•LEAPEB. P 0 America's Largest Weekly for Public Employcvs More Yol
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—QAAASL Social Security ExtenH •LEAPEB. P 0 America's Largest Weekly for Public Employcvs More yol. XV I — No. 33 Tuesday, April 26, 105.> Price Ten Cents C.OVl^' See Page 16 nOX'T ItKI'KAT THIS Beame-Gulick It s Now the Law: Public Employees Battle Hits Entitled to Hearing, Reinstatement As Harriman Signs Major Advance Mayor Wagner ALBANY, April 25 — Governor Harriman has signed into law a THE MOST explosive contro- Important Notice versy of Mayor Wagner's admin- bill extending to all permanent, To County Local istration lias burst through the Appleby Won't Set competitive civil service employees Employees tWn volcanic layer that had been the right to a hearing in. disciplin- The act described in this ar- holding it suppressed. The results ary proceedings, and empowering of it may, if improperly resolved, ticle applies to all competitive Definite Date on the State Civil Service Commis- employees, county and local a.s leave scathing residues with the deepest implications to the Mayor sion to order the reinstatement well as State. The new law and his administration. The con- of employees cleared of such provides for the right of hear- troversy resolves itself into one Pay Decisions charges. The law applies to both ings and counsel in disciplinary question: cases, and also provides for re- doesn't believe "a definite date" State and local aides. instatement wliere an employee Can the Mayor afford to let The measure, an important But Hopes to Make can be set for final action on has been erroneously dismissed. Luther Gulick resign? plank in the Civil Service Em- salary appeals in behalf of some Onl.v One Answer It by May 15; ployees Association's 1955 legisla- The immediate and unequivocal 60,000 State employees, but he tive program, was introduced by now entitled by statute to a hear- answer, from the standpoint of 60,000WaitWord hopes it can be accomplished by Senator Herijert I. Sorin of Brook- ing before the appointing officer, political analysis, is No. Possibly May 15. lyn, and was introductory number elect to appeal to the Civil Service more di.sastrous to the City ad- ALBANY. April 25 — State Bud- get Director Paul H. Appleby ' VVe would rather get the de- 1593. Commission. ministration than any other sin- 3. It empowers the Civil Servic* cisions out earlier, possibly by The signing ceremony, in the gle decision would be one allow- Governor's oflice, was witnessed Commission to direct the rein- May 10th. - he told The LEADER, ing Dr. Gulick to leave the City's by Alexander A. Falk, President of statement of an employee if it "But the pressure of other work governmental structure. Yet the the State Civil Service Commis- finds on appeal that the charges Mayor has so far failed to re.solve and the importance of the appeals sion; Senator Herbert L Sorin, were not sustained. the controversy between Dr. Gu- makes it difficult to set a definite sponsor of the bill in that House, In 1941, the Civil Service Law lick and another able public offi- date." and member of the Senate Civil was amended to give employees cial, Budget Director Abraham Service and Pensions Committee; the right to appeal to the Civil Beame. Remaining unresolved, the Won't Be Hasty As.sembly Orin S. Wilcox, Assem- Service Commission from determ- situation inevitably is driving Governor Harriman's budget di- bly sponsor and chairman of the inations of the appointing officer Gulick toward resignation. rector says any hasty action in Assembly Civil Service Commit- in disciplinary proceedhigs. (CimtiniiPd on Page fil acting on salary appeals would not be in the interest of State tee; John P. Powers, president of Power Restrioted service or the employees involved. the CSEA; John T. DcGraff, CSEA "The powers of the Civil Serv- He points out the entire Budget counsel; and Daniel DeDeo of the ice Commi-ssion under this amend- Better Job Division staff is concerned with a American Federation of Labor, ment were unduly restricted," th« review of recommendations made and Helen Blanchard, CIO. Governor notes. "The Commission Insurance by the State Civil Service Depart- "This bill, which carries out was empowered to authorize tlie ment. Objectives transfer of the employee to a va- recommendations I made early in cancy in a similar position in an- Hit StalT at Busy Time Bill Signed February," said Governor Harri- other division or department, or It is pointed out that an im- ALBANY, APRIL 25 — Em- man, "accomplishes three objec- to direct that his name be placed portant factor in the delay in ployees in the State of New York tives: upon a preferred list, but it was who are entitled to unemployment acting on appeals was the fact 1. It extends to all permanent, not empowered to order the rein- insurance, will receive benefits on the appeals came up during the competitive civil service employees statement of an employee. This the same basis as private workers. 