Get welip Mr. President
ALBANY — CSE A President William L. McGowan has extended the union's
wishes for a speedy recovery to President Ronald Reagan, wounded in an
assassination attempt in Washington, D.C. last week.
"I am sure that I speak on behalf of all members of the labor movement
when I express to you our shock and outrage at this vicious attack upon you, Press
Secretary Jim Brady and your security officers. Such violence strikes at the very
foundation of democracy and must be condemned for the cowardly act of madness
that it represents.
'On behalf of the membership of our union, please accept our sympathies
for the injuries that you and your party suffered on March 30, and our most
sincere wishes for a speedy and complete recovery for all," Mr. McGowan wrote.
''The very foundation of America is based on free debate and advocacy of
ideas," the union leader commented, "but while there is always room in this
country for dissent, there will never be an excuse for the violence associated with
an attack upon the life of the President of the United States."
« M i
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imjrers, r ^ p i ^ a «
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ettorm^
The proposed < 6ttaget i s ^ d i s e u s i e % t m m
s e v e r a l p o i n t s of v i e w in a r t i c l e s o n p a g e s
5» 6 , 7 a n d $ i n t h i s i s s u e . T h e s e f e ^ ^ ^
eludes on page 8 with specific information
on conducting a m a s s i v e letter
writing
campaign to the
Sena tors
and
^SECTO
Congressmen f r o m New T o r k State, ^
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Official publication of The Civil Service Employees Association
V o l . 3, N o .
26
(ISSN 0164 9949)
Wednesday,
A p r i l 8,
f
1981
'Performance evaluation
system a dismal failure'
ALBANY — Terming the state's Performance Evaluation System a
"noble experiment that is a dismal failure", GSEA President William L.
McGowan has announced that the union will end its participation in the
program affecting state employees at the expiration of current CSEA-State
contracts in March, 1982.
"We have tried and tried and tried again to accommodate this system
because it offered our state membership the promise of more money, but
the simple fact of the matter is this system is not working, offers no promise
of ever working, and if anything, is destroying productivity rather than
boosting it," the union leader told newsmen.
In 1979, CSEA negotiated contracts for the state's Administrative, Institutional and Operational bargaining units. Under the Presidential Wage
and Price Guidelines then in effect, public employers were prohibited from
negotiating salary increases of greater than seven percent. The guidelines
excluded, however, any payments linked to "productivity incentives".
CSEA and the State agreed upon a Performance Evaluation System that
added approximately $9 million per year to the salary increase negotiated
by the union. Payment of this money was divided between a Performance
Advancement System that linked performance ratings to movement through
the state salary steps. It reduced the time necessary for an "average"
employee to move through that scale from five years to three, and allowed a
new employee receiving consistently "outstanding" ratings to move
through the salary steps in as little as 18 months.
A separate Performance Award System offered annual bonuses of at
least $300 to employees at the top of the salary schedule rated as "outstanding". The contract, however, provided a limit of 16,000 awards.
Management implementation of this element of the program has led to
perceived "quotas" with supervisors telling employees that they wanted to
rate them as "outstanding" but were under management pressure to have
no more then a certain number of "outstanding" ratings. This, in turn, has
led to major complaints about the program and destruction of its intended
goal of encouraging employees to improve performance to obtain an award.
Many employees felt that they would receive an arbitrary rating no matter
how they performed.
The Performance Evaluation Program has pumped more than $8
million into Performance Awards, and more than $12 million into Performance Advancements. This $20 million "bonus", above the seven percent increase limit under the Presidential Wage and Price Guidelines in effect in
1979, is the principal reason that CSEA has worked diligently for two years
to try to salvage the system. Despite its efforts, reports from the latest
round of ratings indicate the system is still overwhelmed with problems.
"CSEA is a democratic union that is responsive to the needs and
feelings of its membership," Mr. McGowan said. "And it is clear that
because of the continuing foul-ups in this program, the employees have
simply had it with Performance Evaluation as it presently exists. I honestly
believe that if this system were in any future tentative contract submitted to
the membership, the contract could not be ratified."
Union delegates meeting in Syracuse^ for a Special CSEA Delegate
meeting last month roundly criticized the program's failures in producing
objective ratings upon which to base performance advancements or performance awards. During the discussion, Mr. McGowan announced to the
Delegates that he had decided that the program could not be salvaged and
the union would "get rid of it" in future negotiations.
Until the end of the current contract on March 31,1982, however, Performance Evaluation and the payments for Performance Awards and Performance Advancements remain a part of the CSEA contract and the union will
honor its commitment. It is projected that an additional $12 million will be
paid out under the program in the final contract year. Union local presidents
and stewards in the state division are being encouraged to continue their
vigilant monitoring of the system and assisting employees who feel their
rights may have been abused.
Numerous employee complaints have been received by the union in connection with the program despite a two year program of training and planning to reform the program in an effort to continue the financial rewards in
the future. But, Mr. McGowan said, despite CSEA's good faith efforts, the
problems still remain.
"We have documented instances where employees have received
ratings and then had their ratings taken back and downgraded because a
supervisor gave out 'too many' outstanding ratings," he said. "In other
cases, evaluations which are supposed to be confidential have been posted
on bulletin boards, and in some cases, the state has failed to pay employees
so they could 'punish' managers who filed evaluations late.
"This union demonstrated a willingness to participate in this program
because it meant $9 million more for our members, and it offered the
promise of badly needed financial awards for workers. But the fact is the
State simply has failed to implement the program properly, and it is a disaster. As far as we're concerned," President McGowan concluded, "our
participation in this experiment will expire on March 31, 1982."
,
^30 reclassified employees prevewted from orgaiitelng
O'Connor charges Exec, with union-busting
G O S H E N — " W e m u s t t u r n t h e t a b l e on C o u n t y E x e c u t i v e L o u i s H e i m b a c h
who is t h e f o r e m o s t union b u s t e r in N e w Y o r k S t a t e , " s a y s R e g i o n H I
President Raymond J. O'Connor.
T h e union l e a d e r m a d e his r e m a r k s a s t h e r e s u l t of a m e e t i n g t h e e x e c u t i v e
held M a r c h 18 w i t h s u p e r v i s o r y p e r s o n n e l w h e r e h e (1) s t a t e d t h e y n o t
o r g a n i z e , (2) a s k e d f o r a c h a n c e to f i r s t p r o v e t o t h e m t h a t t h e y will b e
" t r e a t e d r i g h t , " a n d (3) c a l l e d t h e i r c u r r e n t s t a t u s a , " w o n d e r f u l o p p o r t u n i t y
f o r us to solve p r o b l e m s t o g e t h e r t h a t w e w e r e n e v e r a b l e t o solve b e f o r e . "
In M a y , H e i m b a c h r e c l a s s i f i e d 130 c o u n t y union e m p l o y e e s on g r o u n d s t h a t
t h e y w e r e s u p e r v i s o r s a n d should b e c o n s i d e r e d p a r t of m a n a g e m e n t . C S E A
answered with an unfair labor practice charge, but the state 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 d i s m i s s e d it.
O ' C o n n o r c o m p l a i n e d t h a t t h e c o u n t y t u r n e d d o w n a union r e q u e s t t h a t
F i e l d R e p . F l i p A m o d i o b e p e r m i t t e d to m o n i t o r t h e s e s s i o n .
" I t ' s p r e t t y c l e a r h e d i d n ' t w a n t u s t h e r e b e c a u s e t h a t would h a v e k e p t h i m
h o n e s t . " h e d e c l a r e d , e m p h a s i z i n g , " i t ' s t h e old g a m e of a n e m p l o y e r in-
t i m i d a t i n g people who h a v e no c o n t r a c t u a l b e n e f i t s to k e e p t h e m
organizing."
from
T h e C S E A p l a n s to file a n I m p r o p e r P r a c t i c e w i t h t h e P E R B c h a r g i n g
H e i m b a c h with, "union a n i m u s . "
In a r e l a t e d d e v e l o p m e n t , union a t t o r n e y s h a v e d e c i d e d to a p p e a l t h e
P E R B decision w h i c h p e r m i t t e d t h e c o u n t y to r e m o v e t h e m i d d l e m a n a g e m e n t
p e o p l e f r o m t h e b a r g a i n i n g unit.
" I n v i e w of H e i m b a c h ' s a c t i o n , w e m u s t c h a l l e n g e t h e d e c i s i o n b e c a u s e it
t h r e a t e n s t h e w h o l e union. H e will o t h e r w i s e s i m p l y pick it to d e a t h until
n o t h i n g is life a n d e v e r y o n e is a t his f e e t , " a c c o r d i n g to O ' C o n n o r .
Union l e a d e r s w e r e e s p e c i a l l y u p s e t b e c a u s e a t t h e m e e t i n g H e i m b a c h said
t h e d e a d l i n e to a p p e a l w a s p a s s e d w h e n in f a c t it w a s not until M a r c h 24.
" I t ' s j u s t a n o t h e r e x a m p l e of how h e o p e r a t e s , " t h e r e g i o n a l p r e s i d e n t conc l u d e d , w h o s a i d t h a t s i n c e C S E A is now a f f i l i a t e d w i t h t h e A F L - C I O a s L o c a l
1,000 of t h e A m e r i c a n F e d e r a t i o n of S t a t e , C o u n t y a n d M u n i c i p a l E m p l o y e e s ,
h e h o p e s union p e o p l e a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s in O r a n g e C o u n t y will r e m e m b e r
H e i m b a c h ' s anti-unionism this election year.
Latest escape proves CPC is ill-equipped
NEW YORK CITY — Yet another escape f r o m Creedmoor
P s y c h i a t r i c C e n t e r ' s ( C P C ) so-called t o p s e c u r i t y f o r e n s i c unit h a s d r a w n
h a r s h w o r d s f r o m C P C L o c a l 406 p r e s i d e n t D o r o t h y K i n g .
" W e h a v e s a i d t i m e a n d t i m e a g a i n t h a t s e c u r i t y is v e r y l a x in t h e
f o r e n s i c u n i t , " s a i d K i n g . " I t ' s s i m p l y n o t a s e c u r e w a r d , y e t violent
patients a r e kept t h e r e . "
T h e p a t i e n t w h o e s c a p e d is a s u s p e c t in f i v e r a p e s , t w o of t h e m involving y o u n g g i r l s .
While G o v e r n o r C a r e y h a s r e q u e s t e d $2.4 m i l l i o n to e s t a b l i s h a
r e g i o n a l f o r e n s i c u n i t a t M a n h a t t a n P s y c h i a t r i c C e n t e r , t h e p l a n s do not
c a l l f o r t h e f a c i l i t y t o b e r e a d y t o a c c e p t p a t i e n t s until l a t e 1982.
" W h e n I l e a r n e d of t h e p r o p o s a l t o m o v e all t h e d o w n s t a t e f o r e n s i c
patients to M a n h a t t a n State, I w a s naturally p l e a s e d , " said King. " B u t I
k n e w t h a t t h e r e w o u l d b e a s t e a d y s t r e a m of e s c a p e s f r o m C r e e d m o o r until t h e j i e w u n i t is o p e n e d . "
The latest escape has also drawn fire f r o m Queens County District
A t t o r n e y J o h n S a n t u c c i . H e h a s d e m a n d e d a full r e p o r t f r o m t h e O f f i c e of
M e n t a l H e a l t h on how t h e e s c a p e o c c u r r e d .
S a n t u c c i w a s q u o t e d in N e w Y o r k City n e w s p a p e r s a s s a y i n g t h a t
" t h i s l a t e s t e s t a p e r a i s e s y e t f u r t h e r d o u b t s a b o u t t h e s e c u r i t y of C r e e d m o o r a n d r a i s e s t h e i s s u e of p l a c i n g s u c h d e f e n d a n t s t h e r e . "
S a n t u c c i ' s c o n c e r n o v e r s e c u r i t y p r o b l e m s a t C r e e d m o o r is n e w s t o
King.
" W h e r e was Santucci when CSEA and c o m m u n i t y leaders
w o r k i n g to g e t t h e f o r e n s i c unit out of h e r e ? " s h e a s k e d .
were
CSEA, c o m m u n i t y leaders and Queens politicians have criticized and
d e m o n s t r a t e d against keeping violent patients a t Creedmoor, a facility
n e v e r i n t e n d e d o r d e s i g n e d to hold c r i m i n a l l y i n s a n e p a t i e n t s .
r AFSCME's Roberts nominated i Labor Tlieater In area
N E W YORK CITY - Gov. Hugh
L. C a r e y h a s n o m i n a t e d Lillian
R o b e r t s , A s s o c i a t e D i r e c t o r of
A F S C M E D i s t r i c t Council 37, to
become Industrial Commissioner
of t h e S t a t e of N e w Y o r k .
Ms. R o b e r t s h a s b e e n A s s o c i a t e
D i r e c t o r of D.C. 37 s i n c e 1967. She
is n a t i o n a l l y k n o w n in t h e l a b o r
m o v e m e n t a s a n a d v o c a t e of
women's rights and affirmative
action and has been a formidable
f i g u r e in t h e s t a t e ' s
labor
movement for m o r e than a decade.
The Industrial Commissioner
heads the State Labor Department
which employs
t h o u s a n d s of
CSEA m e m b e r s and regulates
m a n y p r o g r a m s having a direct
i m p a c t on p u b l i c e m p l o y e e s
including the
Comprehensive
E m p l o y m e n t and Training Act
( C E T A ) a n d t h e public e m p l o y e e
Occupational Safety and Health
program.
C S E A P r e s i d e n t W i l l i a m L.
M c G o w a n s a i d h e w a s p l e a s e d by
t h e n o m i n a t i o n of Ms. R o b e r t s
b e c a u s e s h e is a d e s e r v i n g w o r k e r
for labor and has a proven track
r e c o r d a s a l e a d e r in t h e f i g h t f o r
public e m p l o y e e r i g h t s .
