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Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:
Contract
The UFA will be scheduling a Battalion Advisory Committee meeting prior to beginning this round of contract negotiations. Most members are aware that the governor re-signed the PERB provisions of the Taylor Law without making ‘municipality ability to pay’ a mandatory provision in arbitration, as he was threatening to do. As a result, PERB remains a viable option if the City refuses to bargain in good faith. Involuntary FF Transfers Delayed & Pending
After the labor management meeting on August 28, the Dept agreed to delay the Lifts of firefighters for a minimum of 14 days. As of yesterday, the lifts have not been implemented. The intended lifts do not fall under the SMLP or Chronic Absenteeism policies. The UFA maintains that there is no official Dept policy that authorizes the intended lifts, and for the Dept to do so is a violation of collective bargaining agreements. TheUFAhas filed both a Grievance (before an arbitrator) with the Office of Collective Bargaining, and a Petition for Restraining Order before Judge Thomas Starkey. The hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17th. Back To Top
Free Las Vegas Trips for Filling Out the Cornell Survey!
The membership regularly asks the Executive Board to produce positive results on a multitude of important issues. Desired results cannot happen unless you support tactics taken by this Board to fulfill what you have elected us to do. The UFA has invested a tremendous amount of time and resources into the survey. If the UFAdoes not receive completed surveys from a majority of members, it will deal a severe blow to our ability to improve conditions, training, equipment, management and the overall health and safety of our membership. Give us the ammo!!! Concrete data is required in order to detail the inadequacies in the FDNY. We have repeatedly documented how the Dept constantly uses statistics against our membership. This survey will likely allow us to do the same, but only if you crack the whip. We need your help. The UFA is so committed to getting an acceptable return rate that we will be giving away 5 Free Las Vegas trips for two (round-trip airfare, 4 days, 3 nights, hotel accommodations). Winners will be randomly drawn from the group of members who have returned their surveys on or before Friday, October 10th. Back To Top
Manning
The manning agreement we reached last June was made to prevent the Dept from reducing manning all the way to C-11. The UFA has contended that as we get farther away from9-11-01, annualized Medical Leave numbers would start to return to previous levels. Recently received statistics indicate this is happening. It seems very likely we will reach the required numbers for October 1. The next target date is January 1. Reaching that target number will require the City to restore the 5th firefighter to five additional engine companies. Back To Top
5th Grade Medical TPRs Must be Submitted
Currently the Dept is not paying probies for attending mandatory 5th grade medicals. The UFA requires documentation of OT denials to file a grievance through arbitration in order to correct this. Delegates are asked to request officers to submit TPR codes for ‘Other OT†for your probies. When denied, have an inquiry submitted. When the inquiry is denied in writing, fax all documentation to theUFAat 212-683-4359 ASAP, attn: Joe Miccio, Recording Secretary. This info is extremely important to help us win the case. Back To Top
Fire Marshal TPR Codes
FMs who were detailed back to the firehouse and are/were being used as chauffeurs found there was no TPR code for this. The code is now #1590. Those FMs who are driving now or had in the past and were not paid the differential can now submit this code for payment. If you are owed the differential, ask your officer to forward the proper documentation to payroll in order to submit for retroactive payment. Back To Top
Expected Queens Fire Marshal Base Closing
The Queens Marshal Base is expected to close next week. Ten additional Marshals have been detailed to operations/firehouses. If the Queens Base closes, the Brooklyn Base will have responsibility for the entire city. Back To Top
FF Gleason Primary Bid & Importance of FirePACs
Unfortunately FF Pete Gleason (ret) did not win his primary bid for the City Council race in the 1st District inLower Manhattanlast week. The UFA would like to thank all the FFs that volunteered and staffed the phone banks and worked the polls last Tuesday. The UFA cannot stress enough how important it is for all FFs to sign up for FirePAC, which costs $1.50 per paycheck. Election outcomes are largely influenced by how much funding candidates have. A strong FirePAC fund and a long volunteer list are great assets in helping get candidates elected that are supportive of firefighter issues. The UFA will continue to rely on Delegates to motivate their members to participate in these important events as the needs arise. We thank all the efforts of Delegates that helped recruit volunteers for this last race and welcome your continued support. Back To Top
Legislative Update
- The governor recently signed the following bills into law: Acting out of Title Accidental Death Benefit-- It gives New York City police and firefighters killed in the line of duty while acting in a higher rank the same benefit afforded those serving in that higher rank. Credit to Siblings on Civil Service Exams--Grants additional credit in the amount of 10 points on competitive examinations to siblings of firefighters and police killed in the line of duty.
