Huntington Township Passes Resolution eliminating staff benefits.

Maryann Maltese, Democratic candidate for NYS Assembly 12th AD, and former tenured NYS Employee with the NYS Legislature learned that the through the efforts of Supervisor Lupinacci-the Township on July 21, 2020 introduced and passed Resolution Number # 2020-333; which will not provide NYS and NYC Retirees with Healthcare Benefits. Dental Benefits, Optical Care, Holiday Pay, Vacation leave, Personal Leave, Sick Leave, or Compensatory Pay for hires effective August 2020.

I'll be introducing legislation to over-ride Huntington Township Resolution immediately once I'm elected to office, said Maryann Maltese. This action is outrageous as the NYS Retirement System and CSEA have oversight of Huntington benefits, said Maryann Maltese.

My reason in doing so is: NYS is not in the business of denying former retired civil servants from NYC or those civil servants that previously retired from Townships like Huntington from Healthcare Insurance, Dental Insurance, Optical Care; or such employment benefits as vacation, sick leave, personal leave or holiday pay. This Resolution is simply a violation of State Employment Law and rights preserved by the CSEA and those of us that are not represented by CSEA but or were NYS Public Employees. It does not resonate well with those of us who live in the Township and are NYC and NYS retired Staff Members who are or might be eligible and hired by the Township of Huntington from employee benefits; especially understanding that Supervisor Lupinacci and Town Clerk Raia are former NYS State Legislative Employees who in fact have received all the "employee benefits referred to in Huntington Resolution 2020-333 because they themselves were hired or elected before August 2020 and now; they want to eliminate new NYC and NYS hires from access to the same Employment Packages", said Maryann Maltese-Candidate for NYS Assembly 12th AD.

This action by Huntington Township just demonstrates how some within Huntington Township Leadership, former NYS Legislative Members in NYS Assembly (Lupinacci and Andrew Raia) were compensated for their State time and once hired by Huntington or elected into position were able to transfer their State Time or they were included in Huntington's Employment Packages and Now, they-have ended other perspective NYC or NYS new hires from the same employment benefits. Any new hires are required to be in good Public servant standing-or otherwise-they would not be allowed to re- enter civil service of any kind, said Maltese. So balancing the budget on the backs of workers again-seems to be Huntington Townships decision. Isn't Huntington Town Councilman Edmund Smyth(Republican) running for NYS Senate this year as State Senator John Flannigan also resigned from office effective June, 2020? If Councilman Edmund Smyth wins the State Senate race-will he then in turn introduce legislation in NYS that will not permit former Huntington Township Staffers-Retirees who might decide to take State Employment from receiving NYS Employment Packages or Healthcare? Senator Jim Gaughran is also a former Huntington Township staffer-some should ask if he feels this way as well-eliminating Huntington Township former staffers/retirees from being eligible for State Employment benefits and packages if they accept State Employment.

It doesn't resonate well when those who hear the calling to be leaders or dedicate their lives to Civil Service related employment-fall prey to those that want to reduce NYS or NYC Public Employees further and as many of those who take civil service exams and are represented by CSEA union- depend on benefit packages to live-why would we want to elect these Leaders again?, said Maryann Maltese.

It's not uncustomary for NYS or NYC retirees to leave state civil service and reenter service elsewhere where they have the credentials for the position and in doing so- were not denied participation in other civil service employment packages or benefits-such as Health Insurance. This resolution is in violation of CSEA's platforms, and is so wrong in so many ways. Huntington needs to stop balancing their budget deficit on the backs of public service employees-and find another way to fill the void. Denying public employee rights-perhaps will lead to another lawsuit against Huntington Township by new hires-which again-is not taking pro-active steps to prevent perspective Lawsuits against Huntington Township. Perhaps, the leadership needs to review their decision and drink a little coffee before and when formulating and/or passing such resolutions, said Maltese.

Maryann Maltese; Democrat, long time public advocate, former NYS Public Officer with 18 years of Governmental Employee Committee background can and will deliver sound legislative packages ensuring the lifeblood of public servants.

Again, if the Township of Huntington does not take the necessary steps to revoke this resolution immediately because it is in violation of State Rules-I'll be introducing the Bill in Albany to reprimand the Township and to revoke the Legislation immediately, said Maryann Maltese-former NYS Public Service Communications Director with NYS Legislature. Through my leadership-if I'm elected to NYS Assembly Seat-12th AD-NYS Legislature can and will correct this if Huntington Township doesn't do it themselves. Why Huntington Township felt the need to pass this resolution 2020-333 to eliminate future NYC and NYS retires from access to benefits if they take Township employment is outrageous and does not support CSEA's goals or NYS Department of Labor's mission to ensure public employee worker rights, said Maryann Maltese

To get involved with Maryann Maltese's election for NYS Assembly-12th AD- reach out to Maryannmaltesefornysassembly@gmail.com. To share your viewpoints on matters of importance -feel free to leave a post here as well.