^package could amount
ALBANY - CSEA President
William L. McGowan on June 29 signed new three-year contracts with the
State of New York after Gov. Hugh L.
Carey signed l e g i s l a t i o n implementing pay raises for 107,000
state workers represented by CSEA.
E m p l o y e e s in C S E A ' s Administrative, Institutional and
Operational bargaining units will
receive seven percent pay raises and
improved benefits under terms of the
agreement which were reached in
March, ratified by rank-and-file
members in May, and finally approved by the Legislature in June.
Increases in state workers' base
pay and retroactive payment for in-
CSEA PRESIDENT WILLIAM L. McGOWAN, left, smiles as he watches
James B. Northrop, deputy director of the Governor's Office of Employee
Relations, sign the new CSEA-State contracts following long-awaited action by
the State Legislature in appropriating the funds to cover raises and benefits
gained.
_ photo by Joseph Schuyler
Law erodes merit system
ALBANY — On Independence Day, the bosses became a little more independent of the Merit System.
That was the day a new law took effect in New York State, allowing
management in the public sector to make "temporary appointments" without
regard to the results of Civil Service exams, for a longer period of time than
was ever allowed before.
Where management deems it "important and urgent," a temporary appointment may now be made to fill a position for up to three months, without
regard to existing "eligible lists" of the highest-scoring finishers on Civil Service exams. Until now, one month had been the limit for a temporary appointee
to hold such a job.
Also, a temporary appointment for from three to six months may be made
for a person whose name shows up on an eligible list — no matter how low that
person scored on the exam. The previous limits had been from one to three
months.
And finally, the new law says that "temporary appointments" of more than
six months may be made, as long as the appointee is "among those graded
highest on the eligible list, if available." The former limit was three months.
The new law does not mention how high — or low — on the list the appointee has
to be.
Special Olympics appeal
made
ALBANY — Encouraged by recent contributions from numerous
CSEA Locals across the state, CSEA President William L. McGowan
has reiterated his request for all union Locals to contribute to help
defray costs of the 1979 International Special Olympics games August
10 and 11 at SUNY Brockport.
CSEA locals are asked to contribute by sending a check directly to
the CSEA president's office at 33 Elk Street, Albany, with the checks
clearly identified as a Special Olympics contribution. All funds will immediately be forwarded, in the name of CSEA, to the International
Special Olympics.
THE CSEA STATE DIVISION WORKSHOP has been scheduled frpm August 5
through 7 at Host Farm, Lancaster, Pa. The committee in charge of workshop
arrangements includes, from left, Gregory Szurnicki of Kings Park
Psychiatric Center Local 411; committee chairman June Boyle of SUNY Buffalo Local 602; and Al Varacchi of SUNY Stony Brook Local 614.
to...30%'
creases due since the April 1, 1979
effective date of the contract will
appear in state paychecks in August.
The union and the State have agreed
on a mechanism to minimize tax
deductions from the lump sum
checks.
"It is unfortunate that this state's
laws require our members to wait so
long to receive the raises they
deserve while the Legislature considers appropriations, but we have
worked conscientiously to get through
this red tape as fast as possible,"
President McGowan said.
State workers represented by CSEA
will receive accelerated increments,
bonuses for performance, improved
health insurance, new prescription
drug insurance, improved dental insurance and other benefits in addition
to the 21% maximum salary increase
c o n t a i n e d in the t h r e e y e a r
agreement.
CSEA has notified the Governor's
Office of Employee Relations that the
union will immediately exercise
another contract provision by
demanding a "reopener" on mileage
allowance paid to state employees
represented by CSEA who use their
personal vehicles for state business.
CSEA members under the new contract receive a reimbursement of 17
cents per mile for use of their
vehicles for state purposes, an increase from the 15 cents per mile rate
paid prior to the new agreements.
"With the salary increases, benefit
increases and increments included,"
Mr. McGowan said, "this package
could amount to over 30% over the
three years. These ^re clearly the
best contracts that we have ever
negotiated for our members."
Official Publication of
The Civil Service
Employees Association
Vol. 1, No. 39
25'(ISSN 0164 9949)
Wednesday, July 11, 1979
ALBANY — CSEA President William L. McGowan has announced
three major benefit improvements will be continued this year for
policyholders of the CSEA Disability Income Insurance Plan.
The benefits, which are provided without additional cost to
policyholders, are, being extended into the policy period July 1, 1979 to
June 30, 1980.
The additional benefits include a premium waiver which provides
that premiums due after a policyholder has received six consecutive
monthly indemnity payments for total disability are waived during the
remaining period of continuous total disability.
Another benefit being provided without cost to policyholders is an increase in the monthly benefits. The monthly benefit amount of each
policy increases by 12.5% for those under age 60 whose insurance has
been in force at least one year. For example, if your policy provides a
basic monthly benefit of $400, the amount is increased to $450 through this
benefit. The $50 increase is providec^ at no cost to the policyholder.
Also included in the extended benefit is an increase in the principal
sum. The principal sum coverage for accidental death, dismemberment
and loss of sight increases from $1,000 to a maximum of $2,500 for those
under age 60 whose insurance has been in force for one year or longer.
The CSEA Disability Income Plan is administered by Ter Bush and
Powell and the Travelers Insurance Company.
These benefits, which are added to the NY (1) Disability Income
policy under Rider NYR (Form A-5279Z Rev. 7-78), are being extended
for the period of July 1, 1979 through June 30, 1980.
Adopt new election appeals procedures
ALBANY — New Election Appeals P r o c e d u r e s w e r e adopted by the
CSEA Board of Directors on J u n e 21 and b e c a m e e f f e c t i v e i m m e d i a t e l y .
The new procedures a r e to be used for appealing CSEA elections a t all
levels.
The most important d i f f e r e n c e between the new and old procedures
is that a person seeking to challenge any a s p e c t of the election proc^eddreä
m u s t now file a written protest within five days a f t e r the date on which
the a c t or omission giving rise to the protest occurred. A m e m b e r can no
longer wait until a f t e r he loses an election and then challenge. P r o t e s t s
m u s t be m a d e within five days a f t e r the d a t e upon which the protested a c t
occurred. F o r elections which a r e c u r r e n t l y in process, any individual
believing himself aggrieved by an a c t which has a l r e a d y occurred m u s t
file a protest within five days a f t e r the publication of these new
procedures.
Following is the v e r b a t i m text of the new Election Appeals
Procedure.
ELECTION A P P E A L S P R O C E D U R E
Any m e m b e r believing himself aggrieved by any aspect of. the
election process can appeal by filing a w r i t t e n protest within five (5)
calendar days a f t e r the date on which the a c t or omission giving rise to
the protest occurred, or within five (5) c a l e n d a r days a f t e r the m e m b e r
first knew or should have known of the a c t or omission. The written
protest must be filed simultaneously with the Local Election C o m m i t t e e
and by registered or certified mail, r e t u r n receipt requested to the
Chairperson, CSEA Election P r o c e d u r e s C o m m i t t e e , Civil Service
E m p l o y e e s Association, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224. The
protest m u s t include the m e m b e r ' s signed s t a t e m e n t , supported by
available d o c u m e n t a r y proof, containing a short and plain s t a t e m e n t of
the f a c t s upon which he relies to show t h a t he h a s been aggrieved by an
a s p e c t of the election process. Notice of such protest m u s t also be sent to
all c u r r e n t local o f f i c e r s and to other candidates.
If the Election P r o c e d u r e s C o m m i t t e e d e t e r m i n e s that the signed
s t a t e m e n t and supporting proof establish that the m e m b e r has been
aggrieved, it shall sustain the protest and t a k e any other action which it
d e e m s a p p r o p r i a t e in order to r e m e d y the situation.
If the Election P r o c e d u r e s C o m m i t t e e d e t e r m i n e s that the signed
s t a t e m e n t and supporting proof fails to establish a violation of any of the
election procedures, it shall dismiss the protest and so notify the
member.
If the Election P r o c e s u r e s C o m m i t t e e d e t e r m i n e s that the signed
s t a t e m e n t and supporting proof raises a question of f a c t which, if resolved in favor of the m e m b e r , would establish that t h e r e has been a violation
of the election procedures, it shall hold a hearing to d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r in
f a c t the protest is valid.
At the hearing, the protestor shall b e a r the burden of proof. The
Election P r o c e d u r e s C o m m i t t e e m a y also invite other interested p a r t i e s
to a p p e a r and present evidence. All interested p a r t i e s will be entitled to
bring witnesses and present evidence in support of their positions. All expenses incurred relative to the hearing m u s t be borne by the individuals
involved. No m e m b e r of the Election P r o c e d u r e s C o m m i t t e e will be permitted to p a r t i c i p a t e in a review of a protest which involves his or her
own local.
If the Election P r o c e d u r e s C o m m i t t e e d e t e r m i n e s that the protestor
has failed to establish a violation of the election procedures, the Comm i t t e e shall so notify the protestor. If the Election P r o c e d u r e s Comm i t t e e sustains the protest the C o m m i t t e e shall notify the protestor, the
local and all a f f e c t e d candidates. The Election P r o c e d u r e s C o m m i t t e e
m a y take any action it d e e m s a p p r o p r i a t e in order to r e m e d y the
situation.
Region 4 candidates are briefed on issues
ALBANY — An informational briefing w a s conducted for candidates for
elected offices in CSEA's Region IV during a r e c e n t m e e t i n g at the Albany
Motor Inn.
A status r e p o r t of c u r r e n t and anticipated regional activities was given so
as to keep candidates a b r e a s t of situations. The a d j a c e n t photos show s o m e of
the candidates for Region IV offices.
VICE P R E S I D E N T I A L CANDIDATES include, f r o m left, seated, J . Wayne
Dessingue, for first vice president; Joan M. Tobin, for third vice president;
and John Vallee, for second vice president. Standing f r o m left a r e Al Mead, for
first vice president; and Anthony Muscatiello, for second vice president. Missing f r o m photo a r e G e r r y Purcell, for second vice president; and Eileen
Salisbury and B a r b a r a Skelly, both candidates for third vice president.
R E G I O N IV P R E S I D E N T Joseph McDerniott, standing right, chats with
CSEA Regional Director John Corcoran, standing left, and, seated f r o m left,
J e r r y R. Toomey, incumbent, and Joseph Cassidy, both candidates for regional
t r e a s u r e r . M c D e r m o t t is seeking re-election, while other presidential candidates John Weidman and Sam Ciraulo a r e missing f r o m photo. Corcoran
helped brief candidates on regional a f f a i r s .
—Calendar-N
of EVENTS
JULY
1 3 — N a s s a u C o u n t y Local i n s t a l l a t i o n d i n n e r , 7 : 3 0 p . m . , S a l i s b u r y R e s t a u r a n t , E i s e n h o w e r
P o r k , East M e a d o w .
