Coba Newsletter 0602 (gh-24)

Volum e II , Issu e 19

May-june 2 00 2

COBA AND COs AT WORK, PLAY, HEROISM AND POLITICS CO FIGHTS 9/11 TERRORISTS IN AFGHAN MOUNTAINS

COBA, MAYOR HONOR COs FOR WATERY RESCUE

PREPAREDTO DEFEND H1MSELF AND HIS COUNTRY: New York City Correction Officer Jorge Brito, VCBC, poses with his weapon in a photo e-mailed from Bagram.Afghan isran, where is serving as a Battle Captain with the U,S.Anny·s lOtb Mountaiu Division. Activated on 9/11. CO Brito told COBA NEWS that Too here to represent all the people who lost their lives or who were somehow atfected, especiauy those in law enforcement. by 9/11. I was sad to leave Ill)' family, but I believe in freedom, liberty and democracy and will not hesitate to fight anyone. anywhere. at any time for this great country." COllA commends him for his courage and for his dedication to the task of ending terrorism throughout the world.

DECORATED FOR $AVINGT\\70 LIVES, COs Robert johnsen (left) and James Wolters (second from right), both of SOD, pose with Mayor Michael Bloomberg (second from left) and COllA President Norman Seabrook (right), after CODA honored them with its Arturo Meyers/Member of the Year Award in May. The officers were honored for their actions on February I, when they helped save two WF clinic nurses who had mistakenly driven their vehicle into the frigid waters off Rikers Island. trapping tbemselves in their rapidly submerging car. Witllin moments of receiving the call. Officers johnsen and Wolters, together with other COs, including CO John Hinton. dove into the river to reach the vehicle, which had drifted 75 feet from the shore. By the lime the group reached the car. only its top was showing above the water. Acting fast, they pried open the doors and pulled the women back to shore, saving their lives. CORA commends them for their heroic rescue,

CO TRAVELS WORLDWIDE TO RELIEVE JAILHOUSE STRESS RD)ING ON A CAJ'v(EL IN FRONT Of THE SPHINX, CO Allen Lloyd, GRVC,demonstrates what he says is a sure-fire remedy for jailhouse stress: worldwide t r'J vel , Mr. Lloyd. who says he prefers interuational (ravel for stress relief over WOrking out at the gym, drinking, or arguing. has visited Spain. Italy, Germany, Ke nya. Tanzania. Egypt, France, India, Vietnam, Cambodia.Thailand and Australia. He plans to travel down the Amazon River in South America aod (0 climb Mount Everest in the future. Mr. Lloyd first developed his taste for travel as a chef on a cruise ship, and took a photography course to enable him to record his travels. C013A wishes him well at home and abroad.

RETIREES GATHER AT COBA BREAKFAST

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VSF? ByWiUiam Kwasuicki CORA Legislative Chairman Man)' rumors have been circulating throughout Departrnent of Correction facilities concerning eligibility for Variable Supplement Fund payments. Don't pay attention to them. The correct iuformation is:

1.

Tier 1 members must have 20 or more years of allowable: service (uniformed) to receive the VSF.

2.

Tier 2 members must have 20 or more years of allowable service (uniformed) to receive the VSF.

3.

Tier 3 members appointed prior to Dec. 19. 1990 must have 2()..25 years (depending all which retirement plan you are enrolled in) of credited service, (all of which service must be approved by NYCERS), to receive the VSE

4.

Tier 3 members appointed after Dec. 19, 1990 must have 20 or more years of allowable service (uniformed) (0 receive the VSF.

5.

Tier 3 members appointed after Dec. 19, 1990 BllT who were Tier 3 members of NYCERS prior to Sept, 1. 1983 must have 20 or more years of credited service. (all of which must be aoproved by NYCERS), [Q receive: the VSF.

Please 110te that all of the above scenarios are Retirement, All officer

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ba~ed

on Service

have 20 or 25 years of service or more, TALKING OVER OLDTIME$: COBA First Vice Presidcnr Israel Rcxach, (right, top photo) listens (0 one COBA retiree as others. (in photos be low), en joy themselves at t he Annual CODA Retiree Breakfast, held at Dame's last month.

12m if that member rdires fur allY kind of disability he o r she will lIot

qualify for the VSF.

USING DEFERRED COMPENSATION SAVINGS TO PURCHASE PRIOR SERVICE 0)' William Kwasnicki COBA Legislative Chairman

3.

