Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:
Contract Update
UFA lawyers and actuaries have been working hard to establish accurate values for our contract demands. We are studying the details of other unions' current negotiations, and recently settled contracts. The Negotiation Committee has been working closely with the IAFF to compile and establish documentary data for presentation in PERB. We have been interviewing economists and former high ranking chiefs who may testify. New York City Firefighters have an excellent argument for a fair wage increase and the City knows this. We have been working too long without a contract, while the cost of living has continued to skyrocket. In addition, our members have answered each call as well as taken on additional responsibilities in the post 9-11 world. “Let me be clear on one thing; I promise you that those who will be hearing our case at PERB will understand the risks associated with this job as well as the new threats we now face.†We look forward to the opportunity to make our case before PERB but remain open to any offers the City may present (communications continue) that ensures firefighters a decent and livable wage. We will keep the membership informed of any significant developments as they occur. Back To Top
PERB: City Files to Delay Process
The City claims (after almost a year and nine months of fruitless negotiation) the parties still have not reached impasse and that the negotiation should remain with a mediator. As expected, it seeks to prevent the UFA from proceeding to PERB and prevent the appointment of an arbitration panel. The UFA, and its labor counsel, Michael Axelrod, are aggressively defending our PERB petition, and are challenging, with an independent improper practice charge against the City, the City's submission of non-mandatory, prohibited (such as changing pension legislation, etc.), or withdrawn subjects of negotiation to an arbitration panel and have documented the inappropriateness of the City's blatant attempt to stall the process. Notwithstanding the filing of the petition, the UFA expects the selection of the arbitration panel process to proceed Back To Top
Decision (Win): Engine 75/Ladder 33 Involuntary Lifts
The UFA defeated the City's effort to stop our grievance from going forward challenging the involuntary detailing of 10 firefighters from E75/L33 in the Bronx. The UFA successfully argued that the removal of Firefighters who had nothing to do with the incident was a violation of their due process rights, as the transfers created a negative stigma and were disciplinary and punitive in nature. The OCB (Office of Collective Bargaining, 7-member Board) found the UFA established that a reasonable relationship existed between the involuntary transfers and violations of members' rights invoked under the contract and disciplinary procedures of the Department. The City also failed to offer any explanation of why the house could no longer effectively function if the transferred firefighters remained. As a result, the City's challenge to arbitrability of the detailing of ten firefighters at that Bronx firehouse has been rejected. The case will be permitted to go forward. We will keep the membership informed of any progress. Back To Top
Decision (Loss): Engine 151/Ladder 76 Involuntary Lifts:
The UFA lost its grievance challenging the lifting of all firefighters from the Tottenville firehouse shortly after the unfortunate New Year's Eve 2003 incident. The OCB (Office of Collective Bargaining, 7-member Board) granted the City's challenge to arbitrability, holding the UFA's grievance as non-arbitrable because the Commissioner has the right to set the standard of services, and those who will perform them, as well as to make decisions on who should and who should not man a firehouse. The Board noted: "we find that the consistency between the FDNY's stated intention, to reconfigure a firehouse that could no longer operate cohesively, and its actions, transferring every remaining firefighter out of these units, belies the Union's assertions that the transfers were intended to be disciplinary.†The UFA disagrees with the decision for a variety of reasons, including the fact that these firefighters have been subject to contempt and ridicule by the Department. Back To Top
Random Drug Testing 1-Year Review
The UFA met with the Dept on September 28th for a 1-year review of the Department's Random Drug Testing Program. The info discussed with Chief of Department Peter Hayden and Chief of Operations Salvatore Cassano (and other Dept officials) during that meeting was reported at the October 13th Union Meeting. Back To Top
Taylor Law & Pension Reforms
V.P. Jim Slevin reports that the Pension and Taylor Law Task Forces of the AFL-CIO, which the UFA is a part of, will be meeting in November to continue the work on these two very important legislative issues. Updates will be provided to the membership.
