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Events, Fundraisers & Benefits:
UFA Contract Ratified
VOTE: 93% YES - 7% NO
Membership ‘turnout’ in this voting process was high, as 75% of all active UFA members voted. Of that 75%, 93% voted in favor of ratifying the new 24-month contract, which actually ended May 31, 2002, and 7% voted against it. The 93% is based on 5661 members voting favorably, and 435 against. The vote breakdown by borough is as follows:
| Blyn | Qns | Ma | Bx | S.I. | Total | | Yes | 1775 | 1298 | 1161 | 944 | 483 | 5661 | | No | 87 | 150 | 119 | 62 | 17 | 435 | The high member ‘turnout’ and 93% favorable vote to accept this contract is a clear indication to the City that New York City Firefighters stand united. Thank you for taking part in this important process! Retro $$$, Deferred Compensation (457) & 401K The City has informed the UFA that Retro Money will be included with the February 28 paycheck, and the recent retirees will receive their retro check approximately 3 to 4 weeks after that. However, CFR-D, chauffeur, additional grade and night shift differentials will be included in a later check. To adjust your deferred compensation (457) & 401K deductions, which must be done over the telephone, you must first get a PIN # by calling 212-306-7760 and have it immediately mailed to your home. Don’t wait! You can call between January 27 and February 7 to change the deducted deferred compensation (457) & 401K percentage amount for the retro check. You can put up to 50% of the check into deferred compensation (457). If you also have a 401K, you can put a combined total of up to 70% of your paycheck into it, not exceeding $12,000 ($14,000 if over 50 years old) for the year. After February 8, follow the same process to return the 457 & 401K back to the normal rate you want it at. All dates are tentative. The UFA will notify the membership immediately if the City informs us of changes of dates. Back To Top
Company Trained Chauffeurs The UFA has met with the Department several times in Labor-Management meetings in an attempt to resolve the problem of members being assigned to drive apparatus who are not properly trained by the Department at chauffeur school. This includes Foam Units, Thawing apparatus and other special vehicles. The Department has indicated to the UFA that it will take additional steps to address this situation. Firefighters who have not been ‘school trained’ must insure they protect themselves from being held liable. All members that are not ‘school trained’ should not operate an apparatus unless ordered by an officer. The UFA is directing any firefighter that is not ‘school trained’ who is ordered to drive an apparatus in other than an emergency situation occurring during a tour, and beyond the control of the Department, to record the following statement in the company journal: “I have this day and hour been ordered by (OFFICER’S NAME) to operate an apparatus. I feel that I have not been properly trained to do so.†Back To Top
UFA Calendar Correction Please change the date on Sunday, August 30 to Sunday August 31. However, all group numbers on that day are correct. Please insure that you make this correction prior to making any summer plans. Back To Top
W-2s & Verifying Line-of-Duty Injury (LODI) Tax Deduction The Dept. computes your LOD medical leave days automatically and deducts the dollar amount from your taxable income as per prior UFA contractual agreement. The LODI days are not calculated by TPR codes. It is not based upon a pure calendar year, but rather by the closest available payroll period. This year’s W-2 reflects LODI dates December 16, 2001 through December 14, 2002. The next Department Orders should contain a full explanation of the W-2s and inquiry directions. Inquiries must be directed to Data Base Administration on a LODI Reconciliation Form, c/o BHS - 2nd floor, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201-3857. Use the FDNY forms provided by your unit. Check the Dept. Order on W-2s each year for the proper pay dates to use in verifying LODI. Information contained in Delegate Manual Section White 4 follows. Utilize the below pay charts to estimate if the proper deductions were taken by the FDNY administration on your W-2 statement. If not, file the appropriate LODI Reconciliation Form. Normally there is no need to file the old supporting statement. The actual full size pages and Local Law #78 are available for duplication below and in the Delegate Manual if needed to verify your LODI time.