When you receive this letter, take the letter to NYC Deferred Compensation, located at 40 Rector Street. You will then fiU our an application from Deferred Cornpensatjon. After this application is processed. a deduction from your account will be made and Stilt 10 NYCERS to finalize your prior service application.

4.

1£ you are eligible to use credited service for your 20- or 25year retirement, you wiU be sent a letter from NYCERS containing your new retirement date. You are eligible 10 use credited service {or your 20 or 25-year retirement if you arc a Tier 3 officer appointed prior to Dec, 19, 1990 or a Tier 3 officer appointed after Dec. 19, 1990 with a Tier 3 membership dating back prior to Sept. I, 1983.

5.

If you are nor eligible to use credited service for your lO-year

NYCERSand the NYC Deferred Compensation Plan have established a process uuder which a Correction member of NYCER$ may lise Deferred Compensation Savings to purchase prior service. The procedure:

1.

Submit the appropriate application to NYCERS requesting co purchase credited service from your eligible previous employer,

2.

NYCERS will process your application. When your previous eligible employer verifies your employment, NYCERS will send you a letter Slating the CX2ct cost of purchasing the credited service you applied for.

reri remenr (that is, if you a re a Tier 1 officer, a Tier 2 officer, or a Tier 3 officer appointed after Dec. 19, 1990). you wiU receive additional peosion credit upon your retirement.

2

COBA ANNOUNCES ITS 2002 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA The biUs below have been introduced in the State Senate and State Assembly 01\ COBA's behalf. The name following the bill number is rhe name of the Senator and Assembly Member who is the prime sponsor of the bill.

6.

COBA is in the process of submitt.ing these bills to the New York City Council to obtain from rhar body the Home Rule Messages needed to allow passage of these bills in Albany.

7.

Senate 6451 .VeleUa Assembly 10369. Seminerio Allow earning of service credit beyond 30 years of service Senate 6450. Velella Assembly 10368, Seminerio Allow borrowing of 90 percent of pension contributions

AS always, COllA NEWS will keep all members up to date regarding progress on this legislation.

8.

Senate 1537 A, Maltese Assembly 2465A, Serninerio Allow borrowing from additional pension contributions

1,

Senate 2745A, Velella Assembly 10195. Abbate Last year 's salary pension ca lculation

9.

Senate 1543A, Maltese Assembly 2469A. Sernlnerio Allow Correction member to apply fbr Ordinary Disability

2.

3.

4.

Senate 1544A, Maltese Assembly 2470. Serninerio Stop additional pension contribution upon completion of 20 years of service

regardless of length of service

10. Senate 2544. Maltese Assembly 4854. Serninerio Allow Correction members to continue receiving pension benefits if elected to public office

Senate 2176A, Veiella Assembly 10203.Abbatt: Allow uniformed Correction members to purchase service credit for Child Care Leave

11. Senate 2335A, VeleUa

Assembly 4225A, Pheffer

Senate 615 I, Maltese

Establish a procedure for medical review in Correction

Assembly 9705 Serninerio Remove salary cap for Accidental Disability Retirement when officer attains 2G-ye;{r retireme nt date

members' disabilitv cases 12 . Senate 5814, Padavan Assern bly 1809A, Lopez

5.

Free transportation for NYC uniformed Correction members

Senate 1539A , Maltese Assembly 2468A, Serniuerio

13. Senate 6772, Nozzolio

Return additional pension contributions after completion of I., years of service for any reason other than service retirement or resignation with a vested right to a benefit

Assembly 6038. Ortiz Anti-privatizat ion for NYC Correctional Facilities

PERFECTING THEIR ABILITIES AND HONING THEIR SKILL SETS

AU FOR ONE AND ONE FOR AU: Some COllA Delegates take notes and others Listen while COBA Executive Board members, consultants, and other experts discuss everything a Delegate needs to know at the Annual COBA Delegates Seminar held in Atlantic Cit)'.

3

AWARDS ARE RECEIVED AND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE HONORED AT COBA'S ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS DINNER-DANCE

FREE FEDERAL COUNSELING AVAILABLE FOR COs New York City Correctio II Officers and members of their families who have developed a need for counseling or suppon as a result of the 9/11 events or since that tragic day are urged to apply for a free, Federally-funded and totally anonymous counseling and support group program administered by COPE. COPE is a private organization that is independent of COBA, the city and rhe Department, Staff members are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. insurance covers COPE's services for most COs, a co-pay is required and a cap is put on the number of appointrnenrs covered by the insurance plan. Under the new federal plan, no co-pay is required and the cap is usually more flexible. AltJ10Ugh

Support groups will meet once a week during morning and evening tours and are completely anonymous. According to COPE Director Dejohn McCann, a former CO, individual counseling is also available. The program is being funded under the Federal Emergency Management Act. For information call 888-n5-COPE (2673).

