Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety (HELPS) Retirees Act

ODNR LOOKING FOR AT LEAST 18 NEW WILDLIFE OFFICERS

F.O.P., OHIO LABOR COUNCIL, INC.
23RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MAY 5, 6, 2008
AGENDA

Day 1 – Monday, May 5, 2008

I.                     11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.         Early Conference Registration

II.                   1:00 p.m.                               Seminars

                        1:00 – 3:00    Negotiations and Grievances – Dave Stanley

                        3:15 – 4:15    Employee Rights – Paul Cox

                        4:30                FOP/OLC Attorneys Panel takes your questions

III.                  6:30 p.m.        Hospitality:  Food, Beverages, Cash Bar, Entertainment

Day 2 – Tuesday, May 6, 2008

I.                     9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Registration

II.                  10:00 a.m.  Call to Order

Roll Call – Executive Committee

Approve Guests

III.                             Conference Committees: Credentials, Election, Grievance

IV.                                     Guest Speaker – Craig R. Mayton, Chairman State Employment Relations Board

V.                                        Executive Director Report - Catherine A. Brockman

VI.                                     Credentials Committee Report

VII.                                   Nominations

1.      Employee of the Membership at Large.  Four (4) year term, expiring 2012.  Currently held by Steve Gardiner, Montgomery County.

VIII.                                Review Executive Committee Action / Minutes

IX.                                     Repeal / Amend Constitution and Bylaws and Rules - (None Proposed)

X.                                       Review Dues

XI.                                    Committee Reports

XII.                                 Audit Report

XIII.                              Election

XIV.                              Old Business

XV.                                New Business

XVI.                              Good of the Labor Council

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ODNR LOOKING FOR AT LEAST 18 NEW WILDLIFE OFFICERS

Now Hiring!

Applications are being accepted from Monday, April 7 through Friday, May 2, 2008, for the next wildlife officer training school, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. ODNR is seeking to fill at least 18 new wildlife officer positions throughout Ohio.  

Wildlife officers have statewide jurisdiction to enforce fish and wildlife laws, protect state property, investigate allegations of waterway pollution and serve warrants. They also conduct educational programs, advise landowners on dealing with wildlife and keep local conservation organizations updated on state wildlife projects and regulations. They frequently work alone and can be assigned to any county in the state.

The job posting announcement will be titled “Wildlife Officer Cadet.”  Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take a state proficiency test administered by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. The test will be given on June 7, 2008 in Columbus. Top scoring candidates will then undergo interviews and pre-employment evaluations, including a drug screening, polygraph examination and background investigation.

Those who are selected as cadets will attend the wildlife officer academy for about six months beginning January 2009. During the training, cadets will study law enforcement, fish and wildlife management techniques and learn communications and educational skills.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer and promotes diversity of its workforce.

For more information including a recruitment video– visit our website at www.wildohio.com

Application Process
Online Application Process – Apply through Ohio’s Online Employee Application Process by clicking here. (The posting will not be accessible until April 7, 2008.)

OR

Complete a State of Ohio Civil Service Application and mail it to the following address:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road, Building D-1
Columbus, OH 43229

To print a copy of the application, click here.  Applications are also available at any Ohio Department of Job and Family Services local office or customer service center, or the Department of Administrative Services located at 30 East Broad Street, Room 294D, Columbus, Ohio. 

Important:  Please follow the instructions carefully on the application.  You must demonstrate clearly on the application how you meet the minimum qualifications listed on the job posting.  Resumes are appreciated, but they do not replace an application.

Test Preparation
A test preparation packet is available which provides study resources and a practice exam so that you can prepare for the June 7 proficiency test.  To obtain this information, please call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) or e-mail us at wildinfo@dnr.state.oh.us.

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Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety (HELPS) Retirees Act

On 17 August 2006, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 4, the “Pension Protection Act,” into law. The FOP waged an intense lobbying campaign to ensure that H.R. 4 also contained the text of H.R. 2177, the “Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety (HELPS) Retirees Act.”

This new law provides a modest tax benefit to retired public safety officers to pay for healthcare by allowing the use, on a pretax basis, of up to $3,000 annually from their pension funds (including defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans) to pay for premiums on healthcare and long-term care insurance. This provision went into effect on 1 January 2007.

Public safety officers who have separated from service as a public safety officer and have attained normal retirement age or who are separated due to a disability are eligible for the benefit. To take advantage of this benefit, a retiree must be receiving his or her monthly pension. Eligible public safety officers must then elect to have an amount subtracted from his or her distributions from an eligible government plan and that amount will then be used to pay qualified health care premiums.

Use the links to access additional FAQ’s on H.E.L.P.S. and/or download the IRS 1040 Income Tax form with HELPS directions highlighted.

For additional information or questions call or email Jay Smith, Director of Governmental Affairs

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Revised FOP, Ohio Labor Council, Inc. Code of Regulations & Constitution

The Members of the FOP, OLC voted to Amend the Code of Regulations & Constitution of the Organization at the Annual Conference, held Tuesday, May 22, 2007.
The Document, as amended by the Delegates is available Here.

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FOP, Ohio Labor Council Merchandise is Available

The much anticipated catalog with FOP/OLC Merchandise is available online to place orders.  Through arrangements with the FOP Grand Lodge, OLC Members will be able to purchase the same quality merchandise as FOP Members, with Ohio Labor Council added to the emblem.  Currently, the Merchandise is only available to be ordered through the website by credit card.  Please spread the word to your local bargaining unit members.

Click Here to view the Catalog

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