Contract A Winner

To the Editor:

Congratulations to Steven Cassidy, the Uniformed Firefighters' Association executive board, Jim Hanley of the Office of Labor Relations and the Fire Department on the new Firefighter contract.

It was so important to negotiate the contract after the 2005 PBA arbitration which provided a 10.25-percent increase in salary but included a 4.24-percent productivity savings which was absolutely devastating to the collective bargaining for all the uniformed unions.

Specialization pay was a long-sought benefit that was finally obtained - and at no cost to the package. This will be expanded in future years. On 9/11/01 every firefighter responding from the special-operation companies died at the World Trade Center.

In August 2008, the next contract will be negotiated. There are so many special needs that are on the horizon that will have to be addressed. The UFA can in the coming years prepare and search such subjects as the Variable Supplements Fund, health-care costs and further pension changes that will be forthcoming.

The Firefighters deserve nothing less. On 9/11/01, the world saw what true heroes all firefighters are.

JIM BOYLE, Retired UFA President