^
ALBANY - The Labor Theater, a
professional Equity theater group
b a s e d in N e w Y o r k City, will b r i n g its
critically-acclaimed
p r o d u c t i o n of
" R a i l r o a d B i l l " to A l b a n y on T h u r s d a y , April 16 a t 8 p . m . It will b e p e r f o r m e d a t P a g e Hall, on t h e downtown s t a t e U n i v e r s i t y a t A l b a n y c a m pus on W e s t e r n A v e n u e .
T h e A l b a n y p e r f o r m a n c e of t h e
Bd. of Directors candidacy
A L B A N Y — C S E A m e m b e r s e m p l o y e d by t h e D e p a r t m e n t of S t a t e of t h e
S t a t e of N e w Y o r k a r e invited to a p p l y f o r c a n d i d a c y a s t h e D e p a r t m e n t ' s
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e on C S E A ' s S t a t e w i d e B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s .
T h e C S E A ' s S t a t e w i d e N o m i n a t i n g C o m m i t t e e is a c c e p t i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s
f o r c a n d i d a c y to t h e B o a r d s e a t d u e to t h e d e c l i n a t i o n of t h e i n c u m b e n t
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , t h e only c a n d i d a t e n o m i n a t e d by t h e C o m m i t t e e .
Any m e m b e r f r o m t h e D e p a r t m e n t c a n a p p l y f o r c a n d i d a c y by c o n t a c t i n g
t h e O f f i c e of E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r J o s e p h J . D o l a n , J r . a t C S E A H e a d q u a r t e r s
(518) 434-0191.
A p p l i c a t i o n s m u s t be r e c e i v e d p r i o r to April 15, 1981 to b e c o n s i d e r e d .
Gully named to stats council
Nominations
ftoadiine
The deadline for nominations for
e l e c t i o n to C S E A J u d i c i a r y L o c a l 332
o f f i c e s is April 10. All c o m p l e t e d
applications should be sent to the
N o m i n a t i n g C o m m i t t e e , P . O . Box
564, G o s h e n , N . Y . 10924.
If a p p l i c a t i o n s h a v e n o t b e e n
received, contact Carol Slover at the
same address.
I n d e p e n d e n t b a l l o t s f o r L o c a l 332
e l e c t i o n s m u s t b e r e c e i v e d by April
25.
p^age 2
A L B A N Y — J o h n Gully, a n a u d i t c l e r k f o r s a l e s t a x in t h e
D e p a r t m e n t of T a x a t i o n a n d F i n a n c e C S E A L o c a l 690, h a s b e e n
n a m e d a m e m b e r of t h e P r o x y S u b c o m m i t t e e of t h e s t a t e
C o m p t r o l l e r ' s A d v i s o r y Council.
In his n e w r o l e . Gully will r e c o m m e n d t h e C S E A v o t e on
s c o r e s of i s s u e s r a i s e d by t h e s t o c k h o l d e r s of t h e m a n y c o m p a n i e s in w h i c h t h e s t a t e E m p l o y e e s R e t i r e m e n t S y s t e m h a s inv e s t e d s o m e $12 billion.
T h e P r o x y S u b c o m m i t t e e w a s e s t a b l i s h e d in 1979 by s t a t e
Comptroller E d w a r d Regan. Its m e m b e r s review stockholders'
p r o p o s a l s to m a k e s u r e c o r p o r a t i o n s a c t w i t h not only p r o f i t s in
m i n d , but a l s o w i t h a s e n s e of m o r a l a n d s o c i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y .
T h e s u b c o m m i t t e e is c o m p r i s e d of n i n e m e m b e r s , s e v e n of
w h o m a r e public e m p l o y e e s , w i t h f i v e of t h e m r e p r e s e n t i n g
e m p l o y e e o r g a n i z a t i o n s . Gully is t h e only C S E A m e m b e r on t h e
s u b c o m m i t t e e . So f a r , t h e m e m b e r s h a v e b e e n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e i r
positions on p r o x y v o t e s of c o m p a n i e s a c t i v e in n u c l e a r e n e r g y
a n d in South A f r i c a .
, (Tt^lE^^pUBM^ ^ECJPR.. Wedn^^^ay,, ^ r i l 8, 1981
L a b o r T h e a t e r is b e i n g s p o n s o r e d by
t h e A m a l g a m a t e d C l o t h i n g a n d Textile Workers Union's H u m a n i t i e s
P r o j e c t , c a l l e d T H R E A D S , a n d by
several community labor groups.
T i c k e t s a r e $2 e a c h , a n d a r e
a v a i l a b l e a t t h e d o o r or in a d v a n c e
f r o m P e g Wilson of T H R E A D S . Ms.
Wilson c a n be r e a c h e d e v e n i n g s a t
463-5818.
For third time, Margo Pettit risks life to assist police
Crossing guard helps capture criminals
I N W O O D — F o r t w o 13-year-old a l l e g e d m u g g e r s , F r i d a y t h e T h i r t e e n t h
of M a r c h p r o v e d to be t h e i r u n l u c k y d a y — t h e y r a n snnack into N a s s a u
County wSchool C r o s s i n g g u a r d M a r g o P e t t i t who h e l p e d a r r e s t t h e m .
It w a s t h e t h i r d t i m e in t h r e e y e a r s t h a t Ms. P e t t i t h a s h e l p e d police
a r r e s t c r i m i n a l s u s p e c t s a n d t h e C S E A N a s s a u L o c a l 830 is p l a n n i n g t o
honor h e r in c e r e m o n i e s .
" W e w a n t t h e p u b l i c to k n o w t h a t d e d i c a t e d e m p l o y e e s like M s . P e t t i t
t a k e t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s s e r i o u s l y — e v e n to t h e point of r i s k i n g t h e i r
l i v e s , " said N i c h o l a s A b b a t i e l l o , P r e s i d e n t , Local. 830.
Ms. P e t t i t , w h o w o r k s a t P u b l i c School No. 2 a t S h e r i d a n A v e n u e a n d
W e s t c o t t S t r e e t in In wood, h a d j u s t g o n e off d u t y on M a r c h 13 w h e n s h e s a w
t w o young boys r u n by h e r c a r . O n e y o u n g s t e r w a s h o l d i n g a w o m a n ' s
pocketbook.
" I k n e w t h e y h a d - s t o l e n i t , " Ms. P e t t i t s a i d . S h e w a s s i t t i n g in h e r c a r
with t h e m o t o r r u n n i n g a n d m a d e a U - t u r n a n d d r o v e a f t e r t h e f l e e i n g boys.
When s h e c a u g h t up w i t h t h e m , Ms. P e t t i t d e m a n d e d t h e y g i v e h e r t h e
p o c k e t b o o k . O n e y o u n g s t e r w a n t e d to give it b a c k b u t t h e o t h e r c a m e o v e r to
h e r c a r . " H e w o v e a b u t c h e r k n i f e in m y f a c e a n d s a i d , 'I d o n ' t c a r e who you
w o r k f o r , you a i n ' t g e t t i n g t h i s
pocketbook,' " she said.
Ms. P e t t i t d r o v e b a c k to t h e school c r o s s i n g . " I f i g u r e d t h a t s o m e o n e
would h a v e c a l l e d t h e police a n d t h e y m i g h t b e t h e r e , " Ms. P e t t i t s a i d . She
f o u n d t w o police o f f i c e r s c r u i s i n g t h e a r e a in a p a t r o l c a r looking f o r t h e
s u s p e c t s . S h e led t h e m to t h e a r e a w h e r e s h e h a d e n c o u n t e r e d t h e s u s p e c t s
a n d police, a f t e r a s e a r c h , found t h e t w o b o y s a n d a r r e s t e d t h e m c h a r g i n g
t h e m with juvenile delinquency.
P o l i c e r e c o v e r e d m o r e t h a n $400 f r o m t h e boys. T h e a l l e g e d v i c t i m s ,
t w o w o m e n f r o m n e a r b y t o w n s , s a i d t h e y h a d b e e n t h r e a t e n e d by t h e
s u s p e c t s a t k n i f e p o i n t in s e p a r a t e i n c i d e n t s w h i l e t h e y w e r e s h o p p i n g in t h e
neighborhood.
M s . P e t t i t s a i d s h e w a s not f r i g h t e n e d b e c a u s e s h e h a d b e e n involved in
t w o s i m i l a r i n c i d e n t s . T h r e e y e a r s a g o , s h e h e l p e d police a p p r e h e n d a m a n
w h o w a s b r e a k i n g into a g a r a g e n e a r h e r h o m e a n d l a s t s u m m e r s h e h e l p e d
police a r r e s t a m a n b r e a k i n g into p a r k e d c a r s .
PERB overturns termination of DOT woricer
BOLTON L A N D I N G — An e m p l o y e e of t h e W a r r e n C o u n t y U n i t of t h e
s t a t e D e p a r t m e n t of T r a n s p o r t a t i o n h a s b e e n r e t u r n e d t o his position on t h e
o r d e r of a P u b l i c E m p l o y m e n t R e l a t i o n s B o a r d a r b i t r a t o r a f t e r t h e s t a t e f i r s t
o f f e r e d t h e e m p l o y e e a d e m o t i o n , t h e n t e r m i n a t e d h i m on t h e g r o u n d s t h a t a
t e m p o r a r y physical disability rendered him incompetent.
T h e Civil S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s Assn. c a l l e d f o r t h e a r b i t r a t i o n on behalf of
h i g h w a y e q u i p m e n t o p e r a t o r J a m e s N e e d h a m , a 13-year v e t e r a n of t h e
d e p a r t m e n t , w h e n t h e s t a t e r e f u s e d to a c k n o w l e d g e a d i a g n o s i s f r o m
N e e d h a m ' s own d o c t o r , w h i c h s a i d t h e s e i z u r e s h e s u f f e r e d a s a r e s u l t of a n
a u t o a c c i d e n t would soon b e c l e a r e d up.
The doctor f u r t h e r stated that N e e d h a m , whose duties w e r e then
r e s t r i c t e d , could p e r f o r m full d u t i e s w h e n h e w a s f r e e f r o m t h e s e i z u r e s .
W a r r e n C o u n t y U n i t D O T P r e s i d e n t Milo B a r l o w p o i n t e d o u t t h a t
N e e d h a m ' s c a s e is s i g n i f i c a n t b e c a u s e a s e c o n d m e d i c a l opinion w a s a c c e p t e d
a s valid.
N e e d h a m ' s t r o u b l e s b e g a n in S e p t e m b e r , 1979, w h e n h e d e v e l o p e d s e i z u r e s
and high blood p r e s s u r e a f t e r b e i n g involved in a n a u t o a c c i d e n t . H e w a s on
sick l e a v e f o r n e a r l y t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of a y e a r a f t e r t h e a c c i d e n t .
In J u n e , 1980, w i t h his d o c t o r ' s p e r m i s s i o n , N e e d h a m r e q u e s t e d to r e t u r n
t o h i s j o b . As r e q u i r e d by t h e s t a t e , N e e d h a m u n d e r w e n t a n e x a m i n a t i o n by a
physician with the state E m p l o y e e ' s Health Services, and informed the doctor
h e w a s still t a k i n g a d r u g to c o n t r o l t h e s e i z u r e s . T h e s t a t e d o c t o r c o n c l u d e d
t h a t N e e d h a m " c o u l d p e r f o r m all t h e d u t i e s of a l a b o r e r e x c e p t f o r o p e r a t i n g
h a z a r d o u s m a c h i n e r y o r m o t o r v e h i c l e s a n d w o r k i n g in e l e v a t e d p l a c e s . "
C o n s e q u e n t l y , N e e d h a m w a s a l l o w e d to r e t u r n to w o r k , u n d e r t h o s e
restrictions.
D e s p i t e N e e d h a m ' s s a t i s f a c t o r y w o r k r e c o r d f o r t h o s e w e e k s , in J u l y a
supervisor who returned f r o m an extended vacation reviewed N e e d h a m ' s case
a n d s u g g e s t e d h e b e d e m o t e d , c l a i m i n g it w a s u n f a i r f o r t h e s t a t e to p a y h i m
full l a b o r e r ' s w a g e s w h i l e h e p e r f o r m e d l i m i t e d d u t i e s .
N e e d h a m r e f u s e d to b e d e m o t e d a n d p r o d u c e d a s t a t e m e n t f r o m his d o c t o r
s a y i n g h e could a s s u m e his n o r m a l w o r k l o a d in a m a t t e r of m o n t h s w h e n t h e
s e i z u r e s would b e u n d e r c o n t r o l w i t h o u t m e d i c a t i o n . At t h i s point N e e d h a m
w a s s e r v e d w i t h a n o t i c e of d i s c i p l i n e a n d t e r m i n a t e d .
T h e a r b i t r a t o r r u l e d t h a t N e e d h a m ' s p r e s e n c e on t h e j o b s i t e p o s e d no
t h r e a t t o e i t h e r h i m s e l f o r o t h e r e m p l o y e e s , a n d t h a t t h e d e n i o t i o n w a s unj u s t i f i e d b e c a u s e h e would b e a b l e to w o r k full t i m e in t h e n e a r f u t u r e .
Campaign tecliniques
program underway
M a y 15,1981 will m a r k t h e f i r s t C S E A L o c a l 1000, A F S C M E , A F L - C I O
s p o n s o r e d P o l i t i c a l Action I n s t i t u t e in c a m p a i g n t e c h n i q u e s f o r C S E A
m e m b e r s who a r e planning to run for public office.
