Jack Freck
October 6, 2021
A Message from the President
Dear DIA Member:
I am writing to inform you that – in accordance with the June 19, 2019 – January 18, 2023 collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) between the Detective Investigators Association (“DIA”) and the City of New York (“City”) – enclosed for your review with this cover letter is a ballot and information materials regarding the NYS Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) benefit program.
I originally informed you in my CBA cover letter that a PFL vote would be conducted shortly after CBA ratification. As I explained in the CBA cover letter, DIA members will now have an opportunity to vote as a whole – majority wins – to opt-in or opt-out PFL benefit program. The PFL vote will place the decision in the hands of the DIA’s members. Should the majority vote “yes” then the PFL benefit will be available to ALL DIA members, should the majority vote “no” then the PFL benefit will not be available to anyone during this contract period. Please note – should the majority of voting DIA members opt into the PFL then the entire DIA membership will be obligated to participate in the PFL benefit program at least until the next open opt out window, which is approximately one year after enrollment.
The DIA has heard from members that the DIA lacks a childcare/bonding benefit. PFL provides that benefit along with leave to care for a family member or leave to bond prior to the impending military leave of a family member, all in exchange for a small payroll deduction.
For your review and consideration prior to casting your ballot, I am providing a link to the official guidance for the 2022 PFL benefit program (https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/zgJ6C68zz5HvDPrUpF0xV). For your convenience, some key takeaways from the 2022 PFL official guidance, which you can read in full at the link provided, are as follows: (1) the maximum amount of PFL leave available in 2022 is 12 weeks; (2) employees who take PFL leave in 2022 will receive 67% of their average weekly wage (capped at 67% of the NYS statewide average weekly wage, which is $82,917.64 for 2022); (3) the premium rate for the 2022 PFL benefit program is 0.511% of the employee’s wages per pay period and is capped at a maximum annual contribution of $423.71. As the guidance explicitly states – “The premium rate, like the benefit amount, is set as a percentage of an employee’s covered wage, thus, the premium paid by an employee depends on how much an employee earns: those earning less will pay a lower premium, and those earning more will pay a higher premium as they are eligible for higher benefits, up to the maximum Paid Family Leave Benefit for 2022 of 67% of the statewide average weekly wage. Employees whose income is at or above the statewide average weekly wage are eligible only for the maximum Paid Family Leave Benefit amount.”
I invite any DIA member who has further questions or requires additional clarification prior to submitting a ballot to contact the DIA board or me directly.
Jack Freck
DIA President