Annual Education Day - Training At The Rock
The UFA decided to reschedule the start time for firefighters from 0700 hours to 0900 hours. Thank you to all the delegates who responded with a polling consensus of their members. A letter was sent to the fire commissioner stating our desire to rescind authorization for a 7:00 a.m. start time and our wish to return to our contractual right of 9:00 a.m.
A labor management meeting was held on Friday March 30, 2001 to discuss the inclusion of taking blood and urine at the training site. Our position is that by combining a medical procedure, the door opens to request to be compensated with portal to portal pay. The commissioner disagrees and informed us to file yet another arbitration case. You must give blood/urine if ordered. Because there will be no drug testing, the prerequisite for “just cause†is not required. As far as fasting or restricting your diet in any way, that is strictly your personal choice. If you are concerned about a true reading, schedule your own blood test with the UFA Medmobile or your personal physician. Then you can eat whatever you want preceding Educational Day.
Are you reporting for work (getting detailed) or RSOT while your company is OOS for Educational Day? In either category, you will be detailed out to another unit for the 9 X 6 tour. Do not telephone anyone to find out where you are working. You can not be ordered to call in. You can not be ordered by anyone calling you via telephone to report to a work location. The ONLY notification that is legally acceptable is if you are told while actually on duty, during a previous tour, where you must report for your detail or RSOT 9 X 6 tour. If that is done, you shall report there by 0900 hours. Do not concern yourself if the detail might change. Continue to report to where you were instructed while on duty (prior tour) . If this legal notification is not accomplished, report to your assigned firehouse by 0900 hours. At 0900 hours, when you are on duty, you will find out where your work assignment is - get directions- gather your gear - and begin your travel. Any problem, contact your trustee as an emergency. Back To Top Are You On Light Duty And Receiving Physical Therapy?
If you are performing light duty due to line-of-duty injury, you should be reporting for physical therapy on days that you are working (on Department time). Regulations state that you may schedule appointments before 10:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m., and be released to attend. If you are being forced to schedule therapy on your off time, keep track of all hours spent doing so and write all specifics in a log book (notebook). This will be yet one more grievance/arbitration.
Back To Top EMT Refresher Class To Probationary Firefighters
With reference to the recent Proby Graduates from the first class of 2001, please be advised that a mutual agreement has been reached between the Fire Department and the UFA which will allow them to re-certify 31 members to an EMT level through skills re-certification evaluation. Also included, the Department has agreed to have these firefighters perform 32 hours re-certification training on overtime as previously agreed between both parties as part of the Certified First Responder Program. This in no way waives our rights for training and other compensation for present and future firefighters working in the First Responder Program. Any program which has firefighters operating above the CFR-D level is a mandatory subject of bargaining and negotiations would have to reach a contractual settlement before being allowed.
Back To Top Fundraiser Comedy Show At Carolines For Firefighter Derek Kuhland
Carolines On Broadway will host a special fundraising event on Tuesday, April 24th, at 9:30 p.m. Being billed as the BLUE COLLAR SHOW, door proceeds will be donated to the Kuhland Family to help offset catastrophic medical expenses. Back on December 4th, 32 year old Derek (Ladder 167) was struck down while crossing Queens Boulevard and was paralyzed from the waist down. Carolines, Blue Collar Comedy and Powerhouse Gym decided to sponsor a worthy benefit which would also guarantee you some laughs. A $20 cover 2 drink minimum gets you into 1216 Broadway, between 49th and 50th Streets, NYC. Come see Mark DeMayo, Tommy Savitt, Wil, master of ceremonies Rich Voss, and support your FDNY brother.
Back To Top New Probie Assignments And Rotation Schedule
The UFA had several safety and contractual concerns that had to be addressed before the recent probie class was released for assignment. These issues have been satisfactorily resolved, with the policy revised to comply with our contractual rights. Under a perfect scenario, new probationary firefighters will complete 8 weeks of firematics training and then be sent in pairs to double company firehouses. This is NOT their permanent assignment. During their 14 weeks there, each firefighter will work 7 weeks in the engine and 7 weeks in the truck (switching places at mid-term). After our discussions with the FDNY and OLR, our young firefighters were rescheduled from working straight days, to being on the chart (9 X 6, 6 X 9). During this 14 week period, they will receive evaluations from each company’s training officer. Probies then return to Randall’s Island for their final 3 weeks of training, consisting of CFR-D refresher, peace officer training, and classroom/physical skills evaluation. When released from their final 3 week session at the Rock, that is when they will be assigned to a firehouse. They will work in their home unit for one year, then go on rotation to a different company for one year. In effect, this shortens the overall rotation period by 8 months.
Back To Top Holy Name Society Scholarship
The Higher Education Scholarship drawing will be held at their annual Communion Breakfast and consist of a $1,000 grant to a boy and a $1,000 grant to a girl, payable to any college or trade school of the winner’s choice. Eligibility: sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, grandchildren of HNS members in good standing (twelfth year of education). This applies equally to deceased members who were in good standing at time of death. Applications can only be obtained from the scholarship chairman - Dispatcher William Treanor, 98 Bay Street, Bronx, NY 10464 or telephone (718) 885-0648. Deadline for submittal is May 11, 2001.
Back To Top 2001 Delegate Educational Seminar - Atlantic City
Second notice for delegates to respond to Bill Mirro’s office (ask for Denise) if attending the May seminar! This educational conference will prepare delegates or alternates for the major issues that will confront us in the immediate future. Any delegate wishing to further his/her knowledge and increase his efficiency in servicing company members will benefit greatly from the seminar. The information provided will prove valuable to the many new delegates who have never attended any such seminar. Topics of discussion are varied and interesting. Please try to attend for the good of your company. A follow up notice with projected agenda will be mailed shortly.
Back To Top Delegate Excusal For Delegate Educational Seminar In May
The UFA submitted an application to the Fire Commissioner requesting the full tour excusal on Friday, May 18, for the union meeting in Atlantic City. This special request was denied. If you are attending this year’s seminar, there is six hour release time (until 3:00 p.m.) on Friday 9x6 tour only. This is only granted to company delegates - NOT alternates. For other tours that week, you may utilize your rights under Article 20 (page 26) of the UFA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The applicable sentence reads as follows:
“A mutual made by a delegate to enable the delegate to attend a Union meeting shall be considered a variance and shall be exempt from the then-existing mutual policyâ€. Back To Top June Union Meeting Is Rescheduled
Mark your calendars now for the rescheduled June General Membership union meeting. Due to a new conflicting event, this change is necessary. Delete June 14 (second Thursday) and make a notation for the union meeting on FRIDAY, June 22. Back To Top Fraternally, WILLIAM F. MIRRO
Recording Secretary, KEVIN E. GALLAGHER
President
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