T h e p r o g r a m will o f f e r b a s i c i n s t r u c t i o n in a l l a r e a s of c a m p a i g n i n g :
f u n d r a i s i n g , polling, r e c r u i t i n g v o l u n t e e r s , m e d i a a n d m u c h m o r e . B e r n a r d R y a n , D i r e c t o r of L e g i s l a t i o n a n d P o l i t i c a l Action s a i d , " T h i s is a
t r e m e n d o u s s t e p f o r w a r d in o u r p r o g r a m . I n s t e a d of r e a c t i n g t o c a n d i d a t e s in e v e r y i n s t a n c e , w e c a n p r o m o t e s o m e of o u r o w n . W e a n t i c i p a t e t h i s will b e c o m e a p o p u l a r c o u r s e . "
S e v e r a l i n s t r u c t o r s w h o a r e k n o w l e d g e a b l e in t h e v a r i o u s a s p e c t s of
p o l i t i c s will be f e a t u r e d . Any m e m b e r of C S E A L o c a l 1000, A F S C M E ,
A F L - C I O w h o c o n t e m p l a t e s r u n n i n g f o r p o l i t i c a l o f f i c e is e l i g i b l e to a p p l y
f o r t h e c o u r s e . A p p l i c a t i o n f o r m s a r e a v a i l a b l e by r e q u e s t f r o m e v e r y
C S E A R e g i o n O f f i c e , a s w e l l a s t h e C S E A L e g i s l a t i v e O f f i c e , 99
W a s h i n g t o n A v e n u e , R o o m 2020, A l b a n y , N e w Y o r k 12210 (518) 465-6211.
C o m p l e t e d a p p l i c a t i o n s should b e r e t u r n e d no l a t e r t h a n April 17,1981
to y o u r R e g i o n O f f i c e . A r e g i o n a l s c r e e n i n g c o m m i t t e e will r e v i e w t h e
a p p l i c a t i o n s a n d m a k e i t s initial r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t o C S E A P r e s i d e n t
W i l l i a m L. M c G o w a n . P a r t i c i p a n t s s e l e c t e d will b e n o t i f i e d by m a i l of
their acceptance.
Region VI candidates night
CSEA IS MAKING INROADS to improve working conditions for armory
employees. Pictured here at the first meeting of the CSEA Special Armories
Committee are (left to right, front row): George Rogers, Co-Chairperson;
Jack Conoby, CSEA Collective Bargaining Specialist; and Cassell Brockett,
Co-Chairperson. Standing (in the same order) are: Allan R. Ahrens, James
Joseph and Robert Moorby. The Committee had the first labor-management
meeting ever with the Division of Military and Naval Affairs to open a dialogue
with the state. CSEA is sponsoring legislation this year to grant armory
employees Taylor Law bargaining rights for the first time. Missing from the
photo are Committee Members Neil Kennedy and Burt Barringer.
B U F F A L O — C S E A W e s t e r n R e g i o n 6 m e m b e r s will h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to h e a r t h e v i e w s of c a n d i d a t e s f o r r e g i o n a l o f f i c e a t a " M e e t t h e
C a n d i d a t e s N i g h t " , F r i d a y , M a y 1, a t 7:30 p . m . , a s a n n o u n c e d by t h e
Region 6 Nominating C o m m i t t e e .
C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m a n J i m J a y e s s a i d his c o m m i t t e e h a s d e v e l o p e d a
list of q u e s t i o n s t h a t will be a s k e d of all t h e p r o s p e c t i v e r e g i o n a l o f f i c e r s
T h e q u e s t i o n s will be m a i l e d to all n o m i n e e s in a d v a n c e of t h e m e e t i n g .
R e g i o n a l C S E A m e m b e r s will b e a l l o w e d to a s k a n y q u e s t i o n s t h e y
w i s h of t h e c a n d i d a t e s in a d d i t i o n to t h e p r e - f i l e d q u e r i e s , J a y e s a d d e d .
T h e e v e n t will t a k e p l a c e a t t h e H o l i d a y Inn, B a t a v i a , a s n o t e d ,
F r i d a y , M a y 1, 7:30 p . m .
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, February 3, 1981
Page 3
SPublic—^
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Published every Wednesday by Clarity Publishing, Inc. Publication
Office, 75 Champlain Street. Albany. N.Y. 12204 ( 518 ) 465-4591
Reaganomics: New Peter & Paul syndrome
By Grace Vallee
Chairperson, CSEA statewide Social Services Committee
It appears that a new syndrome is being developed by the Reagan budget
cutting methods. I'm sure there are many of us who have used the proverbial
"robbing of Peter to pay Paul" and if this method wasn't actually put to use it
is familiar to us. Of special interest to me as the Statewide Social Services
Chairperson, are the devastating and far reaching problems we face with the
budget cuts.
This new syndrome seems to me to be a problem of not just "robbing Peter
to pay Paul" but now we are robbing Paul as well. Our members have to be
concerned about this and our Social Service Members have to be alert and
watchful.
The proposed cuts effecting services are especially stringent. The cut of
U.LB. Benefits, Social Security and C.E.T.A. positions are going to have a
devastating effect upon Social Service Agencies. Where is the person going to
go whose U.I.B. Benefits are stopped? Where will the person whose Social
Security Benefits are cut go? Where will the person whose C.E.T.A. benefits
^Calendar
of EVENTS
April
8
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center Local 418 open house, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Assembly Hall,
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, West Brentwood.
9—Southern Region III county locals meeting, 8 p.m., Bear Mountain Inn, Bear Mountain.
10 — Central Islip"Psychiatric Center Local 404 open house, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Club House,
Central Islip Psychiatric Center, Central Islip.
10—Statewide Non-Teaching School Employees Committee meeting, 8 p.m.. Coachman
Hotel, White Plains.
10-11 — Region 6 Women's Committee Seminar, Rowntowner, Rochester.
11 — CSEA Region V Combined Stewards Training Seminar; Raymond Hall, 8th floor;
SUNY Potsdam; 8:30 a.m. Those Locals invited to participate are: No. 613 SUNY
Potsdam; No. 603 ATC Canton; No. 423 St. Lawrence P.C.; No. 845 St. Lawrence
Cojunty.
11—Statewide Non-Teaching School Employees Committee meeting, 11 a.m., Ramada
Inn, Newburgh.
13—Long Island Region I Executive Committee meeting, 7 p.m.. Machinists Hall, Melville.
14—Southern Region III corrections locals meeting, 8 p.m.. Holiday Inn, Newburgh.
14 — Westchester County Unit meeting, 7:00 p.m., 85 Court St., White Plains.
15—Buffalo Local 003, Executive Committee meeting, Plaza Suite, Buffalo.
20-22 — Long Island Region 1 Annual Workshop, Gurney's Inn, Montauk.
23—Southern Region III SUNY locals meeting, 7 p.m., Holiday Inn, Fishkill.
25 — CSEA Region IV Women's Committee Meeting with guest speaker attorney Marge
Korowe on "Women's Legal Rights," Best Western Thruway House, 9 a.m.
registration.
28—Southern Region III DOT locals meeting, 8 p.m., Howard Johnson's, Middletown.
May
1—4th Annual White Plains Unit Retirees Dinner-Dance, 7:00 p.m.. Purchase Country
Club, Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase.
1—Pilgrim Psychiatric Center 25-year and retirees dinner dance, 8 p.m., Huntington
Towne House, Huntington. Pilgrim Psychiatric Center Local 418-sponsored cocktail
party, 7-8'p.m.
6—Long Island Region I Mental Hygiene Task Force meeting, noon. Region I Satellite Of• flee, Hauppauge.
Page 12
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, W e d n e s d a y , March 4, 1981
expire go? There will be an en masse Exodus of these people straight to the
Local Government Social Service Offices. And will these monies taken from,
"Peter" be given to strengthen "Paul" — No Longer — for "Paul" has been
robbed too.
If someone can tell me or make any sense of cutting programs benefiting
those who can least afford it, and then cutting the very Welfare Programs
which will now have to provide the necessities for shelter, food and medical
attention to those people now in need. Where is the justice in it all?
The proposed cuts will cast a long shadow over the fringe families who
hover just over Welfare standards. The so-called working poor and how many
of our members fall into this category. Working people who with the help of
Medicaid and with the help of the Food Stamp Program, are able to exist
without having to apply for Public Assistance.
I sat in the Civic Center during our meeting and listened to Congress
Woman, Shirley Chisholm speak. Listened and empathized with her words.
Words that came from her heart and mind giving me moist eyes and a lump in
my throat. Emotions which came not from being a so-called "bleeding heart
Liberal" but from being a realist and sharing with this woman a vision almost
too terrifying to bear.
As Chairperson of our Social Services Committee, I share a dual concern
one for our members jobs and welfare and one for the clients, Social Service
people care for financially and service wise. Now it is the time to act, show
concern and become involved. Too late it will be to act when we see the
members we represent joining the ranks of the destitute and troubled we
serve.
What can you do? What can we all do? Be Informed! Listen to your Unit!
Local, Region and Statewide Leadership. Listen to your Political Action
Leadership. Then communicate to your fellow workers, inturn inform them
what you have learned from the Leadership, finally act, ACT in what ever way
you can best.
Stamp out this new syndrome of "Robbing Peter and Paul." Stamp out the
old syndrome of "Robbing Peter to pay Paul." Start a new Union Syndrome of
Brotherhood and Equality for both "Peter and Paul!"
Holiday optloii, time off
ALBANY ^ CSEA's contracts with the State of New York give
employees an option in choosing to receive additional compensation for
working holidays or to receive instead "compensatory time off."
Unless an employee states his or her preference, the employee will
receive additional compensation if normally assigned work on a holiday
designated by the contracts.
But an employee can elect to receive compensatory time off instead
by falling out an appropriate form available in state personnel offices and
filh:g the form between April I and May 15. Once an employee exercises
an option, that option remains in effect throughout the entire contract
year.
.
.
An employee who may have previously felected to receive compensatory time off instead of additional compensation can revoke that option, but he or she can only do so during the April 1 to May 15 waiver
period.
Any CSEA represented state employee wishing to exercise this option
or to revoke an option previously exercised, is reminded that they must
fill out the appropriate form in the personnel office before May 15.
Members tell
how Reagan
economics will
affect lifestyle
How will " R e a g a n o m i c s " — P r e s i d e n t R e a g a n ' s e c o n o m i c p o l i c i e s
and extensive budget cutting — a f f e c t CSEA m e m b e r s both personally
and professionally?
F o l l o w i n g a r e t h e t h o u g h t s f r o m a r a n d o m s a m p l e of d e l e g a t e s w h o
a t t e n d e d t h e 1981 C S E A S p r i n g D e l e g a t e s M e e t i n g in S y r a c u s e l a s t w e e k :
L E R O Y HOLMS, Region IV, Office of G e n e r a l Services Local 660, vice
p r e s i d e n t of t h e O p e r a t i o n S e r v i c e s U n i t : " T h e R e a g a n / S t o c k m a n a t t i t u d e is going to b e d i s a s t r o u s f o r all public e m p l o y e e s . I ' m a b s o l u t e l y
a f f e c t e d . I know t h e r e ' s a good c h a n c e m a n y of o u r j o b s will b e a b o l i s h e d
and our workloads increased.
" I a l r e a d y f e e l it. I ' m a G r a d e 6 j a n i t o r a n d r i g h t now m y i n c o m e
d o e s n ' t k e e p up w i t h m y n e e d s . ' R e a g a n o m i c s ' is a s e t b a c k a n d it s c a r e s
m e in t e r m s of t h e f u t u r e s t r u g g l e it will t a k e to gain b a c k w h a t w e h a v e
today."
E D W A R D " B U D " M U L C H Y , R e g i o n V, P r e s i d e n t of M a r c y
P s y c h i a t r i c C e n t e r L o c a l 414, m a s o n p l a s t e r e r : ' T i l p r o b a b l y b e c o m e a
p a u p e r . I ' m a m i d d l e c l a s s p e r s o n a n d I could n e v e r k e e p u p . On t h e j o b ,
R e a g a n e c o n o m i c s could c l o s e t h e a l c o h o l i c unit a t m y f a c i l i t y . "
S A R A H J O H N S O N , Region II, S e c r e t a r y of State I n s u r a n c e F u n d Local
351, s e n i o r c l e r k : " I t h a s t o r e a c h a w o r k i n g p e r s o n a t s o m e t i m e . I h a v e
f o u r c h i l d r e n who a r e g r o w n , a n d w i t h no d e p e n d e n t s , I d o n ' t think it
would a f f e c t m e d i r e c t l y a t f i r s t , b u t I still h a v e h e a r t f o r t h o s e it w o u l d .
I ' m a b s o l u t e l y c o n c e r n e d a n d v e r y d i s h e a r t e n e d a n d I ' m d e t e r m i n e d to
get t h e m e m b e r s of m y l o c a l t o g e t h e r to send l e t t e r s to v a r i o u s
senators."
M A R Y C O S T E L L O , R e g i o n IV, O f f i c e of G e n e r a l S e r v i c e s L o c a l 660,
s u p e r v i s o r of c u s t o d i a l s t a f f : " A lot of p e o p l e in o u r o f f i c e will b e
a f f e c t e d b e c a u s e of g e n e r a l c u t b a c k s , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e w h o d o n ' t h a v e
seniority. I ' m very concerned, especially for the people I supervise and
am a delegate for."
J A M E S C A R T H Y , R e g i o n I, Suffolk C o u n t y L o c a l 852, w o r k e r in
S m i t h t o w n E n g i n e e r ' s D e p a r t m e n t : " B e i n g s i n g l e , w i t h no f a m i l y
o b l i g a t i o n s , i t ' s n o t going t o a f f e c t m e t e r r i b l y i n i t i a l l y . D o w n t h e r o a d , I
g u e s s it'll a f f e c t m e s o m e . At w o r k , w e ' l l s e e t h e i m p a c t in t h e loss of 26
C E T A p o s i t i o n s initially. T h e t h o u g h t of all t h o s e p e o p l e on une m p l o y m e n t lines i s n ' t too a p p e t i z i n g . T h e r e ' s only t w o r o a d s t h e y c a n go
— u n e m p l o y m e n t o r w e l f a r e . E i t h e r w a y , i t ' s going t o c o m e out of m y
pocket s o m e h o w . "
E D L A V I N , R e g i o n V, P r e s i d e n t of F o r t S c h u y l e r of U t i c a L o c a l 014,
area representative for New York State Lottery: " I ' m concerned about
not only g o v e r n m e n t p e o p l e , b u t aH people who a r e w o r k i n g f o r a living.
