Dear COBA Members,

On June 18, 2024 COBA held the 2nd of it 3 General Membership meetings for 2024.

As we started with the 1st General Meeting and going forward, for those of you unable to attend, below is a recap of the topics discusses and important information we as a Board feel that all members should be aware of.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

-Retro Monies have been distributed. COBA urges all members to send an email to HR requesting a breakdown of your retro check and the years each amount was calculated for.

-The next COBA raise will take effect on July 1st, 2024

-17 Recruits were sworn in on Friday June 14th. Your Executive Board has been working with Civil Service and the County Executive to ensure we maintain a constant flow of recruits in an effort to begin to build the ranks back up.

-We are optimistic of the possibility of two more classes of 20-25 recruits each before the end of the 2024 Year.

-The County has agreed with the Union regarding staffing levels and has given the “greenlight” to Civil Service and the Budget Office to continually process and vet recruits in hopes of streamlining multiple recruit classes going forward for 2025 and 2026.

-On Friday June 14th COBA hosted a Retirement Seminar for any member looking to possibly retire in the next 18 months or less. We invited all the vendors that deal with the County and Union and are looking to make this a semi-annual event.

-With the untimely passing of Correction Officer Vargas, COBA again wants to remind you all that we have services in place, should you feel the need to talk. No issue is too big or too small. Members are encouraged to reach out to

C/O Joe Collins (EAP) 516-987-5553

CPL. Jon Donahue (Health & Wellness) 516-524-7767

LT. Greg Lanning (Plt. 5 Operations) 631-278-0391

-At the Board of Governors meeting, several issues around the jail were brought up by the Delegates. As always, no matter what the issue, please start a paper trail and generate a Work Order or email your Supervisor.

COBA notified the Department of the following issues:

1. B-Building Pipe Chase Alarm issues

2. Various areas with little or no AC

3. Facility Escape Alarm

4. Video Cameras on the roofs of the buildings

5. Large broken sections of the wooded fence around the Knowles.

6. Broken bricks by the entrance of B1C

1st Vice-President Dennis Maurus Report:

1. Tier 6 changes in 2024-2025 State Budget

- 36 month- Final Average Salary (same as Tiers 5&6). This change enhances Tier 6 Members Final Average Salary.

- Lower contribution rate for overtime, for some Tier 6 members. This was enacted into law during COVID-19 and has been extended till 3/31/2026.

2. With the close of the 2024 NYS Legislative Session, No major changes that were enacted into law that adversely affect Nasau County Correction Officers.

3. 401a Rollout was successful.

4. New termination pay form just for COBA Members which includes the 401a and 41j (41j is excess Sick Leave over the 235 cap which gets reported to NYSLRS for Service Credit)

5. Empower was voted to remain as the plan administrator for the Nassau County 457 Plan.

6. Stipulation for Termination pay which helps Members who retire and opt for the Lump Sum payout. The Member will now be paid with 60 days of Retirement, not the following January after retirement. This change will also benefit Members who are eligible to take advantage the 457 Plan at retirement which has a timeframe of 75 days to transfer termination pay to that plan.

2nd Vice President Andrew James Report:

As we head into the end of June, the Department has continued to not address and repair the Medscope contract. The result of this is an ever-increasing list of officers who are left on the disabled list. Up from 56 members on the disabled list in May, the June number for the Disabled List has risen to 62 with another 12 officers yet to either meet with the Police Surgeon or eclipse the 30 day mark making the total number of Officers who are dealing with an injury 72. With the disabled list growing at a steady rate, unless the Department addresses their current predicament with Medscope, this will undoubtedly affect staffing numbers and the ability to effectively and safely perform our duties in the Facility. With the Full Legislation meeting on Monday June 24th, there is another chance for the department to finally fix the issue, but until that day the Union will not be able to guarantee the status of Medscope going forward.

The Department has begun to catch up with Prior Service Credit. Myself and everyone at the Union office has been working with Sergeant Boniface and his team in Human Resources to adjust leave progression dates, longevity dates, as well as entitlement accruals for those who have applied to have their prior service credit be applied to their work history with the County. If you believe you have prior employment that could be counted towards your service credit (i.e. Employment with Nassau County or New York State) please reach out the me at ajames@nassauCOBA.com.

3rd Vice President Brendan Gulliksen:

I am pleased to report to you that over the last couple of months since our last meeting COBA has had great success negotiating and arbitrating Disciplinary and Contractual Grievances. Of the Disciplinary cases heard COBA was able to get back approximately 70% of the time taken from our members as a form of discipline, as well as restoring demotions in step, and removing work restrictions. Members were awarded positions in the Visting Unit, Court Desk, and ID Unit, and the K-9 unit. The County was ordered to make whole Members who had previously submitted documentation for Prior Service Credit

We have some upcoming and exciting grievances in the next few months including “Video Camera Surveillance Policy”, “Swaps on 207-C", “Mid-Year Delta Health Care Cost”, “Timely Retroactive Payments”, and “Post ‘14 non-Contributory Heath Plan”

4th Vice President Ray Cowen:

Conducted over 120 IA interviews since January 1st. 33 of those 42 cases have been closed with no further action.

Health and Safety:

Outstanding:

Several issues that remain outstanding in and around our facility are being addressed with Maintenance Supervisor Capel to get them rectified in the very near future.

Concerns regarding the roof project and contraband seem to have been rectified.

TEK84 issue is being addressed directly with the administration as these are important tools in preventing the introduction of contraband in our facility.

New:

Made aware of A/C concerns in the core facility, which are currently being addressed.

Gathering information on a couple of other potential health and safety concerns that were reported to me which I will be addressing.

Members reported receiving To-From requests from IAU. This has been done in the past. Should you receive one, feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns you may have.

Upcoming Events:

1) Widows & Children Golf Outing

Inwood Country Club

Inwood, NY

July 15, 2024

2) COBA Fishing Trip

Freeport Gem

Freeport, NY

August 13, 2024

3) Family Day

Adventureland

Farmingdale, NY

September 14, 2024

4) COBA Cigar Night

Bayview on the Water

Freeport, NY

September 18, 2024

Look out for more information on these upcoming events in the very near future!!