{"id":4936,"date":"2024-04-25T14:25:26","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T18:25:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/?p=4936"},"modified":"2024-05-07T13:46:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T17:46:08","slug":"value-of-the-union-pef-fights-for-employee-placed-on-leave-and-terminated-by-agency-secures-50000-in-back-pay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/issue\/volume-42-no-4\/value-of-the-union-pef-fights-for-employee-placed-on-leave-and-terminated-by-agency-secures-50000-in-back-pay\/","title":{"rendered":"Value of the union: PEF fights for employee placed on leave and terminated by agency; secures $50,000 in back pay"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4946 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/Union-Web.jpg\" alt=\"Strength and Support of the Union\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/Union-Web.jpg 350w, https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/Union-Web-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/Union-Web-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/Union-Web-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>May 7, 2024 &#8212;<\/em> Natasha Pecue started working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in 2012. Her job was helping people with disabilities find employment. As a worker with a disability herself, she found fulfillment in her job. But nine years into her career with the Adult Career and Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) office in <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Clinton County, New York, she was suddenly placed on involuntary leave.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> What followed was a long, arduous journey that would ultimately end with victory, thanks to the support of PEF Field Representative Martin Blair.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In 2001, Pecue suffered injuries that caused physical disabilities which made mobility difficult, forcing her to use a motor scooter to get around. Pecue was hired by the state under a N.Y. Labor Law section 55-b appointment, which facilitates state employment for individuals with disabilities.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI worked as a field counselor for my area,\u201d Pecue said. \u201cI was very proud of the agency I was hired with. I was very proud and very good at my job.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pecue worked in largely rural Clinton County, part of PEF Region 7. Her work assignments were always within 30 minutes of her home, close to the city of Plattsburgh. The closest ACCES-VR office was in Malone, an hour-and-a-half journey for Pecue, who uses a special vehicle to drive and has difficulty driving for more than an hour.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cBefore the pandemic we were expected to come in once a week to the office,\u201d Pecue said. \u201cAfter the pandemic, for some reason, they changed it to two days a week.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Driving to the office those two days a week became difficult for Pecue, especially when her condition worsened. In 2021, after surgery to address her symptoms, she returned to work with a temporary reasonable accommodation: That she be allowed to report from an established worksite in Plattsburgh, instead of the Malone office.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although she was given the accommodation until the end of August 2021, when Pecue asked that it be extended and made permanent, she encountered resistance from the agency.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PEF fights back on her behalf<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Decisions on reasonable accommodation requests at ACCES-VR must be rendered within 10 days of receipt of materials, according to agency policy. Pecue submitted her request on Aug. 31, 2021, and was still awaiting a decision in October of that year.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The response from the agency not only denied, but also placed her on involuntary leave under Civil Service Law section 72.5. Pecue was ordered to seek an Employee Health Service examination, forcing her to travel to Albany from her home in Plattsburgh.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Civil Service Law cited by the State Education Department (SED, under which ACCES-VR falls) allows an agency to place an employee on an involuntary leave of absence if there is \u201cprobable cause\u201d to believe that the employee would present a potential danger to others, to property, or would somehow interfere with operations.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Section 72 also provides that, if requested by the employee, a hearing can be scheduled following a motion to appeal the decision. For that, Pecue turned to PEF Field Representative Martin Blair.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI remember feeling frustration and anger with the agency after she explained her case to me,\u201d said Blair. \u201cThey mishandled this case from the beginning. They could have allowed her to keep working. We had just come off COVID where employees were working remotely, and she was doing fine.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Blair said the accommodation process is supposed to be fluid, and subject to negotiation. He said SED put Pecue in a tough position by placing her on unpaid leave while seeking the examination and awaiting the hearing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since Pecue was already placed on leave when Blair and PEF got involved, his mission was to appeal the decision and prepare for the upcoming hearing.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The case took another negative turn when, pursuant again to Section 72, Pecue was terminated while awaiting the hearing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PEF fought hard during the hearing, not only against SED\u2019s assertion that Pecue was unfit to perform her duties and that she was a potential danger or interference, but also to prove that SED improperly handled her request for a reasonable accommodation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe did our best to pick apart the rationale that said she\u2019s unfit for work,\u201d Blair said. \u201cWe tried to expose the fact that the exam did not go in depth enough. They did not ask enough questions about the scope of her work. It was a \u2018fast food\u2019 examination.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hearings for Section 72 cases are not legally binding. Instead of a court order, hearing officers provide recommendations and typically the agency follows those recommendations.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While the hearing officer sided with the agency and recommended Pecue not return to work, he disagreed on the application of Section 72.5, stating that the law was inappropriately applied and Pecue deserved back pay.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe hearing officer did seem to agree with us that she could have kept working at the satellite office at least while the hearing was going on,\u201d Blair said.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SED did not fully agree with the decision, and said in concluding arguments that Pecue could not prove she was fit to continue working for SED. They did not award her backpay, and even asked that Pecue pay SED \u201can amount equal to the cost of the hearing and the resources expended.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThis is one of the cruelest things I\u2019ve ever seen an agency do,\u201d Blair said. \u201cShe is a single mom, with a disability, in a wheelchair. We\u2019re talking about an amount of about $5,000 to $7,000 after all the hearings were done.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Time to appeal<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Blair and Pecue did not take no for an answer and appealed to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In April 2023, Blair sent the appeal to the CSC arguing that Pecue was still fit for duty and the hearing officer\u2019s decision should be upheld. Additionally, Blair argued that by improperly applying Section 72.5, improperly handling Pecue\u2019s reasonable accommodation request, and using both as a means of termination, underscored Pecue\u2019s entitlement to back pay and a restoration of accruals. PEF also argued that Pecue should be returned to work, as was Pecue\u2019s wish in the first place.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The CSC maintained SED\u2019s recommendation that Pecue was \u201cunfit\u201d to return to work. However, they did agree with PEF that SED\u2019s overreach and misuse of laws and regulations should result in restitution.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI\u2019m glad they agreed with our position,\u201d said Blair. \u201cWe were able to secure approximately $50,000 in back pay for Natasha. We also got service credits and accruals back, about seven months worth. And the credits go back to her pension, too.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pecue said while she isn\u2019t sure if she would return to work at SED at this point, she was glad for the time she spent working and to have the union by her side during this ordeal. The union, she said, is important to her and always will be.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWhen I was looking for work in this field, I had offers from different states. All over the country,\u201d Pecue said. \u201cThe only reason I moved back to New York state is because I knew I would find a union.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI am honored that Martin invested so much time with me,\u201d she said. \u201cHe earned this win. Martin is a wonderful asset to PEF.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>May 7, 2024 &#8212; Natasha Pecue started working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in 2012. Her job was helping people with disabilities find employment. As a worker with a disability&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"division":[],"allowed_regions":[],"allowed_divisions":[],"class_list":["post-4936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","issue-volume-42-no-4"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Value of the union: PEF fights for employee placed on leave and terminated by agency; secures $50,000 in back pay - PEF Communicator<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/issue\/volume-42-no-4\/value-of-the-union-pef-fights-for-employee-placed-on-leave-and-terminated-by-agency-secures-50000-in-back-pay\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Value of the union: PEF fights for employee placed on leave and terminated by agency; secures $50,000 in back pay\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"May 7, 2024 &#8212; Natasha Pecue started working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in 2012. 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