Full copy of the 21 page report may be downloaded at the bottom.
President’s Statement 2023-2024
The past twelve months have been highlighted with accomplishments and success experienced by our managers and retirees. During that time, MEA advocacy has extended from testifying at public hearings, letter writing and meeting with the Administration and public officials as well as participating in protest rallies in support of our membership. In November of 2023, the City Administration implemented the first of three phases of five percent agency budget cuts. Extremely concerned about pay raises for manages, in late November and mid-December of 2023, MEA wrote letters to Mayor Adams requesting pay raises for managers and original jurisdiction employees. These letters were copied to all seven Deputy Mayors; School Chancellor; CEO of Health and Hospitals Corporation; CEO of Housing Authority; CEO of School Construction Authority; Commissioner of Office of Labor Relations; City Council: Speaker, Chair of Finance Committee, Chair of Civil Service and Labor Committee, and Chair of Oversight and Investigations Committee; Comptroller; and Public Advocate. MEA initiated a letter writing campaign for our members and other non-unionized employees. Standardized letters were sent to the aforementioned persons who were copied on earlier MEA correspondence to Mayor Adams. Over eight hundred managers and original jurisdiction employees participated in the letter writing campaign and there were approximately 26,000 letters sent.
Additionally, MEA wrote editorials regarding the lack of manager pay raises for the media, and newspapers reported on the managerial pay raise plight. As a result of the MEA’s relentless and strategic advocacy, the Administration approved pay raises for managerial and original jurisdiction employees. Also, ensuing our persistent advocacy, the Administration approved hybrid work options for non-union employees.
Hybrid Work Options
On October 23, 2023, MEA received notification from the Office of Labor Relations stating that Mayor Adams will announce a remote work option program for managers and non-unionized employees. Remote work options shall be implemented based on job performance and specific duties. It is at the discretion of agency commissioners to permit employees to work remotely. Approved employees will have the option of working remotely a maximum of two days per week. Working remotely is a very relevant and viable option for employees during emergencies and as a means of improving work–life balance. It is an incentive to retain existing employees and to enhance competitive recruitment of new employees from the private sector.
Salary Increases and Work-Life Benefits Improvements
On February 2, 2024, Mayor Adams issued Mayor’s Personnel Orders (MPOs) No. 2024/1 and No. 2024/2 for Management and Original Jurisdiction Employees respectively. The MPOs granted salary increases and bonuses comparable to that approved in the District Council 37 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Leave time was doubled for the controversially funded existing Paid Parental Leave Program (PPL) from six weeks to twelve weeks, and a new Paid Family Leave (PFL) Program with New York State which was initiated on May 5, 2024. Employee retention incentives were included in the MPOs. In addition, this is the first time the Administration has granted non-unionized employees the same $3,000 lump sum bonus received by unionized employees for ratification of their collective bargaining agreements.
MEA sponsored an information session for our members regarding the PPL and PFL Programs on June 12, 2024. Representatives from the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the Office of Labor Relations (OLR), MetLife, and AbSolve gave very informative presentations on the programs and answered members’ questions. A slide deck of the presentation is available for our members on the MEA website.
Medicare Court Litigations
On May 21, 2023, municipal retirees received a win in the Appellate Division of the NYS Supreme Court with unanimous confirmation of the retirees’ victory in the class action law suit, Bentkowski vs. City of New York. The Appellate Division, First Department, of the NYS Supreme Court upheld the ruling by Judge Frank in Manhattan Supreme Court’s August 2023 verdict. The judgement, by a panel of four justices, reinforces prohibition preventing the City from involuntarily enrolling municipal retirees and their dependents in the Aetna Medicare Advantage Program. Traditional Medicare and no-cost supplemental insurance (medigap plan) must be maintained by the City. It was indicated in court affidavits that the City had promised traditional Medicare and no-cost supplemental insurance in employee recruitment and orientation documents for the past fifty years. This overwhelming victory was made possible by tremendous support and participation by retirees and outstanding legal representation organized and coordinated by the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees. It is anticipated that the City will appeal this ruling to New York State’s highest Court of Appeals. However, it is possible that the Court of Appeals may reject the appeal because of the unanimous decision in the lower NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division. Also, the City could possibly ask for this case to be retried in the Appellate Division, First Department, of the NYS Supreme Court.
Besides the class action case of Bentkowski vs. City of New York with the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division ruling favorable for retirees on May 21, 2023, there are two other law suits that are pending. The first law suit is NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees v. Renee Campion. In this case, Judge Frank ruled that the City’s attempt at forcing retirees to pay for their medigap insurance was in violation of Section 12-126 of the NYC Administrative Code. This ruling is being appealed by the City. The second law suit is Margaretann Bianculli vs. City of New York Office of Labor Relations. In this case, the City attempted to charge copayments to retirees and their dependents for medical appointments which also violates Section 12-126. This law suit is currently being reviewed by the NYS Supreme Court and the NYS Court of Appeals.
