PPE Boots: Management with input from the Union will complete the hazard assessment survey. There will be one hundred and ten members picked at random to test four different types of PPE Boots. Each member will test each pair of boots for two weeks. The entire process from testing to ordering is expected to take four months. We expect to receive new PPE Boots by late Spring to early Summer. Until then we will continue to wear the black work boots or shoes.
Grievances: We have generated a fourth Step III out of title grievance. This grievance is directed toward Single Supervisor Stations or BBS. According to our job description the Captain is responsible for the everyday operations of an EMS Station. Therefore, leaving a Lieutenant to operate the everyday operations of a Station is out of title.
Retro-salary and Raises: We have received all retroactive payments and increases except for 2008, 2009 .11 percent additions to gross (meal money, uniform allowance, etc.). The seven, fifteen and twenty year longevity differential is not in the additions to gross category. Therefore, any increases to the longevity must be negotiated separately. Our contract ends August 2010.
Citytime: Division Three is now online completing the citytime payroll project in EMS. The Department will install printers at all stations by June 18, 2010. This will allow all members to print out their time sheets. Until the printers are installed we are to issue any member a printout of their time sheet upon request. Capt. Joe Sanders will attend next month’s meeting to answer any questions members may have regarding citytime.
Spec Kits : The NYS – DOL issued citations against the FDNY for failure to provide corrective lenses for use with spec kits in the APR Masks. The department was to provide the lenses by December 30th 2009. That date has passed and the Department has requested an extension. The DOL will begin issuing fines to the FDNY once the extension is denied and they have failed to provide our members with the lenses.
50/25 or Chapter 96 Pension: Years ago two hundred and twenty members (2507 and 3621) had deposited their money into the 50/25, Chapter 96 Pension Plan. When the 25 and out Pension Plan arrived those members switched to the 25 and out Plan. Unfortunately, they were unable to withdraw or transfer their money out of the Chapter 96 Plan and into the 25 and out pension. Our Locals have joined forces and begun to draft legislation to retrieve that money for our members.
Station 40: Regardless of the violations that exists the Department intends to open this station before the end of the month. The day it opens the NYS - DOL will be there to inspect and issue violations. The violations that exists are, No second or third floor egress, No gas detection monitor in the kitchen, The front door is the only egress and is part of a roll down gate with a trip hazard, No railing for the roof top patio and the closet they refer to as a Supervisor office fails to meet ergonomic standards. Not to mention our Chiefs continue endanger the lives of the public and risk the health and safety of members by supporting the operations of Single Supervisor Station otherwise known as Battalion Base Station.
The Payment of Overtime: The last time the Department made an attempt to avoid the payment of overtime we won in a Step III hearing. Now the Department is attempting to apply this standard to D Platoon members. According to our contract members on A, B, C and D Platoon assigned to the Field, Operations and BOT are to be paid overtime with premium pay minute for minute. Members on D Platoon or Light duty (with the exception of EMD) are to receive a half hour meal break. Members that don't receive a meal break should be compensated with premium pay. A meeting has been scheduled with FDNY Labor Relations to clarify our position.
Evaluations: It's that time of year again. Another forest gone and many trees transformed into paper to be used for evaluations. Members are reminded evaluations should be worked on at the station (not home) either on overtime (if permitted) or while performing desk duties. The goal is to have evaluations completed by the end of January, but no actual date exists. Members should be given a reasonable amount of time (30 to 60 days) to complete evaluations.
In Solidarity,
Vincent Variale
President
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