11/5/2004

- LONGEVITY AWARD PORTABILITY
TO: Executive Board
Council Leaders


DATE: October 29, 2004


The Office of the State Comptroller has just issued the payroll bulletin implementing the provision of the 2003-2007 Contract that provides longevity award portability.


Consistent with the Contract, the new provision affects promotions on or after September 14, 2004, the date the PEF Contract was ratified.


The OSC bulletin also clarifies another issue concerning whether the portability provisions of Article 7 would be applicable to those PEF members who accept promotions outside of the PEF Bargaining Unit. I am pleased to report that OSC has clarified that employees in PEF positions who accept a promotion to another PEF position, or a promotion to any other negotiating unit, will be eligible for the benefits of longevity award portability.


Any questions about this provision should be referred to Contract Administration at extension 223.


- TRANSIT BENEFIT PROGRAM
TO: Executive Board
Council Leaders


DATE: October 29, 2004


During negotiation of the 2003-2007 PEF/State Agreement, PEF argued vigorously for and the State agreed to implement a pre-tax transportation benefit program available to all PS&T Unit employees in the New York City metropolitan area This week, we received the following information from the State regarding the implementation of this pre-tax program.


The State has concluded contract negotiations with the prospective vendor that has been chosen to administer the pre-tax transportation program. The contract must now be signed by the parties and reviewed and approved by both the Attorney General's office and the Comptroller. We have expressed our concern that these approvals be expedited. Under the terms of the Contract, the vendor will have 90 days after receipt of a fully executed and approved contract to implement the pilot program in the New York City metropolitan area. This requirement notwithstanding, we believe that the vendor and the various control agencies have already begun working through various implementation issues, making it possible that implementation occurs before the required 90 days.


Although still tenuous, it appears possible that enrollment can begin by the end of the year. Once members are enrolled, it will take several more pay periods for employees to 'pre-pay' the amounts necessary to cover their monthly benefits. We understand that the implementation process will include notification to eligible employees in the New York City area of the availability of the program and the process for enrolling.


We will continue to update you on the implementation of this program as we receive additional information. Be assured that once enrollment starts, PEF will take a very active role in notifying members about this important benefit.


- SAVE MONEY! Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) and Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) Open Enrollment Period - Enroll NOW!


If you want to save money on your dependent care and health care expenses now is the time to enroll in the DCAA and/or HCSA to have these expenses paid with pre-tax dollars. Money contributed into a HCSA may now be used to pay for over-the-counter medications. In addition, the employer contribution into DCAAccounts is back for 2005. If you enroll in DCAA, the State will contribute up to $600 depending on your salary. Don't let this money go begging. The open enrollment period for 2005 Flexible Spending Accounts closes November 10th. (For more information on DCAA and HCSA, go to http://www.pef.org/healthbenefits/newspromos.htm)


- TUITION REIMBURSEMENT AND VALT UPDATE
From PEF's Education Department


We have just received information that the guidelines and forms for the Interim College Tuition Reimbursement program and the Modified VALT programs will not be available until late November. As soon as they are available we will send out an update and they will be posted on the PEF and GOER websites.

You can also check the PSTP Information Hot Line at 518-474-6612.


- FAQ: IS THE $800 BONUS PENSIONABLE AND, IF SO, WHEN?
A. The $800 is pensionable. For those that will continue to be here for many years, their pension records will be credited as of the date the $800 is actually paid. Whether it impacts their pension, of course, is entirely dependent on whether their top 78 consecutive pay periods of earnings includes late November 2004.


For those who are eligible for the payment and have retired, or will retire before the payment is made, their earnings record will be corrected to show payment of the $800 at the end of their state service. If their final 78 pay periods ran til the end of their career, their pension benefit should be adjusted to reflect the additional earnings. Again, if this last year was not one of their top years, the $800 will have no impact on their pension benefit.