United Federation of Teachers Withdraws Support for the Medicare Advantage Program
By letter dated June 23, 2024 from Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) to Harry Nespoli, chair of the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC), the UFT withdrew its support for the Medicare Advantage Program. Withdrawal of support for Medicare Advantage was the consequence of the election of new leadership for the 70,000 member UFT Retiree Teachers Chapter. The newly elected Retiree Teachers Chapter leadership and a majority of its members are opposed to enrollment of municipal retirees in the Medicare Advantage Program. Until recent changes in Retiree Teachers Chapter leadership, the UFT was a strong advocate for Medicare Advantage. Michael Mulgrew is an executive vice-chair of the MLC and one of five predominant union leaders who are the executive board of MLC.
Endorsement of Letter to President Biden Regarding Medicare and Medicare Advantage
In February of 2024, the MEA endorsed a letter by the National Alliance For Retiree Healthcare to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. requesting expansion of traditional Medicare to include vision, dental and hearing benefits. The letter requested prevention of the privatization of traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage Programs. It called for reforms to Medicare Advantage Programs to eliminate fraud and abuse, and to hold insurance companies accountable for misuse of funds. It also emphasized the necessity to distinguish traditional Medicare from the private for-profit Medicare Advantage Programs. The National Alliance For Retiree Healthcare is a consortium of not-for-profit and retiree organizations advocating to preserve and improve traditional Medicare.
In-Service Employees and Pre-Medicare Retirees 10% Health Insurance Reduction
The City was originally scheduled to implement health insurance cost reductions for in-service employees, pre-Medicare eligible retirees and their dependents on January 1, 2024. However, implementation of the new health insurance plan has been delayed. In June of 2022, a Request For Proposals was posted by the OLR and the MLC for a new Health Maintenance Organization to provide and administer a health insurance program that would reduce City costs by 10%. GHI-CBP, which is presently the main health insurance plan, may be discontinued in exchange for a less expensive health insurance plan. The 10% reduction may affect access to some doctors and hospitals, and increased co-payments. There has not been an official announcement from OLR regarding the selection of an insurance provider or the specifics about insurance plan changes. However, it has been recently revealed that the UFT has withdrawn its support for the 10% reduction in health insurance costs from the MLC.
Vison Care Administrator Change from Davis Vision to General Vision Services
On January 1, 2024, the Management Benefits Fund (MBF) vision care administrator was changed from Davis Vision to General Vision Services (GVS). According to the OLR website, GVS will provide a quality vision plan to all active and retired MBF members and their dependents. The benefits have been enhanced, and in addition to independent providers previously participating in MBF with Davis Vision, access has been extended to in-network national retailers.
Approval of the 2024 Budget
MEA’s 2024 Budget was approved at the February 20, 2024 Executive Board Meeting. Appreciation is extended to Treasurer Bernard Orlan and the Finance Committee for their collaboration with Executive Director Alice Wong to expeditiously and superbly develop this year’s budget.
Passing of Stephen Fisher, MEA Recording Secretary
The MEA is extremely saddened by the shocking and sudden passing of Stephen Fisher in March. In 2022, Steve volunteered to fill the vacancy as MEA’s recording secretary. Besides being our recording secretary, Steve was a member of the Newsletter Committee, an Executive Board member, MEA’s delegate to COMRO, and active with our Retirees Chapter. He was also an extremely proactive member of the NYC Public Service Retirees Organization who is in litigation against the City to preserve traditional Medicare for municipal retirees and their dependents. Steve will be sorely missed by those who knew him, and kindly remembered for the many contributions he made for the betterment of all. The MEA expresses our heartfelt condolences and prayers.
On June 18, 2024 at the Stephen Fisher celebration of life event, the MEA posthumously presented to Steve’s siblings a plaque bestowing Steve as the first recipient of the “Volunteer of the Year Award” for his contributions to MEA and its membership. This award will be present annually to an MEA member who exemplifies exceptional voluntary participation in MEA committees and activities. In honor of Steve, this award will be named the “Stephen Fisher Volunteer of the Year Award.”
Resignation of Leela Fiorino as Director of the Retirees Chapter
It is with regret that I must inform you that Leela Fiorino has resigned as Chapter Director of the MEA’s Retirees Chapter in April because of personal reasons. Ms. Fiorino’s invaluable service as the Retirees Chapter leader is sincerely appreciated and we wish her all the best. At the May 21, 2024 Executive Board Meeting, James Durrah was approved as the Acting Director for the Retirees Chapter.
