Public Employee Press

Letters to the editor

Thanks union for fixing city pension RIP-off
The following letter was sent to the DC 37 Retirees Association:

Seven years after retiring I have finally received my correct pension amount as well as seven years’ retroactive payment due to the inclusion of the RIP in my pensionable base salary, which came about thanks to the efforts of DC 37’s Legal and Research and Negotiations departments.

The PEP reported, “Arbiter nixes city pension RIP-off,” in the March 2007 issue. Members of eight locals were receiving recurring increment payments (RIPs) under the 1995-2000 unit contracts, but the city was not including the RIP as part of the base salary for pension purposes, even though the two-year waiting period had ended in March 2002.

DC 37 General Counsel Mary J. O’Connell, former Assistant General Counsel Leonard Polletta, Research and Negotiations Dept. Associate Director Evelyn Seinfeld, and former Assistant Director Mike Musuraca pushed this issue successfully through the arbitration process and on to NYCERS, which is now working on the pension revisions for hundreds, maybe thousands of affected retirees.

Thanks as well to Retirees Association President Stu Leibowitz, who was vital in following up on the implementation of the award and keeping it on the front burner.

—Mara Beck
Local 375 Retiree

No to a third term

I wish to wholeheartedly applaud PEP for a most enthralling issue, which grappled with and addressed the issues of the day and commented on City Hall regarding layoffs, etc. It is refreshing to have read Lillian Robert’s stance on private contractors.

I also heard her comments on WCBS-AM radio yesterday morning.

I pray that neither PEP nor DC 37 will endorse Mayor Bloomberg for his bid for a third term, which, unfortunately, he has basically purchased.

—Barry A. Schwartz
Construction Project Manager II Local 375

Union staff “helpful and professional”
The following letter was sent to DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts:

I am writing this letter to commend your staff who work with the disability unit.

Mr. Julio Hernandez and Ms. Suzette Antrobus were extremely professional and helpful to me during my time of need.

I went out on leave from Elmhurst Hospital to have a total hip replacement. I had no idea what to do for money, or how I was going to eat or pay some of my bills.

Mr. Hernandez started my claim and before I went for my surgery in March he made sure to show me what to do. The Help Our Own Fund paid my Con Ed bill, and made sure I had a check to pay some other bills.

Both of these examiners are always available, and they are willing to help solve any problems that may come up. To them and all the staff I would like to say, thank you. Thank you for their tremendous support and help.

Mr. Hernandez talked to me about the surgery because I was a bit scared, since I had never stayed in the hospital except to have my son. He explained that he’d had the surgery and said I’d be fine, and he was right.

I’m impressed with all the staff from the operators to my lawyer, Carol Ritchie, who is helping me with eviction.

Also thank you, Ms. Roberts, for fighting for us. God bless you.

—Vanessa V. Walsh
Hospital Employees Local 420

Retiree: End layoffs

I am proud of District Council 37 workers and all our brothers and sisters in the municipal labor movement, and I believe no New York City worker should be fired ever again.

Did you know that retirees on the west coast of Florida have to travel close to 100 miles to get to clinics on the east coast.

We need a field office here on the west coast of Florida to cut down the cost and waste of all the trips we have to take to the east coast.

Americans want to work hard and take good care of their families and their country. God bless America and protect our brothers and sisters defending our country.

—Vince Macnair
Retired Local 924 Shop Steward