BUOYED BY HIS SUPPORT FROM COBA, which has endorsed him for re-election, Governor George E. Pataki (left) formally announced his campaign for re-election in his hometown of Peekskill, New York in May. CORA President Norman Seabrook (center) greeted the Governor and Lt. Governor Mary Donohue as rhey descended from the podium after their re-election announcement and reassured them of COBA's support in the fall. Mr.Seabrook's reassurances were echoed by the large group of CDBA delegates and Executive Board Members who accompanied Mr.Seabrook ro Peekskill for t he announcement. COllA urges all its members to vote for Governor Pataki, who has done so much for New York City Correction Officers, and confidently predicts he will win the third term he so rightly deserves.

COs URGED TO CONTACT COBA ATTORNEYS RE UPCOMING BANKRUPTCY LAW REVISION The United States Congress has taken another step toward passing legislation that will drastically overhaul the existing Bankruptcy Laws. a step that will severely Limit the ability of COBA members to discharge their debts under a conventional Chapter 7 filing. (lfyou file for bankruptcy WIder Chapter 7, you 're no longer obligated LO repay your old debts and most of your property is exempt from confiscation by the court-appointed Trustee or b)' your creditors.) The bills that rna)' well be: passed by Congress and signed by th e President impose :I "means test" to determine which debtors have the resources 10 repay some of their debts. Unfortunately. the means test will be measured against "national expenses and income" and will not take into account the higher COSt of living and taxes that are prevalent in the Northeast. Those who have the means to repay under this test will be precluded from tiling a Chapter 7 petit.ion and will instead be forced to repay a portion of their debts under a Chapter 13 Plan. Chapter 13 is the section of the Bankruptcy Laws that allows you to repay a portion of your debts over a 3-5 year period.

It's unlikely that COBA members will be eligible to File Chapter 7 should the new bankruptcy legislation be enacted into law. Therefore, COBA's Bankruptcy Attorneys, Koehler & Isaacs, strongly recommend that members in financial difficulty who may be considering filing for bankruptcy contact Koehler & Isaacs at 917-551-1300 to immediately schedule all appointment to evaluate their financial condition. Koehler & lsaacs handled 250 bankruptcy cases on behalf of COM members last year alone,

IT'S SUMMERTIME AND KIDS ARE HAPPY

RYE PlAYlAND FAMilY OUTING TO DELIGHT (OBA MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON SEPTEMBER 14 Thousands of COBA members will frolic in the late summer on Saturday, September 14 as COBA once again holds its Annual family Outing at Rye Playland Amusement Park in Rye, New York, SIU1

"COBA members work so hard and in such dark, difficult and dangerous surroundings that they deserve a day of free recreation and relaxation outdoors," COBA President Norman Seabrook said. All rides and food will be free from 9 a.rn. [07 p.rn. The rides will be the tabled rides of Rye Playland, and the food. provided by COBA, will include hot dogs, hamburgers, barhequed chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, macaroni salad. baked ziti. baked beans. tossed salad, ice cream, other desserts and beverages. Live performers plus a DJ will provide the entertainment. CQBA members should note that registration for this year's Family Outing begins July 1 and ends August 30. TIley should also note that -No registration will be permitted at Rye 011 September 14, ·While members, spouses, domestic partners, and their children will be aclmitted free, attendees regardless of age who are in none Of these categories must pay $35 each by

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certified check or money order made out to ·COBA Inc." by the registration deadline of Friday,August 30. -Free admission to rh e Rye outing is non-transfera ble _You

SMILING & SURfING, the grandchildren of COBA Retiree Consultant Vinnie Coppola look as happy as kids in summertime as summertime visits New York. COllA commends Retired CO Coppola on his proud grandfatherhood.

must have your information updated aT the COBA office in order for spouses. domestic partners and children to qualify.

ARBITRATOR RULES AGAINST COBA ON VACATION TIME ISSUE Despite COUA's best efforts, the union's attempt to ensure through arbitration that officers hired after June 3D, 1993 should get the number of vacation days specified in the C013A contract has been defeated.

