1. Rescheduled Union Meeting
Due to the District Caucus in Albany taking place on the same day, the June 12 Union Meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 19th. Please insure that the date is adjusted on all firehouse calendars.
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2. UFA Supports Boycott of Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade
The UFA has been asked by Boston Firefighters Local 718 to request our members not attend the 2008 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston while in uniform. The Local made a decision to skip this year's parade due to the ongoing attack by their mayor and City officials against the Boston FFs regarding issues related to their contract impasse. Local 718 believes the City will use any incident to discredit the good men and women of their Local. While the Local is not discouraging firefighters from visiting Boston, the Boston Local is asking all outside departments not to attend or participate in this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade while in uniform.
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3. 2006 - 2008 Contract Copies Distributed
Official Copies of the latest UFA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) were distributed at the February 14th Union Meeting for insertion into the Delegate Manual.
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4. UFA Blasts Dept for Fatal Response Delays in Queens
UFA & Queens City Councilman Leroy Comrie held a press conference last week at the UFA criticizing the flaws in the Department's new Queens dispatch pilot protocol. This resulted in delayed responses to several fatal fires, including a fire that severely injured a FF. For more info, go to the UFA website Press Release and In The News sections.
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5. UFA Calls for Modernization of FISA Act in U.S. House of Representatives
The UFA called upon the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), saying that the safety of millions of New Yorkers and 9,000 New York City Firefighters are being jeopardized. Steve Cassidy asserted: "Twice New York City Firefighters responded to attacks on our nation by enemies of America, and we want our government to take every step necessary to intercept communications that will prevent future terrorist attacks. On behalf of our firefighters, I urge the House leadership to vote on the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 proposed by Senator John D. Rockefeller and avoid the permanent damage that may occur from expiration of the Act." For more info, go to the UFA website Press Release and In The News sections.
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6. CDLs: Do Not Volunteer!
The Chief of Department issued a memo on January 16, 2008 "advising" members who possess CDL licenses to forward copies to Metrotech through the chain of command. The memo states its purpose is to have volunteers drive MTA buses for Department functions, including funerals. The Dept has not bargained with the UFA regarding this issue. Giving the Dept your CDL information will allow them to use it for whatever purposes the Dept decides. Therefore, no UFA member should volunteer or provide copies of their CDL license to the Dept until further notice from the UFA.
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7. Rescue Support Trucks & Decon Engines: Training on OT
The Dept has informed the UFA of the following: All members assigned to Rescue Support Trucks will be receiving three 8-hour tours of training, and Decon Engines will be receiving one 8-hour tour of training on OT during off-duty hours. Training will be on an annual basis and will begin scheduling shortly.
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8. CFR-D: Opting Out
The CFR-D Agreement, which was signed by the City and the UFA in 1995, contains the following language: "Opting Out: The FD will consider requests by FFs to opt-out of the CFR-D program upon expiration of the FFs CFR-D certification. When practicable, the FD will facilitate transfers for those who wish to be reassigned to a ladder or engine company." Members who wish to opt out are advised to submit such requests in writing to their Officers.
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9. 2007 FICA Refund for LODI
The Department has stated that the members will be receiving their Tax Year 2007 FICA Refund in their regular check sometime by late March or April at the latest. The schedule will be published in a future Department Order. FICA reimbursements will now be an annual occurrence. Members who receive their corrected W-2's after the date the Department makes refunds will be required to request the adjusted FICA refund from the IRS on IRS Form 843. Please consult your tax preparer for how to properly file this form. NOTE: This has nothing to do with claims being processed for the years before 2006.
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10. Purple K Training
Members with questions regarding Purple K training policies should consult DO #10 of 2008.
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11. LOD Injury Must Use FDNY HQ Address
Members who are injured in the line-of-duty should never provide their home addresses for transportation to the hospital. Only provide 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201. As a reminder, only approved treatment by authorized providers will be paid for by the FD for any follow-up medical care needed. It is important to keep copies of all authorizations for your approved specialists along with your CD-72's to avoid any problems. If you still have a question or a concern, please forward a copy of your CD-72, any authorizations, and outstanding bills to the UFA Health & Safety Office (Fax #: 212-683-4768 or call 212-545-6965 with questions).
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12. Random Drug Testing Quarterly Report
The FDNY reports that the following units were tested randomly between 9/30/07 and 12/31/07. A total of 91 Units were tested within this period: 49 Engines, 25 Ladders, 9 Battalions, 2 Divisions, 1 Rescue Unit, 3 Probie School Groups, 1 Hazmat Company, 1 Hazmat Battalion, and 9 Fire Marshals. Reports listing each company tested and individual dates are were distributed at the February Union meeting.
