CSEA PRESIDENT WILLIAM L. McGOWAN, right, is congratulated by
Colorada State AFL-CIO President Norman Pledger recently after Mr.
McGowan took the oath of office as a member of the President's Committee on Mental Retardation at a committee meeting in Denver. Mr.
McGowan was appointed to a three-year, unsalaried, term on the committee by President Jimmy Carter. The group advises the President on
policies affecting the nation's mentally retarded.
Official publication of
The Civil Service Employees
Association
^ Vol. 3, No. 13
Wednesday, December 31, 1980
(ISSN 0164 9949)
January 2 2 meeting pivotal in union's history
Delegates to decide affiliation issue
ALBANY — CSEA D e l e g a t e s r e p r e s e n t i n g r a n k and file union m e m b e r s
f r o m a c r o s s t h e s t a t e h a v e been called to a J a n u a r y 22 Special D e l e g a t e s
Meeting h e r e to decide the f u t u r e relationship of CSEA and t h e A m e r i c a n
F e d e r a t i o n of State, County and Municipal E m p l o y e e s .
CSEA P r e s i d e n t William L. McGowan set the one i t e m agenda for t h e
m e e t i n g in notices to all of the union's Local P r e s i d e n t s urging t h e m to do
e v e r y t h i n g in t h e i r p o w e r to e n s u r e Local r e p r e s e n t a t i o n a t t h e meeting,
" T h e question of our f u t u r e relationship with A F S C M E and t h e AFLCIO is probably t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t question with which we have had to deal
in m a n y y e a r s , " c o m m e n t e d P r e s i d e n t McGowan. " W e will be sending to
the D e l e g a t e s t h e p r e s e n t affiliation a g r e e m e n t , the findings of t h e Special
C o m m i t t e e to Study t h e C S E A / A F S C M E Affiliation, and the new understanding which w e hope to r e a c h with AFSCME in the i m m e d i a t e f u t u r e . "
"On J a n u a r y 22, our D e l e g a t e s should be p r e p a r e d to d e b a t e the issue,
have their questions a n s w e r e d and then m a k e an i n f o r m e d decision t h a t is in
the best i n t e r e s t s of the people t h a t we a r e all h e r e to r e p r e s e n t , " he said.
The m e e t i n g will be the c l i m a x of e f f o r t s t h a t began m o n t h s ago.
The p r e s e n t affiliation a g r e e m e n t between the two unions spells out the
rights, privileges and obligations of the unions and provides the option for
e i t h e r union to t e r m i n a t e the affiliation during a period a t least 60 days
b e f o r e the end of the t h r e e - y e a r t e r m of the a g r e e m e n t . T h a t period is early
in 1981.
P r e s i d e n t McGowan appointed a Special C o m m i t t e e to Study the
C S E A / A F S C M E Affiliation which h a s m e t with officials of both unions and
conducted s t a t e w i d e m e e t i n g s with r a n k and file CSEA m e m b e r s to solicit
their questions about t h e affiliation and r e c o r d their c o m m e n t s . That Com-
1.
not
1 N E W YORK CITY - Imposition of a $5.00 testing f e e does not cons t i t u t e a n i m p r o p e r p r a c t i c e , a c c o r d i n g to t h e P u b l i c E m p l o y m e n t
Relations B o a r d . ^.
,
'
.
,'
CSEA had c h a r g e d t h a t , t h e s t a t e ' s action requiring p a y m e n t of an
application f e e to t a k e an open c o m p e t i t i v e civil s e r v i c e t e s t w a s a uni l a t e r a l c h a n g e in a t e r m and condition of e m p l o y m e n t . The union a r g u e d
t h a t taking t e s t s without f e e s w a s a financial benefit enjoyed by s t a t e
e m p l o y e e s t h a t could not be withdrawn without good faith negotiations. But
m i t t e e issued a 34-page r e p o r t on its findings and concluded t h a t all of the
concerns about any f u t u r e relationship with AFSCME fell within four broad
areas.
The a r e a s included: autonomy — the ability of CSEA to function independently a s provided in the c u r r e n t a g r e e m e n t ; cost — the a c t u a l cost of
affiliation in per c a p i t a ; p e r m a n e n c e — w h e t h e r the relationship should be
p e r m a n e n t or " r e n e w a b l e " ; and representation — the n u m b e r of International Vice P r e s i d e n t s a f f o r d e d to CSEA under the c u r r e n t a g r e e m e n t and
A F S C M E ' s Constitution.
P r e s i d e n t McGowan and AFSCME P r e s i d e n t J e r r y Wurf have been discussing the f r a m e w o r k of a continued CSEA/AFSCME affiliation for s o m e
time. It is expected t h a t the results of those discussions will be a tentative
a g r e e m e n t that will be submitted to CSEA's D e l e g a t e s and A F S C M E ' s
International E x e c u t i v e Board for approval.
P l a n s call for the tentative a g r e e m e n t to be sent to each CSEA Delegate
and Board M e m b e r a s soon a s possible to allow a d e q u a t e t i m e for review
and study of all related documents prior to the J a n u a r y 22 meeting.
P r e s i d e n t McGowan has also directed that the tentative a g r e e m e n t be
published in the official union publication, " T h e Public S e c t o r " , prior to the
Delegate meeting.
With the publication of the affiliation C o m m i t t e e ' s findings, the only
critical e l e m e n t in the process still incomplete is the conclusion of a tentative a g r e e m e n t between the parties. It is expected t h a t this final e l e m e n t
will be completed in sufficient t i m e to get copies to the Delegates well in advance of the J a n u a r y 22 Special Meeting.
„ j ^ ^ » ,
P E R B upheld a previous hearing officer s decision dismissing the CSEA
charge, although it did so on a different basis.
T h e e a r l i e r action specified that the e x a m s w e r e open to the public at
l a r g e and, " t o t a l l y unrelated to e m p l o y m e n t s t a t u s . " while the P E R B order
w a s based on the question of negotiations.
CSEA a t t o r n e y s h a v e reviewed the decision and d e t e r m i n e d that while
t h e r e is no r e c o u r s e in court, e f f o r t s will continue to c h a n g e t h e situation"
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l y and legislatively.
Problems ironed out of complex evaluation system ^
Regions hire PEP monitoring specialists
A L B A N Y — One word a l w a y s c o m e to mind w h e n you hear P e r f o r m a n c e E v a l u a t i o n P r o g r a m : p r o b l e m s . F r o m n o w on, h o w e v e r , y o u c a n
substitute " b e t t e r training" for " p r o b l e m s . "
A f t e r t h e f i r s t s e r i e s of e v a l u a t i o n s , it b e c a m e v e r y o b v i o u s
that s o m e t h i n g w a s missing. The P e r f o r m a n c e
Evaluation
M o n i t o r i n g S p e c i a l i s t s a r e t h e m i s s i n g link.
T h e i r j o b i s t o i n f o r m a n d t r a i n e m p l o y e e s a n d u n i o n a c t i v i s t s in
all a s p e c t s of p e r f o r m a n c e e v a l u a t i o n s o t h e y c a n h a n d l e d a y - t o day p r o b l e m s and r e s o l v e t h e m at the workplace. To this end,
appropriate union o f f i c i a l s h a v e r e c e i v e d i n t e n s i v e training and
h a v e at their disposal all the i n f o r m a t i o n t h e y n e e d to be r e a d y for
t h e n e x t c y c l e . E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r of t h e C o m m i t t e e o n W o r k E n vironment and Productivity (CSEA) Martin Langer e x p r e s s e s conf i d e n c e t h a t , " w i t h t h e p r e p a r a t i o n b o r n o u t of p r e v i o u s e x p e r i e n c e
REGION
1
2
3
NAME & ADDRESS
G r e g Szurnicki
Long Island R e g i o n O f f i c e
740 B r o a d w a y
N . A m i t y v i l l e , N Y 11701
Glennie Chamble
NYC Region Office
11 P a r k P l a c e , S u i t e 1405
N e w Y o r k , N Y 10007
Marie Romanelli
Southern Region Office
R u r a l R o u t e 1, B o x 34
Old R o u t e 9
P^ishkill. N Y 12524
process
The specialists are really a back-up s y s t e m . They can work
t h r o u g h e x i s t i n g l i n e s of c o m m u n i c a t i o n s t o b r i n g l a b o r a n d
m a n a g e m e n t together to a c h i e v e r e m e d i e s w h e n protracted
problems'develop.
U n d e r the n e w p r o c e d u r e s , m e m b e r s w i t h p r o b l e m s relating to
evaluations a r e a d v i s e d to contact their local president a s soon as
possible and, w h e n needed, the regional monitoring s p e c i a l i s t s will
be c a l l e d u p o n t o h e l p o u t .
E a c h CSEA region now has its own fulltime P e r f o r m a n c e Evaluation
Monitoring Specialist w h o s e job is to m a k e the s y s t e m work better. They
are:
REGION
TELEPHONE
4
( 5 1 6 ) 789-1018
6
896-9202
TELEPHONE
NAME & ADDRESS
Joe Conway
Capital District Region Office
1215 W e s t e r n A v e .
A l b a n y , N Y 12203
Chuck G r e g o r y
Binghamton Psych. Center
425 R o b i n s o n St.
B i n g h a m t o n , N Y 13901
5
(212) 962-3090
(914)
it w i l l b e p o s s i b l e t o s e t t l e p r o b l e m s w i t h t h e r a t i n g
promptly and e f f e c t i v e l y . "
Micky Stanton
Western Region Office
4245 U n i o n R d .
Cambridge Square
C h e e k t o w a g a , N Y 14225
(518) 489-5424
(607) 772-6515
(716) 634-3540
''
Member rescues
runaway youth
W O O D B U R Y - A S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t of T r a n s p o r tation e m p l o y e e . C S E A m e m b e r John T r a m p o s c h , is
credited with recently rescuing a runaway 9-year-old boy
f r o m p o t e n t i a l h a r m by t a l k i n g t h e y o u t h o u t of a m a r s h
w h e r e the youth had fled.
