1. UFA Prompts Independent Investigation into Deutsche Bank Building Fatalities
Two days after the tragic loss of FF Joseph Graffagnino and FF Robert Beddia, the UFA held a press conference and called on New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to conduct an independent investigation to determine the facts surrounding their deaths. The Executive Board stressed that independent investigators need to examine not only the FDNY's actions, but all of the facts, from the various agencies involved and the role of contractors. In a knee-jerk reaction, the Dept relieved three officers of their commands. The UFA believes ultimate responsibility rests at much higher levels. 65-2 #68, which summarizes UFA actions taken, was faxed, emailed and mailed to all companies. Visit the UFA home page at www.ufanyc.org for comprehensive info, UFA press releases and media coverage.
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2. UFA Line-of-Duty Funeral Fund Improvement Helps Fire Houses
In accordance with guidelines newly approved this summer by the LOD Funeral Fund Committee and the UFA Executive Board, a $5,000 check was dispersed to Ladder 5 and a $5000 check was dispersed to Engine 24 to assist in covering various company expenses resulting from the tragic loss of Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia.
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3. EDE PA/ID 12-67
Members are no longer required to file for EDE permission with the Fire Commissioner (exceptions are for possible conflicts of interest, volunteer firefighter, or light duty). Also, members are no longer limited from working more than 20 hours per week on a side job or from working within 9 hours of starting a tour. These restrictions will be removed from PA/ID #12-67 in accordance with the new contract negotiated by the UFA. Hundreds of members have previously been brought up on charges, fined and/or suspended merely for owning a small side-business or by working for honest extra day's pay. (Members are still prohibited from EDE while on probation in the Fire Academy, on Medical Leave or for Conflicts of Interest).
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4. Longevity & Chauffeur Pay Increase Sept. 1st
FDNY Payroll has confirmed that the bi-weekly payroll of September 7, 2007 includes an increase in the annual longevity amount of a $1000.00 effective September 1, 2007 for 1st grade UFA members. The bi-weekly longevity amounts for this period will be based on 13 days at the old rate and 1 day at the new rate. The UFA Chauffeur Duty Differential is also increased from 2.05% to 3.00% effective September 1, 2007. Inquiries concerning this payroll shall be submitted to the Bureau of Payroll in written form only.
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5. WTC Filing Deadlines Extended
V.P./Legislative Chairman Jim Slevin reports that UFA lobbying efforts have been successful in achieving the following legislative goals, which were signed into law by Governor Spitzer:
- WTC Notice of Participation Form Filing Deadline Extended 2 Years: Extended for two years, to June 14, 2009, the period in which members may file the WTC Notice of Participation Form, if they were active on September 11, 2001 and worked at the WTC, Fresh Kills Landfill, NYC Morgue or WTC Barges, in accordance with definitions established in the WTC Presumptive Illness Law. If a member missed the original deadline, the form may be found at the UFA website www.ufanyc.org. It is recommended to send this form via certified USPS mail, return receipt. To confirm that HQ has received your form or for any questions, contact 718-999-7041 or 718-999-0148.
- WTC Workers Comp Filing Extended 1 Year: Extended to Aug. 14, 2008, the period in which members who were retired prior to September 11, 2001 and volunteered at ground zero can register with the State Workers' Compensation Board, even if the member is not ill. Because some illnesses take many years to develop, state laws give these retired members the chance to register with the board to preserve their right to file claims if they become ill in the future. Registration forms are available at the Web sites of the Workers' Compensation Board, www.wcb.state.ny.us/, and the Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, www.nycosh.org/, or on the home page of the UFA web site www.ufanyc.org.
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6. Exposure Report CD-73 Instructions for Deutsche Bank Fire & Midtown Steam Pipe Explosion
The financial report for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2006 was explained by the UFA Treasurer Bob Straub at the JuSample CD-73 Forms were published in 65-2 numbers 67 and 58 respectively, for the Deutsche Bank Fire and also the midtown steam pipe explosion by UFA Health & Safety Office/Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka. These sample preparation forms were previously faxed to all companies and also can be found on the UFA web site home page. All members who responded should check to ensure their CD-73 has been filed. If one has not been filed, the member should file one for him or her self. Any gear or apparatus that was exposed should also have been properly decontaminated. Should any gear have been missed, please follow proper procedures in notifying your Officer and putting it out of service. Members are reminded that if they feel they have been exposed to any toxins during the course of their work they should file an CD-73 based upon their individual exposure. Any question or concerns please call the Health and Safety Office of the UFA at 212-545-6965.
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7. FDNY Expands WTC Medical Treatment to Staten Island - Other Areas to Follow
As a result of collaboration between Sgt-at-Arms Bill Romaka and Drs. Kelly and Prezant, the FDNY has expanded its ability to treat active and retired members. The FDNY has opened a satellite office on Staten Island for active and retired members who are participants in the WTC Medical Monitoring & Treatment program. If you are a retiree and recently had a WTC Medical Monitoring exam, or if you are active and recently had your Company Medical, you may be eligible to visit a Satellite Office. The satellite office will not be used for duty determination. The SI Satellite Office will be open one day per week (Wed) to start out and will not perform actual medicals, focusing instead primarily on lung issues, as well as GERD, sinus and mental health issues. The SI Satellite office will also be able to provide active and retired members with WTC-related prescriptions. The FDNY WTC Medical Monitoring & Treatment Program is hoping to expand the satellite offices to additional locations in Queens, Orange and Suffolk Counties, however, again, these locations will cater specifically to retirees and active members who have already been seen at BHS, and will only be open one day per week. For more information or to make an appointment, members may contact the FDNY BHS WTC Medical Monitoring & Treatment Program by calling 718-999-1858 or by emailing wtcmed@fdny.nyc.gov. Additional information may also be found by going to www.fdnyinsider.com.
