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Newsline: June/July/August 2007 Legislature Approves Bills Backed by Local 237
• • • The following union-supported bills were approved: Vehicle Workers/Workers’ Compensation S.6107 (Golden) A.8194 (John) and Vehicle Workers’ Disability Pension S.4895 (Golden)/A.5780 (Abbate) These bills would provide Workers’ Compensation benefits and a disability pension to persons who repaired, cleaned or rehabilitated vehicles or equipment owned by New York City that were contaminated by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack. These workers, many of whom are Local 237 members, have been exposed to the same contaminants and toxins as other workers who are covered by Workers’ Compensation benefits; however, they were not included because they worked at the city garages instead of the sites outlined in the original legislation. Maximum Shelter Allowance S.4329 (Lanza)/A.7905 (Lopez, V.) This bill would amend the Social Services Law to require the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to pay public housing authorities the same shelter allowance that it pays private landlords when renting to tenants whose incomes consist of public assistance. Currently, OTDA pays private landlords the maximum shelter allowance established for their social services district, while public housing authorities are paid a much smaller shelter allowance. Public housing is no less expensive to operate than private housing and is actually more costly since it offers social services required by law that may otherwise be provided by the state. Meanwhile, subsidies for public housing are steadily decreasing, forcing housing authorities to rely more on rental income. Accident Disability S.2486 (Padavan)/A.4704 (Abbate) This bill would amend the retirement and Social Security law, in relation to accident disability benefits for certain members of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) who are injured in the performance of their duties. The 6,000 peace officers working for New York City, Health and Hospitals Corporation, Taxi and Limousine Commission, Department of Education, Police Department, City University, and the Housing Authority come in contact with many hostile individuals and frequently find themselves in volatile situations. On a daily basis, these peace officers execute arrests; and because they are unarmed they are at heightened risk for injuries. This legislation would provide peace officers in the above titles with a 75 percent pension benefit when injured in the performance of their duties. Special Accidental Death Benefit S.3417 (Maltese)/A.6238 (Abbate) This legislation would amend the General Municipal Law in relation to providing a special accidental death benefit to certain peace officers employed by the City of New York. The 6,000 peace officers working for the city face extremely difficult conditions and are in contact with many hostile individuals on a daily basis. In December 2005, School Safety Agent Vivian Samuels Benjamin suffered a fatal heart attack after being assaulted by a student during a school dance. This legislation would provide beneficiaries in such cases with a special accidental death benefit for surviving family members. Extender Bills: 518-465-5551 Julie Ruttan or John Sedie. Senate Sponsor for each bill. S.6099 (Golden)/A.9138 Sponsor: Abbate This bill would extend by two years the time a member may file a sworn statement with a retirement system regarding participation in cleanup and recovery after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, to be eligible for accidental disability. S.4067 (Lanza)/A.4940 Sponsor: Bing This bill would extend by a year the time one has to complete a registration of participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and clean-up operations with the Workers’ Compensation Board. |
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The 2007 Albany legislative session ended on a high note for Local 237. Lawmakers in both houses of the State Legislature passed bills supported by the union.