m
McGowan
rips Carey
for vetoing
CSEA bills
A L B A N Y - CSEA P r e s i d e n t
William McGowan last week
blasted Gov. Hugh Carey for vetoing bills passed by t h e Senate and
Assembly g r a n t i n g p e r m a n e n t civil
s e r v i c e s t a t u s to m e r g e d
employees in t h e Unified Court
System and giving a $2,000 d e a t h
benefit to r e t i r e d s t a t e employees.
" T h e Senate and Assembly both
a g r e e d with us t h a t this legislation
w a s n e e d e d but without consultation with us t h e Governor took
it upon himself to kill these bills
and I think it s t i n k s , " t h e union
l e a d e r said.
" T h e Governor had no p r o b l e m
sponsoring legislation to give a
friend special pension b e n e f i t s , "
Mr. McGowan said, " b u t when it
c o m e s to a death benefit for s t a t e
employees living on less than $2,000
a y e a r , he suddenly decides that
t h e r e ' s no need to h e l p . "
M c G o w a n w a s a n g e r e d by
C a r e y ' s veto of an a c t a m e n d i n g
the Civil Service law to g r a n t a $2,000 survivors benefit to pensioners
who r e t i r e d prior to October 1,
1966. Most of these pensioners
receive pensions of less than $2,000
a y e a r to live on.
" H o w can a h u m a n being who
p r e t e n d s to c a r e a t all about his
fellow m a n veto such a s u r v i v o r ' s
benefit in the s a m e y e a r t h a t he
himself a c c e p t s a $15,000 a y e a r
r a i s e ? I t ' s j u s t l u d i c r o u s ! " Mr.
McGowan said.
The Governor also announced
last week t h a t he had vetoed a
CSEA sponsored bill t h a t would
have g r a n t e d p e r m a n e n t civil service s t a t u s to e m p l o y e e s of the
Unified Court System. These a r e
the s a m e employees who have been
holding provisional positions, in
many cases for severai years
because t h e s t a t e did not provide
civil s e r v i c e t e s t s a s a result of
the chaos surrounding the
classification debacle of the Office
of Court Administration.
" T h a t bill would have provided a
m e a s u r e of f a i r n e s s to these people
who have known nothing but
hardship since the Governor began
his so-called 'court r e f o r m ' p l a n , "
Mr. McGowan said, " b u t the
Governor has chosen to deny t h e m
even t h a t . "
Said the CSEA P r e s i d e n t , "If Mr.
C a r e y is i n t e r e s t e d in maintaining
any decent relationship with our
m e m b e r s and their union he h a s
chosen one hell of stupid way to
show i t ! "
gIPmlMia©
Official Publication of The Civil Service Employees Association
V o l . 1, N o . 41
DISCUSSING T H E E F F E C T S of f e d e r a l legislation on s t a t e
and local public employees, CSEA Region I P r e s i d e n t Irving F l a u m e n b a u m talks with Senator E d w a r d Kennedy during a r e c e n t AFSCME Leadership Conference in Boston.
Sen. Kennedy addressed the c o n f e r e n c e . F l a u m e n b a u m is
also an International Vice P r e s i d e n t of AFSCME.
No state
workshop
The CSEA State Division Workshop scheduled to be
held August 5-7 in L a n c a s t e r , P a . has been postponed.
Citing fiscal considerations, CSEA's mini-Board of
D i r e c t o r s m e t in Albany on July 2» and voted to postpone the workshop upon r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of the
union's Budget C o m m i t t e e . Additional details will b e
contained in the next edition of The P u b l i c Sector.
Ballot positions set
ALBANY — Candidates positions on ballots for CSEA's
election of s t a t e w i d e o f f i c e r s and m e m b e r s of the union's
State E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e w e r e d e t e r m i n e d J u l y 13.
Ballots a r e scheduled to be mailed out to eligible union
m e m b e r s August 6, and the deadline for r e t u r n i n g a ballot is
6 p.m., August 30.
In the r a c e for s t a t e w i d e president of CSEA, challenger
Kenneth Cadieux of Rockville Centre d r e w the n u m b e r one
position on t h e ballot, with incumbent president William L.
McGowan second.
In the executive vice president r a c e , incumbent T h o m a s
H. McDonough of Albany gained the first position, with
challengers Felton King of Brooklyn, second; and J a m e s L.
Corbin of E a s t Moriches, third.
F o r s t a t e w i d e s e c r e t a r y , challenger Ann Worthy of South
Ozone P a r k d r e w the n u m b e r one position, followed by inc u m b e n t S e c r e t a r y I r e n e C a r r of Oneonta.
In the statewide t r e a s u r e r contest, challenger B a r b a r a M.
F a u s e r of Buffalo d r e w the f i r s t position, with incumbent
T r e a s u r e r J a c k Gallagher of Mohawk second.
Ballot positions for candidates for the S t a t e E x e c u t i v e
C o m m i t t e e (Board of D i r e c t o r s ) a r e listed on pages 6 & 7 of
this issue.
25'
(ISSN 0164 9949)
Wednesday, July 25, 1979
Retroactive dates established
on all state contract items
ALBANY - CSEA and the G o v e r n o r ' s Office of E m p l o y e e Relations have r e a c h e d
a g r e e m e n t on i m p l e m e n t a t i o n d a t e s f o r
provisions of the new c o n t r a c t s covering the
s t a t e A d m i n i s t r a t i v e , Institutional and
Operational bargaining units.
CSEA P r e s i d e n t William L. McGowan said
t h a t under t h e new c o n t r a c t s all provisions
relating to s a l a r y a r e r e t r o a c t i v e to April 1,
1979, but in non-salary a r e a s , i m p l e m e n t a t i o n
d a t e s a r e r e a c h e d through m u t u a l a g r e e m e n t .
" W e have now r e a c h e d a g r e e m e n t t h a t all
of the m a j o r non-salary i t e m s will also be
r e t r o a c t i v e to April 1, 1979," Mr. McGowan
said, " b u t in s o m e instances t h a t will r e q u i r e
our m e m b e r s to t a k e s o m e action to p r o t e c t
their c o n t r a c t u a l r i g h t s . "
The union president points out t h a t the
a g r e e m e n t m a k e s April 1 the r e t r o a c t i v e implementation d a t e for the contract's^
m o r a t o r i u m on w r i t t e n counselings, t r a v e l
provisions, o v e r t i m e m e a l allowance for the
Operational Services Unit, W o r k e r ' s Compensation L e a v e modifications and disciplinary
protections for e m p l o y e e s in non-competitive
and labor classes.
New c o n t r a c t u a l provisions r e l a t i n g to outof-title work and posting and bidding for
positions, b e c o m e s e f f e c t i v e r e t r o a c t i v e to
J u n e 29, 1979, the d a t e t h a t the f o r m a l
a g r e e m e n t s w e r e signed.
P r e s i d e n t McGowan said, however, t h a t the
provisions r e l a t i n g to W o r k e r ' s Compensation
and discipline, while r e t r o a c t i v e to April 1, require i m m e d i a t e action by the employee to
protect his or her rights during the April 1 to
J u n e 29 period.
G r i e v a n c e p r o c e d u r e s in the CSEA-State
c o n t r a c t s provide for a 30-day " s t a t u t e of
l i m i t a t i o n s " . U n d e r the c o n t r a c t , an
e m p l o y e e m u s t file a grievance within 30 days
a f t e r an alleged violation occurs. Since m o r e
than 30 days have obviously passed since t h e
April 1 e f f e c t i v e d a t e for W o r k e r ' s Compensation changes and discipline changes, the 30day period has been modified. The i m p l e m e n tation a g r e e m e n t provides t h a t an employee
m a y file a g r i e v a n c e for alleged violations of
these two a r e a s of the c o n t r a c t s during the
April 1 to J u n e 29 period, only if the g r i e v a n c e
is filed b e f o r e August 13.
In o r d e r to p r o t e c t c o n t r a c t u a l g r i e v a n c e
rights in t h e s e a r e a s , t h e r e f o r e , the aggrieved
employee m u s t file a g r i e v a n c e citing the
alleged violation during the April 1 to J u n e 29
period by no l a t e r than August 13. These
g r i e v a n c e s m u s t be filed under the new
p r o c e d u r e s contained in Article 34 of the new
c o n t r a c t s , including the provision requiring
s e r v i c e of t h e g r i e v a n c e to the a p p r o p r i a t e
m a n a g e m e n t r e p r e s e n t a t i v e by personal service or certified mail, r e t u r n r e c e i p t requested.
CSEA Attorney P a u l i n e R o g e r s , who worked out m a n y of the details of c o n t r a c t u a l
provisions, advises e m p l o y e e s in the units
with questions concerning the new g r i e v a n c e
p r o c e d u r e s or the i m p l e m e n t a t i o n dates, to
c o n t r a c t their n e a r e s t CSEA Regional Office
for a s s i s t a n c e .
Ms, R o g e r s s a y s t h a t the g r i e v a n c e can be
filed on the new g r i e v a n c e f o r m s if available,
or t h e f o r m s used under the old c o n t r a c t , but
whichever f o r m is used, it is i m p e r a t i v e that
the g r i e v a n c e p r o c e d u r e s contained in the new
c o n t r a c t s be followed.
" I m p l e m e n t a t i o n of negotiated a g r e e m e n t s
in bargaining units of the size of these t h r e e
un^ts is a l w a y s a m a j o r t a s k , " P r e s i d e n t
McGowan said, " b u t through this implementation a g r e e m e n t we have a s s u r e d our people
that their non-monetary c o n t r a c t u a l rights
r e c e i v e the s a m e r e t r o a c t i v e s t a t u s as s a l a r y
items."
Region II changes
field assignments
NEW YORK CITY - On a p e r c e n t a g e basis, CSEA's Metropolitan
Region II incurred the g r e a t e s t reduction in m e m b e r s h i p with the t r a n s f e r
of PS&T bargaining unit representation to another labor union. And, according to Regional Director George Bispham, that has led to a r e a l i g n m e n t
of staff, with the new field a s s i g n m e n t s a s follows:
• Ed Scherker and Willard Wagner — the 140 work sites of Local 010 in
the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester County and N a s s a u County.
