Oct 2006 In UNITY_FINAL_3.qxp - Sanitation Officers Association

Stewards
3 Shop
Hear about Contract
7 SSLU Reunion
LOCAL 444 SEIU
Bills Signed
10 9/11
into Law
SANITATION OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Vol. 2 Issue 2
Sept/Oct 2006
IN
4th Annual Shop Stewards Convention
Shop Stewards at this year’s Convention had a chance to hear first hand from the Union’s newly hired attorney brought on
to help close a contract deal with the City. Harry Greenberg of Greenberg, Burzichelli and Greenberg, gave a presentation on
where the SOA stands on contract talks, and answered questions about how he has been successful in helping other unions lock
in deals with the City. Shop Stewards walked away with true and accurate information to bring back to the membership.
“This Convention was a great opportunity for Shop Stewards to meet as one collective group and tend to Union business,”
said SOA President Joseph Mannion. “I know our contract is first and foremost on the minds of all our members.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of rumors circulating. Shop Stewards now have the answers to so many questions being thrown
their way each and every day.”
Mannion said the Convention is one of the best ways for Officers and Shop Stewards to plan for the upcoming year and focus
in on issues still on the current agenda.
Message From
IN
An Official Publication of
LOCAL 444 — SEIU
Sanitation Officers Association
8510 Bay 16th Street
2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11214
Ph: (718) 837-9832
Fx: (718) 837-9347
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.Local 444seiu.com
Officers/Trustees
Joseph Mannion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President
Frank Mazzocchi. . . . . . . . 1st Vice President
Joseph Castagno . . . . . . . 2nd Vice President
Glenn Ferber . . . . . . . . . Secretary-Treasurer
Arthur Catenacci . . . . . . . . . . Rec. Secretary
Executive Board Representatives
General Superintendents Level I
Patrick Molfetto. . . . . . . . . . (718) 835-7446
Alfred Steiger. . . . . . . . . . . . (718) 235-8515
Supervisors
Leonard Buonpane… . . . . . . (718) 370-5409
Phil Camilleri . . . . . . . . . . . . (718) 321-6412
Bob Casanovas . . . . . . . . . . (212) 868-0286
Joseph Dawson (4-12) . . . . . (718) 252-5560
Charles Diaz . . . . . . . . . . . . (718) 418-2230
Carlos Rivera . . . . . . . . . . . . (718) 714-2708
Zelig Wexler. . . . . . . . . . . . . (212) 569-6022
Boro Delegates
ME (M3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas Morrone
(212) 732-6468
MW (M4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Johnston
(212) 675-4571
BXE (BX11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al Pappalardi
(718) 828-0681
BXW (BX4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Troche
(718) 993-7517
BKW (BK11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlos Rivera
(718) 714-2708
BKE (BK15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce Sturman
(718) 769-2333
BKN (BK1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Capasso
(718) 387-5426
QS (RO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Klingler
(718) 835-9048
QN (QN8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis O’Reilly
(718) 835-7446
QW (QW4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Dzurilla
(718) 334-9077
SI (SI2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Lauser
(718) 317-7885
Office Staff
Jacqueline Diaz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary
Fred Camera . . . . . . . . . . Retiree Consultant
Dom Ferrucci . . Active & Retiree Consultant
In UNITY is produced six times a year
by Local 444-SEIU,
Sanitation Officers Association.
Entire contents copyrighted.
NEWSLETTER
DESIGN/PRODUCTION:
MARCI ROSENBLUM @ RWD GROUP
(845) 364-0222
[email protected]
President
MANNION
As I wrote this message in early October, we are still without a contract. We have been
trying to work with the “Big Three” (Office of Labor Relations, DSNY and Office of
Management and Budget) to work out a deal. As I stated in the last issue of “In Unity,”
as well as at our Union meetings, “protective language” is our main concern. After several hours of negotiating with the Big Three at our September 8 meeting, negotiations
took a step backward regarding protective language issues that the City presented to us.
Or to be more precise, what they didn’t present to us.
As I stated before, if we can’t come to an understanding, then we will be forced to
move to our alternate plan, which will be based on what other Unions had to do to get
their contracts. In late August I hired a new person to help us get this contract done —
Harry Greenberg from Greenberg Burzichelli Greenberg P.C. Harry has a long history
of successfully representing labor unions, such as the Nassau County PBA and the New
York City Correction Captains Association. He is also counsel to the NYC Municipal
Labor Committee, which represents all of NYC’s public employees for health and pension issues to mention a few. He is currently getting ready to go to impasse and arbitration with one union he represents and has worked out a deal with another union that
was forced into mediation. At mediation they were able to hammer out a deal that
resembled what other unions were allowed to do to get a contract done. We deserve the
same opportunities and I will settle for nothing less.
