Thursday, June 19, 2008
President's Report
for General Membership Meeting
JFK Ramada Inn, Queens, NY
Special Order of Business
- Security Benefits Fund (SBF) Help Table Today
Members who require help regarding dental, prescription drugs, optical or any other benefits provided via the UFA SBF should visit the SBF table today. SBF personnel are there to help you.
- Firehouse Posters: World Police-Fire Games 2011 in NYC
Framed 2011 WPFG posters (one for each firehouse - not per company) are at your Trustee table today. Please take the time to see it is hung up for all to see. In 2011, the World Police-Fire Games (WPFG) will be in New York City during the two weeks leading up to the 10 year anniversary of September 11th. This will be our opportunity to remember all those lost on that day and to say "Thank You" to POs and FFs from around the world for their support during our greatest hour of need. The WPFG is an Olympic Style event that takes place every 2 years in a different city around the world. NYC 2011 expects 18,000 firefighters and police officers from over 70 countries competing in 65 sports categories.
Today's Agenda
1. The Department Attacks Your Rights
On June 12, 2008, the Department issued an Order (Dept Order #54) that is a direct threat to our members in clear retaliation for the UFA's insistence upon protecting your rights. Paragraph 2.3 of the Order (copy attached) essentially states that members who are "witnesses" rather than "suspects" in a Safety Battalion investigation of an accident or fire are not entitled to either Union or legal representation. It states that our members must agree to cooperate and be interviewed by Safety Chiefs without representation or face disciplinary action. See 65-2 #48, which was faxed yesterday to all FHs.
2. Contract update
Communications have been taking place with the City Labor Commissioner, James Hanley, regarding reopener contract negotiations for the 2004 - 06 contract. The Board is preparing to meet with the City on Friday afternoon, June 27th. Steve Cassidy will discuss this today.
3. UFA Lobby Day in Albany a Success
On June 10th, the Executive Board and several busloads of UFA members traveled to Albany to lobby for legislation that is important to NYC Firefighters. Members spent the day meeting with their respective legislators and discussing the UFA legislative agenda. The day was concluded with a reception where many of the legislators and their staff attended, including Governor Patterson. UFA Vice-President Jim Slevin and the Executive Board thank all members who participated.
4. Legislature Passes Bill to Reduce Military Salary Payback Liability
Both houses of the State Legislature have approved a measure that would relieve the financial burden on all FFs (and other City employees) who were called up to active military duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. The bills, which will be sent to Governor Paterson, would slash military vets' salary repayment obligation by roughly 25 percent through a recalculation of back pay owed to the City that would be based on their net city income after taxes and benefit contributions are deducted, rather than their gross pay. There would also be an extension - to 10 years - of the time-frame in which they can pay what is owed. The UFA will advise the membership of the Governor's decision regarding this bill.
5. 3rd Day BI Case: Building Inspection Survey Form
The UFA is currently preparing for our Improper Practice charge hearing challenging the impact of Department's addition of a third building inspection period each week. On your Trustee table today is the form the UFA will need filled out by the working members each time, as a result of being on AFID, that your company:
- a) is delayed in responding to an emergency such as a 10-75 or medical assistance; or
- b) has scheduled training, drills or field duties canceled; or
- c) has an incident with a negative safety impact on a firefighter
Also attached is the BI inspection schedule for each borough. As provided for on the form, please note whether the incident or delay occurred in your additionally scheduled BI period (if your company # is circled on the attached BI chart for that day, this is your additional BI period). As a Delegate, if our case is to be successful, it is your responsibility to insure that every fire or incident that occurs during your company's BI periods is reviewed. If there is any delay or problem, as indicated on the form, it is important for you to fax the completed form to the UFA Office c/o UFA Recording Secretary and Grievance Chairman, Joe Miccio (fax number is on the bottom of the chart). Should you have any questions, please contact Bill Romaka, UFA Health and Safety Officer, or Recording Secretary Joe Miccio.
6. Thorough Building Inspections
The Executive Board reminds all members of the importance of conducting thorough and complete inspections while performing Apparatus Field Inspection Duties. Your paperwork (BI Forms & Cards) should accurately document building conditions, as required by the Fire Prevention Manual. The Dept may look to hold you responsible if a serious incident occurs in a building that you inspected.
