 |
FDNY.net Updates:
Coming soon: Bravest.com the ultimate FDNY community site
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Firefighters Quarterly Magazine
Cover >> Contents >> Union News
UNION NEWS
NYC Firefighters Win 3.5 Percent Retroactive Wage Increases Dating Back to 2006 & 8.16 Percent Increase for 2008-2010 Contract Cycles
The Executive Board of the Uniformed Firefighters Association today announced that it has reached an agreement with the City of New York giving New York City Firefighters a 3.5 percent retroactive wage increase dating back to July 2006, as well as an 8.16 percent increase in base wages with additional monies for discretionary spending for the current 2008-2010 contract cycle. "We are pleased to have gained not only an 8.16 percent raise for New York City Firefighters, but also 3.5 percent retroactive raise dating back to 2006," stated Steve Cassidy, UFA President. "This agreement better compensates firefighters for the dangerous and difficult job they do for all New Yorkers. Although the city could never afford to pay firefighters what they truly deserve, this is another step in the right direction." During the 2006-08 contract cycle the UFA set the pattern. As part of that deal the UFA was able to obtain rock solid contract re-opener language, which also covered the previous contract (2004-06), mandating that if any other uniformed union negotiated or arbitrated a settlement at a higher rate, the firefighter contract would be renegotiated. With this agreement two pending contract matters are resolved: 1) the re-opener clause for the 2004-2006 contract cycle, in effect increases the previous firefighter raise of 3 percent and 3.15 percent to 4.5 percent and 5 percent, retroactively to July 2006; 2) for the 2008-2010 contract cycle, firefighters will also see raises of 4 percent and 4.16 percent, plus additional discretionary monies to increase firefighter benefits. Mr. Cassidy concluded, "I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Hanley and his staff and the entire UFA Executive Board for having the resolve to get this done." The UFA will now move forward with its contract ratification process. The first stage is a vote by the Executive Board, then battalion delegates, company delegates and finally the full membership. The full ratification process is expected to be completed on or about December 11.
STATEN ISLANDERS & FIREFIGHTERS PROTEST FDNY CLOSURES
Elected leaders, community activists, residents and business leaders joined with New York City Firefighters to protest the proposed night time closure of FDNY Engine 161 in Staten Island. The rally took place outside Engine 161 and Ladder 81 on McClean Avenue in Staten Island. According to a plan announced by FDNY Commissioner Nick Scoppetta, on January 17, four FDNY fire companies are stated to be closed each and every night between the hours of 6 pm - 9 am and one on Governor's Island will be closed entirely. In addition to E-161, other fire companies slated for night closures include: Engine 4 in Manhattan; Engine 271 in Brooklyn; and Ladder 53 in the Bronx. "In the post 9-11 world the FDNY's expanded role to protect New Yorkers simply can not be accomplished by service reductions," said Steve Cassidy, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. It was also just weeks ago that Lieutenant Robert J. Ryan of Engine 155 lost his life in an overnight fire in the New Brighton section of Staten Island. According to FDNY statistics, two thirds of civilian fatalities take place at night. Also according to FDNY, in the last four years New York City Firefighters have responded to the most emergency calls annually than in the entire 143 year history of the FDNY, with this trend continuing with the increasing volume of overall emergency calls. "With fire companies busier then ever responding to a growing number of emergency calls, now is certainly not the time to simply abandon night time protection for the people in these communities." Cassidy added, "While it is clear that the city is facing difficult financial times, you just can not place a dollar value on human life."
Statement from Eddie Brown, UFA Bronx Trustee Regarding City Island Water Rescue & Proposed Firehouse Closures
"As today's water rescue in City Island of a drowning woman with hypothermia demonstrates, any significant delay in firefighter emergency response can mean the difference between life and death. In this case, a resident of City Island was saved from the frigid waters during a snow and ice storm. If firefighters had to come from a more distant location onto the island it is doubtful this woman would have been rescued in time to save her life. This is just another reminder that closing Ladder 53 and other community fire companies jeopardize the lives of New Yorkers."
