Yonkers Tribune

Pork Partially Funds New YFD Fire Rescue Boat By Hezi Aris

YONKERS, NY – When former NYS Senator Nick Spano  was last in office, he was instrumental in directing $50,000 in pork funding for use by the Yonkers Fire Department for the purpose of purchasing a new fire rescue boat. Upon losing his tenure to Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the pork, instead of being delivered, was instead frozen in Albany. Since that time, Yonkers Fire Department has sought the efforts of Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and Assemblyman Mike Spano, among others to their benefit. YFD personnel claim they are in desperate need to replace one of the two presently commissioned fire rescue boats. The cost of a new rescue boat is approximately $150,000. Only last week, Assemblymen Mike Spano and Gary Pretlow received approval of their request for $50,000 for the benefit of Yonkers Fire Department. The project director for this funding request is William Fitzpatrick.

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Yonkers Fire Department Kicks Off Recruitment Campaign Today

YFD Seeking Qualified Applicants with Special Outreach to Minority Community

Recruitment Office Opens at Yonkers Riverfront Library

YONKERS, NY -- The Yonkers Fire Department is kicking off a recruitment campaign for prospective firefighters who want to apply for an upcoming firefighter examination, its first such effort in four years. The recruitment campaign will begin with the opening of a new Recruitment Center today, Friday, February 28, at 10:30 a.m. at the Yonkers Riverfront Library. There will be a special presentation of a recruitment video titled "Be Among the Brave" as well as a tour of the new Recruitment Office located on the library's fourth floor.

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Firefighters Claims Closure of Fire Station # 2 is Direct Result of Fire Deaths

“Mr. Mayor (and City Council Members)… re-open this Fire House!”

YONKERS, NY – Standing before the closed and abandoned edifice of Fire Station # 2, located on Vineyard Avenue early this afternoon, Hugh Fox Jr., president of the Yonkers Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 628, among other union officials and firefighters pointed across the street to the tragic scene that robbed the life of two people in this week’s fire.

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19 Yonkers Firefighters Injured in Fighting Three-Alarm Blaze By Hezi Aris

YONKER, NY -- Nineteen Yonkers Firefighters were yesterday injured fighting a three-alarm blaze that engulfed a three-story building on New main Street.

The Yonkers Firefighters suffered an amalgam of injuries: some were minor, inclluding smoke inhalation, Back pain, and exhaustion, while others were more severely affected, noted Hugh Fox, jr., President of the Yonkers Firefighters Union IAFF, Local 628.

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Six Families Made Homeless by Fire By Hezi Aris

YONKERS, NY -- The Journal News this morning reported that a three-alarm blaze engulfed a four-story building located at 29-31 Vineyard Avenue.

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Yonkers Firefighters Ratify Union Contract By Hezi Aris

YONKERS, NY -- Yonkers Firefighters Union Local 628 membership today ratified a four year contract with the City of Yonkers that covers the firefighters through June 2009. In light of the present fiscal situation facing the city, “It is the best contract I could present,” said I.A.F.F. President Hugh Fox, Jr. when questioned by Yonkers Tribune.  The contract is based upon a 2-2-4-5 formula. The first 2 percent covers the year 2005 through 2006 time frame; the second 2 percent covers the year 2006 through June 2007. The 4 percent pay raise will come into play during the 2007 through 2008 period; the final year of the contract from July 2008 through June 2009 will incorporate a 5 percent increase. There are no givebacks. The union negotiating committee approved the contract proposal earlier this week; the membership voted overwhelmingly for the contract this morning.

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Yonkers Firefighters’ Union Local 628 to Conduct a Protest Rally at Yonkers City Hall During State of the City Address

At Yonkers City Hall, Corner of S. Broadway & Nepperhan Ave., on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. 

YONKERS, NY -- Tomorrow night while Yonkers Mayor Philip A. Amicone presents his “State of the City Address” the Yonkers Firefighters of I.A.F.F. Local 628 will be rallying on the steps of Yonkers City Hall in protest of the Mayor and calling on him to negotiate in good faith with the Firefighters to settle their long-expired contract. According to Firefighter President Hugh Fox, Jr. “the State of the City of Yonkers in 2007 is NOT ACCEPTABLE to the firefighters who have been working without a Contract for almost two years - since JULY 1, 2005(636 days).”   

 

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Lack of Contract Exacerbates Frustration By eHezi

YONKERS, NY -- Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone’s Town Hall meeting at the Grinton I. Will Library was one of many in a series of venues conducted throughout the city at which the mayor and department commissioners would respond to questions asked by attending residents. The proceedings were called for 7:00 pm. The Will Auditorium was filled to capacity; standing room only. Since before 6:00 pm members of Local 628 – I.A.F.F.- Yonkers Firefighters were gathering to attend the Town Hall meeting. Without a contract for over 603 days, they were frustrated and angry that Mayor Amicone had not yet engaged in what they believe needs to be an earnest effort on his part to negotiate a new contract. Local 628 President Hugh Fox had the largest contingent of union members in attendance. YFT President Pat Puleo, PBA President Eddie Armour, and  Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants Association President John Mueller attended with a smaller contingency of union members.

Yonkers Firefighters to Rally at Yonkers Town Hall Meeting

Thursday, February 22, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Will Library – 1500 Central Park Avenue,Yonkers, New York

YONKERS, NY -- Proclaiming to be “Union and Proud of it,” under the leadership of President Hugh Fox, Jr., the Yonkers Firefighters of I.A.F.F. Local 628 this afternoon divulged that they will attend Mayor Amicone’s Town Hall Meeting to call upon the Mayor to settle the Firefighters’ long overdue contract.   The three hundred (300) Yonkers Firefighters have been working without a contract since July 1, 2005.