Brothers and Sisters,

Today the Union and management finalized and SIGNED the MOU necessary to begin the 2on/3off schedule.

The effective date will be February 14, 2010. A copy can be found in the MOU section, as well as the message board area.

Thank you all for your patience, support and understanding while this agreement was finalized.

STAY STRONG, STAY PROUD, STAY UNION!

Brothers and Sisters,

The core political principle of this union is we support those who support us. If you make promises to us, we will hold you accountable.

We held President Bush accountable when he made decisions that had a negative impact on our members' jobs and lives. We will do the same with this president and any future president.

Throughout the debate on health care reform, even before the proposed excise tax on so-called high cost health plans was proposed, our union has made it clear to Congress and President Obama that our goal is reducing health care costs while preserving the benefits our members already have without piling more taxes on the backs of hardworking Americans.

In 2008, then-candidate Obama promised three things. First, he would not raise taxes on folks making less than $250,000 a year. Second, he vowed not to tax your health insurance benefits. Third, he promised that under his health reform plan that people would be able to keep their existing coverage.

Now the administration is supporting a misguided excise tax on the premiums of some health plans that is in the bill passed by the Senate. This excise tax will affect many of the health plans covering our members. The Senate bill will either impose a tax on health care premiums provided to thousands of America's fire fighters, or to avoid the tax those benefits will be slashed.

I want to make sure every leader and member in this union knows the truth, which is that under this bill every special interest seemed to get something good – the insurance companies, the doctors, the drug companies all get something.

But, in the Senate bill, many of our members who have sacrificed for years to build solid health plans to protect their families will get screwed.

The deal isn't done, yet. The health care reform bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives does not contain this unacceptable tax and the leadership in the House, to date, is standing strong with us -- with 190 members of the Democratic Caucus signing a letter opposing the excise tax.

We applaud our House allies for their courage in waging this battle. And your union is continuing to fight to keep the excise tax out of the final bill.

We have made it clear to every senator and representative on Capitol Hill and to the president that we are fully and completely opposed to this tax and we will not compromise on it.

Rest assured that we are prepared to hold every elected official accountable on this issue, including the president.

I will update you again soon on the progress of this bill. 

In Solidarity,

Harold A. Schaitberger
General President 

December 15, 2009

To My Brother and Sister Fire Fighters and IAFF Members:

In 1988, I retired from the love of my working life, the Fire Department of New York.  For 32 years I gave my all - my guts, my heart and yes, my knees - and I gave it at 110 percent.  I spent 20 years on 31 Truck in the South Bronx, housed with Engine 82 in what we called "La Casa Grande."  As the South Bronx burned, we put out fire after fire, tour after tour.  And as a fire fighter I gave 110 percent. 

I left the Bronx in 1977 when I was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to Ladder 26 in Harlem, quartered with Engine 58 as "The Fire Factory."  Similar to the fire activities in the Bronx, we were doing over 6,000 runs annually.  And as a fire officer I gave 110 percent. 

From my first day on the job, I was a proud member of this IAFF.  I served as a Company Delegate, then on the Executive Board as the Financial Recording Secretary of Local 94, the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York.  After being promoted, I became a Battalion Delegate and then was elected to the Executive Board of Local 854, the New York Uniformed Fire Officers Association, as a Lieutenant's Representative, and within one year I was elected President.  And as a local union official, I gave 110 percent. 

During this time, I was the First Vice-Chairman of the largest fire fighter pension fund in the United States and Canada, then over $2 billion.  I chaired the annuity trust fund for my local and worked to increase it from $6 million in 1978 to $36 million when I left 10 years later.  And for the sound and prudent financial management of my union members' money, I gave 110 percent.

We worked for our members tirelessly, during labor strife, layoffs and even a short-lived strike, increasing their pay, benefits and retirement.  We worked to improve our members' life and medical insurance, as well as the continued and improved benefits for our retirees and widows.  And I gave 110 percent. 