R e a g a n ' s j u s t a b o u t pulled t h e r u g out f r o m u n d e r t h e f e e t of m i d d l e c l a s s
A m e r i c a . I ' m g l a d f o u r of m y six c h i l d r e n h a v e a l r e a d y g o n e to c o l l e g e . I
n e v e r could h a v e d o n e t h a t w i t h o u t f i n a n c i a l a i d , a n d I ' v e w o r k e d t w o
j o b s m o s t of m y a d u l t l i f e . "
J O E LA F R E N I E R E , R e g i o n IV, D e p a r t m e n t of M o t o r V e h i c l e s
Local 674, p r i n c i p a l d a t a m a c h i n e e n t r y o p e r a t o r : " S u r e I'll b e a f f e c t e d ,
a n d it c a n ' t b e f o r t h e good. I c a n ' t s e e t a k i n g food, like hot l u n c h e s , out of
t h e m o u t h s of c h i l d r e n . "
Middletown insensitive to aide's woric for handicapped
its our whole life . .
By S t a n l e y P . H o r n a k
M I D D L E T O W N — When a son w a s born to J e a n
and J e r r y Black, the blessed event was
o v e r s h a d o w e d . T h e b a b y n a m e d R i c h a r d Allen w a s
m e n t a l l y r e t a r d e d , p r o b a b l y d u e t o a l a c k of o x y g e n
to t h e b r a i n d u r i n g b i r t h . D o c t o r s p a i n t e d a b l e a k
p i c t u r e , but t h e n e w p a r e n t s w e r e f i g h t e r s a n d
d i d n ' t give up. T h e i r son would f u n c t i o n . T h e y
would s e e to it.
T w e n t y - s e v e n y e a r s l a t e r , " R i c k y " is ind e p e n d e n t , holds down a f u l l t i m e j o b a n d is t h e apple of his p a r e n t s ' e y e s . H a r d w o r k , d e d i c a t i o n a n d
s i m p l e f a i t h paid o f f , a n d in t h e c o u r s e of t h e i r l i v e s
J e a n ' s a n d J e r r y ' s d e v o t i o n h a s g r o w n not only to
t h e i r son, b u t a l s o t o all o t h e r " R i c k y s " of t h e
w o r l d . T o d a y , h o w e v e r , a h a r d - n o s e d a n d insensitive administration at Middletown Psychiatric
C e n t e r is m a k i n g life a lot h a r d e r f o r " R i c k y ' s "
f a t h e r — T h e r a p y Aide J e r r y B l a c k .
B a c k in 1962, t h e B l a c k s w h o d e s c r i b e t h e m s e l v e s
a s " a t h l e t i c t y p e s " d e c i d e d t h a t t h e r e should b e a
year-round swimming program for the retarded.
T h e idea c a m e out of t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h t h e
t h e n s i x - y e a r old " R i c k y " w h o loved his s u m m e r
swims.
J o i n e d by a s m a l l g r o u p of v o l u n t e e r s , t h e local
" Y " b e c a m e t h e f i r s t s i t e of a w e e k l y p r o g r a m t h a t
h a s now g r o w n to b e a t r a i n i n g g r o u n d f o r c h a m pions. ( L a t e r , its l o c a t i o n w a s m o v e d to C i r c l e v i l l e
M i d d l e School w h i c h h a s e a s i e r a c c e s s f o r t h e handicapped.)
So f o r t h e p a s t 19 y e a r s , t h e B l a c k s h a v e s p e n t
every available Saturday morning supervising the
p r o g r a m , h e l p i n g t h e r e t a r d e d of all a g e s — f r o m
tiny t o t s to t h o s e in t h e 60s — g e t t i n g t h e m r e a d y ,
h e l p i n g t h e m c h a n g e , a n d j u s t k e e p i n g a n e y e on
t h e m . J e a n confesses, " I t ' s our whole life" and
t a l k s p r o u d l y of t h e m e d a l s won a t t h e S p e c i a l
O l y m p i c s w h e r e t h e i r t e a m took 11 m e d a l s l a s t
y e a r in s t a t e w i d e c o m p e t i t i o n . T h e i r r e c o r d a t t h e
a n n u a l W e s t P o i n t O l y m p i c s is e v e n b e t t e r w h e r e
t h e y took 19 o u t of 26 r i b b o n s in 1980, a n d s h e t h i n k s
C S E A ' s s u p p o r t of t h e S p e c i a l O l y m p i c is, " g r e a t ,
really terrific, just what we need."
A cloud h a s now d e s c e n d e d o v e r t h e i r lives,
because Middletown Psychiatric Center recently
told 14-year v e t e r a n J e r r y t h a t h e m u s t n o w t a k e
T u e s d a y off i n s t e a d of S a t u r d a y , w h i c h b e c a m e h i s
p a s s d a y n i n e m o n t h s ago. T h e c h a n g e w e n t i n t o
e f f e c t M a r c h 6 a n d m a k e s no s e n s e to h i s i m mediate supervisor and co-workers because they
s e e no n e e d f o r it. So f a r , h e ' s b e e n a b l e t o k e e p t a k ing off S a t u r d a y s by u s i n g his own l e a v e t i m e , b u t
t h a t ' s a s h o r t t e r m solution a t b e s t a n d o n e w h i c h
m a k e s h i m p a y d o u b l e f o r his a l t r u i s m . C S E A ,
m e a n w h i l e , filed a g r i e v a n c e on his b e h a l f , b a s e d
on " h u m a n i t a r i a n g r o u n d s " but it w a s t u r n e d d o w n
a n d is n o t b e i n g a p p e a l e d .
M a u r e e n D a r t , s e n i o r r e c r e a t i o n c o o r d i n a t o r of
t h e A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e H e l p of R e t a r d e d C h i l d r e n
(a n o n - p r o f i t g r o u p b a s e d in O r a n g e C o u n t y ) r e c e n t ly w r o t e t o P s y c h i a t r i c C e n t e r D i r e c t o r H e l e n
H o u s t o n p l e a d i n g J e r r y ' s c a s e . Ms. D a r t e x p l a i n s
that the Blacks, " g i v e us a thousand e y e s " and
w o r r i e s a b o u t t h e i m p a c t on t h e s w i m p r o g r a m if
h e c a n ' t p a r t i c i p a t e . She a l s o a d d s in a p e r s o n a l
t o u c h t h a t h e r o w n c a r e e r in " s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n "
w a s i n s p i r e d by h e r e x p e r i e n c e a s a v o l u n t e e r
there.
P r o g r a m b e n e f i t s f o r t h e r e t a r d e d a r e a l m o s t too
n u m e r o u s to m e n t i o n . It t e a c h e s t h e m self suff i c i e n c y , i m p r o v e d m o t o r c o o r d i n a t i o n , builds self
c o n f i d e n c e a n d l e a d s to " n o r m a l i z a t i o n . " J e r r y
himself talks excitedly about the p r o g r e s s he sees
p a r t i c i p a n t s m a k e , a n d c a l l s to m i n d a g i r l who,
" t w o w e e k s a g o n e v e r s w a m b e f o r e a n d now c a n go
t h e full l e n g t h of t h e p o o l . "
H e a l s o k n o w s t h e thrill of s e e i n g his son s e t a
r e c o r d by s w i m m i n g 25 y a r d s in 20 s e c o n d s .
T H E R A P Y AIDE J E R R Y BLACK with the
M i d d l e t o w n Lions C l u b ' s 1980 " H u m a n i t a r i a n of t h e
Y e a r A w a r d " he and his wife s h a r e d for their work
with the mentally r e t a r d e d .
T h e p r o b l e m J e r r y is h a v i n g w i t h his e m p l o y e r
visibly u p s e t s union l e a d e r s . L o c a l 415 P r e s i d e n t
Alex H o g g c o m p l a i n s , " i t s h o w s t h e c o n t e m p t t h e s e
so-called p r o f e s s i o n a l s h a v e f o r u s " w h i l e 2nd V i c e
P r e s i d e n t V i n c e P a n e t t a a d d s , " t h e i r s u p p o s e d to
be in t h e b u s i n e s s of r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , b u t j u s t look
how p e t t y t h e y t r e a t o n e of u s who is s p e n d i n g his
f r e e t i m e helping rehabilitate the mentally
retarded."
W h a t d o e s t h e f u t u r e hold f o r J e a n a n d J e r r y
B l a c k ? T h e y ' v e o v e r c o m e a lot of d i f f i c u l t i e s in
t h e i r l i f e t i m e , a n d t h i s is r e a l l y j u s t o n e m o r e .
R i g h t now, t h e y should be s p e n d i n g t h e i r t i m e t r a i n ing t h e i r t e a m f o r t h e S p e c i a l O l y m p i c s , but t h a n k s
to m a n a g e m e n t a t M i d d l e t o w n P s y c h i a t r i c C e n t e r ,
t h e y ' r e a l s o s p e n d i n g a lot of t i m e w o r r y i n g a b o u t
t h e S a t u r d a y t h a t m a y soon c o m e w h e n t h e y c a n no
l o n g e r be p a r t of t h e s w i m p r o g r a m .
Page 5
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, April 8, " l 9 8 l
I'll
The proposed FY 1982 Federal
Budget projects an 8.5% reduction
in grants-in-aid to state and local
governments.
New York, which receives 27c e n t s f r o m the f e d e r a l
government for every $1.00 raised
locally and which has the distinction of receiving more federal^
aid than any other state, will suffer substantial reductions as a
result of the Administration's
budget proposals. A FY 1982 loss
of $1.3 billion for the entire state is
estimated if all proposals are implemented. Following is a discussion of specific major program
reductions.
ON NEW YORK STATE
General Revenue Sharing (state share)
Medicaid
CETA
Transportation
Highways
Mass Transit
Education
Elementary and Secondary
Education
Impact Aid
Other Direct
Health and Social Services
Economic Development
FY 1982 Reductions
$246 million
$250 million
$306 million
Total Impact»
$ 21 million
$ 66 million
$
$
$
$
$
12
10
3
82
30
million
million
million
million
million
General Revenue Sharing
PROPOSAL
^
P r e s i d e n t R e a g a n h a s n o t i n c l u d e d t h e s t a t e s h a r e of r e v e n u e s h a r i n g
in his F Y 1982 B u d g e t p r o p o s a l s .
IMPACT
This will cost New York State $246 million in FY 1982. Revenue sharing funds were deposited in the State's General Fund, and used to support
education, health, public safety, transportation and social development
programs.
$1300 million
Note: These are estimates of the impact of budget proposals for FY
1982 in major areas. Information was drawn from the Department
of the Treasury, the Office of Management and Budget, and New
York State officials.
Health and Social Services
PROPOSAL
C o m b i n e a n u m b e r of s o c i a l s e r v i c e a n d h e a l t h p r o g r a m s i n t o o n e
block g r a n t to t h e S t a t e s . P r o g r a m s i n c l u d e T i t l e II Social S e r v i c e s ,
d e v e l o p m e n t a l d i s a b i l i t i e s , child w e l f a r e s e r v i c e s . F u n d i n g would b e c u t
by 25%, f o r a s a v i n g of $1.2 billion.
PROPOSAL
F e d e r a l r e i m b u r s e m e n t s f o r M e d i c a i d would b e a l l o w e d t o i n c r e a s e
only 5% in F Y 1982, r e d u c i n g t o t a l o u t l a y s by a n e s t i m a t e d $1 billion.
F u t u r e i n c r e a s e s in f e d e r a l f u n d s would be l i m i t e d by t h e r a t e of i n f l a t i o n
a s m e a s u r e d by t h e G r o s s N a t i o n a l P r o d u c t ( G N P ) d e f l a t o r .
IMPACT
I
The federal government currently pays 50% of Medicaid costs in New
York State. The State expects expenditures to increase at much higher
rates than the 5% limit. Imposition of the reimbursement limit will cost
New York an estimated $250 million in FY 1982.
N o t e : G o v e r n o r C a r e y h a s p r o p o s e d a S t a t e t a k e - o v e r of M e d i c a i d
c o s t s n o w b e i n g b o r n e by c o u n t y g o v e r n m e n t s . If t h i s d o e s occ u r , t h e r e d u c e d f e d e r a l f u n d i n g would i m p o s e a d d i t i o n a l
d i r e c t f i n a n c i a l p r e s s u r e s on t h e S t a t e b u d g e t . If c o u n t i e s cont i n u e t o s h a r e in t h e c o s t s , a d d i t i o n a l f u n d i n g would be r e q u i r e d f r o m t h o s e j u r i s d i c t i o n s a s well.
m
IMPACT
Agencies affected by this cut include the following:
1) Department of Social Services — a 25% reduction in the Title XX
funding would cost the State $48 million.
2) Department of Health and Human Services Region II — the 45
urban and 12 rural Community Health Centers are funded primarily through federal aid. A 25% reduction would mean a loss of $10
million.
3) New York State Office of Public Health — federal aid represents
more than one-third of this Department's budget. Federal aid lost
could run as high as $24 million if cuts are made across-the-board.
4) Mental Health and Alcohol Abuse Services — Federal funding
reductions could shut down direct service programs in 34 counties
in New York State.
Page 6
THE P U B L K : SECTOR, Wednesday, April 8, 1981
CETA
PROPOSAL
E l i m i n a t e T i t l e s II-D a n d VI ( P u b l i c S e r v i c e e m p l o y m e n t p r o g r a m s ^
and c o n s o l i d a t e T i t l e IV y o u t h p r o g r a m w i t h o t h e r t r a i n i n g a n d
e m p l o y m e n t p r o g r a m s f o r a t o t a l s a v i n g s of $4.2 billion in F Y 1982. All
C E T A j o b s u n d e r T i t l e s II-D a n d VI would be e l i m i n a t e d by S e p t e m b e r 30,
1981.
