• Past President Reports

Special Orders of Business

• 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.
• City Health/Medical Plan Carriers Here Today (See item #14)
• Quartermaster Lists Distributed Today (See item #7)

1. 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. See attached media clips.

2. 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.

3. UFA Active Dental Plan Improvements
UFA Treasurer Bob Straub reports significant improvements to the active member UFA Family Dental Plan. 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. 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.

4. 12% Specialty Pay Update
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.

5. LODI FICA Refund Filing Date Extended
See attached list of active & retired members that the NYC Office of Payroll Administration (OPA) has no record of receiving LODI FICA forms from. The OPA provided names only- not company numbers. The UFA mailed copies of this list to each FH and Delegate with 65-2 #79. It is also attached to this report. Members whose names are on the list should file immediately, or contact FDNY Payroll if you believe you have previously filed.

6. Battalion Advisory Committee for Political Action Meeting
There will be a meeting of the Battalion Advisory Committee for Political Action on October 16th at 10am in the fourth floor meeting room of the UFA. Although there are no major elections taking place this November, we will be discussing strategy for next year's elections and how to improve Firefighter participation in the political action process. If you cannot attend, please get a replacement from your battalion to attend. Contact Jim Slevin if you have any questions. A very informative article was published in this week's Chief-Leader which explains the many important aspects involved in developing and sustaining effective union political activity.

7. Quartermaster List Distributed Today
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 is being handed out to all Battalion Delegates today at each Borough Trustee's table. 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). Please review the list and notify your members that they should try to be seen before the end of this year. Also attached to the Quartermaster list is another list which shows the uniform items that are allotted to each NYC Firefighter. Please ask each member to make the effort to visit the Quartermaster and take advantage of what is contractually provided to us. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the UFA Health & Safety Office at 212-545-6965.

8. LODI Drug Card Update
The vendor has been selected, and as with all City contracts, it must be approved by the Comptroller and the Mayor's office. We are working with both to expedite the process and hope to have this completed in the near future.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Proposed Constitution Amendments
In accordance with UFA Constitution, the Constitution Committee met on September 18 to review proposed amendments, which were published in 65-2 #78. Proposed amendments will be discussed and voted on at the November Union Meeting.

13. 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.

14. 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. City Health/Medical Plan vendors are present today to answer your questions and distribute literature. Make sure you get the info you need to best protect your family!

Add-on Agenda: AFID Policy
After our membership meeting on October 11, 2007 the UFA was notified by the Department of its plan to increase AFID. The notification states that it is the Department's intention to expand AFID from 2 to 3 times per week. Our contract mandates that we be notified 14 days in advance of any intended alteration to an existing policy by the Dept, and that we have the right to oppose and comment regarding such change before implementation. A meeting between the Dept, Office of Labor Relations (OLR), UFOA and the UFA is scheduled for October 18th. At that meeting we will voice our objections to their plan and offer an alternative that will allow the FDNY to meet its obligations to protect both the public and Firefighters by having a building inspections program that improves saftey - not makes it worse.

Stephen J. Cassidy,
President