THE
PUBLIC
Monday, December 10,1990
Vol. 13, No. 23
Official Publication of The Civil Service Employees Association, Local 1000, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
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Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
Local 1000, A ' ^ C M E , AFL-CIO
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4
CSEA President J o e McBermott tells hun
local presidents at a briefing session tha
resolving the furlough issue h a v e b o g g e
the union is d i g g i n g its heels in for a to
p a g e s 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 20 for Inform
state's d e e p e n i n g fiscal crisis.
I
I
i
•
-
NEWS YOU CAN USE
N
PAGE
3
PAGES
CSEA promises it will fight "tooth and
nail" a proposal by the Governor to force
state employees to take a week's
furlough without pay. McDermott
cautions state legislators to stay out of
the fray.
PAGE
PAGE
4
12
Westchester County is treating its
prisoners better that some of its
employees who work at the county
penitentiary. CSEA says temporary office
is dangerous, a disgrace.
PAGE
13
And several Nassau County employees
5
SUNY management has some funny
suggestions about how CSEA SUNY
employees should be spending their
holiday season. CSEA has other ideas.
PAGES
PAGE
Several hundred delegates make union's
10th annual Women's Conference a big
success.
Furlough issue, layoffs, hang like a dark
cloud over start of crucial contract
negotiations between CSEA and the
state.
PAGE
10-11
must feel like moles, spending their
entire working day underground.
6-7
PAGE
17
PAGE
18
While you're buying and flying this
holiday season, be sure you're looking
for the union label and that you don't fly
Continental or Eastern. And get your
news someplace else besides the Daily
News.
19
Your handy reference guide to member
services and benefits.
PAGE
20
When you see deputy commissioners
8
CSEA wins are good news for Nassau
County jail employees. Union gets leave
accruals restored in one case and clears
a corrections officer of serious charges
in another.
PAGE
PAGE
Several of your fellow CSEA members
are counting on your generosity to help
them in their time of need. The holiday
season is a great time to open your
hearts and wallets.
PAGE
A highly-paid bunch of business
executives want to ram the state's
budget deficit right down the throats of
state employees. CSEA says the
Business Council can "shove it."
16
CSEA levels a $10 million lawsuit against
White Plains mayor for allegedly violating
the constitutional rights of a CSEA unit
president.
PAGE
9
14
Six children of CSEA members named
winners of Thomas McDonough Memorial
Scholarship awards.
Management may have the right to
manage, but management cannot simply
do whatever they wish in assigning
employees. There are important contract
provisions defining work day and workweek regulations, and some of those
provisions were reinforced in a pair of
arbitration decisions recently.
PAGE
15
Shopping with CSEA's official discount
buying service can save you plenty of
money this holiday season.
with nothing to do, when you witness
costly duplication of services and when
you know there's a better, more efficient
way to do work, you're talking waste in
government. Tell us about it because
eliminating waste in government can
translate into saving jobs.
Don't let him
discard
you lil<e
an old pair of shoes!
Don't rely on rumors. Keep informed, call
CSEA's toll-free current issues update
1-800-342-4146
Press 5 on a toucli tone telephone. Available 24 hours a day, it is easier to reach the program before or after regular business hours.
The Public Sector (445010) is published every other Monday by The Civil Service
Employees Association, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Publication
Office: 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Second Class Postage paid at
Post Office, Albany, New York.
Address changes should be sent to: Civil Service Employees Association, Attn:
Membership Department, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
THE
PUBLIC
Official publication of The Civil Service
Employees Association, Inc., Local 1000,
AFSCME. AFL-CIO, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, New York, 12210
MICHAEL P. MORAN
ROGER A. COLE .
KATHLEEN DALY
Publisher
Editor
Associate Editor
SHERYL C. JENKS
LILLY GIOIA
ANITA MANLEY . . . . : . .
