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6/24/2009

VOLUNTEER SUMMER PROGRAM-AFT
We need YOU...

By volunteering to spend two weeks this summer organizing teachers and PSRPs in the South, you will be building the national strength of your union, learning new skills, forming relationships that last a lifetime, and helping to bring real change to our colleagues in need.
 
This is not a job for everyone. The work is demanding and each volunteer signs-up for a minimum two week commitment.

YOU are responsible for bringing desire and determination to make things better for our brothers and sisters who struggle against anti-union and anti-public school hostility. The Amercian Federation of Teachers (AFT) provides everything else. We supply the high-quality organizing training, ongoing coaching and supervision, and overall campaign coordination. AFT also pays for your travel, hotel, meal allowances and incidentals.

To bring some hope and be part of the solution, click on the link below.
www.aft.org/back2school2009

e-HealthBeat
- Empire Plan Copay Changes Coming 7/1/09    www.pef.org/healthbenefits/newspromos.htm
If you're enrolled in the Empire Plan, look for these benefit changes, authorized in the 2007-2011 PS&T contract, to start July 1, 2009.

Benefit                          Current     Copay/Copay as of 7/1/09
Office visit/office surgery     $18                   $20
Radiology                          $18                   $20
Diagnostic lab services       $18                   $20
- More   www.pef.org/healthbenefits/newspromos.htm

- Flex Spending Account Online Claims Submission   www.pef.org/healthbenefits/newspromos.htm
The Flex Spending Account plan administrator, FBMC, has implemented a new online claims submission process.  As a result, Flex Spending Account enrollees are now able to submit  reimbursement requests for the Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) online through www.myFBMC.com....

PEF Membership Benefits Program (MBP)
New eStore coming soon to PEF Membership Benefits Program website, www.buymbp.com. There is a new sign-in process and other features to make online shopping easier and more convenient for PEF Members. Recently MBP sent out simple instructions  and your temporary password for unlocking great saving in our new eStore. These instructions will walk you through the new step by step login process.
 
Exciting new special offers will be available. The first 500 PEF members that sign in and provide their updated personal email address are eligible to receive a FREE recycled shopping bag. Once you have provided your email address, under categories select special offers and add the FREE recycled shopping bag to your shopping cart.
 
Please feel free to call Membership Benefits Program at 800 342-4306 ext. 243 with any questions you may have. MBP looks forward to virtually seeing you on our new site.

5/13/2009

HIGH LEVEL DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE
PEF’s president and the Governor (directly and thru their representatives) continue discussions regarding the threatened lay-offs and the budget crisis. We continue to offer options that will provide the cost savings necessary to avert layoffs.  As we have historically, we do not jeopardize discussions/negotiations by making details public during sensitive periods of the talks. Rest assured that our primary goal remains protecting the jobs and working conditions of our membership.

When we have developments which can be reported they will be sent out on AIM and posted at our website – www.pef.org    

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 6: Ensuring the Cost-Effectiveness of Contracts for Personal Services
The NYS Division of Budget (DOB) has issued a Bulletin that addresses the provisions of Governor Paterson’s Executive Order No. 6 which established procedural and reporting requirements regarding certain State agency contracts for personal services.  Executive Order No. 6, issued on June 4, 2008 aims to ensure that agencies enter into such contracts only after considering whether State employees can practicably meet the same needs by providing services of the same or better quality at an equivalent or lower cost.  

The Executive Order creates the Governor’s Task Force on Personal Services Contracting (“Task Force”), and requires agencies provide certain reports on personal services contracts to the Task Force.  Beginning October 1, 2009 and annually thereafter, the Task Force will be responsible for issuing a public report to the Governor on the progress the State is making toward the goal of limiting the number of contracts for personal service to those that comply with the criteria set forth in the Bulletin.  In its initial report, the Task Force will specifically examine contracting out in two areas: transportation engineering and information technology. The report will include recommendations as to whether and how such contracting may be limited, including regulatory, legislative and/or budgetary proposals.

