Terminal Leave Update

[Mike Glasser]

Thursday, September 28, 2006

The City Council Budget Committee meeting was held today at the City Council chambers at 2:00 pm. In attendance was Jimmy Gallagher & Donovan Livicarri representing FOP, Mike Glasser, representing PANO, Nick Felton representing N.O. Firefighters, and a large contingent of N.O. Firefighters. Mr. Cary Grant, Assistant C.A.O. For the City of New Orleans, informed the City Council Budget Committee today that his office is compiling the numbers regarding the amount of money needed to pay existing terminal leave payments (those who have already separated from service). He will report that amount to the Budget Committee at their next meeting on October 23, 2006. The funding for this figure will come from a CDL (Community Disaster Loan) which they anticpate getting very soon. "Soon" was described as hopefully in October, but there is no firm date for the loan. The Budget Commiittee was firm in at least getting the commitment from Cary Grant for the figure at their next meeting, and declared that they are committed to funding the terminal leave the moment the funds become available.

With respect to the 10% pay increase. The Budget Committee went into Executive Session, and after hearing from several speakers, the Budget Committee decided to honor the longevity pay increases to the firefighters, and to give the firefighters & EMS the 10% pay increase across the board.

ONE NOPD

Mike Glasser
President, PANO

[ARThompson]

Well thats great news Mike......really keen. And it's also about the 4th story i've heard since August 5, 2005. Ya know i've never claimed to be the smartest person on the face of the planet but something is telling me that our city fathers are full of fucking shit.

But I couldn't say that for sure, and of course i cant claim that they are lying to me directly....cause they haven't told me anything.....
I've been writing to councilmen/women all the way back to Jan 06...... the only response i got was from Thomas.....got a response, but no info.

I know that you and in particular Jimmy G and Donovan L have been working very hard on this matter... but goddamn i prefer a good ass-whipping and getting a loogie in the face then this shit.....at least then i'd know how they felt....right?










This was recieved 5/18/2006:

On the payment of terminal leave issue, Reginald Zeno (Director of Finance) stated that total payment for all city employees separated since
Hurricane Katrina would amount to between $7 million and $10 million. Noting that Mayor Nagin had recently completed negotiations for
a $150 million line of credit, Mr. Zeno explained that the next step in that process was City Council approval of the line of credit package. That
should be taken up at the Council's June 2006 meeting. Once council approval is in place, Mr. Zeno will study the total city fiscal picture, but
feels confident that monies will be allotted for terminal leave payments. Although no timetable for payment was discussed at this meeting,
Sgt. Livacarri and Jim Gallagher agree that we are looking to the September, October, November 2006 timeframe for resolution to this issue.

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OKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK now i'm reading that they are going to ATTEMPT to come up with a figure and report back to the budget committee last week in October???????????? What about the figure in this correspondence from MAY? And this was a "line of credit"...now we are waiting for a Community Disaster Loan????????? WTF.... I know i've mentioned it before......but is that an approved way to disburse that particular kind of LOAN, or are we getting that warm soothing smoke blown up our ass AGAIN?
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This was recieved 7/7/2006:
TERMINAL LEAVE

Last week we notified members that the City would begin paying terminal leave payments to employees who
have separated from service since Hurricane Katrina, whether due to retirement, resignation, or termination.

We have learned that the City intends to make payment via direct deposit into the members bank account of
record prior to separation. If any member expecting terminal leave payment has changed banks or closed
bank accounts, that member MUST contact Ms. Courtney Bagnaris with their new banking information.
Ms. Bagnaris can be reached at (504) 658-5385 or (504) 658-5390 during normal working hours.

We do not expect the City to contact individual members letting them know that deposit has been made.
If any eligible member does not receive their terminal leave payment by July 31st, or if the payment is
not what was expected, please contact me at the number listed below so that the FOP can follow up
on your problem.

Several members contemplating retirement have asked if they will receive terminal leave payments.

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH this was great news.....apparently they have solved all the problems and over come the roadblocks prohibiting the disbursement of Terminal Leave money owed to geez what....ummmm 3000 people? But wait.................... nope......unless the old calander is decieving me about 3 months have passed since this and ZIP< NADA, BUPKISS.....zilch.... I guess they changed their minds, huh?

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[Billy]

Addison that is why I feel you are still with us : )

[Mike Glasser]

If I didn't already know how you feel, there sure is no doubt now!

None the less, we really have only two options. We can begin legal proceedings to try and compel the City to pay, or we can wait a bit longer and see if they do what they are saying now that they will do. We at PANO represent your interests as best we can, and are trying, along with FOP and the Fire Department, to let the City know how important this is, and how our patience is limited and has run out. We are conveying what they are telling us to you, but in the end, we will do do what you want us to do in this matter.

From a practical standpoint, any legal process will likely take a great deal more time, as I'm sure you are well aware. Although I know how patient you've been, and how well earned and deserved this pay is, it might still be to your (and everyone else's) advantage to wait just a bit longer. We will leave that up to you. If you think you want to pursue litigation, please contact us and we will have our attorney's confer with you.

[ARThompson]

Thanks Billy, I am with y'all, you know i'll always be right there with my family in BLUE as long as i keep drawing breath (well most of them anyway, there are always exceptions {you exceptions know who you are})


And I know Mike..... I'm not bitchin at you or the FOP guys....it just pisses me off is all.

[Mike Glasser]

The City Budget Committee will meet in the City Council Chambers at 2:00 p.m. At this meeting, the Budget Committee is scheduled to address the issues of Special Rate of Pay for Exempt Employees and Terminal Leave, which were tabled at the last meeting.

As mentioned after the last hearing, the City Council Chambers was filled with Fire Fighters. It was evident to the City Council how impassioned the Fire Fighters were by their sheer numbers. There were only 3 Police Officers there. Jim Gallagher, Donovan Livicarri, and me. I would like to encourage anyone who is capable of attending to do so, even if you are not personally concerned with Terminal Leave at this point in your career. It is important that the City Council be aware of how important an issue this is, and there is no better way of making that clear than to have the chamber filled with police offiecrs. Hope to see you there.

[Mike Glasser]

The Budget Committee decided to defer and meet again on Thursday, October 26, 2006, at 2:00pm, City Council Chambers.

Also, Captain Mendoza's request for Summary Judgement was rejected by the Civil Service Commission, and a date will be set for the actual hearings to begin.