The Chief-Leader NYC Civil Service Newspaper

Current Pension Topics: Make Plans Early About Loans and Withdrawals

By JOEL FRANK — 05/16/2008

To Take Out A Loan Or Not To Take Out A Loan, That Is The Question. To Withdraw Excess Or Not To Withdraw Excess, That Is The Question. According to New York City Employees' Retirement System Rules, only active members may take out a final loan (all Tiers) and withdraw "excess" (Tiers 1-2). Your last day of active service is the day before your date of retirement.

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

By DAVID BROWN — 05/16/2008

So, you think you might qualify for benefits but aren't sure whom to ask, where to start, or how to begin. Should you be applying for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income? Medicare or Medicaid? What's the difference? For someone not familiar with such benefits, it can all seem confusing.

Title Reclass: Tread Carefully

05/16/2008

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has proposed a major overhaul of the city's job classification system, one that would shrink the number of titles for which competitive civil service tests are held.

STATE POSTS FOR MOTOR EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

05/16/2008

The state Department of Civil Service has an ongoing need for Motor Equipment Mechanics in the Department of Transportation and other agencies throughout the state, particularly in Monroe County and downstate. Starting salary is $33,977. Applications are being accepted continuously; exams are given periodically.

Will Fill Jobs CITY CERTIFICATIONS

05/16/2008

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has certified sections of the eligible lists below for appointments and promotions in city agencies, subject to the 1-in-3 rule. Some of the appointments and promotions may already have been made.

177 Eligibles: Child Protective Job List

05/16/2008

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has established a 177-name list for Child Protective Specialist based on Exam 6070. 6070 CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST 1 Alyson L. Bute .......... 93.75 2 Karen S. Collins .......... 93.

Mate (Ferry) Roster Established by City

05/16/2008

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has established a 29-name list for Mate (Ferry) based on Exam 7036. 7036 MATE (FERRY) 1 Laurence J. Mennella .......... 98.00 2 Peter W. Knoth .......... 79.00 3 Justin C. McAdams .......... 79.

Mate Promotion List

05/16/2008

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has established a 25-name list for Promotion to Mate based on Exam 7507. 7507 PROMOTION TO MATE (FERRY) 1 Richard A. Siegel .......... 100.00 2 Laurence J. Mennella .......... 100.

In the Public Service ROUNDUP OF EXAMS LEADING TO JOBS

05/16/2008

Below is a roundup of New York City and State exams leading to public service positions. Most of the jobs listed are located in the New York metropolitan area and upstate. There are residency requirements for many New York City jobs and for state law-enforcement positions.

Letters to the Editor: EMT Standard an Insult

05/16/2008

To the Editor: Recently, The Department of Citywide Administrative Services published its notice of instructions for Promotional Exam to Supervising EMT (Lieutenant). In it, there appears a new requirement: that on the date of appointment qualified candidates must be a REMAC-certified Paramedic.

DA Investigators Robbed

05/16/2008

To the Editor: This letter is in response to the April 11 editorial, "Another Brick in City's Wall." The process leading up to arbitration, the arbitration itself, and then the aftermath have had a tremendous impact on my members at the Detective Investigators Association.

Don't Take That Hil

05/16/2008

To the Editor: I'm a strong supporter of Barack Obama, and I think he would make a good President. However, if he were to do the unthinkable and take Hillary Clinton as his running mate or pledge to pick her for any cabinet position, I would not vote for him.

Not Just a Family Affair

05/16/2008

To the Editor: Growing up, it never occurred to me to pursue the fire service as a career since I had no family members or friends employed by the FDNY, so I can empathize with African-Americans who are in the same position (May 9 article).

DCAS Reclassifying Effort Given Mixed Reviews by Unions; Like Prospect of Reducing Provisionals, Fear Too Much Agency Latitude

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has drafted a plan to dramatically reduce the number of provisional workers in response to a Court of Appeals decision last year that will involve consolidating and broadbanding titles as well as moving some Competitive jobs to the Non-Competitive Class.

Street Protests, D.C. Meetings: Both Sides Still Making Case in Bell Aftermath

By RICHARD STEIER — 05/16/2008

The extra-legal maneuvering in the Sean Bell case continued last week, with his family meeting with Governor Paterson May 8, a day after supporters tied up traffic at six major intersections while the union leader representing the three acquitted Detectives met with two Congressmen in Washington, D.C. to try to reduce the pressure for civil rights charges to be brought.