We drafted and worked to implement legislation that directly affected our members' lives, including changes in the New York State Toxic Tort Law which gave injured fire fighters the right to sue for their injuries and exposures.  We aggressively and passionately lobbied for the passage of fire fighter occupational health and safety legislation, including the New York State Right-to-Know Law, the New York State Public Employee Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the New York State Fire Gas Toxicity Legislation.  We also drafted and fought hard for the New York State First Line Supervisors Program, which provided training, at the expense of the State of New York, for newly promoted first line supervisors for ALL paid fire departments in the state.  Each of these legislative successes remains in effect for fire fighters today, and it was our union that won these legislative battles.  And I gave 110 percent.

During my presidency of Local 854, we were the first in the state to be awarded funds to develop a safety and health office within our local, which allowed us to hire professional health and safety personnel, conduct seminars and send bi-monthly health and safety newsletters to each of our union members.  When the IAFF asked, I proudly represented them on numerous NFPA committees, addressing fire fighter health and safety, incident command, infectious diseases and safety officers.  I was a charter member on the NFPA 1500 committee and assisted in drafting the first edition of that standard ? 26 years ago!  I am on the Board of Directors of the NFPA to ensure that issues affecting the IAFF are addressed in their standards.  And I gave 110 percent.

Of course, my proudest union moment came in 1988 when I was elected as this great union's General Secretary-Treasurer.  I accepted the challenge to serve as the IAFF's financial officer, leaving my beloved city and retiring from the only job I ever wanted to have, a union fire fighter.

During my 21 years as your General Secretary-Treasurer, I partnered with our General President and the IAFF Executive Board to take our union's finances and administration to a place we never dreamed of just a few years before.  We implemented new programs, updated processes and provided tools to the affiliates to assist with membership and accounting issues.  We have worked diligently to grow our membership, not just in finances and numbers, but also in influence, especially within the North American labor movement.  We have spent your union dues money wisely and our membership is getting the most for their per capita dollar, particularly in this tough economic time.  And despite some difficult financial years, we continued to significantly increase our level of services to our members.  And I gave 110 percent.

The lowest moment in my life was of course September 11, 2001.  I walked Ground Zero with General President Harold Schaitberger, talking to our members and digging to find our comrades. As I read list after list of the names of the fallen Brothers -- many my dearest and closest friends -- as I sat and worked with the executive boards of Local 94 and 854, I knew we as a union needed to rise where we never had been before -- and we did.  It became the proudest time in my career.  We came to the plate and provided for our New York locals, our members and the families of the living and the lost.  We gave our all and I gave 110 percent.

It has now come the time in my cherished union career, as one of your principal officers, to retire.  After 32 years of climbing ladders, humping tools and crawling through smoke-filled hallways and over the thousands of parapets, combined with over 50 years of union work as a fire fighter representing fire fighters, this body of mine just can't give anymore.

I won't allow myself to hold onto such a critically important office just to maintain the position when I know I can no longer give that 110 percent, and so I am now regrettably ready to turn over these reigns and leave a job that I love for the second time. 

But I am not going far away.  I have assured Harold and our Executive Board that I will work with them and our next General Secretary-Treasurer to assure a smooth transition.  I will continue to serve and counsel our great union, whenever and wherever the call arises.

And I will spend my time -- time that I have often missed over the past 50 years -- with my wife, Linda, as well as my children, Janice, Suzanne, Chrissy, Kathy, and my six grandchildren.

It has been a great ride. May God bless each and every one of you -- my brothers, my sisters, my fire fighters, my friends!

Fraternally,

Brothers and Sisters,

President Obama has signed the Defense Authorization Act. Included in the Legislation is the REPEAL of NSPS beginning 2012. This was the Pay for Performance plan implemented by the last administration which would have ultimately done away with workplace and personnel protections under the auspices of pay for performance. The Act was extremely ANTI-Union and was fought by a consortium of Labor organizations, including IAFF 16th District Vice-President Jim Johnson. THANK YOU!!!

Equity was finally achieved for FERS retirees. FERS employees will receive credit for UNUSED sick leave toward their retirement annuity. Similar to what CSRS retirees have enjoyed for years.  This benefit will hopefully encourage workers to use their sick leave wisely since they will receive credit upon retirement.

Brothers and Sisters,

The rumors roaring like a wind driven wildfire are TRUE. Local F33 and Management have agreed to implement the 2on/3off work schedule begining January1, 2010. Details and more information will be available soon.

