I have a few short updates on availability of COVID vaccines, and I will keep sharing information as we receive it.
Thank you for the many kind responses the union has received to my previous messages about the vaccine. We are trying to answer individual questions as well as we can, but the information from Albany changes every day.
Professional Staff: The PSC leadership, together with our statewide affiliate, continues to press the governor’s office for a clear, official statement that “in-person college instructors” includes professional staff. The presentation given by the Governor’s Office last night listed “In-Person College Faculty and Instructors” as included in Phase 1B. The Governor’s Office reports that they are working on a clarification.
Professional staff who are required to work in person who want to receive the vaccine may want to sign up now to request an appointment so that your appointment is in place by the time your eligibility is confirmed. Several college Human Resources Offices have also informed faculty and staff that they are working on providing further information to employees requesting proof of on-campus work, should such proof be requested.
Eligibility Expanded Today: New Yorkers 65 and Over + Immunocompromised: Governor Cuomo announced this morning that New Yorkers age 65 and over are now eligible to receive the vaccine, as a result of new federal guidance. New guidance from the federal government also indicates that immunocompromised New Yorkers should also be eligible now, though as of this morning the State was still working to define “immunocompromised” for these purposes and to develop a plan for distribution to these New Yorkers. The state is still receiving only 300,000 doses of vaccine per week. Several PSC members eligible because of age have successfully scheduled appointments, but it may take some time to find an appointment; start by signing up here.
Eligibility to Vote in PSC Elections by Members Whose Non-Reappointment, Suspension or Removal Is Being Grieved
The PSC Constitution provides that “any member whose non-reappointment, suspension or removal is subject to review under the grievance procedure . . . may retain Membership in the union.”
A member in the situation above who has taken the steps required to retain membership in the union may run for office or vote in a PSC election. To retain membership: 1) you must have been a member in good standing before your non-reappointment, suspension or removal; AND 2) you must be current in your dues to PSC including all back-dues. Dues for academic year 2020-2021 are equal to the amount paid in the last academic year. All back-dues must be paid by the deadlines stated below. All dues to maintain membership through the rest of academic year 2020-21 must be paid before April 1, 2020.
If you wish to run for PSC office, you must have paid all back-dues by no later than January 11, 2021, the date the Notice of Candidacy is due.
If you wish to vote in the spring PSC election you must have paid all back-dues by no later than February 8, 2021, the date the Nominating Petitions are finalized.
In both cases, the second installment (current dues) must be paid before ballots are mailed on April 1, 2021.
If you have any questions about your membership status or the amount of back dues owed, please contact the membership department at membership@pscmail.org or 212-354-1252.
Read more about the rules, procedures and schedule for the PSC's 2021 elections in the December 2020 Clarion.