Body of Quincy Court Officer Lost Overboard Recovered
July 15, 2008
The entire NAGE family was saddened to hear that the body of the “sparkplug” of Quincy District Court was found on Governor’s Island on July 12, 10 days after he fell from a friend’s boat near Deer Island off the Winthrop coast.
According to various press reports, 59-year-old Anthony Tufo of Quincy was aboard a 34-foot motorboat on the evening of Thursday, July 3 when he walked toward the bow to remove the boat’s bumpers. He had not been drinking alcohol, according to the boat’s other passengers, so authorities speculate that Tufo may have either had a heart attack or been pulled beneath the boat. Boats and aircraft from the Coast Guard, state and several local police, and divers from the Boston Fire Department and State Police searched a 50-square-mile area between Logan Airport and Deer Island for 40 hours before suspending the search on the morning of July 5. A civilian apparently discovered a body on Governor’s Island in Winthrop Harbor, between Castle Island and Logan Airport, early Saturday morning.
An athletic 59-year-old who ran the Boston Marathon this year, Tufo was described as a friendly colleague who could calm any tense situation. Earlier this year, he chased and captured a prisoner who tried to escape from Quincy District Court.
Tufo’s wife, Mary Elizabeth, is the daughter of former state attorney General Francis X. Bellotti and the sister of Michael Bellotti, Norfolk County sheriff. The two have three sons, Anthony Jr, Christopher and Daniel. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Agatha Renovation Fund, 432 Adams Street, Milton 02186.
Mileage Update
July 15, 2008
NAGE reached an agreement with The Massachusetts Trial Court to increase the mileage reimbursement rate by 5 cents, bringing the rate to 45 cents per mile. The new rate is effective this month. Reimbursements for mileage associated with travel that occurred prior to the rate change will be paid at the prior rate.
On June 23, 2008, the Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate for privately owned automobiles to 58.5 cents per mile, although the increase is not yet in effect. By statute, the General Services Administration (GSA) is required to conduct investigations of the cost of travel and the operation of POVs to employees while engaged on official business. GSA is reviewing data and has started the consultation process required by law before any mileage rate changes are made.
While NAGE is pleased to have reached an agreement with the Trial Court to increase its reimbursement rate by 5 cents, we continue to argue for greater parity with the IRS rate. Discussions will continue and all updates on the matter will be posted on this web site.
Fact-Finding Update
July 14, 2008
On Friday, July 11, 2008 the Trial Court management team finished presenting its case to the Fact-Finder. The parties will now have an opportunity to write post-hearing briefs and submit them to the Fact-Finder. After the Fact-Finder receives the briefs he will then write his decision. We expect to have an update for you in the middle of September, 2008 after the negotiating team has met and discussed the decision from the Fact-Finder.
New Bedford Court Officer Loses Battle with Cancer But Benefit Still Scheduled for July 18
July 14, 2008
On Tuesday, July 1, New Bedford District Court Officer Steve Mendonca, 56, lost his battle with cancer, but you can still support his family and their team in this year’s Lance Armstrong “Livestrong Challenge” at a July 18th benefit in his memory.
The Mendonca family and Steve’s fellow COs will host a cookout from 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. at Bar 908, 908 Purchase Street in New Bedford.
For a suggested $20 donation, you can enjoy the cookout, music, and items for raffle. Proceeds will go to fund Steve’s “Team Milkshake” in this year’s Lance Armstrong “Livestrong Challenge,” a walk/run/bike ride event to support people with cancer.
To donate to Team Milkshake, visit the team’s LiveStrong Challenge page at http://philly08.livestrong.org/steve0912. Scroll down and click on Team Milkshake’s captain, Steve, to donate. You may also print out a donation form and mail a check (be sure to write “Team Milkshake-214349914” on the check so that it will be credited to Steve’s team).
- Friday, July 18
- 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Bar 908
- 908 Purchase Street, New Bedford
NAGE Finishes Presenation During Fact-Finding
June 23, 2008
On Friday, June 20, 2008 the Union finished presenting the case to the Fact-Finder. The Trial Court will present its case to the Fact-Finder on Friday, July 11, 2008. Unless the parties have need of another day, the Union and Trial Court will write post-hearing briefs and the Fact-Finder will issue his recommendation. The Union is hopeful that July 11 will be the last day of hearings.
