NYS—DOS Labor Management Meeting
THURSDAY 3/09/2006 10 am
Executive Conference Room 9th Fl.
41 State Street, Albany
Meeting Minutes
Minutes: The meeting minutes of the 12/08/05 meeting were reviewed and approved.
Committee Reports: Health and Safety (A. Marchese)~ A brief update was provided, specifically noting the need to improve on the Fire Drill plan.
Update on EAP Committees in NYC, Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany (V. Gimondo, A. Marchese, B. Breidinger, R.Grace)-A brief update was provided and it was indicated the EAP room issue in NYC needed to be addressed, at least in securing an EAP phone line.
Old Business:
I. Status of Division Fills/Waivers/Reclassifications, (Licensing, Coastal, DCS, Fire Academy, Local Government) etc,-Debbie Frisch reported the new positions and promotions filled as follows (PEF items only). 5 info tech specialists, G-18, 2 Fire Protection Specialist Trainees, NS, a land use training specialist, G-18, an Assoc. Computer programmer, G-23, a telecom analyst 3, G-23, a Database Program Analyst 3, G-23, and a Senior Attorney, G-25. Promotions included 2 license Exam tech trainees, NS; 3 Data communications specialists, G-23; 2 Assoc. License Exam techs, G-23; Coastal resources spec. 4, G-27; Land use training spec. 2, G-23; Fire protection spec. 2, G-23, Albany; Code compliance specialist 2, G-23 (Buffalo) and a Supervising hearing officer, G-27. Separations from PEF items included a telecom analyst 3, resigned, coastal resources spec 2, resigned, Sr. Building construction engineer, retired; land use training spec., resigned; coastal resources spec 1, transferred; and a Sr. Attorney, lateral transfer.
Bill Breidinger noted that PEF had received the Civil Service classifications for the FPS I, II and III and once these were reviewed, PEF would respond, but noted that Fire Academy assigned HAZMATS staff were being required to be first responders and that was not critically noted in the job classifications. It was also pointed out that there were different insurance stipulations for firefighters as first responders and management might want to look at these. Management indicated that the OFPC managers had received the classification for review also and should indicate where changes needed to be made or issues noted.
II. Company Logo clothing and Memorabilia (R. Grace, A. Marchese)-This was covered at the Health and Safety Committee meeting of 3/8.
III. Supervisory Training— GOER training is currently available and ongoing. The Department’s program for supervisors is still in the early development stages, considerations are being given to present the training in modules to allow for maximum flexibility and attendance.
IV. LATS-Department mailing; Inputs, software/training for regional offices. It was noted that LATS seems to be performing well, now. It is up and running in Syracuse and is scheduled to be implemented in Hauppauge this week (3/9).
V. Fire Academy Report
Mahlon Irish noted that 2 new staff had been hired and the recruit class was in it’s second week. He noted the budget news was good for the Academy (see below).
VI. Uniform policy of OFPC- Status of PEF offer and DOS response to proposal. Still a contractual obligation, a meeting was held after this meeting wherein DOS management indicated they would forward a response to PEF’s counterproposal.
VII. Labor Management Committee Training: Joint Request (B. Breidinger)Training requests have been forwarded to GOER and no decision has yet been received.
VIII. Telecommuting
After last quarter’s meeting, PEF indicated it could put together a trial project. Having already submitted one four years ago, after extensive work, to have it be dismissed, and, since the membership has not raised this as an issue for years, PEF has decided to withdraw this item from discussion.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. Local 295 Website -Mass B-Mailings -
Bill Breidinger noted that the improved site is up and running, just needing content to make it effective and we are working on that.
II. DOS budget – Kym Landry
This item was actually treated first on the agenda. Kym indicated that once again, DOS had done well in the budget process. We have 17 new FTE’s. She discussed some of the new initiatives and how they don’t tend to start immediately and thus have carry over properties. The good thing is that there is authorization and hiring capabilities with $ applied.
The bad news was that the budget did not fully fund personal services, which inhibits the increases in other areas.
For the fire Academy-good news. The $1,000,000. For burn buildings will be out to bid in March and take about a year to build, the dining room AC bids have come back in and this should be ready for summer. The bridge is not a top priority.
Quality Communities increased to 5 million- EPF $
Brown fields, however, had a request for 565K, but only 83K was offered. DOS is requesting additional funds for the new initiative.
We discussed the 1.6 million non-personal. Kym noted the 3 new FTE’s and that a lot of non-personal was software and then customization of that. They are looking at overhauling licensing and customizing for that.
OFPC is catching up to where it should be.
III. Travel Policies & car rentals- new rules
At the onset of the meeting, Kym introduced her 3/8 memo revising the mileage reimbursement and rental car policy. It was discussed as being a tenuous subject with field staff and PEF asked if the policies could be made Division wide. Kym said that couldn’t be done. She noted that the Department is now looking at purchasing quality cars and that pool cars should also be considered. She said OSC guidance on the matter was “the most effective, economical way”.
Staff could submit justifications for use of personal cars weekly and the Dept. Would not forbid use of them, but may reduce the reimbursement to the rental rates and gas calculated at 20 mpg.