T r a m p o s c h had previously been notified by police
t h a t t h e r u n a w a y y o u t h m i g h t b e in t h e a r e a w h e r e T r a m posch w a s w o r k i n g on a road. T r a m p o s c h later n o t i c e d
the 9-year-old entering nearby woods, and he entered the
w o o d e d a r e a h i m s e l f , f o u n d t h e y o u t h s t a n d i n g in t h e
m a r s h , and talked h i m into c o m i n g out. T r a m p o s c h then
notified a u t h o r i t i e s , w h o took responsibility for the boy.
Union seeks Albanybased training and
evaluation specialist
ALBANY — CSEA's Employee Assistance Program
( E A P ) is s e e k i n g a Training and E v a l u a t i o n S p e c i a l i s t
f o r r e s e a r c h , e v a l u a t i o n a n d p l a n n i n g of t r a i n i n g a c tivities under the program.
B a s e d in A l b a n y , t h i s p o s i t i o n d e v e l o p s a n d c o n d u c t s
large and s m a l l training p r o g r a m s for union m e m b e r s
a n d s t a f f t o i m p r o v e p r o g r a m e f f e c t i v e n e s s in d e a l i n g
with occupational alcoholism programs.
A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e p o s i t i o n i s i n v o l v e d in p r e p a r a t i o n
of t r a i n i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n m a t e r i a l s u s e d b y E A P a s w e l l
a s a s s e s s i n g p r o g r a m t r a i n i n g n e e d s a n d p a r t i c i p a t i n g in
r e s e a r c h on training m e t h o d s .
M i n i m u m qualifications include a bachelor's degree
in p s y c h o l o g y , s o c i o l o g y a n d c o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d a t
l e a s t o n e y e a r e x p e r i e n c e in t r a i n i n g w i t h a l a b o r u n i o n
o r g o v e r n m e n t a g e n c y in N e w Y o r k S t a t e , a s w e l l a s
k n o w l e d g e of a l c o h o l a n d s u b s t a n c e a b u s e t r e a t m e n t a n d
programing, group d y n a m i c s and short-term counseling
skills.
Candidates must possess a N e w York State driver's
license and a car.
P e r s o n s i n t e r e s t e d in t h i s p o s i t i o n s h o u l d s e n d t h e i r
r e s u m e or w r i t e for an application, to: P e r s o n n e l O f f i c e ,
C S E A . 33 E l k S t r e e t , A l b a n y , N . Y . 12224. D e a d l i n e f o r
r e p l i e s i s J a n u a r y 11.
Page 2
THE PUBLIC SECTOR. Wednesday, December 31, 1980
LONG ISLAND REGION I PRESIDENT Danny
Donohue, right, congratulates State DOT Employee John
Tramposch of the Sunnyside Facility in Plainview, tor
his role in the return of a runaway 9-year-old boy. Joining
Donohue are, from left, CSEA Field Representative Nat
Zummo and DOT Local 508 President Louis Mannellino
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LOCAL CSEA is the latest to join the joint
state/CSEA Employee Assistance Program. Signing the agreement, seated, is Shirley A.
Brown, CSEA Local 670 president and William L. O'Toole, Executive Deputy Industrial Commissioner. Standing behind them are EAP committee members* Paul Koren, Jeanne Lyons,
Gerry Grasso and Ernestine Lafayette. Not present for the picture were committee members
Lorraine Macey, Marilyn Pier and Emile Skraly. According to Ms. Brown the committee is
now conducting interviews for an EAP director.
'
«
< '
"!
Westchester workers ok new contract
6,000 covered in
2-year agreement
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR THE Westchester County Unit, Collective Bargaining
Specialist Ronald Mazzola, left, explains the new contract at an informational meeting of the
unit prior to the ratification vote. Joining Mazzola at the head table are, from left, Unit
President Raymond J. O'Connor and Unit Negotiating Committee Chairman John Whalen.
W H I T E P L A I N S - F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e e v e r , s o m e 6,000 W e s t c h e s t e r C o u n t y e m p l o y e e s h a v e a n e w c o n t r a c t
b e f o r e t h e old o n e e x p i r e s . And, a c c o r d i n g t o U n i t
President
Ray O'Connor,
the pact has
been
o v e r w h e l m i n g l y r a t i f i e d by n e a r l y a n i n e t o o n e m a r g i n .
The t w o - y e a r a g r e e m e n t includes an eight and onehalf p e r c e n t s a l a r y h i k e in J a n u a r y a n d a n i d e n t i c a l inc r e a s e in J a n u a r y , 1982. In a d d i t i o n t o t h e r a i s e s , it g i v e s
rank a n f i l e m e m b e r s i n c r e a s e d b e n e f i t s in s e v e r a l a r e a s
a l s o , d e t a i l s of w h i c h w e r e p r e v i o u s l y e x p l a i n e d in T h e
Public Sector.
O'Connor called the contract "by far the best that
could be r e a c h e d , " and singled out for s p e c i a l p r a i s e
negotiating c o m m i t t e e chairman Jack Whalen and committee m e m b e r s J i m Marino, Jerry Barbour, Ernie
H e m p e l , Mary Williams, Doug Mullen, John Bocskay,
Curlie Bell, Marie Rice, J i m Breatron, U l y s s e s Willard,
Don Ballou, P e t e r Costa, Tony Colarusso, Mary Naylor
Boyd, T o m Gala, William Smith, Joan Machson and
Kenneth Fischer. Collective Bargaining Specialist Ron
Mazzola assisted the c o m m i t t e e during negotiations.
U>»Mt»t*»*»«
ATTENDING THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY UNIT contract information meeting are
Negotiating Committee members, from left, Jerry Barbour, Kenneth Fischer and James
Marino.
NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS William
Smith and Curlie Bell attend the Westchester County
Unit contract information meeting.
Suffolk Local files
lawsuit Oil behalf of
correction officers
AT THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY UNIT contract information meeting are, from left, Clyde Masby and Roger
Williams.
SHOWING CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN THE information being discussed at the
Westchester County Unit contract information meeting are, from left, Paul Bonfiflio, William
Utter and Edward Carafa.
H O L T S V I L L E - T h e S u f f o l k C S E A L o c a l h a s ini t i a t e d a l a w s u i t o n b e h a l f of C o r r e c t i o n O f f i c e r s w h o
have been repeatedly required to work a s acting
s e r g e a n t s w i t h o u t e x t r a p a y , it h a s b e e n a n n o u n c e d by
F r a n k K o s t , g r i e v a n c e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e S u f f o l k
L o c a l 052.
'
.
"
M a n y of t h e a f f e c t e d o f f i c e r s h a v e p a s s e d c i v i l s e r vice
examinations
for
promotion
to
sergeant,
Kost
a s s e r t e d , but i n s u f f i c i e n t p r o m o t i o n s h a v e b e e n m a d e t o
fill t h e n e e d f o r s u p e r v i s o r s . T h e a c t i o n w i l l d e m a n d outof-title pay and sufficient p e r m a n e n t appointments.
THESHJBUG SECTQR/jWpdnesda)^;. December 31,-1980
Page 3
Official publication of
The Civil Service employees
Association
33 ilk Street, Albany, New York 12224
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 the Civil Service
Employees 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 2Sf
T h o m a s A. d e m e n t e — P u b l i s h e r
Roger A. Cole—Executive Editor
Dr. Gerald Alperstein—Associate Editor
Gwenn M. Bellcourt — Associate Editor
Deborah Cassidy—Staff Writer
D a w n L e P o r e - S t a f f Writer
John L. M u r p h y - S t a f f Writer
Arden D. Lawand—Graphic Design
Dennis C. Mullahy—Production Coordinator
.
^LABOR PRESSE
Published every Wednesday by Clarity Publishing. Inc. Publication
Office, 75 Champlain Street, Albany. N Y. 12204 ( 518 ) 465-4591
Stafe employees
win $250 for ideas
S e v e n S t a t e t ] m p l o y e e s r e c e i v e d a t o t a l of $250 in c a s h a w a r d s in
D e c e m b e r tor m o n e y - s a v i n g i d e a s s u b m i t t e d to t h e N e w Y o r k S t a t e E m p l o y e e
S u g g e s t i o n P r o g r a m . This P r o g r a m is a d m i n i s t e r e d by the N e w York S t a t e
D e p a r t m e n t oi C i v i l S e r v i c e . E s t i m a t e d f i r s t - y e a r s a v i n g s f r o m t h e s e
s u g g e s t i o n s t o t a l m o r e t h a n $4,100.
Award Hecipients:
— E]velyn E . D i a z , D e p a r t m e n t of A u d i t a n d C o n t r o l , A l b a n y .
$50 — L y n n M. B r o w n . W o r k e r s ' C o m p e n s a t i o n B o a r d , N e w Y o r k C i t y , a n d
L u c y A. O g b o r n . D e p a r t m e n t of H e a l t h , A l b a n y .
$25 — L i n d a R . P r i n z o , D e p a r t m e n t of S t a t e , A l b a n y ; J e r r y J . H a j e k ,
Workers" C o m p e n s a t i o n Board. N e w York City, and a joint a w a r d s h a r e d by
N o r m a n J . K r a m e r a n d S a n t o S c o t t i r e g g i o , D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r , N e w Y o r k
City.
C a s h a w a r d r e c i p i e n t s a l s o r e c e i v e d C e r t i f i c a t e s of M e r i t . C e r t i f i c a t e s of
M e r i t w e r e a l s o a w a r d e d t o P h i l i p B. J o s e p h , D e p a r t m e n t of S o c i a l S e r v i c e s ,
A l b a n y , a n d R o s e P'ink, L a b o r , C e d a r h u r s t .
An a u d i t of f i r s t - y e a r s a v i n g s i n v o l v i n g a p r e v i o u s l y a n n o u n c e d s u g g e s t i o n
s h o w e d a s a v i n g s of m o r e t h a n 1,900. B a s e d o n t h i s a u d i t , a n a d d i t i o n a l a w a r d
of $100 w a s g r a n t e d t o E r i k a B a r d e n , W o r k e r s ' C o m p e n s a t i o n Bo^ird, A l b a n y .