IMPACT
There are currently 37 prime sponsors in the State. Over 29,000 PSE
jobs would be eliminated at a cost of $306 million.
Education
Economic Development
A. E l e m e n t a r y a n d S e c o n d a r y E d u c a t i o n P r o g r a m s
PROPOSAL
T h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a s p r o p o s e d a c o n s o l i d a t i o n of 44 p r o g r a m s into
t w o block g r a n t s . T h e s e i n c l u d e p r o g r a m s f o r e d u c a t i o n of d i s a d v a n t a g e d
and low-income children, handicapped, adult education p r o g r a m s , and
f u n d i n g f o r l i b r a r i e s . T h e s e block g r a n t s would b e f u n d e d a t 75% of t h e
F Y 1981 level f o r a r e d u c t i o n in b u d g e t a u t h o r i t y of $1.5 billion a n d a $1.1
I billion r e d u c t i o n in o u t l a y s in F Y 1982.
IMPACT
T h i s would h a v e s i g n i f i c a n t i m p a c t s on e v e r y school d i s t r i c t in N e w
Y o r k . A l m o s t $12 million would b e lost in F Y 1982, r i s i n g to $130 million in
F Y 1983. T h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n of p r o g r a m s c o u p l e d w i t h s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e d u c ed f u n d i n g will i n v a r i a b l y m e a n p r o g r a m e l i m i n a t i o n a n d s e r v i c e r e d u c tion. B e t t e r a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d i n c r e a s e d f l e x i b i l i t y a t t h e s t a t e a n d local
level c a n n o t m a k e up f o r a 25% f u n d i n g r e d u c t i o n .
PROPOSAL
1) C o n s o l i d a t e C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t Block G r a n t s ( C D B G ) a n d
U r b a n D e v e l o p m e n t Action G r a n t s ( U D A G ) , with a n a n t i c i p a t e d
r e d u c t i o n in b u d g e t a u t h o r i t y of $500 million. A c t u a l o u t l a y r e d u c t i o n s
will b e slight until 1985.
2) T h e E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( E D A ) a n d t h e nonh i g h w a y p r o g r a m s of t h e A p p a l a c h i a n R e g i o n a l C o m m i s s i o n ( A R C ) a r e
s c h e d u l e d f o r e l i m i n a t i o n . O u t l a y s a r e r e d u c e d by 49% in F Y 1982.
IMPACT
R e d u c t i o n s in f u n d i n g f o r C D B G a n d U D A G p r o g r a m s will a d v e r s e l y
a f f e c t r e d e v e l o p m e n t e f f o r t s in o l d e r c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e s e f e d e r a l d o l l a r s
h a v e b e e n used to a t t r a c t p r i v a t e i n v e s t m e n t and j o b o p p o r t u n i t i e s . N e w
Y o r k City, f o r e x a m p l e , h a s a l r e a d y r e c e i v e d $49 million in g r a n t s u n d e r
t h e U D A G p r o g r a m a n d h a s 19 a p p l i c a t i o n s p e n d i n g t o t a l l i n g $54 m i l l i o n .
T h e E D A a n d A R C c u t s could c o s t t h e S t a t e o v e r $61.5 million if
e l i m i n a t e d , a n d f a r m o r e in t e r m s of lost p r i v a t e s e c t o r i n v e s t m e n t a n d
s l o w e d e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t e f f o r t s . In 1982, o u t l a y s in N e w Y o r k could
b e r e d u c e d by a s m u c h a s $30 million.
Summary
B. I m p a c t Aid
PROPOSAL
L i m i t i m p a c t aid to t h o s e d i s t r i c t s m o s t s e v e r e l y a f f e c t e d by f e d e r a l
a c t i v i t i e s — t h i s would e l i m i n a t e 3,500 " B " d i s t r i c t s c u r r e n t l y r e c e i v i n g
a i d . O u t l a y r e d u c t i o n s a m o u n t t o o v e r $400 m i l l i o n in F Y 1982 (a 45% c u t ) .
IMPACT
>
N e w Y o r k h a s a high p r o p o r t i o n of " B " d i s t r i c t s a n d , t h e r e f o r e , c a n
e x p e c t s i g n i f i c a n t f u n d i n g r e d u c t i o n s . A c o n s e r v a t i v e e s t i m a t e of t h e loss
is $10 m i l l i o n .
C. O t h e r Education cuts include reductions in vocational education a n d
in student aid p r o g r a m s f o r higher education.
IMPACT
R e d u c e d f e d e r a l aid to v o c a t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s could c o s t t h e
S t a t e $2 m i l l i o n in 1982. L i m i t s on s t u d e n t a i d p r o g r a m s will not d i r e c t l y
a f f e c t State universities. However, to the extent that enrollment declines
^ b e c a u s e of r e d u c e d f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e , j o b s in h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n will b e
lost.
Transportation
A. H i g h w a y s
PROPOSAL
Stretch-out and slow down construction of highway p r o j e c t s for a
s a v i n g s of $2.0 billion in b u d g e t a u t h o r i t y a n d $0.4 billion in o u t l a y s in F Y
1982.
IMPACT
N e w Y o r k S t a t e c u r r e n t l y r e c e i v e s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 5.5% of f e d e r a l
h i g h w a y f u n d s . T h e s t a t e e s t i m a t e s a loss of a p p r o x i m a t e l y $550 m i l l i o n
in b u d g e t a u t h o r i t y a n d $400 m i l l i o n in o u t l a y s f r o m 1982 t h r o u g h 1986.
Budget
Authority
Outlays
1984
1985
(millions)
1986
1982
1983
104
115
115
115
99
21
74
95
101
107
B. M a s s T r a n s i t
PROPOSAL
C a p i t a l g r a n t s f o r t r a n s i t s y s t e m s would b e r e d u c e d ; o p e r a t i n g subs i d i e s would be p h a s e d out b e g i n n i n g in F Y 1983.
Summary
T h e p r o g r a m s o u t l i n e d a r e t h e m a j o r g r a n t s - i n - a i d t o t h e S t a t e a n d its
local g o v e r n m e n t s t h a t a r e t a r g e t s f o r s u b s t a n t i a l r e d u c t i o n . R e d u c e d
f u n d i n g l e v e l s h a v e a l s o b e e n p r o p o s e d in a v a r i e t y of o t h e r p r o g r a m s
t h a t s u p p o r t p a r k s a n d r e c r e a t i o n , housing, r a i l r o a d s , e t c . T h e t o t a l est i m a t e d c o s t to N e w Y o r k S t a t e is $1.3 billion.
In a d d i t i o n , r e d u c t i o n s h a v e a l s o b e e n p r o p o s e d in p r o g r a m s t h a t
directly a f f e c t individuals. These include:
— c h a n g e s in t h e u n e m p l o y m e n t c o m p e n s a t i o n p r o g r a m .
— e l i m i n a t i o n of c e r t a i n s o c i a l s e c u r i t y b e n e f i t s ( s t u d e n t ; d e a t h ,
m i n i m u m and disability benefits).
— r e d u c t i o n s in food s t a m p s a n d child n u t r i t i o n p r o g r a m s .
— c h a n g e s in T r a d e A d j u s t m e n t A s s i s t a n c e .
R e d u c t i o n s in t h e s e i n c o m e s u p p o r t a n d s o c i a l w e l f a r e p r o g r a m s will
h a v e i n d i r e c t e f f e c t s on N e w Y o r k . T h e r e d u c e d l e v e l s of i n c o m e a n d
p u r c h a s i n g p o w e r will t r a n s l a t e i n t o r e d u c e d r e v e n u e s t o t h e S t a t e a n d its
l o c a l i t i e s , a n d i n c r e a s e t h e f i s c a l p r e s s u r e s a l r e a d y a p p a r e n t in m a n y
j u r i s d i c t i o n s . U n d e r t h e b u d g e t p r o p o s a l s , r e d u c t i o n s in s t a t e a n d l o c a l
services and state and local jobs a r e inevitable."
President R e a g a n ' s tax reduction s c h e m e also has implications for
N e w Y o r k . If his b u s i n e s s t a x p r o p o s a l s a r e e n a c t e d a s p r o p o s e d , S t a t e
c o r p o r a t e i n c o m e t a x r e v e n u e s will b e a f f e c t e d . T h e s e t a x r e v e n u e s will
d e c l i n e b e g i n n i n g in 1982; t h e f i r s t y e a r loss could hit $123 m i l l i o n . B y
1986, t h i s could c o s t t h e S t a t e o v e r $800 m i l l i o n ! T h i s r e s u l t would f u r t h e r
l i m i t t h e S t a t e ' s a b i l i t y t o s u p p o r t public s e r v i c e s .
You can maice a
big difference
IMPACT
N e w Y o r k S t a t e r e c e i v e s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 18% of t h e f e d e r a l f u n d s f o r
m a s s t r a n s i t . B a s e d on t h i s d i s t r i b u t i o n , p o t e n t i a l l o s s e s a r e a s f o l l o w s :
1982
Operating Subsidies
Budget Authority
Outlays
Capital G r a n t s
Budget Authority
Outlays
—
241
76
1983
1984
1985
(millions)
1986
67
37
133
92
199
162
199
196
294
145
323
208
332
276
335
297
see page 8
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, February 7, 1981
Page 3
r-VresiüenVs
Message
We must act decisively
to convince Congress
to cliange tlie budget
The tragedy that occurred in Washington, D.C. last week has understandably diverted our attention from the normal functions of
government. But with the President recovering and the shock of yet
another senseless act of violence beginning to dwindle, it's proper that
our attentions again return to the function of government.
Even while you read this newspaper, the Senate and the House are
continuing their considerations of the federal budget proposals submitted by President Reagan. As other articles in this edition of "The
Public Sector" will clearly show, this is a budget that will take a heavy
toll on public employees in New York State.
The projected loss of $1.4 billion in federal assistance to our state
will mean a reduction in federal aid of more than ten percent at a time
when inflation is increasing at double digit rates and the needs of our
people, our cities, and our towns are becoming more desperate.
Many public employees will lose their jobs if this budget becomes
law, but all public employees will find the purse strings growing even
tighter at the bargaining table and in budget meetings. The simole
truth is, if we don't act, all of us will eventually suffer from this unprecedented reduction in federal assistance.
What can we do about it? That's an understandably common
question when the labor movement discusses the federal budget. Let's
face it, many people believe that the President's budget proposals will
be good for the country. Many of our own members honestly feel the
same way. There are some who probably resent CSEA for even speaking out against it.
Yet the simple fact of the matter is that there is no reason in the
world to believe that this proposed "economic revitalization" will
work. It is argued that ^he proposed cuts in taxes will mean more
money in the pockets of working people. That's true.
A family of four with an income of $15,000 a year will save $185 on
their federal income tax in 1982 if the proposed tax cuts are enacted. Of
course, a family with an income of $100,000 a year will save $3,343, but
no one is saying anything about that inequity. Nor do they mention that
the Administration's deregulation of the oil industry is (expected to cost
the average family $200 more next year! That's a net LOSS for the family of four at $15,000 of $15. And this package contains a lot of other net
losses for the middle class.
The federal budget proposals being considered in Washington are
no boon for the middle class. They will hurt by cutting back on aid to
cities, aid to mass transportation. Medicaid assistance, food stamp
eligibility, and other federal assistance programs that have made life
tolerable for the poor and the middle class for the past two decades.
But the budget proposals offer a bonanza for the wealthy!
For public employees, the consequences will even be worse.
Through the loss of federal assistance programs, services to the taxpayers will be reduced and the resources of state and local government
will be stretched still further. They have already been stretched to the
breaking point in New York State for the past seven years. There's no
more room for stretching without tearing apart the fabric of public
services.
The impact will be real and widespread. Reductions in work force,
increases in attrition, increased demands for work, tighter budgets,
and a much tougher time at the bargaining table trying to squeeze
money out of state and local government can all be expected results of
the proposed federal budget affecting all public employees in New
York State.
Currently sentiment in Congress is running in favor of these
proposals. The enemies of public services and public employees are at
work, but, unfortunately, many of our traditional friends are remaining very quiet.
If we hope to turn this problem around, we must act and we must
act now. The most effective and meaningful way to do that is by
sending a message to Congress. We must go on record with our
Congressmen and Senators in opposition to federal budget cuts that
will hurt public employees and turn back the clock on social progress.
If we don't speak up, no one else will.
This edition of "The Public Sector" contains sample letters and
the addresses of New York State's Congressional delegation. I urge
you to take the few minutes necessary to write your Congressman and
Senators and urge them to oppose federal budget cuts in Medicaid,
State Revenue Sharing, and other areas vital to the middle class and
public employees.
YOU can make a
big difference
WRiTB
T h e Civil S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s A s s n . h a s l a u n c h e d a m a s s i v e l e t t e r
w r i t i n g c a m p a i g n to U.S. S e n a t o r s a n d C o n g r e s s m e n f r o m N e w Y o r k
S t a t e t o p r o t e s t t h e p r o j e c t e d loss of e x t e n s i v e f e d e r a l aid to N e w Y o r k
S t a t e u n d e r t h e p r o p o s e d 1982 F e d e r a l B u d g e t .
C S E A u r g e s e v e r y o n e of its m e m b e r s to w r i t e o r call t h e i r U.S.
S e n a t o r s a n d C o n g r e s s m e n i m m e d i a t e l y . A s u g g e s t e d l e t t e r is p r i n t e d
b e l o w . E a c h m e m b e r should s e n d t h e f o l l o w i n g l e t t e r o r a s i m i l a r o n e of
y o u r o w n c o m p o s i t i o n to t h e a p p r o p r i a t e F e d e r a l l e g i s l a t o r s .
A list of U.S. S e n a t o r s a n d C o n g r e s s m e n f r o m N e w Y o r k S t a t e is
printed below, along with their mailing a d d r e s s and switchboard
telephone number.
