November

UFOA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
November 10, 2005

President's Report

Table of Contents

Family Transport Foundation

As voted on at our July General Membership Meeting, the UFOA is donating a van to the Family Transport Foundation. Bill Schillinger and Pat Concannon are here tonight representing the Family Transport Foundation.

 

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Hurricane Katrina Donations

To date, over 3,100 members have been assisted in Districts 11 and 14. The Fund has been able to distribute in excess of $1.5 million. Please consider making a donation to the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund. Checks can be sent to:

IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006

At the September GMM, the membership approved a $50,000 donation to the Fund. The UFOA has also donated $15,000 to the FDNY Counseling Unit to pay airfare and other expenses for our peer counselors who responded to assist the IAFF efforts.

 

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Contract Update

Since our last meeting in October, three more uniformed unions have settled their contracts; the UFA, Police Sergeants (SBA), and Police Detectives (DEA). All three settlements are similar in that the major funding for productivity was accomplished by a stretch.

UFA Settlement:

  • 50 month deal 6/1/02 – 7/31/06.
  • Salary Increases:
  • 5% - 6/1/02
  • 5% - 6/1/03 – comp.
  • 3% - 8/1/04 – comp.
  • 3.15% - 8/1/05 - comp.
  • Salary schedule similar to PBA. Starting salary of $25,100 but would increase to $32,700 after 13 weeks.
  • 5 ½ years to top salary.
  • New hires will not get 3% and 3.15% raises on Step 1 and 2.
  • Contract extension for 2 months.
  • $100 increase in cleaning allowance.
  • $100 Welfare Fund increase for active and retired members.
  • Prior NYPD officers will not get credit for service for the purpose of salary increases.
  • The Department will be able to detail firefighters off line for 1 year or 2 years for members with special skills.
  • Loss of 15 hour tour.
  • Withdrawal of outstanding grievance.
  • Extension of RSOT agreement until 1/31/2011 .
  • Additional annuity for new hires for 1 ½ years.

Police Detectives Settlement:

  • 4 Year Term 2/14/04 to 2/14/08
  • Salary Increases
  • 5% - 2/15/04
  • 5% - 2/15/05
  • 3% - 2/15/06
  • 3.15% - 2/15/07
  • New stretch to six years (from 4) to top pay and salary loss of $25,000 over six year period.
  • Tour increase of 23 minutes per tour plus additional tours.
  • Range Day on regular day off.
  • Reduction in Welfare Fund Benefits of $30 per year.
  • Reduction of $50 per year to Civil Legal Defense Fund.
  • Reduction of annuity contribution for new hires for six years.

 

A total of five uniformed unions have now settled, so a logical question would be, “What are we waiting for?” Since we are a union representing six titles, a stretch in pay for new hires has a potential impact on all of us. We could easily develop a stretch or give up time and come up with a total of 4.24% in productivity savings. We are trying to negotiate productivity savings by assuming a greater role in EMS supervision. I have met with Tom Eppinger, president of the EMS LT's and CAPT's union since this plan would affect his members as well. There would be a potential productivity savings for them as well. I ask for your patience as we try to maneuver through this political process. Our goal is to avoid a stretch to the best extent possible and not have our members work more hours. It may be a lofty goal, but given the alternatives, I believe it is a goal worth pursuing.

 

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Random Drug Testing –One Year Review

•  Three hundred and thirty three (333) line units were tested. Out of the 333 line units tested, 72 units were tested twice, 20 units were tested three times and 5 units were tested four times.

•  A total of 2035 total tests were conducted. Of this number, 133 firefighters were tested twice and 7 members were tested three times; 18 Lieutenants were tested twice and 1 was tested three times; 5 Captains were tested twice, and 2 Chiefs were tested twice.

•  There have been 13 positive results. The substances were cocaine (10) and marijuana (3).

The Department has agreed to raise the testing cut-off level for opiates from 300 ng/ml. to 2000 ng/ml., effective immediately.

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Personal Safety System

The Department has made modifications to the PSS to resolve the problem that developed when a PSS rope became jammed in the descender device during a slide early in October. Petzl, the manufacturer of the EXO device, believes that adding a U-bolt to the side of the device will guide the rope and prevent it from jamming when a firefighter is in mid-descent, as happened during the flawed slide.  So far, the new version has worked smoothly in well over 1,000 practice slides and testing continues. The previous device had gone through approximately 2,500 test slides in its current modified configuration before the jam occurred.

Petzl will produce a number of prototypes, if it passes the current round of testing the EXO will go into mass production and should be issued to members beginning in mid-December or early January 2006. PSS training will then resume.

Over 4,000 personal harnesses have been issued and by the end of this month distribution should be completed for all SOC units and ladder companies. Harnesses will then be issued to engine company members with the goal of completion by mid-January. The rate of harness distribution to units is dependent upon the manufacturer's ability to supply them, which is 2,000 per month.

The UFOA Safety Committee will continue to attend all meetings and monitor this situation. We will keep the membership informed.