At NYPD Memorial Service: Remember 8 Cops Who Were Post-9/11 Casualties

By MIA GOLDBERG — 05/16/2008

In the first official acknowledgment by the Bloomberg administration that deaths caused by post-9/11 recovery and clean-up work were job-related, Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly May 7 honored eight police officers who succumbed to illnesses linked to inhaling toxic air while working at Ground Zero,

Cites Speedier Queens Responses: Over Union Beefs, FDNY Expands Dispatch System

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

The Fire Department expanded its pilot dispatch program to The Bronx May 1 and it will institute it citywide on June 1, although the fire unions still believe it is compromising firefighter and public safety.

Klein: Principals' Call: UFT and School Advocates Want Say on $360M Aid

By MICHELLE FRIEDMAN — 05/16/2008

Union leaders and education advocates joined the Chairman of the City Council's Education Committee May 6 in urging Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein to consult with them about the spending of $360 million of the $622 million in recently approved state aid to the public schools.

Fire, EMS Unions Unite in Opposing Shared Medal Day

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

The Fire Department will now have a combined Medal Day for firefighters and Emergency Medical Service members on the first Wednesday in June, to the dismay of unions representing employees in both fields. Until this year, the EMS Medal Day was a separate event during National EMS Week at the end of May. EMS has been a division of the FDNY since 1996.

Firefighter, EMS Upgrades

05/16/2008

The Fire Department May 8 promoted 21 firefighters and Emergency Medical Service responders during a ceremony at the Fire Academy at Randall's Island, including the induction of a new EMS Division Chief and four new Battalion Chiefs.

Question Top Building Job Waiver

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

Professional organizations voiced their opposition May 7 to a bill that would alter the City Charter to allow someone who is not a licensed engineer or registered architect to be the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings.

HIRING 'EM RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL:

05/16/2008

Ann-Marie Yarde, the Executive Assistant to the City Corporation Counsel, presents an 'Honorary Assistant Corporation Counsel Certificate' to 8-year-old Isabella Barillas, whose mother Teressa is the Law Department's Director of Litigation Support,

'No Time to Cut': Council Members and PSC Seek More Aid for CUNY

By MICHELLE FRIEDMAN — 05/16/2008

Fourteen City Council Members joined Professional Staff Congress President Barbara Bowen last week in calling on Mayor Bloomberg and the Council to rescind City University of New York budget cuts proposed in the Mayor's Executive Budget, and instead provide additional funds for CUNY.

MTA Consolidation Of Bus Units Raises Seniority Concerns

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority May 7 announced that it has begun consolidating three bus companies into one entity, a move some Transport Workers Union Local 100 officials fear will threaten seniority rights. The new Regional Bus would oversee Long Island Bus, MTA Bus and New York City Transit bus operations.

Mayor Sounds Alarm Against GHI-HIP For-Profit Merger

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

Mayor Bloomberg May 6 called on State Superintendent of Insurance Eric R. Dinallo to stop the conversation of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) and Group Health Incorporated (GHI) into a single for-profit entity.

MOURN FOR THE DEAD:

05/16/2008

Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint, left, carries a Bible while leading transit workers on the tracks near the Kings Highway station on the F line to a ceremony May 8 honoring a worker who was

Court Upbraids Postal Service on Anti-Union Threat by Supervisor

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

A Federal appeals court has upheld a National Labor Relations Board decision that a U.S. Postal Service supervisor wrongly threatened to sue a worker who had filed an NLRB complaint. The USPS had argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th District that the supervisor's statements were protected under the First Amendment.

Dismiss Bias Charge By DOT Exec Over Subordinate's Writing

By RICHARD STEIER — 05/16/2008

A complaint by a ranking Department of Transportation official that a subordinate discriminated against him on the basis of race, color and religion by writing unflattering comments about him in this newspaper has been dismissed by the agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.

Council Hears Drawbacks: Tech Guild Says Scanners Bring 'Big Brother' to Job

By MICHELLE FRIEDMAN — 05/16/2008

Civil Service Technical Guild President Claude Fort protested May 8 the use of biometric palm-scanning devices to track workers on the job at a joint City Council Civil Service and Labor and Contract committees hearing. Mr. Fort claims that the devices are a fiscal extravagance at a time when the city needs to be thrifty, and an invasion of privacy and workers' rights.

Cite Meritorious Service: Honor 4 Court Workers

By MIA GOLDBERG — 05/16/2008

Four New York State court employees were given the Merit Performance Award - the highest honor bestowed in the court system - as part of Law Day 2008 held May 2 in Albany. The recipients were recognized for superior work performance; heroism; outstanding educational efforts and community service and humanitarian pursuits. State Chief Judge Judith S.

