CONTRACT UPDATE
At our last membership meeting, I told the membership of the fact that all eleven unions representing the Uniformed Forces voted unanimously to support the PBA as the lead union to attempt to negotiate a contract that could best serve the needs of all of our memberships. The PBA has now had four sit downs with the Office of Labor Relations. The progress is still at a standstill. The PBA will meet again with the City later this month. On September 6th, the Mayor held a closed door meeting with the President’s of nine unions including the Teachers, DC 37, the Teamsters, the PBA, the UFA, the UFOA, the Sanitation Workers Union, the Lieutenant’s Benevolent Association and the Correction Officers. At the meeting, the Mayor stated the money has been set aside for labor contracts. However, productivity and merit pay are still part of his package. We addressed the concerns of the Fire and Police Unions and agreed to talk further with the Office of Labor Relations. The Teachers opened their negotiations on September 6th and will submit their demands later this month. Our next meeting will be October 5th to receive the City’s counter proposal to our demands. Back To Top FIRE CADET - EMS PROMOTIONAL LIST
On August 30, 2000, the New York Department of Citywide Administrative Services published a “promotional list†for promotion to the position of “firefighter†consisting of 187 names of individuals who are currently either EMS employees or members of the Fire Cadet Program. It is the plan of the Fire Department to appoint a certain number of individuals from this “promotional list†before making any appointments from the traditional Fire Department appointment list for new candidates. As a result, candidates from the promotional list with scores lower than individuals on the traditional list will nevertheless be appointed first. Please note that the candidates on both lists took the same examination. You should also note that no residency credit has been given to the individuals on the promotional list.
It has always been the UFA’s understanding that individuals appointed from the promotional list will all have scores no lower than the usual cutoff for appointments from the standard appointment list.
This whole process has raised concerns that it may violate the “merit and fitness†provisions of the State Constitution. Conversely, the Fire Department argues that there is a long history of “promotion†of police cadets and that the individuals on the promotional list all have valuable EMS experience that is now relevant to the duties of a firefighter. The promotional list was also intended, in part, to obtain greater diversity within the ranks of the Fire Department.
We are studying our options. Our counsel is scheduled to meet in the next week with Fire Department personnel officials to make sure we fully understand the Department’s plan regarding use of the promotional list.
Back To Top STRAIGHT 24 HOUR CHART PROPOSAL
The department has been placed on notice to cease and desist from continuing to authorize its administrators and chiefs from talking about the proposed change. Notify your Trustee immediately if this action continues. As far as the possible prohibition on 24 hour tours starting on the 6x9 tour, we have heard this rumor and consulted with our labor attorney, OLR and the IAFF Legal Staff and we believe that this also cannot happen without collective bargaining with the UFA.
THOMAS ELSASSER ANNUAL ONE PITCH TOURNAMENT
On Wednesday, October 4, 2000, Engine 221 and Ladder 104 will again host the “One Pitch Tournamentâ€. This tournament benefits the widows and children of firefighters who have died non-line of duty. The games will be played in Cunningham Park, in Queens on 73rd Avenue between the Clearview Expressway and Francis Lewis Boulevard. Thanks to your great turnouts in the past, many families who, unfortunately, need the fund’s help, have benefitted greatly. The fund is named after Firefighter Thomas Elsasser. Tommy was a member of Ladder 104 for 18 years and was the founder of the “One Pitch Tournamentâ€. It is in his memory that we host the tournament and assist fellow firefighter’s families. A fee of $250.00 per team is needed to enter the tournament. The checks should
be made out to “The One Pitch Fund†and received at E221/L104 c/o Firefighter Williams or Firefighter Rogers, by September 20th. If your company does not have a softball team, please consider a donation to this worthy cause in any amount. It would be greatly appreciated by the families who so desperately need it. Thanks to all the brothers, from the members of Engine 221/Ladder 104.
Back To Top TWO IN/TWO OUT, MISCONCEPTIONS AND UNTRUTHS
Both the UFA and the UFOA forwarded our objections, in writing, to the implementation of the Department’s recommendation on the 2 in/2 out Law. This Law was established to safeguard our members. The intent was not to change the status of the company officers from supervisors to manpower on the line. Nor was the intent to slow down our aggressive interior attack. The IAFF devised this legislation to ensure the safety of firefighters by having them operate in teams of two and by always having a ready rescue team in case of a firefighter Mayday.