Harry, as well as Allen Brawer, spoke to our delegates at the 4th Annual Shop
Stewards Convention and were both well received. Harry also was introduced at our
September 21 Union meeting. There were well over 150 members and delegates gathered to hear where we are with this contract. After close to two hours of discussions and
Q&As, the members present were as supportive as ever to get this deal done the right
way.
Since that meeting, I have met with our Commissioner and have a meeting set up with
the Commissioner of OLR. These talks are crucial to the way we move forward. As
always I will keep you posted.
On a last note, I’m sorry to inform you that our Lobbyist Floyd Holloway will be
retiring at the end of this year. I am currently considering other lobbyists to work for
our issues in Albany. I wish Floyd and his family a very long and happy retirement.
Floyd’s friendship has been a high point to me during these last few years. His professionalism and dedication to those he serves was second to none. He will be missed by
many but not forgotten because the sounds of “Hiiii Floyd….” will still be heard in the
halls of the Capitol as well as the Legislative Office Building. Best of luck to you Floyd.
Also, we received many calls from you on how cool Jerry looked “superimposed surfing” on the last cover. Well, just to set the record straight, that was no trick photography; it was Jerry actually surfing. God bless retirement and our desire to relive our
youth! Way to go Jerry!
Finally, I wish to remind all of you that you should not focus on any rumors circulating about our contract. When we have something to say it will come from the Union
Hall via our Officers, Delegates, website and newsletter. Anything else is a waste of your
time, and more than likely, not true anyway.
Tuesday, November 7, is Election Day. While it’s easy to say “who cares?” and “my
vote isn’t going to make a difference anyway”, I can’t stress enough the importance of
taking 10 minutes from your schedule on Election Day to vote. We have many politicians who are on our side and help us with legislation when the time arises. These are
the people we need to return to office. Almost everything in New York State is up for
grabs this year, including Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, some
Congressional representatives, all State Senators and Assemblymen, and many local positions as well. Many in history have lost by one vote. Don’t make that one vote yours.
All Photos by Mazzocchi
IN
Shop Stewards
SOA Attorney Harry Greenberg addresses the
crowd at the Shop Stewards Convention about the
status of the contract.
Manhattan
M1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Barge
M2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Rodriguez
M3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas Morrone
M4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Johnston
M5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jose Zacaraiz
M6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jose Cruz
M7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Cullen
M8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Brown
M9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alfred Dicanio
M10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Laporta
M11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Kendrick
M12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jorge Ortiz
Allen Brawer delivers a point to the
delegation and answers their questions.
2006 Shop Stewards
Convention
Supervisor’s Rep Carlos Rivera
(BK11) at the healthy snack table during a break.
Secretary-Treasurer Glenn Ferber, M2 Shop
Steward Joe Rodriguez, M4 Shop Steward
John Johnston, 2nd VP Joe Castagno, and
Recording Secretary Artie Catenacci take a
break before the afternoon session began.
Bronx
BX1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Pedone
BX2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lewis Hernandez
BX3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Aversano
BX4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Troche
BX5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James McGovern
BX6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Williams
BX7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victor Nicoletti
BX8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Rosso
BX9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anthony Amore
BX10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Minore
BX11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al Pappalardi
BX12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Vanihel
Brooklyn
BK1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl Consolo
BK2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Newlin
BK3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vincent Cutrupi
BK4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Philip Rodriguez
BK5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Mickle
BK6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pete Maggio
BK7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Crowley
BK8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rashid Smith
BK9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Philip Monachino
BK10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald Iacono
BK11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlos Rivera
BK12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vincent Buccheri
BK13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Scaduto
BK14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Murray
BK15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Francis Walsh
BK16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albert Gray
BK17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Miglino
BK18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terrance Winters
Queens
Q1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Magill
Q2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Frietag
Q3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Luizzi
Q4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arthur Aloe
Q5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Kraly
Q6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Moore
Q7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Camilleri
Q8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis O’Reilly
Q9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Cole
Q10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas Biscardi
Q11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck McDonald
Q12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Stanzione
Q13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger Rebando
Q14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank LaPera
▲
Supervisor’s Rep Phil Camilleri (Q7), BX10
Shop Steward James Minore, and ME
Borough Delegate Nicholas Marrone take
time out for lunch.