Two Long-Standing Probation Disputes Resolved
June 11, 2008
NAGE attorney Michael Manning recently received resolutions for two long-standing disputes between the Commissioner’s Office and NAGE members in the Trial Court’s Probation Department. The Labor Relations Commission and an arbitrator recently made rulings regarding Local 254 contract language involving granting qualifying service credit towards becoming a Probation Officer II and contracted allied service language.
In the first case, the Labor Relations Commission first determined that the language in Local 254’s 2000-2003 contract granting service credit towards Probation Officer II status was temporary. In the section of the agreement establishing the PO II classification (Appendix C), the parties agreed that “for the term of this Contract,” there would be an exception to the requisite 15 years of service for qualification as a PO II. The exception allowed that any employee who could show up to four years of service in the retirement system would have that time credited towards the 15 needed.
After the close of the agreement, the Commissioner declined to credit that outside state service. The LRC ruled that the specific language of the Appendix, as well as the intent of the parties at negotiations, indicated that the right to augment TC seniority with state retirement service was a temporary one.
In the second case, an arbitrator looked at the language regarding allied service. Prior to the 2000 to 2003 contract agreement, all POs were compensated at various steps within Job Group 1. The agreement also allowed for advanced placement within Job Group 1, as high as step 4, for new hires with qualifying pre-hire (or “allied”) service. The 2000 to 2003 agreement established a new lower Job Group (1B) for new hires, but the contract was not changed in regards to allied service.
Once a new class of POs was hired following the signing of the new contract, the Commissioner decided that the contractual language guaranteeing advanced placement as high as Job Group 1, step 4 actually meant placement of four steps, two within the new level 1B and two within Job Group 1. This resulted in placements at Job Group 1 level step 2.
Earlier this month an arbitrator ruled that the plain language of the agreement needed to be honored and that Job Group 1 level step 4 placement was merited.
Seniority List and Appeal Process Information
May 14, 2008
Your executive boards and the Trial Court have finally reached an agreement to post a seniority list both in the courts and here on the NAGE Trial Court web site. The issue is that over the years, the Trial Court has accumulated several dates in the HRCMS database for each employee that may or may not be a correct seniority date.
Please look at the date the Trial Court has for your seniority date. (Lists are available below.) If the date is incorrect, please fill out the appeal form (also below), and send the form and a copy of corroborating evidence (i.e. appointment letter, promotion letter, etc.) to the address on the appeal form.
Employees will have until July 1, 2008 to submit an appeal. After all the appeals have been processed and the contested dates with documentation examined by the committee, a working seniority list will be provided to members.
Executive board members and national representatives will also be leaving copies of the seniority lists and forms in the courts.
If you have any questions please feel free to leave a message at 617-376-7233
PROBATION OFFICERS (including Assistant Chief Probation Officer and 1st Assistant Chief Probation Officer)
Probation Officers Seniority
Probation Officer Seniority Instructions
Probation Officer Seniority Appeal Form
ASSOCIATE PROBATION OFFICERS
Associate Probation Officers Seniority
Associate Probation Officer Seniority Instructions
Associate Probation Officer Seniority Appeal Formf
COURT OFFICERS
Court Officers Seniority
Court Officer Seniority Instructions
Court Officer Seniority Appeal Form
ASSOCIATE COURT OFFICERS
Associate Court Officers Seniority
Associate Court Officer Seniority Instructions
Associate Court Officer Seniority Appeal Form
2008 Bargaining News
Union's position on issues going to fact finding
February 13 Bargaining Bulletin
January 24 Bargaining Bulletin
Documentary Makes Strong Case for Trial Court Move to Group 4
In October, NAGE presented a documentary DVD at a hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Service in support of S.1565, the bill that would move NAGE Trial Court members into Group 4 of the state retirement system. A copy of the DVD was mailed to each member of the state legislature, as well as to all NAGE Trial Court members.
This was the first occasion on which NAGE created its own DVD presentation for a legislative hearing. We did so because we knew that the issue was critical for Trial Court members, and because we believed telling your story in this concise, compelling way was the most effective way of convincing the committee to support S.1565.