1 4 - Region V AFSCME Leadership T r a i n i n g W o r k s h o p , Hotel Syracuse, Syracuse.
2 0 - 2 2 - - - R e g i o n IV S u m m e r V \ / o r k s h o p , S a g a m o r e H o t e l , Lake G e o r g e .
21 - F r a n k l i n C o u n t y Local 8 1 7 A n n u a l Picnic, n o o n a t R e c r e a t i o n P a r k , M a l o n e , N . Y .
2 1 - Local 4 2 4 S y r a c u s e D e v e l o p m e n t a l C e n t e r d i n n e r d a n c e a n d i n s t a l l a t i o n , 6 : 3 0 p . m . .
East S y r a c u s e A m e r i c a n L e g i o n , East M o n l i u s S t r e e t , East S y r a c u s e .
2 2 - - B u f f a l o Local 0 0 3 , a n n u a l f a m i l y p i c n i c , Kloc's G r o v e , 1 2 4 5 S e n e c a C r e e k R o a d ,
Gardenville.
AUGUST
5-10
5-7
Page 12
N Y S S c h o o l of L a b o r Relations, C o r n e l l U n i v e r s i t y , F o u r t h A n n u a l N o r t h e a s t R e g i o n
S u m m e r Institute.
CSEA S t a t e D i v i s i o n W o r k s h o p , Host F a r m , L a n c a s t e r , Pa.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July2,1979
CANDIDATES F O R REGIONAL S E C R E T A R Y include, f r o m left, Ron
P r e m o , Timothy Drew, and incumbent s e c r e t a r y Carole Trifiletti. Missing
f r o m photo was s e c r e t a r y candidate Julia Braden.
Union mounting protest
over Suffolk infirmary
MEMBERS OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY INFIRMARY nursing statt include (from left) Marilyn Martinetto, Cindy Chester, Judith Galvani,
Charline Johnson, Virginia Kramer, Gail Sanzo and Pat Hardy.
Barbara Rotunno
Infirmary Unit
President
YAPHANK — Conditions at the Suffolk County I n f i r m a r y have
p r o m p t e d CSEA Local 852 to request both a l a b o r - m a n a g e m e n t m e e t i n g and
a union-county Joint Health and Safety C o m m i t t e e m e e t i n g , according to
Local 852 E x e c u t i v e Vice P r e s i d e n t John Desmond.
I n f i r m a r y Unit P r e s i d e n t B a r b a r a Rotunno r e p o r t e d that the county
also m a y have plans to contract out janitorial, laundry, kitchen and s o m e
nursing s e r v i c e s a t the facility.
Such contracting out most likely would violate t h e Public E m p l o y m e n t
Relations B o a r d ' s Saratoga Springs School District ruling that r e q u i r e s such
contracting to be a m a n d a t o r y subject of negotiations.
Desmond said the meetings with m a n a g e m e n t would involve the pay,
s t a f f i n g and other working conditions a t the i n f i r m a r y .
He said n u r s e ' s aides a r e grossly underpaid a t $223 before t a x e s every
two weeks. The aides a r e required to have previous experience or a BOCES
c e r t i f i c a t e , s o m e staff m e m b e r s said.
The low pay has contributed to staffing p r o b l e m s on all shifts, especially
the 3-11 p.m. shift, s t a f f e r s said. Desmond said the county has a f r e e z e on
positions and the i n f i r m a r y has problems receiving permission to hire staff
when somebody quits.
Some m e m b e r s of the staff said the shortage of personnel causes the
following p r o b l e m s :
• A shortage of nurses s o m e t i m e s has one n u r s e covering a r e a s on two
floors.
• T h e r e have been shifts w h e r e as few a s one n u r s e and two aides had to
c a r e for approximately 30 patients.
• Some vacation requests have had to be disapproved because of short
staffing.
• Some staff has been working considerable a m o u n t s of o v e r t i m e .
• A n u m b e r of staff has been injured (backs, a r m s , legs) f r o m
overwork) causing a considerable n u m b e r or staff to be out on comp. t i m e .
• T h e r e has been widespread out-of-title work with n u r s e s doing doct o r ' s work and aides doing nurses work.
• Morale is very low.
• T e m p e r a t u r e s in the facility s o m e t i m e s rising above 100 degrees in
the s u m m e r .
Ms. Rotunno said the i n f i r m a r y , which is undergoing renovation is expected to expand f r o m approximately 150 p a t i e n t s to 215 patients by
S e p t e m b e r . She said the nursing staff n u m b e r s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 160 nurses
and n u r s e ' s aides.
The facility c a r e s for those patients requiring skilled nursing c a r e — the
e x t r e m e l y i n f i r m . Most of the patients, ranging in age f r o m 16 to 101, a r e
confined to wheel chairs, Ms. Rotunno said.
Union rejects
paid parking
TENTATIVE CONTRACT SIGNING — Representatives of CSEA and the State Thruway Authority sign a tentative
agreement which is subjected to ratification by the CSEA-represented PT&S Unit II of the Thruway Authority. Seated,
from left, are Donna Grovenger of the Authority, John Muth of the Authority, CSEA Unit II President John Francisco,
CSEA Collective Bargaining Specialist Joseph Reedy, and union team member Michael Jim. Standing, from left, are
Mike Sullivan and Bill Cookfair, both from the Authority ; Gus Leschen, Russ Dubuc, John Helmke, and Bill Allen, all
members of the union negotiating team.
Agreement
reached on Thruway
ALBANY T h e Civil S e r v i c e
E m p l o y e e s Assn., which r e p r e s e n t s
270 employees in the Professional,
Technical and Supervisory Unit II of
the New York State Thruway
Authority, has announced that a tentative two y e a r a g r e e m e n t has been
reached between the CSEA
negotiating tieam and the Thruway
Authority. '
Joseph Reedy, CSEA Collective
Bargaining Specialist for the unit,
s t a t e d t e r m s of t h e t e n t a t i v e
a g r e e m e n t include:
An i n c r e a s e of seven percent effective July 1, 1979.
An i n c r e a s e of seven percent effective July 1, 1980, plus yearly experience p a y m e n t s . Other benefits inc l u d e an option to buy into t h e
E m p l o y e e Benefit Fund and an inc r e a s e in night shift differential.
In a c o m m e n t following the signing
ot the tentative a g r e e m e n t , John
F r a n c i s c o , P r e s i d e n t of Unit II of the
T h r u w a y employees and c h a i r m a n of
the negotiating t e a m , said, " w e a r e
e x t r e m e l y pleased that a s e t t l e m e n t
h a s been r e a c h e d . We voted un-
contract
animously to accept the a g r e e m e n t
a n d w e will r e c o m m e n d to t h e
m e m b e r s h i p they do the s a m e . Under
t h e p r e s e n t s a l a r y g u i d e l i n e s established by the government, this cont r a c t o f f e r s substantial salary inc r e a s e s and other b e n e f i t s , " F r a n cisco concluded.
In addition to CBS Reedy and Unit
P r e s i d e n t F r a n c i s c o , other m e m b e r s
of the CSE]A negotiating t e a m w e r e :
Russell Dubuc, John Helmke, Gus
Leschen, Michael J i m , Bill Allen, Al
D o m i n i a k a n d R o n Rqosa.
i
,
STONY BROOK - At a m e e t i n g on
J u n e 19, preceded by s e v e r a l sessions b e t w e e n t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
of SUNY Stony Brook and CSEA,
m o r e than 500 m e m b e r s of Local 314
voted unanimously to r e j e c t the adm i n i s t r a t i o n ' s proposal to convert an
existing f r e e parking lot into a paid
parking g a r a g e .
When a c o m m i t t e e appointed by
C S E A L o c a l 614 P r e s i d e n t Al
Varacchi could not r e a c h a comp r o m i s e with the administration, the
m e e t i n g w a s called to determin»i what
the m e m b e r s wanted to do.
Following the meeting, Varacchi
requested t h a t CSEA take legal action.
V a r a c c h i r e a f f i r m e d the feelings of
his m e m b e r s h i p : " T h e people a r e
tired of being pushed around. I think
they have a right to be m a d . "
Meetings or special flyers will be
utilized to keep the m e m b e r s h i p inf o r m e d of subsequent developments,
Mr. V a r a c c h i said.
Two school units
approve contract
F U L T O N — F u l t o n city school
w o r k e r s in two units represented by
Oswego County Local 838 of the Civil
Service E m p l o y e e s Assn. will receive
a 7% r a i s e under t e r m s of the cont r a c t w h i c h t h e y r a t i f i e d unanimjously:.^
, . w ' 'i
\ .- >
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, W e d n e s d a y , June 20, 1979
Page 3
Joanna Williams
BUFFALO CSEA's Western
Region has become the first region in
the union to officially n a m e its own
Women's C o m m i t t e e .
Chaired by Joanna Williams, who
also co-chairs the Statewide Women's
C o m m i t t e e , the regional group also
i n c l u d e s union a c t i v i s t s P a t r i c i a
P f l e g e r , L o r r a i n e F e d e l e , Sally
Stitzel, Ruth Hunt, B a r b a r a Krieley,
Roxanne Mawhir, P a t r i c i a Green and
Suzanne Cloutier. All w e r e appointed
by CSEA Western Region P r e s i d e n t
Bob L a t t i m e r , who Ms. Williams
describes as " v e r y supportive of
women in the union."
The group has already held several
monthly meetings.
Ms. Williams says, " I n order to be a
leader, you m u s t be well-informed
and keep others well-informed' It is
one of our regional c o m m i t t e e ' s goals
to m a k e s u r e all the CSEA women in
our region know their rights and
responsibilities as public e m p l o y e e s . "
She has attended m a n y workshops
and conferences aimed at achieving
this goal, and has established
w o m e n ' s group in s t a t e and local
facilities throughout her region to ins u r e feedback f r o m the m e m b e r s
there.
Four receive June suggestion awards
F o u r State employees received a
total of $150 in cash a w a r d s in J u n e
for money-saving ideas submitted to
the New York State Employee
Suggestion P r o g r a m . E s t i m a t e d firsty e a r savings f r o m these suggestions
total m o r e than $1,370.
Award Recipients:
$100 — A j o i n t a w a r d to Alan
Albright, Albany, and Christine
C a r e y , M e n a n d s , b o t h of t h e
D e p a r t m e n t of A g r i c u l t u r e a n d
Markets.
$25 — Joseph J . Gregorek, Ballston
Spa, Office of G e n e r a l Services, and
Milton Salmonowitz, Bronx, Workers'
Compensation Board.
