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Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:
Contract
The UFA has completed its 4th negotiation session with the City on February 26th. The next session will be scheduled shortly. Back To Top
McAdams Running for US Congress
UFA Treasurer Kevin McAdams has formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 17th District. The UFA, UFOA and IAFF have fully endorsed Kevin, as it is our objective to support candidates and elected officials who can effectively support firefighter issues. We're confident that Kevin will be an ardent firefighter issue advocate, locally and in Washington, and we encourage member support in any way you can. Back To Top
Treasurer Resignation & New Election Notice
Treasurer Kevin McAdams' official letter of intended resignation was received prior to this meeting, to take place effective March 16th. The UFA thanks Kevin for his efforts and contributions to the membership and this Executive Board. In accordance with UFA Constitution requirements, the President will appoint an interim Treasurer on March 16th. The appointee will hold the Treasurer position until the newly elected Treasurer takes office. Any member interested in this appointment should contact President Cassidy's office immediately to schedule a meeting with him. Members in Good Standing who wish to announce their candidacy for Treasurer must submit their petitions, in accordance with UFA Constitution Article VI, to the Recording Secretary no later than 5pm on Friday, April 2nd. The Election Committee will meet on Monday, April 5th to validate petitions. Nominations are to take place at the General Membership Meeting on April 8th. Subject to American Arbitration Association (AAA) scheduling confirmation, election ballots are expected to mail to each member's home on April 22nd and must be returned to the AAA by Monday, May 10th at 9am, with the winner being announced later that day. Back To Top
Random Drug Testing
UFA President's Press Release February 28: "The aftermath of the terrorist attack on Sept. 11 has brought with it many sad realities. Many experts predicted long range post-traumatic stress behavior. While the UFA does not condone illegal drug use, we are concerned that our firefighters for many reasons are not availing themselves to counseling services. The UFA and Commissioner Scoppetta were in negotiations over drug testing procedures more than one year ago. The department has repeatedly failed to respond to our proposals. We welcome the invitation to develop a fair system that protects the rights of our members. The union and the Fire Department need to ensure that firefighters get the services they need to bring them through these troubled times." See your Delegate for an update on the issue as presented at the March 11 Union Meeting. Back To Top
UFA Financial Reports
UFA Financial reports were mailed to all companies for posting last week. Back To Top
Republican National Convention
All members should plan to be in town for the Republican National Convention (August 30, 31 & Sept 1) and make themselves available to mobilize at the Convention in support of UFA issues. Further information regarding UFA activities during the Convention will follow. Back To Top
Grievance Win: 32 Hours OT for CFR-D Recertification
Recording Secretary Joe Miccio reports that the UFA was successful in its Grievance against the Department in that it violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The City was previously only paying OT for 31 hours of retraining. Arbitrator Alan Viani affirmed the UFA's position that "FFs assigned to CFR-D recertification shall be paid for 32 hours of work at OT rates." This is in addition to the OT FFs earn during the mandatory State CFR-D recertification exams. Back To Top
Night Shift Pay Win for Probationary Former NYPD Members
Recording Secretary Joe Miccio reports the following result was achieved through Labor Management sessions re interpretation of the NYC Administrative Code Section 15-111(a)(1): The FDNY will now credit time served by FFs who previously served as members of NYPD in determining FF nightshift differential pay. Service must be immediately prior to appointment as FF. These terms have already been applied to FFs who were in the 7/28/02, 2/2/03 and 5/4/03 probationary FF classes. Back To Top
City Annuity Retro $$ Error Corrected
As a result of UFA inquiry through Labor Management and follow-up investigation by the UFA Treasurer's Office, it was determined that the City did not pay the full amount of retroactive Annuity money due as per the 2000-2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The City was short by $339,000. It has agreed to deposit the appropriate amount into each member's Comprehensive Accrual Fund Account within the next week. Back To Top
2003 LODI Deductions
The UFA has received clarification from Edwin Yowell, Deputy Director, Office of Payroll Administration for the City of New York. Per Mr. Yowell "retroactive payments are taxed based upon the year during which the employee receives them, not based upon the year during which they were 'earned'. And, a current year payment of a retroactive pay adjustment is taxed, even during periods of LODI leave, because it is other compensation". These are IRS ground rules, according to Mr. Yowell. While the City does not advise members to file amended returns for prior years based on 2003 retroactive income or to claim additional deductions on your 2003 return, the decision is up to each individual's tax professional.