As C S E A P r e s i d e n t W i l l i a m L. M c G o w a n points o u t in t h e a d j a c e n t
" P r e s i d e n t ' s M e s s a g e , " s e n d i n g a m e s s a g e to y o u r U.S. S e n a t o r s a n d
C o n g r e s s m e n is t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e a n d m e a n i n g f u l w a y to m a k e y o u r
protest heard and, hopefully, initiate change.
T h e l e t t e r w r i t i n g c a m p a i g n c a n b e m a s s i v e only if t h e n u m b e r of
p e o p l e p a r t i c i p a t i n g is m a s s i v e . W e h a v e t h e p o t e n t i a l , all w e n e e d is
your assistance.
^ear
'a* sources to
w"' btvTtn
'
who
U.S. SENATORS FROM NEW YORK ARE:
Sen. Alfonse M. D'Amato and Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Send letters to them at: Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Call them at: (202) 224-3121
CONGRESSMEN FROM NEW
District
Congressman
1
William Carney
2
Thomas J. Downey
3
Gregory W. Carman
4
Norman F. Lent
5
Raymond J. McGrath
6
John LeBoutillier
7
Joseph P. Addabbo
8
Benjamin S. Rosenthal
9
Geraldine A. Ferraro
10
Mario Biaggi
11
James H. Scheuer
12
Shirley Chisholm
13
Stephen J. Solarz
14
Frederick W. Richmond
15
Leo C. Zeferetti
16
Charles E. Schumer
17
Guy V. Molinari
18
Bill Green
19
Charles B. Rangel
20
Theodore S. Weiss
YORK ARE:
Robert Garcia
Jonathan B. Bingham
Peter A. Peyser
Richard L. Ottinger
Hamilton Fish Jr.
Benjamin A. Gilman
Matthew F. McHugh
Samuel S. Stratton
Gerald B. Solomon
David O'B. Martin
Donald J. Mitchell
George C. Wortley
Gary A. Lee
Frank Horton
Barber B. Conable Jr.
John J. LaFalce
Henry J. Nowak
Jack F. Kemp
Stanley N. Lundine
Send l e t t e r s to y o u r C o n g r e s s m e n a t : H o u s e O f f i c e Building
William L. McGowan
_
Pa^e 9
P r e s i d e n t e n » .
TIJ^ PUBLIC SECXOR, W e d n ^ d . a y . ^ A ^
Washington, D.C. 20515
Call t h e m a t (202) 224-3121
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Labor/management meeting resolves some issues
N E W Y O R K C I T Y — An out-of-title w o r k g r i e v a n c e a n d u n s a f e w o r k i n g
c o n d i t i o n s w e r e t h e f o c u s of d i s c u s s i o n s d u r i n g a r e c e n t l a b o r / m a n a g e m e n t
m e e t i n g witliin t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n N e w Y o r k D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r .
M e t r o p o l i t a n D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r L o c a l 350 P r e s i d e n t G e o r g e
C a l o u m e n o h e a d e d up t h e C S E A t e a m of L o c a l 350 v i c e p r e s i d e n t s D e n n i s
Tobin, J o h n G i a n g u e r c i o a n d M i c h a e l I s a a c c o f f a n d C S E A M e t r o p o l i t a n
R e g i o n II F i e l d R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s M a r c i a Schiowitz a n d Al S u n d m a r k . T h e
m a n a g e m e n t g r o u p w a s led by D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r P e r s o n n e l D i r e c t o r
B a l d a s s a r e Abruzzo a n d J o s e p h K e a r n e y , t h e D e p a r t m e n t ' s E m p l o y e e
Relations Specialist.
" I a m p a r t i c u l a r l y p l e a s e d t h a t a t t h e m e e t i n g w e won a s s u r a n c e s f r o m
m a n a g e m e n t t h a t t h e o u t - o f - t i t l e g r i e v a n c e w e filed on behalf of G r a d e 7
E m p l o y m e n t S e c u r i t y C l e r k s w h o w o r k e d on t h e pension r e d u c t i o n p r o g r a m
will b e r e s o l v e d , " s a i d C a l o u m e n o .
In S e p t e m b e r , 1980, t h e D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r s t a r t e d w o r k on a p e n s i o n
r e d u c t i o n p r o g r a m . B r o u g h t a b o u t by s t a t e l e g i s l a t i o n , t h e p r o g r a m r e q u i r e d t h e D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r to a d j u s t t h e u n e m p l o y m e n t b e n e f i t s of peop l e who r e c e i v e p e n s i o n s in a d d i t i o n t o t h e i r u n e m p l o y m e n t b e n e f i t s .
F a c e d w i t h a lack of e m p l o y e e s t o p e r f o r m t h e w o r k n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e
p r o j e c t , t h e D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r t e m p o r a r i l y m o v e d G r a d e 7 C l e r k s in
A l b a n y to G r a d e 13 C l a i m s E x a m i n e r T r a i n e e s a n d paid t h e m a c c o r d i n g l y .
In t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n R e g i o n G r a d e 7 C l e r k s did t h e s a m e w o r k a s t h e c l e r k s
in A l b a n y ; h o w e v e r , t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n c l e r k s w e r e not m o v e d t o G r a d e 13
a n d c o n t i n u e d to r e c e i v e G r a d e 7 p a y . An out-of-title w o r k g r i e v a n c e w a s filed on behalf of t h e N e w Y o r k C i t y e m p l o y e e s to gain f o r t h e m t h e c o m p e n s a t i o n to w h i c h t h e y a r e e n t i t l e d .
At t h e l a b o r / m a n a g e m e n t m e e t i n g . E m p l o y e e R e l a t i o n s S p e c i a l i s t
K e a r n e y p l e d g e d to i n f o r m t h e c l e r k s a f f e c t e d by t h e g r i e v a n c e t h a t disc u s s i o n s to r e s o l v e t h e i s s u e h a d t a k e n p l a c e b e t w e e n L o c a l 350 a n d t h e
D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r m a n a g e m e n t .
" K e a r n e y h a s a g r e e d to r e m e d y t h e s i t u a t i o n a n d a s s u r e d us t h a t t h e
c l e r k s who w o r k e d out-of-title will b e paid a p p r o p r i a t e l y , " s a i d C a l o u m e n o .
" M a n a g e m e n t s a y s t h a t it will t a k e t i m e to a u d i t t h e r e c o r d s to s e e how
m u c h m o n e y e a c h individual is e n t i t l e d to. B u t if t h e y p l a y a r o u n d w i t h t h i s
m a t t e r , w e ' l l go all t h e w a y w i t h o u r g r i e v a n c e . "
U n s a f e w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n s a t v a r i o u s U n e m p l o y m e n t I n s u r a n c e field off i c e s h a s b e e n a c o n t i n u i n g i s s u e within t h e D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r . D u r i n g
t h e l a b o r / m a n a g e m e n t m e e t i n g m a n a g e m e n t a g r e e d to b r i n g OSHA into t h e
F r e e p o r t o f f i c e to i n s p e c t t h e building. T h e y f u r t h e r a g r e e d t o c l o s e t h e off i c e if t h e O S H A i n s p e c t o r s d e e m t h e b u i l d i n g u n s a f e . H o w e v e r ,
m a n a g e m e n t m a d e no c o m m i t m e n t to d e a l w i t h p r o b l e m s a t t h e P e e k s k i l l
a n d J a m a i c a U n e m p l o y m e n t I n s u r a n c e field o f f i c e s .
" W h e n it c o m e s to u n s a f e w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n s , all w e e v e r g e t f r o m t h e
D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r is t h e s a m e r u n - a r o u n d , " s a i d C a l o u m e n o . " F o r exa m p l e , w h e n w e a s k e d ' w h o is r e s p o n s i b l e f o r f i x i n g t h e a i r - c o n d i t i o n i n g in
the J a m a i c a office?' the reply was standard bureaucratic double-talk."
K e a r n e y s a i d t h a t t h e D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r ' s B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n
O f f i c e is r e s p o n s i b l e , b u t t h e p u r c h a s e of t h e n e c e s s a r y e q u i p m e n t a n d t h e
r e p a i r w o r k a r e t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e O f f i c e of G e n e r a l S e r v i c e s .
" M e a n w h i l e w e ' r e only a f e w m o n t h s a w a y f r o m s u m m e r a n d n o t h i n g
h a s b e e n d o n e to fix t h e a i r - c o n d i t i o n i n g , " said C a l o u m e n o . " T h e y ' v e k n o w n
about this problem since last s u m m e r . "
Civil Service status
an unsettled diiemma
REGION V JUDICIAL LOCAL 334 member Richard Catanise, center, discusses his recent reinstatement by an arbitrator with Local 334 President
Jerrold C. Goetz right and Local 334 member Nancy Roark.
Richard Catanise reinstated;
iengtliy iegai battie pays off
By Thomas Moczydlowski
W A T E R L O O — R i c h a r d J . C a t a n i s e , a m e m b e r of R e g i o n V J u d i c i a l
L o c a l 334, r e c e n t l y won a b i n d i n g a r b i t r a t i o n c a s e w h i c h a f f i r m e d h e w a s illegally d i s m i s s e d f r o m his S e n e c a C o u n t y c o u r t c l e r k position.
State Arbitrator Dana Eischen ruled Seneca County Court J u d g e Daniel
A. D e P a s q u a l e i m p r o p e r l y t e r m i n a t e d C a t a n i s e ' s e m p l o y m e n t in N o v e m b e r
1979 a n d o r d e r e d C a t a n i s e b e r e i n s t a t e d w i t h f u l l b a c k p a y .
C a t a n i s e w h o b e g a n w o r k a s a S e n e c a County c o u r t c l e r k in A u g u s t 1978,
r e c e i v e d a o n e - s e n t e n c e l e t t e r f r o m D e P a s q u a l e on O c t . 18, 1979, w h i c h
s t a t e d h e w a s to be t e r m i n a t e d a s c o u r t c l e r k in t w o w e e k s . N o r e a s o n w a s
c i t e d f o r t h e d i s m i s s a l in t h e l e t t e r .
C a t a n i s e i n f o r m e d L o c a l 334 of t h e d i s m i s s a l a n d d e c i d e d to a p p e a l it.
C S E A F i e l d R e p r e s e n t a t i v e J a c k B. M i l l e r said t h e b a s i s of t h e a p p e a l
w a s D e P a s q u a l e v i o l a t e d A r t i c l e 12 of t h e c o l l e c t i v e b a r g a i n i n g a g r e e m e n t
between CSEA and the State Unified Court System which stipulates
e m p l o y e e s of p e r m a n e n t a p p o i n t m e n t a r e e n t i t l e d to a h e a r i n g b e f o r e t h e
t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e i r e m p l o y m e n t .
T h e a p p e a l — a g r i e v a n c e — w a s r e j e c t e d by D e P a s q u a l e , t h e O f f i c e of
C o u r t A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (OCA) in R o c h e s t e r , a n d t h e h e a r i n g o f f i c e r f o r OCA
in Albany.
While t h e m o n t h s d r a g g e d on w i t h o u t a f a v o r a b l e d e c i s i o n , C a t a n i s e
faced rough times.
" T o s u p p o r t m y f a m i l y I h a d to find a c o n s t r u c t i o n j o b f o r t h r e e m o n t h s
out of t o w n . I w a s on u n e m p l o y m e n t f o r s o m e of t h e t i m e . I got sick o v e r t h e
w h o l e t h i n g , " he s a i d .
CSEA R e g i o n a l A t t o r n e y J a m e s H a n c o c k took t h e c a s e b e f o r e S t a t e Arb i t r a t o r E i s c h e n in N o v e m b e r 1979. T w o full d a y s of t e s t i m o n y w e r e
presented.
E i s c h e n issued his d e c i s i o n on J a n . 28, 1981, o v e r t u r n i n g t h e t e r mination.
H e said C a t a n i s e had b e e n a p e r m a n e n t e m p l o y e e u n d e r a May-1979
a m e n d m e n t to t h e U n i f i e d C o u r t S y s t e m C l a s s i f i c a t i o n P l a n who should not
h a v e been d i s m i s s e d by D e P a s q u a l e w i t h o u t a h e a r i n g .
" I ' m v e r y h a p p y w i t h t h e d e c i s i o n , a n d I ' m glad i t ' s o v e r w i t h , "
Catanise said.
ALBANY ^ Though they a r e often
m e m b e r s 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 Assn., t h e e m p l o y e e s of
most county sheriff's d e p a r t m e n t s
t h r o u g h o u t t h e s t a t e l a c k civil s e r v i c e
s t a t u s . Without it, t h e y do not h a v e
the job security or other protections
a f f o r d e d public e m p l o y e e s .
C S E A ' s A d m i n i s t r a t i v e D i r e c t o r of
Collective Bargaining J a c k C a r e y
said w h i l e s o m e s h e r i f f ' s d e p a r t m e n t
u n i t s within C S E A h a v e g a i n e d t h e
s t a t u s a f t e r a tough f i g h t , t h e m a j o r i t y of t h e c a s e s p r o v e o t h e r w i s e .
" Y o u could s a y w e ' r e b a c k in t h e
d a y s of Robin Hood, a s f a r a s t h e
sheriff's department employees are
c o n c e r n e d , " he c o m m e n t e d .
C a r e y e x p l a i n e d t h a t s i n c e a 1907
c o u r t r u l i n g w h i c h b e c a m e known a s
t h e F l a h e r t y Act w a s p u t i n t o e f f e c t ,
the workers have been considered,
not t r u e civil s e r v a n t s , b u t e m p l o y e e s
of t h e s h e r i f f .
" A s long a s t h e e m p l o y e e s live in
t h e s h a d o w of t h i s a c t , " C a r e y s a i d
the sheriff holds hiring, firing and
promotional rights.