Cash a w a r d recipients also receive
C e r t i f i c a t e s of Merit. C e r t i f i c a t e s of
Merit w e r e also a w a r d e d to E d n a
Cave, Albany, D e p a r t m e n t of State;
Ronald K. R a t c h f o r d , Schenectady,
Workers' Compensation Board; and
R o b e r t a Banis, Nancy Barth, Gloria
F l e m i n g , F a i t h Martin, George Peeli,
and J a n e t Tysol, all of Staten Island
and all of the D e p a r t m e n t of Motor
Vehicles.
KEEP CSEA INFORMED ON MAILING ADDRESS
In the event that you change your mailing address, please fill out the below form and send
to:
CSEA, Inc., P.O. Box 125, Capitol Station, Albany, New York, 12224.
This form is also available from local presidents for CSEA members, but is reproduced here
for convenience. It is to be used only by those CSEA members or agency shop payors who
a r e currently employed as civil service workers or by those retirees who are paying full
active membership dues.
Change of Address for 'The Public Sector'
M y present label reads exactly as shown here
Name
Local Number
Street
City
State
Zip
MY NEW ADDRESS IS:
Street
State
City
Zip
Agency where employed
M y social security no.
Agency N o . .
SPublic—
SSECTOR
Published every Wednesday by Clarity Publishing. Inc.
Publication Office.>75 Champlain Street. Albany. N.Y. 12204 (5181 465-4591
Official publication of
The Civil Service
Employees Association
33 Elk Street,
Albany, New York 12224
. 4
age
TAKING P A R T IN T H E ANNUAL F U N D R A I S E R picnic for the New School
for Handicapped Children w e r e m e m b e r s of Suffolk County Local 852. The
Local joins with other unions to sponsor the picnic to support the school which
t r e a t s brain d a m a g e d and handicapped children. Ed Fitzgerald left, first vice
president of the D.A. Investigators Unit of Local 852 and Sid G r o s s m a n , right,
president of the unit and a m e m b e r of the CSEA s t a t e Board of Directors, took
p a r t in the f u n d r a i s e r .
THE^PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July 11, 1979
Thomas A. demente—Publisher
Roger A. Cole—Executive Editor
Dr. Gerald Alperstein-Associate Editor
Oscar D. Barker-Associate Editor
Deborah Cassidy—Staff Writer
Dawn LePore-Staff Writer
John L. Murphy—Staff Writer
Liz Carver-Staff Writer
Arden D. Lawand—Graphic Design
Dennis C. Mullahy—Production Coordinator
The Public Sector (445010) is published
every Wednesday weekly except for
Wednesdays after New Years, Memorial
Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day for $5
by t h e Civil S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s
Association, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New
York 12224.
Second Class Postage paid at Post Office, Albany, New York.
Send address changes to The Public Sector, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York
12224.
Publication office, 75 Champlain Street,
Albany, New York 12204. Single copy
Price 25$.
Tribute to Alfred
Jaroszewicz
By Brendan Coyne
VALHALLA — About 150 public e m p l o y e e s gathered a t lunch t i m e under sunny skies, on the tree-lined grounds of the Westchester Medical
Center here, on J u n e 19 to pay tribute to fellow public worker Alfred K.
Jaroszewicz. Mr. Jaroszewicz w a s electrocuted J u n e 5, according to the
Westchester County c o r o n e r ' s office, while working in a manhole just
several hundred feet f r o m the hospital's m a i n e n t r a n c e .
His wife, Elaine, and son, Alfred, attended the brief c e r e m o n y conducted by fellow public employees.
William L. McGowan, president of the Civil Service E m p l o y e e s Assn.,
spoke during the m e m o r i a l service, and announced the establishment of an
800 toll-free hotline for public e m p l o y e e s to r e p o r t unsafe conditions, potential accidents, and accidents.
President McGowan said the toll f r e e number will help CSEA facilitate
p a p e r work and investigations of r e p o r t s of dangerous and unsafe w o r k i n g .
conditions.
Standing within several hundred y a r d s of the manhole, McGowan said
the accident emphasized the need for a s a f e t y p r o g r a m , s i m i l a r to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, for New Y o r k ' s public employees.
Jaroszewicz, and in a s e p a r a t e accident, t h r e e s t a t e D e p a r t m e n t of
Transportation (DOT) workers, w e r e killed on the job the day a f t e r
McGowan launched a statewide c a m p a i g n to gain support for a safety
program.
" L e t ' s hope we all learn f r o m this d e a t h , " McGowan said. " P r o p e r
s a f e t y training could have ^voided this type of a c c i d e n t . "
Raymond J., O'Connor, Westchester CSEA Unit P r e s i d e n t , also noted
that p r e l i m i n a r y r e p o r t s indicated the accident might have been prevented.
" I wonder why even the most c o m m o n sense precautions w e r e n ' t taken,
such as having another m a n with him and-using insulated tools," O'Connor
said.
O'Connor said he wrote County E x e c u t i v e Alfred DelBello seeking a
review of task-assignment policy and r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s that would preclude
a similar accident f r o m reoccurring. O'Connor said DelBello h a s n ' t yet
replied.
R o b e r t Bieber, director of the county's Risk M a n a g e m e n t D e p a r t m e n t ,
said it will be some t i m e before the insurance company conducting the investigation for the county will c o m p l e t e its work.
The biggest question in O'Connor's mind is why Jaroszewicz was assigned to work on an electrical problem when he was hired as a Maintenance
Mechanic G r a d e 2 (heating). J a r o s z e w i c z had worked at the c e n t e r for six
m o n t h s ; he had worked for the Otis E l e v a t o r Company for m o r e than 30
years.
'I wonder why even the most common
sense precautions weren't taken. .
'Proper safety training could have avoided
this type of accident/
. . . William L
McGowan
J a m e s J . Lennon, CSEA Region HI P r e s i d e n t , w a s also at the 20-minute
service and pledged that CSEA would continue to seek the a n s w e r s to why
this accident had to happen. He read the p r a y e r of St. F r a n c i s of Assisi
saying, " M a s t e r , g r a n t that we m a y not so much seek to be consoled as to
console. . . " Lennon also asked those gathered to r e m e m b e r the t h r e e dead
DOT workers.
The Rev. Andrew Drew, the hospital chaplain who administered the last
s a c r a m e n t s of the R o m a n Catholic church to Jaroszewicz, also added his
p r a y e r s to the m e m o r i a l .
Besides his wife and son, Jaroszewicz, a lifelong resident of Yonkers, is
survived by two daughters, Pauline and Christine.
'We will continue to seek the answers
to why this accident happened/
. . . James J. Lennon
A M O M E N T O F S I L E N C E is observed in m e m o r y ot Alfred K. Jaroszewicz,
who was electrocuted while working in this manhole. F r o m left a r e
Westchester County CSEA Unit P r e s i d e n t Raymond O'Connor, CSEA
Region III P r e s i d e n t J a m e s J . Lennon, CSEA P r e s i d e n t William L.
McGowan, Westchester County CSEA Local 860 P r e s i d e n t P a t Mascioli, and
CSEA Collective Bargaining Specialist Nels Carlson, the union's staff safety
specialist.
. . . Raymond J. O'Connor
CSEA Safety Hotline
The Civil Service Employees Assn. has
established a toll-free 800 hotline to
receive information relative to unsafe
working conditions and reports on jobrelated mishaps. If you believe you
know of any unsafe work conditions,
please call:
{
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i-
iJ
tMjcrjQlA
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ilNION P R E S I D E N T S J a m e s J . Lennon, facing c a m e r a , of Region 111, and
statewide P r e s i d e n t William L. McGowan, right, discuss the t r a g i c situation
with m e m b e r s of Local 860.
fjfM". .
800-342-4824
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, June 20, 1979
Page 5
A message
from the president
I wonder how m a n y m o r e bodies we will have
to produce before we can get the New York
Legislature to get off its butt and give'this state's
public employees the s a m e occupational safety
protections that private sector w o r k e r s get?
E v e r since the f e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n t c r e a t e d the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), this union has been fighting to get our
people the s a m e protections given to virtually
every private sector employee in this country,
but seven years l a t e r the Legislature still h a s n ' t
moved and public employees continue to be
mangled in avoidable occupational accidents.
On J u n e 4, I kicked off the f i r s t in a series of
press conferences around the s t a t e in an e f f o r t to
let the public know that they too a r e being hurt
bv the s h a m e l e s s failure of their " l e a d e r s " to
protect public employees. We told the press that
the injury r a t e for public sector w o r k e r s is skyrocketing while the injury r a t e in the p r i v a t e sector is actually declining because the private sector has OSHA and we have nothing but political
promises.
I told the news media that our m e m b e r s a r e
paying the price for the L e g i s l a t u r e ' s failures
through needless pain and s u f f e r i n g and the
public is paying the price too through avoidable
compensation claims, losses in productivity and
losses in services. The media was impressed by
our case. A few r e p o r t e r s even c o m m e n t e d to
m e that they could not believe that the State of
New York could t r e a t its employees so cruelly.
Ironically, within 24 hours and j u s t miles f r o m
w h e r e I had warned the press of the dangers,
t h r e e DOT laborers w e r e killed on the job. That
s a m e day, in that s a m e Region, a heating plant
mechanic in Westchester w a s electrocuted doing
what a p p e a r s to have been out-of-title work.
The plain and simple truth is t h a t the most
dangerous employer to work for in the State of
New York is the State of New York. Not only the
State, but its political subdivisions as well, have
an occupational injury r a t e that has increased by
m o r e than 70% in the last eight y e a r s while the
occupational injury r a t e in the p r i v a t e sector
during the s a m e period has actually declined by
a l m o s t 15%!
B a c k in t h e y e a r s b e f o r e t h e f e d e r a l
government c r e a t e d OSHA, New York State had
a model occupational s a f e t y p r o g r a m that policed not only private sector employers, but public
sector employers as well. When the f e d e r a l
government c r e a t e d OSHA, New Y o r k ' s leaders
fell all over themselves in the rush to turn over
the s a f e t y responsibility to the new f e d e r a l agency.
In their haste, however, they never bothered to
worry about the 900,000 New York State public
employees who a r e specifically excluded f r o m
OSHA. The only way they can receive OSHA
protection is if the Legislature gives it to them
and for the past eight y e a r s the Legislature has
flatly refused to do that. Meanwhile the c a r n a g e
in the work place goes on and the cost of this carnage to the t a x p a y e r s mounts rapidly.
In 1970-71. the Labor D e p a r t m e n t e s t i m a t e s ,
the cost of this c a r n a g e in the public sector
a n p u n t e d to m o r e than $53 million! You know as
well as I what has happened to medical costs
since then so you can just imagine what you and
New York's other t a x p a y e r s a r e forking over annually to c o m p e n s a t e for preventable accidents.
Why m u s t public employees be mangled and
m a i m e d and the t a x p a y e r s raped while our
" l e a d e r s " keep stalling? When we first proposed
OSHA for the public sector, the Legislators
demanded a study. We agreed. Now several
•
•r'Toni"».^»-'; ..-•r.iefV.
