Fraud Investigators who work in the Tax Enforcement Unit of the city Dept. of Finance spend their working days tracking down the thousands of New Yorkers who shortchange the city by millions of dollars in tax revenue.

Chasing after tax avoiders can involve goods worth millions of dollars. It’s a dangerous occupation that requires a team effort. To be effective, the Fraud Investigators and Associate Fraud Investigators often work closely with Deputy Sheriffs in stings and criminal investigations, such as crackdowns on people who sell cigarettes illegally.

But sometimes they worked too closely, doing the work of higher-paid personnel. “That line got crossed too often,” said John Cummings, president of Dept. of Finance Employees Local 1113. He and Council Rep Renay Williams of DC 37’s White Collar Division filed a grievance over the out-of-title work on behalf of the union members.

Fortunately for the 16 members — who are not identified here due to the hazardous nature of their jobs, which sometimes involve undercover work — management at the Finance Dept. agreed with the union quickly.

The grievance was filed on Oct. 10, 2002. By the next month the local and management reached agreement. “The members got a substantial raise,” said Mr. Cummings. “It’s a significant victory because it acknowledges the dangerous work that they do. And the city can sure use that delinquent tax revenue right now.”