• Anne Chandler — W a t e r f r o n t Commission, Metropolitan A r m o r i e s ,
Division of P a r o l e , Kingsboro P s y c h i a t r i c Center, New York S t a t e PC,
Brooklyn Developmental Center, D e p a r t m e n t of Labor in Brooklyn and
Queens.
• B a r t B r i e r — Division of Housing and Urban R e n e w a l , Public Service
Commission, State I n s u r a n c e Fund, Bronx PC, Bronx DC, Bronx Children's
Hospital, Staten Island DC, South Beach PC, M a n h a t t a n DC, SUNY Downs t a t e Medical Center, Institute for Basic R e s e a r c h .
• Sol Gordon — C r e e d m o o r PC, Manhattan PC, M a n h a t t a n Children's
PC, D e p a r t m e n t of Labor in Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island and
Westchester.
The D e p a r t m e n t of Labor has 170 work sites in the five boroughs of New
York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland counties.
A m a j o r problem in the region is the protection of w o r k e r s in the m e n t a l
F I E L D R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S L a r r y Sparber, left, and Sol Gordon discuss
field problems at the Region II h e a d q u a r t e r s in M a n h a t t a n . S p a r b e r is being
t r a n s f e r r e d out of the region as part of a staff r e a l i g n m e n t .
Bendet replies to TV editorial
which backed civil service reform
MANHATTAN Replying to a
WOR-TV editorial, Solomon Bendet,
P r e s i d e n t of Region II of the Civil
Service E m p l o y e e s Assn. charged
that WOR's support of the civil service r e f o r m plans for Mayor E d Koch
and Governor Hugh C a r e y could lead
to "political ripoffs and Boss Tweed
tactics."
The WOR-TV editorial, which was
shown f r o m J u n e 21 thru J u n e 26,
praised the civil service resolution of
S t a t e Senator F r e d E c k e r t who
" w a n t s to change civil service e x a m s
to pass-fail basis instead of forcing
government to hire f r o m those with
the highest s c o r e s . " Mr. Bendet cited
that section of the editorial in his
reply, which will be aired f r o m July
20 to 25.
Following is the text of B e n d e t ' s
response:
"WOR has called for enactment of
civil service r e f o r m . WOR said that
the civil service s y s t e m no longer
fulfills the function for which it was
c r e a t e d : to provide an a l t e r n a t i v e to
political appointments by succeeding
administrations. Yet the very
changes that WOR endorses would inc r e a s e political influence in c a r e e r
service.
Page 12
" T r u e r e f o r m of the civil service
s y s t e m is not opposed by the CSE A.
But t h e r e is a fine line between
r e f o r m and repeal and the so-called
r e f o r m s of E d Koch and Hugh Carey
cross that line again and again, m a k ing a m o c k e r y of a s y s t e m that w a s to
protect the public f r o m political
p a t r o n a g e and public e m p l o y e e s f r o m
the political w h i m s of incumbents.
"CSEA and other responsible public
employee organizations welcome
change that will m a k e the s y s t e m
m o r e efficient and i m p r o v e s e r v i c e to
the t a x p a y e r , but r e d u c i n g the
s a f e g u a r d s of the p r e s e n t laws and increasing political influence over
c a r e e r employees is not the way to do
it. The p r i m a r y goal of the civil service s y s t e m is to choose public serv a n t s on t h e b a s i s of m e r i t a n d
fitness. The s y s t e m is designed to
recruit and keep e m p l o y e e s on the
basis of what they know, not who they
know.
" I n c r e a s i n g t h e e f f i c i e n c y of
government service is essential. But
the so-called r e f o r m s of E d Koch and
Hugh Carey will only lead to political
ripoffs and Boss T w ^ tactics."
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, W e d n e s d a y , July
...
/ '
C f \
2,
1979
REGIONAL D I R E C T O R George Bispham said: " R e g i o n II doesn't have
much latitude and longitude, but it's got plenty of a l t i t u d e . " The region's 20
locals a r e s p r e a d over 400 worksites in the New York City metropolitan
area.
hygiene institutions. B i s p h a m used two recent situations to d r a m a t i z e the
problem. The following two stories w e r e told by B i s p h a m :
At the Bronx Children's P s y c h i a t r i c Center an e m p l o y e e w a s suspended
two m o n t h s without pay for alleged patient abuse. M a n a g e m e n t had
a t t e m p t e d to f i r e the employee, who had been c o m m e n d e d for previous
work a s a t h e r a p y aide. An a r b i t r a t o r reduced the penalty because, according to testimony, the employee slapped the patient a f t e r the patient
struck the e m p l o y e e with a telephone r e c e i v e r in the chest, chin, f o r e a r m
and hand.
At the M a n h a t t a n P s y c h i a t r i c Center, a f e m a l e t h e r a p y aide has been
sexually molested and physically a t t a c k e d by a m a l e patient. She was
punched in the eye and w a s out of work on c o m p t i m e .
The patient w a s t e m p o r a r i l y r e s t r i c t e d to his w a r d but his grounds
privileges r e m a i n .
The unit chief of the employee told her this is what she had to expect in a
m e n t a l institution.
B i s p h a m said had the aide a t t e m p t e d to defend herself against the sexual and physical a t t a c k s by the patient, she would have m e t the s a m e f a t e a s
the aide at the Bronx Children's P s y c h i a t r i c Center.
A m e e t i n g w a s scheduled for July 2 between B i s p h a m and the director
of the M a n h a t t a n P s y c h i a t r i c Center regarding p r o c e d u r e s an employee is
supposed to take when being assaulted, the insensitivity of the unit chief and
the questioning of the e m p l o y e e ' s story by a doctor.
Also at Bronx Children's P s y c h i a t r i c Center, the t h e r a p y aide who was
suspended has not been r e t u r n e d to his job and instead has been given
clerical work, B i s p h a m said. CSEA has obtained a court o r d e r to have the
aide r e t u r n e d to his job.
Bispham said CSEA is going back to court to have the o r d e r enforced if
the aide is not r e t u r n e d to his job.
In another m a t t e r , B i s p h a m said an I m p r o p e r E m p l o y e r P r a c t i c e is being filed against the c e n t e r director for unilaterally adding a new step to the
Article 33 disciplinary procedure.
BART B R I E R , Region II field r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , services CSEA locals f r o m
the Bronx to Staten Island.
Task force meeting July 2 7
NEW YORK CITY — The CSEA
M e n t a l H y g i e n e T a s k F o r c e of
Metropolitan Region 2 has scheduled
a one-day s e m i n a r to discuss and cons i d e r t h e e f f e c t s of t h e s t a t e ' s
" M o r g a d o M e m o r a n d u m " f r o m 10
a . m . to 5 p.m. July'27 at the Warwick
Hotel, ^4th Street and Sixth Avenue.
M e m b e r s of the conference comm i t t e e planning the s e m i n a r a r e
P'elton King, Task F o r c e c o m m i t t e e
c h a i r p e r s o n ; and
committee
m e m b e r s L a r r y Colson, Helen Cugno,
Clifton Lewis and Tirso Miguelez.
Brookhaven member
injured with toluene
BROOKHAVEN — The use of highly toxic and explosive toluene by the
Town of Brookhaven has been only partially halted less than one week after a
member of the town's Highway Department required emergency medical care
from exposure to the poison."
A water-based solvent is being tried by the town's Highway Department to
replace the toluene as a cleaning solvent, CSEA Highway Department Unit
President Charles Novo reported. Toluene is still used as a paint thinner and
drying agent, Novo said.
He said the use of the new solvent started July 16.
Toluene, according to various sources, causes illness in concentrations as
small as 200 parts per million; is addictive; is suspected of causing cancer,
brain damage, liver damage and anemia; and is highly flanmiable and explosive.
It is used commercially in the production of T.N.T. — trinitrotoluene.
Highway Department member Kenneth Davis, while driving the backup
truck behind the paint spreading equipment on July 10 became ill and was
taken from the highway yard to St. Charles Hospital, Port Jefferson.
Enroute to the hospital, Davis lost consciousness twice, Suffolk County
Local 852 Executive Vice President John Desmond said.
After receiving emergency treatment he was released, only to return to
the hospital the following day for emergency treatment after continuing to
pass out, Desmond said. Davis was sent home from work sick on July 17, Novo
said.
Davis said hospital staff told him he was suffering from loss of oxygen in
the blood and enlarged veins in the lungs from exposure to toluene.
BROOKHAVEN HIGHWAV UNIT PRESIDENT Charles Novo
stands next to barrels of highly toxic
toluene, which are still
being used by the town
in spite of union complaints of the dangers.
Local 852 President William Lewis and other Local officers were informed
of Davis' problems early July 11 and moved to meet with the town's
management to protect Davis and the other Highway Department members.
Desmond and Novo met with town officials on July 13. The town agreed to
look into a substitute for the toluene and to allow the employees exposed
to toluene to receive time off for blood tests.
Novo said the employees involved all had whe blood tests by the Suffolk
County Medical Examiner's Officer.
Desmond said since Davis's problem, the medical examiner was taking
personal charge of the testing.
Adler calls for solid political action program
NORMAN ADLER, right,'
director of political action
and l e g i s l a t i o n f o r
AFSCME District Council
37, was the main speaker
at the Saratoga County
CSEA Local 846 installa- ^
tion dinner. John Corco-^
ran seated left, was mas-1
ter of ceremonies.
J
Janitors w i n
IP on hours
SARATOGA SPRINGS - "There is
no public employee unionism without
political action," Norman Adler,
AFSCME District Council 37 director
of political action and legislation, told
those attending the installation of
Saratoga County CSEA Local 846 officers recently.
Region IV President Joseph McDermott installed John Miller as
president, Larry O'Bryan as vice
president. Donna Woodcock as
recording secretary, Cheryl Sheller
as corresponding secretary, Monica
Jump as treasurer and William McTygue as board representative.
Adler said: "We are not like private
sector unions. Anything we negotiate
can
be
reversed
by
the
politicians. . . .
"There is no union without a solid
political action program. We don't
have friends unless they are stuck by
the glue of political action. . . .
