rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/support-the-mc-retiree-pay-parity-bill-s1579?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-support-the-mc-retiree-pay-parity-bill-s1579' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> The Organization of NYS Management Confidential Employees https://actionnetwork.org/groups/the-organization-of-nys-management-confidential-employees https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg I am writing to urge your support of the M/C Retiree Pay Parity bill (S.1579) so that Management and Confidential (M/C) retirees who did not receive their 2009 and 2010 withheld M/C salary increases will receive a modest payment for unequal treatment by the State of New York. Over 10,000 NYS M/C employees had their previously authorized salary increases, 3% in 2009 and 4% in 2010, withheld by the State to save money during a fiscal crisis now known as the Great Recession. Meanwhile their union-represented coworkers received those salary increases. M/Cs and only M/Cs were singled out for this treatment. M/Cs not only lost wages that were still paid to their unionized coworkers, but their pension benefits as well as their Social Security benefits were permanently diminished.  As a result, their retirement earnings, as well as any benefits for their survivors, have been reduced for the rest of their lives. The M/C Retiree Pay Parity Bill impacts no more than 4,000 retired management and confidential employees that completed state service between April 2009 and March 2015. The bill does not increase retirement benefits but provides eligible M/C retirees with a modest one-time payment based upon the number of months each individual retiree worked during the targeted 72-month window.  Total fiscal impact of this one-time measure is estimated at $9 million, but the accrued savings to the State from this salary withholding has approached $500 million! OMCE, which represents M/C employees and retirees, has offered different legislative proposals over the past 13 years to address the withheld salary increases; none were enacted.  This year's Retiree Pay Parity Bill S.1579 provides for a rebate which will not exceed $5,000 per retiree.  For many this is only a symbolic payment, especially in view of inflationary increases over the years.  It represents a modest step in recognizing and remedying the harm that was done to affected M/C retirees. Thank you for your attention in this critical matter.  This focused legislation is a reasonable and affordable way to address an injustice that continues to negatively affect M/C retirees. https://act.aflcio.org/letters/support-the-mc-retiree-pay-parity-bill-s1579