As we all know this has been a LONG and arduous process and we thank all of you who have waited patiently and allowed the process to work itself through. January 1 is the targeted implementation date and we will work tirelessly to make that happen.

Fire Prevention will also begin a trial period for their new schedule.

THANK YOU all again for your hard work, assistance and most importantly trust in allowing Local F33 to represent you.

Brothers and Sisters,

As almost all of you are aware, early this year Management petitioned the FLRA to consolidate all IAFF bargaining units in the Region. This request was granted and the process has been ongoing ever since. Recently a committee was formed to begin drafting a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, this process has just begun and we are working closely with IAFF leadership and all other affiliates affected in crafting this new document.

If Members have constructive ideas, concepts, proposals, or questions relating to this process please contact any of the following committee members:

President Massone

Vice-President Fredericks

Vice-President Larsen

Trustee Squier

Congratulations and THANK YOU to ALL who participated in the 2009 MDA "Fill the Boot" boot drive. Special Kudos go to Firefighter Anthony Glorioso, our MDA coordinator for making this year an unbelievable success. Below is a thank you from MDA.

ATTENTION

All members who have not yet received A union card from the IAFF please send me an e-mail no later then October 1, with your full name.  I am gathering a list to cross reference with the IAFF to ensure that you do get your card and member # from them.  My e-mail is ray.macias@navy.mil thank you

ATTENTION PLEASE POST — DO NOT APPLY REQUEST FROM SAN MIGUEL FIREFIGHTERS

Fire chief recruits during tough negotiations process

San Miguel Firefighters Local 1434 has forwarded the following message, urging CPF members not to apply for temporary or part-time positions within the San Miguel Fire District in solidarity with San Miguel firefighters:

San Miguel Firefighters Local 1434 (San Diego County), like many of you, is facing harsh negotiations this year. In the past month, we have already lost one engine company (E-15 (one crew of our only two house station) in Casa De Oro, which was closed on June 29, 2009).

Contractual talks have been underway for some time now, and are progressing slowly. The local has taken the stance that its members will not participate in non-essential, non-suppression overtime during this time of fiscal crisis to demonstrate our fiscal correctness. In addition, members have agreed to not participate in public education and community speaking projects (off duty on overtime) which the Chief and Board of Directors feel are more important than maintaining basic benefits for it workforce, all-the-while, requesting a 10+ percent pay/benefit cut from them.

The Chief and Board of Directors have openly stated that they will recruit help from locally qualified individuals who are willing to work on projects like public education and other "necessary" assignments, and compensate them on a "cash" bases. These people they refer to are your members! Instead of addressing the issues, The Chief has chosen to step over it, and our Board of Directors continues to support his decision.

We are requesting that all our fellow labor groups join us in forcing them to reconsider their ridiculous position by requesting that you support us in not allowing any of your members to accept temporary or part-time positions within the San Miguel Fire District during our current negotiations process. In turn, I assure you that my members will be equally supportive to your organizations fights.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

                                                                           111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3186

To provide for the more accurate computation of retirement benefits for certain firefighters employed by the Federal Government.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 13, 2009

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

A BILL

To provide for the more accurate computation of retirement benefits for certain firefighters employed by the Federal Government.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that--

(1) certain firefighters employed by the Federal Government are required by law to work a regular tour of duty consisting of 72 hours per week;

(2) 19 of those 72 hours per week are considered to be overtime hours for purposes of computing pay;

(3) the pay computed for those 19 overtime hours each week are not accurately accounted for when computing such firefighters' retirement benefits; and

(4) those inaccurate retirement computations have led to reduced retirement benefits for Federal firefighters.

(b) Purpose- The purpose of this Act is to correct the manner in which retirement benefits for Federal firefighters are computed so as to account for pay earned for regularly scheduled overtime hours during a normal tour of duty.

SEC. 3. COMPUTATION OF ANNUITY BASED ON CERTAIN FIREFIGHTER SERVICE.