The recently issued DOB Bulletin summarizes the requirements of the order; further clarifies parameters of the order’s requirements; and details agencies’ compliance obligations under the order. You can read the bulletin here: http://www.budget.state.ny.us/guide/bprm/bulletins/b-1187.html

VALUABLE INFORMATION ON RIF PROCESS POSTED ON THE PEF WEB-SITE -  http://www.pef.org/contract_resources/index.htm

• Guidelines for Administration of  Reduction in Force 
• Manager's Guide to Reduction in Force 
• Employee Guide for Agency Reduction Transfer List 
• Agency Configuration of Layoff Units
• Information for State Employees Affected by Layoff 
• Separation from Service: Information for Exempt Class Employees  
• Health Insurance Coverage for Employees Impacted by Layoff 
• Layoff Threat: Questions and Answers
• A presentation on the ARTL and RIF Process prepared by the PEF Research Department

3/24/2009

PAYMENT DATES ESTABLISHED
The NYS Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) has issued the payroll bulletins for the April 2009 contractually negotiated raises.   The base salary changes (including the 3% raise, increments, merit advances) will take effect March 26 (check date April 23) for Institution payroll and April 2 (check date April 29) for the Administrative payroll. 

Longevity checks are separate from payroll checks and will be distributed on April 15 Admin payroll and April 23 Institution Payroll.  The OSC bulletins have all been posted on the compensation” page of PEF’s ContractResourceCenter:  http://www.pef.org/contract_resources/index.htm 

While it is encouraging that the Comptroller is moving ahead to process theses payments, the Governor has not yet withdrawn his proposal to eliminate the 3 percent salary increase. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide additional updates as necessary.

Lou lived life to its fullest. As a union advocate he exhibited extraordinary courage, honesty, and passion. Lou was a man of strong convictions. The gains made in the 2007 – 2011 contract negotiations are just some of the fruits of his labor.  All said and done, though, Lou will probably be remembered best by those of us who knew him for the love and dedication he showed those dear to him; especially his daughter Michelle.  

Donations in Lou’s memory may be made to the

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
965 Albany Shaker Road 
Latham, NY 12110

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Lou’s daughter Michelle:

Michelle Matrazzo
In Care Of Mary Grace Parker (Lou’s Sister)
146 Cheese Factory Road
Greenwich, NY 12834

CIVIL SERVICE EXAM FEES
(From the PEF Information Line for Monday March 18, 2009)

In January, the state Department of Civil Service announced as part of its budget effort, plans to impose fees for promotional exams and increase the fees for open competitive exams for new examination announcements issued after March 13, and effective for exams administered on or after May 30.

PEF is currently evaluating its options under the PS&T Agreement and Taylor Law to determine its recourse to challenge these fees, as they may be subject to a contract grievance or improper practice charge. Updates will continue as information becomes available.

If you have a question about the new promotion examination fees, contact PEF’s Civil Service Enforcement/Research Department or the Contract Administration Department at 1-800-342-4306.

Public Service Workshops Program: Recently Announced Workshops—3/23/09

For New York State Employees in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PS&T) Unit
(MC employees may be permitted to attend workshops if space is available.)

The recently scheduled PSWP workshops below are grouped by region, and then listed in chronological order by class date.

To reference full workshop details and to register go to: NYSLearn at http://goer.state.ny.us/nyslearn

New York City Region

- The Sarbanes-Oxley Act for Auditors

This workshop will cover the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its impact on New York State employees. It will provide a review of key provisions of the act, including the scope of the term "issuer" (public companies whose stock is traded on an exchange, or "Over-The-Counter"); strengthening of audit committees; improper influence on audits; internal financial controls; code of ethics; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) certification of disclosure; other disclosure enhancements, such as off-balance sheet transactions; substantive transactional provisions, such as forfeiture by an issuer’s CEO and CFO of any bonuses, or incentive compensation; accurate, complete, and timely determination of materiality and disclosure obligations; fair representation of financial condition and results; high quality audit and review of public company financial statements; preventing conflict of interest; and proper retention of audit documents and records.

