Public Employee Press

Poltical Action 2006
Union bills pass in Albany

DC 37 and state legislators in Albany collaborated on more than a dozen initiatives that would have a positive impact on the jobs and communities where DC 37 members work and live.

“DC 37 can be very proud of its accomplishments in this legislative session,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

“We pressed to protect members’ rights, improve working conditions and gain pension benefits. We can thank our friends in Albany who listened and acted on our behalf.”

Union activists sent thousands of e-mails, cards and letters, and made several lobbying visits to the capitol. Their efforts convinced the governor to sign into law bills establishing a workplace violence standard and keeping a free admission day at the Bronx Zoo through 2009.

Additionally, 10 pension improvement bills and a bill to air condition school kitchens passed in the Senate and Assembly and await the governor’s signature:

Education: A.11326/John and S3234-A/Maziarz: Air Temperature Control for School Cafeteria Kitchens.

Pensions: A.9802/Abbate — S.7280/Golden: Establishes the maximum salary in any year for pension purposes as 120 percent of the average of the two prior years (up from 110 percent) for NYCERS or BERS members.

A.7189-B/Abbate – S.4456-B/Golden: Provides health insurance coverage upon retirement for NYC Transit Authority employees the same as is provided for other city employees in the same retirement system.

A.9803/Abbate – S.6773/Golden: Allows Climbers and Pruners laid-off by the Dept. of Parks between 1991 and 1993 to purchase pension credit for the layoff period.

A.11023/Abbate – S.7442/Golden: Chapter 96 Re-opener for Loaders and Handlers: Allows Loaders and Handlers who are in BERS to elect to obtain certain benefits.

S.7507/Golden – A.11182/Abbate: Establishes an optional 25 years/ age 50 improved benefit retirement program for employees in physically-taxing positions.

A.9806/Abbate – S.7285/Golden: Transit Cashier “25 and out”: Establishes age 50/ 25-year program for Cashiers in NYCERS.

A.11658/Abbate – S.8122/Golden: Local 1359 Chapter Amendment to Pay bill.

S.6903/Maltese – A.10223/Lentol: TBTA Laborers and Maintainers Carbon Monoxide Extender. Expands the provisions for a lower retirement age for TBTA Maintainers.

A.10470-/Abbate – A.7840/Golden: Provides formula changes in the actuarial assumptions and methods for the actuarially funded New York City retirement systems.

A.11805/Abbate — S.9408/Robach: 25/55 ERI: Establishes a two-year age 55/25 year temporary early retirement incentive to resolve future workforce planning issues between public employers and employees.