Click on the categories below to view our responses to questions of general interest.
Have a question for OMCE?  Email us: nysomce@gmail.com.

● It is well known that OMCE has supported the Tier 2 equity legislation consistently in the past and will continue to pursue its passage. Where do PEF and CSEA stand on this issue?

AFL-CIO and its affiliates PEF and CSEA support this legislation.

● Does the OMCE legislative proposal for a state match for M/C employees participating in the Deferred Compensation Program include all M/C staff or just those above a certain salary grade?

The legislation makes no distinction among M/C employees by salary grade. All would qualify who meet the 5 years/10 years at job rate requirements and are participating in the Deferred Compensation Program.

● Can you tell us who chairs and co-chairs the government employee committee in the legislature or whatever the committee is called that handles legislation for retirement bills. I realize neither the comptroller or legislative members have said pension enhancements are likely this year. However, some are not really enhancements at all; rather, they are bills to provide equity and fairness. I specifically refer to the Tier 2 bill that would allow the 6 weeks vacation to be added to final average salary (FAS). Many in Tier 2 are at or close to retirement age. Can't we try to mobilize members of OMCE and other units to get something going. The $16 million price tag quoted on this page is really a paltry amount given the total contributions made. Please help!

We are pleased to provide you with information on how to contact the legislative committees concerning the tier equity bill. We have and continue to discuss the need to pass this bill in our legislative contacts. This bill has also been on the priority agenda of other unions and the AFL-CIO. We regularly encourage OMCE members to contact their legislators with their concerns and invite their participation in OMCE Legislative Day which we schedule annually in March. Contact Info: Peter J. Abbate, Chairman Assembly Government Employees Committee 839 Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248 518-455-3053 Fax 518-455-5524 Email  abbatep@assembly.state.ny.us; Joseph E. Robach, Chairman Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee 902 Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12247 518-455-2909 Fax 518-426-6938  Email robach@senate.state.ny.us.

● By following this board it is apparent that simply is not enough interest to remedy the salary disparities between MC and other units in terms of grade issues, longevity and deferred comp legislation, not to mention the inequities in retirement (e.g. Tier 2, vacation payment added to FAS, etc). Since many members may not for whatever reason actually write to their respective members of the legislature, why not send letters in your next OMCE news in an effort to get as many members of OMCE to sign and forward.. Maybe having more interest than just a couple of letters would get some attention. Lastly, is there no MEDIA venue to expose the financial inequities the State continues to foster on us? Again anyone can figure out that, financially, you do far better in CSEA than in MC. There should be some effort to treat all employees equally in terms of pay grade and retirement.

From time to time, we appeal to members to call or write their legislators on issues of significance to M/C employees. We even provide form letters, as you suggest (e.g. via the Action Line on the Home Page). We believe every letter counts and is an important adjunct to our formal lobbying activities. Nevertheless, you are right that it will take more than a few letters from members to get their legislators' attention. As for the media, while we are grateful for publicity that calls attention to the inequities that M/C staff face and our efforts to correct them, please understand that the general public, to whom media coverage is addressed, is not sympathetic to state employees getting more-either salary, pension benefits or anything else. We view our lobbying activities with the Legislature and our contacts and dialogue with the Executive (and in the courts, when necessary) as appropriate forums for our activities on behalf of M/C employees. Incidentally, tier equity is not solely an M/C issue. It affects all Tier 2 employees and has been on the AFL-CIO legislative agenda for some time.

● Can you please tell us the cost of legislation that would allow Tier 2 and late Tier 1 employees to have 6 weeks of vacation time included in their final average salary retirement calculation?

According to the 2006 revised fiscal note, the legislation would cost the State about $14 million annually in increased contributions to the NYS Employees' Retirement System and cost municipalities and other participating employers approximating $21 million. Annual contributions to the NYS Local Police and Fire Retirement System would increase by $6 million for the State and $31 million for participating employers.

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