MINUTES OF MEETING
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HAZARDOUS DUTY SERVICE CREDIT
October 18, 2018
TRUSTEES PRESENT
Paul Fortier
Sal
Luciano
Angel Quiros
OTHERS PRESENT
John Herrington,
Director, Retirement Services Division
Colin Newman, Assistant Director,
Retirement Services Division
The meeting was called to order at 9:47a.m by Mr. Newman
The items on the agenda were requests from the following employees/positions: Richard Fury Ronald LaBonte UConn Health Center MEDICAL/SURGICAL 5 Unit Positions
These employees were requesting that their employment at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Correctional Managed HealthCare Division in the classification "Health Services Administrator II" be covered under the hazardous duty provisions of the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) even though they both were members of the Alternate Retirement Program (ARP). By taking advantage of the SEBAC ARP Grievance Award (SAG Award) which has afforded a one-time opportunity for ARP members to transfer into SERS the employees hope that their service can be designated as hazardous duty.
This classification has not been designated as hazardous duty and does not appear on the hazardous duty appendix formulated pursuant to the 1988-1994 Pension Arbitration Award (PAA). However, at its May 17, 2004 meeting the Commission adopted the recommendation of its Subcommittee on Hazardous Duty Service Credit to approve Sharon Brown, Richard Bush, Brian Hicock, Mary Marto and Frederick Watton's individual requests for coverage under the hazardous duty provisions of SERS for their service at UCHC in this classification.
The hazardous duty provisions of SERS provide that DOC employees in classifications exempt from collective bargaining must engage in custodial or instructive duties in order to receive hazardous duty retirement credit for such employment.
Documented summaries in support of each of the employees indicated that they were engaged in custodial or instructional duties. The employees themselves did not appear to present their cases before the Subcommittee.
Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros that the subcommittee recommend approval of the request by Richard Furey for hazardous duty retirement plan coverage for his service at UCHC in the classification of Health Services Administrator II on the condition that the service purchase transfer from ARP to SERS is completed. The Subcommittee unanimously approved the motion.
Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros that the subcommittee recommend approval of the request by Mr. LaBonte for hazardous duty retirement plan coverage for his service at UCHC in the classification of Health Services Administrator II on the condition that the service purchase transfer from ARP to SERS is completed. The Subcommittee unanimously approved the motion.
The positions of Staff Nurse and Medical Assistant on the UCHC Medical/Surgical 5 Unit are solely dedicated to providing inpatient healthcare for Correctional Institution inmates. As such the employees in these positions who have retirement plan membership in ARP do not have the hazardous duty designation whereas their fellow staff members in the same classifications who have retirement plan membership in SERS do have the hazardous duty designation.
Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros that the subcommittee recommend approval of the request for hazardous duty retirement plan coverage for the employees in the classifications of Staff Nurse and Medical Assistant on the Medical/Surgical 5 Unit who are currently members of ARP but on the condition(s) that the service purchase transfer from ARP to SERS is completed and that the type of work performed on the Medical/Surgical 5 Unit is continually monitored by UCHC in the event it no longer warrants hazardous duty status. The Subcommittee unanimously approved the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
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