- The following bills are awaiting approval from the Governor: Cancer Bill Expander—Currently on Governor’s Desk. He has untilMidnightof the 17th to approve. Amends provisions of the original "cancer bill" to include cancers involving the neurological, breast and reproductive systems as being presumed to be incurred in the line of duty; extends presumption until June 30, 2005.WTC Presumptive Disease Bill-- is being sent to the Governor for his approval soon--It provides that any injury, illness or disease which was caused by exposure to any elements in connection with the World Trade Center Attacks of September 11, 2001, even after retirement, be presumptive evidence that, unless proven otherwise, such disability was covered by an accident in the performance and discharge of duty.
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Health Benefits Fall 2002 Transfer Period
The 2003 Health Benefits Transfer Period beginsOctober 15, 2003 and ends on November 15, 2003. Health plans changes requested during the Transfer Period will be effective the first full payroll period in January 2004. During the Transfer Period, you may transfer into another health plan offered by the City, add or drop Optional Rider coverage, add or drop dependents. To transfer, add or drop an Optional Rider, or add or drop dependents, you must submit a Health Benefits Application to the Health Plans Unit, 6th Floor, Bureau of Personnel Resources. Health care providers will have literature tables set up at the October 9 union meeting. If you need an application, call the Health Plans Unit at (718) 999-2196/2171 or you can download from the City's website, www.nyc.gov/html/olr.
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Health Benefits Waiver Buy-Out Program
The Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program entitles all eligible members (active only) to a cash incentive payment for waiving their City health benefits if non-City group health coverage is available to them. Annual payments, which are taxable income, are $500 for those waiving individual coverage and $1,000 for those waiving family coverage. To elect the Waiver Buy-Out Program or change health premium contribution tax status, you must fill out both a Health Benefits Application and a Medical Spending Conversion Enrollment Change Form. If you waive your City health benefits, you will lose your PICA drug coverage. PICA is only available to members (non-Medicare), who are enrolled in a City-sponsored health plan. You can obtain forms by calling the Health Plans Unit at (718) 999-2196/2171 or you can download from the City's website, www.nyc.gov/html/olr. Forms must be completed and returned to the Health Plans Unit no later than November 15, 2003. Back To Top
FDNY vs. NYPD Baseball in Coney Island Keyspan Park
September 19th at 7pm at Keyspan Park-- Coney Island Home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. Benefiting the Thomas Elsasser Fund. To be taped and aired on the YES Network on September 25. Tickets $10. Available at www.nyfiredup.com or by calling Scott Miller 917-225-7872. Previously faxed to all FHs. Back To Top
Memorial 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
Canarsie’s Bravest Presents the 2nd A-Team Memorial Tournament to benefit the A-Team Scholarship Fund in memory of Lt. Joseph Cavalieri, FF Chris Bopp, and FF James Bohan who made the Supreme Sacrifice on Dec. 18, 1998. Wednesday, Sept. 24,10am,RiisParkin the Rockaways, $150 per team, includes 5 T-shirts per team, food, beer, soda, and BBQ, 50/50 & prizes! For info contact Cary Walsh E-257, Gr 22 or Frank Nastro L-170, Gr 23 at (718) 965-8257 (Firehouse). Two brackets, an “A†and a “Bâ€. Make checks payable to : Ladder 170 Memorial Fund1361 Rockaway Parkway Brooklyn,N.Y. 11236. Back To Top
Firefighter John Hannon Memorial Fun Run (5k)
The members of E-60 and L-17, along with the family of FF John P. Hannon, formerly of Ladder 17, invite all members and families to participate in the event. Friday, Sept 26 at11am, Rain or Shine, Orchard Beach Park, the Bronx, $13 pre-registration if received b/f Sept. 24, $15 after Sept 24 or the day of the race (Includes T-shirt and refreshments after the race) Make checks payable to Engine 60 / Ladder 17. Proceeds benefit the NY FF's Burn Center Foundation and the Thomas Elsasser Fund. For more info call (718) 430-0260. Back To Top
