RSS Feed |
|
|
|
|||||
|
Letters to the
Editor
Far too often we wait for a tragedy to happen before we make a change to an archaic system. Too many times the public reads of a horrific problem and says, "Why didn't the government do something about this situation before it happened?" The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has attempted for the last seven years to warn government officials about a serious recruitment and retention problem. Throughout the 1980s there were thousands of state Correctional Officers hired to keep up with the dramatic increase of the prison population. Those thousands of experienced officers are now leaving in record numbers because they have reached their minimum retirement eligibility. Keep in mind that this was the same time-period when tens of thousands of inmates were sentenced to life without possibility for parole. These inmates are just as experienced at breaking the rules and they will still be there when these thousands of officers leave. This year, NYSCOPBA submitted legislation (A.3340), which would have allowed 22,000 New York State Correction Officers and Security Hospital Treatment Assistants to continue to work at least five years longer. Currently, state Correctional Officers and SHTAs are the only state employees in Tier 3 who do not have the ability to stay beyond their minimum retirement eligibility of 25 years and receive additional percentages towards their retirement. Just as was done years ago when there was a nursing shortage, we felt that good government would come through for us. Just as was done when there was a lack of Teachers, we again thought common sense would prevail. Good government did triumph in the Legislature and we would like to thank the Assembly and the Senate for not only understanding the problem at hand, but for also recognizing the solution and then passing our pro-active legislation. NYSCOPBA's legislation did not create an incentive to retire early; it created a reason for experienced New York State Correction Officers and SHTAs to work longer in their careers. Our members work behind the large concrete walls and the razor-topped fences, out of the public's view and out of the public's mind. Next time you drive by one of those walls or fences, take a minute and think about what our members go through 24 hours a day, each and every day. Then ask yourself if you agree with the Governor's veto that our members do not deserve the same retirement as all other state employees.
CHRIS LEO, Legislative Director, NYSCOPBA | |||||