BKN Boro Delegate Kevin Capasso (BK1),
Supervisor’s Rep Charles Diaz (SP), and Mr.
and Mrs. George Nieves (BWD Export Shop
Steward) enjoy the cigar rolling exhibit given
between sessions.
Staten Island
SI1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Woolverton
SI2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leonard Buopane
SI3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Lauser
Splinter Groups
SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Diaz
DVO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Lyons
Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Perrone
Joseph Gallipani
OAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roy Brandquist
FK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arthur Mondella
BWD Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Nieves
4
Be In
TOUCH
RETIREE DIRECTORY—
To be included in this listing,
you must fax or send to the
union office a letter signed
by you including your social
security number and date of
birth, giving us permission
to post your information.
MICHAEL ABBATICCHIO
Ret. 1990 — QS10
3805 Sky Lane
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512)388-8817
[email protected]
JOHN BENVENGO
Ret. 1990 — Training
29330 Cohaire Loop
San Antonio, FL 33576
THOMAS J. BYRNES
Ret. 1973 — QS-Boro Supt.
214 Harriman Dr., Apt. 2034
Goshen, N.Y. 10924-2425
(845) 615-1616
JOHN A. CUTRONE
Ret. 1985 — Fresh KillsMarine Dispatcher
117 Whittier Road
Brick, NJ 08724
or
722 Sunnypine Way
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
EDDIE DESTIO
Ret. 1990 — QW9
[email protected]
ANTHONY FARINO
Ret Fore 1973-QNS
77 Lamberson Street
Valley Stream, NY 11580
(516) 256-0613
[email protected]
DONALD GUIDA
Ret. 1987 — Fresh Kills
20 Tralee Road
Hazlet, NJ 07730
(732) 739-0857
Message From
Secretary-Treasurer
FERBER
Health Coverage Transfer Period
The Health Transfer period for Active officers is from Oct. 16 –
Nov. 17, 2006. A few things active officers should consider:
• Doctors participation in the medical plan their considering transferring to
• The cost of the plan as some are very expensive
• The need for prescription benefits through the base plan. GHI and HIP carve out the prescription rider so active officers cannot receive prescriptions other than diabetic through
their base plan.
The Sanitation Officers Security Benefit Fund prescription has a benefit maximum of
$5,000 per individual per year. If you believe that your prescriptions will greatly exceed that
cap, you should consider switching to a plan that will enable you to receive the prescription
rider through them. While the cost of the plan may be greater the potential savings can make
this a wise choice.
The Health Transfer period for Retired officers is from Nov. 1 –
Nov. 30, 2006. Open enrollment changes for Retirees are every even year. Since this is
a group contract, there is no need to be concerned about pre-existing medical conditions.
Coverage changes are effective January 2007.
u u u u
The GHI Prescription Drug Benefit changed effective October 1, 2006. All non-Medicare
retirees who have GHI are affected by the co-pay changes for diabetic medication, and a Step
Therapy program. Active employees are only affected by the co-pay changes for diabetic medication. Every GHI participant should have received a direct mailing from GHI.
Attn: Retirees
New rates for GHI Optional Rider
Effective October 2006, the Non-Medicare monthly Optional Rider rates have changed.
Individual rate .................................................................$105.46
Family rate ......................................................................$197.84
u u u u
Death Benefit
Please note that our death benefit is provided through AETNA Insurance Co. The Fund
office files a claim with Aetna on behalf of the designated beneficiary. In order for the Retiree
Welfare Fund and Sanitation Officers Security Benefit Fund to file a claim, we first need an
original death certificate. This process is not instantaneous and the funds pay only the designated beneficiary regardless of who they are or their relationship to the deceased.
Please keep your designated beneficiary up-to-date with the Fund office. You can change
your beneficiary just by calling the Fund office and requesting a new beneficiary card.
