 Got
ERI?
2002-03 early
retirement window closing in March
By SHERRY HALBROOK
As the clock runs down on the state’s 2002-03 early
retirement incentive (ERI), the Governor’s Task
Force on Work Force Management has thrown open the door
for all state agencies to submit last-minute plans to
offer the traditional or “Part A” option, even
the two dozen or so agencies that have already offered it
once.
Agencies just have to get approval to offer Part A to
eligible employees in specific job titles and positions.
But time runs out March 31, so if you want to take
advantage of the Part A incentive, tell your agency now.
A three-month window opened January 1 for nearly all
eligible employees at all state agencies for the Part B
option, “25/55.”
The state Transportation Department has asked for
permission to offer Part A to up to 700 eligible workers,
but was still waiting in mid-February for a green light.
It appears the state Department of Correctional Services
has asked for permission to offer Part A to nearly 150
employees.
PEF was told the state Labor Department won’t offer
Part A unless that agency is directed to free positions
to absorb employees displaced by job cuts in other
agencies.
The governor has not asked for ERI to be renewed for
2003-04.
Put it in writing
Don’t wait to be asked by your state agency if you
are interested in taking an ERI, or you may be left out.
“If you are even remotely considering taking
advantage of the 2002-03 ERI, it’s important to
express that interest in writing to your agency
administration right now,” says Martin
O’Connor, PEF’s assistant director of civil
service enforcement.
“This is more important than ever because of a
recent change in the state’s approach to
interpreting the seniority provisions in the law,”
O’Connor said. “Traditionally, agencies have
offered the Part A option to the most senior person
working in the targeted title and work
location. However, the task force has said it now
will allow agencies to offer the incentive to the most
senior person in the title and work location who has
already expressed interest. Agencies no longer have to
canvass the most senior employees who have not expressed
interest.”
But you can still be bumped out of your place at the head
of the line.
“If a more senior employee in the targeted title and
work location, who has not already expressed an interest,
submits their expression of interest in writing at least
21 days before the end of the open period, he or she will
get the ERI,” O’Connor added.
Give two weeks
notice
Apply right away if you want to take advantage of the
Part B (25/55) option.
“You must apply for retirement at least 14 days
prior to the effective date of the retirement, so make
sure that you apply in time and that your retirement date
is no later than March 31st,” O’Connor said.
Although the Part B option is open to most eligible state
employees at all agencies, it was not offered before
2002-03 and many PEF members have questions about how it
will work, O’Connor said.
“The primary question relates to the payment of the
longevity award. PEF members retiring under the 25/55
provision of the ERI will not be eligible for the
longevity award because you cannot be on payroll on the
date of your retirement,” O’Connor said.
“Since you must retire by March 31st, your last day
on payroll is March 30th and that prevents you from
meeting the contractual requirement that you be on the
state payroll on March 31st to be eligible for the
longevity award,” he explained.
However, the law specifically protects longevity awards
for those retiring under Part A.
PEF has been collecting the names of its members who were
specifically exempted from the Part B offer and who want
to fight their denial of eligibility for the 25/55.
If you are interested in being part of a lawsuit, or know
someone who is, contact the PEF Office of General Counsel
immediately at 1-800-342-4306.
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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
New pact ends 20 years of
sick-leave inequity
PEF wins $1.75 million for
members
Downstate members to save on
fares
Stay in the know with
contract talks
Early Retirement window is
closing fast
Budge
Breakdown
PEF fires back against
proposed budget
Program, job cuts in
proposed state budget
• Office of Mental Health
(OMH)
• OMRDD
• Office of Children
and Family Services (OCFS)
• Transportation Department (DOT)
• Office of General Services (OGS)
• ENCON
• Education Department (SED)
• VESID
• Health Department (DOH)
• Department of
Corrections Services
• Division of Parole (DOP)
• Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV)
Departments
President's Message:
Stopping job-killing layoffs
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Health & Safety: Working
conditions symposium
Member Mobilization:
Exposing weakest links
Nurses' Station: LobbyDay
plans for May 5th
Health Notes: Expanded
coverage for women
Retirees In Action:
Death-benefit coverage
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
DVD on members’
accounts of workplace violence
Hidden talents emerge among
members
State AFL-CIO offers
scholarship
Election Board meeting
DCAAccount user? File IRS
form 2441
2003-2006 Elections
Corrected Definitions
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
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