"Only union issues count, not the
death penalty, not the environment.
We elect our bosses. We can un-elect
our bosses."
Adler made the point that a
legislator could vote like Attilla the
Hun on everything else, but if he supports the union on its issues, he should
have your support.
"I used to be a democrat. Now my
political party is the union," he said.
He suggested using the primary
election to elect good candidates in
areas where there is one-party
domination.
Jean McAvoy
receives a w a r d
ROCHESTER - Jean McAvoy,
Monroe County Local 828 1st Vice
President, has been awarded the
Frank M. Eichorn Craftsman of the
Year Award by the Rochester Club of
Printing House Craftsmen Inc.
Ms. McAvoy, administrative
assistant to the vice president of administrative affairs at Monroe Community College, is in charge of
NEWLY INSTALLED OFFICERS of the Broome County Unit of CSEA Local secretarial services, quick copy and
804 are, from left. President Barbara Pickell, First Vice President Alene word processing for the college. She
has worked in the printing industry
Beall, Second Vice President Patricia Zemanek, Treasurer Eloise Dexter, and
for more than 14 years.
Secretary Mary Ann Wilson.
_ photo by Tony Rossi Jr.
Ms. McAvoy has served on the
Monroe Chapter Board of Directors
since 1969.
LACKAWANNA - Seven assistant
custodians, whose full-time jobs were
unilaterally changed to part-time by
the City of Lackawanna school
system, will each receive $4,000$5,000 which they lost due to the
shorter hours, following a hearing officers' decision on an improper practice charge. *
Hearing Officer John M. Crotty
agreed with arguments pursued by
CSEA Regional Attorney Ronald L.
Jaros that the district unilaterally
changed "the terms and conditions of
their e m p l o y m e n t " without
negotiating with Erie Educational
Local 868, CSEA, whose contract
covered the employees.
NEWARK — Village of Newark
He ordered the district to reinstate police, represented by Wayne County
the workers "working part-time to CSEA Local 859 will receive raises of
their former full-time employment 6% in each year of a new three-year
with the District with full back pay c o n t r a c t , a c c o r d i n g to F i e l d
and benefits at the prevailing contrac- Representative Mark Higgins.
The agreement provides that the
tual rate and level."
Robert Tasseff, Unit President, issue of agency shop is to be subcredited Local 868 President Jack mitted to the Public Employment
Schlenker and CSEA Board Represen- Relations Board and the two sides are
tative Dominic Spacone Jr. for their now awaiting receipt of a list of ar"determination" to pursue the im- bitrators from PERB.
The pact also provides for longevity
proper practice charge.
Newark
cops
receive increase
pay raises, a graduated differential
for sergeants and increased clothing
allowance.
The workers will also now be
covered by the Blue Million Medical
Insurance Plan and will be able to accumulate sick leave up to 185 days.
Senior employees will benefit from a
better vacation schedule.
Serving on the negotiating team
were unit president Charles Shade,
Nick Scutella, Thomas Smith and
Jackson W. Brown.'
Koenig victorious
ROCHESTER - Results of the
recent Monroe County CSEA Local
828 elections are as follows:
President: Marty Koenig; 1st Vice
President: Jean McAvoy; 2nd Vice
Presideht: Clifford Roberts; 3rd Vice
P r e s i d e n t : Vincent Carbone;
Secretary: Rebecca Brauch;
Treasurer: Brian Dumka; Delegate:
Florence Tripi; and Alternate
Delegate: Lawrence Burns.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, June 20, 1979
Page 3
wins
Jefferson Co.
WATERTOWN - New o f f i c e r s for
J e f f e r s o n County CSEA Local 823
w e r e installed J u n e 28. Those installed included:
Richard Grieco — P r e s i d e n t and
Board Representative.
Richard Brown — F i r s t Vice
President.
Edna Berry — Second Vice
President.
Shirley Richardson — T r e a s u r e r .
Marsha Coppola — S e c r e t a r y .
The installing officer w a s Long
Island Region I P r e s i d e n t I r v i n g
F l a u m e n b a u m who also gave a
speech on the AFSCME affiliation and
on initiative and r e f e r e n d u m .
Sen. Johnson
to hold hearings
on civil service
ALBANY - Sen. Owen H. Johnson,
c h a i r m a n of the Senate C o m m i t t e e on
Civil S e r v i c e and P e n s i o n s , h a s
scheduled two public hearings on the
S t a t e ' s Civil Service System.
Sen. Johnson said the hearings a r e
to elicit c o m m e n t s on the existing
civil service s y s t e m and to review
v a r i o u s l e g i s l a t i v e p r o p o s a l s to
r e f o r m the system.
Hearings are scheduled for
Wednesday, August 8, at the Buffalo
State Office Building, hearing room 4,
65 court Street, Buffalo; and Monday,
September 10 at the board room of the
Babylon Town Hall, 200 E . Sunrise
Highway, North Lindenburst. P e r s o n s
wishing to testify should contact Sen.
Johnson's Albany office, (518) 4552231.
State workers top blood donors
New York State g o v e r n m e n t
employees, for the 12th consecutive
y e a r , ranked first in the nation a m o n g
s t a t e employee blood donors last
year. In 1978, a s in each y e a r since the
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
are currently employed as civil service workers or by those retirees who are paying full
active membership dues.
Change of Address for 'The Public Sector'
Local
During 1978, a p p r o x i m a t e l y 45,000
pints of blood w e r e donated through
the p r o g r a m , a record high. Of these
donations, m o r e than 12,400, also a
record high, w e r e f r o m Albany a r e a
State employees. State employees
provided nearly 20 p e r c e n t of all the
blood used in the 30 hospitals in the 13county Red Cross N o r t h e a s t Region,
and m o r e than 36 p e r c e n t of the blood
used at all hospitals in Albany. Blood
donation goals w e r e m e t or exceeded
a t 47 agencies during the y e a r , and 851
individuals reached the gallon or
multi-gallon level as donors.
Directory of Regional Offices
REGION 1 — Long Island Region REGION 4 — Capital Region
(516) 691-1170
(518) 489-5424
M y present label reads exactly as shown here
Nome
New York State E m p l o y e e s Blood
P r o g r a m began in 1967, e m p l o y e e s of
this State w e r e f i r s t a m o n g s t a t e
w o r k e r s n a t i o n w i d e , both in t h e
p e r c e n t a g e who donated blood and in
the a m o u n t given.
Number
Irving F l a u m e n b a u m , P r e s i d e n t
E d Cleary, Regional D i r e c t o r
Joseph M c D e r m o t t , P r e s i d e n t
John Corcoran, Regional Director
REGION 2 — Metro Region
(212) 962-3090
REGION 5 — Central Region
(315) 422-2319
Street
State
City
Zip
M Y N E W A D D R E S S IS:
Solomon Bendet, P r e s i d e n t
Gegrge Bispham, Regional D i r e c t o r
J a m e s Moore, P r e s i d e n t
F r a n k Martello, Regional Director
Street
Zip
State
City
Agency where employed
M y social security no
„ .
Agency
«Public—
SSECTOR
Official publication of
The Civil Service
Employees Association
33 Elk Street,
Albany, New York 12224
. 4
<
Page 4
No.
REGION 3 — Southern Region
(914) 896-8180
J a m e s Lennon, P r e s i d e n t
T h o m a s Luposello, Regional Director
Published e v e r y Wednesday by Clarity Publishing. Inc.
Publication Oflice. 75 Cliamplain Street. Albany. N Y. 12204 ( 518 ) 465-4591
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
i John L. Murphy-Staff Writer)
Liz Carver-Staff Writer
Arden D. La wand—Graphic Design
Dennis C. Mullahy—Production Coordinator
« i'MV
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, V^ednesday, June 20, 1 9 7 9
)i
m
'f
!l.<
REGION 6 — Western Region
(716) 634-3540
Robert L a t t i m e r , P r e s i d e n t
Lee F r a n k , Regional Director
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 RImployees
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, Al^jany, New York
Publication office, 75 Champlain Street,
Albany, New York 12204. Single copy
Price 25c.
fl®QOF
^^
•.>. riiNt
REGION IV DIRECTOR JOHN
CORCORAN, right, discusses
problems oi the Capitol Region
with Regional President Joseph
M c D e r m o t t . Corcoran is s t a f l
liaison to the regional s a f e t y
c o m m i t t e e chaired by McDermott.
Region IV staff reorganizes
ALBANY - The loss of m o r e than 10,000
CSEA m e m b e r s in the PS&T bargaining unit in
CSE A Region IV has led to a reorganization of
the region's field s t a f f . Region IV D i r e c t o r J o h n
Corcoran reports.
While regional m e m b e r s h i p h a s been reduced
by 25 p e r c e n t , the n u m b e r of locals h a s been
reduced by only one, f r o m 89 to 88.
" T h e s t a f f is r e a d y to m e e t t h i s n e w
c h a l l e n g e , " Corcoran said. The reduced field
staff will be assigned a s follows:
Charlie Scott — Clinton and E s s e x counties
(no change).
Bill L o c h n e r — W a r r e n , W a s h i n g t o n ,
Hamilton and northern Saratoga counties.
J o e B a k a r i a n — R e n s s e l a e r County and s o m e
S t a t e and local g o v e r n m e n t in Albany County.
Don McCarthy — Some S t a t e in Albany
County and local g o v e r n m e n t in e a s t e r n Schenectady and southern Saratoga counties.
••ElWPöjSSIIIlä^F I E L D R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Charlie Scott and
Don McCarthy a r e looking in opposite directions.
F I E L D R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Phil Miller and John That m a y be because Scott services the n o r t h e r n
Cummings a t t e n d a regional staff m e e t i n g in r e a c h e s of Region IV and McCarthy works in
southern part of the region.
Albany to discuss activities in the region.
Employees
J i m Cooney — Some State and local
government in Albany and Schnectady counties.
Phil Miller — Montgomery, Fulton and
Schoharie counties, s o m e S t a t e in Albany County
and s o m e local g o v e r n m e n t in Schenectady
County.
