1. AFID Expanded-Emergency Battalion Delegate Meeting Called
After our membership meeting on October 11, 2007 the UFA was notified by the Department of its decision to increase AFID. A meeting between the Fire Dept, Office of Labor Relations (OLR), UFOA and the UFA took place on 10/18. At that meeting the UFA and UFOA both voiced strong objections to the Dept's plan and offered alternative program options that will allow the FDNY to meet its obligations to protect both the public and Firefighters by having a building inspections program that improves safety - not makes it worse. The meeting confirmed that the Dept intends to add a third 3-hour AFID each week, on weekday day tours, beginning this month. The new schedule is expected to publish on October 25. An emergency Battalion Advisory Committee (Battalion Delegate) meeting is scheduled for October 26 to discuss the Department's new B.I. policy. We will inform the membership as more info becomes available.
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2. New LODI Drug Card Issued
In accordance with the recently negotiated UFA Contract, effective November 1, 2007, all UFA members will be covered for Line of Duty drugs with the new LODI Prescription Drug Card. You will no longer have to lay out money for LODI prescriptions and wait several months for reimbursement. This new LODI Drug Card will save our SBF hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. This plan will be managed by Express Scripts. Express Scripts will be sending a 'welcome letter' to each UFA member with their new FDNY LODI Prescription Card beginning October 24, 2007.
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3. UFA Active Dental Plan: Big Improvements
UFA Treasurer Bob Straub reports significant improvements to the active member UFA Family Dental Plan with Healthplex. Effective November 1, a newly enhanced plan has been established which adds 4000 dentists who will accept the fees listed on the new UFA allowance schedule as payment in full for most of the common services used by our members and families. These improved benefits for members currently enrolled in the UFA Family Dental Plan will automatically take effect November 1st. A letter from Healthplex will be mailed shortly to all members in the UFA Family Dental Plan which will explain the increased benefits. In addition to the letter the members will be receiving a Directory containing the names and locations of 4000 Participating Providers. Members currently enrolled in the UFA's Dentcare Plan will also have the option to rollover to the enhanced UFA Family Dental Plan effective January 1st. More information will be announced soon for Dentcare members who are considering changing to the new plan. Healthplex administrator professionals will be at the November 8 Union Meeting to provide info and answer questions.
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4. LODI FICA Refund Filing Date Extended to 11/30/07
Per the NYC Office of Payroll Administration (OPA), the extended deadline date is November 30, 2007. A list was attached to the October Union Meeting President Report which contains names of active & retired members for whom the NYC Office of Payroll Administration (OPA) has no record of receiving the 1989-2005 LODI FICA Refund forms from. The OPA provided names only- not company numbers. The UFA also mailed copies of this list to each FH and Delegate with 65-2 #79. Members whose names are on the list should file immediately-via U.S. Mail certified return reciept-or contact the OPA at (212) 669-2333, (212) 669-2875, (212) 669-4133 or (212) 669-3669 if you believe you have previously filed. Visit the UFA home page at www.UFANYC.org for comprehensive info re the LODI FICA Refund process.
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5. UFA-UFOA Joint Press Conference: FDNY Cover-up in Deutsche Bank Fire Investigations
On Tuesday, October 9, UFA President Steve Cassidy, UFOA President Jack McDonald and their Executive Boards held a joint press conference at the UFA highlighting the cover-up at the highest levels within the FDNY and calling once again for Commissioner Scoppetta to resign or be fired. For comprehensive information, including press releases and media coverage regarding UFA actions taken, visit the UFA home page at www.UFANYC.org. A special section link at the top of the home page has been created for members to review the latest information regarding this very important issue.
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6. Student Loan Forgiveness for Firefighters
Update from the IAFF: The U.S. Congress and the President have approved legislation creating a new student loan forgiveness program for full-time professional fire fighters and other public safety employees who have served their communities for at least 10 years. Under the new program, firefighters will receive loan forgiveness after 10 years of service and 10 years of loan payments on eligible federal direct loans while employed in a public service job. They will be entitled to the cancellation of such loans' remaining balance and principal. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act, HR 2669, passed the House 292-97 and the Senate 79-12, and was signed into law by President Bush at the end of September. More info will be provided as it becomes available.
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7. 12% Specialty Pay Per Tour for Detailed Firefighters
Non SOC members detailed to any specialty pay units will receive a 12% differential TPR mark for each tour worked, plus portal pay, as soon as OPA creates a TPR code. FDNY Payroll expects the new TPR Code to be issued by the end of this month. The UFA will announce this info as soon as it becomes available.
