discuss individual situations and appropriate responses.
If you are interested in participating in possible litigation against the Department, it is incumbent on you to attend one of these sessions. They are scheduled from 10:00am to 2:00pm on:
- Tuesday, October 28th
- Wednesday, October 29th
- Thursday, October 30th
Please call Rudy Sanfilippo at (212) 545-6968 to confirm your attendance. Please bring with you all relevant Department documentation concerning absences, SMLP designations, denials of promotions and transfers, or other information in your possession concerning your situation.