Aaron Wagner — Columbia and G r e e n e Counties and s o m e S t a t e and local g o v e r n m e n t in
Albany County.
With the loss of PS&T m e m b e r s , t h e r e will be
a g r e a t e r need for the field staff to help t r a i n t h e
new leadership in m a n y of the S t a t e locals, Corcoran said.
He said t h a t he and a t least one other m e m b e r
of the field staff would p a r t i c i p a t e in the Region
IV workshop July 21-23 a t the S a g a m o r e Hotel in
Lake George.
In other business, Corcoran r e p o r t e d t h a t he
h a s been m e e t i n g with officials of the S a r a t o g a
Springs City School D i s t r i c t to lay t h e
groundwork for the r e e m p l o y m e n t of the CSEAr e p r e s e n t e d school bus personnel now t h a t t h e
school district has exhausted its legal appeals.
CSEA won the right to r e p r e s e n t 37 t e a c h e r
aides in the Hudson City School District in a
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n election in J u n e . CSEA now
r e p r e s e n t s all non-teaching e m p l o y e e s of the district, Corcoran said.
Corcoran is also working with Region IV
P r e s i d e n t Joseph M c D e r m o t t on the Region
Safety C o m m i t t e e . M e m b e r s of the c o m m i t t e e
a r e Rick Weeks, downtown S t a t e facilities; and
Sandra Sokowlowski, State c a m p u s .
Corcoran, the staff liaison, said he e x p e c t s
the m e m b e r s h i p of the c o m m i t t e e to expand
beyond the S t a t e facilities in Albany.
He said the c o m m i t t e e will be m e e t i n g with
the State to discuss air quality p r o b l e m s including asbestos, f i r e protection and other safety
hazards.
reinstated
Saratoga school board surrenders
SARATOGA S P R I N G S - The Saratoga
Springs City School District Board of E d u c a t i o n
has voted to r e i n s t a t e all public employee bus
d r i v e r s and m e c h a n i c s , complying with a P E R B
ruling of April 1978.
Region IV Regional Director John Corcoran
reported the board took the action on July 18.
The d r i v e r s and mechanics, represented by
CSEA, had been working for p r i v a t e c o n t r a c t o r s
since the school board illegally c o n t r a c t e d out
for school bus transportation in 1977.
P E R B ruled the employees, who n u m b e r m o r e
than 60, a r e entitled to back pay and benefits, including pension contributions. Courts upheld
P E R B in decisions in 1978 and 1979.
Corcoran said he told the. school board he " i s
ready to sit down and n e g o t i a t e . "
He e x p e c t s the school board will contact him
a f t e r it hires a negotiator, which it voted to do on
July 18.
In July of 1977, the Saratoga City School
District t e r m i n a t e d the employees of its transportation d e p a r t m e n t while in the f i r s t y e a r of a
t w o - y e a r c o n t r a c t with t h e Civil S e r v i c e
E m p l o y e e s Assn. The w o r k e r s w e r e then hired
by the p r i v a t e c o n t r a c t o r to provide transportation services to the district. CSEA filed an improper p r a c t i c e c h a r g e with the S t a t e Public
E m p l o y m e n t Board and pursued the m a t t e r
through the Taylor Law procedures and the S t a t e
Courts.
CSEA has called this decision a l a n d m a r k
c a s e due to the f a c t that it is the f i r s t t i m e that
the State c o u r t s havfe placed' a limitation on
m a n a g e m e n t ' s right to subcontract in the public
sector.
Henry E b e r t
P r e s i d e n t , Saratoga School Bus Drivers
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, June 2 0 , 1 9 7 9
Page 5
imjiwA«
State division ballot positions
ALBANY — Ballot positions have been d r a w n f o r nominated candidates for the S t a t e E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e (Board of D i r e c t o r s , S t a t e
Division) of t h e Civil Service E m p l o y e e s Assn.
Position d r a w i n g s w e r e held J u l y 13 in Albany to d e t e r m i n e the
location on the ballots which will b e m a i l e d out August 6. The e n t i r e
r e m a i n i n g 1979 election t i m e t a b l e m a y be found e l s e w h e r e on this
page.
Candidates f o r t h e CSEA S t a t e E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e will a p p e a r
in the following o r d e r on t h e ballots:
Ag & M a r k e t s
John Weidman, Menands
Audit & Control
Michael P a l u b a , R e n s s e l a e r
B e a t r i c e McCoy, Wynantskill
Authorities
F r a n k M c D e r m o t t , Peekskill
John W. F r a n c i s c o , Wynantskill
Civil Service
Dolores F a r r e l l , Clifton P a r k
Commerce
Ruth Lovegrove, E a s t Greenbush
Conservation
Josephine Luizzi, Selkirk
Correction
William R. P r i e s t , Granville
Austin T. Donovan, Auburn
Susan L. C r a w f o r d , Albany
Education
Timothy E . Drew, Glenmont
Claire M c G r a t h , Syracuse
J u n e Robak, Albany
Executive
Leroy Holmes, Albany
Arthur Loving, Sayville
Earl Kilmartin, Rensselaer
F r a n c i s c o DeLemo, Utica
William H. Rowe, Albany
J a m e s E . Stevens, S a r a t o g a
Springs
Cindy E g a n , Loudonville
Health
J o s e Samson, Albany
R o b e r t Stelley, Buffalo
Genevieve Clark, Buffalo
Insurance
Virginia Hewitt, Newtonville
Betty C. Collins, W a t e r f o r d
Judicial
T h o m a s F . J e f f e r s o n , Monroe
Nancy J . R o a r k , E l m i r a
TT---U'-.fr^«
AFSCME holds
leadership panel
SYRACUSE — T h e latest in a series
of Leadership Training Workshops for
CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME l e a d e r s
a c r o s s New York State w a s held
recently for CSEA Region V union
leaders a t the Hotel Syracuse. The
day-long s e m i n a r included disc u s s i o n s of union p r o b l e m s a n d
problem-solving techniques for union
l e a d e r s to o v e r c o m e such problems.
JOHN DOWLING, education director of AFSCME, conducted p a r t of the
workshop p r o g r a m .
Page 6
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July 25, 1979
Law
R o s e m a r y Maddalone, Clifton
Park
Elisa Bursor, Schenectady
Labor
Shirley Brown, Albany
Elaine Todd, Cheektowaga
George Caloumeno, Long Island
City
J . Wayne Dessingue, Troy
R o b e r t P . Foley, Troy
Motor Vehicle
T h o m a s H. McDonough, Albany
B a r b a r a A. Stack, Albany
Public Corporation
Leroy P . Stevens, E a s t N a s s a u
JoAnn Lowe, Albany
Public Service
Phyllis C. Zadigian, Menands
Social Services
Alan Siegel, E a s t G r e e n b u s h
State D e p a r t m e n t
J u n e Scott, Troy
ElectfoiS
toi Timetable
Statewide Officers nd State Executive Committee
The following d a t e s a r e to be used a s a guic e for the 1979 CSEA Election. To the extent possible, each d a t e
will be complied with unless intervening j 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 25—Publication of N a m e s of all
didates in the Official CSEA N e w s p a p e r
August 6—Ballots delivered to F ^ s t
August 16—Replacement ballots m a j
delivered
August 30—Return of ballots — 6:00
August 31—Ballots to be r e m o v e d f n
machine-counted will be c
c e ^ r Mailing
J requested a s of this d a t e if Original Ballot has not been
September
September
September
September
Deadline
envelopes to p r e p a r e for counting. Ballots which cannot be
:ed manually during this period
7—Return of R e p l a c e m e n allots — 6:00 p . m . Deadline
7—Ballots to be Counted. ididates to be notified by t e l e g r a m by S e p t e m b e r 11
7—Official R e s u l t s Annou
17—End of P r o t e s t Period days a f t e r Official R e s u l t s a r e announced)
STATE
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
candidate Jimmy Gripper
r e a c h e s i n t o box to
d r a w for position on ballot. Gripper, P r e s i d e n t
of Brooklyn Developm e n t Center Local 447,
is seeking re-election as
a State Executive Committee representative
f r o m Mental hygiene region 2, He d r e w position n u m b e r 5 out of 7
candidates seeking the
four c o m m i t t e e seats
f r o m that region.
O N E O F F I V E candidates seeking two
Labor Department
s e a t s on State Educative Committee,
R o b e r t P . Foley of
Troy was present to
select his own ballot
position. He d r e w
n u m b e r 5 position out
of five candidates, as
Election P r o c e d u r e s
Committee member
Karen
Pellegrino
watches.
N O T E : Those eligible to vote shafl be e s s a y i n g m e m b e r s in good standing as of J u n e 15, 1979
Tax D e p a r t m e n t
John Gully, Troy
Adele Borakove, Rego P a r k
Transportation
Nicholas J . Cimino, Utica
J a m e s S. Hull, W a r r e n s b u r g
Lyle E . Wollson, Mexico
John J . Cassidy, Hopewell Junction
J o a n M. Tobin, Albany
Louis J . Mannellino, E a s t
Northport
University
M a r i e M. Romanelli, New P a l t z
R o b e r t Keeler, R o s e d a l e
S a r a Sievert, Dunkirk
J u n e W. Boyle, Tonawanda
E d w a r d Dudek, E l m a
Albert Varacchi, Rocky Point
G e o r g e Webster, Brockport
Mei
Ben
Syl
B
Jos(
Dar
#uli
Jos(
Hygiene, Reg. 1
jsiorowski, Holbrook
L. Weinstock, North
Ion
Lavalle, P a t c h o g u e
Donohue, P a t c h o g u e
ufi^. West Brentwood
Noya, Islip
Mei Hygiene, Reg.2
F e l King, Brooklyn
Wil 1 D. B e a r , Staten Island
G e c § Boncoraglio, Staten Island
Doi y King, Queens Village
^ i n f j G a p p e r , Brooklyn
'ugno, Staten Island
Ron Smith, Brooklyn
Mental Hygiene, Reg. 3
E v a Katz, Spring Valley
R o b e r t Thompson, Wingdale
R i c h a r d Snyder, Amenia
Mental Hygiene, Reg. 4
F r a n c i s Wilusz, Gansevoort
P a t r i c i a Miller, Albany
Wanda Lubinski, Troy
Mental Hygiene, Reg. 5
Sue Bucrzinski, M a r c y
George McCarthy, Ogdensburg
William Krivyanik, Vestal
Joseph Consentino, Ogdensburg
J a m e s Moore, Clinton
Mental Hygiene, Reg. 6
David C. Polisoto, F o r e s t v i l l e
E l a i n e Mootry, Buffalo
J a m e s Bourkney, West Seneca
Ronald M. Stanton, Buffalo
P a u l Christopher, F r e d o n i a
•.-.li.T.^B'.MfTsienBHBsnsiKa
CORTLAND COUNTY LOCAL 812
m e m b e r P e g g i e Coombs was a m o n g
CSEA union activists attending the
Syracuse workshop.
