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On August 18th, Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino, of Ladder Company 5, and Robert Beddia, of Engine Company 24 made the ultimate sacrifice while operating at Manhattan Box 7-7 0047, 130 Liberty Street, also known as Deutsche Bank.
Firefighter Graffagnino was an eight-year veteran of the FDNY, appointed in May 1999. His Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, August 23 at St. Ephrem's Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn.
The base pay for starting Firefighters moves from $25,100 to $35,000. The new starting salary affects hires after April 1, 2007. Everyone hired prior to this date will enjoy the benefits of the past contract and the increased salary. The agreement is retroactive to August 1, 2006, and runs until July 31, 2008. The base salary after five years on the job would also be raised to $68,475, from the current $63,309 and there would be additional longevity increases beyond. A 5-year Firefighter who is CFR-D and a chauffer (including RSOT) will make $89,561. A 20-year Firefighter who is CFR-D and a chauffer (including RSOT) will make $92,970. There are no givebacks in this contract.
Firefighter Beddia was a 23-year veteran, appointed in October 1983. His Funeral Mass was on Friday, August 24th at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Manhattan. Firefighter Graffagnino and Firefighter Beddia are the 1,136th and 1,137th members of the New York City Fire Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice in the Department's history.
The new contract is also groundbreaking because in addition to the other items in this no-concession package, we secured a 12% increase in the base pay for special assignment duty to Haz-mat, Haz-mat Battalion, 4 Haz-tech companies, the Squads, and Rescue Companies (a total of 17 Companies). This increase is at no cost to our members. It is free money.
This fire was anything but ordinary. The Deutsche Bank building was a toxic vacant hi-rise structure under demolition. The Scoppetta administration had no fire plan and was not conducting inspections. It has been reported in the media a 42 foot section of the standpipe was removed in December of 2006 contractors said they believed it was part of the sprinkler system, staircases sealed up and in some cases removed eliminating any means of egress except an exterior elevator and negative air pressure was being employed for abatement. A perfect storm was created that killed two Firefighters and almost killed another dozen more. Based on the history of the building, and knowing that decisions regarding this building went to the highest levels of the NYC Fire Department, we called on NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, to conduct independent investigations of the fire and the events that led to the horrific loss of two of our Brothers. Incredibly when a section of pipe fell from Deutsche Bank on May 17, 2007 and landed on 10 House, Scoppetta's answer was to hold a meeting which was attended by Manhattan Boro Commander Wienline. At no time did anyone say maybe we should go across the street and see what's going on. Why? One thing is clear; any investigation by the Fire Department into its own actions has no merit. Clearly an outside investigator is needed because there were so many local and state agencies involved with the abatement and demolition of the Deutsche Bank building. Comprehensive coverage of the UFA's demands is posted on our Web site.
The UFA has been seeking specialization pay since the 1960's. For example, on December 1, 1997, the UFA negotiated Chauffer pay. CFR-D compensation was added on April 15, 1998. Had both of these been accomplished years earlier, these differentials would be significantly higher today.
In the direct aftermath of the tragedy, the Fire Commissioner made a calculated decision reassigning a Captain, a Battalion Chief, and a Deputy Chief. We believe that they are being made scapegoats for the Department's failed leadership at the top. The UFA has not believed in Commissioner Scoppetta since our no confidence vote on December 7, of 2004. His tenure at the Fire Department has been mired in failures that have affected every Firefighter and Officer. He is an ineffective Commissioner who only knows how to prosecute and not lead. His lifting of three line Officers without even interviewing them is not surprising.
The 12% specialization pay puts us on parity with the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit, which receives the pay rate of Detective Specialists. As noted above, in this round of negotiations we reached 17 Companies at 12%. We then attempted to split the 12% and expand the pool of those who would receive an increase. The City rejected this on the basis of parity with the NYPD. It is this Executive Board's goal to expand the pool of Firefighters receiving specialty pay.
The UFA has reached out to the UFOA and we have offered our support in any manner to defend these three maligned Officers. We believe that by all accounts, the decision not to inspect 130 Liberty Street came from the top. We will demand that those responsible be held accountable.
Please notify your trustee if anyone attempts to interview any member in connection with the fire or events that took place leading up to the fire. UFA Board Members are present to protect our members. No member should make any statements to anyone unless a UFA Board Member is present. As the Manhattan District Attorney and the New York State Attorney General's Office continue their investigations we will keep the membership updated.
September 11th marked the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. To commemorate these tragic events, and to honor the memory of the 343 Firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice, members of Battalion 18 hosted its annual memorial service at the Firefighters Memorial Monument on Riverside Drive and 100th Street (Upper West Side of Manhattan). All Firefighters and family members were invited to attend. A Mass at St. John the Divine followed.
On Saturday, September 15th, the 2007, the names of Lt. Howard Carpluk, E 42, and Firefighter Michael C. Reilly, E 75, both of whom made the ultimate sacrifice on August 27, 2006, were added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since 1976, the names of all fallen IAFF members have been engraved into the wall of honor located behind the memorial.
The Health Benefits Transfer Period (for active members only this year) begins November 1, 2007 and ends November 30, 2007. Late changes will not be accepted by the City!!! Health plan changes requested during the Transfer Period will be effective the first day of the first full payroll period in January 2008. During the annual Transfer Period members may transfer into any health plan offered for which they may be eligible, add or drop optional rider coverage or add or drop dependent(s).
We will continue to post updates regarding the Deutsche Bank fire on our Website. As always, stay safe!
Stephen J. Cassidy,
President