No issue
next weeic
T h e r e w i l l b e n o i s s u e of
the Public Sector published
next week.
T h e P u b l i c S e c t o r is
p u b l i s h e d 48 t i m e s a n nually, and next w e e k is
o n e of f o u r w e e k s in w h i c h
the p u b l i c a t i o n is not
issued.
The
next
publication will be dated
J a n u a r y 14. 1981.
Happy
Toll-free
service for
CSEA Insurance
holders
Bache Ter Bush & Powell, Inc. has installed a new toll-free telephone service
for the exclusive use of CSEA members
throughout New York State.
The new number is 800-342-6272. This
telephone number should be used for
questions you have on the CSEA Accident and Health, Supplemental Life
and Family Protection insurance plans.
By introducing this new telephone service, Bache Ter Bush & Powell will be
able to handle policyholder inquiries
more efficiently and, In many cases,
provide immediate answers to
policyholder questions.
You should continue to direct all calls
concerning the CSEA Basic Group Life
insurance plan to CSEA Headquarters
where that plan is administered. CSEA's
telephone number is 518/434-0191.
Coming
next Issues
A LOOK
BACK
AT 1980
Energy crusade brings
the outdoors indoors
A L B A N Y — I t ' s t h a t t i m e of y e a r a g a i n w h e n o f f i c i a l s of t h e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y of N e w Y o r k ( S U N Y ) t r y t o b r i n g t h e o u t d o o r s i n d o o r . T h e i r a n n u a l
" c r u s a d e to s a v e e n e r g y " h a s begun, and that m e a n s j a n i t o r s h a v e to c l e a n off i c e s using cold w a t e r b e c a u s e the hot w a t e r h e a t e r s a r e turned off, and
s e c r e t a r i e s h a v e t o t y p e l e t t e r s in c o l d o f f i c e s t o " s a v e e n e r g y . "
C o l l e c t i v e B a r g a i n i n g S p e c i a l i s t P a u l T. B u r c h , in a l e t t e r t o S U N Y
C h a n c e l l o r Clifton Wharton, s t a t e d , "I a m not a g a i n s t c r u s a d e s , nor a m 1
a g a i n s t c o n s e r v i n g e n e r g y . I a m , h o w e v e r , a g a i n s t u s i n g t h e g u i s e of e n e r g y
c o n s e r v a t i o n a s an e x c u s e to d i s c r i m i n a t e a g a i n s t e m p l o y e e s or to j e o p a r d i z e
t h e i r h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y . " H e c i t e d e x a m p l e s of c u s t o d i a l e m p l o y e e s w h o h a v e
t o e n d u r e t e m p e r a t u r e s of 55 d e g r e e s o r l o w e r , a n d of c l e r i c a l s t a f f s i t t i n g in
w o r k p l a c e s w h e r e t h e r m o m e t e r s n e v e r e x c e e d 68 d e g r e e s , a n d a r e o f t e n c o n s i d e r a b l y l o w e r , e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r w e e k e n d s a n d h o l i d a y s . In f a c t , B u r c h h a s
r e c e i v e d r e p o r t s of o f f i c e s a n d l i b r a r i e s w h e r e t e m p e r a t u r e s a r e r e p o r t e d a s
l o w a s 50 d e g r e e s . "
S p e a k i n g in b e h a l f of C S E A - r e p r e s e n t e d e m p l o y e e s , B u r c h n o t e d ,
" c u s t o d i a l a n d c l e r i c a l p e r s o n n e l in o t h e r S t a t e a g e n c i e s a r e p r o v i d e d w i t h hot
w a t e r t o c l e a n w i t h , a n d a c o m f o r t a b l e t e m p e r a t u r e in w h i c h t o w o r k . " a n d h e
h a s c h a l l e n g e d S U N Y C h a n c e l l o r W h a r t o n , " t o d o t h e s a m e a n d e n d t h e s e intolerable working conditions."
—Calendar
of EVENTS
January
9 - 1 0 — W e s t e r n Region VI meeting, Buffalo Hilton, Buffalo.
10 Southern Region III election procedures workshop, 9 a.m.. H o l i d a y Inn, N e w b u r g h .
13—Suffolk County Local 852 Executive Committee meeting, 7 p.m., 755 W o v e r i y
Avenue, Holtsville.
1 5 — S a r a t o g a County Local 8 4 6 Steward's meeting, 5 p.m.. Solar Building, High Street,
Ballston Spa.
19—Long Island Region I Executive Board meeting, 7 p.m., Musiccros, Melville.
2 0 — S a r a t o g a County Local 8 4 6 executive b o a r d meeting, 7 p.m.. Solar Building, High
Street, Ballston Spa.
2 2 — S p e c i a l Delegates M e e t i n g to consider a f f i l i a t i o n , 11 a.m.. Rockefeller Plozo
Convention Center, A l b a n y . Registration begins at 9 a.m.
2 8 — N a s s a u County Local 8 3 0 Executive Committee meeting, 5 : 3 0 p.m., Salisbury Inn,
Eisenhower Park, East M e a d o w .
KEEP CSEA INFORMED ON MAILING ADDRESS
In the event that you change your mailing address, please fill out the below form
and send it to:
CSEA, Inc., P.O. Box 125, Capitol Station, Albany, N e w York 12224.
This form is also available from local presidents for CSEA m e m b e r s , but is
reproduced here for convenience.
Change of Address for 'The Public Sector'
Please allow 3-4 weeks for change to take effect.
My present label reads exactly as shown here (or affix mailing label)
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, D ^ e m B e r ' 3 1 , - 1 9 ^ =
.Loco! Number-
Nome
Street
i City.
State.
JZ\p.
State-
Jip.
MY NEW ADDRESS IS:
Street
City
Agency where employed.
My social security no.
;^age 4
I n m a n y r e s p e c t s , 1980 h a s b e e n a m o n g t h e
m o s t h i s t o r i c a n d s i g n i f i c a n t p e r i o d in C S E A ' s 70year history.
E v e n t s a n d a c h i e v e m e n t s of g r e a t m a g n i t u d e
t h a t i m p a c t u p o n t h e l i v e s of t h e m e m b e r s o c c u r r e d
throughout this year, often t i m e s one upon the other
in a m a n n e r t h a t m a y h a v e b l u r r e d t h e m e m o r y a s
t h e y w e r e r e p o r t e d in T h e P u b l i c S e c t o r a n d t h e
n e w s m e d i a in g e n e r a l .
I n t h e n e x t i s s u e of T h e P u b l i c S e c t o r w e ' l l
r e v i e w 1980 i n r e t r o s p e c t , m o n t h b y m o n t h ,
recalling those key e v e n t s that s h a p e d the f u t u r e by
reshaping the present.
_
.Agency No,
'We want the taxpayers of Cortland
County to be fully
aware of the conditions of these
road patrol cars.
To ask deputies to
continue driving
them through another
winter Is gambling
with their safety/
SGT. KEITH POOLE, left,
President of Cortland County
CSEA Local 812, and Cortland
County
Sheriff
Duane
Whiteman, inspect one of four
road patrol cars cited by CSEA
as worn out and a safety hazard.
Photo courtesy Syracuse Newspapers.
Unsafe patrol cars add to dangers
Cortland County deputies face dally
C O R T L A N D — If y o u a r e a C o r t l a n d C o u n t y d e p u t y s h e r i f f a n d d r i v e a
r o a d p a t r o l c a r , it m i g h t b e h e l p f u l if y o u h a v e s e e n t h e t a c t i c s a t a n a u t o
demolition derby and know w h a t to e x p e c t .
C S E A r e c e n t l y l e a r n e d t h i s g r i m t y p e of h u m o r i s d a i l y r o u t i n e w i t h
C o r t l a n d C o u n t y d e p u t i e s w h o , in a d d i t i o n t o n o r m a l h a z a r d o u s d u t i e s , o f t e n
m e e t u n e x p e c t e d p r o b l e m s w i t h t h e i r r o a d p a t r o l c a r s , s o m e of w h i c h h a v e
b e e n d r i v e n a s m a n y a s 111,000 m i l e s .
A deputy recalled an incident that o c c u r r e d last October w h e n he w a s
trapped inside a burning patrol car and found the c a r door and window would
not open. F o r t u n a t e l y , h e w a s able to c l i m b o v e r e q u i p m e n t and e s c a p e out
the passenger side.
Another incident involved a deputy w h o a c t u a l l y e x p e r i e n c e d a door falli n g o f f h i s p a t r o l c a r w h i l e d r i v i n g in p u r s u i t .
In s p i t e of t h e s e a n d s i m i l a r e v e n t s , a n d t h e p e r s o n a l a p p e a l b y t h e
Cortland County Sheriff for n e w cars, the County Legislature stubbornly
r e f u s e s to r e p l a c e four n e e d e d v e h i c l e s .
A c c o r d i n g t o f i g u r e s r e l e a s e d f r o m t h e 1981 C o r t l a n d C o u n t y b u d g e t , t h e
County intends to a l l o c a t e funds for only t w o n e w road patrol cars, which
w o u l d l e a v e t w o o l d e r c a r s on t h e r o a d . T h i s d e c i s i o n m e a n s t h e o l d e r c a r s
w i l l h a v e t r a v e l l e d a t o t a l of 150,000 m i l e s b e f o r e t h e n e w c a r s a r e d e l i v e r e d .
At a recent Cortland press conference, a CSEA representative a c c u s e d
Cortland County L e g i s l a t o r s with u s i n g f a l s e e c o n o m y by sending " g o o d
m o n e y a f t e r b a d " to repair worn out v e h i c l e s . D e p a r t m e n t figures r e v e a l
$5,000 w a s s p e n t t h i s y e a r t o r e p a i r t h e t h r e e h i g h e s t - m i l a g e c a r s .
Charles M c G e a r y , CSEA C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Associate, along with Sgt.
