On March 22 we attended the NYS Public Employee Conference (PEC) at The Egg in Albany, where our Lobbyist, Peter Meringolo, is the Chairman along with 80 plus other unions. There were numerous speakers from leaders of the State. Governor Hochul opened the conference. It was the first time a governor ever attended in the 45 years of the event. She spoke on the need to fix Tier 6 as did all those that followed, but we have heard that for the last twelve years. Let’s hope they mean it as almost half of our members are in Tier 6.
Thomas DiNapoli, the NYS Comptroller, also spoke on the importance of fixing Tier 6 to help in recruitment. 49% of the state's workforce is in the tier while only 5% are in Tier 5. The pension fund is currently 99.3% funded and one of the best in the nation.
Other speakers included Assemblymen Peter Abbate, who drafts the majority of our bills, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Senate Majority Speaker Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Jessica Ramos, and Senator Robert Jackson, all emphasizing a goal to fix Tier 6. Is this the year? We shall see….
Gov. Hochul Honors Public Employees at Breakfast in The Egg