Chapter Elections
An updated schedule for the remaining chapter elections has been prepared by Executive Director Alice Wong. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic remission, chapter elections are being conducted in-person unless scheduled specifically as a Zoom meeting. Please be reminded, that at least five-chapter members must RSVP prior to the meeting to satisfy the quorum requirement for a chapter election to be conducted as per the MEA Bylaws.
We encourage members to participate in chapter elections and volunteer as candidates to fill chapter officer positions – especially vacant positions. It is extremely important for all agency chapters to be represented on the Executive Board. As chapter director, you are an ambassador for your agency and MEA – sharing managerial concerns and issues, and having a vote as a member of the Executive Board. We also encourage members to invite non-MEA managers to chapter meetings in an effort to recruit new members for your chapter as well as to increase MEA’s membership. Please remember, recruitment leading to membership growth is the MEA’s life blood – “There is strength in numbers”.
Membership Participation
Member participation in the Organization Committee; Compensation, Benefits and Professional Development Committee; and the Events and Fundraising Committee is highly encouraged. These committees provide the opportunity for members to become proactively involved in creating and developing of initiatives for the MEA and its membership. Your participation is paramount to the continued growth and development of our Association.
Bylaws Committee
During the April 16, 2024 Executive Board Meeting, the Bylaws Committee was approved. The Bylaws Committee members are Chairperson Tina Ramsey, Cindy Teta, Nora Santos, Katy Diaz-Espinal, Graham Rabinowitsch, Jason G. Loughran, Sean Newman, and Audrey Dunlap. They are reviewing the Amended June 26, 2018 Bylaws (Bylaws) and will propose any amendments to the Executive Board for approval. Once approved by the Executive Board, the proposed amendments will be presented to the MEA membership at a General Membership Meeting for voting on to amend the Bylaws. It is important for the Bylaws to be updated and adopted to reflect current MEA policies, operations, procedures, and activities.
Election Committee and the 2024 MEA Leadership Election
At the May 21, 2024 Executive Board Meeting, the Election Committee was approved to conduct the MEA leadership election. The Election Committee members are Chairperson Pat Toner, Theresa Yuan and Carlos Obando. A Special General Membership Meeting to nominate candidates for the Officers and Directors-at-Large positions will be held no later than August 10, 2024. At that meeting, a member can nominate candidates for leadership positions or nominate one’s self as a candidate for a leadership position. Slates can also be formed and individual members can be nominated to fill each of the positions. It is extremely important that dedicated members who are familiar with the goals, operations and procedures of the MEA volunteer as candidates to fill these leadership positions. Also, it is recommended that each candidate be familiar with the Bylaws.
T.I.P. Club, Member of the Toastmasters International Organization
The T.I.P. Club is a Toastmasters International Club that was established for our members in 2011. It provides the opportunity for managers to improve their skills in oral communication and leadership, and develop self-confidence for speaking during meetings and presentations. Members perform a variety of speeches at club meetings for advancement to different levels of communication and leadership competency. During the meetings, speakers are evaluated on presentation criteria by fellow club members who are assigned to various critique categories. As an incentive for MEA members to join, MEA funds the initiation Toastmasters International Organization fee and the first six months of T.I.P. Club membership dues for each new member. The T.I.P. Club is actively recruiting members, especially working managers, to increase its membership. An in-person T.I.P. Club open house is being planned for the near future.
Executive Director Alice Wong Honored as The 2023 Responsible 100 by City & State New York
Alice performs her responsibilities representing and promoting the MEA with the utmost professionalism, integrity, respect, and dedication. These qualities are exemplified in the essence of the MEA’s mission. We proudly congratulate Alice for being recognized and honored by the City & State New York in the December 11, 2023 issue as a member of the 2023 Responsible 100 for her invaluable service to the NYC Managerial Employees Association.
Appreciation to Executive Director and Office Team, Legal Counsel, and Pension Counsellor
The MEA expresses sincere appreciation to Executive Director Alice Wong and her office team consisting of Erin Jordan, Matthew Conley, and Cynthia Ross, who perform the everyday operations in maintaining MEA’s services for all. We also extend genuine gratitude to Stuart Salles, Esq., our legal counsel, and Jay Warshofsky, our pension counsellor, for the invaluable and irreplaceable services they provide for our members.
The MEA acknowledges and appreciates the hard work of our members and continues to represent NYC managers to the best of our abilities. We wish everyone a Safe, Healthy, and Happy Summer that is full of achievable hopes and dreams.
Sincerely,
Darrell L. Sims