CSEA Court Workers To Get 13% Raises In 4-Year Contract

By MIA GOLDBERG — 05/16/2008

The Civil Service Employees Association reached a tentative agreement May 8 with the Office of Court Administration on a new contract that covers more than 6,000 non-judicial employees in the state's Unified Court System.

Judge: Wasn't for Whistleblowing: Dismiss MTA Security Head's Suit on Firing

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

A Federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by a former Metropolitan Transportation Authority Security Director alleging that he was fired for alerting the press and outside investigators to what he believed were instances of bribery and bid-rigging at the agency.

Responds to Members' Beefs: Quinn Tightens Standards For City Council Grants

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn May 7 unveiled additional budgetary controls in response to last month's disclosure that the law-making body had been appropriating taxpayer money for non-existent organizations that later was shifted to other neighborhood projects.

NTEU Sues TSA For Review Test Data on Members

By ARI PAUL — 05/16/2008

The U.S. Transportation Security Agency wrongfully withheld information regarding review exams for its employees, the National Treasury Employees Union alleged in a lawsuit filed last month.

UUP Re-Elects 3, Picks 5 New Exec Board Members

By MICHELLE FRIEDMAN — 05/16/2008

The United University Professions re-elected three officers and elected five new executive board members last week. All officers will serve two-year terms effective June 1. The re-elected officers are Frederick Floss, UUP's vice president for academic affairs; John Marino, UUP's vice president for professionals, and Rowena Blackman-Stroud as treasurer.

Four Solutions, 60 Days: A Modest Proposal To Save the U.S. Economy

By MEL LEVY — 05/16/2008

Everyone is saying the economy has slowed down. The price of gasoline is rising, even though we have plentiful supplies and use is down. Banks are foreclosing on people's homes as we pay for their screw-ups. Personal and governmental debt is rising as income falls. We are losing jobs as our standard of living falls.

Tells State to Use Staff More: PEF: Save on Consultants

By MIA GOLDBERG — 05/16/2008

The Public Employees Federation told reporters in Albany May 8 that the state could save $765 million over three years by replacing private consultants with state employees. "Everyone is quick to throw out the popular and overused phrase 'hiring freeze' to solve the state's budget gap," PEF President Ken Brynien said in a statement.

DC 1707 Head Re-Elected, Criticizes Bloomberg Cuts

By MICHELLE FRIEDMAN — 05/16/2008

Raglan George was sworn in for a third consecutive term as District Council 1707 executive director May 6 after being re-elected without opposition. The other incumbents who were unopposed included President Kim Medina, Treasurer Betty Powell and Secretary Jeanette Pringle.

Makes Crime a Felony: Paterson Sends Message with TEA Assault Bill

By NEAL TEPEL — 05/16/2008

Landmark legislation was signed by Governor Paterson April 23 which dramatically increases penalties for assaults on Traffic Enforcement Agents from a misdemeanor to a felony (A 6011-D).

FOR THE RECORD

05/16/2008

Nearly 60 percent of New Yorkers disagree with the acquittal of the three cops charged in the Sean Bell shooting, according to a Quinnipiac College poll released May 8.

Razzle Dazzle: Bam Refuels, Hil Outta Gas

By RICHARD STEIER — 05/16/2008

Politics being a field where perception and momentum often define reality, the Democratic primary results May 6 in North Carolina and Indiana delivered a very different message than they might have a couple of weeks earlier.

Title Reclass: Tread Carefully

05/16/2008

Razzle Dazzle: Bam Refuels, Hil Outta Gas

By RICHARD STEIER — 05/16/2008

Letters to the Editor: EMT Standard an Insult

05/16/2008

DA Investigators Robbed

05/16/2008

Don't Take That Hil

05/16/2008

Not Just a Family Affair

05/16/2008

Current Pension Topics: Make Plans Early About Loans and Withdrawals

By JOEL FRANK — 05/16/2008

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

By DAVID BROWN — 05/16/2008

STATE POSTS FOR MOTOR EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

05/16/2008

Will Fill Jobs CITY CERTIFICATIONS

05/16/2008

177 Eligibles: Child Protective Job List

05/16/2008

Mate (Ferry) Roster Established by City

05/16/2008

Mate Promotion List

05/16/2008

In the Public Service ROUNDUP OF EXAMS LEADING TO JOBS

05/16/2008