Air quality testing begins
President William-L. McGowan led the Civil Service
Association's caravan for safety across central and western
State in late June, holding four press conferences in two dj
the state legislature into extending occupational safety
protection to public employees in the state.
Accompanied by CSEA's staff safety expert Nels Carlson
McGowan hammered away on the central theme that lac
standards for public workers costs taxpayers mUlions of
needless compensation claims, while inflicting unnec^ar
death upon the workers themselves.
Earlier, the union leader had conducted similar press con
CSEA's Regions I, III and IV. On the most recent swing acr
McGowan and Carlson were joined by CSEA Region VI
Robert Lattimer for conferences in Buffalo and Röchest
Region V President James Moore for conferences in Sy
. Utica.
While the regional presidents related localized sit
dangerous working conditions for public employees,
McGowan time and time again hammered out the messag
plain fact of the matter is that the most dangerous enMlo;
for in the State of New York is the State of New Yoric
CSEA is supporting legislation which would extend o
.protection of public workers, but the members of the
recently adjourned for the summer without considering th
CSEA hopes to pressure the lawmakers into early action u
ing to Albany later this summer.
AT P R E S S C O N F E R E N C E S recently in Buffalo and Rochester, CSEA President William L.
McGowan, left; union safety expert Nels Carlson, center, and CSEA Region VI President Robert
L a t t i m e r all told the news media of lack of safety s t a n d a r d s for public workers in this state.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July 11, 1979
t OMMrwaMT ^
•
y e a r s and t h r e e studies l a t e r t h e r e still is no law
and our people continue to be killed.
Over a y e a r ago, your union, a t m y direction,
took the lead in the fight for a s a f e working environment for our m e m b e r s . We f o r m e d the
CSEA Statewide Safety C o m m i t t e e and began
serious investigation and action on health and
safety t h r e a t s to the people we represent. In
l a b o r - m a n a g e m e n t m e e t i n g s and in c o n t r a c t
negotiations, we have sought to improve the conditions of our working places. This e f f o r t has m e t
with some success, but admittedly with some
failures as well.
CSEA should not b e a r the e n t i r e responsibility
for uncovering, investigating, and demanding
correction of s a f e t y problems. We don't have
nearly enough r e s o u r c e s for such a m o n u m e n t a l
job. It is the responsibility of the employer to
protect the employee.
I have established a CSEA Safety Hotline so
our m e m b e r s can call us toll-free to report
t h r e a t s to their health or safety on the job. But
even this m e a s u r e is a poor substitute for what is
needed. Our people need occupational health and
safety protection now and we need an effective
s y s t e m t h a t p r o v i d e s r e a l p r o t e c t i o n , not
cosmetic a s s u r a n c e s .
I have called upon the Governor, the m a j o r i t y
a n d m i n o r i t y l e a d e r s of t h e S e n a t e a n d
Assembly, and each s t a t e Legislator to practice
the humanity they p r e a c h and place the OSHA
for public employees issue on the agenda for the
Special Legislative session expected to be called
later this year, I think we can get this issue
before the Legislature a t last, but getting it
enacted will r e q u i r e legislative and political
action that depends on our m e m b e r s .
If you want a d e q u a t e occupational safety
protections than you m u s t do something about it.
CSEA is c o m m i t t e d to using all of our resources
to m a k e OSHA a reality in the public sector in
New York. I need your help to get our political
leaders to g r a n t our d e m a n d s . Write, phone or
visit your State Senator and Assemblymen and
urge t h e m to a c t now. Urge your co-workers to
do so too.
The t i m e for occupational safety and health
protection for our m e m b e r s is now. We c a n ' t
allow a n y m o r e blood to be spilled before we do
what we all know should have been done eight
y e a r s ago.
William L. IVlcGowan
CSEA President
tr, ««»MSJIt «tmrM-JBMM«».'** vt <
i
Page 6
^The most dangerous employer
is tiie State of N iw Yorl</
Appeal filed on
nurses upgrading
ployees
w York
to prod
health
esident
OSHA
liars in
air|g)nd
»nces in
ipstate,
esident
and by
se and
ons of
esident
at "The
to iprk
national
islature
roposal.
return-
ALBANY — When CSEA's traveling p r e s s con- , o p e r a t e d by t h e F a c i l i t i e s P l a n n i n g a n d
O p e r a t i o n s G r o u p , D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g
f e r e n c e s stopped recently in Albany, CSEA
Operation and Maintenance of the Office of
Region IV P r e s i d e n t Joseph E . M c D ^ r m o t t told
General Services, and the huge E m p i r e State
the news media of CSEA's g r e a t concern for the
Plaza Mall Complex.
quality of air that public w o r k e r s e n d u r e while
working in s t a t e facilities, and of the union's conAll s a m p l e analysis will be done by the State
tinuing e f f o r t to force testing and correction of
D e p a r t m e n t of Health, Division of L a b o r a t o r i e s
air quality problems.
and R e s e a r c h or a t l a b o r a t o r i e s approved by the
F a s t on the heels of that public disclosure, the
d e p a r t m e n t . Upon receipt by the Division of
State D e p a r t m e n t of Health and the Office of
Laboratories and R e s e a r c h , the tube s a m p l e s
G e n e r a l S e r v i c e s have e n t e r e d into an
will be logged in, reviewed and kept on file for a
a g r e e m e n t under which the Health D e p a r t m e n t
period of one year. Where the s a m p l e d a t a inwill conduct an interior air quality screening
dicates that the tube indication level is within
p r o g r a m of s c o r e s of s t a t e b u i l d i n g s a n d
10% of the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) as esfacilities a c r o s s the s t a t e . And the health
t a b l i s h e d by t h e A m e r i c a n C o n f e r e n c e of
D e p a r t m e n t has agreed to provide CSEA with
G o v e r n m e n t a l & Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
survey findings so the union m a y m a k e its own
s t a n d a r d s , a d d i t i o n a l a i r s a m p l i n g will be
independent review of the m a t e r i a l gathered.
recommended.
CSEA has been especially concerned over the
a p p e a r a n c e of asbestos fibers in the air of the
Millipore filter s a m p l e s will be e x a m i n e d for
buildings to be inspected. The air quality screen- the p r e s e n c e of asbestos fibers. If levels a r e in
ing p r o g r a m will include testing to d e t e c t the excess of the proposed National Institute of Oca m o u n t of a s b e s t o s f i b e r s in e a c h of t h e cupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) s t a n d a r d of
buildings. Additionally, testing will be done for 0.5 fibers per cubic c e n t i m e t e r , the Office of
the presence of carbon monoxide, carbon diox- General Services will be notified i m m e d i a t e l y .
ide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone in
G r e a s e slides, w a t e r s a m p l e s and other solid
the air. Tests will also be done on w a t e r in a i r s a m p l e s will be e x a m i n e d for the p r e s e n c e of
c o n d i t i o n i n g a n d - h u m i d i f y i n g e q u i p m e n t , fungal spores, asbestos like f i b e r s and other
grease, and dust and solid s a m p l e s to d e t e r m i n e fiberous m a t e r i a l s , etc. Based upon an exother types of m a t e r i a l within the facilities.
amination of the s a m p l e s , additional testing
In all, air quality screening will be conducted a n d / o r onsite investigation of potential p r o b l e m s
a t all m a j o r s t a t e b u i l d i n g s , i n c l u d i n g 35 will be r e c o m m e n d e d .
ALBANY — T h e Civil S e r v i c e
E m p l o y e e s Association has filed a
f o r m a l appeal with the Civil Service
Commission, in its e f f o r t s to get a
t h r e e - g r a d e upgrading for some 1,300
Licensed P r a c t i c a l Nurses.
Meanwhile, a s t r a t e g y meeting for
CSEA-represented licensed practical
n u r s e s on Long Island has been called
for 5 to II p.m. on July 11 a t the Holiday Inn, Hauppauge. That meeting
w a s a r r a n g e d by the Training, Information and Education C o m m i t t e e of
CSEA Region I, according to comm i t t e e c h a i r m a n G r e g Szurnicki.
The original request c a m e last
Novembef f r o m Alice Pope, an L P N
a t Central Islip P s y c h i a t r i c Center
and f o r m e r m e m b e r of CSEA's Institutional Unit bargaining t e a m .
Ms. Pope and her fellow L P N ' s
believe that their duties and responsibilities a r e closer to those of the
Grade-13 R e g i s t e r e d N u r s e s with
whom they work than is reflected in
their Grade-9 pay. Through CSEA,
they asked the Civil Service
D e p a r t m e n t for a reallocation to a
G r a d e 12 status. But B a r r y Lorch,
D i r e c t o r of C l a s s i f i c a t i o n a n d
Compensation for the D e p a r t m e n t ,
turned down the union's request on
April 26. He claimed the L P N ' s do
work s i m i l a r to that of the Grade-9
Mental Hygiene Therapy Assistants
and t h e r e f o r e did not deserve m o r e
than Grade-9 pay.
" A s we stated in our original request for the reallocation, we do not
m e a n in any way to d e t r a c t f r o m the
i m p o r t a n c e of the work done by the
thousands of MHTA's in the s t a t e service, but w e feel that the L P N ' s , when
you consider their education and
training, a s well as the special n a t u r e
of the e x p e r t i s e they m u s t have, a r e
closer to R e g i s t e r e d Nurses in practice than they a r e to MHTA's," a
union spokesman said.
T h o m a s Coyle, Assistant Director
of R e s e a r c h f o r CSEA, filed t h e
appeal to the Commission on F r i d a y .
He n o t e d t h a t L P N ' s m u s t be
licensed, and m u s t renew their
license every two y e a r s . They also adm i n i s t e r injections and operate complex m e d i c a l e q u i p m e n t such a s
kidney dialysis machines, and c a r d i a c
monitors.
" T h e Division of Classification and
Compensation has failed to recognize
these i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r s , " he wrote in
his appeal on behalf of the L P N ' s .
IN SYRACUsf
> firii CA,
the union's c a m p a
about legislative
OSHA s t a n d a r d s
e m p l o y e e s got a
Region V Presii
Moore, left. P r e s i
L. McGowan and
s p e c i a l i s t Nels
spoke at press
there.
m
to bring
c t i o n on
r public
t a n c e of
t James
t William
on safety
Ison also
ferences
The union's position is backed up by
strong l e t t e r s of support f r o m some
unexpected sources. A Registered
N u r s e who is also a d i r e c t o r of
education and training wrote a letter
that Mr. Coyle forwarded to the Civil
Service Commission along with his
f o r m a l appeal, and an assistant personnel officer, a clinical dietician, a
registered p h a r m a c i s t and a s t a t e
facility's chief of a medical-surgery
unit did the s a m e . All stressed the
special e)ipertise and responsibilities
of the licensed practical nurses ^t the
' s t a t e ' s m a n y medical and mental
hygiene facilities.
