Military duty


raises issues To the Editor: In response to the


March-edition article “PEF steward deploys overseas” I would like to point out once a PEF member changes his civil service pay status to military leave without


pay, PEF will terminate his assignment as steward as well as membership in the union and his division will convene a special election to fill his steward position. I know this from first-hand experience,


as I was a PEF Division 170 steward when I was called up for 16 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008 - 2009. In June 2008 I was off the union rolls and in November 2008 steward nominating petitions were mailed to Division 170 members and an election was held for my steward position shortly thereafter. The official explanation for this


decision was I was no longer paying any dues and that I was not present to provide services to the membership. Fortunately


for me and other state employees called to active duty, NYS Civil Service law, as well as USERA, provides protected rights and benefits (such as continuation of family medical insurance at no cost) for deployed military personnel and their families, while PEF does not. MICHAEL E. ROEDING Selden


Editor’s Note: Under the PEF


constitution, anyone in a bargaining unit represented by PEF who stops paying dues while on unpaid leave, even temporarily, is no longer eligible for PEF membership or to hold PEF office during that time. The PEF Veterans Committee has


raised concerns about those on active military duty losing eligibility for insurance and other programs available from the PEF Membership Benefits Program (MBP). In 2010, in response to that concern,


the MBP trustees made it possible to continue access to those benefits during active military service. PEF negotiated the continuation of


state health insurance benefits for the covered dependents of PEF members


during military deployment.The union also negotiated supplemental pay and military leave at reduced pay benefits that provide income protection after deployed members have exhausted their statutory military leave benefits. In addition, PEF negotiated the use of


leave accruals for members who need time off between their return from military duty and resumption of active state service.


      


         


                


              


         


            


Page 2—The Communicator April 2011 PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


          


           


YOU SAID IT


SAVE THE DATE NURSES


T LOBBY DAY


UES., MAY 24, 2011 CAPITOL STEPS ALBANY


For more information


call 1-800-342-4306 x 227 or email: nwolff@pef.org Transportation is on your own.


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