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UFA to File for PERB Arbitration
The City failed to present a reasonable offer to the UFA at the August 12th and September 6th PERB mediation sessions. The UFA declared impasse on the 6th and announced it is immediately filing for binding arbitration in PERB in order to settle the contract. The announcement was made on the steps of City Hall that afternoon by President Steve Cassidy, with the entire Executive Board, shortly after the City failed to negotiate in good faith with theUFAat the last mediation session. 65-2 numbers 64 & 72, which outline the current circumstances, were faxed to all firehouses, and President Cassidy explained and answer questions at the Sept 8th union meeting.
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Your Company Out of Service? Fax the Form!!!
Rumors from reliable sources at HQ report that Mayor Bloomberg plans to close more firehouses after elections are over, further endangering civilian and firefighter lives. Keep faxing those forms to your Community Boards and City Councilpersons whenever your company is placed OOS. Your company's continual efforts have kept them informed of significant fire coverage lapses in their communities. The next time Bloomberg tries to close companies we'll now have numerous informed and concerned supporters who are in effective positions to help in our fight to prevent future closings. Fax numbers and forms are in the Delegate Manual, in the Legislative Book and References Book. See your Delegate to insure a adequate supply is maintained at your housewatch.
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Taylor Law Reform
A collective effort among many unions, including theUFA, has put forward bills in the State Legislature in an effort to make the Taylor Law more balanced, fair and effective. More info on the proposed legislation can be found on the UFA website Legislative Section. The participating unions continue to lobby the decision makers in Albany regarding this issue. The UFA will advise the membership of any updates.
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WTC Bill Update
UFA V.P. Jim Slevin reports that the World Trade Center Presumptive Disease Bill allows firefighters who responded during WTC rescue and recovery operations to qualify for three-quarters disability pensions. Members who have already retired and have subsequently become disabled, may seek a reclassification for a disability benefit under the law's provisions. All members that could potentially qualify will be receiving a registration form from the FDNY Pension Unit shortly, which must be filed within 2 years from the date the bill became law. Members must be partially or fully disabled to qualify for the benefit and cannot change retirement options if already selected. The 1-B Medical Board determines if a retiree is disabled in accordance with same standards that an active FF would be evaluated by. VSF money retirees were paid up until they are determined disabled will not have to be returned. V.P. Slevin answered questions at the Sept 8th union meeting and a 3-page memo from the NYC Law Dept regarding this law was distributed to all Delegates. Back To Top
New VSF Pension Statements
All members should have received their personal FDNY Pension Statements. DO # 83, Supplement # 57 explains many items on your statement. The UFA worked with the Department to establish this new statement, which now includes your VSF accrued value, if you qualify. Back To Top
Election Endorsements and Results
The UFA backed a number of candidates for various public offices. UFA VP James Slevin faxed a list of our endorsements to each firehouse on Special Election Issue 65-2 #69 of 2005, on 9/8. After the Primary on September 13th, the UFA faxed a follow-up list of all our candidates that won their respective races in 65-2 #75 of 2005. In addition, the UFA would like to thank all the membership that came out in support of our candidates. More info regarding upcoming races will be sent to the field as it becomes available.
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WTC Memorial Foundation -UFAWithdraws Support
On July 26th the UFA sent a letter to the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, the group charged with raising $500 million towards the construction of a memorial at Ground Zero, insisting that the International Freedom Center (IFC) be removed from the plans or UFA support would be lost. We are working with many 9-11 family groups and local/national politicians in an effort to remove the IFC from the future of the Site. The UFA letter and press articles were distributed to all Delegates at the Sept 8th Union Meeting. Visit the UFA website home page to play President Cassidy's TV interview on 'Road to City Hall' regarding this issue of significant importance to all Americans.
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Suspended Health Coverage Grievance: Need Your Help!
Members who have lost health coverage at any time during suspension are asked to contact Recording Secretary Joe Miccio at 212-545-6973 or RecordingSecretary@ufanyc.org or Fax to 212-683-4359. The UFA is fighting this policy in arbitration and is looking for additional documentation to support this extremely important case. Any documentation, including past suspensions or gaps in coverage even though you did not require medical care at that time, will be extremely helpful in insuring that this never occurs again to members and their families in the future. Let us know ASAP—and help protect your future! Back To Top
Treasurer 6-Month Financial Report
The UFA statement of financial report for the 6-month period ending
July 31, 2005 was mailed out the week of September 1st by the Treasurer's office to each Delegate for posting at each company.