K e i t h P o o l e . D e p u t y S h e r i f f a n d P r e s i d e n t of C o r t l a n d C o u n t y L o c a l 812 of
C S E A , e x p r e s s e d U n i o n c o n c e r n f o r t h e p r e s e n t a n d f u t u r e s a f e t y of t h e
deputies.
" W e w a n t t h e t a x p a y e r s of C o r t l a n d C o u n t y t o b e f u l l y a w a r e of t h e c o n d i t i o n s of t h e s e r o a d p a t r o l c a r s . T o a s k d e p u t i e s t o c o n t i n u e d r i v i n g t h e m
through another winter is g a m b l i n g with their s a f e t y , " M c G e a r y said.
"If the County L e g i s l a t u r e r e f u s e s to a l l o c a t e additional funds to
r e p l a c e a l l t h e o l d e r c a r s , t h e C S E A c o u r s e of a c t i o n m a y b e t o t a k e l e g a l
s t e p s a n d / o r report to authorities responsible for maintaining the n e w Occ u p a t i o n a l S a f e t y a n d H e a l t h A c t ( O S H A ) l a w . It c l e a r l y d e f i n e s t h a t e v e r y
public e m p l o y e e has the right to a s a f e work place. C S E A fought for the
p a s s a g e of t h e O S H A l a w a n d w e a r e t o t a l l y c o m m i t t e d t o s e e i n g it w o r k f o r
t h e b e n e f i t of a l l p u b l i c e m p l o y e e s a n d t h o s e p e o p l e w h o u t i l i z e t h e s e r v i c e s
of p u b l i c e q u i p m e n t a n d b u i l d i n g s , " M c G e a r y s a i d .
EAP for Pilgrim PC
ON HAND FOR THE SIGNING of the
Employee Assistance Program policy
statement at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center
(PPC), left, are PPC Local 418
members, from left, Jackie Boboris,
Jean Frazier and Margaret Fields.
INSPECTING overhead projection
material outlining the Employee
A s s i s t a n c e P r o g r a m at P i l g r i m
Psychiatric Center, right, are CSEA
Local 418 President Bill Chacona, right,
and PPC Director Peggy O'Neill, both of
whom signed the new agreement
providing EAP at Pilgrim.
THE P y ^ l C &£C;jQR, Wednesday, December 31, 1980
Page 5
•tww WW« amyi^vtwm m^. f flCj^
Syracuse unit
qualified for
agency sliop
The Tioga Social Services offices
are mucii safer, tiianics to . . .
SYRACUSE T e a m work and
d e t e r m i n a t i o n paid off f o r t h e C i t y of
S y r a c u s e U n i t of C S E A L o c a l 834
w h e n it w a s r e c e n t l y n o t i f i e d b y C i t y
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n it h a d r e a c h e d t h e
a g r e e d u p o n p e r c e n t a g e of U n i o n
M e m b e r s to qualify for A g e n c y Shop.
Story and photos by
Thomas
Foster
In m a k i n g t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t , L e e
Fordock. Unit President, said, " F o r
the past s e v e r a l m o n t h s our Unit
Membership Committee w a s totally
i n v o l v e d in r e a c h i n g t h a t p e r c e n t a g e
g o a l of n e w m e m b e r s . I a m h a p p y t o
report that w e not only r e a c h e d our
goal — w e surpassed it."
ONE STAIRWAY from the
second floor of the century-old
building is extremely narrow, as
demonstrated by Lisa Stephens.
. « • n i l •«»•••'•iL'i^iiS- n!:
Fordock added that " A g e n c y Shop
s h o u l d g i v e u s e x t r a ' c l o u t ' in f u t u r e
n e g o t i a t i o n s . A n d it w i l l a l s o m e a n
t h a t b e g i n n i n g w i t h t h e f i r s t p a y r o l l in
1981, a l l 350 C i t y of
Syracuse
e m p l o y e e s in t h e b a r g a i n i n g u n i t w i l l
b e p a y i n g t h e i r f a i r s h a r e of t h e c o s t s
of n e g o t i a t i n g n e w c o n t r a c t b e n e f i t s
through CSEA representation."
EMPLOYEES OF THE TIOGA
COUNTY Department of Social
Services work in a century-old
building.
sL'ii'
F o r d o c k a l s o p r a i s e d t h e e f f o r t s of
the m e m b e r s h i p c o m m i t t e e , which
included Chairperson Cindy R o b e r t s ,
John Cicarelli, D a v e Cusano, Cindy
Carona, Margaret Dennis and others.
He also
cited
the help
and
encouragement
of C S E A
staff
members Moxley, Jamison
and
M c G e a r y in b r i n g i n g t h e m e m b e r s h i p
drive to a s u c c e s s f u l conclusion.
Kathy Okrepifie and Lisa Stephens
O W E G O — T w o m e m b e r s of T i o g a C o u n t y L o c a l 854 —
Kathy Okrepkie and Lisa Stephens — are credited with
s p e a r h e a d i n g a n e f f o r t t h a t r e s u l t e d in s o m e T i o g a C o u n t y
D e p a r t m e n t of S o c i a l S e r v i c e s o f f i c e s m o v i n g t o s a f e r
quarters.
Mrs. Okrepkie reported the County Legislature has
a p p r o v e d t h e m o v i n g of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 40 d e p a r t m e n t
e m p l o y e e s t o t h e o l d M o o s e B u i l d i n g in O w e g o .
S h e s a i d m o s t of t h o s e e m p l o y e e s n o w w o r k in a
c e n t u r y - o l d b u i l d i n g of t h e f o r m e r T i o g a C o u n t y F a r m . T h e
other e m p l o y e e s a r e f r o m another old County building
w h i c h is c r o w d e d , s h e said.
She said the m o v e to t h e n e w o f f i c e is e x p e c t e d to o c c u r
in e a r l y 1981.
T h e e m p l o y e e s w o r k i n g in t h e o l d b u i l d i n g w o r k in f e a r
of a c e i l i n g c o l l a p s e a n d a f i r e , t h e t w o C S E A a c t i v i s t s s a i d .
In a d d i t i o n t o t h e i r e f f o r t s w i t h t h e C o u n t y L e g i s l a t u r e ,
the two CSEA m e m b e r s brought Central R e g i o n V
P r e s i d e n t J a m e s M o o r e to the building.
M o o r e , a f t e r t o u r i n g t h e a g e d f a c i l i t y , c a l l e d in R e g i o n
V C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A s s o c i a t e Charles M c G e a r y and T h e
Public Sector.
A t o u r of t h e b u i l d i n g r e v e a l e d c o n d i t i o n s i n c l u d i n g :
• Narrow, s t e e p s t a i r w a y s m a k e a quick exit impossible. One stairwell w a s without lighting, another w a s
pulling a w a y f r o m the w a l l and a third w a s c l o s e d e n t i r e l y .
• All of t h e r o o m s w e r e c r o w d e d w i t h d e s k s a n d o f f i c e
e q u i p m e n t . S t a c k s of p a p e r s w e r e p i l e d o n t h e f l o o r in
hallways and closets causing an potential fire hazard.
• E m p l o y e e s said hot e l e c t r i c a l w i r e s a r e c l o s e to
m e t a l ceilings. A short circut could be a possible source for
a catastrophe-causing spark.
• E m p l o y e e s n e a r t h e b a c k of t h e s e c o n d f l o o r of o n e
b u i l d i n g h a v e n o e x i t in s u c h a n e m e r g e n c y . T h e o n l y
s e c o n d - f l o o r e x i t s l e a d t o a n u n s t a b l e p o r c h a t t h e f r o n t of
the building.
• A f i r e in 1975 d e s t r o y e d h a l f of o n e b u i l d i n g . A r e c e n t
e l e c t r i c a l f i r e in a r e c e p t i o n r o o m w a s b r o u g h t u n d e r c o n t r o l b e f o r e e x t e n s i v e d a m a g e w a s c a u s e d . N o o n e w a s inj u r e d in e i t h e r b l a z e .
L u c k w a s a l l t h a t p r e v e n t e d i n j u r y w h e n o n e of t h e
m a n y sagging ceilings collapsed recently. Fortunately, the
c e i l i n g fell on a w e e k e n d w h e n no o n e w a s working.
Helping another
is true meaning
of tirotfierliood
SYRACUSE The
true
m e a n i n g of u n i o n b r o t h e r h o o d
w a s n e v e r m o r e e v i d e n t t h a n in
t h e r e c e n t c a s e of
Lester
Wentworth, a member
of
Syracuse City Schools Custodial
Unit, Onondaga County Local
834 of C S E A ,
H e a v y metal desks, filing cabinets and typewriters are
placed along outside w a l l s to r e d u c e the s t r e s s on the a g e d
building.
Other conditions, though less dangerous, m a k e working
c o n d i t i o n s p o o r . I n e f h c i e n t h e a t i n g c a u s e s e m p l o y e e s in o n e
r o o m t o o p e n w i n d o w s w h i l e t h o s e in a n o t h e r p a r t of t h e
building w e a r coats t a keep w a r m .
When a tragic fire severely
d a m a g e d the Wentworth h o m e
in S y r a c u s e , s c o r e s of C S E A
m e m b e r s and other
friends
c a m e to the r e s c u e
with
financial and other aid.
P o o r w a t e r p r e s s u r e in b a t h r o o m s c a u s e s p r o b l e m s
when toilets a r e flushed. S o m e b a t h r o o m s lack hot w a t e r
a n d a n o t h e r is s h a r e d by m e n a n d w o m e n .
" F o r t u n a t e l y , n o m e m b e r of
m y f a m i l y w a s injured, but the
fire caught us without adequate
f i r e i n s u r a n c e and w e w e r e
r e a l l y in a b i n d , " W e n t w o r t h
said.
IN ORDER TO GET TO A closet
full of files requires Marcia Nikl
to move
Page 6
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, December 31, 1980
Jit
OFF OF ONE OFFICE is a storage room cluttered with all
sorts of materials and supplies.
CROWDED OFFICES are typical in the Social Services building. In the office, from left, are Jane
Trawinski, Kathy Okrepkie and Chris Zingg.