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8. City Joins UFA Plea On Tax-Free Disability Status
The City, UFA and other local unions have asked the Internal Revenue Service to keep the disability pension for civil servants injured on the job completely tax-free. The issue arose after a question about the retirement fund's tax-free status was raised earlier in the year. The central component of the pension - payments worth 75 percent of a worker's final average salary - will likely remain tax-free, city and union officials maintain. The extra benefits that might be taxable include the annuity fund and increased take home pay (ITHP).
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9. LODI FICA Refund
Per NYC Office of Payroll Administration, no 1989-2005 FICA refunds have been received by the City yet from the IRS. Therefore, no refunds to members have been issued. OPA will not estimate the time for receiving refunds. Refer to Supplement No. 69 to DO 87 of 2006, which explains the FICA Refund process. Members who have missed the filing date are encouraged to file immediately. A possibility exists that the filing period may be reopened. The UFA will announce updates as they become available.
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10. Grievance/Arbitration Update
UFA Recording Secretary Joe Miccio and UFA Labor Attorney Mike Axelrod report the following:
- CSU Referrals Improper Practice/Scope of Bargaining: The UFA filed an IP case against the Dept for its inappropriate referrals of members without their consent to the CSU by BITs. The UFA maintains this is a direct violation of a members right of privacy, and is subject to negotiation. The UFA just filed its reply to the City's papers on August 28th, 2007 - pending before the Board.
- Chauffeur Light Duty Grievance: The UFA filed this grievance on July 10 because the Dept has refused to pay chauffeur differential (3%) to light duty chauffeurs assigned to Page Ave. who deliver fire apparatus.
- Light Duty Details Improper Practice - Pending before the Board: The Dept violated the Collective Bargaining agreement by unilaterally assigning light duty members to work schedules that deviate from the Dept's prior existing practices.
- Health & Safety Officer Romaka Improper Practice Case regarding Health & Safety Officer Bill Romaka's exclusion by FDNY from apparatus and other health or safety related meetings at HQ. The last hearing took place on July 26. The next hearing was scheduled to take place on Sept. 6th. The Dept cancelled. A new date is being scheduled.
- Random Drug Testing Cases - Pending before the Board: The UFA requested a conference to update the status. OCB has been holding the cases up because of a court appeal from a successful police union grievance (handled by Michael Axelrod) against the Police Department for switching to hair follicle testing.
- Medical Leave Lifts: This case is still ongoing. Additional hearing dates to take place this fall.
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11. Random Drug Testing Semi-Annual Report
The FDNY reports that the following units were tested randomly between 1/01/07 and 6/30/07. A total of 199 Units were tested within this period: 94 Engines, 64 Ladders, 22 Battalions, 4 Divisions, 4 Squads, 6 Rescue Units, 1 Mask Unit, 1 Probationary Class Group, 1 Safety Battalion, 1 Marine Division, and 8 Fire Marshals. Reports listing each company tested and individual dates will be distributed at the Sept 20 General Membership Meeting.
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12. IAFF Video - Rudy Giuliani Urban Legend
The IAFF's video, "Rudy Giuliani Urban Legend," which the UFA, UFOA and 9-11 family members participated in earlier this summer, has generated many questions (and criticisms) about the Giuliani campaign in the national media. It sets the record straight on the events before, during and after the terrorist attack of 9-11. NYC Firefighters know what happened, but it is important for the nation to know the real truth. The video can still be viewed from the home page of the IAFF web site at www.iaff.org or www.rudy-urbanlegend.com. These links are also on the UFA website home page at www.ufanyc.org.
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13. UFA Scholarship Fund Deadline Oct. 5th
The UFA Scholarship Fund filing deadline is Friday, October 5. Application guidelines have been faxed to all firehouses and emailed to Delegates in 65-2 #64. Copies of the application and guidelines can also be downloaded from the UFA web site. Each scholarship award will be in the amount of $600.
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14. NO MMOT Details Outside of Your Battalion
Members are reminded that the Dept may NOT detail MMOT members outside of their Battalions.
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15. Fall City Health Plan Transfer Period
Payroll deduction rates for most of the basic plans changed in July. Per DO #62, the annual Transfer Period for active members will be held in the fall (October-November). The Dept will announce the exact dates. During that period members will be able to: Transfer to another Health Plan, Add or Drop an Optional Rider, Change Health Premium Contribution Tax Status, Elect the Waiver Buy-Out Program. Any changes made during the Fall Transfer Period will become effective the first day of the first full payroll period in January 2008. If you have any questions or problems concerning your payroll deductions for health benefits, contact the Health Benefits Unit, Camille Isaacs at (718) 999-2196.
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16. Marsh Catastrophic Insurance Error
A recent accounting audit of the Marsh Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance Plan revealed a processing error, which resulted in a missed deduction from the July 13, 2007 payroll check for members who are enrolled in this optional coverage. The missed deduction has been re-spread to these members' (remaining) August and September deductions. Marsh assures that the affected members' Catastrophe Major Medical policies have not experienced any lapse in coverage. Each affected member was mailed a letter from Marsh which explains this error. Marsh's customer service representatives are prepared to promptly address any concerns or questions regarding this matter at 800-503-9230.
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Fraternally,
Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
