AGENCY LEVEL
PEF LABOR/MANAGEMENT
Minutes from the February 7, 2008
PEF Labor Management Meeting
The parties have reviewed the attached recorded minutes from the above meeting of the PEF Agency Level Labor/Management Committee and by the signatures affixed below, the minutes are hereby accepted.
S/6/16/08 S/6/16/08
________________________ ________________________
Steve Redler, PEF Co-Chair Raymond LaMarco, Director
Sharon Merulla, PEF Co-Chair OCFS Labor Relations
February 7, 2008
MINUTES
PEF Management
Ron Greene, Chair Ray LaMarco, Chair
Steve Redler Walter Greenberg
Sharon Merulla Lori Csontos
Dan Leffingwell Bill Dorr
Margaret Rice-Harvey Ken Galarneau
Phil Williams Denise Matrazzo
Britta Lovegrove Debye Lurie
Jo Zimmerman John Monteiro
Bernard Johnson Ines Nieves
John Ruiz Tony Hough
Janet Ludwig Amber Nebolini
Jim Hair Deb Hanor
Josephine Rice
Susan Mitnick
February 7, 2008
MINUTES
New Business:
1. Facility Closures
2. AOD Responsibilities During Closures
3. Mandated Reporting
4. Travel Policies
5 Agenda Meeting Dates for 2008
Old Business:
1. Education Titles & Teacher Recruitment
2. Title Reallocation
3. Hazardous Duty Pay
4. HPO / Crucial Conversations
5. Background and Health Checks for Temp and Per-Diem Hires
6. Code Enforcement Training for Fire Safety Reps
7. Cross Divisional Work Assignments
8. EBCI Briefing
9. Communications/Technology/Cell Phones for R.O. Staff
10. OCFS Restraint Policy and Procedures
11. Community Service Teams
12. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations
13. Budget Update
14. Local Labor Management
15. Agency Labor / Management Meetings
16. Workplace Violence Legislation
Reports:
1. Sub-Committee Reports
Information:
1. Office Moves
2. Safety & Security
3. Parking for Field Staff at ARO
ISSUE: Facility Closures
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER 1
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
INFORMATION: NUMBER ________
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(Minutes attached, if available) [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [ x ] YES
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: PEF requests review of procedures for staff redeployment in identified, affected facilities along with a breakdown by facility of PEF items affected by the “rightsizing.” PEF also requests updates on Lansing, Adirondack & Tryon Girls.
DISCUSSION: PEF felt different facilities received inconsistent information as to how the rightsizing will be managed.
RESPONSE: Management is following the same procedures used in past closures. The goal is to place all staff at other locations or in another agency. First group of vacancies have been posted, and others posting will follow as items become available. Lansing will decrease to fifty beds, Adirondack Wilderness will merge with Adirondack Residence. Tryon Girls will be given seven temporary items to offset the number of employees off the payroll. For mandatory reassignments OCFS is divided into six geographic regions.
There will be thirty days advance notice for involuntary reassignments with inverse priority of seniority.
ISSUE: AOD Responsibilities During Closures
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER 2
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
INFORMATION: NUMBER ________
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(Minutes attached, if available) [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [ x ] YES
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: Management would like to discuss possible scenarios during the volunteer and mandated reassignment periods impacting those facilities scheduled to close.
DISCUSSION: As the rightsizing initiative takes place, situations may occur which would require management to assign SG-18 positions as AOD, for the safe and secure operation of that facility. Management is raising this issue proactively, and understands the Unions position on such matters.
RESPONSE: PEF asked if consideration would be given to loaning employees at other locations for coverage. Management would consider this option where possible.
ISSUE: Mandated Reporting
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER 3
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER __
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(AGENDA attached, if available) [ X ] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [ ] YES WHEN:
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF
INITIATING PARTY:
PEF wishes to
initiate dialogue about the new mandated reporter legislation. An INF was
recently issues to various stakeholders outlining OCFS’ interpretation of
the law, but a policy has yet to be issued within OCFS. Additionally, the
INF does not account for anonymous reporting of allegations of abuse or
neglect.
requests an update of
case Management
System.
DISCUSSION: Legal was not represented at this meeting.
RESPONSE: Labor Relations will set a meeting with Legal and PEF to discuss this issue
ISSUE: Travel Policies
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER 4
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
INFORMATION: NUMBER ________
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(Minutes attached, if available) [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [ x ] YES
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: PEF is concerned that staff must submit toll receipts in order to be reimbursed, as this is not required by the Comptrollers’ rules.