" M y w i f e and I and the three
children are living
with
relatives, temporarily, while I
c o n t i n u e to repair the f i r e
d a m a g e . The help I received
from m y fellow workers and
friends sure helped pay for s o m e
of t h e b u i l d i n g s u p p l i e s a n d
repair work.
We
really
appreciate their thoughtfulness
and w a n t to e x p r e s s our s i n c e r e
thanks to e v e r y o n e w h o o f f e r e d
a helping hand. It's g r e a t to
know you have friends —
especially at a time like this,"
Wentworth said.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday. December 31, 1980
Page 7
Homeless kids find love and refuge in foster oare program
They go beyond the oall of duty
By Dawn LePore
f
JUDY PALMER, a stenographer with Buffalo's Division
For Youth and a member of Local 003, is the key person
behind the Western New York Foster Parents Association.
Her dedication has been cited in several awards — an honor
she humbly accepts as rewarding and "a lot of work."
BUFFALO Where do kids go w h e n
e v e r y o n e e l s e h a s g i v e n t h e m up for lost?
When their own parents say they can no
longer cope? When the judges offer jail a s
the alternative?
In 1971, t h e N e w Y o r k S t a t e D i v i s i o n f o r
Y o u t h g a v e its approval to s e t up a s p e c i a l
pilot foster c a r e p r o g r a m for troubled
y o u t h s in W e s t e r n N e w Y o r k .
With no previous standards to rely on, a
g r o u p of d e t e r m i n e d i n d i v i d u a l s b e g a n t o
build a c a r i n g p r o g r a m to p l a c e t h e s e
t e e n a g e r s in h o m e s w h e r e t h e y m i g h t b e g i n
again.
Judy P a l m e r , a stenographer with the
Division F o r Youth for the past e l e v e n
y e a r s , a n d a m e m b e r of B u f f a l o L o c a l 003,
w a s o n e of t h o s e p e o p l e . T h r o u g h t h e y e a r s
s h e h a s w o r k e d not only to help c r e a t e the
s t a t e ' s p r o g r a m , but a l s o v o l u n t e e r e d h e r
o w n t i m e to the p r o g r a m ' s stepchild — the
Western N e w York Foster
Parents
Association.
This fall s h e w a s honored by both for her
dedication. The Division For
Youth
p r o c l a i m e d h e r T h e E m p l o y e e of t h e
Month and the Parent's group presented
h e r w i t h a c e r t i f i c a t e of a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r
" n i n e y e a r s of o u t s t a n d i n g v o l u n t e e r s e r vice."
She has been responsible for generating
an informational brochures on the foster
care program and a fourteen-page
questionnaire for prospective foster c a r e
parents.
" B e c a u s e it w a s a b r a n d n e w i d e a , w e
had nothing f r o m the state to go on," Judy
said. "So w e (the foster c a r e workers) have
had to m a k e e v e r y t h i n g up a s w e w e n t
along. The questionnaire w a s revised m a n y
t i m e s b e f o r e it g o t t o i t s c u r r e n t l e n g t h . "
A b o u t 70 f a m i l i e s p a r t i c i p a t e in t h e
program which covers a six-county area.
B e c a u s e of i t s s u c c e s s , v i s i t o r s h a v e c o m e
f r o m a c r o s s the s t a t e to s e t up s i m i l a r
programs.
In a d d i t i o n t o h e r d a i l y r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s ,
J u d y h a n d l e s a l l of t h e s e c r e t a r i a l w o r k f o r
the Foster Parents Association, a group she
can't s a y enough abdüt.
"It is a g r e a t organization," s h e said.
" T h e y ' v e done a lot for the kids. O n e y e a r
they e v e n m a n a g e d to take the children to
N e w York City to s e e a play."
BILL JORDAN, who also spends his spare time doing
volunteer work for the Western New York Foster Parents
Association, is on 24-hour-a'day notice with some of the
more troubled youths. He takes care of the foster child's
clothing and medical needs — not to mention their parental
problems.
T h e o r i g i n a l p u r p o s e of t h e a s s o c i a t i o n
w a s to give foster parents an opportunity to
m e e t e a c h other and discuss c o m m o n
problems, offering support to conquer selfdoubt.
A s t h e g r o u p b e c a m e m o r e o r g a n i z e d , it
has expanded to educating foster parents,
o f t e n b r i n g i n g in g u e s t s p e a k e r s t o i t s
ATTENDING AUDIT & CONTROL Local Ö5I holiday party were, from left, CSEA Field Rep
Aaron Wagner, Local 651 President Barbara Skelly, Carol Snyder, Tom McMahon and Dave
Jacques.
Page 8
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, December 31, 1980
monthly meetings.
Judy records
the
m i n u t e s f o r t h o s e m e e t i n g s . B e c a u s e it i s a
non-profit organization, the m e m b e r s have
initiated projects to raise funds for the
s p e c i a l n e e d s of t h e c h i l d r e n .
E a c h y e a r , t h e g r o u p h o s t s a f a m i l y picnic and a C h r i s t m a s P a r t y , and for the first
t i m e this fall, a recognition dinner for the
p a r e n t s . J u d y w a s b e h i n d m u c h of t h e p l a n ning.
A s m o d e s t a s s h e i s p e t i t e , J u d y f i n d s it
difficult to a c c e p t credit. But, she conc e d e s , " i t s a lot of w o r k . "
It i s e a s i e r f o r h e r t o t a l k a b o u t t h e
parents.
" T h e y a r e a s u p e r b u n c h of p e o p l e , " s h e
said.
'They can find the good when
everyone else has given up."
S h e a l s o has kind w o r d s for her cow o r k e r s , including Bill Jordan, a F o s t e r
C a r e w o r k e r w h o h a s a l s o d o n e h i s s h a r e of
volunteer work for the F P A .
" B i l l i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a l l of t h e n e e d s of
the kids w h o a r e r e f e r r e d to the
E m e r g e n c y F o s t e r C a r e H o m e h e r e in B u f f a l o — a n d s o m e of t h e m c a n b e t o u g h
kids," J u d y e x p l a i n e d . " A s such, he is on a
24-hour-a-day n o t i c e . "
Bill, w h o has been with the Division for
Y o u t h s i n c e 1976, s e e s t o t h e i r c l o t h i n g a n d
m e d i c a l n e e d s . If a f o s t e r c h i l d b e c o m e s ill
a n d h a s t o g o t o t h e h o s p i t a l in t h e m i d d l e of
the night. Bill is there. B e c a u s e he doesn't
d r i v e , t h a t c a n b e a f e a t in i t s e l f . H e a l s o
finds the t i m e to s e r v e the union a s an
alternate steward.
With J u d y ' s help, Bill has produced a
basic daily schedule for the children, who
u s u a l l y s t a y in t h e e m e r g e n c y
home
a n y w h e r e up t o t w o w e e k s . T h e s c h e d u l e
m u s t b e a d a p t e d f o r e a c h c h i l d a n d a l l of
h i s o r h e r t i m e m u s t b e a c c o u n t e d f o r . If
the child is not attending school. Bill finds a
c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d daily p r o g r a m for the
child.
As m a n y a s four children m a y be placed
in t h e e m e r g e n c y h o m e a t o n e t i m e , r a n g i n g in a g e f r o m 10 t o 20. T h e y c a n b e of
e i t h e r s e x o r of a n y r a c e o r r e l i g i o n .
B i l l m u s t b e in d a i l y c o n t a c t w i t h t h e
foster parents to s m o o t h any p r o b l e m s that
m a y arise. "We have a very close working
relationship," he said. " T h e y are a m a z i n g
people. "
H e a n d J u d y l a u g h t o g e t h e r o v e r p a s t inc i d e n t s , but B i l l d o e s n ' t o f f e r a n y d e t a i l s ,
saying only that there h a v e been " s o m e
heavy cases, I guess you would say, beyond
t h e c a l l of d u t y . "
Both a r e quick, h o w e v e r , to s a y how
rewarding the p r o g r a m has been for them.
" W e ' v e h a d k i d s g r o w up, g o i n t o t h e s e r v i c e or w h a t e v e r , and c o m e back to visit
u s , " J u d y s a i d . " T h a t ' s w h a t m a k e s it a l l
worthwhile. '
AT TAX & FINANCE Local 690 Christmas party, Commissioner
James H. Tully Jr., second from left, and Executive Deputy
Commissioner Joseph A. F. Valenti, right, joins CSEA Field Rep
Jim Cooney, left, and Local 690 President Carmen Bagnoli in
wishing Tax and Finance employees a happy holiday.
Dianne Armstrong a public worker by day,
an aspiring commerciai artist every night
By Daniel X. Campbell
CSEA Communication Associate
A L B A N Y — Dianne Armstrong lives two lives.
During the workday, Dianne is an electronic data
m a c h i n e o p e r a t o r in t h e E s t i m a t e d T a x U n i t of
the N e w York State Tax Department, where she
i s a n a c t i v e m e m b e r of t h e C i v i l S e r v i c e
E m p l o y e e s A s s o c i a t i o n ' s T a x L o c a l 690. A f t e r
w o r k , D i a n n e l i v e s t h e l i f e of a s t r u g g l i n g a r t i s t ,
w h o s e s t a r i s b e g i n n i n g t o r i s e in t h e s k y of t h e
Capital area art world.
" I ' v e a l w a y s b e e n i n v o l v e d in t h e a r t s s i n c e I
can r e m e m b e r . " the public e m p l o y e e / a r t i s t
s a i d . " I ' v e j u s t b e e n d r a w n t o b e c r e a t i v e in
e v e r y a s p e c t of m y l i f e . "
W h e n s p e a k i n g of h e r t a l e n t , t h e p i x y - l i k e
figure b e c o m e s totally animated, hands cutting
in t h e a i r t o e m p h a s i z e a p o i n t o r a p e r s o n a l
b e l i e f . S p e a k i n g of h e r p a i n t i n g t a l e n t , t h e a r t i s t
r e v e a l s , " T h e y r e f l e c t m y d r e a m s , but I c a n ' t
tell you the process. I often find m y s e l f
r e a r r a n g i n g c u b e s of t r u t h t h a t a r e r e v e a l e d in
m y paintings, and s o m e t i m e s that is painful."
