STATUS OF ENGINE 273/LADDER 129 MASS LIFT ORDER
The UFA filed an action in the Brooklyn Supreme Court on Thursday, October 28, seeking to restrain the Department and Commissioner from transferring all firefighters either out of or into Engine 273 and Ladder 129. We received a temporary restraining order preventing the transfers and the case was set down for a hearing on Monday, November 1, 1999. The former Fire Commissioner, now Judge Joseph Bruno, was assigned to hear the case and recused himself on his own motion, forwarding the case to another Judge and adjourning the case to November 12, 1999. The restraining order continues until the hearing.

The basis of the UFA’s action is not only the health and safety of the proposed new members of the company but the residents in the community they serve as well as the fact the Department is imposing discipline on at least the current members of Engine 273 and Ladder 129 without filing charges against them. The action seeks to restrain the Department while the grievance is challenging the transfers is pursued to conclusion.

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HAVE YOU USED YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY HARNESS? EVER?
A Step 3 Grievance has been filed concerning the collecting of personal harnesses from all firefighters not assigned to S.O.C. One valuable piece of information that might assist the UFA in this fight is a record documenting the use of the personal safety harness by members in the field. Sergeant-at-Arms Tom Manley will begin a file to document any type of use by our members. It is not important whether the harness was utilized according to evolutions, training tapes or job specs; but was it helpful in any way. Have you even just “hooked on” to a ladder during operations? Make copies of the simple form enclosed, have members fill it out and forward them to Tom Manley. Keep blank forms handy (in the kitchen) as a continuing documentation program throughout the grievance time frame, which can be lengthy. Even retirees can complete a form if they think it may help us . Thank you.

TRAVEL TIME & AWAITING RELIEF
From Delegate Manual White 16/page 4; There is absolutely no time limit to the amount of travel time taken or the amount of awaiting relief one can be entitled to. You are within your rights so long as the elapsed time is actually used for travel. Anyone faced with any questioning regarding travel time will contact his/her trustee immediately (citing your contractual right to union representation). Remember, the officers are not the enemy - so act responsibly, be respectful and polite to your superiors, but do not be taken advantage of. It may be wise to document your travel when using public transportation, for future reference. One odd note ** the computer does not spit out an awaiting relief O/T for questioning unless it is six hours or greater.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND VIOLATES PAID 5/74
A Step 3 Grievance has been filed due to S.O.C.’s improper calculation of averages and redline guidelines. Members can not be redlined in between bi-weekly printouts, with the exception of a single asterisk member who is limited to 24 hours of MMOT until the next printout is issued. Any firefighter that has no asterisk on the current printout is eligible for as much MMOT as is available.

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SKI STOP WAREHOUSE - PRIVATE SALE
Hot savings for firefighters and their families will be offered during a repeat of last year’s successful Ski Stop Warehouse one night private sale. Their 40,000 square foot mega-warehouse will be open to firefighters on Sunday evening, December 12th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Save at least an additional 15% off all items, in addition to sale prices. This is one warehouse for all seasons. Bring a friend or family member and look for great deals on personal items or holiday gifts. Even if you don’t ski, merchandise such as various winter wear, snowboard gear, in-line skates, bicycles, thermal underwear, sweaters, gloves, etc. will be available. The Ski Stop Warehouse is on the South Service Road at Exit 48 of the Long Island Expressway, Plainview (516-249-7980).

UFA SURVEY UNDER WAY- NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN
Now that this mailing is complete, you should be responding as quickly and honestly as possible. The single yellow page demographics outline is to be returned to your company delegate. We ask that company delegates bring their collected pile of forms to the next union meeting, November 11.

The green tri-fold survey is to be returned to American Arbitration Association using the envelope provided. This confidential survey will aid immensely in the preparation stage for the next round of collective bargaining. Your executive board wants to know where your priorities lie. Feel free to issue additional comments or ideas. Please participate by the November 19 deadline.

CIRCUS TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Your company delegate has access to tickets for Firefighter Family Day at the Nassau Coliseum. This March 12, 2000 special event is a production of Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus and is not open to the general public. Delegates are welcome to give this project to another member of the company, because a sole unit representative will be responsible for contacting Amy at the UFA office (212) 683-4832. Purchasing these tickets through the UFA will raise money for the Widow’s & Children’s Fund. This is a great Fire Department Family Day and company function to get involved with. Bring your mom, dad, friends, relatives and neighbors. Makes a great holiday gift.

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TURKEY TROT RUN - NOVEMBER 23, 1999
The annual Turkey Trot Run will be on Tuesday, November 23rd at Flushing Meadow Park, Queens (Avery Avenue exit). Start time 11:30 a.m. If received by November 17 pre-entry is $12, with entries received thereafter set at $15. Entries accepted until 11:00 a.m. on race day. FDNY retirees admitted free. Checks are payable to Turkey Trot Inc. and should be mailed to Engine 233/Ladder 176, 25 Rockaway Ave, Brooklyn NY 11233. For info call 718-965-8233. Proceeds will benefit the N.Y. Firefighters Burn Center.

CFR-D OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETINGS UPDATE
Two recent committee meetings held at the Office of Labor Relations, to rectify differences between the UFA and Fire Commissioner’s Office over CFR-D interpretations, established near worthless results. We were forced to:

a) file a Step 3 Grievance challenging the Department’s violation of our Agreement to provide 32 hours of CFR-D recertification training. The FDNY contends that the 28 hours of training and 4 hours for taking the State exam is all they wish to offer. That adds to 32 hours total overtime, but that is not what was negotiated or what the signed contract specifies.

b)file a Step 3 Grievance challenging the Department’s unilateral denial of ladder company CFR-D payments for certain responses clearly within the specific guidelines of PAID 3/98. The FDNY doesn’t see it as a violation of the negotiated PAID, because they never wanted to pay us for certain ladder CFR-D response to begin with. The problem is THEY neglected to put that in writing at negotiations.

a) file a Step 3 Grievance challenging the Department’s failure to schedule CFR-D training for ladder company members, as well as the inadequate size of the respective classes.

b) In keeping with the Department’s plan not to have to pay ladders/Rescue for any type of CFR-D/EMS-PD response, force entry runs now join carry-downs as part of the engine company repertoire. This will be the subject of future productivity negotiations.

Also discussed was Threshold Violations. Because EMS force entry and carry down calls come to our fire dispatchers via a telephone call from EMS dispatchers, the response circumvents all threshold availability protections built into Starfire and the 911 computer link. The UFA feels this will now lead to a safety impact. All units should be aware of the threshold group they belong to and keep a copy of it hanging at the housewatch desk. Don’t have it? Ask your officer to request one from the division, the dispatcher, or Chief of Operations Daniel Nigro. Any fire response that draws less than the original 2 engine/2 ladder first alarm assignment should be investigated by YOU, upon returning to quarters, for any violation of the threshold limiting of engine response to EMS runs (even if it came as an end-around phone alarm). The ladders don’t have a printed threshold, but we need to know if they’ve missed a fire response due to being directed to an EMS/911 link CFR-D run. Please document any impropriety as fully as possible and forward a report to Recording Secretary Bill Mirro. Chief Nigro did agree to look into this matter, to see if some improvement was possible.

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Fraternally,

WILLIAM F. MIRRO
Recording Secretary,

KEVIN E. GALLAGHER
President