1. Contract Ballots Mail December 1st
At the 11/20 Union Meeting the Delegates and Alternates unanimously approved (with 1 abstention) the tentative contract. The American Arbitration Association (AAA) will mail ballots to each member's residence on December 1st for a ratification vote. Your ballot must be returned to the AAA by 9am on December 11th. The results will be announced later that day. NOTE: Terms of the entire collective bargaining agreement were mailed on 11/26 to all member residences.
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2. To Receive a Contract Ballot: Do We Have Your Current Address?
Any member wishing to vote must insure your home address on record at the UFA is accurate. If not, immediately prepare an 'SBF Change of Address Form' and mail to the UFA, Attn: SBF. Forms can be obtained from your Delegate, or call the UFA SBF at 212-683-4723 or visit the Forms Section of the UFA web site at www.UFANYC.org.
Any member who does not receive a ballot by Thursday, December 4th must call the American Arbitration Association (AAA) directly at (800) 529-5218, M-F 9am to 5pm. Give your correct residence address and assigned unit (not your detail assignment). A new ballot will be placed in the mail on the same day you call. Ballots will be counted by the AAA on December 11th with oversight of the Election Committee, which is comprised of one member representing each boro and the Recording Secretary. The results will be certified and announced on that same day.
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3. Need E-Mail Addresses of Active Military Members
Military members serving active duty any time between December 1 and December 11 (and unable to reside at their NY residence) may vote via the internet in accordance with the UFA Constitution. Any Delegate with an activated military member assigned to his company is asked to reach out to the family to obtain an email address, if the member is using email while overseas. Provide this info to UFA Recording Secretary, Joe Miccio at jmiccio@UFANYC.org. The information will be verified prior to e-mailing a ballot.
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4. Do Not Volunteer to Drive City Buses
The UFA was informed on Friday, November 14 that the Department was asking firefighters to volunteer to drive MTA buses to transport members to and from the funeral of Probationary Firefighter Jamel Sears. The UFA published Friday, November 14, a 65-2 strongly urging that our members NOT volunteer to drive the buses. MTA buses are driven by union members (TWU Local 100). We do not want firefighters to even temporarily take the jobs of members of another union.
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5. OT $$ for Conversion to Eastern Standard Time
Per DO #95 in accordance with Labor Relations regulations, members that worked the 6x9 tour on Saturday, November 1, 2008, are entitled to one (1) hour of overtime/compensatory time due to the conversion back to Eastern Standard Time (EST). FS-260s are not required. Enter the following TPR codes on the November 2nd column to receive compensation for this time: Event Code: 1465 Agency Data Code: 9564.
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6. Uniform Maintenance Non-Taxability Affidavit
It is extremely important that each member file the form with their Officer. Per Dept orders, "failure to properly complete and file an affidavit may result in the issuance of a corrected W-2 form that includes the Uniform Cleaning Allowance as taxable earnings." Affidavits and instructions may also be obtained by accessing the Department's Intranet. Audits will be conducted to ensure that affidavits are being completed and filed. See your Officer if you have any questions regarding this issue.
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7. Self Mutual & RSOT Payback
As the calendar year draws closer to an end, it typically becomes more difficult for members to have approved payback of Self-Mutuals or a rescheduling of RSOT tours. Members are advised to submit IN WRITING all requests for repayment of Self-Mutuals and to document IN WRITING any time you are refused to reschedule an RSOT tour owed due to a group change. Keep a copy of all documented refusals. It is also recommended that a company journal entry is made documenting refusals. Member rights regarding Self-Mutuals and RSOT are spelled out on PA/IDs 3-94, 1/90 and 1-90 Addendum 4, respectively. PA/ID 1-90, section 11.2 specifically notes: "Firefighters with a group/vacation change which results in the opportunity for fewer hours of RSOT are authorized to work additional tours as needed by the Department for 96 hours of RSOT in the calendar year." Without proper documentation of refusal you can lose your right to carry over RSOT tours to the following year, and you may be penalized for not repaying Self-Mutuals within 90 days.
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8. LODI FICA Refund $$ Checks Mailing Update
The NYC Office of Payroll Administration (OPA) reports that Firefighter LODI FICA refund checks for all tax years 1989 through 2005 were mailed, except for years 1991 and 1992. The UFA will announce mailing dates for years 1991 and 1992 when the information becomes available. For more information, refer to the Office of Payroll Administration website: www.nyc.gov/payroll. Any questions should be referred to the Office of Payroll Administration's email address: Lodi_FICARefund@payroll.nyc.gov.
