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To the editor:
Reviewing the original bylaws of the New York City Organization of Public Services Retirees (sent to me upon request) reinforces my belief that all members should be informed that they have the same right.
Sending an informational email and posting the bylaws on its website would be ideal for transparency.
General members (for at least six months, in good standing) would learn that they can review the minutes of the annual meetings of the members and a record of members. In addition to the nomination and voting process, and the voting rights pertaining to different classes of membership.
They should also be informed that - consistent with State Not-For-Profit laws and regulations - the annual balance sheet and profit and loss statement, or a similar financial statement for the preceding fiscal year, can be provided upon request.
Members should also be informed that “the governing documents, conflict of interest statement and financial statements are available upon request,” as stated on NYCOPSR’S most recent filed IRS 990 form, available online from ProPublica.
I have faced criticism that my advocacy undermines NYCOPSR’s objectives and questions their integrity. Not so.
Two things can be true at once. NYCOPSR has accomplished much for retirees (most recently the $53 million copay settlement) and there needs to be greater transparency.
All volunteers deserve accolades for tirelessly working in pursuit of maintaining our hard-earned health benefits.
As NYCOPSR gears up to campaign for passage of new City Council legislation (Intro 1008) it will be déjà vu all over again. The Municipal Labor Committee will undoubtedly spread falsehoods about the bill’s legality and pressure council members to oppose it.
Council Speaker Julie Menin has championed transparency initiatives in government. We need her on our side.
The MLC hasn’t publicized its bylaws and has violated them by not yet electing a new Chair.
Demonstrating our stark contrast with the opaque MLC by being more transparent could help win Council support.
Harry Weiner
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Harry
UPDATE 8/21/26
I posted my letter to the Chief on the NYCOPSR Facebook group today.
The letter was removed and I have been suspended by the moderator
until August 24.
Marianne wrote in a Comment to a recent Chief article that “Healthy unions do not fear questions. They do not punish dissent. They do not attempt to silence members..”
It’s unfortunate that NYCOPSR won’t adopt that philosophy.
Friday, August 21 Report this