Union Issues, Events & Benefits
- SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR FDNY MEMBERS
- UFA DELEGATE HEALTH/SAFETY TRAINING
- NIOSH - STUDY ON FIREFIGHTER INJURIES
- UFA WEB SITE
- AFLAC PROGRAM
- ANSWERS ON THE RETIREMENT PROCESS
- UFA CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT PASSES
- JOHN O'REGAN BURN CENTER RUN
- KEVIN KANE GOLF OUTING
- GUNS AND HOSES BOXING SHOW - FIRE vs. POLICE
The New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Association and the New York State Professional Firefighters Association will be sponsoring six (6) $1,000 scholarships to any child whose parent is a member of the NYSPFFA. The scholarship competition is open to high school seniors and recent high school graduates who will not have completed more than one year of college by September of 1999. An applicant must not have graduated from high school before 1998. Applicants will be required to take the SAT or ACT test. Students must have taken this examination no later than January of 1999.
We encourage you to duplicate the application so all members who want one will receive it. Also, see the instruction sheet for details. These two flyers will be enclosed with this mailing. DEADLINE - must be postmarked by June 12. Winners to be announced at the Annual New York State Convention to be held the week of July 12th. Good luck!
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UFA DELEGATE HEALTH/SAFETY TRAINING
Sergeant-at-Arms Charles Bohan has announced Delegate trainings will be conducted on Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25 at the UFA Office Building on 23rd Street. The same agenda will be presented both days, so attendance at only one will suffice. Report to the 4th floor meeting room for this 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Health and Safety Session. Proposed topics are Terrorist Tactics, Collapse, FDNY/OSHA Status: What members should be doing about potential safety and health issues. Please notify Jude Gaddis at 212-545-6965 if you plan to participate. Street parking is very limited.
NIOSH - STUDY ON FIREFIGHTER INJURIES
With the assistance of both the UFA and UFOA, a study will begin relating to the correlation between firefighter injuries and the length of time our members operate at a fire scene. NIOSH - National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, through the guidance of Dr. Prezant and Montefiore Hospital will begin this study in various firehouses throughout the City to monitor the work time and the various injuries incurred by our members. The UFA encourages complete and honest participation with this program. We will give you more information in the near future.
UFA WEB SITE
We are pleased to announce that the UFA web site is up and running. It can be accessed through the following address: www.ufalocal94.org. The site will be updated regularly and will contain 65-2's, Fire Lines articles, SBF information, forms and other important information. The site will also provide links to the 457 web site, CIGNA web site, Goldis Financial web site and others. We look forward to developing this site into a useful tool for our membership. Please contact Mike Carter with any questions or suggestions you may have.
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AFLAC PROGRAM
The response to date has been excellent. Any member who has not yet applied, may do so by sending signed application back immediately. If you misplaced your AFLAC packet or did not receive one, please call their office at - 800-366-3436 and an application will be forthcoming. This could be the best $.46 a day you ever spent! Remember, it's on our payroll deduction system!
ANSWERS ON THE RETIREMENT PROCESS
Retirement for Service Process - Submit your paper - the earliest you can retire is 30 days after you submit the papers. You can also use all your leaves and then retire..
Disability Retirement Process - 1st Process - 3 Man Board is a duty status board to determine full duty, light duty or limited service. (In House Evaluation by BHS doctors); 2nd Process - 1-B Board still is a duty status board, but it also examines causation for Line-of-Duty or Non Line-of-Duty disability (outside doctors).
Final Process - Board of Trustees - Also known as the Pension Board is where your case is presented for retirement and final determination. 4 members from the UFA Board - (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of Trustees), along with 3 members of the UFOA and 1 member from the Marine Division sit on this Board. The City has representatives from the Mayor's Office, the Commissioner's Office, the Comptroller's Office and the Office of Finance and Budget. The votes between the City side and the Union side is equal. It is necessary to get a majority of the votes in order to receive line of duty disability determination.
If you want to lock in your retirement date and you have at least 20 years of service, you may submit a service retirement paper and a disability paper. This will protect your retirement date regardless of how long it takes to have your Pension Disability Case heard. You also have a right to submit a disability paper at any time up to your retirement date. If you have less than 20 years, you can only submit a disability paper or a vested 15 year retirement request.
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UFA CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT PASSES
The following amendment was approved by a vote of the membership meeting body on April 8 and will be included in the next delegate manual update packet.
ARTICLE XIV - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING - SECTION 2 NEGOTIATIONS
i. Upon approval by a vote of the majority of the Executive Board, a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding of the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement; including all available Articles, Schedules and Attachments; and the vote of each member of the Executive Board shall be presented to the Battalion Advisory Committee. After discussion, a non-binding vote shall be taken for the purpose of informing the UFA membership of the committee's position on the proposed collective bargaining agreement.
ii. Upon approval by a vote of the majority of the Executive Board, a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding of the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement; including all available Articles, Schedules and Attachments; and the vote of each member of the Executive Board shall be sent to each of the Delegates no less than 10 days prior to the special meeting of the Delegates, at which it will be discussed.
iii. The proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement shall be voted upon by the Delegates in a roll call vote at a meeting to be held not less than 28 days after the special meeting of the delegates at which the written terms were discussed and shall be deemed approved if it receives the affirmative vote of the majority of the delegates present and voting at such meeting. If the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement does not receive Delegate approval it shall be deemed rejected and the Executive Board shall resume negotiations.
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JOHN O'REGAN BURN CENTER RUN
On Thursday, May 13th at 11:00 a.m., this 5K Run/Walk will be held as a New York vs. Boston Firefighter Challenge. It will incorporate a 5 K race, people's walk, children's run, award's ceremony and post race party into a day of festivities for family and friends. Sponsored by Engine 40 & Ladder 35 to support the Burn Center Foundation. The location is Central Park, starting and finishing at Tavern On The Green. Applications sent through the bag. For information call (212) 570-4240 or Jim O'Donnell (H) 516-928-8625.
KEVIN KANE GOLF OUTING
Call quick - just a few foursomes remain open for the Thursday, May 6th outing at Dyker Golf Course, Brooklyn. An 8:00 a.m. shotgun start kicks off the fundraising effort benefitting the Kevin Kane Memorial Fund. The $95 per person fee includes shirt, balls, tees and complete barbeque. Hole sponsors are $100 each. Come just for the 12:00 Noon (until ?) barbeque for only $25 if you can't play. For information call Chris Gunn, Jim Lang or Vic Ruzicka at (718) 965-8207.
GUNS AND HOSES BOXING SHOW - FIRE vs. POLICE
On Thursday night, May 13th, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a new Boxing Team challenge pitting the Bravest against the Finest. Show your support and exercise your vocal chords at the Regiment Armory on Lexington Ave & 26th Street, Manhattan. Proceeds for FDNY to benefit the 'Irish Hunger Memorial' and the UFA Widow's and Children's Fund. For information call Manny Fernandez (Retired) or Bill Whelan (Engine 216) at 718-332-8125. This is always an exciting event!
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Fraternally,
WILLIAM F. MIRRO
Recording Secretary
KEVIN E. GALLAGHER
President