The public e m p l o y e e then talked about her
s e v e n y e a r s of l o c a l , f o r m a l a r t s t u d y , m o s t l y
p a i d f o r b y h e r p u b l i c e m p l o y e e s a l a r y , but l a t e l y
f i n a n c e d t h r o u g h t h e s a l e of a f e w of h e r w o r k s t o
p r i v a t e c o l l e c t o r s . "I k e e p p u t t i n g t h e e x t r a
m o n e y right back into art. I buy supplies, paint,
c a n v a s and pay for m o r e f o r m a l study. And I
p a i n t e v e r y n i g h t . If I ' m n o t p a i n t i n g , I ' m d r a w ing o r p r e p a r i n g c a n v a s o r j u s t w o r k i n g in m y
third f l o o r a t t i c g a r r e t . B u t I ' m a l w a y s p a i n t i n g
or involved with painting."
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE/ARTIST Dianne
A r m s t r o n g , C S E A T a x L o c a l 690 m e m b e r p r o u d ly h o l d s t h e " O b s e r v e r , " o n e of h e r o r i g i n a l a r t
w o r k s . B e h i n d t h e p u b l i c e m p l o y e e i s p a r t of
another larger work entitled "trilogy."
D i a n n e s d e d i c a t i o n to her art c a r e e r has c a u s ed her to b e c o m e known a s an e x p e r t authority
on t h e s u b j e c t . R e c e n t l y , h e r C S E A L o c a l o f f i c e r s a s k e d f o r h e r a s s i s t a n c e in h o l d i n g a n a r t
s h o w of p u b l i c e m p l o y e e s ' w o r k s f o r h e r f e l l o w
union m e m b e r s and their f a m i l i e s . That s h o w
d r e w o v e r 3,000 a n d w a s d e s c r i b e d a s a s u c c e s s
by t h e T a x L o c a l ' s n e w s l e t t e r . " W e h a d f u n , I
hope," she said, explaining all the planning,
cooperation and work that w e n t into the event.
S u c c e s s s e e m s t o b e in s t o r e f o r D i a n n e ' s p e r sonal artistic c a r e e r as the local art communityi s s h o w i n g i n t e r e s t in h e r n u m e r o u s w o r k s .
R e c e n t l y , a f t e r h a v i n g h e r p a i n t i n g s d i s p l a y e d in
local banks, D i a n n e A r m s t r o n e had her first onew o m a n s h o w of 25 of h e r w o r k s a t A r l e n e ' s
G a l l e r y in A l b a n y . " N o w , t h e l o c a l a r t c o m munity knows m e , " Dianne explained.
What the art c o m m u n i t y is noticing is Dianne's
u s e of c o l o r a n d l i g h t t o c r e a t e h e r s u r realistic/impressionistic figures. Dianne has
developed a F l e m i s h glazing technique for her
p a i n t i n g s . " F l e m i s h g l a z i n g i s a t e c h n i q u e in
w h i c h y o u b u i l d up o n e c o l o r o \ e r a n o t h e r c o l o r
a n d t h a t s u b t l e l y a l l o w s l i g h t to b r i n g t h e c o l o r s
to l i f e , " t h e a r t i s t e x p l a i n e d .
B u t , F ' l e m i s h g l a z i n g is not t h e o n l y r e a s o n f o r
the art c o m m u n i t y ' s developing
interest.
D i a n n e ' s talent is the key ingredient. F i n a l l y ,
a f t e r y e a r s of s t u d y , t r a i n i n g a n d b a s i c t a l e n t
d e v e l o p m e n t , D i a n n e c a n let her talent and her
p e r s o n a l i t y m i x on c a n v a s . T h i s h a s r e s u l t e d in
bright, colorful works which e v e n surprise the
a r t i s t in t h e i r c o m p l e x i t y a n d c o n t e n t . " N o w , a s
I g a i n s o m e m a s t e r y of m y s k i l l , I e v e n f i n d s u r p r i s e s in m y p a i n t i n g s , f i g u r e s I n e v e r k n o v / i n g l y
intended to paint appear with one brush stroke,
h i d d e n in a s w i r l of c o l o r . "
D i a n n e u s e d o n e of h e r w o r k s e n t i t l e d . " T h e
O b s e r v e r , " a s an e x a m p l e . The painting i s alive
with color due to the F l e m i s h glazing. The colors
s e e m t o c h a n g e a s r o o m l i g h t p l a y s on t h e c a n v a s . T h e p a i n t i n g , f i r s t , a p p e a r s t o b e t h a t of a
w o m a n with an o v e r - e x a g g e r a t e d hand holding a
d r i p p i n g p e n . H o w e v e r , a s e c o n d look t u r n s t h e
pen into a l a r g e paintbrush with c o l o r s spilling
on t h e g r o u n d . A c l o s e look r e v e a l s t h a t t w o
h o o d e d f i g u r e s , " m e n of t h e c l o t h , " a r e e n t a n g l e d a t t h e b a s e of t h e p e n / b r u s h h a n d l e . D i a n n e
s t a t e d t h a t s h e did n o t i n t e n d to h i d e t h e s e
f i g u r e s in t h e p a i n t i n g ; s h e , h o w e v e r a d d e d t h a t
o t h e r v i e w e r s of t h i s p a i n t i n g a r e f i n d i n g h i d d e n
m e a n i n g s in h e r work.' " T h a t ' s w h a t e x c i t e s
m e , " s h e s t a t e d . "I n e v e r know w h a t s o m e o n e
e l s e is g o i n g to e x p e r i e n c e f r o m m y w o r k . "
C u r r e n t l y , D i a n n e h a s e i g h t p a i n t i n g s on d i s p l a y a t t h e C h a r l e s V a n H e u s e n G a l l e r y in
Albany, and a s e c o n d o n e - w o m a n s h o w is
scheduled for the Unitarian Church, Wendell
A v e n u e . S c h e n e c t a d y in e a r l y J a n u a r y 198L
Directory of CSEA Regional Offices
REGION I
REGION IV
740 Broadway,
North Amityville, N.Y. 11701
(516) 789-1170
Dan Donohue, President
William Griffin, Regional Director
1215 Western Avenue
Albany, N.Y. 12203
(518) 489-5424
Joseph McDermott, President
John Corcoran, Regional Director
REGION II
11 Parle Place
Suite 1405,
New Yorii, N.Y. 10007
(212) 962-3090
James Gripper, President
George Bispham, Regional Director
REGION III
REGION V
REGION VI
Rural Route 1
Box 34
Old Route 9
Fislikill, N.Y. 12524
(914) 896-8180
James Lennon, President
Thomas Luposello, Regional Director
Suite 308
290 Elwood Davis Road
Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
(315) 451-6330
James J. Moore, President
Franic Martello, Regional Director
Cambridge Square
4245 Union Road
Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14225
(716) 634-3540
Robert Lattimer, President
Lee Frank, Regional Director
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, V\/ednesday, December 31, 1980
Page 9
Experience so far shows centraiized
welfare management system no threat
to take over of social service jobs
Rensselaer Installation Increased public employment
T R O Y — ( i r a c e V a l l e e , C h a i r p e r s o n of t h e S t a t e w i d e S o c i a l S e r v i c e s
C o m m i t t e e of t h e Civil S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s A s s o c i a t i o n , h a s a f e w r e a s s u r i n g c o m m e n t s to g i v e a b o u t t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n of t h e M e d i c a i d M a n a g e m e n t Information S y s t e m (MMIS) and its installer, the Bradford Administration
Services.
"We have never seen a Bradford e m p l o y e e , " the public e m p l o y e e stated
a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of a s h o r t , i n f o r m a t i o n a l i n t e r v i e w o n M M I S a n d B r a d f o r d .
" A l l of o u r m e m b e r s in t h e R e n s s e l a e r C o u n t y S o c i a l S e r v i c e s D e p a r t m e n t
h a v e b e e n t r a i n e d by N e w Y o r k S t a t e S o c i a l S e r v i c e s D e p a r t m e n t
e m p l o y e e s for t h e o p e r a t i o n of b o t h t h e W e l f a r e M a n a g e m e n t S y s t e m
( W M S ) a n d f o r t h e M M I S . S o , n o n e of o u r m e m b e r s h e r e f e a r t h a t a B r a d f o r d e m p l o y e e is a b o u t t o t a k e o v e r t h e i r j o b . "
G r a c e points out a f e w positive situations that h a v e d e v e l o p e d b e c a u s e
of t h e c o m p u t e r i z a t i o n of W M S . " W e g a i n e d s i x d a t a e n t r y o p e r a t o r s , r i g h t
f r o m the County's Civil S e r v i c e list. So c o m p u t e r i z a t i o n , w h i c h is h e r e to
s t a y , has, so far, c a u s e d a n e e d for m o r e public e m p l o y e e s , not f e w e r . And,
I ' m telling our m e m b e r s to u s e to their a d v a n t a g e the W M S S y s t e m , w h i c h
i s p r e s e n t l y in full o p e r a t i o n , a n d t h e M M I S S y s t e m , w h i c h w i l l b e in f u l l
o p e r a t i o n in 1981. T a k e a s m u c h t r a i n i n g a s p o s s i b l e , u s e t h e w o r k b o o k a n d
the c o m p u t e r , and don't be afraid to ask for h e l p ! "
The Social S e r v i c e s D e p a r t m e n t ' s supervisor o f f e r s this thumbnail
s k e t c h of t h e t w o s y s t e m s , W M S a n d M M I S , a n d h o w t h e y w o r k . " F i r s t ,
W e l f a r e M a n a g e m e n t S y s t e m c h e c k s the individual client to s e e that he or
s h e i s e l i g i b l e a n d not c o l l e c t i n g f r o m a n o t h e r c o u n t y . T h i s e l i m i n a t e s
d u p l i c a t i o n of s e r v i c e s to c l i e n t s . A n d , t h a t c a n s a v e t h e t a x p a y e r s m o n e y , "
she emphasized.