 

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Labor Management

Several members of the UFOA who took the last Battalion Chiefs' examination were required to have their P.O.N.S.I. credits certified at a college or university. This requirement was in direct violation of an award made by the Office of Collective Bargaining (Case # B-6-2003). After several months the UFOA and OLR reached an agreement for the reimbursement of the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by those members. We are happy to report that five (5) members of the UFOA have signed the agreement and will be reimbursed for these expenses.

The last Labor Management Committee / FDNY meeting was held on 10/26/05. The following issues were discussed:

•  The status of the training program for SOC Support Ladder Cos. and Haz-Tech Engine Cos.,
•  The Department policy regarding off-line details,
•  Unit CFR-D responses that would not be properly categorized as Segment 1, 2, or 3 incidents,
•  Timely notification to field units when Terrorist Alerts are to be issued and to members who may be deployed to natural disasters,
•  The excessive number of ABCs and ADCs on particular tours,
•  The Department initiative in regard to allegedly inconsistent response times.

 

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Notice of Participation in the World Trade Center Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up Operations

The Dept. has begun the process of mailing affidavits to all members who may qualify for the provisions of the WTC Bill. You may already have received your copy in the mail. The form must be completed, notarized and filed with the Fire Department Pension Fund, Subchapter II by June 14, 2007. It is highly recommended that you send this form by Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested, as verification of filing and keep a copy of the form for your records. There is a copy of this Affidavit and the instructions on our website. We will follow up with all our members, active and retired to ensure that everyone completes the affidavit. If you are not sure if you qualify, you should still fill out this form.

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Service Credit for Prior City Service

The UFOA and UFA recently settled a dispute with the City on an issue regarding the effect of prior service on computation of the minimum eligibility period for service retirement for certain firefighters and fire officers of the New York City Fire Department.

The effect of this agreement is that FDNY members will receive full service credit in the FDNY Retirement System for prior service (a) in the uniformed service of a police, fire, corrections or sanitation department of the City or State of New York or any agency or political subdivision of either; (b) as a peace officer pursuant to Section 2.10 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law; (c) as a member of the New York State Policemen's or Firemen's Retirement System; and/or (d) in the title of sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, district attorney investigator or other position designated in the below listed titles. Affected members will have to purchase such service credit on the same basis that credits from other service previously allowed could be purchased by members.

Any members affected by this agreement should let the union know so that we can ensure that they receive their credit pursuant to the agreement.

The following is a list of the covered titles :

Assistant Chief Investigations
Assistant Chief of Audits & Investigations
Assistant Deputy Director Parole Operations
Assistant Deputy Supt State Police
Associate Claims Examiner/Investigator-NYC Transit Authority
Campus Public Safety Officer 1
Campus Safety Specialist
Captain Bureau of Criminal Investigation-State Police
Captain Park Patrol
Captain State Police
Chief Insurance Frauds Investigator
Chief Investigations
Chief Labor Standards Investigator
Chief of Audits & Investigations
Chief Safety & Security Officer 1
Chief Safety & Security Officer 2
Chief Special Investigator
Chief Technical Sergeant State Police
Civilian Inspector at Bureau of Fire Prevention -FDNY
Correction Lieutenant
Correction Officer
Correction Officer Spanish Language
Correction Officer Trainee
Correction Officer Trainee Spanish Language
Correction Sergeant
Department of Environmental Protection Police
Deputy Supt for Correctional Facility 3
Deputy Supt of State Police
Director – Division of Law Enforcement
Director of Investigations
Emergency Service Dispatcher for Wallkill, NY
EMS Ambulance Worker for Health & Hospitals Corp or the FDNY
Environmental Conservation Investigator 1
Environmental Conservation Investigator 2
Environmental Conservation Investigator 3
Environmental Conservation Investigator 4
Environmental Conservation Officer
Environmental Conservation Officer Spanish Language
Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1
Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1 Sp L
Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 2
Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 2 Sp L
Facility Parole Officer 1
Facility Parole Officer 1 Spanish Language
Facility Parole Officer 2
Facility Parole Officer Trainee 1
Facility Parole Officer Trainee 2
Fire Alarm Dispatcher
First Deputy Supt Correctional Facility
First Deputy Supt State Police
First Sergeant State Police
Inspector State Police Group of Classes
Insurance Field Investigator
Insurance Frauds Investigator
Lieutenant Bureau of Criminal Investigation State Police
Lieutenant Park Patrol
Lieutenant State Police
Marine Fireman
Nassau County Police Dept (employed as an ambulance medical technician/paramedic)
New York City and New York State Court Officers
NYC Police Officers (with break in service)
Park Parole Officer
Park Patrol Officer Spanish Language
Park Parole Officer Trainee
Park Parole Officer Trainee Spanish Language
Park Ranger
Police Officer in Carmel and Mount Vernon, NY
Police Officer in Wallkill, NY (Orange Co.)
Racing & Wagering Investigator
Racing Inspector
Racing Investigator
Racing License Investigator
Seasonal Park Ranger – Westchester Co (peace officer status)
Security Guard – Long Island Public Schools
Security Officer
Security Officer Spanish Language
Security Services Aide
Security Services Assistant 1
Security Services Assistant 2
Security Services Assistant 3
Sergeant Park Patrol
Sergeant Park Police
Sergeant Station Commander
Sheriff with Rockland County Sheriff's Office
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Tunnel Officer
Trooper State Police
Workers Comp Fraud Investigator 1
Workers Comp Fraud Investigator 2
Youth Detention Counselor-NYS Div of Youth-NYS Detention Center
Zone Sergeant State Police