The arbitrator concluded that so long as a CO is entitled to accrue the number of vacation days specified in this schedule during the calendar year in which the officer reaches his or her fifth annrversary, the Department'S method of allocating vacation time is proper.

According to An ide XL, Section 2 of the conrracr between COBA and the ciry, during a CO's first five years of employment he or she is entitled 1O accrue a vacation of 20 workdays for each year of service , and after five years is entitled to a vacation of 27 workdays ill each year of service.

COBA will continue to fight on all fronts on behalf of its membership.

The arbitrator ruled, however, that since accruals are based on the anniversary date of an officer's date of hire, and since not all employees are hired on the first day of the year. a graduated entitlerncnr schedule is permissible for officers whose fifth anniversary of date of hire falls in the same year.

(j

AFRICAN -AMERICAN RETIREE DANCE SCHEDULED

COBA SEARCHES FOR INFORMATION IN CO MORGAN'S MURDER

The African-American Correction Retirees Association will hold their First Summer Jam Oil Friday,Jwlc 28 from 9 p.m.- 2 a.rn. at the Kermit DroweryVFW at 204lh St .and Linden Blvd. in St. Albans. Queens. Music will be provided by a popular OJ and the parry is BYOB13. Donations are S 15 ill advance or $20 at the door. according to the MCM, For marc informacion COIHan Debra Stroud at 718-527·3337 or Melvin Johnson at 718-276-14S3.

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Seabeck. Executive Board Members and Delegates delivered flyers in Red Hook, Brookl)'n offering what bCGI me a $12, SOO reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the 3S-yearold officer's killer or killers,

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In the top photo above, COBA Third Vice President Linda Harrison and Delegate Alan Person of KCHPW get ready to distribute leaflets and in the photo below Delegate Angela Stokes of ARDe and Delegate Charles Fodera of MDC do tht same .

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Officer Morgan, R.M$C, was shot six times while sifting in his own car in Red Hook 011 April 9. His mother.joyce Smith, was killed in the World Trade Center attacks and h is wife Carol is eight months pregnant.

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"We are determined to uncover whatever information is needed to make substantial progress on this case," said Mr. Seabrook. who has urged the death penalty in Officer Morgan's murder.

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August 26, 2002 COIJA Seuen tb A1I1Iuai Go lf Classic, Imoood COIWII]' Club,

COBA has contributed :>S,OOO to the reward fund. Another $2,500 WdS contributed by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOP13A) , which represents state correctional officers. An additional S5000 was added to the reward by the National Police Defense Foundation .

111 w ood , NY. Pro ceeds to benefit tbe Scbo ta rsb tp FU1Id f or

tbe cbtldren of Correction Offtcers. Call Vin nie Coppo la ( 2 12-9 65 -01 5 2). or Yvelle Poy o r Victoria Dantone ( 2 122 7,j -800 0) , for m ore t nformatio n .

September 14, 2002

A seven-year veteran. Officer Morgan was shot while sitting in his parked car. He was off-duty.

/ly e Playla1ld Fami()! Ou ti ng.

7

YEAR 2002 (DBA CARDS AVAILABLE Contribure to the COBA Widows and Children's Fund and honor the Correction Officers who served during and after the V;Torld Trade Center disaster by buying as many 2002 COUA Cards as you can, All proceeds from the sale are earmarked for the CODAWidows and Children's Fund. The cost is 51 per card. Orders should include additional funds to cover postage: 34 cents for one to three cards. 78 cents fur four to ten cards, and S156 fur eleven to twenty cards. Make checks payable to COBA Widows and Children's Fund, 335 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York. NY 10013 (212) 274-8000.

(pictured in the upper right on the Year 2002 COBA Cards is New York City Correction Officer Robert Martin at Ground Zero wearing his volunteer fire fighter gear.) Please complete coupon below:

Name:

Please send me

Address:

$

for #

$

for Postage

$

Total enclosed

Address: City: State:

Zip:

COBA 335 8 roadway. 5Ih F1001 New York. NY HlO l 3 "' V",' hlllinr. Ihe T (ill e.h t· ~ 1 Prec inct- In New Yor"'"

_ _

COBA Cards Cards

Correction Officers' Benevolent Association Contact Elizabeth Castro (212) 274-8000

FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE

PAID NEWYORK, N.V. Permit No. 241 B