Burned
by ‘use it or lose it’ rule
To the Editor:
I am a NYS employee and PEF member. I paid $1,200 into the NYS Flex Spending
Account in 2006 to save money to pay for eye laser surgery.
In December, I went to use the money saved, but was informed that I needed to
pay out of my pocket for the surgery and then the account would reimburse me,
but I had just two weeks left to have the procedure done. I couldn’t get an
appointment in two weeks, so the $1,200 was forfeited.
I asked to cancel my re-enrollment in the program for 2007, but was told I could
not. So another $1,200 will be forfeited.
The program had contacted me last August to get me to re-enroll for 2007.
Government employees have faith in their employer and union and will take a
chance with a program their employer backs, assuming they will be protected.
PEF tells me Section 125 of the federal tax code governs the pre-tax benefit
plan rule of “use it or lose it.” But the IRS does not state that members should
be contacted several months before the end of the year to get them to re-enroll,
and once they do they are stuck in the program for a full year, even before that
year actually begins.
New York State and PEF have a duty to inform us of horror stories or pitfalls.
COREY JACKSON
The Bronx
Editor’s note: The writer can use the money he is setting aside in his flexible
spending account for 2007 to reimburse himself for any eligible health care
expenses he incurs this year. He could use a credit card to pay for the laser
surgery, and pay off that charge with reimbursement from his flexible spending
account.
Articles The Communicator has run describing various Flexible Spending accounts
and the opportunity they afford members to reduce their taxes by using pre-tax
income to pay for such things as health care, also have stressed the need to
estimate costs for the coming year conservatively when you enroll because you
will lose any money unspent by the end of the year.
(PEF supports efforts to amend federal tax law to allow that money to roll over
to the next year.)
The articles also have explained most of these programs operate on a
reimbursement basis, rather than by providing direct payment for expenses.
State
should take snow days
To the Editor:
This past February 14, much of New York, including Albany, was socked with 2
feet of snow or more. However, regardless of the extremely hazardous driving
conditions, non-essential state offices were not closed. Luckily, I was able to
drive to work in my four-wheel drive vehicle. Driving home, I saw dozens of
vehicles stuck on I-787.
This reminds me of the March 2001 snowstorm, when Gov. George Pataki urged
everyone not to go out, but then immediately and explicitly declared that all
state workers were expected to report to work. In the end, I believe there was
an early departure order later that afternoon.
Conditions on February 14 were extremely treacherous for driving. Vermont and
Pennsylvania shuttered nonessential services in the interest of public safety.
Why doesn’t New York do the same?
PEF should stick up for the safety of its constituency and advocate for the
state to close its non-essential offices for extreme weather situations.
Even though I was at work most of that day, I feel PEF should also formally
request that the governor restore leave for my fellow workers who could not make
it in or wisely opted not to in the best interest of safety.
RICHARD VEHLOW
Troy
Editor’s Note: For many years, PEF has consistently tried to negotiate contract
language to better address when and which employees should be released or
excused from work because of dangerous conditions without the need to charge
their accrued leave. PEF continues to advocate for members’ safety, both in
contract talks and other forums.
Dentists, too, need fair pay
To the Editor:
When I read the letter titled “Fair pay key for engineers” in the February issue
of The Communicator, I thought, “Replace the job title of engineer with dentist,
and DOT (Transportation Department) with DOCS (Department of Correctional
Services), and this could have been my letter.”
DOCS has 20.5 vacant positions for dentists. It makes no effort to recruit or
contract to fill them. Some dentists are covering multiple facilities. Our wages
are far below the community standards and our work environments are far more
hazardous.
Equitable compensation would help recruit qualified candidates.
THOMAS SWEENEY
Whitesboro
PBT suspension frustrates him
To the Editor:
What is PEF’s position regarding the suspension of the Promotion Test Battery?
As a provisional employee who has taken and passed the battery twice, I find it
frustrating not knowing my fate.
It is also unfortunate that we who passed the Test Battery in the past, were
unable to get on a job list because Civil Service did not post the announcement
in four years.
I agree the test was not perfect, but to suspend the process altogether —
stranding some “unlucky” people, while affording other “lucky” people the
opportunity for advancement — seems like a bad idea, unless you are in later
group, of course.
I also want to comment on parking. Some folks in other unions and other state
departments, handle parking differently than at my agency.
How can someone with 15-20 years with one state department not be able to park
in the East Garage (in Albany), while someone in another state department can
park there in less than three years?
Fairness and equity, who needs them? You just need to be in the right place at
the right time.
WHITNEY REED
Mechanicville
Editor’s note: See page 7 for article on suspension of the Promotion Test
Battery, and see page 20 for invitation to weigh in on the Test Battery issue.
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
words), and please include your name and phone number for verification.
Send letters to thecommunicator@pef.org:
The Communicator
Public Employees Federation
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414
Email to Sherry Halbrook,
Editor or Darcy Wells, Editor-In Chief
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