LOOKING O V E R T H E P R O G R A M for the Syracuse Leadership Training Workshop a r e , se
f r o m left, Claire M c G r a t h , a m e m b e r of the p r o g r a m planning c o m m i t t e e ; and Maui
Malone, c o m m i t t e e chairperson. Standing f r o m left a r e CSEA Region V P r e s i d e n t J a
Moore, Region V E x e c u t i v e Vice P r e s i d e n t P a t Crandall, and Region V D i r e c t o # F i
Martello.
Nassau HIP plan
awaits court ruling
MINEOLA — Approximately 1,200 m e m b e r s of
N a s s a u County CSEA Local 830 a r e awaiting a decision
f r o m New York S t a t e S u p r e m e Court on w h e t h e r they
will h a v e to pay out-of-pocket for H I P m e d i c a l coverage.
Local 830 P r e s i d e n t Nicholas Abbatiello said the
court will d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r N a s s a u County would
b r e a c h i t s c o n t r a c t w i t h CSEA by c h a r g i n g t h e
e m p l o y e e s for p a r t of the H I P costs. The c h a r g e s a r e set
to go into e f f e c t Aug. 1, Abbatiello said.
H e e x p e c t s whichever side loses in court to appeal
the decision.
The c h a r g e s would be $2.05 per m o n t h for the individual plan and $13.04 per m o n t h for the f a m i l y plan.
Abbatiello said t h e county c l a i m s H I P is no longer an
optional health plan since it is no longer o f f e r e d by the
s t a t e . H e said t h e s t a t e dropped H I P a s of Dec. 31,1978,
a f t e r it affiliated with HMO.
However, all during negotiations with the county,
which ended in F e b r u a r y and w e r e finalized on April 2,
1979, t h e county m a d e no mention of dropping H I P a s an
option, Abbatiello said.
He said the c o n t r a c t r e q u i r e s t h e health plans to be
fully paid and the employees be given t h e option of choosing f r o m the existing plans.
The county has continued to pay for the H I P plan and
would do so until Aug. 1, he said.
Local 830 went to court, and a show c a u s e o r d e r w a s
issued to t h e county. The county responded in writing on
i iluly 13. Local 830'responded to the county position on^
J u l y 18.
SUNY Stony Brook local
victorious in grievances
STONY BROOK - The SUNY Stony Brook
CSEA Local has a string of g r i e v a n c e wins in
the new Health Science C e n t e r w h e r e the
CSEA is battling SUNY m a n a g e m e n t plans to
construct a $15-a-month parking g a r a g e on existing f r e e parking space.
E a r l i e r this month, the CSEA Local secured
a t e m p o r a r y injunction halting construction of
a similiar g a r a g e on the r e g u l a r c a m p u s of the
sprawling Long Island university and has
brought a s e p e r a t e suit against the parking
g a r a g e a t the Health Sciences Building.
" T h e r e is absolutely no justification to ask
employees to pay to p a r k a t w o r k ; c a r s a r e a
necessity on Long I s l a n d , " said Al V a r r a c h i ,
president of the SUNY Stony Brook Local,
who added that CSEA c o n t r a c t language
specifically prohibits charging employees for
parking on compus.
While the union a t t o r n e y s a r e busy with the
parking problems, the Local officers, Mr.
Varacchi, T o m m y Gomez, first vice
president; and E d Zurl, c h a i r m a n of the
grievance c o m m i t t e e , have won several important g r i e v a n c e s including:
The reduction of a $100 fine to two days unauthorized leave for a w o m a n employee.
The w i t h d r a w a l of abuse of sick leave
c h a r g e s against a m a l e employee.
The rescinding of a dismissal of a custodial
d e p a r t m e n t employee for a b s e n t e e i s m when
the union proved t h e r e w e r e extenuating
circumstances.
" L e f t by t h e m s e l v e s , these individuals
would have no r e d r e s s against a powerful
m a n a g e m e n t . But a s union m e m b e r s they enjoy the clout and strength of our combined
m e m b e r s h i p . More employees should avail
t h e m s e l v e s of our g r i e v a n c e advisors — t h a t ' s
what w e ' r e h e r e f o r , " said Mr. Varacchi.
Upgrading for Onondaga social services
SYRACUSE - Upgrading for 356 Onondaga
County Social Service w o r k e r s r e p r e s e n t e d by
CSEA Local 834 will m e a n an additional $200,000 in t h e i r p a y c h e c k s a n d f i n a l l y " a
meaningful c a r e e r ladder s y s t e m " according
to Sally Greco, Social Service Unit P r e s i d e n t .
" T h e County should also benefit because
now dedicated, trained, and experienced people will stay on their j o b s , " she said, explaining that last year there was almost a 100% turnover in the medical intake section.
Resolution of the problem followed the union's withdrawal of g r i e v a n c e s on out-of-title
work about t h r e e y e a r s ago when the County
a g r e e d to re-evaluate titles and work loads in
the d e p a r t m e n t .
The County's study c o n f i r m e d the charges
m a d e in the grievances that in m a n y cases
w o r k e r s w e r e p e r f o r m i n g supervisory tasks
"without supervisory p a y , " and workers with
the s a m e titles were performing vastly
different duties.
The largest bloc a f f e c t e d by the change a r e
143 social w e l f a r e e x a m i n e r s whose g r a d e 6
positions w e r e abolished and 143 g r a d e 7 inc o m e m a i n t e n a n c e slots c r e a t e d instead.
Current occupants of the abolished positions
will fill the new positions on a provisional
basis pending test administration.
Those who fail the promotional e x a m s will
have reversion rights to the old titles where
vacancies exist at that time.
All changes a r e r e t r o a c t i v e to J u n e 16.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July 25, 1979
Poge 7
SULLIVAN COUNTY CSEA LOCAL 853 President Walter Durkin, left, confers with CSEA
Field Rep Bruce Wyngaard during legislative hearing.
PRESENTING UNION'S CASE was CSEA Collective
Bargaining Specialist Ron Mazzola. In foreground is Unit
President James McNutt.
Imposed contract for
Sullivan deputies;
hope for next year
By J a c k Murphy
MONTICELLO - The Sullivan
County Board of Supervisors, a t a
legislative hearing recently, rej e c t e d a s a l a r y bid by t h e county's
deputy sheriffs, but s e e m e d to
leave the door open for substantial
i m p r o v e m e n t s in the c o n t r a c t in
f u t u r e talks.
David K a u f m a n , c h a i r m a n of t h e
board of supervisors, announced
a f t e r t h e hearing t h a t the board
w a s going along with a f a c t f i n d e r ' s
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n for less than w h a t
the CSEA-represented deputies
sought, but said a presentation by
CSEA o f f i c e r s and staff personnel
"would not go unnoticed or ignored."
" T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n , " said Kaufm a n , " h a d an i m p a c t on the board.
Unfortunately, they felt locked-in
this y e a r because they had given
other county employees a 7 p e r c e n t
increase."
The imposed s e t t l e m e n t by the
legislative hearing provides the
deputies with s a l a r y i n c r e a s e s of 7
p e r c e n t or $600, w h i c h e v e r is
g r e a t e r , and a $50 i m p r o v e m e n t in
the u n i f o r m allowance. CSEA had
sought a 10 p e r c e n t i n c r e a s e and an
improved uniform allowance.
K a u f m a n said that " t h e inform a t i o n presented (at t h e hearing)
would be taken into account when
new c o n t r a c t talks begin l a t e r this
summer."
J a m e s McNutt, CSEA unit
p r e s i d e n t of t h e d e p u t i e s who
n u m b e r just short of 70 m e m b e r s ,
w a s disappointed a t the o u t c o m e of
the legislative hearing.
" W e really feel it d e m o n s t r a t e s
the p r o b l e m s of all deputy s h e r i f f s
in New York State with the Taylor
L a w , " he said. "Negotiations end
up in a unilateral process of imposed s e t t l e m e n t s a s o p p o s e d to
DISCUSSING THE UNION DEMANDS are CSEA Field Rep Frank Martorana and Sullivan County Legislator William Dirie.
bilateral procedures, such as
binding a r b i t r a t i o n , w h i c h t h e
police h a v e . "
Frank Martorana, a field
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e for CSEA Region 3,
reported that the deputy s h e r i f f s
began to negotiate a reopener in.
the wage clause in the third y e a r of
their contract last September.
Negotiations stalled and went to
mediation and then to the factfinder who m a d e his r e c o m m e n dations. When CSEA m e m b e r s rej e c t e d his findings, the m a t t e r
went to the l e g i s l a t i v e hearing.
Westchester to eliminate asbestos hazard
W H I T E PLAINS — An a s b e s t o s
hazard at Westchester County C e n t e r
will be eliminated soon, W e s t c h e s t e r
County Unit Health and Safety
C h a i r m a n J a m e s Verboys reports.
Unit P r e s i d e n t R a y m o n d J . O'Con-
Calendar
of EVENTS
JULY
2 7 — R e g i o n 2 M e n t a l H y g i e n e Task F o r c e c o n f e r e n c e , 1 0 a . m . - 5 p . m . W a r w i c k H o t e l , 5 4 t h
Street a n d 6 t h Avenue, N e w York City.
2 8 — R e g i o n I Meet the C a n d i d a t e s p r o g r a m ,
1-5 p.m., Musicaro's, Melville.