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13. Discount Deadline Approaching!
Delegate Education Seminar Registration Forms Due March 31st
Registration packages were mailed to all Delegate residences on January 31. Seminar registration & hotel room reservations must be made by check only, payable to the 'UFA' (phone registration cannot be accepted), along with the proper form. It must be received at the UFA by March 31st to receive your discounted rate. After the deadline you'll need to make your room reservation by credit card directly with the hotel at the full-price per-night rate-if rooms are still available. If this is your first Delegate Educational Seminar, you can familiarize yourself by reviewing last year's agenda and program activity book on the UFA website at www.UFANYC.org by clicking on Delegate Seminar from the home page. You can also check out the latest notices for this year's Seminar. Location/Dates: Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 thru Friday, May 16, 2008. NOTE: The previously scheduled May 8 Union meeting, as noted on the UFA Workchart Calendar, will be rescheduled to take place on the last day of the Seminar, Friday, May 16. Please insure your calendars are adjusted.
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14. 2007 W-2: Verifying Annual LODI Tax Deductions
Current IRS regulations provide favorable tax treatment of your wages during the approved period of Line-of-Duty Injury (LODI). Wages will be treated on a pre-tax basis. The Dept computes your LODI medical leave days automatically and deducts the dollar amount from your taxable income as per prior UFA contractual agreement. To verify your proper deductions, see the Salary Chart package distributed at the February Union Meeting and refer to the chart that applies to your grade and dates that you were out on LODI. The 'Daily Rates' are circled in the last column on each page. The UFA also distributed to each Delegate and mailed to all FHs Special 2007 Tax Year Issue 65-2 #14 of 2008, which includes additional info regarding the per deim salary rate charts that will allow you to verify the Dept's calculations. It also includes much more info re your paycheck deductions and tax calculations.
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15. 2008 Social Security Booklet
The UFA's new 14 page booklet, "What Every Employee Needs to Know," was distributed at the February Union Meeting to all present Delegates. It contains the most current info about Social Security Funds, Retirement Benefits, Disability Benefits, Survivors' Benefits, Medicare, Request for SS Statement and other benefit info. Members should contact their Delegate to review the booklet if they have any Social Security questions.
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16. FF Berkhout Assailants Convicted & Sentenced
The three men who assaulted and critically injured FF Richie Berkhout E-298 on 9-11-06 in Suffolk County were sentenced on February 4th to 12, 14 and 20 years for their vicious attack on Richie and his wife. The Berkhout family would like to thank all the members who turned out to the arraignment, trial days and sentencing in February.
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17. Muscular Dystrophy Donations
This is a reminder that all donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc that were collected as part of the UFA's annual $1 per member per meal program should be submitted as soon as possible to the MDA. Please make checks out to the MDA and send them to: MDA, PO Box 3178, Grand Central Station, New York NY 10163. Thanks to everyone who participated!
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18. CANCELED: 3/13 Corned Beef Contest
The Corned Beef contest, published in 65-2 #16, which was to take place on Thursday, March 13th, is canceled.
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19. Annual Palm Sunday Mass at Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance
REMINDER: Sunday, March 16th, 2pm, Our Lady of Solace Shrine R.C. Church Mermaid Ave. & W. 17th St.- Coney Island. Members are requested to meet at The Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance one hour before and after Mass. The Wall is located at 1904 Surf Ave., B'klyn, NY (at KeySpan Park). For more info: www.BROOKLYNWALL.org or Fire Marshal Bob Cashman 718-999-0740.
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20. King of the Ice Hockey Tournament & FD-PD Hockey Game
The tournament beginning on Wednesday March 19th ends on Sunday April 6th when the Final Game will take place at 10am, Nassau Coliseum before the NYPD-FDNY Hockey Game. Tickets: $18 are available through team members or the Nassau Coliseum Box Office. For more info, including a schedule of tournament games between March 19th & April 6th, contact Pat Cleary, 516-650-7719 or go to www.fdnykingoftheice.com.
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21. FDNY/NYPD Racquetball Tournament
Saturday, April 5 & Sunday, April 6, 8am at Club Fit, 584 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY. Single matches will be played Saturday, doubles will be played on Sunday. Members who want to enter the tournament must submit entry forms by March 29. Proceeds from the event benefit the Widows & Children's Fund. For entry forms & further info contact Ret. FF Siegy Klammer, 845-306-8355.
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Fraternally,
Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