CSEA P R E S I D E N T WILLIAM L. McGOWAN, in a series of hard-hitting press conferences across the
entire state, has called the State itself the most dangerous of all employers because public workers a r e
not afforded occupational safety protection.
Ms. P o p e said one angered LPN had
r e f u s e d an order to give a hypodermic
and showed a copy of the Lorch
decision that her duties a r e " c o m p a r a b l e " to the work of Therapy
Aides. P o p e said the doctor who had
given the order was " a m a z e d " and
began organizing doctors to support
the L P N ' s cause.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Vy/ednesday, July 11, 1979
Page 7
LI. leadership conference a success
R E G I O N I P R E S I D E N T IRVING
FLAUMENBAUM, left, holds a
copy of the AFSCME Local Union
Training P r o g r a m brochure as he
d i s c u s s e s t h e l e a d e r s h i p conf e r e n c e concept with CSE A
Statewide S e c r e t a r y Irene Carr,
CSEA Statewide Executive Vice
P r e s i d e n t T h o m a s McDonough,
and Kenneth Cadieux of Nassau
County, an official candidate for
CSEA statewide president.
By Bill Butler
M E L V I L L E — Long Island CSEA L e a d e r s r e a c t e d enthusiastically to a recent leadership conference
here, one of a series conducted by the Education D e p a r t m e n t of the A m e r i c a n Federation of State, County
and Municipal E m p l o y e e s throughout the state.
,
, ^ „ •
The p r o g r a m h e r e d r e w 120 top l e a d e r s of the 17 active CSEA Locals in the Long Island Region.
Dave Williams, national education director of AFSCME a t its Washington, D.C. h e a d q u a r t e r s , and his
staff conducted a day-long s e m i n a r including a film, discussion of union problems and group-dynamic
workshops on problem-solving techniques for union leaders.
Long Island Region I P r e s i d e n t Irving F l a u m e n b a u m , who is also an International Vice P r e s i d e n t ot
AFSCME, said response w a s so good that he had asked Williams to conduct a follow-up second session in
the fall. Williams said that s i m i l a r conferences w e r e being a r r a n g e d in other Regions.
Williams was assisted in leading group workshops by R o b e r t McEnroe, education director of
AFSCME for New York Stale, and Steve R e g e n s t r e i f , AFSCME a s s i s t a n t director for New York State.
DISCUSSING L I T E R A T U R E a r e John
Madlon, left, P r e s i d e n t of Hauppauge CSEA
Local 016, and AFSCME's Paul Rosenstein.
Hearings set on Rockland investigators unit
NEW CITY — Hearings August 1
and 2 at the P o m o n a Health Complex
in Rockland County will d e t e r m i n e
the m o s t a p p r o p r i a t e bargaining unit
for 9 criminal investigators and
senior criminal investigators now
working for the county and
represented by CSEA.
The hearings w e r e ordered as the
result of an a t t e m p t by the Tri-County
F e d e r a t i o n of Police to s e g r e g a t e the
investigators f r o m the CSEArepresented county employees. The
State Public E m p l o y m e n t Relations
Board ( P E R B ) held a conference in
Albany J u n e 26 on Tri-County's claim
that to have investigators in the CSEA
bargaining unit constitutes a conflict
of interest.
^
"Tri-County is trying to say that the
investigators might be called upon to
investigate their own bargaining unit
m e m b e r s if CSEA goes out on s t r i k e ; "
said CSEA field r e p r e s e n t a t i v e B r u c e
Wyngaard, " b u t this could happen no
m a t t e r what bargaining unit they a r e
in. And, in f a c t , they w e r e not called
to do so during or a f t e r the 1977
strike."
What really concerns the incumbent
Elections Timetable
Statewide Officers and State Executive Committee
The following d a t e s a r e to be used as a guideline for the 1979 CSEA Election. To the extent possible, each d a t e
will be complied with unless intervening c i r c u m s t a n c e s beyond the control of CSEA m a k e compliance with
the e x a c t d a t e i m p r a c t i c a l .
July 13—Request to each candidate for spelling of n a m e as it will a p p e a r on Ballot. To be sent by certified mail, r e t u r n receipt requested. Deadline for changes is July 20, 1979
July 13—Drawing for Position on Ballot — 10:30 a . m . , CSEA H e a d q u a r t e r s Conference Room. Candidates (or proxies) m a y attend a s o b s e r v e r s
July 13—Mailing of printed copies of Rules and Regulations for the Election to all candidates and local
presidents
July 25—Publication of N a m e s of all candidates in the Official CSEA Newspaper
August 6—Ballots delivered to P o s t Office for Mailing
August 16—Replacement ballots m a y be requested a s of this d a t e if Original Ballot has not been
delivered
August 30—Return of ballots — 6:00 p.m. Deadline
August 31—Ballots to be removed f r o m envelopes to p r e p a r e for counting. Ballots which cannot be
machine-counted will be counted manually during this period
September 7—Return of R e p l a c e m e n t Ballots — 6:00 p . m . Deadline
September 7—Ballots to be Counted. Candidates to be notified by t e l e g r a m by S e p t e m b e r 11
S e p t e m b e r 7—Official Results Announced
September 17—End of P r o t e s t Period (10 days a f t e r Official R e s u l t s a r e announced)
N O T E : Those eligible to vote shall be dues paying m e m b e r s in good standing as of J u n e 15, 1979
Page. 8-
THE "PUBLIC SECTOR,?Wednesday:< 'Joly 'I'l,^ l ' ? / ? "
CSEA is the e f f e c t the m o v e might
have on the CSEA negotiations that
a r e about to get under way.
<
" W e had an interruption in our
negotiations in 1977 that lasted m a n y
m o n t h s , " Mr. Wyngaard noted, " a n d
that was also because of a challenge
to the integrity of the bargaining unit.
T h e r e ' s a possibility that this m a y
happen a g a i n . "
CSEA Collective
Bargaining
Specialist Manny Vitale has a l r e a d y
notified the County that the union
would like to s t a r t negotiating for a (
new contract as soon a s possible, and
the employees' negotiating t e a m is
ready to go. The c u r r e n t Rockland
County contract expires D e c e m b e r
31, 1979.
" I n the 1977 case, we had a decision
showing that f r a g m e n t a t i o n of the
bargaining unit is i n a p p r o p r i a t e , " Mr.
Wyngaard said. " W e feel that this
should be used as a p r e c e d e n t in this
case, and that Tri-County's c l a i m s (
should be d i s m i s s e d . "
At the pre-hearing c o n f e r e n c e a t
P E R B ' s Albany offices, Rockland
County officials J a c k Blecher and
•John Leavy, as well as a Tri-County
representative, a p p e a r e d along with
Mr. Wyngaard. The County officials
a g r e e d with CSEA that f r a g m e n t i n g
t h e b a r g a i n i n g unit would be inappropriate, based on the 1977 case.
" T h e dangerous thing t h a t happened in Albany was that P E R B decided
to notify other unions in the county
that they have a right to b e c o m e a
p a r t y to all of this, a l s o , " M r .
Wyngaard said. " W e feel t h a t this is
absolutely wrong. T h e r e w e r e several
little independent unions around and
if any of t h e m i n t e r f e r e , it could
serve to hold up negotiations for m o r e
than 1,900 county employees, j u s t
when bargaining was about to begin."
insurance
advisor
As an attempt to provide a broad range of services to its membership, The Civil Service
Emphjyees Association will run a bi-weekly column to be known as the "Insurance Advisor." The purpose of this column will be to make all our members aware of the benefits
available to them and to answer as many questions as possible concerning the provision of
these benefits. We encourage you to submit our inquiries directly to The Civil Service
Employees Association, c/o Michael Carroll, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224. We
pledge to answer these questions as qUickly as possible.
As a r e s u l t of c o n t r a c t n e g o t i a t i o n s f o r t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i v e , Institutional
a n d O p e r a t i o n a l b a r g a i n i n g units with t h e S t a t e of N e w Y o r k , s e v e r a l h e a l t h
i n s u r a n c e b e n e f i t i m p r o v e m e n t s h a v e or will o c c u r t h r o u g h o u t t h e
r e m a i n d e r of t h e 1979 c a l e n d a r y e a r . T h e s e c h a n g e s , and t h e t i m i n g of w h e n
State employees have three basic
h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e options a v a i l a b l e
to t h e m . T h e y a r e the S t a t e w i d e
H e a l t h P l a n , the GHI Option or
they m a y p a r t i c i p a t e in a H e a l t h
M a i n t e n a n c e Organization (HMO)
such a s H I P . The S t a t e w i d e P l a n
c o n s i s t s of B l u e C r o s s f o r
hospitalization. Blue Shield f o r doctor bills and M e t r o p o l i t a n M a j o r
Medical. T h e GHI Option c o n s i s t s
of Blue C r o s s for hospitalization
and G H I for m e d i c a l - s u r g i c a l and
general medical care. HMO
b e n e f i t s a r e s e t by t h e HMO's.
Most of the c h a n g e s t h a t w e r e
n e g o t i a t e d a f f e c t the S t a t e w i d e
H e a l t h P l a n . By a g r e e m e n t , this
P l a n will u n d e r g o a m a j o r r e s t r u c t u r i n g d u r i n g 1979. This r e s t r u c t u r ing p r o c e s s d i r e c t l y a f f e c t s the
Blue Shield and M e t r o p o l i t a n Maj o r Medical portions of t h e plan.
M o r e specifically, t h e i n s u r a n c e
c o m p a n i e s a r e a f f e c t e d in t h a t f o r
t h e ü r s t t i m e in t w e n t y - t w o y e a r s
s p e c i f i c a t i o n s will be d r a w n a n d
c o m p e t i t i v e bids will be afccepted
f o r t h o s e p o r t i o n s of t h e plan. T h e
r e s t r u c t u r i n g is basically a c o m bining of all t h e f o r m s of c o v e r a g e
provided t h r o u g h t h e Blue Shield
Plan and the Metropolitan M a j o r
M e d i c a l P l a n . In addition, s e v e r a l
n e w a n d i m p r o v e d b e n e f i t s will b e
added.
T h e bidding p r o c e s s n e c e s s a r i l y
a f f e c t s i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of b e n e f i t
changes. Certain benefit changes,
such a s m a t e r n i t y c o v e r a g e a n d
prescription drug coverage have
been i m p l e m e n t e d on April 1, 1979
and J u l y 1, 1979, r e s p e c t i v e l y . All
o t h e r c h a n g e s will b e i m p l e m e n t e d
no l a t e r t h a n J a n u a r y 1, 1980. At
this t i m e it is a n t i c i p a t e d t h a t t h e
bidding p r o c e s s will b e c o m p l e t e d
by O c t o b e r , 1979.
