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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Marianne Pizzitola, President of New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, on Retiree Health Care Benefits
7:09:38
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Marianne Pizzitola, representing 250,000 municipal retirees, argues against attempts to change retiree health care benefits that have been protected by law since 1967. She criticizes union leaders for trying to balance budgets at the expense of retirees instead of negotiating better contracts for active members.
- Pizzitola emphasizes that retiree health care is a commitment, not just a benefit, recognizing the sacrifices of public servants.
- She points out that the city's budget has grown by over $15 billion under Mayor Adams, challenging claims that the city cannot afford to maintain retiree benefits.
- The speaker calls for union leaders to focus on improving wages and benefits for active workers rather than attempting to reduce retiree health care benefits.
Marianne Pizzitola
7:09:38
Pizzaiola.
7:09:39
Thank you, chair Brannan.
7:09:40
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
7:09:42
My name is Maryann Pizzaiola.
7:09:44
I am the president of the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, an organization of municipal retirees that represents 250,000 retirees.
7:09:53
Since 1967, retiree health care has been protected and funded in the New York City budget by law.
7:09:59
This promise has ensured that the city any city public servant who dedicated a specific number of years of their life serving New Yorkers, whether union or nonunion, received a fully paid Medicare supplemental plan upon retirement.
7:10:12
This isn't just a benefit.
7:10:13
It's a commitment that stood the test of time, recognizing the sacrifices made by those who served the city, built this city, and rebuilt it after nine eleven.
7:10:22
It was never part of collective bargaining because it was guaranteed by law, not negotiation.
7:10:27
Yet today, we see some union leaders stepping outside their lane acting as though they are elected officials managing the city's budget rather than representing their members' best interest.
7:10:36
They claim the city is too poor to uphold these promises, but look at the facts.
7:10:41
Under mayor Adams, the city's budget has grown over $15,000,000,000 during his term.
7:10:46
The city's not poor.
7:10:47
What we're witnessing is a failure of some union leaders to negotiate better contracts for their active members.
7:10:52
Instead of focusing on improving wages and benefits for their workers, they're attempting to balance the books on the backs of retired public servants, those who already earned and rely on their promised vested benefits.
7:11:03
Union leaders are not budget managers.
7:11:05
They are advocates from their members.
7:11:07
Their job is not to strip retirees of health care but to fight for fair contracts for their workers.
7:11:12
Retirees upheld their end of the deal when they served this city, and it's time for this city and union leaders to do the same.
7:11:18
Thank you, for this opportunity.