TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT
The Executive Board is pleased to announce that it accepted a tentative contract agreement with City negotiators. The Board vote was 9 in favor and 1 opposed. We are convinced that our efforts were successful and every goal we sought to achieve was reached. This agreement breaks the civilian pattern by nearly 2% over it’s term.
The Uniformed Coalition’s original strategy was forced to change due to the PBA pulling out of the coalition (see Fire Lines Election Issue President’s Message). We feel that the UFA has successfully insulated itself from following a PBA lead into PERB where we would most certainly be faced with a potential repeat of the disastrous 1987-90 round of bargaining. Therefore, our choice was to settle first or as a coalition wait for the PBA in PERB. We felt it was mandatory for the uniformed forces to achieve an agreement so that we could set a pattern that would best serve the interest of our members. By going first, we had complete flexibility with the spending of discretionary funding (credits). The percentage rate of increase for the 2000 and 2001 raises would be set (pattern) by the first uniformed force to sign an agreement. Four police-fire agencies have now ratified this deal: police captains; police lieutenants; correction officers; and UFOA (whose vote was counted today with 84% in the affirmative). If the PBA went in first, they would surely have addressed the needs of their membership with little regard for the potential impact on other unions and this is what they should do for their membership. With a pattern set like that, the UFA would never have been able to achieve our very specific goals because of a PBA attrition driven deal. If we blew this unique opportunity, the UFA may never be able to catch up and compete on a true parity playing field with the PBA, now or in the future.
The Battalion Advisory Committee met on August 29th to discuss contract particulars. Their non-binding recommendation vote was 35 to 14 in favor of accepting this tentative agreement. This committee has been involved since the start of negotiations and understands some of the complexities surrounding the collective bargaining process. The battalion delegates are aware of true values, costs, credits and consequences. We appreciate their input and thank them for their efforts at understanding what is realistic as opposed to what may be unattainable.
There is no return to the negotiating table if this proposal is rejected. The UFA would proceed to arbitration. This may box us into a corner similar to 1988, when we were forced into a five year stretch, lost thirty-nine work hours, lost the 10-51, lost five firefighter engine staffing and lost our precious job description. The UFA does not want to experience deja-vu. We are asking the membership to take a smarter approach after experiencing two disastrous arbitrations (87-90, 90-91) and a PBA three month extension which brought them more credit than us (91-94). The Executive Board majority is convinced there is no better option available at this time. We are positive that this is the best deal available in this round of bargaining and we are asking for your support.
A special Fire Lines has been sent to each member’s home. Read it, as it contains the answers to many of your questions and will be a great tool in helping you make an informed decision. You will also receive a complete packet of contract information. It will contain salary calculations, contract terms and side letters, questions and answers, and collective bargaining history. You will receive nothing but the facts from our office. Do not listen to inaccurate and misleading information, selective editing and total misrepresentations from disgruntled members in the field (from both fire and police) who may have their own personal agenda as a priority. Do not let the lies cloud the true facts. Be smart and question your executive board members if certain items are unclear to you. This is your right. We are committed to this membership, and we will make every effort to answer all your questions before you vote. Back To Top TIME FRAME FOR RATIFICATION
According to our constitution, here is how the ratification procedure will play out. All members will receive the terms of the contract package via a home mailing. You will also receive the dates concerning ballot information. On Thursday, September 13th, at a dual special/regular union meeting we will present the complete terms of the proposed agreement for full discussion. The next step is on Thursday, October 11th, where there will be a 10:00 A.M. Special and Regular Membership Meeting at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (at J.F.K. Airport). At this meeting a roll call vote of the delegates shall be taken. If a majority of the delegates vote in the affirmative to send the contract to the membership, all members will receive a secret ballot at home to personally vote on the tentative agreement.
Ballots will be mailed to your home from American Arbitration Association on Monday, October 22nd. Ballots are due back to American Arbitration Association by Thursday, November 1st. Counting of ballots will take place on Friday, November 2nd. Members will receive a ballot for the borough they are actually assigned to.
If a majority accepts the tentative agreement, wage increases can be expected in the first December payroll check. This being the case, you would be entitled to approximately 18 months of retroactive pay going back to the first 5% wage hike of June 1, 2000. (Note: Retro amounts shown in pay charts only reflect 17 months.) | CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE OF BENEFIT RECEIPT | | June 1, 2000 | 5% wage increase | | June 1, 2001 | 5% wage increase (10.25% compounded) | | Upon Ratification | 2 1/2% increased take home pay (ITHP) goes into effect for members in New Improved System. | | September 1, 2002 | Additional annuity increase of $3 per day, adding $783 per year (becomes a $5 per day/$1,305 annual) | | September 1, 2002 | $250 increase at all longevity steps (5, 10, 15 and 20 years) | | September 1, 2002 | $400 base salary increase for all grades below 1st (6th through 2nd grade) | | September 1, 2002 | .40% additional increase in chauffeur pay (becomes 2.05% of base/$1,045 annual) | | September 1, 2002 | Tillermen to receive chauffeur differential pay (2.05% of base/$1,045 annual) | | September 1, 2002 | Fire marshals removed from Quartermaster & increase uniform allowance by $650 (becomes $1,000 taxable) | | December 1, 2002 | Another $250 increase at all longevity steps (5, 10, 15 & 20 years) | | December 1, 2002 | $50 increase in uniform allowance (becomes $400 firefighters/$1,050 fire marshals) | | January 4, 2003 | $200 annual increase in active/retiree SBF (becomes $1,325/$1,475 - City contribution) | * An additional agreement has been reached with the approval and witness of Labor Commissioner James Hanley, to exclude company delegates from 30 day/manpower equalization details. This will not be reduced to writing at this time due to our ongoing arbitration case on greater-than-30 day details. It is none-the-less a negotiated benefit reached for this proposed contract. Back To Top DO NOT WORK FOR COMP TIME - THIS MEANS YOU!
