Don’t
let tiers divide us
To the Editor:
If the squeaky wheel gets the oil; then, members of Tiers 3 and 4 definitely are
the biggest squeakers and complainers.
They appear to be the “Me,” “My” and “I” generation of the state pension tier
programs — neither concerned with the previous, nor the future generations of
tiers. Somehow, they feel they are big losers in the equity issue.
However, the only losers I see are those insatiable complainers seeking to
divide the unity among tiers and our union.
Each (successive) tier has had to accept less and, thus, is asking our union to
battle for more. Example: Tier 2 members would like to be afforded the same
benefit as those in Tiers 3 and 4 who can include their accrued vacation pay in
calculating their final average salaries.
With each new contract, our union has given us (all tiers) a gain. Example: the
Social Security off-set for Tier 3 pensions was addressed, allowing Tier 3
members to retire under the provisions of Tier 4.
Hopefully, if a Tier 5 is ever created (which undoubtedly would receive less
than Tiers 3 and 4) those new members will be cognizant of the need to remain
united as they battle for their pension justice.
Gains needed for all of us are: 12 months prior notice to employees being
involuntarily reassigned; Civil Service Law to govern process for reductions in
work force; layoff and recall requiring use of seniority; ban on hiring
consultants that are not cost-effective; across-the-board increases in salary
grades; law to protect retirement health insurance; compressed work week option
for all; etc.
Let’s all help our union accomplish it’s objective: to serve us all.
ANTHONY SMITH
Brooklyn
Editor’s note: Tier and pension issues are matters of law and can only be
addressed legislatively; not through the contract.
Correct sick-leave inequity
To the Editor:
When I was hired in 1992, new employees earned just 2.75 hours of sick leave per
pay period, instead of the 3.75 hours earned by more senior employees. This
amounted to an annual three-day difference between the two classes of employees.
Earlier this decade, the union did manage to get the state to grant all
employees the 3.75 hours of sick leave. However, I and many other employees who
started when I did had already been shortchanged three days of sick leave
accruals for every year we worked before this was changed.
Since this is at least eight years for me, that would equate to 24 sick days.
Our total of sick leave accruals is important both while we are working and in
retirement, since we can use its cash value to pay our health care premiums in
retirement.
Therefore, I feel correcting this loss should be included in any tier equity
discussion.
SAMUEL S. PAM
Brooklyn
Stop opposing state job moves
To the Editor:
A PEF news clip from the Business Review was circulated in our office which
stated: “the Latham-based Public Employees Federation is opposing both the
(proposed state) food lab relocation (to Geneva) and data processing center
consolidation near Utica because of the disruptions the moves would mean to the
workers and their families.”
Boo Hoo. There is no guarantee when we come to work for the state that our jobs
will always be centered in Albany.
I applaud any move that decentralizes state government and spreads the economic
wealth associated with trickle-down state work to other parts of the state. We
all pay taxes. Why is Albany getting the disproportionate amount of state jobs
and spin-off economy?
Get real, PEF, and represent all your members and potential members in the Utica
area.
THOMAS M. BLACK
Deserves more pension credit
To the Editor:
A previous letter writer took issue with those state employees who would like
some compensation for the years they contributed 3 percent of their salaries to
the pension system for more than the 10 years now required.
He said he is happy with the “significant advances over the past few years in
eligibility and benefit levels” which accrue to him. However, many people have
not been able to avail themselves of those significant advances. They may have
retired before those advances took place.
According to him, requesting additional benefits is unjustified simply because
someone joined the system before 1990 (when contributions were capped at 10
years). Following that logic, he should retire through Tier 3, since he joined
the state system before Tier 4 was introduced. I doubt he will do so.
It is hypocritical to denigrate those people who feel it is reasonable and
justified to receive an additional one-month of service credit for each year
beyond 10 that they contributed to the pension system.
Finally, the writer mentioned that we also pay property taxes. But, thanks to
investments, the value of our retirement system increased by $40 billion in the
last four years. So, I do not think he has to worry about his property taxes
being increased if this additional benefit is granted.
RHODA LONOW
Spring Valley
The Communicator
Letters policy
We welcome letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant
to PEF's diverse membership.
All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste.
Please keep them brief (up to one page, double-spaced or a maximum of 250
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Public Employees Federation
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414
Email to Sherry Halbrook,
Editor or Darcy Wells, Editor-In Chie
The Communicator March
2007
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