Payroll Bulletin No. 324

Subject

2002 Tool Allowance Payment for CSEA Operational Services Unit (Bargaining Unit 03)

Purpose

To explain the procedures for payment of the 2002 Tool Allowance for salaried and hourly employees.

Affected Employees

CSEA employees in Bargaining Unit 03 who meet the eligibility criteria defined below.

Effective Date

Payment may be submitted in payroll period 7L, checks dated 7/17/02 for Administration, and 7/24/02 for Institution.

Eligibility Criteria and Amount

Salaried Employees
Pursuant to the terms of the State/CSEA 1999-2003 Agreement, a tool allowance of $150.00 is payable to eligible salaried employees who are active on the payroll in an eligible agency and title on the effective date of the payment, June 30, 2002.

Employees who are on an approved leave (including those on Workers' Compensation Leave) on June 30, 2002 are eligible for the payment when they return to work, provided they return by April 1, 2003.

Eligible titles include:

	Motor Equipment Mechanic
	Maintenance Assistant Mechanic
	Auto Body Mechanic
	Motor Equipment Maintenance Supervisor
	Aircraft Mechanic

Eligible agencies include:

	Department of Environmental Conservation
	Department of Transportation
	Division of State Police
	Office of General Services
	Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hourly Employees
According to an understanding between the Governor's Office of Employee Relations and the Civil Service Employees Association, the tool allowance provision in Article 49.2 of the Agreement shall apply to hourly employees who meet the following criteria:

	Worked at least nine (9) continuous months at half time, or more, prior to June 30, 2002;
	Performed duties of automotive repair;
	Been required by the State to provide a personal tool inventory for use in the performance of the employee's job, and
	Been active on the payroll on June 30, 2002.

Agency Payment Processing Instructions

Process the tool allowance payment through PaySR or by Standard Voucher.

Standard Vouchers are used to pay employee reimbursements when receipts are provided.

If no receipts are provided, the agency must submit the earn code TOL in the Time Entry panel using the following procedures:

Earning Begin Date:	Enter 06/30/2002.
Earning End Date:	Same as above
Earn Code:	TOL
Units:	1

The Tool Allowance is not pensionable and is not included in the calculation of overtime.

Payroll Register and Employee Paycheck

The $150.00 will be included in the employee's regular paycheck, is subject to payroll taxes, and reported as ordinary income on the employee's W-2.

The earn code TOL and the amount will be displayed on the payroll register. The earn code description Tool Allow and the amount will be printed on the employee's pay stub or direct deposit advice.

Questions

Questions on eligibility should be directed to Governor's Office of Employee Relations.

Questions about payment processing may be directed to your payroll auditor.


		Date: May 29, 2002	Bulletin No. 324