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8. Update Your Address, Email, Phone #s with the UFA
Any Members and Delegates wishing to receive important information or notifications from the UFA should insure that their residence addresses, email addresses, home and cell phone numbers on file with the UFA are updated and accurate. In order to do this, you must prepare and sign a 'SBF Change of Address Form' and mail to the UFA, Attn: SBF. Forms can be obtained from your Delegate, who can assist you, or you can call the UFA SBF at 212-683-4723, or visit the Forms Section of the UFA web site at www.UFANYC.org.
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9. 9-11 Families Rally Against Rudy Giuliani
Executive Board members and off duty Firefighters turned out on Monday, September 24 to support 9-11 Families protesting the presidential bid of Rudy Giuliani. The UFA's position on Giuliani has clearly been stated in the IAFF's video that has been distributed nationally, which can also be viewed from the UFA website.
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10. Quartermaster List Distributed
At the request of the UFA's Health & Safety Office, the FDNY Quartermaster has provided the UFA with a list of members who have not been seen by the Quartermaster this year. This Quartermaster List was handed out to all Battalion Delegates at the October 11 Union Meeting. The list shows members who have not visited the quartermaster this year (as well as some members that have not visited the Quartemaster in a number of years). Also attached to the Quartermaster list was another list which shows the uniform items that are allotted to each NYC Firefighter. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the UFA Health & Safety Office at 212-545-6965.
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11. Health & Safety Office Newsletter
UFA Health & Safety Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka reminds members that the latest UFA Health & Safety Office Newsletter is posted and can be downloaded from the home page of the UFA web site at www.UFANYC.org. It will also be distributed from the Health & Safety Office Table at the November Union Meeting. It contains info about the $80,000 grant the Health & Safety Office received for providing safety training to our members. Additional articles include info about new firefighting gloves, PSA testing, CD-73s for the Steampipe Explosion and the Deutsche Bank Fire, WTC, PICA & WTC Prescription Drug Cards, drug resistant staphylococcus bacteria and more.
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12. Safe Apparatus Response & Placement Training Session 11/28
The UFA Health & Safety Office has arranged for a Safe Apparatus Response & Placement Training Session on Wednesday, November 28 starting at 1pm at the Turner Club in Throgs Neck, Bronx. Food and refreshments will be provided. A gift certificate for a FREE Body Scan at Inner Imaging will be given away to one participant. Training is provided through a grant from the NYS/DOL Hazard Abatement Board (Contract #012817). To RSVP for this event, please call 212-545-6965 or email cearly@ufanyc.org. RSVP by Wednesday, November 21.
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13. WTC Prescription Card Underutilized!
It is of extreme importance that members being treated for WTC ailments (i.e. - GERD, acid reflux, sinusitis, depression, etc.) fill these prescriptions using the WTC Prescription Card instead of the UFA Prescription Card. The WTC card has been underutilized to date. If you haven't received it, call the WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program at 718-999-1858 to be issued a new card.
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14. Fire Marshal Base & Fire Marshal Promotion Exam Update
Per DCAS, the next Fire Marshal exam is expected to take place in either January or February. Per the BFI, the new Queens Fire Marshal Base in Fort Totten is expected (not committed) to open in November. Additional info will be published as it becomes available.
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15. City Island Involuntary Details for 1 Year
The Chief of Operations issued a memo on August 14 ordering Divisions 1, 3, 6, 7, 14 and 15 to supply firefighters with a minimum of 5 years of experience to staff the units in City Island. Members who are involuntarily detailed to this location for a period greater than 90 days are asked to contact UFA Recording Secretary/Grievance Chairman Joe Miccio at 212-545-6973.
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16. Proposed Constitution Amendments
In accordance with the UFA Constitution, the Constitution Committee met on September 18 to review proposed amendments, which were published in 65-2 #78 and attached to the October and November Union Meeting notices. Proposed amendments will be discussed and voted on at the November 8 Union Meeting.
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17. City Health/Medical Plan Transfer Period
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). To make changes, (including enrolling in the Buy-Out-Waiver Program), the member must complete a Health Benefits Application. (To elect the Buy-Out Waiver Program or change health premium contribution tax status, members must fill out both a Medical Spending Conversion Enrollment/Change Form and a Health Benefits Application. Conversion Forms must be completed and returned to your agency personnel office or health benefits rep by Friday Nov 16, 2007.) Forms are available at www.nyc.gov/olr or through the health desk at Fire Headquarters. Members who waive their City health benefits, will lose their PICA drug coverage. Make sure you get the info you need to best protect your family!
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18. National City Credit Card Affiliation with UFA
The credit card issued by the National City Corporation no longer has an affiliation with the UFA. Members are advised that any renewal membership card received in the mail no longer has a fire logo on it. It does not provide a benefit for UFA Widows' and Children's Funds.
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Fraternally,
Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