B E N E F I T CHANGES
M a t e r n i t y C o v e r a g e — April 1,
1979
Dramatic improvements have
been a c c o m p l i s h e d in t h e a r e a of
m a t e r n i t y b e n e f i t s . E f f e c t i v e April
1, 1979, Blue C r o s s c o v e r a g e h a s
been i m p r o v e d to p r o v i d e p a y m e n t
in full for hospital c h a r g e s . Blue
Shield will continue to p a y $200
t o w a r d t h e doctor c h a r g e s . T h e
r e m a i n d e r of t h e d o c t o r ' s bill c a n
now be s u b m i t t e d to M e t r o p o l i t a n
Major Medical for further
p a y m e n t . M a j o r Medical p a y s 80%
of t h e b a l a n c e of the bill o n c e t h e
d e d u c t i b l e h a s been s a t i s f i e d . T h e
d e d u c t i b l e continues a t $50 f o r t h e
r e m a i n d e r of 1979. This n e w b e n e f i t
level is a v a i l a b l e for all f e m a l e
e m p l o y e e s , r e g a r d l e s s of t y p e of
c o v e r a g e , s p o u s e s of
male
e m p l o y e e s who have f a m i l y
c o v e r a g e and d e p e n d e n t s c o v e r e d
under family coverage.
Under the GHI Option, Blue
C r o s s will also provide p a y m e n t in
full for hospital c h a r g e s . T h e doctor c h a r g e s will be paid in a c c o r -
d a n c e with t h e existing s c h e d u l e of
allowances.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND J u l y 1, 1979
U n d e r t h e t e r m s of the new cont r a c t for the A d m i n i s t r a t i v e , Institutional and
Operational
b a r g a i n i n g u n i t s , an E m p l o y e e
B e n e f i t F u n d h a s been e s t a b l i s h e d .
T h i s F u n d , w h i c h will b e a d m i n i s t e r e d by T r u s t e e s appointed
by C S E A , I n c . , will p r o v i d e
b e n e f i t s which will s u p p l e m e n t
your c u r r e n t h e a l t h c o v e r a g e . T h e
F u n d , which c a m e into e x i s t e n c e
on J u l y 1, 1979, will i n i t i a l l y
provide two benefits. Those
b e n e f i t s a r e a n e w and i m p r o v e d
d e n t a l p r o g r a m and a p r e s c r i p t i o n
d r u g p r o g r a m . D e t a i l s of t h e s e
p r o g r a m s h a v e been m a i l e d to all
e m p l o y e e s c o v e r e d by t h e a b o v e
bargaining agreements. Inquiries
c o n c e r n i n g c o v e r a g e , eligibility,
c l a i m s p r o c e s s i n g , e t c . , should b e
d i r e c t e d to t h e F u n d O f f i c e , a t P . O .
B o x 11-206, A l b a n y , N e w Y o r k
12211.
DENTAL BENEFITS - Effective
J u l y 1, 1979
D e s c r i p t i v e l i t e r a t u r e on t h e dental p r o g r a m h a s been m a i l e d to
affected employees. Briefly, the
program has increased
the
s c h e d u l e of a l l o w a n c e s f o r d e n t a l
p r o c e d u r e s but m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y ,
t h e r e is no longer any d e d u c t i b l e
u n d e r t h e p r o g r a m . All f u l l - t i m e
e m p l o y e e s of t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i v e ,
Institutional and
Operational
b a r g a i n i n g units, t h e i r s p o u s e s a n d
u n m a r r i e d d e p e n d e n t children und e r a g e 19 ( a g e 25 if f u l l - t i m e
s t u d e n t s ) a r e c o v e r e d by t h e plan.
Eligible persons may avail
t h e m s e l v e s of t h e s e r v i c e s of a n y
duly licensed d e n t i s t . C l a i m f o r m s
m a y be o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e F u n d Off i c e , CSEA R e g i o n a l O f f i c e s o r
P e r s o n n e l O f f i c e s w h e r e you w o r k .
PRESCRIPTION DRUG - Effective J u l y 1, 1979
The prescription drug program
r e p l a c e s t h e c u r r e n t m e t h o d of
r e i m b u r s e m e n t for p r e s c r i p t i o n
d r u g s . All f u l l - t i m e a c t i v e
e m p l o y e e s c o v e r e d by t h e Administrative, Institutional
or
Operational
bargaining
a g r e e m e n t s , their spouses and
d e p e n d e n t s , a r e c o v e r e d by t h e
plan. T h e n e w plan, u n d e r w r i t t e n
by t h e Blue C r o s s P l a n s of N e w
Y o r k S t a t e , will p a y f o r y o u r
p r e s c r i p t i o n d r u g s r e g a r d l e s s of
w h a t h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e option you
p a r t i c i p a t e in. When a c o v e r e d
person requires prescription drugs,
p r e s e n t your p r e s c r i p t i o n a n d your
identification card at a part i c i p a t i n g p h a r m a c y . You pay t h e
p a r t i c i p a t i n g p h a r m a c i s t only $1.00
f o r e a c h c o v e r e d d r u g . T h e plan
p a y s t h e b a l a n c e d i r e c t l y to t h e
t h e y will t a k e p l a c e , h a s g e n e r a t e d s o m e confusion. I hope t h a t the exp l a n a t i o n t h a t follows will a n s w e r your questions. If it does not, p l e a s e d r o p
m e a l e t t e r and I'll get you an a n s w e r .
p h a r m a c i s t . If you e l e c t to use a
n o n - p a r t i c i p a t i n g p h a r m a c y , you
still h a v e c o v e r a g e . In t h a t c a s e ,
h o w e v e r , you pay the p h a r m a c i s t
full p r i c e , obtain a r e c e i p t and
f o r w a r d it with an a p p r o p r i a t e
c l a i m f o r m to your local Blue
Cross Plan Office for reimb u r s e m e n t . If y o u h a v e a n y
q u e s t i o n s a b o u t this p r o g r a m , contact the Prescription
Drug
D e p a r t m e n t of your local Blue
C r o s s P l a n or c o n t a c t
the
E m p l o y e e Benefit Fund Office.
OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS E f f e c t i v e no l a t e r t h a n J a n u a r y 1,
1980
Numerous other improvements
h a v e been m a d e in your h e a l t h
plan. H o w e v e r , d u e to t h e r e s t r u c t u r i n g of t h e S t a t e w i d e H e a l t h P l a n
a n d t h e bidding p r o c e s s d e s c r i b e d
a b o v e , it is not possible to s a y with
c e r t a i n t y w h e n t h e s e b e n e f i t s will
b e e f f e c t i v e . I t is g u a r a n t e e d ,
nevertheless, that these benefits
will b e in p l a c e by J a n u a r y 1,1980.
In s u m m a r y fashion, t h e b e n e f i t
i m p r o v e m e n t s and c h a n g e s a r e
described below. Until these
c h a n g e s a r e m a d e , y o u r h e a l t h plan
will r e m a i n a s it is c u r r e n t l y .
OTHER MATERNITY A n e w b o r n c a r e provision h a s
also been negotiated.
This
provision will allow p a y m e n t up to
$50 f o r p e d i a t r i c i a n s e r v i c e s . T h i s
b e n e f i t will not go into e f f e c t until
t h e n e w h e a l t h plan h a s b e e n ins t i t u t e d , no l a t e r t h a n J a n u a r y 1,
1980.
MEDICAL-SURGICAL
LIMITATIONS
Annual — T h e a n n u a l m a x i m u m
for each covered m e m b e r for
medical-surgical expense benefits
shall be $25,000.
Lifetime — The lifetime maxi m u m for each covered m e m b e r
for medical-surgical
expense
b e n e f i t s shall be $250,000.
Out-of-Pocket — When a c o v e r e d
employee and/or
covered
d e p e n d e n t s of t h e e m p l o y e e h a v e
i n c u r r e d $2,000 of c o v e r e d m e d i c a l ' s u r g i c a l e x p e n s e s in a n y c a l e n d a r
y e a r , a f t e r t h e a p p r o p r i a t e deductible h a s been m e t , f u t u r e c o v e r e d
expenses under medical-surgical
c o v e r a g e s in t h e s a m e c a l e n d a r
y e a r will be r e i m b u r s e d on a 100
p e r c e n t b a s i s . Covered e x p e n s e s
f o r o u t - p a t i e n t t r e a t m e n t by a psyc h i a t r i s t or psychologist a r e excluded in d e t e r m i n i n g t h e $2,000
limit.
ALCOHOLISM T R E A T M E N T Coverage for
alcoholism
t r e a t m e n t in r e h a b i l i t a t i o n
f a c i l i t i e s or hospitals c e r t i f i e d by
t h e S t a t e of N e w York or a p p r o v e d
by J C A H s h a l l be p r o v i d e d .
C o v e r a g e shall include four w e e k s
of i n - p a t i e n t c o v e r a g e f o r a n y
single c o n f i n e m e n t and up to six
w e e k s annually. In addition, e a c h
c o v e r e d individual m a y r e c e i v e up
to t w e n t y (20)
out-patient
treatments annually. These
b e n e f i t s will be provided through
t h e m e d i c a l - s u r g i c a l c o v e r a g e und e r t h e S t a t e w i d e P l a n or t h e
P r i m a r y Option.
AMBULANCE PAYMENT An a l l o w a n c e will be provided of
up to $50 u n d e r Blue C r o s s for
p r o f e s s i o n a l a m b u l a n c e s e r v i c e to
a n d / o r f r o m a hospital in connection with an in-patient admission. T h e c o v e r a g e provided und e r t h e m e d i c a l - s u r g i c a l portion of
t h e S t a t e w i d e , P r i m a r y , or G H I
Option f o r a m b u l a n c e s e r v i c e not
c o v e r e d u n d e r B l u e C r o s s will
remain unchanged.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE Coverage for chiropractic care
s e r v i c e s will b e provided only f o r
conditions requiring
manual
m a n i p u l a t i o n of t h e spine to corr e c t a subluxation t h a t c a n b e
d e m o n s t r a t e d by an X - r a y or f o r
s e r v i c e s p r e s c r i b e d by a physician.
DEDUCTIBLE A. T h e m e d i c a l - s u r g i c a l deductible shall be $75 p e r individual in
any year.
B. The C o m m o n
Accident
D e d u c t i b l e shall be $75 p e r a c cident.
C. E f f e c t i v e O c t o b e r 1, 1979, t h e
c a r r y - o v e r d e d u c t i b l e shall b e $75
p e r c o v e r e d individual.
DOCTOR VISIT ALLOWANCE T h e d o c t o r visit a l l o w a n c e u n d e r
t h e G H I Option shall be $15.