About Our
5
MEMBERS
In Memoriam:
Supv. Chester Brown (BKN3). . . . 10/3/06
Casimir Ogar (Ret, 1974) . . . . . . 7/10/06
John Zentgraf (Ret. 1986) . . . . . 7/30/06
Antonio Salierno (Ret. 1976) . . . 8/31/06
Sylvester Scheno (Ret. 1983) . . . . 9/16/06
Frank Rogus (Ret. 1975) . . . . . . . 9/17/06
Prather Wilson (Ret. 1984) . . . . . 9/23/06
(former AABS President)
SW Michael Occhino (BK11) . . . . 8/28/06
SW Damon Allen (BK) . . . . . . . . . 9/3/06
SW Allen Gormely (BK13) . . . . . . 9/11/06
In Memoriam Family:
Supv. Joseph Dawson — EB Supv Rep,
BK15 (Wife)
Supv. Michael Sugrue — M Boro (Wife)
Supv. Michael Freitag — QW2-S.S. (Brother)
Supv. Gregory Assenza — QW4 (Father)
Supv. Rodney Duncan — M9 (Mother)
Supv. William Ford — BK10 (Nephew)
Supv. Ray Purcell — Export (Father)
Supv. Kevin Greenan — M10 (Father)
Supv. Larry Bilicki — BK/QNS Lots (Father)
Supv. Joseph Guariglia — SI3 (Father)
Supt. Louis Rosano — BX Boro (Father)
Ret. Supv. John Molinini — BKS11 (Mother)
Ret. Supt. Sal Annerino — M8 (Mother)
AC Michael Bellew — Cleaning
(Mother-in-Law)
DC Mike Bonacorsa — PMD
(Mother-in-Law)
Ret. DC Leroy Hunter, Jr. — QE (Father)
Newborn Children:
Supt. Matthew Butler (BKS) — Daughter
Supv. Keith Woods (BK7) — Daughter
Retiring Members:
Supv. Steven Smalzried (M8) ........8/29/06
Supv. Philip Aquila (QE11)...........8/31/06
Supv. McClee Graves (BKN8) .......8/31/06
Supv. Cancel Homero (M3) ..........8/31/06
Supv. Richard Leone (QE7) ..........8/31/06
Supv. Henry Ferguson (BX2) ..........9/1/06
Supv. Thomas Ferrelli (BX7) ...........9/1/06
Supv. Joseph LaBarbera (SI3)..........9/1/06
Supv. Daniel Paesano (M9) .............9/1/06
Supv. Mario Santamassino (BX11)...9/1/06
Supv. Joseph Pilc (QE13)................9/3/06
Supv. Angel Millan (SI1)...............9/27/06
Supt. Frank Diaz (M Boro)...........9/30/06
Supv. Robert Case (SI3)..............10/01/06
Supt. Frank Fontana (BX Boro) ....10/1/06
Supt. John Mancino (QW Boro)...10/1/06
Supv. Carmine Melfi (BX6) ...........10/1/06
Supv. Leonard Ragone (QE13) .....10/1/06
Serving America:
Members on Active Duty
Supv. Larry Brown — M3
Supv. Curtis Johnson — BK18
Supv. Howard Orama — SI3
Supv. James Egan — SI2 (Son)
LC Anthony J. Egan (Al Asad, Iraq)
Congratulations
to
Michael Mannion, son of
President Joe Mannion
and his wife Bonnie, on
becoming an Eagle
Scout. Pictured, Michael
is being congratulated by
the Eagle Board of
Review & Scoutmaster
on becoming Troop
577’s newest Eagle
Scout on September 11,
2006. From left are: Mr.
Robert Mehl, Mrs. Vicky
Herlihy, Judge Lawrence
(Eagle
Chairman),
Michael, and Scout
Master George Fillios.
Be In
TOUCH
RETIREE DIRECTORY—
THOMAS KASULKE
Ret.1985 — QS
31 Birch Tree Street
Homosassa, FL 34446
(352) 382-4085
JAMES P. KIRWIN
Ret. 1981
233 Biltmore Place
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
(850) 230-4944
[email protected]
FRANK J. LOPIANO
Ret. 1981 — SW BX
8928 E. Cedar Waxwing Dr.
Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
(480) 802-8250
JAMES MARKEY
Ret.1980 — QN NDS
3618 Hemlock Farms
Lords Valley, PA 18428
[email protected]
EUGENE J. REYNOLDS
Ret. 1995 — QS13
16 Flanders Ct.
Ridge, NY 11961
(631) 821-0883
[email protected]
NEIL SALVATI
Ret. 1999 — San Police
(239) 945-6273
Cell: (239) 699-3839
[email protected]
u
TELL US
If you are a Retiree who has listed his address in the Directory
section and has been in touch
with a co-worker/friend from
long ago, tell us your story.
Space permitting, we will print
it. Please include your name
and phone number, along with a
photo if possible.
Member
6 LETTERS
Member
E-MAILS
E-mail from:
WILLIAM HAMM
SECRETARY, SANITATION
RETIREES OF WEST FLORIDA
Glenn,
Thank you for your quick
response in helping one of the
retirees here in Florida. It (is)
comforting to know (that) you
and the rest of (the) Officers at
444 do not forget the Retirees.