AUGUST
5 _ W e s t c h e s t e r Local 8 6 0 I n s t a l l a t i o n , 2 p . m . . Rye G o l f C l u b .
5 - 1 0 — ( ^ Y ^ 5 | c | i o d o f l a b o r I l l a t i o n s , C o r n e l l Universi,ty, , F o i j r t h A n a u a l N o r t h e a s t l ^ e g i o n
'
^Summer Institute.'
?
M
' • » . ! >
|
•
1 1 — W e s t c h e s t e r C o u n t y C S E A D a y , P l a y l a n d , Rye.
2 0 — B r o o k l y n D e v e l o p m e n t a l C e n t e r L o c a l 4 4 7 e l e c t i o n , 6 a . m . - 6 p . m . , C o n v e r s a t i o n Pit,
B u i l d i n g 5.
y j g r ö
f r t r ^ C M i e ' ^ r C f Ö f e r W c ^ n ^ s d a ; ; Jufy 2 5 7 1 9 7 9
nor said 14 county employees, 12
r e p r e s e n t e d by C S E A , w i l l b e
protected by the removal of asbestos
f r o m a b a s e m e n t ceiling and by the installation of a new drop ceiling. The
P u b l i c S e c t o r f i r s t r e p o r t e d on
a s b e s t o s h a z a r d s in W e s t c h e s t e r
County in. its May 2 edition.
A s b e s t o s is a l i s t e d c a u s e of
abestosis, a lung disease, and of
cancer.
The county had intended to leave
the asbestos intact and contain it with
the drop ceiling, Verboys said.
However, at O'Connor's request, a
m e e t i n g was held with top county officials, the contractor, c o n s u m e r advocate Carol Ginzberg, asbestos exp e r t Dr. William Nickerson of Mt.
Sinai Hospital, Verboys and O'Connor
on July 18.
Verboys said a s a result of the
meeting, the county decided to r e j e c t
its Health D e p a r t m e n t r e c o m m e n dation to just contain the asbestos and
instead to r e m o v e the hazard entirely.
The c o n t r a c t for the r e m o v a l of t h e
hazard is in excess of $13,000, and the
work is expected to s t a r t soon, O'Connor said.
The hazard originally w a s reported
a t a unit shop s t e w a r d s m e e t i n g in
May. O'Connor said it was reported to
the county and s a m p l e s w e r e sent to a
laboratory for analysis.
Both O'Connor and Verboys w p r e
p l e a s Ä d l ' W i t h t h e r e s u l t of t h e
meeting, especially for the e m p l o y e e s
who will no longer be exposed to the
hazardous condition.
7f is incredible that we must file a
grievance against the largest campus
, . Aor it to take care of its workers/
At SUNY
Buffalo
Local 602 files safety grievance
B U F F A L O — Charging that the State University of Buffalo has failed to
i m p l e m e n t s a f e t y s t a n d a r d s for w o r k e r s handling dangerous nuclear and
chemical w a s t e s , CSEA Local 602 a t SUNY Buffalo this m o n t h filed a
grievance over the situation. Local 602 Grievance chairperson B a r b a r a
K a u f f m a n , who filed the grievance, said oils containing P C B ' s a r e a m o n g
dangerous w a s t e s being handled by workers.
To r e m e d y the situation, CSEA is asking the University to a d h e r e to
directives of the E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency a s to handling and
storage of c o n t a m i n a t e d m a t e r i a l s , that such m a t e r i a l s and a r e a s be
properly m a r k e d , and the w o r k e r s trained and monitored.
Ms. K a u f f m a n , who is also chairperson of the l a b o r - m a n a g e m e n t comm i t t e e said she w a s directed to file the grievance by the local's board of
d i r e c t o r s when the University failed to m e e t the July 1st deadline set by the
union for c o r r e c t i v e action on a series of s a f e t y violations brought to the
attention of UB officials in a m e m o r a n d u m on J u n e 18th.
That m e m o r a n d u m , addressed to Personnel D i r e c t o r R o b e r t P e a r s o n ,
Ms. K a u f f m a n said, reviewed a m e e t i n g with UB officials over lack of
s a f e t y s t a n d a r d s or training for w o r k e r s who handle or clean up spills of
P C B ' s and radioactive wastes.
While t h e m e m o r a n d u m said Mark P i e r r o a p p e a r e d concerned and
responsive to s a f e t y p r o b l e m s associated with handling of radioactive
m a t e r i a l s , the m e m o r a n d u m called R o b e r t Hunt, e n v i r o n m e n t a l and s a f e t y
officer " a t best, cavalier, and at the worst, completely unconcerned as to
the s a f e t y of our w o r k e r s . "
" A t a t i m e when the nation's attention is finally focused on the m a s s i v e
problems of n u c l e a r and c h e m i c a l wastes, it is incredible t h a t we m u s t file a
grievance against the largest c a m p u s in the world in o r d e r for it to t a k e c a r e
of its w o r k e r s , " said R o b e r t Smith, Local P r e s i d e n t , " i t s t i n k s . "
The g r i e v a n c e points out that on October 22, 1978 six w o r k e r s with no
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 jobreiated mishaps. If you believe you
know of any unsafe work conditions,
please call:
800-342-4824
CSEA-State contract on safety
;) 1
"The State agrees to endeavor to provide safety standards for the protection of employees well-being, commensurate with those presently in effect in the private sector and,
within this context, to provide and maintain safe and healthful
working cpnditiQQS and to initiate and ms^intain op^eratiii^^
practices ithai willb^afeguard employees."
— Article 38, CSEA-State contract
prior training or direction w e r e ordered to clean up oil spilled in F a r g o Quad
on the A m h e r s t c a m p u s , and t h a t a t least one and possibly two w o r k e r s
stepped into the c o n t a m i n a t e d substance.
It also s t a t e s that although the w o r k e r s w e r e given r u b b e r boots and
gloves, no coats or f a c e shields w e r e provided.
F u r t h e r m o r e , t h a t the m a t e r i a l collected, including c o n t a m i n a t e d oil,
contaminated clothing and v a c u u m cleaners, h a s been stored since October
1978 in an open a r e a of the Chilled W a t e r P l a n t even though the b a r r e l s a r e
of questionable s a f e t y and the clothing and v a c u u m c l e a n e r s a r e u n m a r k e d .
The grievance says t h a t the w o r k e r s still have had to training to handle
such w a s t e spills.
Ms. K a u f f m a n said t h a t Mr. Hunt responded t h a t the university had no
prior knowledge that P C B ' s w e r e used in the t r a n s f o r m e r oil but then s t a t e d
that the oil contained a p p r o x i m a t e l y 40% P C B ' s . She said t h a t he implied
but did not expressly s t a t e t h a t these levels w e r e not unsafe.
As to radioactive m a t e r i a l s , the grievance complains t h a t m o v e m e n t of
such m a t e r i a l s is m a d e on any available truck with any available c r e w , with
or without training; t h a t c o n t a i n e r s a r e often u n m a r k e d , a s a r e t r u c k s ;
t h e r e is inadequate record keeping and t h a t w o r k e r s a r e not w a r n e d of
potential hazards, nor is the g e n e r a l public since t r u c k s a r e a l w a y s unmarked.
Ms. K a u f f m a n said the g r i e v a n c e filed a t the f i r s t step for a n s w e r by U B
P r e s i d e n t R o b e r t L. K e t t e r , w a s filed under Article 38 of the c o n t r a c t .
Mr. Smith said t h a t t h e only response to the J u n e 18th m e m o r a n d u m
was a letter f r o m Mr. P e r s o n requesting n a m e s of those who should r e c e i v e
medical checkups r e q u e s t e d by CSEA.
" T h i s c o n f i r m s our c l a i m t h a t their e n t i r e p r o c e d u r e is slipshod. Mr.
Smith said, " T h e y should certainly know f r o m required r e c o r d s who w a s involved. Why ask the u n i o n ? "
Union states positions on
chemical, nuclear wastes
To c o r r e c t p r o b l e m s connected with handling and s t o r a g e of
chemical wastes, CSEA r e q u e s t s the following r e m e d i e s :
1. T h a t s a f e b a r r e l s be obtained in which to s t o r e t h e cont a m i n a t e d substances, a s directed by the E P A ;
2. That the c o n t a m i n a t e d clothing be either destroyed or stored in
d r u m s , a s directed by t h e E P A ;
3. That the m a t e r i a l s be r e m o v e d f r o m the Chilled W a t e r P l a n t
and stored in a s e p a r a t e facility a s directed by t h e E P A ;
4. T h a t all personnel who will be e x p ^ t e d to t a k e p a r t in f u t u r e
cleanups be provided with a d e q u a t e training and s a f e g u a r d s ;
5. T h a t all a r e a s containing hazardous m a t e r i a l s be labeled in accordance with r e q u i r e m e n t s ;
6. That the m e n who w e r e c o n t a m i n a t e d by t h e P C B ' s during
cleanup be given a p p r o p r i a t e m e d i c a l checkups, and t h a t a p p r o p r i a t e
r e c o r d s be kept for t h e a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e .
To e n s u r e s a f e m o v e m e n t of radioactive m a t e r i a l s , CSEA requests:
1. That a single, m a r k e d truck be used for all pickups and
deliveries of radioactive m a t e r i a l s ;
2. That a single c r e w be assigned to this duty and be given specific
training (for e x a m p l e , knowledge of the badge, knowledge of the
m a t e r i a l s to be loaded, knowledge so that they can a s c e r t a i n when a
pickup m a y be u n s a f e ) ;
3. That e m p l o y e e s involved in such pickups and deliveries be inf o r m e d that they m a y r e f u s e to m o v e any m a t e r i a l s that they believe
' (o be unsafely packaged or'riiarked. ( F o r examp]i0, Vvprk o r d e r s for
radioactive m a t e r i a l s could contain a s t a t e m e n t that m o v e m e n t of improperly m a r k e d or packaged m a t e r i a l s m a y be r e f u s e d . )
OPEN CONTINUOUS
STATE JOB CALENDAR
CUNTON COUNTY CSEA LOCAL 810 officers were installed recently at a
program in P l a t t s b o r ^ by CSEA Capitol Region President Joseph McDermott. From left are Treasurer Roland Lamkins, Second Vice President Gerry
Darrah, Mr. McDermott, Local 810 President Jeanne Kelso, Third Vice
President Gordon Daprey, Secretary Barbara Laforest, and Capitol Region
Director John D. Corcoran Jr.