(a) In General- Section 5545b of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(e) For purposes of any determination of `average pay' under section 8331(4) or 8401(3), in the case of a firefighter who is subject to subsection (b), the rate of basic pay in effect for such firefighter for a year of creditable service (or, in the case of an annuity under subsection (d) or (e)(1) of section 8341 or under chapter 84 based on less than 3 years of creditable service, for any other period of creditable service) shall, in addition to the amount determined under subsection (b) for such year (or other period), include an amount equal to one-half the firefighter's basic hourly rate (as computed under subsection (b)(1)(A)) for such year (or other period) times the number of overtime hours included as part of such firefighter's regular tour of duty during such year (or other period).'.

(b) Conforming Amendments- Sections 8331(4) and 8401(3) of title 5, United States Code, are amended by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting `, subject to section 5545b(e);'.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to any annuity, entitlement to which is based on a separation from service occurring after the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Advocates of pay parity are asking the House Appropriations Committee to give civilian federal workers the 3.4 percent annual pay raise a separate panel approved for the military as part of the fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill.

That figure is 0.5 percentage points higher than the 2.9 percent 2010 pay hike President Obama requested for the military in his February budget outline, and 1.4 percentage points more than his recommended civilian pay boost. Obama said at the time that the smaller civilian raise would bring "federal pay and benefit practices more in line with the private sector," which is suffering from the economic downturn.

"Federal employees work side by side with military personnel both here and abroad and deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary efforts," House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., and Federal Workforce Subcommittee Chairman Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., wrote to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., on June 22. "Civilian employees serving at [Defense], FBI, State, [Homeland Security], and at many other agencies support the men and women of the armed forces and work tirelessly to ensure the security of our nation."

Freshman Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., called for pay parity in March, but did not name a figure. Lynch earlier this year said he would ask for as much as a 3.9 percent pay raise for both military and civilian employees.

Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said on Wednesday that pay parity was an important principle that Congress should continue to uphold.

"Whatever the number, NTEU fully supports pay parity between civilian and military employees," she said.

House lawmakers on Wednesday revived federal retirement reforms that were stripped out of the newly enacted tobacco legislation.

H.R. 2990, which would allow veterans receiving disability benefits from the Veterans Affairs Department to receive full retirement benefits from the Defense Department, included a provision that would let employees in the Federal Employee Retirement System count unused sick leave toward their pensions. The House, which approved the bill under a suspension of the rules, plans to roll H.R. 2990 into the fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill.

Other measures included in H.R. 2990 would make it easier to rehire federal retirees part time; modify how the Civil Service Retirement System calculates annuity payments for employees who retire as part-time workers; and move federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories from cost-of-living adjustments into the locality pay system. In addition, H.R. 2990 permits FERS workers to redeposit retirement funds, including interest, collected after leaving government upon returning for a second round of service. It would also allow District of Columbia Circuit Court employees, who are now considered federal workers, to count their time as district employees toward their retirement.

One federal retirement reform not included in H.R. 2990 was a provision that would allow federal retirees rehired by the government to keep their full annuity payments. Supporters of the measure had argued it would give agencies more flexibility to use experienced workers to meet agency needs, but some unions said it would put current workers at a disadvantage and circumvent fair hiring procedures.

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association issued a press release praising H.R. 2990, but criticized lawmakers for leaving the rehiring provisions out. That provision could be included in the Senate's version of the Defense authorization bill.

The following language was marked up this morning by the House Armed Services Committee in the National Defense Authorization Act.  We will have to wait and see how the language fares through the legislative process.

DOD Civilian Personnel

National Security Personnel System (NSPS)

Congress has enacted several changes to NSPS, and is encouraged by the administration's decision to review the system. However, concerns about NSPS' effectiveness and impact on employees remain. The committee therefore restores the full 100% nationwide adjustment (a cost-of-living pay increase) requirement for all employees under NSPS. Currently, NSPS employees only receive a 60% adjustment. Further, DOD is not permitted to reclassify any General Schedule (GS) positions to NSPS, and all new hires must enter the GS system.

Finally, within one year of the bill's enactment, the department is required to return all NSPS positions to the GS system. The Secretary of Defense is directed to provide a report on NSPS within six months prior to the deadline to allow Congress sufficient time to consider his recommendations. Similar restrictions are imposed upon the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System.

Brothers and Sisters, Hopefully this language survives. Stay tuned!