Memorial 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Run on 9/21
2nd Annual E-309, L-159, E-321 Run honoring the following B-33 alumni lost on 9/11: FF Gregory Saucedo L-5/E-321, FM Vincent Kane E-22/L-159, FF Louis Arena L-5/E-309, Capt. Louis Modafferi R-5/L-153, FF Stephen Siller SQ-1/L-153, FF William Johnson E-6/E-276. Sunday, Sept 21, sign-in 9:30am - 10:30 am at E-321. Departure 10:30 am sharp from E-321, Gerritsen Ave & Avenue’U’, Brooklyn (Belt Pkwy to Knapp St, go N. to end at Gerritsen Ave, go one block N. to E-321). Full breakfast, run to the Great Oyster Bay, refreshments/food to follow the run. Back To Top
Memorial 5k Run/Walk & 1/2 Mile Kids’ Fun Run
1st Annual FF Michael Elferis (E-22) Run, Sat, October 4, 10am 5k race, 10:30am Kids Run, rain or shine, McNeil Park (119th St & Poppenhusen Ave), Queens. Open to friends & family. Check-in 8:30 - 9:30 am at McNeil Parkhouse, after race award ceremony , BBQ, refreshments, raffles at College Point Ale House, 9-01 College Pt. Blvd. $15 pre-registration if postmarked b/f Sept 25 (includes T-shirt), $20 after Sept 25 or the day of the race (T-shirts while they last). Fun run open to 12 & under (race day entry only for Fun Run). Make checks payable to: Michael Elferis Memorial Fdn.,PO Box 560426, College point, NY 11356-0426, include T-shirt size, DOB, tele #. For info call Joe 917-225-4368 / 718-460-1599, Jimmy 646-773-2428, Anthony 718-279-7472. Back To Top
2003 National Memorial Weekend
Candlelight Service: This beautiful evening service will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Saturday, October 4, 2003 at 6:30 pm. The service will feature Fire service honor guards, various ceremonial and musical selections by members of the fire service and survivors of fallen firefighters and a video tribute to the 2002 fallen heroes.
National Memorial Service: A grateful nation will honor its fallen fire heroes at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, October 5. This year’s tribute will begin at10amat the site of the official national monument to all fallen firefighters in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The special service will rememberAmerica's bravest who died in the line of duty in 2002. Families and coworkers of the fallen firefighters will receive priority seating for the Memorial Service, as will the survivors of firefighters who died in earlier years. For further info contact the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at 301-447-1365 or visit www.firehero.org.
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Deputy Chief RaymondDowneyHeroes Football Clinic
The 2nd Annual D.C. Ray Downey Heroes Football Classic game will be held on Saturday, September 27th. The Division I-AA football game will be played at the University of Stony Brook inSuffolk County,NY. Stony Brook Seawolves VS. Monmouth Hawks, kickoff at 6:00 PM. Ticket prices are $2 for firefighters and their families inside the 8,500 seat Seawolves Stadium. Proceeds will benefit the NY FF Burn Center and the Raymond M. Downey Scholarship Endowment at the University of Stony Brook. For further information contact
(631) 632 – 7120 or www.goseawolves.org. Back To Top
Advocates for a 9-11 Fallen Heroes Memorial
The purpose is “to ensure that the bravery and sacrifice of the 9-11 Fallen Heroes (FDNY, NYPD, PAPD and all other uniformed rescue workers killed on 9-11 at the WTC) are properly recorded on the Ground Zero Memorial, and their names listed together, by department, including their rank, unit and badge number.†Participate by 1) signing the petition that was mailed with this 65-2 to each firehouse (make multiple copies before using it--see instructions on back of petition), and 2) calling the Governor’s office once a week at either 518-474-8390 or 212-681-4580 and use the above message. Any Qs? Call Lt. John Finucane (ret.) 845-548-4234; Lt, John McCaffrey L31, 914-776-5737; or FF Patrick McCarvill E92, 914-237-1075. Fraternally, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary,
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