Effective immediately, “No†member is to work for training purposes at the Rock or anywhere else to earn comp time. That goes for full or light duty members. This is in direct violation of our UFA contract. The only time a member may work to earn comp time is when the member is a veteran and works Memorial Day or Veterans Day. Any member who is ordered to work for training purposes to earn comp time should notify his delegate and the UFA immediately. Overtime, at time and one half, is the only allowable extra work hours or variation from work schedule that is in our contract. If any member is offered to work on overtime for training purposes, this opportunity should be afforded to all members equally. To ensure this equality, all members should ask their Company Commander to produce the policy and guidelines as to which members are hired for these overtime opportunities.
Back To Top NFGA NATIONAL QUALIFIER GOLF TOURNAMENT
The National Firefighters Golf Association invites you to participate in the two-man scramble National Qualifier Tournament for the New York area on Wednesday, October 17th at Pelham/Splitrock Course. The tournament will begin at 7:30 A.M. with a shotgun start. The winning team will be flown to Las Vegas to participate in the NFGA National Championship Tournament in December 2001. Your entry requires a $100.00 entry fee/donation per player to the NFGA. You do not have to be a firefighter to play. A portion of the proceeds from each tournament will benefit the International Association of Firefighters Memorial and the IAFF Burn Foundation. To register please call Scott Clemens, NFGA President at 281-412-5003, or toll free 866-599-2990, or e-mail him at ssclemen@dcnet2000.com. Or, if you prefer, you can mail your name, full mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and partner’s name to 2920 Veva Drive, Pearland, Texas 77584. Please make checks payable to NFGA. Please write New York in memo. Registration deadline is October 3, 2001. Note: Each tournament must have a minimum of 25 teams registered. Back To Top BROOKLYN SPA AND SALON DEDICATES DAY FOR FIREFIGHTER CHARITIES
On Sunday, October 21st, the Studio 19 Salon & Spa on Kings Highway in Brooklyn will donate all sales to the Widow’s & Children’s and Elsasser Funds. The salon offers luxury services including massages, seaweed body wraps, cosmetic makeovers, European natural herbal facials, hydrotherapy pedicures, hair styling and many more services that make for perfect holiday or birthday gifts for family and friends. Only sales on October 21st, including gift certificates purchased that day, will benefit the funds. Call (718) 336-7373 or stop by at 1610 East 19th Street for more information. Please mark this date on your calendars and stop by on October 21st. Back To Top NY ISLANDERS vs. RANGERS GAME TICKETS DISCOUNTED FOR UFA
The New York Islanders are offering deep discounts to active and retired New York City Firefighters, their families and friends in the upcoming 2001-2002 hockey season starting with the frequently sold out Islanders vs. Rangers game, Saturday night September 22. For only $20 per ticket you can purchase select mezzanine seats (usually $34) for this 7 p.m. game at Nassau Coliseum. For each “Firefighter’s Special†ticket sold, the Islanders will donate $3 to the UFA Widow’s & Children’s Fund. To order tickets, contact UFA Sports Chairman and Fire Marshal Representative Ed Burke at 212-545-6970 or the Islander firefighter hotline at 516-501-6763. Groups or individual ticket purchases welcome, available on a first come first serve basis. The Islanders have also promised more firefighter discount ticket packages throughout the season. Back To Top 13th ANNUAL JOHN P. DEVANEY SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
Friday, September 28th from 10:00 a.m. until ? Red Hook Fields Bay St (between Hicks & Henry Streets next to the Red Hook Pool). Free beer, soda, hot dogs, burgers. Shirts for sale. 50/50 raffle. All proceeds go to the John Devaney Scholarship Fund at Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. This fund will award 2 students per year a grant to offset the $7,000 yearly tuition at John’s alma mater. For information call Firefighter Gerry Sweeney at Engine 279/Ladder 131 at 718-965-8279 (Ladder 131, Group 24).
Back To Top FDNY BOXING TEAM
The FDNY Boxing Team will meet on Wednesday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the 110 precinct PAL gym located in Flushing Meadow Park. All members, or persons interested in joining are requested to attend. There will be a match vs. the police department in early November. For further information, contact Coach Manny Fernandez at 718-898-2279.
Back To Top LABOR DAY PARADE 2001
OUR UNION will be participating in the Labor Day Parade on September 8th, 2001. We the board would like your support in making this a great event. So it’s time to turn out and make a showing for our second Labor Day Parade, a new tradition. It’s time to join forces with all the other Unions and March up Fifth Avenue letting the City know we are a part of labor. We will be marching from West 45th Street and the East side of Fifth Avenue at 11:30. Just wear your company shirt to the parade. This is what being a Union is all about so join us for our Labor Day parade that will not be forgotten. Let’s see five members from each house attend the parade. Delegates it’s time to get the brothers in the house involved let’s show that all the unions in this City are together and fighting for the same thing. Back To Top Fraternally, WILLIAM F. MIRRO
Recording Secretary, KEVIN E. GALLAGHER
President
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