WRITE US
Keep those letters coming into the
office so we know what’s on your
mind. You can send them via mail or
e-mail. Both addresses are on
Page 2 of this newsletter.
Dear Joe,
What a fantastic newsletter. The layout, the information and the
letters from the Retirees are just great. It is good to read letters
from guys you worked with many years ago. Each time I read one
of them letters, pleasant memories come back.
I started my career in Bronx East 20. Moved on to Dist. 23 as an
Asst. Foreman and then on to Dist. 25, where I had a Section on
Washington Avenue, with Foreman Miguel (Mike) Salazar. I
noticed in the newsletter that three of our Retirees have retired to
Puerto Rico. I wonder if he is one of them as I haven’t been able
to contact him. After Dist. 25 I moved on to Queens South and
then to the “Garden Spot” QN-11 from where I retired. (I)
worked with a great bunch my entire career and would like to say
hello to all of them, and you and your staff.
Keep up the great work.
Tom Maher (NY) (Ret. 1993)
(Note: Fore. Salazar is currently living in Florida, not P.R.
When I was a Supv. in QS12, you were always a gentleman and
fair to work for. Thank you! I’m sorry that today’s “chiefs” weren’t
trained by you! — JM)
Art,
Thank you so much for
mailing
us
Joe’s
(deceased) address. We
were best of friends for
many years in the Bronx.
Frank (Rogus), my husband and Joe worked
together as San-men for
many years and Dorothy,
his wife, and I became
good friends.
Don’t know how but we
lost touch (with) each
other when they retired.
I would like to contact
Dorothy. Frank is very
sick also. He felt just terrible to hear about Joe.
Again, thank you so
much for what you did.
Sincerely,
Mildred Rogus
(wife of Retiree Frank
Rogus, NY, Ret. 1975)
To whom it may concern,
I’d like to introduce myself. My name is George L. Athas and I am a retired (Supervisor) from
Staten Island. I have written a book about my experiences in Vietnam (1966-1967) and have
had the book published. If anyone is interested in purchasing my book, please contact me at:
“On The River”, By “The Judge”-G.L.A., P.O. Box 90346, Staten Island, NY 10309.
The book is $20 including s&h. If you want to know what Vietnam was like for “a select few”
and want to know what happened in Vietnam that few people know, this book is “a must read”.
Sincerely, George L. Athas (NY) (Retired- 1995, SI3)
P.S. Thank you Glenn for your help!
(Note: Glenn and I both read the book and it is “a must read” book. Those that think they know
George must read this book and meet the “other” George. Best of luck! — JM)
Dear Joe,
First, I would like to thank you for keeping the Retirees informed of events that go on in the Department through the “Unity”
Magazine that you put out. It makes us Retirees feel that we still belong to a great organization and not forgotten. Second, congratulations to Jerry Saporito on his retirement. I wish him and his family many years of happiness.
Third, I would like to thank my best friend Dominick Ferrucci for the great reunion he put together for the SSLU at the Carousel
Restaurant in Howard Beach. It was really great to see Chief Glassberg and my fellow workers and good friends. We had a great time
and the food was excellent. Thank you Dom, “You are the Best”. Fourth, I would like to thank you Joe and your staff for easing some
of the financial relief that you give us Retirees. I am sure we all thank you. As you know I was a member of two previous (SOA) administrations and we did the best we could in those times. You and your staff have excelled for the better for both the Active and the
Retirees. Keep up the good work and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Domenic Sciove (Retired SOA Recording Secretary) (Ret. 1994)
(Note: Thank you for your kind words and yes we do want the Retirees to be a part of this Union. Retirement should not be looked at as
something that just happens. It is all of our “Goals” to be fortunate enough to reach that chapter of our lives. God-willing. We here at SOA
are trying to educate our Active members for retirement by using this “IN Unity” as a tool. I am also trying to “re-build” our relationships with our Retirees. At close to 2,500 (Retirees) STRONG we need you for political strength, but that’s for another issue. — JM)
7
Hold The
DATE
OCTOBER
SSLU REUNION
7-8 Sukkot
10 Columbus Day
16 National Boss Day
29 Daylight Savings
Time Ends
Turn Clocks Back 1 Hour
Check Batteries in Smoke and
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
31
Halloween
NOVEMBER
Dom Ferrucci held a get-together of the Retired officers assigned to the Supervised Sick Leave Unit.
