Unions Protest

State to Change Its Eye-Care Provider

By REUVEN BLAU

For the first time in 24 years, the state is switching the company it uses to provide vision benefits for 100,000 state workers from the locally owned Davis Vision to EyeMed, a large Italian-based corporation. Governor Pataki's move has angered the unions representing graduate student assistants and private eyeglass retailers.

GOVERNOR PATAKI: Did donation open his eyes?

'Ignored Responsibilities'

Communications Workers of America Local 1104 has filed an improper practice complaint, charging that the Governor's Office of Employee Relations violated its contract by failing to negotiate the switch. "We are extremely disappointed in the actions of the state in ignoring their employer responsibilities," said Kathleen Sims, Local 1104's executive vice president, in a statement. The union represents 4,600 State University of New York graduate employees.

Marc E. Carey, the chief Civil Service Department spokesman, maintained that the unions were involved in reviewing basic information from the proposals. He noted that the $60.8-million EyeMed contract will save the state approximately $6 million during the five-year agreement, which still must be approved by the State Comptroller's Office.

But David Armer, the president of the United Optical Workers' Union, which is a division of the IUE/CWA, noted that many private-sector jobs in Plainview, L.I. and in Syracuse will be lost as a result of the change. "The numbers aren't exactly sure," said the newly elected union president who represents many of those employees. "[Davis Vision] could lose easily $15 to $20 million a year."

Benefit for Participants?

Mr. Carey pointed out that EyeMed owns Pearl Vision, LensCrafters, and Sears Optical, and the new deal will give state workers more options. "The bottom line is this is a contract that is going to control costs and raise the level of service for the consumers who are involved in the eye-care program," he said during a recent phone interview. "We are somewhat mystified by CWA's reaction."

The switch, which is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2007 and was first reported by the Albany Times-Union, will also affect Public Employees' Federation members. "We are telling our members right now that there will not be an interruption in services and they will have the same benefits as before," said PEF spokeswoman Darcy Wells. "However, we do understand that the Davis group is challenging the award." Michael Thibdeau, the company's senior vice president, said, "Davis Vision believes the choice does not reflect the best value for New Yorkers. We've enjoyed a very long and mutually beneficial partnership with New York State."

'Why Drop Davis?'

Ms. Wells noted that PEF officials reviewed the proposals and sat in on company interviews during the selection process. "We thought that both bidders were equally competent," she remarked. "However, we did recommend [the] Davis group. They've had the contract for the past 20 years. They are a union company; our members have been satisfied."

She pointed out that the financial terms of the deal were only publicized after the switch was announced. "We can't review the financial proposal until after the state makes a decision," she said. "We understand that EyeMed came in under."

The largest union of state workers, the Civil Service Employees' Association, administers its own eye-care benefits, and its members will not be affected by the planned move.

Mr. Armer predicted that many state workers will be disappointed with EyeMed. "They are going to go in and have less to choose from that's covered and there is going to be more out-of-pocket expense," he asserted. "These companies tend be more aggressive on the sales end."

No Less Convenient

State workers, he acknowledged, will now be able to get their eye-care needs taken care of at most malls. "It's a cosmetic change as far as access goes," he said, noting that Davis Vision also has more than 60 locations which are open evenings and on weekends. "I think there is going to be a different experience."

But he stressed his main concern was the loss of local union jobs to a European company.

Mr. Carey maintained that most eye-wear orders would be handled by employees based in New York State. "The account manager is going to be located in the Capitol District," he added. "We have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers of New York State to get the best deal that we can."

Mr. Armer pointed out that public records show that EyeMed has made roughly $21,000 in political donations to Republican and Democratic political groups and candidates. Those donations included a $10,000 gift to Friends of Pataki. "I'm no civil service expert, but it certainly got me curious," he said.