One other PEF bill signed, but six nixed
New independent commission to study diversity issues in state workforce

By SHERRY HALBROOK
The verdict is in on the last group of PEF-supported bills to be sent to the governor: two were signed and six were vetoed.

Among those signed into law is legislation (A.9929A/S.7591) establishing an independent commission to look for ways to increase diversity in the state work force.

“We commend the governor for signing this bill and state Assembly Members Peter Rivera and Peter Abbate and Sen. Joseph Robach for sponsoring it and leading the effort to get it passed and signed,” said PEF Vice President Pat Baker, who led a large group of PEF members in testifying at a 2005 legislative hearing on the diversity issue.

“Many PEF members have said they feel shortchanged because of their race or ethnicity when it comes to hiring and promotional opportunities in state service,”

Baker said. “We hope this independent commission can be an effective force for changing that. Everyone deserves the chance to compete on a level playing field.”

Abbate and Sen. Thomas Libous sponsored the other PEF bill signed into law in September. It (A.11611/S.8001) raises the maximum number of accrued sick days from 165 to 200 that can be converted to pension service credits by PEF members at the state Canal Corporation and employees of the state Thruway Authority when they retire.

This matches the maximum for PEF’s PS&T members and most other state employees. The maximums are negotiated by the unions as part of the employees’ contracts, but it requires a change in state law to make them a reality.

Bills vetoed in September would have:
• Created a 25-year retirement plan for peace officers and police officers at the state Department of Taxation and Finance;

• Expanded protections for public employees who blow the whistle on situations that endanger the health or welfare of minors;

• Required former representatives of both labor and public employers to have left those roles for at least three years before serving on the Public Employment Relations Board;

• Extended from 12 to 18 months the maximum leave of absence allowed for public employees recovering from job-related injuries or illnesses;

• Established the presumption that disabling heart conditions suffered by parole officers are work-related; and

• Apply to state employees in non-competitive and labor-class positions the same seniority-based lay-off and recall rules that already apply to competitive-class employees.