Additionally, members have recently begun to be denied reimbursement for legitimate travel related expenses on the basis of a memorandum issued in October ’07 informing them they had retroactively been denied reimbursement for prior travel on the basis of untimely submissions
DISCUSSION: OSC issued a bulletin to all agencies stating that vouchers must be submitted within the fiscal year ending March 31.
RESPONSE: Labor Relations spoke with travel prior to this meeting. There were no records of denials with the exception of one employee that submitted vouchers over a year old. There are travel guidelines on the Agency’s intranet.
ISSUE: Agenda Meeting Dates for 2008
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER 5
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER _
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
INFORMATION: NUMBER ________
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(Minutes attached, if available) [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [ x ] YES
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: PEF projects agenda setting dates for calendar year ’08 as follows: January 23rd, May 7th, and September 12th. Hosting actual L/M meetings will continue to rotate with OCFS responsible for the 2/7/08 meeting, PEF will be responsible for the June 5th meeting, and OCFS will host again on October 2nd.
DISCUSSION:
RESPONSE: All agreed.
ISSUE: Education Titles, Nurses, Recruitment
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER 1
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
INFORMATION: NUMBER ______
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(Minutes attached, if available) [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [ ] YES
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY:
PEF would like clarification regarding the following: Education – has the SCOPE conference been rescheduled? If not, what is being done to do so because recruitment is being impeded given the disconnect in vocational instructor titles (per assignment of parenthetics) between SED, Civil Service and OCFS?
Nurses: PEF requests an update regarding continued recruitment of nurses.
DISCUSSION: Recruitment options such as “loan forgiveness” programs have been discussed, as well as parity to attract candidates.
RESPONSE: SCOPE conference has not been rescheduled. Management will look into second certification and other enhancements for next year’s budget.
ISSUE: Title Reallocation
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER 2
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(AGENDA attached, if available) [ ] NO
[X] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [X ] YES
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: PEF continues to be concerned about and seeks discussion regarding recruitment and retention for the following titles:
a. Education Series
b. Nurse Series
c. CPS Series
DISCUSSION : Agency is not competitive with local school districts with respect to teacher titles. Some private care nurses get up to $25,000 for location pay.
RESPONSE: This impacts several agencies, not just OCFS. Unions can provide support as well. This is an on-going initiative. PEF will supply supportive documentation to support a reallocation for CPS titles.
ISSUE: Hazardous Duty Pay
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER 3
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(AGENDA attached, if available) [ ] NO
[X] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [X] YES WHEN:
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: The provision of Hazardous Duty pay remains a priority with PEF, particularly in light of OMH staff receiving HDP in facilities where our OCFS staff are not. PEF requests an update on efforts to draft a proposal to Civil Service to provide HDP. What is the fiscal impact of this proposal and what locations and titles are covered?
DISCUSSION: Some Mental Health staff get HD in our facilities. Funding would come out of the facility budget.
RESPONSE: Management has begun research into other agencies and how they determine the appropriateness of HDP.
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER 4
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL LABOR/
MANAGEMENT: [ ] YES WHEN:
(AGENDA attached, if available) [X] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LABOR/ [X] YES WHEN:
MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: PEF requests an update on “Big Ideas” that have been implemented and evaluation of the program.
DISCUSSION: PEF position is that mangers who are open and receptive to employee feedback have embraced the HPO concept, and those who do not will remain unaffected.
RESPONSE: Any suggestions to improve HPO should be directed to the Steering Committee. Management will look into what information is available in addition to total training hours, for instructors / participants.
ISSUE: Background and Health Checks for Temporary and Per-Diem Hires
NEW BUSINESS: NUMBER
OLD BUSINESS: NUMBER _5____
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NUMBER
DISCUSSED AT LOCAL/MANAGEMENT: [ X ] YES WHEN:
(AGENDA attached, if available) [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
DISCUSSED AT AGENCY LEVEL [ X ] YES WHEN:
LABOR/MANAGEMENT: [ ] NO
[ ] N/A
CONCERNS OF INITIATING PARTY: PEF requests an update on obtaining clearances for Temp and per diem staff working directly with youth in facilities. Also include an update on name and number of contractors that permit temps to work without security clearance. What support is OCFS providing for current legislation?