The reunion party took place on September 7, 2006, at the CAROSELLO Restaurant in Howard
Beach, Queens. This is the first time in Sanitation history that the SSLU unit had a reunion.
The event was the brainchild of Ret. Chief Sid Glassberg and Ferrucci. They both came up with the
reunion idea and Ferrucci turned those thoughts into action.
This party was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. It has been reported how youthful
these distinguished gentlemen looked. Conspicuously absent were canes and walkers. Seven of those in
attendance (names underlined) were from the original crew who started the SSLU back in 1979.
From left are: Retired Supervisors Paul Osofsky, Victor Sorrento, Rocco DelPriore, Joseph Rewde,
Thomas DeNunzio, Former Supv. Ron Gerlich (now Queens West Boro Commissioner), Dom
Ferrucci, Ret. Chief Sid Glassberg, Leon McCain, Frank Dilorenzo, Danny O’Hagan, Larry
Meloro, Vincent Marcotrigaro, Louis Sarra, and Dom Sciove.
“It was great to see so many old faces, my best pals. Not everyone has had a chance to stay in touch,
and this reunion gave us all a chance to catch up and hear what was going on in each other’s lives,”
Ferrucci said.
As a result of the good cheer that was had by all, Dom Ferrucci and crew have committed to holding another reunion in September 2007. Stay tuned — plans are in the works.
2
Union Meeting
Active Only
6
Brooklyn West
Officers Reunion
7
Election Day
VOTE!
11
23
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
8
A Brief
NOTE
Brooklyn West
Officers Reunion
November 6, 2006
7:00 p.m.
Gargiulo’s Restaurant
Coney Island
For more info contact:
Tom Salerno
(718) 668-1986
Tony Yodice
(718) 266-1898
Joe Castagno
(718) 837-9832
Bronx (The) Party
Bronx Officers
Christmas
Party/Reunion
Tuesday
December 5, 2006
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Michaels Restaurant at
The American
Turner’s Club
748 Clarence Avenue
(btwn. Randall & Phillip)
(718) 829-3450
For info please contact:
Supv John Manley
(12/8 BX2)
(718) 542-0850
A/C Nick Vero
(Bx Boro)
(718) 901-1295
9
Retiree
GROUPS
Support Our
Retiree
Organizations
NYC-DS Retirees, Inc.
P.O. Box 61815
Staten Island, NY 10306
Thomas Nazzaro, President
(718) 317-7453
NYC-DS Retirees &
Associates of West
Florida, Inc.
P.O. Box 5317
Spring Hill, FL
34611-5317
[email protected]
Donald Simon, President
(727) 868-1884
NYC-DS Retirees &
Associates of East Florida
8438 Blue Cypress Drive
Lake Worth, FL 33467
[email protected]
(Donald McLean)
Woodrow Rackoff,
Chairman
(561) 736-3649
DS-NYC Northeast
Florida Retirees
P.O. Box 354622
Palm Coast, FL
32135-4622
[email protected]
Richard Kehoe, President
10
A Brief
NOTE
Jerry Saporito’s
Retirement Party
Mark Your Calendar!
Thursday
April 26, 2007
Leonard’s of Great Neck
6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Cost: $75/person
Contacts:
Artie Catenacci
(718) 837-9832
or
All Delegates
(see page 2 of newsletter
for their phone numbers)
With the fifth Anniversary of the
attack on America behind us and
our young men and women still
fighting to protect our freedom,
we should never forget! Every
September 11, “Patriot’s Day,” we
all should do the following: Wear
something red, white and blue to
show our support for those who lost
their lives on 9/11/01 and to
honor the heroes who worked to
save, rescue and clean up, and the
families left behind. At 9 a.m.
“your time” on September 11, no
matter where you are or what you
are doing, stop, put your hand on
your heart, and say the Pledge of
Allegiance out loud or to yourself
and say a prayer for our Nation,
for those lost and effected by the
events of 9/11/01. For those of us
who drive, drive with your headlights on to also give honor and
remembrance to those who perished that day. Finally, we should
also display our flag from our
homes, work places, or any other
place appropriate. If not every
day, then at least on every
September 11. The following
reflection is from an unknown
author. — JM
Governor Signs Three New
9/11 Bills into Law
At Ground Zero itself on August 14, 2006, Governor Pataki signed three new bills into law
aimed at assisting 9/11 rescue workers. This comes on the heels of his signing the original 9/11
Presumptive Disability Law last summer.
The first new law permits application for accidental death benefits to families of police officers,
firefighters, and other uniformed personnel who participated in the rescue, recovery and clean-up
operations at the World Trade Center site.
