• Past President Reports

• Security Benefits Fund (SBF) Help Table Today
  Members who require help regarding dental, prescription drugs, optical or any other benefits provided via the UFA SBF should visit the SBF table today. SBF personnel are there to help you.
• Delegate Seminar Verification at Recording Secretary Table Today
  The Delegate Seminar takes place May 1 - 4 in Atlantic City. You can verify your registration and have questions answered at the Recording Secretary/SBF Table today. Ask for Kevin. After you check in on Tuesday, May 1 at the hotel and with the UFA at the Convention Counter, the Welcome Suite complementary buffet will open at 4pm, which is sponsored by Chase Home Finance.

Special Order of Business

1. Special Delegate Meeting at 10am Today
Delegates take a roll-call vote today to determine if the members will have the opportunity to vote on the contract. If a majority of Delegates present vote to approve this, each member will receive a ballot in the mail in accordance with the UFA Constitution.

2. Contract Ratification Process and Dates

• 04/19: Delegate Contract Vote, if approved by the majority, the following will occur:
• 04/25: mail to all member residences terms of the entire collective bargaining agreement.
• 04/30: Ballots mail from American Arbitration Association to all member residences (and email to all overseas military members) if Delegate roll-call contract vote is approved at today's meeting.
• 05/10: Ballots counted at American Arbitration Association with UFA Election Committee and Recording Secretary oversight. A majority of members must vote in favor of the tentative agreement to ratify the contract.
• Week of 05/21: Expected announcement by Dept of dates for retroactive $$ pay and implementation of increased salary scales.

3. UFA Mailings to All Members Explain Tentative Contract
In order to insure that accurate information is provided to each and every member, the UFA mailed copies of the Contract FAQs, Salary Charts and DVD Videos to all member residences and firehouses. Each item is explained and many questions are answered regarding the tentative agreement.

4. Gov. Spitzer Approves WTC LOD Death Pension Legislation
Governor Spitzer has signed his first bill for FFs. This Bill closes a loophole that the City was using to deny full WTC LOD Death Pensions for our families. Families of members who die as a result of a WTC presumed illness will now receive full LOD pensionsÑeven if the death occurs after the member is retired. This law applies retroactively to families of all members who died prior to its signing into law. The latest issue of Firelines and the UFA website have updates and pending legislation listed.

5. Lobby Day in Albany June 12th
Firefighters once again will be traveling to Albany in support of various UFA Bills. All members will be receiving a legislative packet at home in the coming weeks. They will also receive a form that they are asked to fax back to the UFA regarding their participation in Lobby Day. Delegates should be compiling a list of those members that will be attending. It is essential that we once again have a large turnout to help advance the UFA legislative agenda.

6. Military Payback Legislation Needs Your Support
The UFA was successful in its 2006 efforts in getting a significant portion of the military debt forgiven for our members. However, the payback arrangement for the remaining debt is often miscalculated by the City, and is placing a burden upon our brave veterans. A UFA supported Bill has been introduced by City Councilman Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island) calling for the Mayor to forgive this debt. It was introduced as Resolution 0748-2007. We ask that all members who reside in NYC, to contact their City Council Member and seek his/her support for the resolution. If you do not live in the five boroughs, contact the Council Member who covers the area where you work. Members should also ask family members that reside in NYC to do the same. If your Council Member already has supported the Resolution, please send them an e-mail thanking them. The UFA website has all the contact information for the NYC council listed under the local government section of the legislative contacts section. Firefighter Paul Franco (FDNY VFW) E-76, has sent a letter to every firehouse with more details. These members need our help to assist their efforts to ease the financial burdens upon them.

7. WTC Notice of Participation Verification from Pension Unit
The FDNY Pension Unit will once again be providing at the Delegate Seminar an updated roster for each company delegate confirming all members who have sent in the form, all that have been verified and those whom the Dept has no record of receiving the form.

8. The City and Its Contractors Appeal a Decision of the District Court Allowing Claims of Injured 9/11 Rescue Workers to Proceed On October 17, 2006, U.S.
District Judge Alvin Hellerstein issued an important ruling allowing the claims of firefighters sickened by dust and contamination at the World Trade Center disaster site ("WTC Site") to proceed against the City and other defendants. The defendants are now appealing this decision to what is known as an appeals court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ("Second Circuit"). The District Court or lower court refused a request by the defendants, including City contractors responsible for debris removal operations at the WTC Site, to dismiss the cases. These defendants urged that the District Court grant them "immunity" or blanket protection from the lawsuits. They argued that since their efforts were a "good faith" response to an act of war, any failure to provide rescue personnel with appropriate, effective respiratory protection should be overlooked. The District Court rejected these arguments, and recognized that "the workers at the site were presented with a dangerous environmentÉthreatening their health and safety." If the responders are injured from their service at the WTC Site, the court reasoned, "their claims deserve to be heard." We will keep you updated when the Second Circuit issues its decision concerning the appeal. Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C., general counsel to the UFA, is one of the law firms named liaison counsel on behalf of injured workers in the WTC Site litigation. You are encouraged to contact the firm immediately if you are suffering from an illness or injury you think may be connected to your service at the WTC Site. Contact Michael Block, Esq. or Andrew Carboy, Esq. at (212) 732-9000 if you have any questions or are interested in bringing a claim.

9. CT Scan Letters Clarification & Other FF Health Info
UFA Health & Safety Officer / Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka reports the following: Recently some active and retired members have received letters from BHS informing them of an opportunity to receive a free CT scan. See attached 65-2 #31 for additional clarification info. Also, make sure your members read the ÔHealth & Safety Info' article, which is in the latest issue of Firelines. It contains important health and medical info that could save your life or the lives of your members.

10. Delegate Seminar Agenda
See today's draft of the Delegate Education Seminar Agenda (attached). It will help you plan which sessions and workshops you choose to attend.

11. Defensive Driving Free Class at Delegate Seminar
A Defensive Driving class will be offered once again to all Delegates by FAST Consultants Ñ free of charge. Receive a 10% auto insurance discount for 3 years. Save hundreds of dollars. The class begins at 5pm sharp on Tuesday, May 1. Must call to pre-register: Michael Chierico at 631-587-2435 or 516-527-5838.

Stephen J. Cassidy,
President