PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


Register, vote, make sure PEF’s voice is heard at the polls


By SUSAN M. KENT It is vital for PEF members to stay


politically engaged and active. Together, we can combine our financial and voluntary resources to make a real difference in key elections at the federal, state and local levels. Many voices speaking together are louder than a single voice talking alone. Just as union representation gives workers a voice on the job, political action gives workers a voice in public policy to improve our communities. We know the status quo doesn’t work.


It’s time to do things differently, to be bold in our actions and, last month, the PEF Executive Board, in a democratic process, did just that by voting to endorse Zephyr Teachout for governor and Tim Wu for lieutenant governor. (For a complete list of candidates endorsed by PEF, please see page 4). Now, we must mobilize and work for


the candidates, like Zephyr and Tim, who support the goals and priorities of this union. You can be sure PEF-endorsed


candidates will be held accountable, and that words are not enough. It’s not good enough to just get union friendly candidates elected. They must be held accountable and they must have our backs in good times as well as bad.


KENT We know a strong union movement can


help provide volunteer legwork and counteract the influence of big money in campaigns. That is why it is so important for us all to be involved, whether it’s stuffing envelopes, taking part in a phone bank or going door-to-door for our candidates. Please take a look at the back cover of this issue of The Communicator for information on how you can get involved in the political campaigns in your region. I recently sent a letter to PEF members who are listed on public records as not


decision from an arbitrator concerning members who are eligible to opt-out of their individual state Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). The Health Insurance Enrollment Opt-


out Program, as provided in the 2011-2015 PS&T Agreement, states that eligible employees who have other health insurance coverage may opt out of their NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an annual incentive payment of $1,000 for individual coverage, or $3,000 for family coverage. To be eligible, an employee must be


enrolled in NYSHIP from April 1 through December 31of the previous plan year. The employee must also have “other coverage” available to them as a dependent on a


report sheets” to its local leaders for distribution to their members. Members are asked to complete and submit to PEF one of these sheets when they see or have first- hand knowledge of concerning situations for clients or their families, that arise because of the clients being prematurely released from state-operated programs, misdirected or sent to privately operated programs. The union needs this information to carefully document and support its


www.pef.org


family member’s health insurance coverage. Beginning with the 2012 plan year, the


being registered to vote. I urged them to register and provided them with a link to the state Board of Elections voter registration application. It is my hope these members will register in time to vote in the primary election September 9 and the general election November 4. Voting is the most basic step in being


involved in the political process, a process that impacts our jobs, our health care, our education, and our neighborhoods. I also want to ask you to encourage your friends, families, neighbors and co- workers to participate in this very important right we have as Americans to vote in this year’s elections. Make sure people know that together we can make a difference, that people power can surpass the power of wealth. This year, we have the potential to


swing elections. The time for our voices to be heard is now. PEF members, exercising the right to vote is vital to our political power to preserve our members’ jobs, the services we provide, and to get the contract we deserve.


PEF makes headway in opt-out insurance plan payments PEF recently received a favorable


The arbitrator sided with the union


state improperly denied eligible members the opportunity to opt out of their own NYSHIP coverage and receive the incentive payment. The state did not consider the family member’s NYSHIP plan to be “other coverage.” “During bargaining, PEF did not agree to


any restrictions or limitations on what is meant by other coverage, including NYSHIP coverage provided through a spouse,” said PEF Attorney Renee Delgado. PEF filed a grievance and proceeded to


arbitration, challenging the state’s refusal to pay the $1,000 incentive to members who had other coverage though a state- employed family member.


positions. PEF is aided by its two international


affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union, in these efforts to defend public services and public employees, she said.


Legislative agendas Ok’d The board also debated, amended and


passed the union’s 2015 state and federal legislative agendas. They will be submitted


and ruled the state violated the agreement. He also agreed with the union’s argument that “other coverage” includes coverage provided though a family member who also works for the state. The result is the state now allows


eligible employees to opt-out and begin receiving the payment. The retroactive remedy remains to be decided. The state is reviewing the arbitrator’s decision to determine whether it will seek to vacate the award in state court. The PEF Contract Administration Department is discussing implementation of the award with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations. It will keep members updated as additional information becomes available. —Deborah A. Miles


to the 2014 PEF Convention delegates for final review and adoption.


PEF ended 2013-14 ‘in the black’ In presenting his financial report to the


board, Garcia said the audit of the 2013-14 fiscal year had been completed and it showed the union ended that year (which ran from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014) with a net balance of approximately $730,000.


The Communicator September 2014—Page 7


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