Members,
As the new year starts, we look back on 2025.
We started out with 840 active members, and ended the year at 928. Our retiree numbers have grown to a new high of 707.
We continued our commitment to fight for tier equity along with the other unions to modify Tier 6. COBANC has been sitting on the Public Employee Conference (PEC) committee for tier reform and will continue to have a seat in 2026. At the conference this December, we voiced our ideas for PEC’s legislative agenda. We want to target the variable contribution rates that disproportionately impact our Tier 6 members, as well as the years/age for full retirement. Our lobbyist, Peter Meringolo, puts a bill in for COBANC Tier 6 members every year for 30/55. This year, Chief Judge Rowan Wilson backed the bill until the Governor called for it. Without that extra push, Governor Hochul once again vetoed our tier reform bill. We are currently looking at our options now that a local face has entered the Governor’s race.As to title reallocation, Court Revenue Assistants, Case Technicians, Resource Coordinators I and II’s and Case Managers I and II, all were reallocated in 2025. OCA vows to continue to study all job titles for possible reallocations.We negotiated the Telecommuting Program, allowing members of certain titles to work from an alternate work site. As to the upcoming negotiations, we are about to start preliminary meetings with the other court unions, preparing to lead on a united front for when OCA finishes with the executive branch. We thank you to those who responded to the “negotiations wish list” forms we sent out.
On Health and Welfare, this year the Trustees have voted to increase the maximum annual vision benefit from $180 to $200 eyeglass reimbursement for our retired members and their dependents, bringing them on par with our active members.The Trustees are currently working on improvements to our in-network fee schedule with ASO, our dental administrators, to motivate dentists to join our in-network panel. Stay tuned for that in the new year.
Attached are our 2026 Supplemental Prescription / Medical Reimbursement Form and the revised Benefit Summary Plan Description booklets. You can also find the books on our website.
We extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. We wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!!!
In Unity,
Peter A. Piciulo
President, COBANC
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