Busses for Funerals within 150 Miles of NYC
Brooklyn Trustee John Kelly reports that in response to the membership's request for the Fund to provide busses to and from Line-of-Duty Funerals of FFs from other paid departments, the Committee met and revised its guidelines to provide bus service to funerals that occur within 150 miles of NYC. Details of the criteria and procedure will publish shortly. In addition, the Committee also increased the number of FFs the Fund sends to FF funerals from four to six. Back To Top
LOD Injury Prescription at Medical Office
Whenever you are prescribed drugs for a Line-of-Duty Injury, ask the FDNY physician or nurse at the Medical Office for reimbursement forms and instructions. Never use the UFA Drug card to pay for this. At the UFA's urging during Labor Management sessions, Chief Cassano agreed to the UFA's request and assured us that the Medical Office would readily provide our members with this information. The procedure is to pay out-of-pocket and submit the form and copy of your receipt to FDNY Compensation Desk, 9Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201. This info, and much more, is also on the back of your 2004 UFA Workchart Calendar for easy reference. Back To Top
Las Vegas Trip Winners
Congratulations to our winners of the Las Vegas trips. Winners were picked from a random drawing, which took place at February's Union Meeting, from the pool of all FFs that participated in the Cornell Workplace Survey. Winners are FFs: Hargett E97, Bernard Floody L176, Robert Siragusa E55, Timothy Sommerlad L30, and Michael Giammanco L146. Back To Top
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation "Walk of Honor"
Vina Drennan, the widow of the late Captain John Drennan, is in the process of commemorating every line of duty death with an inscribed brick on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, "Walk of Honor" in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She has received funding for all 343 members lost on 9/11/01. She is working to secure funds for the remaining bricks, covering 1865 to present. A special section of the walk has been established for all our members. Each brick costs $100, and will carry the members name, rank, company, date of death and FDNY logo. Interested companies may donate a brick for each of their line-of-duty members. Make checks out to: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Mail to: Vina Drennan, 360 E 88 St, Apt 16A, NY, NY 10128. Include: rank, name, company & date of death. Back To Top
The Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance Annual Palm Sunday Mass
Sunday, April 4th, 2004 at 1pm at the Brooklyn Wall - Keyspan Park, 1904 Surf Ave, Coney Island, NY. Back To Top
E-6 Memorial Fund Mets vs. Yankees July 4th
The E-6 Memorial Fund is hosting its 3rd Annual Baseball Game at Shea Stadium in the Picnic Grounds on Sunday, July 4th at 11:30am. Game starts at 1:10pm. Tickets are $60 each, which includes food and game admission. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For more info call E-6 at 212-962-9921 or 212-570-4206 or visit their website at www.fdnyengine6.org. Back To Top
2004 New York Police/Fire Games
Registration is being accepted for 2004 New York Police/Fire Games held June 14-19 at Albany, New York. Open to all paid members of Law Enforcement, Firefighters and retirees. Events: Basketball, bowling (team, doubles, singles), cross country race, cycling, darts, golf, horseshoes, iron man (bench press, dead lift), obstacle course, paintball, pistol, pocket billiards, rifle, police horse, shot gun, skeet, soccer, softball (slow- pitch), swimming, toughest competitor alive, track and field, and trap. Members can register for individual events. Teams can be made up from one firehouse, or any way you like. A competitors party is on June 16th. For more info or applications contact Ken Bohan, L-106 (718) 965-8238, Cell (516) 319-9911. Applications are also available at Division of Training's Physical Fitness Unit, Contact Tom Grimshaw at 212-860-9252 Back To Top
FDNY Runners, Bikers, Swimmers Wanted for Ironman Race
Putting a few teams together to represent the FDNY at the Quelle Challenge in Roth, Germany on July 4th, 2004. The fire brigades will provide complimentary private accommodations for members from all over the world. The Nurnberg fire service will put on a Firefighter's Show. Firefighting vehicles, both historic and modern, will be used around the Roth on race weekend. Awards ceremony are at Roth's new fire station, near the race site. If interested in an ironman distance triathlon, or to be part of the team as a swimmer, biker or runner, this is your opportunity! Distances are 2.4 miles of swim, 112 miles bike, 26.2 mile run. Teams will be formed by April 15, 2004. Contact Larry Parker L-129 at 718-476-6273, Group 19. Home: 631-691-3213. Back To Top
Annual FDNY - NYPD Hockey Game
Saturday, April 3, 2004 Nassau Coliseum Gates Open at 3pm, Game starts at 4pm. Admission: $15.00. Visit www.fdnyhockey.com. It's a great time every year. don't miss it! Back To Top
Annual FDNY "King of the Ice" Tournament
The FDNY Hockey is proud to announce that it is once again hosting the popular Firehouse Hockey Tournament April 19, 2004 - April 30, 2004. Visit www.fdnyhockey.com. Back To Top
Help! 'NYC Firefighters Thank America' Raffle--Win a Porsche!
Remember the thousands of letters, cards and drawings that poured in from kids all around the country after 9-11? More than 150 members from 26 different firehouses participated in the video project "The New York Firefighters ThankAmerica". Raffle proceeds will supplement the production of the video, which was created to thank the hundreds of thousands of school children for their huge outpouring of support and donations. The goal is to produce and send a copy to every elementary school in America. The prize, a classic professional 'Stars & Stripes' detail paint finished Vintage '71 Porsche, is being raffled off at the February Union Meeting (the rescheduled date). Make checks out to ‘West Side Cultural Center' and mail to: UFA, c/o Ann Elizabeth / Rudy Sanfilippo, 204 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010. Raffle stubs will be mailed to contributing members immediately upon receiving your check. We all received this incredible outpouring of support. Please ask your house commissary to invest in a ticket or two, and let's show America's youngest our appreciation! Back To Top
Fraternally, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
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