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Meal Period Entitlement & CFR-D Runs
The Department has notified the UFA that it intends to add CFR-D runs to PA/ID 2-79 in its list of assignments that require interruption of Meal Period. This and other info regarding your Meal Period Entitlement, as noted on 65-2 #71, was discussed at the October 13th Union Meeting. Also, an updated meal period list was printed and is attached. Replace the previously distributed list with this updated list. As always, stay safe in your response to emergencies and remember to adhere to all department regulations Back To Top
New: Company OOS/Relocation Chart Summary
Rumors from reliable sources at HQ report that Mayor Bloomberg plans to close more firehouses after elections. Several Companies in upper Manhattan created a special Chart Summary, and are successfully using it keep City Council and Community Boards informed of how often their companies are not protecting the neighborhood. These Chart Summaries give a very clear picture 'at a glance' of just how often (and the reasons) your company is OOS. The UFA recreated these forms and distributed them to each Delegate in a clear plastic hanging/protector bag to PERMANENTLY display at your housewatch. Each time you fax a 'Company OOS Letter Form' to your Community Board, enter the date, time and reason on the next line of the Chart Summary. When the Chart is full, fax it to your City Councilperson and Community Boards (& UFA Recording Secretary Joe Miccio). The next time Bloomberg tries to close companies you'll have numerous informed and concerned Community Boards and City Councilpersons who are in effective positions to help in our fight to stop future closings. No one wants their fire protection jeopardized. Now they'll have real data to support our case in the media and with other elected officials. Make sure your members know how to use this simple form'and use it on a regular basis!!! Back To Top
UFA Event Volunteer Form
The Taylor Law makes it illegal for firefighters to take job actions. However, it does not limit our ability to turn out for political, media and protest events, which are the primary tools the UFA uses to get its message out and rally public support or influence public officials. In order to increase our volunteer participation and more evenly spread volunteer activities among all company members, the UFA created a UFA Event Volunteer Form, which comes in a clear plastic hanging/protector bag. The UFA needs all Delegates to permanently hang this in their firehouse kitchens. When the UFA or your Battalion Delegate requests help from your company, the need can first be filled with volunteers, then by (junior) seniority. You'll have members signed up in advance and ready to go. It will also allow your members to see who is stepping up in support of issues that will benefit everyone in your company should we be successful. In some cases members from each company will be needed, and at other times only one or two members from each Battalion will be needed to give us 50 to 100 members total. Your Battalion Delegate will notify your company directly if your company is next up on the list to send a member or two from your battalion if we only need a small number of volunteers. One packet was distributed to each Delegate at the October 13th meeting. Back To Top
nternational Freedom Center at WTC - Expelled!
We are happy to report that after months of working with various family groups and government officials, our voices were heard and Governor Pataki declared that the International Freedom Center is no longer in the plans for the World Trade Center Memorial. The UFA was among the first organizations to publicly denounce the Center and its proposed exhibits. Since our announcement a number of labor groups and politicians joined our cause. The UFA thanks the Governor for listening to our arguments and keeping the memories of our loved ones in mind as he made this tough decision. We also thank all those who joined us and helped to remove this controversial institution from the future of the hallowed ground of the World Trade Center.
FDNY Chaplain Who Claims Hijackers Not Responsible for 9-11 Attacks Resigns
The UFA held a press conference on September 30th and published a press release (see 65-2 #84) announcing the general outrage and anguish caused by the scheduled appointment of Imam Intikab Habib as FDNY Chaplain. The UFA called on New York City Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta to accept responsibility and "at least have the courage to accept responsibility for his actions when he is wrong." Scoppetta misled the public into believing that the FDNY Islamic Society appointed this man. President Cassidy concluded, "For the Administration to overlook an issue as large as this leads us to believe that they are insensitive to the views of their firefighters and families. Someone needs to be held accountable for this mess and that person is Nick Scoppetta."
New Personal Safety System (Ropes & Harness)
The Department has finally announced the implementation, training for and distribution of the newly designed Personal Safety System (life ropes & harness). However, the program was put on hold due to problems with the rope. Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka discussed this in greater detail at the October 13th Union Meeting.
