17 February 2015
President Michael Dunn called the February monthly meeting to order 1735hrs.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
The previous month's meeting minutes were dismissed- Geno, 2nd Rose, unanimous.
Officers and Committees:
Grievance Committee: Storm grievance for closing of City buildings and State roads. Following cops grievance.
Safety Committee:
United Way: Gone
MDA: Stacoffe taking over
Pension:
Awards Ceremony:
Bylaws:
Worker's Comp:
Social Committee:
Honor Guard: Bocchetta's house, February 27th at 7pm.dress warm.
St. Patty's Float: Ryan and Blaise will get going probably soon.
Golf Outing: May 26th. 1200lunch, 100 shotgun, dinner/raffle after, B is on days (1st) Luciano will send out email for flag committee to sell flags. Everything will be rolling out next month. Help needed to sell flags for sponsorships. Presidents Cup will be 2nd week of September, Ricci will have details when they come out.
Dunk Tank: Buried in snow.
Retirement Diner:
Toys for Tots:
Golf:
President's Report: In Hartford today to represent union regarding Cancer bill and PTSD healthcare proposals. Smaller turnout due to weather. DeLauro and Blumenthal are typically upfront with us. We will keep everyone up to date as bills are voted on.
Joseph DeMartino resigned from department. He's currently in a program with the VA working on issues and getting help he needs. Officially done with department. We wish him the best.
Alternative work schedules have been discussed with Chief. Both sides want it, but current city administration is refusing ANY department spending or budget changes. Our impression is the change in schedule is not worth the risk as an MOU now, but will be discussed in negotiations next year. We currently have more to lose in regards to schedules and manpower if we force the issue now. Union plan is to negotiate with Chief and work out everything so we only have to discuss wages and benefits with the city during labor contract.
Transporting and EMS is currently at a standstill due to medicare and AMR issues. Will be negotiated when it comes up again. Likely with other contract issues as we come into negotiations. The union does NOT condone approaching the chief or chief officers regarding alternative work schedules and requests that it stop out of respect for the individual and the position.
Pension contract is still under revision. Discrepancies between TA items and City's interpretation of them. Bullet points will be shared. Not open for discussion and cannot be altered now: 10 year contract, 3 year calc changed to 2 year, contribution increase 2% accross the board (6,5,4% to 8,7,6%). Survivor's benefit changed based on worker's comp being deducted from pension for widow- State picks up that portion, but no language was in place to define that. COLA changed from 50% of raises to 1.5% of pension. Non-service changed to 3-year calc & 1% COLA, Service connected lost COLA unless totally and completely disabled- then will get 1.5%.
NEW MEMBERS after 2/1/15 service increased to 25 years, 2%/year, base salary, 1.5% fixed COLA, 10% contribution. We fought this, but PD folded and accepted terms for new hires and killed our fight. We will discuss entire contract when language comes back for ratification meeting whenever that happens.
Communications and Bills
Thank you from James Mattioli 5K road race committee for our donation. Race is March 21st.
Wine and beer tasting for Burn Unit 6-9 pm Thursday the 19th at Trumbull Marriott.
Unfinished Business
None
Good & Welfare
Chris Brown and Gary Guilmette's Mothers & Tummins' mother-in-law passed away
Retired FF Dulin passed away- no services per the family
Piskura back
Maurutis going to doctor to see when he comes back
Hornig out
Tummins out
Murph had a baby
Treasurer's Report
None
New Business
HOPE Organization (cancer patients) approached us for support. Similar to Burn Unit. Sponsors cancer patients to stay at centers when they come this way for treatment. Will be discussed at later date as donation for dunk tank this year
Motion to adjourn: Rose
2nd: Luciano
Unanimous
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael Geanacopoulos, Secretary
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