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9. UFA Scholarship Fund Awards
The UFA Scholarship Fund is expected to be mailing the $600 scholarship checks within approximately one week to over 1,000 eligible members and dependents who filed by the deadline.
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10. UFA Dental Plan Transfer Period
Healthplex, which manages the UFA Dentcare program (no out-of-pocket) & UFA Family Plan (pay & reimbursement), was at the Nov 20 Union Meeting to distribute literature and answer questions. The Dental Transfer Period for active and retired members ends December 31. Changes become effective on January 1, 2009. Dentcare members may roll over into the improved UFA Family Plan, which also has a schedule of services performed by dentists at significantly reduced cost or no charge. Pick up your transfer forms from your Delegate, or call the UFA SBF office. The updated UFA SBF Booklet, which explains your dental coverage options, is in your Company's Delegate Manual. Updated booklets of that chapter and other dental information were distributed at the Nov 20 Union Meeting.
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11. Change of Beneficiary/Address Checklists
Change of Beneficiary and Change of Address Checklists are available inside the following three updated Delegate Manual Booklets: 'Security Benefits Fund', 'NYC Health Plans', and also 'Insurances & Free Benefits.' These booklets include contact information for making changes.
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12. 2009 UFA Parking Placards
Your 2008 Parking Placards expire on February 1, 2009. The new 2009 Parking Placards will be distributed at the January Union Meeting by each borough Trustee, to Company Delegates only.
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13. 2009 UFA Workchart Calendar—Packed with Good Info!
The UFA would like to thank Mike Block and his firm, Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath & Cannavo, P.C., for covering the entire cost of printing the 2009 UFA Workchart Calendar. Calendars for each company were distributed at the Nov 20 Union Meeting, one for each member and a few extra for firehouse posting. It is designed to give members better access to UFA info and other services. The inside front cover includes phone numbers of all companies, battalions & divisions—noting which share quarters. The flow chart on the rear cover, 'Getting Your Problems Solved with UFA Help', makes it easy to get help. Important phone numbers, faxes or email addresses are also included on the back cover for health care providers, the UFA SBF, Medical Office, Insurances, legal, FDNY HQ, the UFA and much more. The Medical Office section includes phone numbers and the proper address to give to medical care providers if injured on duty to insure YOU do not receive the bills. It includes lots of good information. Keep a copy handy!
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14. Proposed Constitution Amendments Vote
All proposed UFA Constitution amendments as written in 65-2 #68 of 2008, were discussed and voted on by all members present at the Nov 20 Union Meeting. The Constitution Committee and Executive Board's votes were presented. Each of the 2 submitted proposed amendments failed to receive the required number of votes by the membership present. The complete text of the proposed amendments was mailed to all FHs and Delegate residences with the October and November meeting notices.
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15. Random Drug Testing Report
The FDNY reports that the following units were tested randomly between 7/01/08 and 9/30/08. A total of 84 Units were tested within this period: 42 Engines, 21 Ladders, 9 Battalions, 4 Divisions, 1 SOC Company, the SOC Division, 1 Marine Company, the Marine Division, 3 Squad Companies, and 9 Fire Marshals. Reports listing each company tested and individual dates were distributed at the 11/20 Union Meeting. They are sorted by both company and chronologically.
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16. 'Do Not Call' Registry for Your Cell & Home Phones
Members wishing to stop unwanted solicitations to their cell or home phones may call the 'Do Not Call' Registry at 1-888-382-1222.
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17. FDNY Anchor Club Annual Christmas Party at Coler-Goldwater Hospital
On Saturday, December 6th, 10:30am, the FDNY Anchor Club will host their annual Coler-Goldwater Hospital Christmas Party at the South end of Roosevelt Island. Volunteers will be needed to assist the residents to and from the Christmas party. Food and refreshment will be served. For more info call Anchor Club President Bill Greco (E-68), 718-863-8088 or 917-575-1012.
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18. Operation Santa: The Community Mayors
Attend event December 10th from 9am-12pm and/or setup December 9th at 8:30am for "Operation Santa" to help the handicapped children of NYC. It will take place at JFK Hanger #19 (next to Tower Air). Your reward will be the great feeling you get when you see the smiles on the faces of these special children. Kindly wear something FDNY. For more info contact Vincent Tummino, 917-757-6022 or go to
www.communitymayors.org.
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19. The Ridge Music Festival
On Saturday, December 27th, 2pm till…, at St. Patrick's Auditorium 97th Street & 4th Ave Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Admission: $20 includes food, drinks, music, and comedy. Proceeds benefit the NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation and FF Thomas Elsasser Fund. For more info go to
www.theridgemusicfestival.com or call 866-468-7619.
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Fraternally,
Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