'
VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION Coverage
for
voluntary
sterilization will b e recognized a s a
c o v e r e d e x p e n s e u n d e r t-he
S t a t e w i d e P l a n , P r i m a r y , or G H l '
Option.
OUT-PATIENT MENTAL AND
NERVOUS Coverage for
out-patient
t r e a t m e n t by a p s y c h i a t r i s t or psychologist shall p r o v i d e 80 p e r c e n t
of r e a s o n a b l e c h a r g e s p e r visit, n(ft
to e x c e e d $40 in b e n e f i t s p e r visit,
s u b j e c t to a m a x i m u m of $1,500 in
any c a l e n d a r y e a r and $3,000 d u r i n g
t h e l i f e t i m e of a n y c o v e r e d
employee or dependent. This
b e n e f i t is provided through t h e
medical-surgical coverage under
t h e S t a t e w i d e P l a n and GHI Option.
THExPUBlilC SECTOR) Wedriesdby; Juty 11/ 1979 '
Page 9'
OPEN CONTINUOUS
STATE JOB CALENDAR
Salary Exam No. 1
Title
Pharmacist (salary varies with location)
. . . $14,388-$15,562 20-129
Assistant Sanitary Engineer
fl6,Ö4(^- 20-122
Senior Sanitary Engineer
$18,301 20-123
Clinical Physician I
$27,942 20-118
Clinical Physician II
$31,055 20-119
Assistant Clinical Physician
$25,161 20-117
Attorney
$14,850 20-113
Assistant Attorney
$12,397 20-113
Attorney Trainee
$11,723 20-113
Junior Engineer
$12,890 20-109
(Bachelor's Degree)
Junior Engineer
$13,876 20-109
(Master's Degree)
Dental Hygienist
$8,950 20-107
Licensed Practical Nurse
$8,051 20-106
Nutrition Services Consultant
$13,404 20-139
Stationary Engineer
$10,042 20-100
Senior Stationary Engineer
$11,250 20-101
Occupational Therapy Assistant I
$9,029 20-174
Occupational Therapy Assistant I
$9,029 20-174
(Spanish Speaking)
Vocational Rehabilitation^Counselor
$14,142 20-1401
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee
$11,983 20-140
Medical Record Technician
$9,481 20-143
Histology Technician
$8,051 20-170
Professional Positions in Auditing and Accounting....
$11,250 20-200
Computer Programmer
$11,250 20-220
Computer Programmer (Scientific)
$11,250 20-222
Senior Programmer
$14,075 20-221
Senior Computer Programmer (Scientific)
$14,075 20-223
Mobility Instructor
$11,904 20-224
Instructor of the Blind
$11,250 20-225
Health Services Nurse
....$11,250-$12,025 20-226
(salary varies with location)
Seniör Heating and Ventilating Engineer
$18,301 20-227
Senior Sanitary Engineer (Design)
$18,301 20-228
Senior Building Electrical Engineer
$18,301 20-229
Senior Building Structural Engineer
$18,301 20-230
Senior Mechanical Construction Engineer
$18,301 20-231
Senior Plumbing Engineer
$18,301 20-232
Assistant Stationarv Engineer
$7.616 20-303
$7,616 20-308
Electroencephalograph Technician
Radiologic Technologist
$8,454-$10,369 20-334
(salary varies with location)
Medical Record Administrator
$11,904 20-348
Food Service Worker I
$6,456 20-352
Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide Trainee
$7,204 20-394
Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide Trainee
$7,204 20-394
(Spanish Speaking)
Associate Actuary (Casualty)
$18,369 20-416
Principal Actuary (Casualty)
$22,364 20-417
Supervising Actuary (Casualty)
$26,516 20-418
Assistant Actuary
$10,714 20-556
Nurse I
$10,624 20-584
Nurse II
$11,904 20-585
Nurse II (Psychiatric)
$11,904 20-586
Nurse II (Rehabilitation)
$11,904 20-587
Medical Specialist II
$33,705 20-840
Medical Specialist I
$27,942 20-841
Psychiatrist I
$27,942 20-842
Psychiatrist II
$33,705 20-843
Social Services Management Trainee
$10,824 20-875
Social Services Management Specialist
$11,450 20-875
Social Services Management Trainee
$10,824 20-876
(Spanish Speaking)
Social Services Management Specialist
$11,450 20-876
(Spanish Speaking)
Industrial Training Supervisor
. . . .$10,Ö24-$12,583 20-877
(salary varies depending on specialty)
Physical Therapist
$11,337 20-880
Physical Therapist (Spanish Speaking)
$11,337 20-880
Senior Physical Therapist
$12,670 20-881
Senior Physical Therapist (Spanish Speaking)
$12,670 20-881
Speech Pathologist
$12,670 20-883
Audiologist
$12,670 20-882
Assistant Speech Pathologist
$11,337 20-884
Assistant Audiologist
$11,337 20-885
Dietician Trainee
$10,624 20-888
Dietician
$11,250 20-887
Supervising Dietician
$13,304 20-886
Stenographer
$6,650 20-890
Typist
$6,071 20-891
Senior Occupational Therapist
$12,670 20-894
Senior Occupational Therapist
$12,670 20-894
(Spanish Speaking)
Occupational Therapist
$11,337 20-895
Occupational Therapist (Spanish Speaking)
$11,337 20-895
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You may contact the following officss of the N e w York State Department of Civil Service for onnouncementi, applications, and other details concerning examinations for the positions listed above.
Stote Office Building Campus, First Floor, Building 1, Albany, New York 12239 (518) 437-6216.
2 W o r l d Trade Center, 55th Floor, New York City 10047 (212) 488-4248.
Suite 750, Genesee Building, West Genesee Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 842-4260.
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Page 357
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. i . M M . i i n , , ,
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, V^ednesday, June 20, 1979
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T O L U E N E , IN L A R G E DRUMS, IS S T O R E D at the Town of Brookhaven
highway yard for use as a paint thinner and drying agent and as a cleaning
solvent. Highway Unit P r e s i d e n t Charles Novo (left) shows the d r u m s to Local
852 E x e c u t i v e Vice P r e s i d e n t John Desmond. Toluene is a deadly poison, a
suspected cancer-causing agent and a dangerous explosive. It is an ingredient
in T.N.T.
Brookhaven men exposed
to highly toxic chemicals
By Dr. Gerald Alperstein
Associate Editor
BROOKHAVEN - Use of an ext r e m e l y toxic chemical by the Town
of Brookhaven Highway D e p a r t m e n t
has p r o m p t e d Suffolk County CSEA
L o c a l 852 to h a v e s i x H i g h w a y
D e p a r t m e n t m e m b e r s undergo blood
tests.
The toxic chemical the men have
b e e n e x p o s e d to is t o l u e n e , a
suspected cancer-causing agent. It
also is an explosion and fire hazard.
The toxicology section of the Suffolk County Medical E x a m i n e r ' s Office will conduct the blood tests,
Local 852 E x e c u t i v e Vice P r e s i d e n t
John Desmond said.
Desmond is f e a r f u l of the explosion
and f i r e risk caused by the large quantity of toluene stored a t the highway
yard.
Town of Brookhaven Highway Unit
P r e s i d e n t C h a r l e s Novo s a i d t h e
d e p a r t m e n t s t a r t e d using toluene this
y e a r . He said it is used as a thinner
and drying agent for paint, as a cleaning s o l v e n t f o r t h e r o a d - m a r k i n g
e q u i p m e n t and had been used a s a
cleaning solvent to r e m o v e paint in an
enclosed work space.
Desmond said he has been informed
that a less toxic substance is available
to clean the equipment and thin the
paint.
Desmond also said that according
to f e d e r a l E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection
Administration and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sources, he was
told the following about toluene:
• Toluene causes illness at concentrations as small as 200 p a r t s per
million. The OSHA standard for ex-
*
posure to toluene is not m o r e than 200
p a r t s per million in an eight-hour
work day.
• E f f e c t s of toluene include intoxication, addiction, a c h e s and loss of
appetite.
• E x p o s u r e to t o l u e n e in conc e n t r a t i o n s g r e a t e r than 800 p a r t s per
million is a s u s p e c t e d c a u s e o f ^
d a m a g e to the brain, the central n e r - ^
vous s y s t e m and the liver.
• Toluene is suspected of causing
leukemia, skin c a n c e r and a n e m i a .
Novo said s o m e of the men have
broken out in skin r a s h e s and one m a n
shows m o r e s e v e r e s y m p t o m s .
He assembled additional inform a t i o n on toluene f r o m five scientific
r e f e r e n c e s . He s u m m a r i z e d as
follows:
^
"Toluene is a hydrocarbon deriVecP
f r o m p e t r o l e u m or coal t a r oil.
C o m m e r c i a l g r a d e toluene is used
mainly
for
producing
trinotriotoluene, otherwise known a s
T.N.T.
"Toluene is a solvent for fats, oils,
r u b b e r a n d w a x e s . Skin c o n t a c t
causes t e m p o r a r y r e m o v a l of body
oils.
" H a z a r d s : Dangerous f i r e risk, e x - ^
plosion limits in air, 1.27 to seven
percent.
"Toxic by ingestion, inhilation and
skin absorption.
" B r e a t h i n g of air containing a concentration g r e a t e r than 200 p a r t s per
million m a y be injurious to health.
The federal sources also said
t o l u e n e should be e l i m i n a t e d by
burning.
Union sources said the toluene at
t h e B r o o k h a v e n h i g h w a y y a r d is®
eliminated a f t e r use by pouring it
onto the ground.
FACES in
the crowd
A periodic series abosC activist
members who, often without
fanfare and public recognition^
contribute to the success of
CSEA.
CSEA CETA COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Robert Maletta said the c o m m i t t e e expects to have a CETA handbook which
explains the new rules and regulations of
the p r o g r a m ready by August. The handbook is for local presidents and local and
regional CETA c o m m i t t e e s .
CETA concern of Bob Maletta
H A U P P A U G E - One of CSEA's
a r e a s of interest is the Comprehensive E m p l o y m e n t and Training Act
(CETA) p r o g r a m .
Among CSEA's 220,000 m e m b e r s ,
the one m e m b e r who is perhaps
m o s t c o n c e r n e d with C E T A is
R o b e r t Maletta, c h a i r m a n of the
union's standing CETA C o m m i t t e e .
Maletta has been working with
Collective Bargaining Specialist
Paul Burch, Attorney Marge
K a r o w e and R e s e a r c h Analysis J o e
Abbey to c r e a t e a CETA Handbook
for use by local presidents and
local and regional CETA committees.
" I t ' s a good book"'for explaining
the new rules and regulations of the
CETA p r o g r a m , Maletta said. The
new rules and regulations went into
e f f e c t April 1, 1979.
