January 19, 2024 — PEF President Wayne Spence and department directors updated members on recent news that would impact SUNY Downstate members, the proposed congestion pricing in the New York City area, when to expect payment of contract benefits, PEF’s campaign to end workplace bullying, and the union’s legislative priorities during a telephone town hall January 17.
Contractual pay
The 2023-26 contract includes several financial gains for members and Director of Contract Administration Deb Greenberg provided updates on when that money pays out.
The largest, the April 2023 3% raise, was paid out within weeks of ratification, she said. The next largest, the $3,000 signing bonus, was paid in November 2023, within a month of the eligibility period cutoff.
For members eligible for the $1,000 increased hiring rate payments, those are being paid out starting in the January 17 and January 25 checks, depending on administrative or institutional payroll. These are payment for members in titles where Civil Service approved increased hiring rates and who were already above that salary and below job rate.
The first $400 annual dental stipend will be paid March 13 and March 21, and the stipend for 2024 should be paid as soon as practical after the beginning of the April 2024 fiscal year and after the required eligibility lists are generated. Members enrolled in the dental plan do not need to take any action to receive the stipends.
The first $600 higher education differential is due to be paid as soon as practicable after the beginning of the April 2024 fiscal year. Agencies will need to provide information to the Comptroller on who is eligible. Members have until the end of March 2024 to submit proof, if needed, of their college degree (Associate’s Degree or higher or professional license from SED). Agencies may rely on information in personal history folders. Be on the lookout for direction from agency HR departments on what proof may be required.
Insurance premium increase
You may have noticed your health insurance costs increased for the new year.
Greenberg explained this was not due to anything PEF negotiated, but due to an increase in NYSHIP premiums.
“We don’t negotiate those,” she said. “The increase was not specific to PEF and not specific to NYSHIP. Costs are rising all over the country. We negotiate the percentage of premium, and that did not change.”
SUNY Downstate
Once again, the state is targeting SUNY Downstate, this time citing financial difficulties and aging infrastructure in a proposal to create a SUNY wing at Kings County Hospital across the street, while rehabbing Downstate into affordable housing.
“A memo came out that raised a lot of questions for folks who work at SUNY Downstate,” said President Spence. “What does this mean for the 400 PEF members, as well as the UUP and the CSEA staff at the hospital?
“I want our nurses to know we are looking into this,” he said. “We are going to demand more information on this plan. We want you to know there are a lot of concerns around this announcement.”
PEF Legislative Director Pat Lyons said there is very little in the Executive Budget on this, but capital improvements are necessary to maintain operational need.
“We are going to work in a coordinated fashion with other unions,” he said. “This isn’t only a PEF issue; it impacts the residents of Brooklyn. They get excellent health care at SUNY Downstate.”
You can support the opposition efforts by contacting your legislators. Click here for a pre-written letter.
Congestion pricing
It’s expensive enough traveling into Manhattan for work, but a new congestion pricing plan would make it even more so.
“They want to charge drivers who travel into designated zones during peak traffic hours,” President Spence said. “This would have a direct impact on PEF members who normally drive their vehicle into parts of Manhattan. Whatever raise we just got, that is going to be eaten up.”
The idea behind congestion pricing is to encourage people to use public transportation. The problem is that there are numerous “transit deserts” where that is neither feasible nor reliable.
“If you want the privilege of driving, you have to pay extra,” he said. “We’re going to be monitoring this.”
The United Federation of Teachers and the governor of New Jersey have filed lawsuits against the city to halt the plan.
Toxic workplace campaign
PEF launched a campaign over the summer to combat toxic workplace environments at state agencies, kicking off with a rally at Empire State Plaza during the September 2023 Executive Board meeting.
As more members come forward with their stories, others have been empowered to share their own. To avoid retaliation, PEF is protecting the identity of participants by blurring their images and masking their voices.
President Spence highlighted the actions of members at Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, where thanks to members speaking out and with the backing of the union, progress was made.
“Members started sending anonymous letters about their experiences of bullying and disrespect,” said Vice President Darlene Williams. We made the decision to package these and show them to OMH Central Office.
“What really stood out was that one member stood up at a meeting,” Williams said. “She was scared and in tears and she told her story. That allowed someone else to stand up. Letters were no longer anonymous.”
PEF put forth a demand letter and OMH responded that they will meet with local leaders.
“Management is now paying attention in a way they didn’t pay attention before,” President Spence said. “When I started this, I didn’t know where it was going to go, but I did know we can’t just sit there and do nothing.”
To share your toxic workplace tale, visit the campaign’s website or email communicator@pef.org.
State budget analysis
Highlights of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s FY 2025 budget were released January 16 and PEF’s Legislative Department hit the ground running to analyze it.
“We’re pretty pleased with the budget,” said Legislative Director Pat Lyons. “There are some good proposals that we have been supportive of in our Fund Our Future campaign, such as adding mental health beds. The governor also advanced a plan to eliminate the lag payroll system for new hires.”
There are also some problem spots, he said, including SUNY Downstate and a proposal to shutter up to five prisons in the next fiscal year, with only a 90-day notice to staff.
“The incarcerated population has dropped by half over the last decade,” Lyons said. “There is a lot of excess capacity. We believe that space is a buffer, and our concerns include making sure our members are safe.”
Should the closings occur, PEF contends 90 days is not sufficient to make sure members have options to transfer to other facilities or other positions.
Lyons said the campaign to fix the Tier 6 pension plan will continue in this legislative session. Among the goals is a 3% standard contribution for all workers, a 2% pension calculation at 20 years; reducing the retirement age to 55 with 30 years of service; and reducing the salary calculation to the average of the three highest years of a member’s salary.
Accrual loss
Members amassed excess accruals during the COVID pandemic – and the end date to use those carried-over accruals was Dec. 31, 2023.
“It was use it or lose it,” President Spence said. “Because of staff shortages, we knew if everyone put in for it there was no way everybody was going to get the days off, especially around the holidays.”
If you put in for vacation, were denied, and lost accruals after the first of the year, contact PEF at AccrualLoss@pef.org. The union will attempt to get you compensated. You will need documentation of the denial and your timesheet showing the accrual loss.
To see a breakdown of what else was discussed during the Town Hall and when – as well as listen to an audio recording of the call — click here. PEF President Spence promised to hold another Town Hall in February.