Cover >> Contents >> Union News
UNION NEWS
NYC Firefighters Win 3.5 Percent Retroactive Wage Increases Dating Back to 2006 & 8.16 Percent Increase for 2008-2010 Contract Cycles
The Executive Board of the Uniformed Firefighters Association today announced that it has reached an agreement with the City of New York giving New York City Firefighters a 3.5 percent retroactive wage increase dating back to July 2006, as well as an 8.16 percent increase in base wages with additional monies for discretionary spending for the current 2008-2010 contract cycle. "We are pleased to have gained not only an 8.16 percent raise for New York City Firefighters, but also 3.5 percent retroactive raise dating back to 2006," stated Steve Cassidy, UFA President. "This agreement better compensates firefighters for the dangerous and difficult job they do for all New Yorkers. Although the city could never afford to pay firefighters what they truly deserve, this is another step in the right direction." During the 2006-08 contract cycle the UFA set the pattern. As part of that deal the UFA was able to obtain rock solid contract re-opener language, which also covered the previous contract (2004-06), mandating that if any other uniformed union negotiated or arbitrated a settlement at a higher rate, the firefighter contract would be renegotiated. With this agreement two pending contract matters are resolved: 1) the re-opener clause for the 2004-2006 contract cycle, in effect increases the previous firefighter raise of 3 percent and 3.15 percent to 4.5 percent and 5 percent, retroactively to July 2006; 2) for the 2008-2010 contract cycle, firefighters will also see raises of 4 percent and 4.16 percent, plus additional discretionary monies to increase firefighter benefits. Mr. Cassidy concluded, "I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Hanley and his staff and the entire UFA Executive Board for having the resolve to get this done." The UFA will now move forward with its contract ratification process. The first stage is a vote by the Executive Board, then battalion delegates, company delegates and finally the full membership. The full ratification process is expected to be completed on or about December 11.
STATEN ISLANDERS & FIREFIGHTERS PROTEST FDNY CLOSURES
Elected leaders, community activists, residents and business leaders joined with New York City Firefighters to protest the proposed night time closure of FDNY Engine 161 in Staten Island. The rally took place outside Engine 161 and Ladder 81 on McClean Avenue in Staten Island. According to a plan announced by FDNY Commissioner Nick Scoppetta, on January 17, four FDNY fire companies are stated to be closed each and every night between the hours of 6 pm - 9 am and one on Governor's Island will be closed entirely. In addition to E-161, other fire companies slated for night closures include: Engine 4 in Manhattan; Engine 271 in Brooklyn; and Ladder 53 in the Bronx. "In the post 9-11 world the FDNY's expanded role to protect New Yorkers simply can not be accomplished by service reductions," said Steve Cassidy, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. It was also just weeks ago that Lieutenant Robert J. Ryan of Engine 155 lost his life in an overnight fire in the New Brighton section of Staten Island. According to FDNY statistics, two thirds of civilian fatalities take place at night. Also according to FDNY, in the last four years New York City Firefighters have responded to the most emergency calls annually than in the entire 143 year history of the FDNY, with this trend continuing with the increasing volume of overall emergency calls. "With fire companies busier then ever responding to a growing number of emergency calls, now is certainly not the time to simply abandon night time protection for the people in these communities." Cassidy added, "While it is clear that the city is facing difficult financial times, you just can not place a dollar value on human life."
Statement from Eddie Brown, UFA Bronx Trustee Regarding City Island Water Rescue & Proposed Firehouse Closures
"As today's water rescue in City Island of a drowning woman with hypothermia demonstrates, any significant delay in firefighter emergency response can mean the difference between life and death. In this case, a resident of City Island was saved from the frigid waters during a snow and ice storm. If firefighters had to come from a more distant location onto the island it is doubtful this woman would have been rescued in time to save her life. This is just another reminder that closing Ladder 53 and other community fire companies jeopardize the lives of New Yorkers."
BRAVEST AWARDS DINNER Our annual Bravest Awards Dinner honors New York City Firemen who go above and beyond the call of duty. • Learn more about the event • Watch Videos from past dinners |
|
A YEAR OF 9/11 MESSAGES On September 12, 2001, we launched a feature on this site where visitors could post a message for New York’s Bravest. In the year that followed we recieved more than 2000 messages (many of which were printed in a special issue of Firefighters Quarterly Magazine). We still have them here on the site, as a memorial and a reminder. • 9/11 Message Center |
|
This is not an official City of New York or FDNY website. All information shall not be considered that given by the New York City Fire Department or FDNY. The FDNY acronym and the FDNY Shield Design are federal registered trademarks owned by the City of New York and are used herein with permission. |