 What’s status
of tier bills?To the Editor: What is the current status of the following bills in the state Legislature which affect PEF members? • S5604 and A8875-A, concern members receiving one month of additional service credit for each year of pension contributions in excess of 10 years. • S2361-A and A4381 (Tier 2) and S1345-A and A2060 (Tier 1) concern allowing members hired between April 1, 1972, through July 26, 1976, or after be afforded the same benefit as Tier 3 and Tier 4 members allowing accrued vacation pay to be included in calculating workers’ final average salaries. KEVIN CONNOLLY Ossining Editor’s note: These bills are still being reviewed by the Senate Civil Service and Pension Committee and the Assembly Government Employees Committee. However the bill numbers have changed. The new bill numbers are S6365 and A1862-B for the legislation to give an additional month of service credit for members of Tiers 3 and 4 for each year of pension contribution in excess of 10 years. Another version of this legislation includes members of the New York City Retirement System, as well as the NYS Retirement System. The legislation regarding use of vacation pay in calculating final average salary now combines Tiers 1 and 2 in one set of bills — S2320-A and A4433-B. They support BSN for all nurse To the Editor: There is a general shortage of nurses. Some of the major problems are related to education and advancement opportunities, safe workplace and staffing issues. In the February issue of The Communicator, PEF President Roger Benson said requiring nurses to earn bachelor of science in nursing degrees “will not improve the care provided by registered nurses. Instead, it will almost certainly exacerbate the nursing shortage.” And the article attributes to George R. Boggs, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, the opinion that the proposed BSN requirement could drive New York’s future nurses to neighboring states. PEF and the Service Employees International Union oppose requiring the BSN, saying the timing is wrong. Every day new medications and technology are changing, nurses need to be prepared to meet these challenges. We find it inexcusable and personally insulting to disregard the importance and need for continuing nursing education. It is recommended that addiction counseling raise the bar by continuing education and many nursing publications encourage further education for nurses. Nurses need to: 1. Promote through education the continued competency of nurses in their practice. 2. Advocate for the health and safety of the public through the promotion of qualified nurses through the health care system. 3. Legislate by engaging lawmakers. Let’s address the real problem and that is the almighty dollar. JUANITA POLINAIRE DIANE E. SULLIVAN Ronkonkama Editor’s note: PEF has always supported high professional standards for nurses, and has helped many of its nurses achieve their degrees and meet continuing education requirements. However, at this time, when the need for full staffing and an end to mandatory overtime are critical issues for so many PEF nurses, the union cannot support new educational requirements that could drive more nurses and potential nurses away from the profession. Right to fight for tier equity To the Editor: I read with great interest and surprise the letter from a (pension) Tier 1 member who felt that PEF has ignored the issues of both Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. I am a member of Tier 3 and many, like myself, have paid 3 percent of our salaries for more than 20 years into the retirement system and would be continuing to pay, if it were not for legislative action a few years ago. I have personally paid in more than $30,000 to the pension system during my employment. I would gladly retire at 55, rather than wait until I am 62 to retire without a penalty. I do not think any members in Tiers 1 or 2 would trade their benefits for those in Tiers 3 or 4. PEF is finally fighting for tier equity, which is long overdue. LUCILLE BARBELL Plattsburgh 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: The Communicator Public Employees Federation P.O. Box 12414 Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414 Denyce Duncan Lacy, Executive Editor The Communicator and Director of Public Relations dduncanlacy@pef.org Sherry Halbrook, Editor of The Communicator - shalbrook@pef.org |
Communicator Homepage April 04
Inside This Issue
Features
Contract rally sizzles
Rally activists speak their minds
PEF weighing its options
Keep Fulton Corrections open
Camp McGregor’s fate depends...
Lawmakers save Middletown Psych
PEF helps elect Fields to office
Changing the world, one cow at a time
Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
Nurses' Station
Retirees In Action
Members' Highlights
Back Cover Ad
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
Union halts layoffs at OCF
Judge backs nurses right to back pay
Member keeps lifesaving blood flowing
Deadline nears for OT meal allowance
PEF sending first heroes into national...
Labor community helps state
workers
Grant walks the walk
Reg. 1 member running to retire
Candidates sought for E. Board
Join PEF Hispanic Committee at Somos
2004 Convention Delegate Info
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Somos El Futuro!
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Helen Brooks at the PEF Legislative Office, 1-800-724-4997.
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