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Quartermaster List
A Quartermaster List was handed out to all Battalion Delegates by Sergeant-at-Arms/Health & Safety Officer Bill Romaka at the October 13th Union Meeting. These lists show each member's last visit to the quartermaster. The FDNY is contractually obligated to supply our members with the items on the included gear/uniform list. Back To Top
New Orleans Volunteers & Health Examinations
The UFA would like to thank our members who stepped up to help our fellow firefighters. Hundreds of members left their families for several weeks and were assigned to work in the New Orleans area, and during their off duty time many of them actually helped firefighters with repairs to their damaged homes and with other problems created by Hurricane Katrina. The BHS gives each returning member a medical examination prior to returning to full duty and the Dept cleans each member's turn-out gear upon return. UFA Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka, who also went to New Orleans to observe and ensure that the health and safety issues affecting our members were addressed, gave an update at the October 13th Union Meeting. Back To Top
UFA Hurricane Relief Efforts: Help Fellow FFs!!!
The UFA donated $100,000 to the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund to aid our fellow firefighters whose lives will never be the same as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Many have lost everything they own and will need to rebuild their homes. Members are encouraged to contribute. Mail to: Eric Lamar, IAFF Disaster Relief Fund, 1750 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006. All donations are tax-deductible. If you haven't already, a one-time commissary collection and distribution will be greatly appreciated by our fellow firefighters and their families down South Back To Top
UFA Health & Safety Officer Bill Romaka has produced laminated Counseling Services info cards. Various counseling resource contact info is on one side and web addresses on the reverse. Alsom laminated cards from the FDNY Counseling Services Unit and bookmarks from Lifenet are available. Members will have the resources they need on the card to make an informed decision as to where to turn for help or assistance. These cards were distributed to each company by the Health & Safety Office at the October 13th Union Meeting Back To Top City Health/Medical Plan Transfer Period 10/17 to 11/18
Active members may transfer to another City Health/Medical Plan or Add/Drop an Optional Rider. The transfer period for active Firefighters is from October 17, 2005 thru November 18, 2005. Late changes will not be accepted by the City!!! All active member changes will become effective the first day of the first full payroll period in January 2006. City Health/Medical Plan vendors set up tables at the October 13th Union Meeting to answer questions and distribute literature to all Delegates Back To Top Health Plan & Insurance Booklets
The UFA Security Benefits Fund (SBF) distributed the City's Summary Description Program booklet, which is published by the City and gives a summary of each available plan. Also, the following booklets from the UFA Delegate Manual were distributed: NYC Health Plans; and Insurances & Free Help. One of each booklet was distributed to each Delegate at the October 13th Union Meeting. You can easily look up answers to most of your questions in these booklets. Make sure you get the info you need to best protect your family!!! Back To Top UFA Dental Plan Transfer Period
Dental Transfer Period for active and retired members is October 17th through December 30th, and become effective on January 1, 2006. Members interested in changing dental plans should request an application from your Delegate, or by calling or writing the UFA SBF office. The UFA SBF Booklet, which explains your dental coverage options, is in your Company's Delegate Manual. Delegate Manual booklets of that chapter will be distributed at the November 10th Union Meeting. Back To Top
2005 Delegate Educational Seminar in Atlantic City In accordance with the UFA Constitution, Atlantic City was chosen by an overwhelming majority vote of the Delegate body as the site for the 2006 Delegate Education Seminar. It will take place once again at Trump Taj Mahal from Tuesday, May 2, 2006 thru Friday, May 5, 2006. Back To Top
HEAT USA: Save Heating $$ & Support Lost FF Families
The UFA would like to remind you of its fuel-savings program with HEAT USA, the country's largest fuel-buying group. Benefits of belonging to HEAT USA include: savings that average $200 - $300 a year, FREE lifetime full-service contract, 24-hour emergency coverage 7 days a week, FREE annual cleaning and tune-up of the heating system, dependable service from a highly recommended local oil supplier. Membership in HEAT is only $25 per year. If at any time you are not satisfied with HEAT, they will refund your membership. For each new UFA member, HEAT will donate $25 to the Thomas Elsasser Widows & Children Fund. HEAT is a long-time friend of the UFA which donates a free year of heating oil to the families of firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty. For more info, please call toll-free 1-888-HEAT-USA (1-888-432-8872). Back To Top Fraternally, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
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