DAN CAMPBELL
MARK M. KOTZIN
STANLEY HORNAK
2
Asst. Dir. of Communications
December 10, 1990
COMMUNICATION AQgnriATcc
Region I
RON WOFFORD
(516) 273-2280
Region II
STEPHEN MADARASZ
(212) 514-9200
Region III
(914) 896-8180
Region IV
(518) 489-5424
Region V
(315) 433-0050
Region VI
(716) 886-0391
Headquarters
(518) 434-0191
Stand-oH
Furlough talks collapse over
governor's take it or leave it stance
ALBANY — Talks between CSEA and the Cuomo administration
broke down after the Governor refused to seriously consider unionproposed alternatives to mandatory furloughs of state employees.
CSEA President Joe McDermott vowed to use all available
contractual and legal means to fight an imposition of the furloughs.
With the state Legislature back in
Albany to consider the Governor's budget
reduction package, McDermott publicly
urged lawmakers to stay out of the
furlough issue.
"The furloughs represent a serious
change in our existing contract and the
Governor has a responsibility to negotiate
a fair agreement with us," he said.
As The Public Sector went to press,
the legislators had not taken any action on
the furlough issue. Legislators were
Civil Svrvlce Employe«« A«soclatlon, Inc.
considering a pay lag proposal as an
Loctl 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
alternative to furlouqhs.
Local 443 President
McDermott called more than 300 state division local
Local 691 p r e s i d e n t
Wally Nash
presidents to Albany to brief them on the deepening crisis.
Ellen
Faust
Later at a news conference, McDermott said the furlough
issue undermines the future of labor-management relations
between CSEA and the state.
"The mandatory five-day furlough amounts to a lock-out
of our employees and a 2 percent cut in pay," McDermott
said. "We are willing to explore any option short of an
outright picking of our members' pockets to help New York
get through the crisis."
In fact, CSEA proposed a variety of alternatives to the
mandatory furlough that would have helped the state save
money immediately. In the long run, the CSEA proposals
would save the state tens of millions of dollars.
The state rejected CSEA's suggestions and told the union
there is no alternative but to accept the Governor's proposal.
At their meeting with CSEA statewide officers, local
presidents expressed support for the union's position.
"Our members are not responsible for the state's budget
problems — mismanagement is," said one local official.
"They're trying to cover their mistakes by taking it out of
our hides, whether we agree or not," added another.
All urged the CSEA leaders to keep up the public pressure
and promised to mobilize rank-and-file members for strong
action to counter the Governor's unilateral actions.
As this edition of The PubUc Sector went to press, the
Governor has issued an ultimatum that if the unions don't
agree to the furloughs immediately, he will lay off thousands
more people.
State contract negotiations
"From the start, the state told us there will be a
minimum of 18,000 state jobs lost, regardless of what
are a separate issue, for now
happens on furloughs," he said. "At no point were they
The talks that broke down between CSEA and the
willing to talk about limiting further layoffs even if we
state
over the furlough issue are not the union's overall
agreed to the furloughs.
negotiations
on a new contract for state employees.
"New York faces some serious problems but the
The
separate
contract negotiations are still scheduled
Governor is not going to solve them unless he sits down
to
continue
but
the
furlough situation throws their future
with us to work out responsible long-term answers."
into doubt.
For CSEA, the issue is the state's credibihty.
"A contract is a commitment by both sides," said
McDermott said. "It becomes very difficult to negotiate a
new agreement if we can't trust that the state is making a
good faith commitment and will abide by the contract
agreement." (See page 4.)
December 10, 1990
3
Talks start on state contract
4
ALBANY — CSEA's contract
negotiations with the state for 107,000
state employees are threatened more by
violations to the current contract than
they are by the state's fiscal crisis, said
CSEA President Joe McDermott.
Calling Gov. Mario Cuomo's plan to
force five-day furloughs of all state
employees a lockout, McDermott said it
could poison talks on the next
contract. The current contract expires
March 31.
"There's no question we recognize as
a union and as taxpayers that the state
is facing difficult fiscal times,"
McDermott said at the recent kick off of
negotiations with the Governor's Office
of Employee Relations (GOER). "But
paramaters of the current agreement are
being infringed on when (the Governor)
proposes what is in essence a lockout."