SUNY ONEONTA CSEA LOCAL 635 President Al Church, right, accepts the
gavel of office from oatgoing president Nellie Handy as CSEA Central Region
President James Moore, center, looks on. Mr. Moore inducted President
Church and his new slate nf I^>31 officers during a recent ceremony.
STATE OPEN COMPETITIVE
JOB CALENDAR
FILING ENDS AUGUST 1, 1979
Professional Careers in Administration
FILING ENDS AUGUST 6, 1979
Employee Health Service Physician
Marketing Representaüve, Senior
Social Services Assistant
Social Services Employment Specialist
Social Services Employment Specialist, Senior
Tax Compliance Agent
Tax Compliance Agent (Spanish Speaking)
Hospital Equipment SpeciaUst
Job Training Specialist 1
$10,624 24-751
$40,658
$11,904
$11,250
$14,075
$18,301
$10,024
$10,024
$14,075
$14,850
27-938
25-027
25-016
24-875
24-876
25-017
25-017
27-941
27-943
Yov con oho conloct yowr local Manpower Services Office for examination information.
COMPETITIVE
PROMOTIONAL EXAMS
(Stale Kmployees Only)
FIUNG ENDS JULY 30, 1979
Chief Telephone Technician
$14,850 36-772
Social Services Program Specialist
$14,075 36-680
FIUNG ENDS AUGUST 6, 1979
Public Administration Traineeship
Transition Program
Salary dependent on advancement
For n>ore i n f c r m o t i o n a b o u t these oncJ other state jobs, contact the state Civil Service D e p o r t m e n t ,
A l b o n y Stote O f f i c e Buildirtg C a m p u s ; t Genesee St., B u f f a l o , o r 2 W o r i c i T r a d e Center, N e w York City.
Page 10
THE PUBLIC SECTOR'/Wednesday, July 25, 1979 '
Title
Senior Medical Records Technician
Pharmacist (salary varies with location)
Assistant Sanitary Engineer
Senior Sanitary Engineer
Clinical Physician I
Clinical Physician II
Assistant Clinical Physician
Attorney
Assistant Attorney
Attorney Trainee
Junior Engineer
(Bachelor's Degree)
Junior Engineer
(Master's Degree)
Dental Hygienist
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nutrition Services Consultant
Stationary Engineer
Senior Stationary Engineer
Occupational Therapy Assistant I
Occupational Therapy Assistant I
(Spanish Speaking)
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee
Medical Record Technician
Histology Technician
Professional Positions in Auditing and Accounting
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmer (Scientific)
Senior Programmer
Senior Computer Programmer (Scientific)
Mobility Instructor
Instructor of the Blind
Health Services Nurse
(salary varies with location)
Senior Heating and Ventilating Engineer
Senior Sanitary Engineer (Design)
Senior Building Electrical Engineer
Senior Building Structural Engineer
Senior Mechanical Construction Engineer
Senior Plumbing Engineer
Assistant Stationary Engineer
Electroencephalograph Technician
Radiologic Technologist
(salary varies with location)
Medical Record Administrator
Food Service Worker I
Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide Trainee
Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide Trainee
(Spanish Speaking)
Associate Actuary (Casualty)
Principal Actuary (Casualty)
Supervising Actuary (Casualty)
Assistant Actuary
Nurse I
'
Nurse II
Nurse II (Psychiatric)
Nurse II (Rehabilitation)
Medical Specialist II
Medical Specialist I
Psychiatrist I
Psychiatrist II
Social Services Management Trainee
Social Services Management Specialist
Social Services Management Trainee
(Spanish Speaking)
Social Services Management Specialist
(Spanish Speaking)
Industrial Training Supervisor
(salary varies depending on specialty)
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist (Spanish Speaking)
Senior Physical Therapist
Senior Physical Therapist (Spanish Speaking)
Speech Pathologist
Audiologist
Assistant Speech Pathologist
Assistant Audiologist
Dietician Trainee
Dietician
Supervising Dietician
Stenographer (NYC only)
Typist (NYC only)
Senior Occupational Therapist
Senior Occupational Therapist
(Spanish Speaking)
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist (Spanish Speaking)
Salary Exam No.
$10,624 20-102
$14,388-$15,562 20-129
$16,04ff • 20-122
$18,301 20-123
$27,942 20-118
$31,055 20-119
$25,161 20-117
$14,850 20-113
$12,397 20-113
$11,723 20-113
$12,890 20-109
$13,876 20-109
$8,950
$8,051
$13,404
$10,042
$11,250
$9,029
$9,029
20-107
20-106
20-139
20-100
20-101
20-174
20-174
$14,142
$11,983
$9,481
$8,051
$11,250
$11,250
$11,250
$14,075
$14,075
$11,904
$11,250
$11,250-$12,025
20-1401
20-140
20-143
20-170
20-200
20-220
20-222
20-221
20-223
20-224
20-225
20-226
$18,301
$18,301
$18,301
$18,301
$18,301
$18,301
$7.616
$7,616
$8,454-$10,369
20-227
20-228
20-229
20-230
20-231
20-232
20-303
20-308
20-334
$11,904
$6,456
$7,204
$7,204
20-348
20-352
20-394
20-394
$18,369
$22,364
$26,516
$10,714
$10,624
$11,904
$11,904
$11,904
$33,705
$27,942
$27,942
$33,705
$10,824
$11,450
$10,824
20-416
20-417
20-418
20-556
20-584
20-585
20-586
20-587
20-840
20-841
20-842
20-843
20-875
20-875
20-876
$11,450 20-876
$10,ö24-$12,583 20-877
$11,337
$11,337
$12,670
$12,670
$12,670
$12,670
$11,337
$11,337
$10,624
$11,250
$13,304
$6,650
$6,071
$12,670
$12,670
20-880
20-880
20-881
20-881
20-883
20-882
20-884
20-885
20-888
20-887
20-886
20-890
20-891
20-894
20-894
$11,337 20-895
$11,337 20-895
You m a y contact the f o l l o w i n g offices of the N e w York State D e p a r t m e n t of Civil Service f o r announcements, a p p l i c a t i o n s , a n d other details concerning e x a m i n a t i o n s f o r the positions listed a b o v e .
Stote O f f i c e Building C a m p u s , First Floor, Building I, A l b a n y , N e w York 1 2 2 3 9 ( 5 1 8 ) 4 5 7 - 6 2 1 6 .
2 W o r l d T r a d e Center, 5 5 t h Floor, N e w York City 1 0 0 4 7 (212) 4 8 8 - 4 2 4 8 .
Suite 7 5 0 , G e n e s e i Building, West Genesee Street, B u f f a l o , N e w York 1 4 2 0 2 ( 7 1 6 ) 8 4 2 - 4 2 6 0
Field representative,
organizer join region
«s
SYRACUSE - Field staff changes in CSEA Central Region V have caused a reorganization which went into e f f e c t July 1, according to Region V
Director F r a n k Marteilo. Changes include:
E r c o l e Ventura — Chenango County added to Lewis County and local
government in Oneida County.
J a c k Miller — Seneca and Cuyuga counties and s o m e local government
in Onondaga County.
Ron Smith — Oswego County and some State and local government in
Onondaga County.
T e r r y Moxley — Cortland County and some local g o v e r n m e n t in Onondaga County.
Mike White replaces George Sinko in Schuyler, Chemung and Tompkins
counties.
Staff a s s i g n m e n t s remained the s a m e for five field r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , including:
J i m Corcoran — Broome and Tioga counties; Ron King, Otsego and
D e l a w a r e counties; Don Brouse, Franklin County; Tom Dupey, St
L a w r e n c e and J e f f e r s o n counties; and Ted Modzejewski, H e r k i m e r County
and the S t a t e division in Oneida and Madison counties.
Also joining the regional staff is Greg Davis as organizer. Marteilo said
Davis was .organizing the 180 employees of H e r k i m e r County Memorial
Hospital and the 70 employees of Lowville A c a d e m y school district in Lewis
County.
Another r e c e n t staff change reported by Marteilo was the promotion of
Public Relations Specialist Charles M c G e r r y to CSEA Assistant Director of
Communications, stationed in Albany.
Marteilo also reported the negotiating of agency shop for 10 c o n t r a c t s
this y e a r , bringing the regional total to 24. The 10 new agency shop units a r e :
Cayuga County; City of Fulton; City of Ogdensburg, blue collar and
whie collar units; City of R o m e ; City of U t i c a ; Oneida County N u r s e s ;
Oswego County, SUNY Binghamton and Village of P o t s d a m .
Other agency shop units in the region a r e ; Madison County; St.
L a w r e n c e County; Tioga County; City of Auburn;_Town of Lisbon; ColtonP i e r r e p o n t City School District; Tompkins County; Deposit City School
District; SUNY P o t s d a m ; SUNY Delhi; Sherburne-Earlville City School
District; P o t s d a m City School District; Chemung County; Oneida County.
Some of the agency shop provisions take e f f e c t on J a n . 1, 1980.
Marteilo also reported the region was becoming involved in two Health
Maintenance O r p n i z a t i o n s (HMO) which a r e in the planning stages.
He is on a nine-member c o m m i t t e e studying the feasibility of an HMO
for H e r k i m e r and Oneida Counties while Region V P r e s i d e n t J a m e s Moore
expects to be n a m e d to a similar group for B r o o m e County.
Marteilo said the region hosted a AFSCME leadership training
workshop for the region on July 14 at the Hotel Syracuse in Syracuse.
Leading the workshop w a s Dave Williams, John Darling and Bob M c E n r o e
of AFSCME.
Steward training for nine CSEA m e m b e r s and m o s t of the field staff will
be provided by AFSCME for the purpose of having a corps of persons in the
region c a p a b l e of providing steward training to the locals and units,
Marteilo said.
