Letters to the Editor
FDNY Retaliation Condoned

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the recent decision reached in the reinstatement of Brian Colella as an FDNY Electrician (March 30 issue).

The question that should be raised is why hasn't the Fire Department sought disciplinary charges against Building Maintenance Division Supervisors. Apparently, the abuse of authority, misconduct and mismanagement of the trade supervisors is a quality that is condoned downtown. Let it be known that Brian Colella has not been, or will be, the only victim of retaliation. Fifteen other men from the Division have been victims of retaliation, harassment and discrimination under the leadership of FDNY Assistant Commissioner Joseph M. Mastropietro, Provisional Supervisor of Mechanics Dan Wallen, Supervisor of Mechanics Joe Yung, Supervisor of Carpenters Carlos Garguilo and Supervisor of Electricians Dominick Moretti. The supervisors' unaccountable acts of retaliation have resulted in the devastating loss of our employment from the Fire Department.

Joseph Mastropietro has zero tolerance when a union member files a grievance. As a result, "no disciplinary action is being contemplated at this time." Additionally, no disciplinary action was contemplated when these supervisors:

1. Assaulted a number of our members.

2. Openly committed acts of official misconduct, then rewarded those who took part in the official misconduct.

3. Violated Federal, state and city laws. 4. Obstructed justice. 5. Tampered, altered and destroyed FDNY records. 6. Bribed our employees. 7. Made unauthorized deductions out of our paychecks from money we earned.

8. Made unauthorized deductions out of our paychecks from annual leave and sick leave balances we earned.

9. Gave the majority of the shop negative performance evaluations. 10. Filed false charges against us and falsified official documents.

And last but not least, these supervisors openly and repeatedly took retaliatory disciplinary actions against us to include dismissal, demotion, suspension, transfer, reassignment, failure to grant a requested transfer or reassignment, disciplinary action, negative performance evaluation and took actions against us that resulted in loss of staff, office space, equipment or other benefits.

I was suspended two times for 30 days each, Colella was suspended four times for 30 days each for alleged violations that were submitted by our supervisors unknown to us. On the other hand, these supervisors committed willful retaliatory acts - some that warrant felony and misdemeanor charges. But what the FDNY spokesman seems to be saying is that we don't serve supervisors with disciplinary charges. We reward them with promotions.

Joseph Mastropietro never bothered to investigate incidents of supervisors failing to submit paperwork associated with Workmen's Compensation or the Family and Medical Leave Act. In fact, Joseph Mastropietro, along with Provisional Supervisor of Mechanics Daniel Wallen, were instrumental in my wrongful termination. At the time, I was on approved Family and Medical Leave caring for my wife, who is afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. This is yet another violation and example of how even Federal laws do not apply to Joseph Mastropietro or the FDNY.

Joseph Mastropietro, unchecked and unaccountable ... a throwback to the pre-union days of this city.

ANTHONY GIORDANO

Editor's note: Mr. Giordano is a former Fire Department Carpenter.