The second law eliminates the statute of limitations to allow rescue and recovery workers who
retired from public service to later have their retirement status reclassified as accidental disability
if illnesses related to their work
on the rescue, recovery and
clean-up operations on 9/11
later surface.
The third law enables many
workers who became ill after the
statutory two-year workers’ compensation filing deadline expired
to resubmit their claim for further consideration.
Joe Castagno, 2nd VP, was at
the signing and said it was another monumental day for the labor
movement.
“So many gave of themselves
that day and in the days that followed and never thought about
what would happen to them later
on,” Castagno said. “The
Governor made a commitment to help 9/11 responders and those who worked in the cleanup
and he didn’t forget.”
The Governor also announced a comprehensive plan to ensure that 9/11 rescue workers receive
prompt access to the benefits and health care they rightfully deserve under the State’s workers
compensation system.
“New York will never forget the heroes of September 11, the men and women who tirelessly
worked at the site of the world’s most horrific terror attacks, to help save lives, recover the remains
of loved ones and begin the rebuilding process in Lower Manhattan,” Governor Pataki said. “As
it is clear that many champions of 9/11 have developed debilitating illnesses over time resulting
from their selfless acts, they need to know that New York State will not abandon them.”
Two Thousand One,
Nine Eleven (2001-911)
Two thousand one, nine eleven
Three thousand plus arrive
in heaven
As they pass through the gate,
Thousands more appear in wait
A bearded man with a
stovepipe hat
Steps forward saying,
“Let’s sit, let’s chat”
They settle down in
seats of clouds
A man named Martin
shouts out proud
“I have a dream!”
and once he did
The Newcomer said,
“Your dream still lives.”
Groups of soldiers in
blue and gray
Others in khaki and
green then say
“We’re from Bull Run,
Yorktown, the Maine,”
The Newcomer said,
“You died not in vain.”
From a man on sticks
one could hear
“The only thing we have to fear.
The Newcomer said,
“We know the rest,
Trust us sir, we’ve
passed the test.”
“Courage doesn’t hide in caves
You can’t bury freedom,
in a grave,”
The Newcomers had heard this
voice before
A distinct Yankees twang from
Hyannisport shores
A silence fell within the mist
Somehow the Newcomer
knew that this
Meant time had come
for her to say
What was in the hearts of the
five thousand plus that day
“Back on Earth,
we wrote reports,
Watched our children
play in sports
Worked our gardens,
sang our songs
Went to church and
clipped coupons
We smiled, we laughed,
we cried, we fought
Unlike you, great we’re not”
Message From
1st Vice President
MAZZOCCHI
Everyone looks forward to retirement. Getting there is half the battle – the other half is paying
for it. Let me explain about your “Financial Trinity,” the assets you have contributed during the
span of your work career. It’s important to understand all the segments that comprise your personal “Financial Trinity.”
First is your pension. You dictate the size of your pension with salary, overtime and the years of
service worked. Second is deferred compensation. The amount in this segment is whatever you
want it to be since it is a voluntary contribution. Planning is having the mindset that you have to
contribute. Third is Social Security. It will be a fixed amount for the duration of your lifespan.
Now let me show you how your Financial Trinity works when you retire.
We generally retire younger and with a larger pension than most of this country’s workforce.
The one thing you must remember, however, is that the longer you live, the smaller your pension
gets. Everything will rise in price, as does the cost of living, and your pension from a defined benefit plan will remain fixed for the rest of your life. With all this being said, you should be able to
ride your pension for five to seven years before feeling the pains of inflation.
Now it is time for your next step. Welcome to deferred compensation, or the 457 plan, which
allows you to receive money regardless of age, without penalty, once you leave City service. With
your pension getting smaller, you can make adjustments in opening the 457 plan to subsidize
what was lost. In this case, it would be giving you a raise to cover what was previously lost to inflation. The key here is not to be extravagant but comfortable. Remember you are going to be
retired longer than you have worked, and the money in this case is not guaranteed like your pension, but is based on whatever you contributed.
The third party of your Financial Trinity is Social Security. It will boost your retirement income
for the rest of your life, but should be considered a supplement for your income. You have a
choice when to start receiving Social Security. It can be as early as 62, but the later in life you start
receiving it, the larger the amount.
Now let us look for that Annuity and or Annuity/Loan that was rolled over/invested when you
retired. Remember at age 65 your life expectancy will carry you past 80, and this is your supplement to help carry you through it.