The m e m b e r s will be divided among the north, c e n t r a l and southern
a r e a s of the region.
The Utica office is now fully operational with two field r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s ,
a collective bargaining specialist, an organizer and a clerical working a t the
new facility a t 289 Genesee Street. Also Marteilo and Moore work a t the
Utica office one or two days a week.
Marteilo reported an unsuccessful a t t e m p t by the Deputy S h e r i f f ' s
Benevolent Association to challenge the Onondaga County employees
r e p r e s e n t e d by CSEA. They failed to get the 30 p e r c e n t show of interest.
LOCALS AND UNITS in Central Region V w e r e notified of staff changes by
letter f r o m Regional Director F r a n k Marteilo, who signed the l e t t e r s the
s a m e day he w a s visited by The Public Sector.
CLERICAL S T A F F E R Catie C a r r a n t i receives instructions f r o m Region V
Director F r a n k Marteilo at the regional office in S y r a c u s e .
Cayuga County ratifies contract
AUBURN - About 375 w o r k e r s
of Cayuga County r e p r e s e n t e d by
Cayuga County CSEA Local 806
have ratified their new 2 y e a r
a g r e e m e n t by a m a r g i n of 2 to 1
and will receive r a i s e s of 63/4% and
i n c r e m e n t s r e t r o a c t i v e to J a n u a r y
1, 1979. They will get a n o t h e r 6%%
raise and i n c r e m e n t s next J a n u a r y
1. All w o r k e r s p r o m o t e d before October 1 of any y e a r will receive a
one step i n c r e a s e on the following
J a n u a r y 1st. An a g e n c y s h o p
provision is e f f e c t i v e J a n u a r y 1,
1980. A new title. Medium Motor
E q u i p m e n t O p e r a t o r , a t g r a d e 11,
has been established for d r i v e r s of
ten-wheel t r u c k s and 4-wheel drive
snow plows. CSEA Field Rep., Ron
Smith, w a s chief negotiator for the
t e a m which included Unit P r e s .
P e t e r Kelsey, Kay Coons, J e a n
Longo, Nan Voorhees, Mike
Pisciotti and Dave P y s n a c k .
Onondaga health aide reinstated
R E G I O N V D I R E C T O R FRANK MARTELLO, right, discusses field staff
operating changes with Field Representatives J a c k Miller, left and T e r r y
Moxley. The meeting was held in Martello's Syracuse office. The changes
went into e f f e c t on July 1.
SYRACUSE ~ Betty Hinkle, an
Onondaga County h o m e health aide
has been ordered reinstated to her
job with back pay to Nov. 1, 1978
when she was again suspended on
c h a r g e s previously thought resolved m an a g r e e m e n t between CSEA
and the County.
A r b i t r a t o r E r i c W. L a w s o n
a g r e e d with CSEA Regional Att o r n e y J o h n R i t t e n g e r of
Binghamton and Field Rep. Ron
Smith who testified for Mrs. Hinkle
that she was placed "in double
j e o p a r d y " a f t e r r e i n s t a t e m e n t of
c h a r g e s previously disposed of by
a g r e e m e n t on October 28, 1978.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July 25,
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r-Retiree Newswatch
Beyond a doubt, hospital,
medical, and other expenses
related to health c a r e a r e an a r e a
of g r a v e concern to r e t i r e e s . Such
costs a r e increasing rapidly and
older persons have m o r e illness to
contend with than the younger
public employees. What changes in
the health insurance plan can be
expected for retired
public
employees?
The s a m e c o v e r a g e r e t i r e e s have
had since 1973 will continue unchanged, for t h e present. The improved benefits we h e a r about
resulted f r o m negotiations for t h e
1979 c o n t r a c t , a n d p r e s e n t
employees a r e already enjoying
the improved benefits. However,
t h e r e a r e certain i m p o r t a n t new
b e n e f i t s which will b e c o m e
available to r e t i r e e s on, or shortly
a f t e r , next J a n u a r y 1st, 1980. T h e r e
has been considerable confusion a s
to how the new benefit plan will
a f f e c t r e t i r e e s , if a t all. T h i s
column will endeavor to c l a r i f y
certain benefits which will in a few
months a f f e c t r e t i r e e s . Complete
explanations and directions will be
sent to our r e t i r e e s when such information has become officially
sanctioned, with details a s to how
they will apply to those having the
s t a t e w i d e plan, or GHI, with m o s t
changes pertaining to the f o r m e r .
At this t i m e , I r e f e r specifically to
dental benefits, prescription drugs,
and health insurance coverage for
the surviving spouse of a deceased
retiree.
Dental benefits have been sought
by r e t i r e e s for y e a r s . Last y e a r
they saw their dental benefits bill
pass the Legislature only to be
vetoed by the Governor, who said
such a benefit should be the s u b j e c t
of n e g o t i a t i o n . B u t h o w c a n
r e t i r e e s " n e g o t i a t e " when they a r e
told that they a r e b a r r e d f r o m the
c o n t r a c t negotiating table? This
confusion m u s t be cleared up once
and for all.
Another new benefit which is of
m o m e n t o u s concern to r e t i r e e s is
the new prescription drug benefit.
A s t a t e employee receives a c a r d
which enables him to pay one
dollar per prescription. As of this
writing, the r e t i r e e is not eligible
for such a card. He t h e r e f o r e continues to submit his prescription
costs to M a j o r Medical. However,
t h e $1 p r e s c r i p t i o n c a r d w i l l
become available to r e t i r e e s a s of
J a n u a r y 1,1980, we a r e told. This is
good news.
Also good news is the f a c t that as
of J a n u a r y 1, r e t i r e e s will be eligible f o r i n c r e a s e d c a t a s t r o p h i c
coverage, increasing from the
present lifetime limit of $50,000 to
$250,000, with the annual m a x i m u m
set a t $25,000. This is an a r e a which
has been woefully inadequate for
s o m e time, and cases a r e known
when r e t i r e e s have been financially wiped out by serious p r o t r a c t e d
illnesses, much m o r e c o m m o n to
the elderly. R e t i r e e s who
s o m e t i m e s wonder " W h a t is CSE A
doing for m e ? " and object to small
dues increases, might well t a k e
notice of such improved benefits
they a r e to receive, achieved solely
by the Civil Service E m p l o y e e s
Association.
On or before J a n u a r y 1, 1980,
r e t i r e e s will receive notification of
their eligibility for these improved
benefits. Until t h a t t i m e they will
continue under the present health
insurance benefits and procedures,
with no loss of present benefits.
The reason for the later J a n u a r y
first eligibility d a t e is that t h e r e
a r e a n u m b e r of " w r i n k l e s " to be
s m o o t h e d out f o r r e t i r e e p a r ticipation.
As for dental benefits, e f f o r t s
will be stepped up this y e a r to gain
such needed assistance for
r e t i r e e s . A m e e t i n g is being set up
with t h e G o v e r n o r ' s o f f i c e to
c l a r i f y his s t a t e m e n t that dental
b e n e f i t s f o r r e t i r e e s m u s t be
negotiated r a t h e r than legislated.
Other i t e m s to be discussed a t that
m e e t i n g will be continuation of a
d e c e a s e d r e t i r e e ' s u n u s e d sick
leave to provide cost-free health ins u r a n c e coverage for the r e t i r e e ' s
surviving spouse.
The m e e t i n g r e f e r r e d to above is
being a r r a n g e d by CSEA a t t o r n e y
J a m e s F e a t h e r s t o n h a u g h , a t the
direction of CSEA P r e s i d e n t Bill
McGowan. The select retirees
c o m m i t t e e will include s t a t e w i d e
Retirees Committee Chairman,
Melba Binn of R o c h e s t e r , Charles
F o s t e r of D e l m a r , John J o y c e of
Albany, John Tanzi of Auburn, and
T h o m a s G i l m a r t i n , R e t i r e e Coordinator.
Thus the s e a r c h for improved
By T h o m a s G i l m a r t i n
CSEA R e t i r e e Coordinator
benefits for r e t i r e e s goes on unceasingly. In 1979 legislation CSEA
saw one whole y e a r w a s added
beyond the M a r c h 31, 1969 cut-off
d a t e for cost-of-living increases.
The i n c r e a s e s w e r e not enough, but
a r e they e v e r , considering the runa w a y inflation w e ' r e all struggling
with? Our successes, by the way,
w e r e not s h a r e d by all r e t i r e e s . We
have learned that the New York
City R e t i r e m e n t System r e t i r e e s
did not receive any COLA i n c r e a s e
f r o m the 1979 Legislative session.
Health and a d e q u a t e incomes
a r e the two m a i n anxieties of
retired persons. Improved health
benefits gained by CSEA for its
m e m b e r s and r e t i r e e s r e p r e s e n t
1979's biggest a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s
and should be of t r e m e n d o u s financial help for retired public
e m p l o y e e s of t h e E m p l o y e e s
R e t i r e m e n t System, as seen by t h e
partial descriptions
presented
above. More details on this important s u b j e c t will be offered in
f u t u r e issues of The Public Sector.
ONEIDA COUNTY LOCAL 833 R E T I R E E S honored recently were, f r o m
left, Roger Solimando, B e a t r i c e DeSantis, and Louis Eddy.
LOCAL 5ÜS T r e a s u r e r Joseph Cervone, right, a c c e p t s a c e r t i f i c a t e oi
appreciation and watch on the occasion of his r e t i r e m e n t f r o m the State
D e p a r t m e n t of Transportation in Long Island's Region 10. His supervisor,
Resident Engineer Charles Morfopolus, left, m a k e s the presentation. CSEA
Statewide President William L. Mc(iowan, second from left, and Local 508
President Lou Mannellino, second f r o m right, both spoke at a r e t i r e m e n t
p r o g r a m honoring Mr. Cervone.
Page 12
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, July 25, 1979
1
CHARLES LUCH, right, is presented a plaque by CSEA Capitol Region
President Joseph E . M c D e r m o t t during a recent ceremony. Mr. Luch
recently retired as President of Saratoga Educational CSEA Local 8«4 and
as the Region 4 County Educational r e p r e s e n t a t i v e on CSEA's Board of
Directors.