Dates/Time: 5/19/2009; 9 AM – 4 PM; Location: Pace University, New York, NY

Registration Deadline: 5/5/2009

Leadership Skills in a Changing Environment

This two-day workshop explores the impact of situational leadership on management problem solving. Topics include participatory management and motivational tactics; effects of dwindling resources on an organization; the need for time management; and re-engineering approaches when faced with reduced resources.

Dates/Time: 6/3/2009 & 6/10/2009; 9 AM – 4 PM; Location: Pace University, New York, NY

Registration Deadline: 5/20/2009

Kimberly Loccisano
PEF Education Department
Phone #- 1-800-342-4306 ext. 240
e-mail - kloccisano@pef.org

1/27/2009 

LET'S "GET ACTIVE"!
PEF utilizes "GET ACTIVE" software allowing our members and supporters to easily communicate with policy makers. The program also allows each letter to be personalized / edited by each participant and when final it is automatically faxed or emailed to the addressed policy maker(s).  Here are three "GET ACTIVE" Campaigns we are currently asking our members and supporters to participate in. If you haven't joined the thousands who have already participated in these actions please do so today!  

- Jump start our economy NOW! Urge Congress to Pass an Economic Recovery Package!
NY State faces a deficit of over $13 billion in 2009.  Governor Paterson has proposed cutting over 3,000 state jobs.  This will further hurt our economy.  NY State needs Federal aid to avoid these cuts as well as drastic cuts to schools, healthcare and state services.
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/jump_start_our_economy

- There is a Better Way: Merge ESDC and NYSTAR into DED 
The 2009-10 Executive Budget proposes merging the Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) into the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) creating the ultimate off-budget shadow agency.  Most of the employees would be non-civil service, and eventually all of the employees could become non-civil service and lose union representation.  In addition job reductions could fall disproportionately on state employees at DED and NYSTAR.

PEF supports a DED-led merger, which protects the civil service and union rights of employees, while achieving the benefits of consolidation.  With DED at the head, public accountability will not be sacrificed.  PEF also supports restoration of funds to prevent the layoff of economic development professionals in DED and NYSTAR. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/ded_merger

     
- Stop The Governor's Giveback Proposals
The middle class - public employees in particular - will be squeezed if the Governor's Executive Budget is enacted.  Instead of shared sacrifice, public employees who have already borne the brunt of deficit reduction actions to date would be targeted once again with a devastating combination of salary and benefit reductions, on top of new and increased taxes and fees which will which fall disproportionately on middle class New Yorkers.  We must contact our legislators and urge them to reject budget proposals that would reduce public employee salary and benefits such as eliminating negotiated pay increases and lagging our payroll, which together would reduce our salary by an average of $3100 per employee in 2009.  We must also fight against reductions to a state workforce that is already stretched thin.  The budget reduces the state workforce by over 3000 positions, including over 500 by layoff.  http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/2009_10ExecutiveBudget
 

PSWP (Public Service Workshops Program: Recently Announced Workshops 1/23/09)
For New York State Employees in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PS&T) Unit (MC employees may be permitted to attend workshops if space is available.)
The recently scheduled PSWP workshops below are grouped by region, and then listed in chronological order by class date. Enroll now to prevent workshop cancellation due to low enrollment. To reference full workshop details and to register go to: NYSLearn at http://goer.state.ny.us/nyslearn

CAPITAL DISTRICT 

- State Environmental Quality Review: An Overview
This workshop provides an overview of environmental policy in New York State as it relates to the purchase, sale, or leasing of real property. Participants will learn what triggers SEQRA, how to do a preliminary inspection, and complete an Environmental Assessment Form. Significant issues arising under the SEQRA and current cases will also be discussed.
Date/Time: 3/16/2009; 9 AM -  4 PM; Location: Albany Law School, Albany, NY
Registration Deadline: 2/27/2009