S h e n o t e d t h a t p r i o r t o c o m p u t e r i z a t i o n a n d c e n t r a l t i e - i n , o f t e n a n individual might be r e c e i v i n g s e r v i c e s f r o m t w o or m o r e c o u n t i e s at the s a m e
time. "Now we can qualify each applicant before providing services."
M M I S . h o w e v e r , is s t r i c t l y a i m e d a t M e d i c a i d . T h e s y s t e m w i l l i n t e r f a c e w i t h t h e W M S . T h a t m e a n s t h a t o n e s y s t e m c h e c k s t h e i n f o r m a t i o n in
t h e o t h e r c o m p u t e r . In t h i s c a s e , M M I S w i l l c h e c k W M S f o r M e d i c a i d
e l i g i b i l i t y a n d t h e n , if t h e c l i e n t i s e l i g i b l e , M M I S w i l l a l s o c h e c k t o d e t e r m i n e if t h e M e d i c a i d p r o v i d e r , ( d o c t o r , d e n t i s t , p h a r m a c i s t ) , i s p r o v i d i n g
the indicated s e r v i c e and not d u p l i c a t i n g s e r v i c e s p r e v i o u s l y provided.
G r a c e e x p l a i n e d t h a t , in s o m e i n s t a n c e s , p r o v i d e r s w e r e c a p a b l e of c h a r g i n g f o r r e m o v i n g t h e s a m e t o o t h , o r p r o v i d i n g t h e s a m e p i e c e of h e a l t h
e q u i p m e n t , two, t h r e e or e v e n m o r e t i m e s . N o w , w i t h MMIS, this situation
will be e l i m i n a t e d .
" I ' m not s a y i n g that our C S E A o f f i c e r s and m e m b e r s h a v e nothing to
w o r r y a b o u t , " G r a c e r e i t e r a t e d t i m e and a g a i n . "I a m s a y i n g that c o m puterization is h e r e ; that WMS and M M I S is the law. W e will h a v e to adapt
and work c l o s e l y with m a n a g e m e n t to insure that our m e m b e r s ' n e e d s for
training and re-training a r e m e t . And, e a c h c o u n t y L o c a l will h a v e to s e e
t h a t o u r m e m b e r s ' r i g h t s a r e p r o t e c t e d , in c a s e a n y a d v e r s e s i t u a t i o n s w e r e
to d e v e l o p with c o m p u t e r i z a t i o n . "
Heading off problems key to
maintaining staffing levels
A L B A N Y — "The rumor mill is working o v e r t i m e and stories are going
a r o u n d t h a t a p r i v a t e c o n t r a c t o r i s g o i n g to- t a k e o v e r t h e w o r k of l o c a l
Social S e r v i c e s a g e n c i e s , " according to CSEA Budget E x a m i n e r Cathy
B r o w e r w h o a d d s , " t h e e x p e r i e n c e s of o u r l o c a l s in t h o s e c o u n t i e s w h e r e
c o m p u t e r s y s t e m s h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n installed, h o w e v e r , should put a s t o p
to the r u m o r s . "
A 1976 s t a t e l a w d i r e c t e d t h e D e p a r t m e n t of S o c i a l S e r v i c e s t o c r e a t e a
c e n t r a l i z e d W e l f a r e M a n a g e m e n t S y s t e m . W h e n it b e c o m e s fully
o p e r a t i o n a l in 1982, a t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s n e t w o r k w i l l link e v e r y c o u n t y
s o c i a l s e r v i c e s a g e n c y t o a c e n t r a l c o m p u t e r in A l b a n y . A c o m m o n b a s e of
s t o r e d i n f o r m a t i o n will, then, be s h a r e d and e v e n t u a l l y M e d i c a i d , Child
Care, and Support Collection will a l s o be incorporated into the network.
Bradford Administrative S e r v i c e s has the contract to install the c o m puter equipment, a d v i s e local d e p a r t m e n t s , and train existing staff. "Once
this is done, Bradford will take its business s o m e w h e r e e l s e , " B r o w e r
emphasized. She added, "it's conceivable computerization m a y have s o m e
i m p a c t o n s t a f f i n g , a n d b e c a u s e of t h i s , i t ' s i m p o r t a n t t h a t C S E A b e c o m e inv o l v e d e a r l y a n d m e e t w i t h m a n a g e m e n t t o h e a d o f f p o t e n t i a l p r o b l e m s . " In
f a c t , t h a t ' s j u s t w h a t h a p p e n e d in t h o s e c o u n t i e s ( N a s s a u , R e n s s e l a e r ,
Monroe and Cortland) w h e r e the s y s t e m is on line, and s h e is confident that
" t h e s u c c e s s e x p e r i e n c e d t h e r e in t r a i n i n g i n c u m b e n t s a n d c o n t i n u i n g e x isting staff levels will set the pace s t a t e w i d e . "
Labor to celebrate its centennial
AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland
h a s i n v i t e d a l l A m e r i c a n s to j o i n w i t h
t h e A F L - C I O in a
year-long
c e l e b r a t i o n of t h e c e n t e n n i a l of
A m e r i c a n l a b o r in 1981.
T h e A F L - C I O p l a n s a s e r i e s of a c t i v i t i e s f r o m J a n u a r y 1981 t h r o u g h a
fitting celebration at the AFL-CIO's
F o u r t e e n t h Constitutional Convention
in N e w Y o r k , in N o v e m b e r , K i r k l a n d
said.
" W e h o p e t h a t p e o p l e in t h e
p o l i t i c a l a n d l e g i s l a t i v e p r o c e s s e s , in
t h e a c a d e m i c c o m m u n i t y , in i n d u s t r y
a n d c o m m e r c e a n d a g r i c u l t u r e , in
cultural activities and the professions
a n d t h e a r t s , w i l l all j o i n w i t h t h e m e n
a n d w o m e n of o u r u n i o n s in c o m memorating
this centenary
of
A m e r i c a n labor, " Kirkland said.
T h e t h e m e s of " a c h i e v e m e n t " a n d
" c h a l l e n g e " will be central to the
AFL-CIO's
centennial
activities,
K i r k l a n d s a i d . " I t i s o u r h o p e a n d int e n t to f o c u s a t t e n t i o n on t h e
i d e a l i s m , the struggles and victories
of A m e r i c a n l a b o r in t h e p a s t h u n d r e d
y e a r s — but that i s not o u r s o l e purp o s e , " h e a d d e d . "Of e q u a l i m p o r t a n c e is t h e n e e d to p r e p a r e t o d e a l
a d e q u a t e l y and forcefully with the
c h a l l e n g e of t h e f u t u r e . "
IQ
Social Security tax
Increases January 1
WASHINGTON Both the
social security tax rate and the
m a x i m u m earnings subject to
t h e t a x w i l l g o u p o n J a n . 1. Most w o r k e r s will be a f f e c t e d
o n l y b y t h e c h a n g e in t h e t a x
rale, w h i c h will rise for both
e m p l o y e e s and their e m p l o y e r s
f r o m 6.13 p e r c e n t of c o v e r e d
e a r n i n g s t o 6.65 p e r c e n t .
Only persons who earn m o r e
than $25,900, w h i c h is the
present c e i l i n g on w a g e s subject
to the social security tax, will be
a f f e c t e d b y t h e r i s e in t h e t a x a b l e w a g e b a s e t o $29,700. A b o u t
10 p e r c e n t of t h e w o r k f o r c e i s in
this group. In return for p a y i n g
m o r e into the fund, they will
b e c o m e entitled to higher future
retirement benefits and greater
f a m i l y p r o t e c t i o n in t h e e v e n t of
disability or death.
^
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR AND
v j r INDUSTRIAL
MiiyuvJ I
—
CONGRESS OF
ORGANIZATIONS
THe .P.UBLIC SECTpR^ We^dnesday, December 3 ; j , J 9 8 0 ,
^ ^
works for
'i /Oil
A-.
you
Large turnout
as 3 locals
celebrate the
holiday season
LOCAL 303 PRESIDENT Brian Madden, center, stops to chat
with Judy Goranson and Mitch Fasenski. Judy is chairperson
of the Local 315 social committee, while Mitch is chairperson
of the Local 303 social committee.
D E P E W - In p r o b a b l y t h e l a r g e s t
C h r i s t m a s party a t t e n d e d by C S E A
m e m b e r s at the s a m e t i m e under a
single room this holiday season, m o r e
t h a n 800 m e m b e r s a n d
guests
celebrated
the s e a s o n at
the
H e a r t h s t o n e M a n o r h e r e in e a r l y
December.
M o r e t h a n 310 m e m b e r s a n d g u e s t s
w e r e present for a party sponsored
j o i n t l y by R o s w e l l P a r k M e m o r i a l Ins t i t u t e L o c a l 303 a n d H e a l t h R e s e a r c h
L o c a l 315, ä n d in a n a d j o i n i n g r o o m ,
m o r e t h a n 500 m e m b e r s a n d g u e s t s of
S U N Y B u f f a l o L o c a l 602 h e l d t h e i r
own celebration.
T h e photos on this p a g e s h o w s o m e
of t h e c e l e b r a t i o n a n d t h e c e l e b r a n t s
at the two parties.
JIM AND VICKY JA YES enjoy the Local 303/315
party. Jim is president of Local 315.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE, below, for the Local 602
party included, in front, Alyce Grosso and Debbie
Moesch, and fr«m left, rear, Terry Hohl, Tom
Warzel, Ethel Dickenson, Len Lewis, and C. Stanton.
CSEA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Thomas McDonough,
center, is shown with Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith. Bob is
president of Local 602.
THIS GROUP attending the Local 303/315 joint party includes,
from left, Western Region VI President Robert Lattimer,
CSEA Statewide Secretary Irene Carr, CSEA Executive Vice
President Thomas McDonough, Local 303 President Brian
Madden (rear) and Local 315 President Jim Jayes, right.
MARK AND.DEBBIE Swanson, above, at the
Local 602 program.