C a r e y said it is not u n c o m m o n in
New York State for
sheriff
d e p a r t m e n t employees to be replaced
w h o l e s a l e w i t h t h e c h a n g e of administration f r o m one political p a r t y
to a n o t h e r . O f t e n a d e m o c r a t i c s h e r i f f
hires democratic employees and a
republic sheriff hires republicans, he
said.
C a p i t a l R e g i o n C S E A F i e l d Serv i c e s D i r e c t o r J o h n C o r c o r a n , one of
m a n y C S E A o f f i c i a l s w o r k i n g to h e l p
t h e s e " u n s e t t l e d w o r k e r s , " s p o k e in
detail about their d i l e m m a .
A t t a i n i n g civil s e r v i c e s t a t u s is n o t
easy. CSEA must petition the
l e g i s l a t u r e or l a w m a k i n g body of t h e
c o u n t y to p a s s a r e s o l u t i o n g r a n t i n g
status. Legally, Corcoran added, the
union c a n n o t f o r c e t h e l e g i s l a t u r e t o
do this.
Once the resolution passes, the
s t a t e d e p a r t m e n t of civil s e r v i c e c o m pletes the necessary paperwork.
T h o u g h t h e e m p l o y e e s do not n e e d t h e
s h e r i f f ' s a p p r o v a l to b e c o m e civil s e r v i c e , it is in t h e i r f a v o r to h a v e h i s
s u p p o r t , in c o n v i n c i n g t h e l e g i s l a t u r e .
TThe s h e r i f f ' s r e l u c t a n c e to give up
the control he has over the employees
a n d t h e s t i g m a of t h e F l a h e r t y A c t
s t a n d in t h e w a y , C o r c o r a n b e l i e v e s .
M e a n w h i l e , not only d o e s t h e s h e r i f f
do t h e h i r i n g a n d f i r i n g , but h e h a s
control over promotions, t r a n s f e r s
and seniority. He d e t e r m i n e s w a g e s
a n d t h e r a t e s of o v e r t i m e a n d h o l i d a y
pay, Corcoran said.
T h o u g h t h e e m p l o y e e s should h a v e
" t h e b l a n k e t p r o t e c t i o n of civil s e r v i c e s t a t u s , " t h e union is not l e f t
p o w e r l e s s by t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
C o r c o r a n n o t e d a r e c e n t t r e n d to inc l u d e in c o n t r a c t s a t e n u r e c l a u s e
w h i c h e n t i t l e s all e m p l o y e e s to a f a i r
hearing before m a n a g e m e n t can take
disciplinary action against or term i n a t e a n e m p l o y e e . T h i s c l a u s e is
c o v e r e d by A r t i c l e 75 of t h e Civil S e r vice Law.
" W h e r e it h a s b e e n n e g o t i a t e d , t h i s
clause prevents arbitrary disciplinary
a n d m i s t r e a t m e n t , " said C o r c o r a n .
In a d d i t i o n a s t r o n g c o n t r a c t c a n
provide clauses for the other issues
such a s s e n i o r i t y .
Statewide sciiooi forum
T h e C S E A S t a t e w i d e N o n - T e a c h i n g School E m p l o y e e s C o m m i t t e e will
m e e t t w i c e t h i s m o n t h in R e g i o n III, L a w r e n c e R S c a n l o n , C o o r d i n a t o r of
School D i s t r i c t A f f a i r s , h a s a n n o u n c e d .
T h e c o m m i t t e e will hold a n open f o r u m on F r i d a y , April 10 a t 8 p . m . in t h e
C o a c h m a n H o t e l in W h i t e P l a i n s , a n d a g a i n on S a t u r d a y , April 11 a t 11 a . m . a t
t h e R a m a d a Inn in N e w b u r g h .
S o m e of t h e i t e m s to be d i s c u s s e d a r e t h e 1981 L e g i s l a t i v e P a c k a g e ,
b a r g a i n i n g unit s t r u c t u r e , i n t e r n a l o r g a n i z i n g , t h e f o r m a t i o n of e d u c a t i o n
locals a n d t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of e d u c a t i o n a l s e m i n a r s a n d w o r k s h o p s f o r school
district employees.
All school d i s t r i c t e m p l o y e e s m a y a t t e n d e i t h e r or both of t h e f o r u m s .
THE P U B L I C ' s e c t o r / W e d n e s d a y , ' A p r i l ' 8 ,
1981
PagW 9
CSEA/P
Innovative program
for employees once
By Tina Lincer First
Communications Associate
C a r o l P e e t s , a 40-year-old m o t h e r of
two f r o m t h e U l s t e r C o u n t y Village of
Wallkill, s p e n t 23 y e a r s of h e r life in
dead-end jobs.
Now, t h a n k s to a C S E A c o n t r a c t inn o v a t i o n , t h e r e ' s a light a t t h e end of
the c a r e e r tunnel for her.
An e m p l o y e e of t h e Division of
Parole, Carol worked as a dictaphone
m a c h i n e t r a n s c r i b e r a t t h e Clinton
Correctional Facility for eight years.
She s p e n t t h e n e x t 15 y e a r s a s a s e n i o r
typist a t t h e Wallkill C o r r e c t i o n a l
Facility — and feeling bored,
frustrated and un-motivated.
Until l a s t m o n t h . T h a t ' s w h e n she'
b e c a m e a parole p r o g r a m aide, a new
paraprofessional title within the
Division of P a r o l e . S h e is c u r r e n t l y
t r a i n i n g f o r h e r n e w j o b in t h e
d i v i s i o n ' s field o f f i c e in P o u g h k e e p s i e
a s a G r a d e 9, a n d is e x p e c t e d to m o v e
to a G r a d e 11 — a n d a s a l a r y of a b o u t
$14,000 — n e x t y e a r . She l a u g h s w h e n
t a l k i n g a b o u t it.
" I ' m q u i t e e x c i t e d to b e g e t t i n g out
of
prison
— literally
and
figuratively," says Carol, a former
s e c r e t a r y of C S E A Wallkill L o c a l 163.
" I d i d n ' t w a n t to be a c l e r i c a l f o r
a n o t h e r 15 y e a r s . Y o u s e e o t h e r people m o v i n g up, g e t t i n g p r o m o t i o n s ,
a n d you h a v e n o w h e r e to go. G e t t i n g
t h e p a r o l e aid position w a s like a r a y
of s u n s h i n e . "
And i t ' s only a s t a r t . C a r o l is now
attending college — she m a d e the
D e a n ' s List l a s t y e a r — a n d e v e n tually, s h e h o p e s to t a k e t h e e x a m to
b e c o m e a p a r o l e o f f i c e r , a G r a d e 19
post c u r r e n t l y c o m m a n d i n g a s a l a r y
of a b o u t $20,000. " B e f o r e , G r a d e 19
w a s a long w a y a w a y , " s h e m u s e s .
"Now I can a i m for it."
C a r o l P e e t s is o n e of a n i n c r e a s i n g
N o w in its t h i r d y e a r , C S E A / P w h i c h h a s b e e n hailed by l a b o r a n d
women's groups throughout the
c o u n t r y a s a p i o n e e r i n g e f f o r t in opening c a r e e r d o o r s — is g a i n i n g n e w
g r o u n d all t h e t i m e .
" A g e n c i e s a r e now r e a l i s t i c a l l y
getting together with our local
l e a d e r s h i p a n d s t a f f to i m p l e m e n t , on
an a g e n c y level, s o m e of t h e c o n c e p t s
in o u r p r o g r a m , " said C S E A Collective Bargaining Specialist John
Conoby, w h o n e g o t i a t e d t h e p r o g r a m .
" I t takes some imagination, some
creativity and hard work, and we a r e
finally s e e i n g t h e r e s u l t s of t h e s e efforts."
C S E A / P c o n s i s t s of six c o n c e p t s .
GETTING OUT OF "PRISON" —
Carol Peets of Wallkill has moved
from a clerical job at the Wallkill
Correctional Facility to parole
program aide through CSEA/P.
n u m b e r of C S E A m e m b e r s who a r e
m o v i n g up a n d out of low-paying, lowprestige, unstimulating, go-nowhere
state jobs through an innovative
c a r e e r d e v e l o p m e n t p r o g r a m ini t i a t e d by C S E A .
The Clerical and Secretarial
Employees Advancement Program
( C S E A / P ) is a i m e d a t p r o v i d i n g
meaningful training, development
and a d v a n c e m e n t opportunities for
secretaries, clericals and entry-level
e m p l o y e e s . It g r e w out of C S E A ' s 1979
c o n t r a c t n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h t h e Adm i n i s t r a t i v e S e r v i c e s U n i t . M a n y of
the unit's women employees (there
a r e a b o u t 38,000 of t h e m , m a k i n g up 80
p e r c e n t of t h e u n i t ' s e m p l o y e e s ) f e l t
d e a d - e n d e d in t h e i r jobs.
MARSHALL SUESS of Albany has
advanced within the Department of
Aging from a senior account clerk to
an agency training technician.
T h e one t h a t h a s b e e n given t h e m o s t
a t t e n t i o n is a " c l e r i c a l b r i d g e " plan
— it c r e a t e s a b r i d g e out of t h e
c l e r i c a l g h e t t o a n d into p r o f e s s i o n a l
r a n k s . O f f i c i a l l y c a l l e d t h e P u b l i c Administration Traineeship Transition
( P A T T ) , it is a t w o - y e a r t r a i n i n g
p r o g r a m in w h i c h e m p l o y e e s in
p o s i t i o n s a s low a s G r a d e 7 a r e given
t h e c h a n c e to m o v e up to j o b s a s high
a s G r a d e 18 by p a s s i n g a c o m p e t i t i v e
s t a t e w i d e civil s e r v i c e e x a m .
Previously, employees without a
c o l l e g e d e g r e e w e r e not a l l o w e d to adv a n c e into p r o f e s s i o n a l j o b s w i t h N e w
York State.
F o r w o r k e r s , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e of
p r o g r a m s like P A T T is e v i d e n t — a
c h a n c e to a p p l y t h e i r skills to j o b s
that offer m o r e pay, responsibility
a n d c h a l l e n g e . While w o m e n g e n e r a l ly s t a n d to gain t h e m o s t f r o m P A T T
and C S E A / P , s o m e m e n a r e also taking a d v a n t a g e of t h e p r o g r a m , a s a r e
minorities and the handicapped, who
tend to be c l u s t e r e d in low-level j o b s .
M a r s h a l l S u e s s of t h e D e p a r t m e n t
of Aging is one m a n w h o ' s m a k i n g t h e
m o s t of C S E A / P .
" I ' m v e r y t h a n k f u l to C S E A f o r
n e g o t i a t i n g this t y p e of p r o g r a m , "
s a y s S u e s s . " I ' v e b e e n w o r k i n g f o r the"
s t a t e s i n c e 1972 a n d I f e e l b e t t e r a b o u t
myself c a r e e r w i s e than I ever have
before."
L a s t fall, S u e s s m o v e d f r o m a
s e n i o r a c c o u n t c l e r k to a n A g e n c y
T r a i n i n g T e c h n i c i a n , T r a i n e e I,
t h r o u g h P A T T . Although both a r e
G r a d e 14, he e x p e c t s to m a k e t h e
j u m p to a G r a d e 18 within t w o y e a r s .
" I f e l t t r a p p e d , " said S u e s s , 37, a n
A l b a n y r e s i d e n t a n d t h e f a t h e r of two.
" T h e c l e r i c a l j o b s I held w e r e a f a i r
a m o u n t of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , b u t t h e r e
w a s no r o o m f o r g r o w t h . I d o n ' t h a v e
a college degree, I wanted m o r e
Large Hempstead unit ratifies a one-year pact
Pay Increase, new holiday,
subcontracting protection
and layoff rights gained
H E M P S T E A D - M e m b e r s of t h e Town of H e m p s t e a d C S E A Unit of
N a s s a u County L o c a l 830 h a v e r a t i f i e d a n e w c o n t r a c t w h i c h i n c l u d e s a p a y
i n c r e a s e of 9.5 p e r c e n t .
T h e unit r a t i f i e d t h e a g r e e m e n t , 1400-657, a n d it w a s s u b s e q u e n t l y
a p p r o v e d by t h e T o w n B o a r d of S u p e r v i s o r s . T h e a g r e e m e n t is r e t r o a c t i v e to
J a n u a r y 1, 1981.
T h e o n e - y e a r c o n t r a c t i n c l u d e s a pay i n c r e a s e of e i t h e r 9.5 p e r c e n t o r
$1,000, w h i c h e v e r is l a r g e r , to e a c h of t h e e m p l o y e e s r e p r e s e n t e d by t h e unit.
O t h e r n e w b e n e f i t s of t h e c o n t r a c t a r e :
—A n e w F l o a t i n g H o l i d a y h a s b e e n a d d e d to t h e 11 h o l i d a y s in t h e p r e v i o u s
contract.
— M i l e a g e a l l o w a n c e i n c r e a s e s f r o m 17 c e n t s to 23 c e n t s .
—No e m p l o y e e will be laid off a s a r e s u l t of s u b c o n t r a c t i n g .
— L a y o f f s of n o n - c o m p e t i t i v e a n d l a b o r c l a s s e m p l o y e e s , if n e c e s s a r y , will
be by s e n i o r i t y in title. L a i d off e m p l o y e e s will be p l a c e d on a p r e f e r r e d list f o r
two y e a r s . L a i d off e m p l o y e e s h a v e t h e r i g h t to d i s p l a c e t h e l e a s t s e n i o r
e m p l o y e e in t h e n e x t l o w e r t i t l e in a p r o m o t i o n a l line if t h e laid off e m p l o y e e
has m o r e seniority.
C S E A F i e l d R e p r e s e n t a t i v e a n d chief n e g o t i a t o r R i g o P r e d o n z a n a n d Unit
P r e s i d e n t G u s N e i l s e n led a ' n e g o t i a t i n g t e a m of 14 o t h e r m e m b e r s in t h e
negotiations.
