The training classes for the Administrative Staff Analyst exam are coming to their closing weeks. Interestingly, there have not been as many students skipping classes as in previous years. Expansion of our teaching areas made for somewhat less crowded conditions in the first place. The early reports on the classes are very positive so far.

In response to frequently asked questions, the exam appears to be on schedule, but we do not yet know the exam sites nor how long the exam will be. We will be asking DCAS these questions and will let you know as soon as we do.

Next week, the Municipal Labor Committee Steering Committee will meet with the folks working on the potential revisions to the City Charter. That should be very interesting. As you will recall, the last time around, the Mayor was trying to knock off the Democratic and Republican primaries for Mayor. That did not pass muster with the voters, so we wonder what's in store this time. We'll see.

There are two bits of news of interest this week.

First, eligible retirees will be receiving a 1.6% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) worth a maximum of $288 per annum this year. To be eligible, a retiree must be either retired more than 10 years or, if over 62 years of age, retired for more than five years. The COLA is only on the first $18,000 of retirement income and only half the rate of inflation. In other words, it ain't much, but it is better than nothing.

Second, Lillian Roberts has made clear that she does expect the last one percent of the current contract to be approved and hopes to make an announcement about it in two weeks.

This would eventually have an impact on the OSA contract, but we will have to await developments.

Otherwise, see you at this Thursday's membership meeting at 125 Worth Street in the Second Floor Auditorium.

Do not, repeat do not, go to the union office as the Admin Staff Analyst Training is still going on.

A somewhat belated congratulations for OSA activist Susan Wong. Susan received an award on May 11th from the National Association of Social Workers. The presentation of the National Association of Social Workers Image Award took place at Fordham University. Good work, Susan.

A mailing is due out this week and it is brief in terms of a letter to the members, but large in terms of enclosures. The content is already up as the May edition of News From OSA on this website.

The letter is three pages long with a fourth page to announce this month's membership meeting.

However, there are a number of reprints enclosed, including two pages on the HIP conversion from public to private, four pages containing the MLC response to that issue, four pages of reprints from the Public Employee Press of DC37 plus the UFT newspaper and also the Chief, all on PICA, a copy of the OSA press release on the endorsement, by our Executive Board, of Freddie Ferrer for Mayor, a copy of Sheila Gorsky's letter printed in the Chief deploring DOT's failure to use the ASA list and still more.

More than one member has suggested that our mailings tend to be daunting to read since most mailings have many pages enclosed. That is true and certainly not every member reads every page, although some do. The letters, themselves, however, are generally only three to five pages in length and have headings to separate topics. Since OSA does represent members who are interested in different facets of the union, it is inevitable that some topics will be of great interest to some members and no interest to others. In fact, for each complaint about long letters, we get another complaint from someone saying that we have not sufficiently updated members on a topic of interest to the member complaining. The answer is to read whatever you find the time or interest to read and not to feel the need to read every word.

Meanwhile, if you don't get the mailing by next weekend, call Noreen at the union office, so we can check your mailing address and send you a copy.

The Municipal Labor Committee had a large meeting last week. Union presidents and Welfare Fund administrators were gathered to go over the details of the change in the PICA card.

As of July 1st, psychotropic and asthma drugs will be included in the optional drug rider and will no longer be provided by the PICA card.

Most OSA members are covered by the optional drug riders, but about 30% are not. Those not covered who are in need of asthma or psychotropic drugs will be offered a chance to sign up for the riders this month. Details will follow in the mail and on this website.

Members of one Administrative Staff Analyst training class last week were surprised by a visit from Fernando Ferrer, candidate for Mayor of the City of New York. The candidate had stopped by the union office on other business, but took a few minutes to visit with the class as well.

Representatives of the Organization of Staff Analysts try to participate in as many Quality of Work Life events as we can. Last Friday was the QWL event celebrating 25, 30, 35 and 40 year veterans of the Human Resources Administration.

At that event, Lillian Roberts, Executive Director of DC 37, indicated that she expected to be able to deliver on the 1% raise pending from the last contract. That could have been very interesting news, but as it turns out it could be premature.

The leadership of DC37 is convinced the money will be agreed upon, but the Research Division of the Council confirmed that no date is yet set nor is the agreement final.

It is probably true that 37's leadership feels sure that agreement will be reached on the 1% but also true that the pending settlement of Police and Teacher contracts may need to come first.

In other words, we still have to wait and see.

In any case it was great to spend some time with the veteran staff of the Human Resources Administration.

Finally, Analysts in the NYC Housing Authority (and other agencies who would like to lend support to their NYCHA brothers and sisters) are encouraged to turn out this Thursday, May 12th, from noon to 1:30pm for a Rally for Health and Safety at 90 Church Street.

The rally is being organized by the 90 Church Street Labor Coalition, of which OSA is a part. The rally will take place directly across Church Street from 90 Church. A flyer for the rally, which explains the issues, can be cownloaded by clicking here. Please share the flyer with your colleagues and come to the rally.

The Municipal Labor Committee had a large meeting last week. Union presidents and Welfare Fund administrators were gathered to go over the details of the change in the PICA card.

As of July 1st, psychotropic and asthma drugs will be included in the optional drug rider and will no longer be provided by the PICA card.

Most OSA members are covered by the optional drug riders, but about 30% are not. Those not covered who are in need of asthma or psychotropic drugs will be offered a chance to sign up for the riders this month. Details will follow in the mail and on this website.

Members of one Administrative Staff Analyst training class last week were surprised by a visit from Fernando Ferrer, candidate for Mayor of the City of New York. The candidate had stopped by the union office on other business, but took a few minutes to visit with the class as well.