Don’t quit now on tier equity
To the Editor:
It is with great displeasure that I read a letter, titled “PEF reality check applauded,” in November’s issue of The Communicator. I cannot see the benefit of a letter lauding PEF for not making progress on one of our most important tier-equity issues.

State legislative bills A.7445C/S.4514B, which would require added pension service credit for members of Tiers 3 and 4 who have contributed to their pensions in excess of 10 years, is a vital step toward tier equity.

Members have asked PEF to make it a high priority to pursue this equity issue, and I have pursued legislative action on this with both legislators and the PEF Political Action Committee.

Many Tier 3 members affected by this will retire in the next few years; this is not the time to back off.

Resolutions have been passed at the last two PEF conventions to make this a high priority for the union. Please, do not take the letter published in November as a call to back off on pursuing this equity issue that is vital for the vast majority of our members.

PETER HOWARD
Schenectady

Get what you feel you should
To the Editor:
In September’s issue you responded to a well written letter from two PEF members concerning the union’s efforts in obtaining pension credit due to Tier 3 and Tier 4 state employees for contributions made prior to the year 2000.

Your reply stated that tier reform has been and continues to be a top legislative priority for PEF. You also mentioned the political tide is currently moving in the opposite direction nationally and in New York state.

Well, the tide has changed in New York state with a new Democratic governor and the former Republican candidate’s thoughts are no longer a consideration.

Although the bill mentioned in the letter sent to you (S.4514B/A.7445C) did not come to a vote, renewed efforts to revive this bill should be taken by PEF.

In the November issue, another letter sent to you by a PEF member concerning this issue took the approach that we should all be happy and content with what we have. Not so in this instance. There isn’t anything wrong with getting what you feel you are entitled to receive. It’s a matter of the state being fair to all PEF members.

RAY SIERMINSKI
Sewaren, NJ

Don’t forget retirees’ needs

To the Editor:
Unfortunately I became too disabled to work after 21.45 years and at age 45 was pensioned off. However, I still feel all living Tier 3 and 4 members (active or pensioned) should be compensated in some way for pension contributions in excess of 10 years — reimbursement of excess contributions, or one month of service credit for each year over the 10-year requirement.

Is it really fair not to consider all living NYS Tier 3 and 4 active and retired employees for compensation if they contributed for more than 10 years?

Hundreds of Tier 3 and 4 members have passed away, relieving the state from giving them the extra credit. Too many have literally worked to their deaths, not getting what’s due them.

Does the contract stop retirees from benefiting from any tier-equity proposals? When a contract is settled, all living active and retired members should be considered.

If a law prohibits unions from protecting their retired members, please let us know.

ELISE C. SOLVERSEN
Brooklyn

Editor’s Note: State law prohibits labor unions from collective bargaining on behalf of retired public employees. Only the terms and conditions of employment for current employees can be covered in their contract.

However, PEF can and does vigorously advocate for legislation to benefit its members during both their working and retirement years.
PEF will continue to seek enactment of Tier Reform legislation. (Bills which are reintroduced will be renumbered.)

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Clarification: A photo caption in the November issue of The Communicator should have said PEF Vice President Pat Baker and Regional Coordinators Dee Dodson, Vernetta Chesimard and Jemma Marie-Hanson coordinated the PEF Sept. 11 memorial service in New York City.