30-day bill period, when much of the right to a hearing in disciplin- bill cures this serious defect ia the Budget Division staff is busy A bill reducing to 20 weeks, from ary proceedings. The right to a the present law by authorizing the with legislation before the Gov- one year, employment required be- hearing is now accorded to veter- Commission to direct the rein- fore UI benefits may be received, ernor. ans and volunteer firemen and, statement of an employee if he is was signed into law by Governor "A lot of work has been done by special statutory provisions, to found to be innocent of the of- Harrlman on Friday. on tlie appeals," Dr. Appleby said. many other employees holding fense charge, and if an appropri- Senator John H. Hughes of He says this is true despite the particular jobs. Moreover, it is ate transfer can not be arranged. Syracuse introduced the measure, fact that division personnel had common practice to hold such "As a matter of simple justice," which was siwn.sored by the Civil the busiest period since January hearings in many departments the Governor continued, "the Service Employees Association. 1 that they ever faced." and agencies despite the fact that Commission should have this au- (See editoriul. Page 6.) Only last week the Civil Service such hearings are not required by thority. It is wholly inconsistent Employees Association voiced law. It is only fair that the right with_ modern principles of justice sharp criticism of the "delay" in to a hearing be extended uni- to gfve the employee the right to making public decisions on the formly to ail peimanent em- appeal, if the appellate tribunal HarrimanOk's appeals that had been reached ployees in the competitive class. is powerless to take efifective action Paul Appleby, State Budget by J. Earl Kelly, State director of 2. It eliminates the need for when it finds that the charge® Insurance for Director, as he wrestles with compensation and classification. duplicate hearing when employees. have not been sustained." the information about State Mr. Kelly replied it was adminis- Armory Aides pay relayed to him by J. Earl tration policy to withhold publi- Kelly, director of classifica- cation until final action on the ALBANY, April 25 — Unem- tion. appeals by the budget director. Harriman Acts on ployment insurance coverage has been extended to employees of the States Division of Military and Naval Aflairs. 3 Employees Challenge Civil Service Bills Governor Harrlman last Friday signed the measure into law. It Shapiro Questionnaire; ALBANY, April 25 — Bills af- to give the employee th eright was introduced in the Senate by fecting civil service employees are more municipalities or civil divi- Prank K. Van Lare of Rocliester. Javits May Be Called In beginning to move off the Gov- sions. Including school districts la The Civil Service Employees As- ernor's desk, into the Laws of same county. Senate Assembly la- •ociation was instrumental in ob- J. Irwin Shapiro, Slate Com- State Public Works Departments 1955. In addition to the measure troductory number 1718, spoiv> tainitig pa.s.sage of tiie measure. missioner of Investigation, whose is under way. Ten employees have granting right to a hearing with sored by Mrs. Mary Gillen. questionnaire to employees of the been questioned so far in closed counsel and witnesses, unemploy- Chapter 394. Amends Chapter State Liquor Authority kicked up McFarland Heads hearings, it was reported last Fri- ment insurance for Military and 791, Laws of 1928, to Include tM a State-wide-fuss recently, is back day, with a stenographer taking Naval Affairs personnel, and members of the U. S. armed forced Bible Class in the news on two counts: notes. Other persons have been equity with private workers in UI in provision applying to soldlen ALB.ANY. April 23 — Jesse B. 1. Three employees of the SLA told to stand by to appear at later coverage, the following have been and sailors from U. S. Army aa4 MoFaiiand, former president of are going to court seeking a show- hearings. The questioners are in- signed into law: Navy for dismissal of charges wi Uie Civil Service Employees A.sso- cause order why they should be vestigators from Mr. Shapiro's of- Chapter 382. Amends section member of police force in toviM eiation. has been re-elected presi- compelled to fill out the lengthy fice. U-a, Civil Service Law, to pro- in certain counties adjoining NYC^ dent of Everyman's Bible Class. questionnaires. These are competi- The detailed financial question- vide for administration of civil and rights to annual pension. He will be installed in ceremonie« tive employees.