AMONG THOSE ATTENDING the Local
303/315 party are Grace Steffen-Boyler, a past
president of Local 315, and Jack Boyler.
AT THE LOCAL 602 party, (right) CSEA Field
Rep Tom Christie, center, stops to talk with
CSEA President William L. McGowan and Mrs.
McGowan.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, V\/ednesday, December 31, 1980
Page
9
11
S
^' (' . 1 ' f
HUNTINGTON
CLINTON
Layoff probe ordered;
80 old Jobs on the line
Layoffs scratched;
8 new jobs in the working
By Deborah Cassidy
By Bill Butler
P L A T T S B U R G H - T h e r e w o n ' t b e a n y l a y o f f s in C l i n t o n
C o u n t y t h i s y e a r , t h a n k s t o a t h o r o u g h e f f o r t b y C S E A . In a d d i t i o n . e i g h t j o b t i t l e s v a c a t e d d u r i n g 1980 s t a n d a g o o d c h a n c e of
b e i n g f i l l e d in 1981.
HUNTINGTON R e s p o n d i n g to an appeal f r o m the Civil S e r v i c e
E m p l o y e e s A s s o c i a t i o n d u r i n g o n e of h i s " t o w n h a l l " m e e t i n g s h e r e l a s t w e e k .
G o v . C a r e y o r d e r e d a s t a t e p r o b e of p r o p o s e d l a y o f f s of u p t o 80 H u n t i n g t o n
Town employees.
Carey promptly responded with a pledge to send a t e a m f r o m the s t a t e Off i c e of M a n a g e m e n t a n d B u d g e t t o e x a m i n e t h e t o w n ' s f i n a n c e s t o d e t e r m i n e if
any layoffs w e r e required.
C S E A hit t h e t o w n w i t h a f i v e - p r o n g e d l e g a l c o u n t e r a t t a c k .
Suffolk Chapter President B e n Boczkowski, labeling the politically-divided
town "the w o r s t - m a n a g e d on Long Island," said that no l a y o f f s w e r e justified.
H e n o t e d t h a t t h e t o w n b o a r d p r o p o s e d t o c r e a t e $197,485 w o r t h of n e w
" p a t r o n a g e " t y p e p o s i t i o n s w h i l e f i r i n g 19 w h i t e - c o l l a r a n d 61 b l u e - c o l l a r
workers.
P o l i t i c a l s q u a b b l i n g b e t w e e n S u p e r v i s o r K e n n e t h C. B u t t e r f i e l d , a
D e m o c r a t , a n d C o u n c i l w o m a n C l a i r e C r o f t , l e a d e r of a R e p u b l i c a n m a j o r i t y o n
the town board, has crippled the town, according to C S E A officials. Butterfield
p r o p o s e d a b u d g e t t h a t w o u l d h a v e e l i m i n a t e d 50 j o b s , a n d t h e G O P m a j o r i t y
r e s p o n d e d by a d o p t i n g a n a l t e r e d b u d g e t t h a t w o u l d c u t 80 j o b s .
During squabbling over the town's financial status, the Republican maj o r i t y c o m m i s s i o n e d a n a u d i t a n d w a s t o n g u e - t i e d w h e n it s h o w e d t h e t o w n h a d
m o r e m o n e y — not l e s s — that the s u p e r v i s o r had c l a i m e d .
Blue-collar w o r k e r s , w h o a r e r e p r e s e n t e d by the N a t i o n a l M a r i t i m e Union,
staged a one-day walkout.
CSEA. which represents the white-collar force, meanwhile:
• D e m a n d e d t h e S u f f o l k C o u n t y D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r w i t h d r a w a l l C E T A f u n d e d p e r s o n n e l f r o m t h e t o w n b e f o r e a n y l a y o f f s of p e r m a n e n t w o r k e r s ;
• Filed an improper p r a c t i c e c h a r g e with the Public E m p l o y m e n t
R e l a t i o n s B o a r d c h a r g i n g t h e t o w n f a i l e d t o n e g o t i a t e t h e i m p a c t of t h e inc r e a s e d workload on r e m a i n i n g w o r k e r s ;
• F i l e d a d e m a n d u n d e r t h e F r e e d o m of I n f o r m a t i o n l a w f o r t h e t o w n
p a y r o l l , t o d e t e r m i n e t h e n u m b e r of t e m p o r a r y p a t r o n a g e j o b s ;
• D e m a n d e d the county Civil S e r v i c e D e p a r t m e n t strictly e n f o r c e bumpand-retreat seniority rules, and
• C h a r g e d t h e t o w n b o a r d m a j o r i t y p r a c t i c e d a g e d i s c r i m i n a t i o n in
s e l e c t i n g t h o s e t o b e o u s t e d . M a n y of t h e c u t s w e r e in s p e c i f i c p o s i t i o n s , s u c h
a s d e p u t i e s t o c o m m i s s i o n e r s , w h i c h a r e h e l d b y p e r s o n s o v e r 55 y e a r s of a g e .
C S E A c h a r g e d t h e s e p e r s o n s w e r e told to retire now so that they would not lose
pension b e n e f i t s by being fired.
A n d . if t h a t i s n o t e n o u g h , c o u n t y o f f i c i a l s h a v e r e a l i z e d t h a t
i f will not be n e c e s s a r y to r a i s e p r o p e r t y t a x e s a s t h e y had e x p e c t e d f o r 1981.
T h e s e decisions w e r e m a d e last w e e k by the county
l e g i s l a t u r e a f t e r t h e C l i n t o n C o u n t y L o c a l of t h e C i v i l S e r v i c e
E m p l o y e e s A s s n . p r e s e n t e d it w i t h a n a n a l y s i s s h o w i n g s o u r c e s
of h i d d e n f u n d s in t h e p r o p o s e d 1981 c o u n t y b u d g e t . T h a t b u d g e t
c a l l e d f o r t h e e l i m i n a t i o n of 20 p o s i t i o n s , 12 of w h i c h w e r e f i l l e d .
T h e legislature voted six to four to adopt a r e v i s e d budget,
taking into consideration the C S E A ' s findings.
T h e k e y , s a i d J e a n n e K e l s o , p r e s i d e n t of t h e C S E A l o c a l , l a y
in e s t i m a t e d s a l e s t a x r e v e n u e . T h e a n a l y s i s , d o n e f o r t h e l o c a l
by union s t a f f , s u g g e s t e d t h a t c o u n t y o f f i c i a l s had und e r e s t i m a t e d the expected revenue f r o m m a n y sources, a m o n g
t h e m s a l e s tax. After r e v i e w i n g the C S E A report, the legislature
d e c i d e d it c o u l d i n c r e a s e t h i s e s t i m a t e b y t w o p e r c e n t — e n o u g h
t o f u n d t h e 12 p o s i t i o n s , t o d o a w a y w i t h p r o p e r t y t a x i n c r e a s e s
a n d t o p o s s i b l y fill t h e v a c a n t i t e m s d u r i n g t h e c o m i n g y e a r .
The job cuts would have been m a d e a m o n g clerical workers
t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t y , h i t t i n g t h e d e p a r t m e n t of s o c i a l s e r v i c e s
the hardest.
K e l s o c r e d i t e d l o c a l m e m b e r s , w h o t u r n e d o u t in g r e a t
n u m b e r s to address the legislature three t i m e s , with aiding the
unions cause.
M o r e t h a n 100 c a m e , s h e s a i d , w h e n t h e u n i o n f i r s t s o u g h t t o
c o n v i n c e t h e l e g i s l a t u r e t o t a b l e a m o t i o n t o m a k e t h e l a y o f f s until t h e C S E A c o u l d c o m p l e t e t h e a n a l y s i s , a n o t h e r t o p r e s e n t t h e
f i n d i n g s a n d a third t o a w a i t t h e f i n a l v o t e .
S p e a k e r s for the C S E A told the l e g i s l a t u r e that l a y o f f s would
h a v e a d e t r i m e n t a l e f f e c t o n t h e m o r a l e of t h e r e s t of t h e
w o r k f o r c e a n d w o u l d c o s t t h e c o u n t y in t h e l o n g run f o r t h e
p a y m e n t of u n e m p l o y m e n t .
S o p e r t u r b e d by t h e u n i o n ' s v i c t o r y w a s t h e c h a i r m a n of t h e
l e g i s l a t u r e , w h o v o t e d in f a v o r of t h e l a y o f f , t h a t h e w a s
p r o m p t e d to query his c o n s t i t u e n t s , " W h o ' s running this
government, the legislature or the public e m p l o y e e union?"
" W e ' r e not running t h e g o v e r n m e n t and w e don't w a n t to, but
w e have s o m e influence w h e r e our m e m b e r s are concerned. Isn't
t h a t w h a t a d e m o c r a c y i s a l l a b o u t , " s a i d K e l s o in r e a c t i o n t o h i s
remarks.
F o l l o w i n g up o n t h e c o u n t e r a t t a c k , C S E A R e g i o n a l F i e l d S u p e r v i s o r
William Griffin rose during the previously-scheduled governor's town m e e t i n g
and appealed:
' T h e g o v e r n m e n t of H u n t i n g t o n i s in s h a m b l e s . I s t h e r e
a n y t h i n g y o u c a n d o t o h e l p t h e e m p l o y e e s a n d t a x p a y e r s of H u n t i n g t o n ? "
Carey shot back a p l e d g e to send his personal staff to d e t e r m i n e the truth
of t h e t o w n ' s f i n a n c i a l p o s i t i o n .
" I i n t e n d t o b e a w o l f b a r k i n g a t t h e i r h e e l s , " B o c z k o w s k i s a i d in a p r e s s
conference.
TOWN^F HUNTINGTON UNIT PRESIDENT Dorothy Goetz, center, and
CSEA Field Representative James Walters, right, were among those who
participated in a protest march outside Town Hall against the proposed
layoff of 65 employees represented by CSEA.
Page 12
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, December 31, 1980
AMONG THOSE AT THE Town of Huntington protest march against the
proposed layoff of 65 employees are, from left, Linda Osher, Shirley Claasen
and Teddi Moore.