Keep PEF out
of politics
To the Editor:
Now the presidential candidate our union backed has been defeated and the party we seem to be always against is stronger then ever, how is the leadership of our union going to be able to negotiate for the members with a far more powerful GOP?
The president and officers of our union should never have involved the union in politics in the first place. I doubt very much the governor or the Republicans will forget our union worked to defeat most of their candidates for office.
Our last two PS&T contracts have been less than the best that they should have been in large part, I suspect, because PEF President Roger Benson is so adamantly against Gov. George Pataki and his team. It is my opinion that it is time for our union to devote its energies to promoting the members’ best interests and stay out of the political fray.
MALCOLM WATSON
Wappingers Falls
Editor’s note: PEF endorsed Gov. George Pataki for re-election in 2002. This year, PEF endorsed more than 75 Republicans in various state legislative and congressional races.
Push pension enhancements
To the Editor:
I want to draw attention to three bills PEF supports that are presently sitting in the state Legislature. These bills could significantly improve retirement benefits for all state employees hired after April 1972.
However, once we get into 2005 these bills will need to be reintroduced. And they will be given new bill numbers at that time.
Their 2004 numbers are:
• S6365/A.1862C would allow certain Tier 3 and 4 retirement system members who have contributed for a period of 10 years or more to receive additional service credit.
• S. 2320A/A.4433B would allow Tier 1 members hired after April 1972 and all Tier 2 members to include up to 30 days of vacation pay in the calculation of their final average salaries.
• S.4006/A.5193A would allow Tiers 2, 3 and 4 members who have at least 25 years of service credits to retire without reduction in pension benefits after reaching age 55.
PEF has been actively supporting these bills, but membership support is needed. I urge everyone to contact their local senator and Assembly members, as well as the sponsors of the bills and the legislators on the appropriate committees to express support for these bills.
Go online to www.senate.state.ny.us
and to www.assembly.state.ny.us for lots of additional information, including your representatives and their e-mail addresses and phone numbers.
PETER HOWARD
Albany
Wants Tier 3, 4 pension reforms
To the Editor:
Nearing my retirement, I have been following the lack of progress of bills in the state Assembly and Senate regarding conversion of the excess of pension contributions by Tier 3 and 4 members.
Most of us have contributed for many years more than the 10 now specified by law. I understand we should receive one month of credit per year of contributions beyond 10.
Recently, I e-mailed my Senate and Assembly representatives regarding this, but only received an automated response from one of them. When I called this office, the secretary told me not to expect any answer.
Thousands of us are facing this problem. Now that the contract is signed, shouldn’t PEF’s attention turn toward some of these neglected issues?
A. MICHALIK
White Plains
Editor’s note: Public employers are complaining about paying more for employee pensions now than for more than a decade. Some have called for creation of a new Tier 5. This forces PEF to fight defensive battles, rather than focus on seeking gains members deserve.
The Communicator
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Send letters to:
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Public Employees Federation
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414
Denyce Duncan Lacy,
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Sherry Halbrook, Editor of The Communicator - shalbrook@pef.org
The
Communicator Dec.04-Jan.05
Inside This Issue
Features
Convention Recap:
Delegates set union's '05 agenda
Benson and Hallum speeches
Nurses:
Stay unified on overtime..
Workshop:
Privatization 101
Trustees Report
Convention photos
Departments
President's Message
Legislative
Update
Member's Mailbag
Health Notes
Retirees In Action
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
Get-Out-The-Vote '04:
-
PEF scores big with voters
- Volunteers of grassroots...
- Union
help win states for Kerry
Committee
takes on shadow threat
AHA members OK
new pact
PS&T members get contract $
Members
rally to save OTDA move
Members push DOT to save jobs
Vocational counselors
fight back
Scholarships & Student Aid
Scanlon scholarship tournament
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