Page 10
THE PUBLfC SECTOR, Wednesday, April 8, 1981
SIGNING THE CONTRACT BETWEEN CSEA and the Town of Hempstead
are, from left sitting, Nassau County Local 830 President Nicholas Abbatiello,
Hempstead Presiding Supervisor Thomas Gullota and CSEA Town of
Hempstead Unit President Gus Neilsen. Behind the signers are the chief
negotiators for their respective sides, Field Representative Rigo Predonzan,
left, for CSEA; and Robert Williams for the town.
opening up career doors
doomed to dead-end jobs
m o n e y a n d I f e l t I h a d t h e a b i l i t y to
compete
successfully
on a
professional level."
S u e s s , a f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t of C S E A
E x e c u t i v e L o c a l 659, s a y s h e f e e l s
p l e a s e d a b o u t b e i n g a b l e to cont r i b u t e m o r e to his d e p a r t m e n t n o w .
" I t ' s v e r y f r u s t r a t i n g f e e l i n g you c a n
do m o r e , but not h a v i n g t h e a v e n u e to
do s o , " h e s a y s . " F o r t u n a t e l y , C S E A ,
a l o n g w i t h t h e s t a t e , is m a k i n g it
p o s s i b l e f o r p e o p l e like m e t o s p r e a d
m y w i n g s a l i t t l e a n d show w h a t I c a n
do."
T h e w o r k e r s a r e n ' t t h e only o n e s
w h o c o m e out a h e a d f r o m C S E A ' s
career
development
program.
M a n a g e m e n t , s a y s J o h n Conoby, a l s o
g e t s s o m e t h i n g in t h e " b a r g a i n . "
" P r i m a r i l y , they gain an opport u n i t y to i m p r o v e m o r a l e a n d , in
s o m e c a s e s , give t h e m s e l v e s a n e w
position t h a t t h e y n e e d e d f o r s o m e
t i m e , " said Conoby. I n c r e a s e d efficiency, productivity and mobility
among workers a r e other bonuses for
m a n a g e m e n t , he notes.
In adflition to t h e c l e r i c a l b r i d g e
plan, C S E A / P calls for increased
training for entry level w o r k e r s
( G r a d e s 3-5) a n d e x p a n d e d u s e of a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a i d e p o s i t i o n s . T h e administrative aide e x a m given last
J u n e enables G r a d e 3 clericals to adv a n c e to G r a d e 11. Q u a l i f y i n g o r a l exa m s a r e currently being conducted
a n d , s a y s Conoby, " w e a n t i c i p a t e
a p p r o x i m a t e l y 80 a p p o i n t m e n t s . "
FORMER STENOGRAPHER Rose Migdalski of Buffalo is now in training
for the paraprofessional position of parole program aide.
Also in t h e w o r k s a r e t h e c r e a t i o n of
n e w p a r a p r o f e s s i o n a l a i d e positions,
trainee promotion opportunities a s an
a l t e r n a t i v e to c e r t a i n e x a m s a n d
g r e a t e r o p p o r t u n i t i e s to t r a n s f e r to
n e w jobs.
C a r r y i n g out t h e c o n c e p t s c o n t a i n e d
in C S E A / P is a n o n g o i n g e f f o r t t h a t
takes c o m m i t m e n t and hard work
f r o m all s i d e s , s a y s Conoby. C S E A
s t a f f e r s and agency m a n a g e m e n t
h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g c l o s e l y to do this.
S t a f f e r s f r o m t h e E m p l o y e e Adv a n c e m e n t S e c t i o n , t h e Civil S e r v i c e
D e p a r t m e n t unit w h i c h c o o r d i n a t e s
and a d m i n i s t e r s C S E A / P , have been
monitoring training programs and
w o r k i n g w i t h a g e n c y m a n a g e m e n t to
identify new opportunities for the
state's clerical work force.
So f a r , m a n y s t a t e a g e n c i e s h a v e
enthusiastically e m b r a c e d CSEA/P,
including t h e O f f i c e of M e n t a l H e a l t h ,
t h e D e p a r t m e n t of C o r r e c t i o n s a n d
t h e D e p a r t m e n t of T a x a t i o n a n d
Finance.
T h e Division of P a r o l e w a s o n e of
t h e f i r s t s t a t e a g e n c i e s to p a r t i c i p a t e
in C S E A / P , a n d g i v e p e o p l e like C a r o l
P e e t s , t h e Wallkill w o m a n , a w a y out
of a w e a r i s o m e w o r k w o r l d b y
creating the new paraprofessional
p a r o l e p r o g r a m a i d e position.
" W e ' r e j u s t so t h r i l l e d , " s a i d Alicia
F i s h e r Y a r t e r , p r e s i d e n t of t h e
Division of P a r o l e L o c a l 669, a n d
c h a i r w o m a n of t h e d i v i s i o n ' s C l e r i c a l
Review C o m m i t t e e , which sees to the
n e e d s of t h e c l e r i c a l s t a f f . " W e ' r e a
v e r y s m a l l division, a n d o u r c l e r i c a l
s t a f f w a s d e a d - e n d e d f o r so l o n g . "
T h e Division of P a r o l e h a s a b o u t 1,200 e m p l o y e e s w o r k i n g in 45 l o c a t i o n s
a r o u n d t h e s t a t e . A b o u t 400 of t h e m
are clericals. The parole aide e x a m
w a s g i v e n l a s t J u n e , a n d 44 of t h e 110
eligible people w h o took it p a s s e d . In
JACK CONOBY, CSEA Collective
Bargaining Specialist who negotiated
the CSEA/P program, says the
concepts of the imaginative program
are now rounding into shape through
improved agency cooperation with
the union.
F e b r u a r y , t h e f i r s t n i n e w e r e appointed t o t h e n e w t r a i n e e s h i p s .
R o s e M i g d a l s k i , a 28-year-old C S E A
L o c a l 003 m e m b e r f r o m B u f f a l o , is
one who m a d e the move. She has been
w i t h t h e Division of P a r o l e f o r e i g h t
y e a r s — six a s a s t e n o g r a p h e r a n d t w o
as a senior stenographer.
" T h e r e w a s n o w h e r e f o r m e to go,
so w h e n t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y c a m e a l o n g ,
I grabbed it," she said. Like Carol
P e e t s , R o s e h a s r e t u r n e d to c o l l e g e
a n d h o p e s to b e c o m e a p a r o l e o f f i c e r
eventually.
" B e f o r e , I h a d no a m b i t i o n t o do
i t , " Rose said. " N o w I know I c a n . "
What's ahead for C S E A / P ? CSEA
P r e s i d e n t W i l l i a m L. M c G o w a n s e e s
g r o w t h a n d p r o m i s e in t h e p r o g r a m .
" C S E A / P has been a m a j o r adv a n c e in o p e n i n g c a r e e r d o o r s f o r
dead-ended w o r k e r s , but what we
h a v e a c h i e v e d so f a r is only a beginn i n g , " s a y s M c G o w a n . " C S E A / P is
t h e p a t h to t h e f u t u r e in public s e c t o r
c o l l e c t i v e b a r g a i n i n g , a n d C S E A int e n d s to open t h a t p a t h to m o r e p e o p l e
in t h e c o m i n g y e a r s . "
Union-backed grievance gains job reinstatement
B U F F A L O — An 18V2-year v e t e r a n
of s t a t e s e r v i c e h a s b e e n o r d e r e d r e i n s t a t e d to his position a s m a i n t e n a n c e
supervisor at Buffalo State College
a f t e r an a r b i t r a t o r ruled c h a r g e s
against him w e r e unfounded.
B a b i s k i n f o l l o w e d t w o d a y s of
h e a r i n g s on a g r i e v a n c e filed on
D e g e n e r ' s behalf by C S E A a t t o r n e y
Ron J a r o s .
On a r e q u e s t t h a t t h e c o l l e g e b e
o r d e r e d to a p o l o g i z e , t h e a r b i t r a t o r
n o t e d h e h a d " n o a u t h o r i t y to o r d e r
t h e apology d e m a n d e d " , a l t h o u g h h e
w a s " i n c l i n e d to a g r e e t h a t the
grievant deserved better f r o m the
college."
Degener pronounced himself " v e r y
happy with the assistance I received
f r o m C S E A in d e f e n d i n g m y s e l f
against these unfounded c h a r g e s . "
G e o r g e D e g e n e r , who h a d b e e n
suspended, was ordered reinstated
w i t h full b a c k p a y a n d b e n e f i t s .
D e n e g e r , an e m p l o y e e with no
p r e v i o u s b a d m a r k s on his w o r k
r e c o r d , s a i d h e f e l t " l i k e o n e of t h e
hostages who was released f r o m
I r a n " , f o l l o w i n g his e x o n e r a t i o n on
c h a r g e s which he feels a r e an "insult
to m y p e r s o n a l i n t e g r i t y . "
D e g e n e r w a s c h a r g e d w i t h t h e f t of
75 f e e t of w i r e , 35 2-by-4s a n d a m e t a l
c a b i n e t , all m a t e r i a l s t h a t h a d b e e n
p a r t of a wall p a r t i t i o n in a building
scheduled for demolition.
The
m a t e r i a l s w e r e to be d i s c a r d e d , exc e p t f o r t h e w i r e , w h i c h his son inadvertently removed f r o m the car
D e g e n e r used on t h e job.
T h e r u l i n g by a r b i t r a t o r
Union member
reinstated in
job with baclc
pay after she
is cleared of
all charges
N I A G A R A F A L L S — An a s s i s t a n t c l i n i c a l s u p e r v i s o r w i t h t h e
N i a g a r a C o u n t y D r u g A b u s e P r o g r a m h a s r e t u r n e d to w o r k , w i t h b a c k
p a y , a f t e r b e i n g a b s o l v e d of s e v e r a l c h a r g e s p l a c e d a g a i n s t h e r l a s t y e a r .
" I couldn't have endured this nightmarish ordeal without CSEA's
s u p p o r t a n d s t r e n g t h , " s a i d M a r t h a W a l s h in a r e c e n t l e t t e r t o R e g i o n 6
F i e l d R e p r e s e n t a t i v e T h o m a s C h r i s t y , t h a n k i n g h i m f o r h i s help.
W a l s h w a s s u s p e n d e d w i t h o u t p a y f o r 30 d a y s l a s t O c t o b e r a f t e r s h e
Requested t i m e off to r e c o v e r f r o m physical exhaustion. Although s h e int e n d e d on u s i n g a c c u m u l a t e d c o m p e n s a t o r y t i m e a n d v a c a t i o n d a y s f o r
her leave, her employer refused .
a s k e d W a l s h t o r e s i g n . Conseq u e n t l y , h e r e m p l o y e r b r o u g h t h e r u p on c h a r g e s of n e g l i g e n c e a n d dishonesty and suspended her.
H e a r i n g O f f i c e r Howard F o s t e r found Walsh not guilty and ordered
r e i n s t a t e d to w o r k w i t h c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r all w a g e s lost.
S h e a l s o t h a n k e d C S E A R e g i o n a l A t t o r n e y R i c h a r d Schroff a n d
N i a g a r a C o u n t y L o c a l 832 P r e s i d e n t W i l l i a m Monin f o r t h e i r a s s i s t a n c e in
her case.
William
. .JHE.PUBÜG SECTOR, Wednesday, April 8, 1981
Page 11
N e a r l y 800 C S E A d e l e g a t e s m a d e
their way to Syracuse a few weeks
ago to a m e n d the union's constitution,
attend workshops and a m o n g m a n y
other activities, honor retired CSEA
a c t i v i s t B e t t y D u f f y with a r e c e p t i o n .
Keynote speakers Congresswoman
Shirley Chisholm and AFSCME International P r e s i d e n t J e r r y Wurf
c r e a t e d a s p i r i t of c o n c e r n , a s t h e y
urged d e l e g a t e s to w r i t e t h e i r
Congressman about the detrimental
i m p a c t of t h e p r o p o s e d f e d e r a l b u d g e t
on N e w Y o r k S t a t e .
In f o l l o w i n g up l a s t w e e k ' s e x t e n s i v e c o v e r a g e of t h e d e l e g a t e ' s
m e e t i n g , h e r e a r e s o m e h i g h l i g h t s of
the three-day event.
WASSAIC DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER LOCAL 426
member Richard Snyder, left, and Long Island State
Parks Local 102 member Arthur Loving attend a
general session of the CSEA delegates meeting in
Syracuse.
TWO DELEGATES AT THE MEETINGS IN Syracuse
are, from left, Barbara Hogan, Dutchess County Local
S14; and Sheila Brill, Westchester County Local 860.
V
BROOKLYN CONGRESSWOMAN Shirley Chisholm, sitting, meets with members of the CSEA ad
hoc Women's Committee in Syracuse following her speech before the CSEA delegate body. Meeting
with Ms. Chisholm are, from left, Barbara Swartzmiller, Region III; Margaret Meaders, Region II;
Jean Frazier, Region I; Barbara Reeves, Region V; Pat Froebel and Joanna Williams, Region VI;
Shirley Brown, Region IV; and CSEA Attorney Marge Karowe.
DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER LOCAL 646
delegates include, from left, James Wood and Lloyd
Graham.
Page 12
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Vy/ednesday, April 8, 1981
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS COMMITTEE
Chairman Mary Ann Bentham confers with
Western Region VI President Robert Lattimer
at the delegates meeting in Syracuse.
RETIRED CSEA ACTIVIST Betty Duffy, holding present, was honored with a reception in
Syracuse at the CSEA delegates meeting. Among those honoring Ms. Duffy are, from left,
Dorothy King, Creedmoor Psychiatric Center Local 406; Ellis Adams, Dutchess County Local 814;
statewide Treasurer John Gallagher; statewide Secretary Irene Carr; statewide Executive Vice
President Thomas McDonough and Region I President Danny Donohue. Ms. Duffy has been
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center Local 418 president, a member of the CSEA statewide Board of Directors and an officer of the CSEA Mental Hygiene Presidents Committee.