Forms for LODI verifiction Communication Bulletin # 3, January 21, 1994 Click HERE to download LODI Work Sheet.pdf • Line-of-Duty Injuries -Uniformed Agencies (excerpts from Department Order) IRS regulations provide favorable tax treatment of your wages during the approved period of injury. Wages will be treated on a pre-tax basis. LODI from 12-16-01, through 12-20-02, will reduce Gross wages for all days an employee is out on LODI. SS/Medicare wages will be reduced after six full months of continuous absence following the month LODI began. TDA contributions will also be affected by LODI wages. Since TDA contributions are based on taxable wages, a comparison will be made between the total TDA contributions already made in 2002 and 25% of your taxable wages after the LODI reduction. If you contributed more than 25% of your taxable wages after the LODI reductions, the Office of Labor Relations will forward a refund check to you for the excess. Interest earned on your TDA contributions during 2002 will not be affected. The dollar amount of the LODI to be excluded from your 2002 taxable income will be indicated in the Miscellaneous Box of the W-2 form. The LODI amount was based on each individual LODI period from start date to end date. The number of LODI days in each two week regular gross period covered by each paycheck was then multiplied by a daily rate based on Annual Salary, Longevity, Night Shift and Holiday Pay. If you have any questions regarding the LODI amount shown on your 2002 W-2 form, send a LODI Reconciliation Form to Data Base Administration, at the Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11202, listing the dates you believe you were on LODI. The LODI Reconciliation Forms are being forwarded to all units. After review, the Bureau of Health Services will notify you and the Bureau of Payroll if the original LODI dates were incorrect, therefore, entitling you to an adjustment. The Bureau of Payroll will then have a W-2C (corrected W-2 form) issued and mailed to your home. Please note that this procedure may result in your receiving a W-2C after April 15, 2003, the deadline for filing your tax return. Back To Top
UFA Calendars & Parking Placards
UFA Calendars were distributed at the Union Meeting to each company Delegate, one per company member. Parking Placards were either mailed out to each Delegate’s home or distributed in-person at the last Union Meeting, two per company member. Members assigned to details must contact their assigned company Delegates to receive placards and calendars, as they have been accounted for that way. Battalion Aids should contact the company Delegate in your house for placards. The UFA is only providing Placards & Calendars to Delegates. Contact your Delegate. • Reminder: UFA Placards are for UFA membership use only! What you may perceive as a friendly gesture, may be viewed by a police officer as illegal. Non-firefighters with UFA Placards have been arrested for impersonating a firefighter. So when approached by non-firefighters you should simply explain the consequences of false impersonation. Back To Top
Officer’s Daughter Needs Help
Megan Morris, daughter of Lt. Bill Morris, of Engine Co. 97, is currently undergoing chemotherapy for Ewing’s Sarcoma at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. During the course of this treatment, Megan will require blood and platelet transfusions. She is scheduled for surgery shortly. Megan’s blood type is A+. Platelets can be donated by any blood group. If you wish to donate blood, it can be done Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – no appointment necessary. To donate platelets, you need to make an appointment. The phone number to call is (212) 241-6104. To donate blood or platelets in Megan’s name, her medical record account number is 2401935. If any problems are encountered ask for Gail. Mount Sinai Hospital
1450 Madison Avenue
New York, NY
The blood bank is open Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The number is (212) 241-6104.
Parking will be validated
(Lot is located on 99th between Madison and Park) Back To Top
Free College Credits for Fire Academy Graduates
Bellevue University in Nebraska is offering NYC Fire Academy graduates a minimum of 24 college credit transfer hours upon enrollment in the college's online undergraduate degree (BA) completion program. There is no charge for these hours, but members must have 30 to 35 previous college credits prior to enrollment to be eligible. Brochure # TM07 can be requested, which provides additional details about this higher education opportunity for Firefighters. Visit the college's website at www.bellevue.edu. The university will evaluate your transcripts and certifications to see if you qualify. Contact Valerie Wells at 1-800-205-6674 or vdw@bellevue.edu for more information or to request your complimentary evaluation. Please identify yourself as a firefighter who received brochure #TM07, to be better served. Back To Top
Fitness Opportunities Through GlobalFit
UFA members and their families can take advantage of discounted membership in top-rated health clubs through GlobalFit, an employee wellness program. The program has no-long term contracts, easy cancellation and easy billing. You can save between 25% to 60% annually at a fitness center of your choice. New for 2003: members can join an on-line diet program for an additional $4.67 a month. You can transfer at any time to any participating health club in the network, or freeze your membership with no billing for up to six months. The program provides a toll-free helpline, 1-800-294-1500, and an interactive website, www.globalfit.com to help members and their families find a club that best suits their needs. Tell them you are a member of the UFA to activate a guest pass which allows you to visit any health club in the network before you enroll. Back To Top
World Police & Fire Games:
The first meeting will take place on the 4th floor at the UFA office on Tuesday, February 11th, 2003 at 11am. Individual participants are invited, and teams are asked to send a representative. The UFA will provide application forms and venue information. We will also discuss available hotel accommodations and airlines. The Games take place July 27 -- August 3 in Barcelona, Spain this Summer. Over 300 FDNY members participate, and over 10,000 athletes from around the world compete. Applications and fees must be postmarked by March 1st. Registration books may be ordered at www.2003WPFG.org. Hurry--because time is running short (We will have some copies available). In order to estimate the number of members planning to attend the games, please provide the below info and return fax this form ASAP to Ed Burke, UFA Sports Chairman at 212-683-0690. Name:_______________________________
Company/Unit:________________________
Home Addr:___________________________
Home Tele#:__________________________
Event/Sport:__________________________
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Fraternally, Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
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