Both the UFA and the UFOA will meet jointly with the Department before this policy is put into effect. At the present time, we understand that members are being asked to sign an affidavit if they feel that they’ve been “adequately trained†in the revised FDNY operational procedures dealing with Two in/Two out. Both unions feel that this training is inadequate and unsatisfactory. You should not sign any such document. Back To Top NYC FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS PROGRAM FOR 2001
The open enrollment period this year for the three advantageous programs under the Pre-Tax Benefits umbrella is September 18th through November 17th. Available to sign up for:
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account - Pay no federal taxes
on up to $5,000 of eligible medical expenses. • Dependent Care Assistance Program - Pay no federal taxes
up to $5,000 on eligible dependent care expenses. • Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program - Receive an
incentive payment of up to $1,000 for waiving City Health
Benefits (if you qualify).
Do not mistake this extended open enrollment period with the October (only) basic health plan transfer period. For a general overview of how these programs work, refer to the Delegate Manual, Section Blue 19. The dates and some dollar amounts have changed for next year, but the concept remains the same. For new enrollment details call (212) 306-7760 or visit their website at nyc.gov/html/olr. Back To Top LABOR DAY PARADE
For the first time in many years, the Police and Fire Unions marched in the Annual Labor Day Parade. The Central Labor Council of the AFL-CIO runs the Parade. We are now members of both organizations and both the Police and Fire Unions agreed to support this Parade as a sign of solidarity for our goal of a “Fair Wage for the Working Familiesâ€. All Police and Fire Unions wore the same shirt with a Police and Fire Badge logo. The UFA and the UFOA had over 400 members and their families at the march and although we had a 2
Back To Top BISHOP MOLLOY FIREFIGHTERS RETREAT
Have you ever felt the need to get away from the stress of life - the job, family, difficult personal situations - in order to concentrate on your needs and refresh you whole being? Then you owe it to yourself to attend this Holy Name Society Retreat for active and retired members. Starting at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 17 and ending after brunch at noon Thursday, October 19, you will engage in workshops, private conference, and other planned programs in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. There is a planned program, or you may feel more comfortable to relax in the chapel, beautiful gardens, or in your own private room. You will inevitably be drawn into the laughter and uplifting stories of old and new friends you will meet. A genuinely concerned retreat team and good food will welcome you to participate at your own pace. For information contact the Retreat House at (718) 739-1229, Brendan Kearns (516) 606-2219 or Ladder 137 (718) 476-6268 or Ed Ferraro (516) 249-7032. Back To Top 11TH ANNUAL WAGNER COLLEGE GUNN RUN (5K)
On Saturday, October 14th, at 10:00 a.m. (rain or shine) this 5K annual event will be held at the Wagner College Football Field, Staten Island. At 11:30 a.m. there is a kids fun run, complete with cartoon characters. Categories for prizes include: top men and women overall; top men and women in age groups 15/under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+; top male/female firefighter; top 3 person fire team; first 3 walkers; Captain Drennan alumni award. T-shirts to first 200 entrants. Kids 6 & under - wear a costume and win prize for best costume. Contact person is Sue Hudec at (718) 390-3421. For more info, call Paul Pansini at Engine 10 (212) 570-4210.
Back To Top HOCKEY TEAM TRYOUTS
This year’s tryouts for the FDNY Hockey Team will take place on the following Thursdays - October 5, 12, 19 and 26. Your opportunity is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Freeport Ice Rink. It is located at 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport. For more information, contact Bill Kammerer at 516-897-0449 or Pete Gillespie at 914 634-0385. FDNY MEMORIAL SERVICE
Fire Department Memorial Day will take place at the Firemen’s Monument on Wednesday, October 11th at 100th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan. All off-duty members are invited to attend this memorial service as a mark of respect to our fallen members. Time for this memorial service is 11 AM - Rain or Shine. STATEN ISLAND FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL
This annual event takes place early morning (9:00am) on the same day as the FDNY Memorial Day Services, Wednesday, October 11, 2000. It is located in the park across from the quarters of Engine 160 & Rescue 5. Back To Top MEMORIAL SERVICE - N.Y. STATE FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS, in ALBANY
The UFA Executive Board is sponsoring a bus to attend the Annual Memorial Service in Albany scheduled for Friday, October 6th. If a second bus is necessary, we will also provide that for the UFA and UFOA members. If you wish to attend, contact Amy at the UFA office (212) 683-4832 so she can establish a list, if there is a need for a bus. FDNY RECRUITING INSTRUCTORS AT PROBIE SCHOOL
The Bureau of Training is conducting interviews for full-duty Lieutenants and senior firefighters to work as team leaders and/or instructors at Probationary Firefighters School. Staff will work a four-day workweek with an opportunity for administrative overtime. To schedule an interview, contact Battalion Chief Nicholas J. Santangelo, Chief of Training, at (212) 860-9220 before September 22, 2000.
Back To Top Fraternally, WILLIAM F. MIRRO
Recording Secretary, KEVIN E. GALLAGHER
President
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