Public Employee Press

Poltical Action 2005
Union bills pass in Albany

District Council 37 continued to build an impressive record of legislative gains in 2005. By mid-August, 12 union-backed bills had been signed into law and five more, passed by the State Assembly and Senate, were to go to the governor.

Although pension bill A. 7193/S.4455 was vetoed by the governor, its passage by both houses of the Legislature nevertheless represented a tremendous victory for DC 37.

The bill would have raised the annual maximum salary for pension purposes from 110 percent to 120 percent of the average of the two years immediately prior to retirement for members in the city and Education Dept. retirement systems.

A union-sponsored bill, first submitted this year, won overwhelming support from state legislators: S.5487/A. 8314, which awaits delivery to the governor, would let Parks Dept. Climbers and Pruners buy pension credit for any time they were laid off between 1991 and 1993.

While state legislators overwhelmingly supported bills to enhance DC 37 members’ pensions and protections, the governor vetoed bills to improve air quality in school cafeterias for Local 372 members, to allow Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Maintainers in Local 1931 to retire at age 50 after 25 years of service, and to establish 50/25 retirement programs in NYCERS for Transit Cashiers in Local 1655.

Other bills still awaiting delivery to the governor include:

• S. 5153/A. 8890: AFL-CIO Pension Task Force legislation that provides for the employer pick-up of public employee contributions to buy credit for prior military or public service pursuant to U.S. tax law.
• S.3214/A. 7621: Extends disability leave to two years for public employees with occupational injury or disease.
• S. 3184/A. 7057: Covers noncompetitive and labor class employees under reduction-in-workforce and recall provisions.
• A.7460/A. 5168: Certification of payrolls in New York City.

The 12 bills signed into law are:

• S.5152/A. 8126: allows DC 37 retirees to repay pension loans after retirement, ending actuarial reductions and increasing benefits.
• S. 4400/A. 7263, backed by the state AFL-CIO Pension Task Force, allows electronic filing of retirement forms.
• A. 8855/S.5793: CUNY pay bill.
• S. 1491/A. 3458: Local 1539 pay bill for Rent and Regulations Services Employees.
• A. 630/S. 2429: establishes training and certification requirements for assessors of real property and other personnel with professional appraisal duties.
• S. 1217/A. 2347: extends agency shop fee deduction rights for two years.
• S. 1216/A. 2350: extends civil service law provisions on injunctive relief in improper practice cases for two years.
• A. 6733/S.3604: improves state election laws to comply with the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
• A. 6655/S.3517: provides an administrative complaint procedure under HAVA.
• S.3667/A. 6841: seeks maximum transfer of surplus Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds and continues Child Care Professional Retention program.
• S. 3668/A. 6842: restores $687 million to state Medicaid program.
• S.553-E/A. 553-E: restores $4.4 million to libraries.