Maletta expects the handbook to
be out by August.
As chairman of the CETA comm i t t e e since J a n u a r y 1978, he has
been involved in c o m m u n i c a t i n g inf o r m a t i o n on the p r o g r a m to the
locals and regions, formulating
CSEA positions on proposed CETA
regulations and in developing the
CETA complaint f o r m for CSEA.
Maletta explained that the complaint f o r m serves two important
purposes:
• It provides a m e a n s for union
l o c a l s and u n i t s to i d e n t i f y
suspected violations of the CETA
program.
• I t p r o v i d e s a m e a n s of
referencing past CETA complaints, with that knowledge f r o m
the previous complaints being used
to help solve the newer complaints.
Maletta first b e c a m e involved in
CETA in J a n u a r y 1977 when he was
a p p o i n t e d c h a i r m a n of Suffolk
County Local 852's CETA Committee.
The c o m m i t t e e "took the county
CETA problems head o n , " he said.
They m e t with the county and w e r e
able to iron out problems regarding
CETA
special
projects,
questionable wage supplementation,
extent
of
CETA
e m p l o y m e n t and failure to fill
positions represented by the CSEA
bargaining unit.
He put together reports which
w e r e presented a t an informal congressional hearing. Congressman
T h o m a s Downey l a t e r read those
I
R O B E R T MALETTA, AS G R I E V A N C E CHAIRMAN of Suffolk County
Local 852, discusses a grievance problem with grievance rep Kitty Sexton.
r e p o r t s into t h e C o n g r e s s i o n a l
Record, Maletta said.
" T h e f l o w of i n f o r m a t i o n
between the local and the county on
CETA is very good now because of
the strong action we took in 1977,"
he said.
His strong work on the local
CETA c o m m i t t e e led to his app o i n t m e n t a s c h a i r m a n of t h e
Region I CETA C o m m i t t e e in 1977.
He said the regional c o m m i t t e e
s e r v e s as a coordinating group, distributing information to the locals
on CETA.
M a l e t t a ' s strong work in the
local and the region led to his appointment to head the statewide
committee.
During the 18 months he has
headed the CETA c o m m i t t e e its
s t a t u s has changed f r o m ad hoc to
blue ribbon to standing, indicating
the i m p o r t a n c e CSEA places on
keeping informed about the CETA
p r o g r a m , Maletta said.
Maletta joined CSEA in 1968
when he w a s h i r e d by Suffolk
County a s a sign painter in the
D e p a r t m e n t of P u b l i c W o r k s
(DPW).
In 1970 he w a s elected s e c r e t a r y
of the DPW unit and in 1972 was
elected president of the unit. He
was re-elected president of the unit
in 1974.
Also in 1974, Maletta was appointed to the Blue Collar Survey
C o m m i t t e e , a joint union-county
panel to c r e a t e c a r e e r ladders in
the blue collar skills. He c h a i r s
that on-going c o m m i t t e e .
T h e c o m m i t t e e also h a s established rules for promotion and
defines and i n t e r p r e t s promotional
rules of the contract.
In 1975, Maletta was appointed to
the Salary Classification and
A p p e a l s B o a r d , a j o i n t unionc o u n t y p a n e l , w h i c h r u l e s on
appeals for reclassification f r o m
employees of which t h e r e a r e less
than 50 so classified in the county.
He also has served on the local's
negotiating c o m m i t t e e since 1974
and as grievance c h a i r m a n since
1977.
Maletta is a life-long resident of
Bellport. He needs 12 m o r e credits
to complete a Bachelor of Science
d e g r e e f r o m the State University.
P r i o r to w o r k i n g f o r Suffolk
County, he was an advertising artist in the p r i v a t e sector.
LOCAL 852 E X E C U T I V E VICE P R E S I D E N T John Desmond (left) and
Robert Maletta discuss job classification problems of the local. Maletta
serves on two union-county c o m m i t t e e s which deal with employee
classifications and promotions.
fÖfr/W^t^hVs'dVyr'Vuf;
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Report Card
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A biweekly column for and about the thousands ol non-instructional employees of school districts throughout New York represented by
the Civil Service Employees Association. Comments and/or questions concerning non-instructional school district employees should be
directed to Ms. Arne Wipfler. Coordinator of School Affairs, CSEA, 33 Elk Street. Albany. New York 12224.
County Workshop participants were recently afforded the opportunity of attending workshops covering topics from CETA problems to
Women in Public Employment. The Statewide Non-teaching School
Employees Committee (NTSEC) sponsored one of the programs at the
county delegates workshop.
The approach used by the NTSEC differed somewhat this year from
previous years. The theme "Accentuate the Positive" was followed,
which invited the approximately forty participants to «xpress their
positive ideas in a small group setting. Each group selected four of the
ideas discussed to illustrate to the rest of the workshop's participants
positive aspects of belonging to CSEA, as well as ways in which each idea
could be implemented.
All of the groups, including the- NTSEC, listed communication as a
positive aspect of CSEA. Although it was generally agreed the noninstructionals receive good coverage in The PUBLIC SECTOR, it is vital
other forms of communication be „used "^within each unit. Such ideas as
more frequent unit meetings, keeping in touch with the Local President,
distributing literature and newsletters were explored.
Development of membership unity was listed as a positive aspect
also. It was expressed by several participants that unity can be obtained
CSEA, which represents tens of thousands of non-teaching school district employees in New York State, receives many questions concerning the
application of unemployment insurance benefits to school district workers.
The following questions are the most commonly asked, and the answers are
supplied by CSEA.
Q: Should I apply for unemployment insurance benefits this summer?
A. Applying for benefits is an individual decision; however, if you do not
file and if you do not follow the procedures set forth by the law you will not
be able to collect retroactive benefits if the CSEA should win the case
presently before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
»»»
Q. Must I report to the unemployment office each week if I have been
denied benefits and I have appealed the decision?
A. Yes. If your case is under appeal you must continue to report on your
specified day at the specified time and place.
***
Q: D o l have to attend a hearing if I have been denied benefits by the
local unemployment office?
A. No. If you are denied benefits you may file Form No. 1. Form No. 1
will allow you to reopen your case after the court renders a decision on the
eligibility issue under Section 590.11. Form No. 1 is in actuality an appeal to
an Administrative Law Judge. However, at this point in time you would not
have to attend a hearing.
Q: If I file Form No. 1 do I still continue to report to the unemployment
office each week?
A. Yes. Form No. 1 puts your case on hold. It does not change the
reporting requirements as outlined in the Unemployment Insurance Law.
***
Q: After I have filled out Form No. 1 who do I submit it to?
A. Form No. 1 should be sent to your local unemployment office.
***
' Q: Is it necessary to keep a copy of the form?
A: As with all correspondence you should keep a copy for your files.
***
by allowing free flow of ideas and opinions from the membership at
meetings. Even though a member's opinion may differ substantially from
thö unit's leadership, he should feel free to express himself. It was
cautioned, however, that dissenting views as well as other union matters
should be kept within the confines of the unit.
Image building of the non-instructional employee was examined as
another positive force. Scholarships, budget voting assistance, and
donation of expertise in a specialized work area were mentioned as ways
in building a good image. The way a person conducts himself on the job,
language and appearance were also pointed out as important to the noninstructional school employee in promoting a good public image.
It was apparent political action is not only a positive part of CSEA
membership but an integral part for school district employees. This was
evidenced by the increased number of units involved in local elections.
The request by one participant to the NTSEC to invesitgate the State aid
to education problems illustrates the concern of the membership.
The discussions were so spirited we did not have enough time to discuss all of the ideas expressed. However, on behalf of the NTSEC, I extend a thank you to all who participated for making the workshop fof noninstructional school employees a success.
How to file an appeal
on unemployment denial
Filing an appeal to a denial of unemployment insurance benefits to an
Administrative Law Judge is relatively simple. Following is criteria for
considering such an appeal filing, procedures to follow in filing a Form No.
1, and a copy of a Form No. 1, which may be clipped and used or serve as an
example for re-typing an individual form.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING AN APPEAL TO AN ALJ
You will want to file Form No. 1 if:
— You applied for benefits at your local unemployment office and you
were denied benefits;
— You want to appeal the decision of the local unemployment office for
a hearing before an ALJ;
— And at the same time withdraw the request for a hearing without
prejudice.
Form No. 1 must be filed within thirty (30) days of the initial determination.
Procedure to Follow in Filing a Form No. 1
AFTER you are denied benefits by your local unemployment office fill
out and submit one copy of the Form No. 1 to the unemployment office. If
you are mailing the form, send it Registered Mail. Be sure to keep a
photocopy of the Form you submit for your own files.
REMEMBER: Even though you have filed Form No. 1 you MUST still
continue to report to the unemployment office each week at the specified
time on the specified day.
IMPORTANT: Form No. 1 is used ONLY when you are rendered ineligible under SECTION 590.11 of the Unemployment Insurance Law.
Q: I have been denied benefits under Section 590.11 and unavailability
for work do I still file Form No. 1?
A. Yes. However, you will have to attend a hearing to answer the
question regarding your unavailability for work. Form No. 1 applies in cases
of denials under Section 590.11 only.
Q: If CSEA receives a favorable decision from the courts on the
eligibility issue will everyone automatically receive back benefits?
A. Until a decision is rendered by the Appellate Division it would be impossible to answer this question. Naturally, it is hoped a favorable decision
would permit those claimants who have followed all of the procedures to
collect back benefits.
Hearing on precedent setting case set
CSEA has received word that
oral arguments in the matter of the
claim of Claire Hess will be heard
in September. The case before the
A p p e l l a t e D i v i s i o n , Third
Department of the Supreme Court
is on appeal from the decision
handed
do.wn
by
the
Unemployment Appeal Board last
December.
The Hess case is the precedent
setting case in CSEA's continued
search for a resolution to the
Page 12
question of eligibility under Section
590.11 of the Unemployment Insurance Law. It should be noted the
court usually does not hear oral
arguments in cases such as these.
However, CSEA's counsel requested the oral arguments due to
the import of the case. The
September 1979 term is the earliest
term at which arguments may be
heard since the court will not be in
session to hear arguments during
the August term.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July 11, 1979
CLAIMANT'S Return Address
Telephone Number
Date
NYS Department of Labor
Local Office No.
(office address)
t
RE: Social Security No.:
Dear Sir:
My application for unemployment insurance benefits for the period
(supply date) has been denied. I understand that
precedent decisions recently made by the Unemployment Insurance Appeal L
Board may govern the issues in my case.
^
I hereby request a hearing before an Administrative Judge.
I hereby withdraw my request for ä hearing, without prejudice, until a
final determination governing the issues presented in my case has been
made by the courts.
Very truly yours,
(SIGNATURE)
PLEASE PRINT NAME
t