7. Deutsche Bank Deaths Criminal Case Update
Manhattan prosecutors want the recently filed civil suit delayed for fear it will "compromise" their criminal probe. The Manhattan district attorney's office wants a judge to put a halt to the civil suit until a grand jury finishes its investigation of the Aug. 18, 2007, fire that killed firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia. "The substantial interests of justice require that the grand jury investigation be given priority over a civil litigation," District Attorney Robert Morgenthau wrote in court papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court. Morgenthau wrote that allowing the civil suit to move forward will "likely adversely affect and compromise" a probe into whether there were criminal violations while the toxic tower next to Ground Zero was being dismantled. The Criminal and Attorney General investigations were instituted after the UFA requested their involvement in determining how the horrific conditions occurred and who was responsible. It is the UFA's objective to see that those who are responsible are held both criminally and personally liable for their roles contributing to the tragic loss of our brother firefighters Graffagnino and Beddia.
8. Building Construction Safety March
At 10 am on Saturday, June 21, Joseph Graffagnino Sr. will lead a march from outside the Deutsche Bank building (where FFs Graffagnino and Beddia both died in the Deutsche Bank fire last August) on Liberty St. to City Hall, advocating for building construction safety. All off-duty members are welcome to participate.
9. Building Construction Safety March
At 10 am on Saturday, June 21, Joseph Graffagnino Sr. will lead a march from outside the Deutsche Bank building (where FFs Graffagnino and Beddia both died in the Deutsche Bank fire last August) on Liberty St. to City Hall, advocating for building construction safety. All off-duty members are welcome to participate.
10. LODI FICA Refund Update
Per NYC Office of Payroll Administration, the IRS has still not provided a date it expects to pay to the City the 1989-2005 LODI FICA refunds. The UFA will announce expected refund dates as soon as this information becomes available.
11. Heat Index for Signal 10-51
The summer heat is upon us. When the Heat Index ('Feels Like' or 'Real Feel' temperature) is 105 degrees or more, a Signal 10-51 is mandated, in accordance with Fire Prevention Manual Chapter 3, Addendum 2. The Heat Index is reported by the National Weather Service (NWS) hourly and is also regularly reported in the media as 'Feels Like' or 'Real Feel' temperature. Exact current 'Feels Like' temperatures (Heat Index and also Wind Chill Index) can be found on the NWS web site at www.srh.noaa.gov/zipcity.php by entering your zip code. The bottom of the UFA website home page also has a link to obtain this info. The UFA has encountered several incidents when Staff Chiefs initially refused to order suspension of outside activities. Your on-duty Officer is responsible to make immediate notifications to the Battalion whenever the 'Feels Like' temperature warrant a signal 10-51 and it is not given over the teleprinter.
12. Delegate Manual Update Sheet
The Delegate Manual Update Form is on your Trustee table today. Revision dates which verify the last publishing date of each chapter are listed on the form. If the date on any chapter cover of your current Delegate Manual (or date on the bottom of each page) is different than the list, you need to replace that chapter. To update your Manual, or for extra copies of any chapter for your members, note the quantities needed on the reverse side of the form and fax to UFA Recording Secretary, ATTN: Joe Miccio 212-683-4359. Your updated booklets/chapters will be mailed to your Firehouse. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. Be sure your Manual contains the most updated copy of each chapter!
13. Members Re-Scheduled For NYS CFR State Examination
Per Dept Order #53, "The CFR Unit has e-mailed all units with the names of the members who have been re-scheduled for the June 19, 2008 state exam and the time they are scheduled to take the examination. If a member cannot attend, they must forward a report via the chain of command to the CFR unit. This report must be received by June 17 (TOMORROW!!!). Any last minute cancellations must be approved by the Borough Command. Any member who fails to take a state examination within one year of the successful completion of the CFR program will have to repeat the CFR course."
14. MLC Has Doubts About Advisability Of HIP-GHI Merger
The Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) on May 29 asked State Superintendent of Insurance Eric R. Dinallo to halt consideration of converting the two giant health-insurance firms for city workers into a for-profit entity until the group meets with the state to voice its concerns. The Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) and Group Health Incorporated (GHI) provide more than 93 percent of city workers with health insurance. In a letter to Mr. Dinallo. The MLC stated "we are prepared to oppose the conversion. We request that no action be taken until we have been given an opportunity to explain our serious concerns." Mayor Bloomberg previously voiced his opposition to the conversion to Mr. Dinallo last month, calling it "bad policy." NOTE: The MLC represents most major City Labor Unions and negotiates all City Major Medical Health Plan Benefits for their members.
Stephen J. Cassidy,
President
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