- Professional Presentation Skills
This workshop is designed for individuals who speak at or moderate meetings, deliver presentations, or participate in panel discussions. Participants will explore the guidelines for crafting and making  effective presentations, the importance and role of the speaker, and how to manage nervousness associated with speaking in public. Topics include the organization and development of a presentation, an analysis of voice and diction skills, audience interaction, awareness of body language, effective listening, use of visual aids, and the role of humor.
Date/Time: 4/2/2009; 9 AM -  4 PM; Location: Sage College of Albany, Albany, NY
Registration Deadline: 3/17/2009

- Investigative Interviewing
This workshop examines techniques for interviewing subjects for purposes of fact-finding and obtaining information about compliance, fraud, and abuse.  It is designed for individuals who testify in administrative hearings or other proceedings.  Topics include discussion of legal parameters, strategies for handling reluctant and hostile interviewees, and the importance of accurate field notes. The workshop focuses on interviewing external witnesses involved in underlying cases.  Scenarios such as interviewing an office worker in a Medicaid Fraud investigation or the school nurse in a child abuse case will be included.
Date/Time: 5/19/2009; 9 AM - 4 PM; Location: Albany Law School, Albany, NY
Registration Deadline: 5/1/2009

CENTRAL REGION
- Conflict Resolution
In this interactive workshop, participants have an opportunity to improve their skills in dealing with and managing conflict. The workshop provides practical tools and techniques for conflict management and dispute resolution. Topics include conflict theory, to individual styles for resolving conflict, differentiating between positions and interests, and determining how differences impact communication. The focus is upon making the participants more effective problem solvers.
Date/Time: 3/19/2009; 9 AM - 4 PM; Location: Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
Registration Deadline: 3/3/2009 
 

NEW YORK CITY REGION
- The Sarbanes-Oxley Act for Auditors
This workshop will cover the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its impact on New York State employees. It will provide a review of key provisions of the act, including the scope of the term "issuer" (public companies whose stock is traded on an exchange, or "Over-The-Counter"); strengthening of audit committees; improper influence on audits; internal financial controls; code of ethics; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) certification of disclosure; other disclosure enhancements, such as off-balance sheet transactions; substantive transactional provisions, such as forfeiture by an issuer?s CEO and CFO of any bonuses, or incentive compensation; accurate, complete, and timely determination of materiality and disclosure obligations; fair representation of financial condition and results; high quality audit and review of public company financial statements; preventing conflict of interest; and proper retention of audit documents and records.
Date/Time: 3/3/2009; 9 AM - 4 PM; Location: Pace University, New York, NY
Registration Deadline: 2/13/2009

eHEALH Beat: UnitedHealth Care Must Overhaul Databases Used to Pay Non-par Claims

New York state attorney general Andrew Cuomo has ordered UnitedHealth Care (UHC) to overhaul the Reasonable and Customary (R&C) Charge databases it uses to determine how much to pay when an enrollee uses a non-participating provider. Ingenix, a subsidiary of UHC, controls the databases.

Many other health insurance carriers use Ingenix databases to pay claims. The attorney general's office said, by using these databases, the health insurance industry had engaged in 'a scheme to defraud consumers' by systematically underpaying patients. A one-year investigation found the data had understated the true market rates of medical care by as much as 28%.

The order to overhaul the R&C databases is part of a settlement with UHC. It requires the creation of a new, independently operated database, to be run by a university to be determined. UHC will pay $50 million to create the new database. In the interim, Ingenix is allowed to continue operating. No criminal charges have been sought in the case, nor was UHC required to pay restitution to consumers.

When choosing a health care provider, Empire Plan enrollees should keep in mind that using an in-network or par provider is the least costly option. Enrollees only have to pay a copayment, if any. When a non-network or non-par provider is used, the enrollee has to satisfy a deductible and pay coinsurance, plus any balance exceeding the R&C charge.

The strength of PEF is dependent on the participation of an active informed membership. Action without timely, accurate information is misguided. Information undelivered is unheard and unheeded. The PEF Member Mobilizer Network and the PEF AIM E-Mail Network for Active Informed Members get information to all members quickly and economically. Register/Volunteer for one or both networks at PEFonline@pef.org

Prior Updates