Public Employee Press

2003 Albany victories set record

This year’s legislative session in Albany ended on a high note for District Council 37 as the State Assembly and Senate passed 18 bills improving civil service protections and benefits as well as pensions and retirement eligibility for the union’s 125,000 members and 40,000 retirees.

Coming on top of the State Legis-lature’s bold action to help New York City close its budget gap, the long list of legislation passed by the lawmakers marks the greatest political achievement in the history of DC 37.

“Our success is the result of a partnership under the leadership of DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, our lobbying firm, Bolton St. John, and DC 37’s Political Action Dept. Together, we worked closely with individual legislators, party leaders, various local presidents and DC 37 staff to advance the union’s legislative priorities,” said DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams.

“Ms. Roberts met one-on-one with politicians and attended frequent meetings in Albany to make this happen. Her diligence in pressing for this legislation has resulted in unprecedented gains for the union,” said Ms. Williams.

Following is a list of DC 37 legislation that has been passed by the Legislature and requires the signature of Gov. George E. Pataki to become law. Three of the items, a two-year extension of the agency shop law, pre-tax purchase of Metro Cards for CUNY employees and an increase in income eligibility exempting seniors from rent hikes, were signed into law as PEP went to press.

Civil Service Law

• Grievance procedure for provisionals in the Dept. of Education and Transit Authority.
• Two-year extension of the Agency Shop Law.
• Clarification of Public Employee Relations Board jurisdiction over and duty to decide alleged contract violations.
• Amendment to add a reduction-in- workforce provision.
• Amendment to provide certain public employees involved in a disciplinary hearing or procedure with a written statement of the charges.

Economic Development

• Construction and operation of a new Croton Watershed Treatment facility in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.
• Education.
• Improved air temperature standards, ventilation and cooling requirements in public school kitchens where Local 372 members work.

Financial Disclosure

• Real property tax law amendment requiring assessors to file financial disclosure statements.
  Housing
• Extension of rent regulation to 2011.
• Increase in income eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption to $24,000 from $20,000.

Labor Rights

• Strengthened Weingarten Law to give all public employees the right to representation in discipline-related interviews.
• Amendment to Extension of Injunctive Relief Law to 2005 to provide an expedited method of resolving improper labor practice issues.
• Requirement that state and local governments (not including New York City) contribute to pension fund with minimum 4.5 percent annual payments.

Pension and Retirement

• Amended state and city laws to allow members in police communications system (911 staff) to make additional contributions to participate in the 25-year retirement program.
• Retirement eligibility after 25 years of service, regardless of age, for peace officers in certain public health, market, inspector and investigator positions.
• Age 50/ 25-year retirement program for Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority employees.

Transportation

• Transportation benefit allowing MetroCard purchase with pre-tax dollars for City University of New York employees in nine DC 37 locals.

Zoological One-day Extension

• Extension through June 2006 of New York Zoological Society’s ability to offer free admission one day per week.

— DSW