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UFASafety Messages
UFA Sergeant at Arms Bill Romaka has begun to distribute Safety Messages in UFA 65-2 Faxes to remind the membership of safe actions, including excerpts from the Dept's safety policies. Take your safety responsibilities seriously at all times. For a complete list of all Safety Messages, visit the Health & Safety section the UFA website at www.ufanyc.org. Medical Office Question & Answers
UFA Health & Safety Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka prepared a list of questions and answers regarding circumstances members frequently find themselves in while on medical leave, light duty and reporting to the Medical Office. All Delegates are expected to personally go over this extremely helpful info with all members of their companies, point by point. With so many new members, it is critically important for senior members to insure they understand what to do when ill or injured. Wallet size copies for each company were distributed to all Delegates at the Sept 8th Union Meeting.
UFAScholarship Fund Applications
Applications for the 2005 UFA Scholarship Fund are available via the UFA website,www.ufanyc.org. Applications and enrollment verification must be received at the UFA Scholarship Fund office postmarked no later thanOctober 3, 2005. Please see website for Application/Eligibility Guidelines & submission directions. Back To Top
UFAHurricane Relief Efforts: Help Fellow FFs!!!
The UFA donated $100,000 to the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund to aid our fellow firefighters whose lives will never be the same as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Many have lost everything and will need to rebuild their homes. Members/house commissaries are encouraged to contribute. Mail to:
Eric Lamar, IAFF Disaster Relief Fund,1750 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006.
All donations are tax-deductible. 65-2 Fax #67 was sent to all companies with more info. In addition, theUFAhas strongly urged the Dept to move more quickly in sending firefighters to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Members wishing to participate must coordinate through chain-of-command, and should not attempt to travel to the disaster area unless arranged by the Dept. FDNY is making all arrangements, as requested by authorities in affected areas in conjunction with Federal assistance efforts.
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FDNY Hockey Team Tryouts
The FDNY hockey team is holding its 2nd consecutive week of open tryouts on Mon Sept 26th @10 AMat Iceland Hockey Rink -3345 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY. For more info or questions call Bill Kammerer,
516-897-0449 or Jimmy Connelly 631-384-6889.
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Volunteers needed for Tunnel To Towers Run
More volunteers are needed to help carry memorial banners and flags honoring the 343 members of FDNY killed on 9-11 at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Race on 9/25. Volunteers are asked to wear class A uniform and will line the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel as runners pass through. Back To Top
Thomas Elsasser Memorial One Pitch Tournament Hosted by E221/L104 will be held Tuesday Oct 4 at 10 AM at Cunningham Park - 73rd Ave/Francis Lewis Blvd. Cost is $300 per team and money raised goes to benefit the Thomas Elsasser Scholarship Fund. BBQ & beverages are included as well as memorial t-shirts. For more info call Ken Butler (Gr 2) or Rich Sweeney (Gr 15) at E221/L104 718-965-8221
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Emerald Society 40th Anniversary Dinner Dance
Fri. Nov. 4th 730PM @ the Original Antun's,96-43 Springfield Blvd. Queens Village. The event honors 2005 Irishmen of the Year – BC Richie O'Shea & BC Edward Moriarty. Tix are $75 per person. More info call Artie Evans 718-447-3220 (h) or 718-494-4279 (w)
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Volunteers Needed - Day at the Zoo for Special Needs Children
Mon Oct. 3rd volunteers are urgently needed to assist special needs children throughout the Bronx Zoo. Any amount of time is welcome to ensure these children enjoy a day of sun and laughter. Volunteers are asked to meet in the parking lot of the Bronx Zoo (Fordham Rd & Bronx River Pkwy) at 9 AM. Help bring a smile by helping these children on their special day. More info contact Nick Degaeta 718-698-334 Back To Top
FDNY Bravest Comics' Fundraiser forNew OrleansFirefighters
Comedy fundraiser at the world famous Laugh Factory (8th ave off W42st) on Tuesday Sept 27th @8pm. This show will feature an all FDNY cast and money collected will go to the International Professional Firefighters Foundation and be earmarked specifically to help the firefighters of New Orleans. Please call the club for further Details and reservations at 212 586-7829 Back To Top
Fraternally, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
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