When preparing for retirement, you are essentially putting your life on cruise control. You select
how fast you want to go and from then on just hold the wheel straight, no signals, no turns, just
forward. With your Financial Trinity and a plan, you will live and live to your liking. Now
ENJOY! Any questions or comments please call Frank Mazzocchi at (718) 837-9832.
The tall man in
the stovepipe hat
Stood and said,
“Don’t talk like that!
Look at your country,
look and see
You died for Freedom,
just like me”
Then, before them all
appeared a scene
Of rubbled streets and
twisted beams
Death, destruction,
smoke and dust
And people working
just ‘cause they must
Hauling ash, lifting stones,
Knee deep in hell, but not alone
“Look! Blackman, Whiteman,
Brownman, Yellowman
Side by side helping
their fellow man!”
So said Martin, as he
watched the scene
“Even from nightmares,
can be born a dream.”
Down below three
Firemen raised
The colors high into ashen haze
The soldiers above
had seen before
On Iwo Jima back in ‘45
The Man on sticks studied
everything closely
Then shared his perceptions on
what he saw mostly
“I see pain, I see tears,
I see sorrow –
but I don’t see fear.”
“You left behind husbands
and wives
Daughters and sons and
so many lives
Are suffering now because of
this wrong
But look very closely.
You’re not really gone.
All of those people.
Even those who’ve
never met you
All of their lives,
they’ll never forget you
Don’t you see what has
happened?
Don’t you see what
you’ve done?
You’ve brought them together,
together as one.
11
Winter is
Coming
When the Department posts
the operating order start
dates of this years snowplow, all officers should
familiarize themselves with
what events take place.
❖
Lock-ins become available and are re-picked by
District Seniority
❖
Once personnel are in
place and the NDS and
12-8 field lines are covered then reliefs are
picked by seniority
❖
For the ease of Continuity reliefs should follow
a pattern of 12-8, 12-8,
4-12, 4-12, and 8-4
❖
Please remember the
District Occurrence list
(overtime list) starts over
at the inception of snowplow – your District list is
year round
❖
Volunteers are now
selected for the District
Emergency list and must
be at least 30 percent of
the assigned District personnel
❖
Note – New officers
(Probation) can apply
but cannot work emergency list until they pass
their nights and out-oftown eligibility
With that the man in the
stovepipe hat said
“Take my hand,” and
from there he led
Three thousand plus heroes,
Newcomers to heaven
On this day, two thousand
one, nine eleven
(God Bless America — JM)
12
Hold The
DATE
DECEMBER
5
7
14
Bronx Holiday Party
16
21
25
26
Chanukah
Pearl Harbor Day
Union Meeting
Active Only
AN OFFICER
AND A
MENTCH
On July 1, 2006, the Department of Sanitation
and the Union lost Supv. Steven Landano of
Brooklyn East 15 after a long illness. While
Landano’s family should have been grieving over
their loss, they instead were dealing with not having Landano’s body at his own funeral.
Landano’s body was being held at the funeral
home because the family’s bill wasn’t paid in full.
Despite the fact the funeral home had been promised the money from insurance policies, the funeral home wouldn’t release Landano’s body.
In stepped Supv. John Naimoli of BK15 with a
heart of gold, a true sense of dignity, strength and
character — and a credit card.
Supv. Naimoli put forth his own personal credit
card to make certain Supv. Landano would be
given a proper funeral. With contributions from
Landano’s co-workers and his dear sister Lillian,
John’s credit card bill was totally reimbursed.
There is an old yiddish word that describes
Supv. John Naimoli — a mentch! — GF
Winter Begins
Congratulations to Ret. Supv. Howard Broad
and his wife Regina on the birth of their first
grandson Justin Anthony Broad. He was born
July 18, 2006, weighing 6 lbs., 12 oz., and he
was 19½”. Justin’s parents Lisa and Jason
Broad are still on cloud nine over the birth of
their beautiful son.
Christmas Day
Kwanzaa
Joseph Mannion . . . . . . . . . . . . . President
Frank Mazzocchi . . . . . . 1st Vice President
Joseph Castagno. . . . . . 2nd Vice President
Glenn Ferber . . . . . . . . Secretary-Treasurer
Arthur Catenacci . . . . . . . . . Rec. Secretary
8510 Bay 16th Street
2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11214
Local 444 SEIU
Sanitation Officers Assoc.
718-837-9832
IN
Call the Union to update your records.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS?
First Class Prsrt Mail
US Postage
PAID
Albany, NY
Permit #370