 

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Health Benefits Transfer Period

Active City employees will begin October 17, 2005 through November 18, 2005. The new plan chosen or any change in optional benefits will become effective January 8, 2006. Employees who want to transfer from their present health plan coverage into another City health plan or add/drop the optional rider in their health plan must fill out the (ERB) Health Benefits Application Form and submit it to the FDNY Health Benefits Unit, 6 th Fl, Bureau of Personnel, 9 MetroTech, Brooklyn, NY 11201 within the above time period. For further information, refer to Dept. Order No. 92, dated Oct. 7, 2005 or call Camille Issacs, Health Benefits Unit at 718-999-2196 or Charles King at 718-999-2171.

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FDNY/USMC

230 th Birthday of the USMC will be celebrated by the FDNY Marine Corps Association on Tuesday, November 15 th , 12:00-4:00pm. Tamaqua Marina at Gerristen Beach, 84 Ebony Ct, Brooklyn. Cost is $20 per person.

 

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Plaque Dedication

In remembrance of FF Christian Engeldrum, quarters of L-61 and E-66, 21 Asch Loop West, Bronx, on Friday, December 2, 2005 at 11:30am. Collation will follow. Please RSVP (718) 430-0266.

In remembrance of Lt. Curtis Meyran and Lt. John Bellew, quarters of L-27 and E-46, 460 Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 11:00am. Collation will follow. Please RSVP (718) 430-0246.

In remembrance of FF Richard T. Sclafani, quarters of L-103 and E-290, 480 Sheffield Avenue, Bklyn, on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 11:00am. Collation will follow. Please RSVP (718) 965-8290.

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Overtime Average
as of November 10,2005

Lieutenant Hours Captain Hours
SOC 193 SOC 126
Div 1 235 Div 1 260
Div 3 136 Div 3 151
Div 6 204 Div 6 178
Div 7 173 Div 7 241
Div 8 320 Div 8 358
Div 11 279 Div 11 252
Div 13 151 Div 13 169
Div 14 162 Div 14 190
Div 15 185 Div 15 320
AVERAGE 204 AVERAGE 225

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Uniform Vacancy Report
  (Effective November 10, 2005)

   
Last # reached
Lieutenant
13
767
SFM
02
018
Captain
-06
337
Battalion Chief
00
057
Deputy Chief
03
DAC
00
  
AC
-01
  
Asst. Ch. FM
00
  
Chief Fire Marshal
00
  

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Legal Proceedings

VSF Action - The retirees' appeal is pending.

1127 Federal Litigation - We are awaiting the final ruling from presiding Judge, Barbara Jones.

 

Administrative Proceedings

Battalion and Division Commander IP – Further proceedings to be scheduled.

Administrative Fire Marshals - No change.

Meal Time - We are filing both a demand for arbitration and an Improper Practice over the new Dept. policy regarding responses that can interfere with a meal period. We submit that the City is required to negotiate over any such change in policy, and that the new policy violates our contract.

Political Action Volunteers – On behalf of the entire Executive Board, I would like to thank the following members, both active and retired, for turning out for the candidates that the UFOA endorsed.

Mike Marrone, Div. 11
Dan Stoddard, L-78 (Ret)
Jim Fleschner
Gary Benedict
Wayne Trivelli, Div. of Per.
Joe Rimassa, L-82
Mike Meagher, OPS
Dan Bowman, E-281
Mike Galletta
John Belnavis, B-9
Greg Rogers, L-20 (Ret)
Bob McGrath
Jim Ciulla, UFOA (Ret)
Jim Kelty
Rich Scarpato, E-157
Charles Piranio, E-306

George Harrison, L-80
Paul Cinguemani, L-81 (Ret)
John Sollazzo, E-160 (Ret)
Anthony Iesu, E-165 (Ret)
Richard Montana, L-85 (Ret)
Carlo Andersen, Safety (Ret)
Charlie Gussmann, B-32 (Ret)
John Podlucky, B-32
Tom Henri, L-5
Ray Kane, L-77 (Ret)
Bill Gates, L-3
Gene Dockter, D-11 (Ret)
Jim Edwards, B-23 (Ret)
Jim Bossert, B-57
Albert Petrocelli, Jr, L-18

Ed O'Connor, B-41
Tom Evans, SOC
Anthony Catalanotto
E-274
Bob Mungiguerra, E-316
Frank Manetta, E-316
John McEneaney,
B-41
Bill Mundy, MSU
John Duffy, B-17
Joe Matthews, E-83
Kevin Anderson, E-258
Mike Connolly (Ret)
Ted DiPasquale, E-331
Mike Capasso, E-245
Miguel Ramos, L-16

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