The CSEA negotiating team will have
a hard time taking negotiations on a
new contract seriously if the Governor
is trying to undermine the current
contract, he explained.
"We're starting out a process,"
McDermott said. "How is the process
going to be any good if the state refuses
to live up to its obligations in the
current contract?"
While CSEA opposes layoffs,
McDermott pointed out that it is up to
the Governor to determine whether
there will be layoffs. He has not offered
furloughs as an alternative to layoffs,
but in addition to layoffs. The union
believes the state could find ways other
than layoffs and furloughs to save
money and close the estimated $ 1
billion budget gap.
"Obviously it's within the Governor's
perogative to reduce staffing,"
McDermott said. "But furloughs are a
change in the terms and condition of
employment and must be negotiated.
We even have a clause in our contracts
with the state that says neither side will
unilaterally approach the Legislature to
legislate changes in the contract. Yet
that is just what he proposes to do."
McDermott and GOER Director
Elizabeth Moore met with the press
after the negotiating teams set ground
rules and exchanged initial proposals.
Negotiations are scheduled to continue
later this month.
Moore leaves her position in January,
but emphasized that her staff and later
her replacement should have no
problems continuing negotiations with
CSEA.
CSEA represents more New York State
employees than any other union.
December 10. 1990
Sccto^
AHENTION
CSEA SUNY
EMPLOYEES
JUST SAY
Several SUNY campuses are turning to
gimmicks in an effort to greatly reduce the nonteaching workforce during the upcoming holiday
season.
Some SUNY facilities are urging employees
to take charged vacations of up to two weeks or
more. In some instances, SUNY workers are also
being encouraged to take time off without pay.
Some SUNY facilities are also asking
employees who want to work during the holiday
period to sign statements agreeing to accept
assignments other than their regular duties and
to work at alternate work locations other than
their regular work site.
CSEA advises SUNY employees not to be
intimidated into doing anything you do not want
to do. If you want to take a vacation during the
holiday season and charge your accruals, do so.
Just be sure you want to do it and are not being
pressured by management to do it.
For SUNY employees who want to work
during the holiday season:
C S E A u r g e s y o u N O T to s i g n a n y s t a t e m e n t
a g r e e i n g to w o r k at a n alternative location.
C S E A u r g e s y o u N O T to s i g n a n y s t a t e m e n t
a g r e e i n g to p e r f o r m o t h e r than regularly a s s i g n e d
duties.
C S E A u r g e s y o u N O T to take a n y f o r c e d
v a c a t i o n s d u r i n g the h o l i d a y s .
S o m e S U N Y l o c a t i o n s w a n t e m p l o y e e s to w o r k
but not b e p a i d d u r i n g the h o l i d a y p e r i o d to s a v e
m o n e y . C S E A ' s p o s i t i o n is clear: N O P A Y , N O
W O R K ! Don't v o l u n t e e r to w o r k for free!
99
CSEA SUNY EMPLOYEES: JUST SAY "NO!
December 10, 1990
5
CSEA President McDermott dismisses
Business Council's Zero Option plan
as big, fat
"It's absurd! Ridiculous, really."
And with that, CSEA President Joe
McDermott dismissed a scheme by The
Business Council of New York State to
balance the state's massive budget
deficit squarely on the backs of state
employees.
The Business Council called for the
state to freeze state workers' salaries for
the next two years and eliminate salary
increments for at least one year,
probably more.
"Once you consider the source, you
can't seriously consider the suggestion,"
McDermott said. "The Business Council
is the lobbying arm of a bunch of highlevel management executives whose
interests are with corporations and
profits, often at the expense of
employees. I would call them an antiunion group."
The plan to freeze state salaries and
increments is contained in a report
called "The Zero Option," prepared by
The Public Policy Institute, the research
affiliate of The Business Council.
"The Zero Option plan is a bunch of
high-salaried business executives telling
doesn't address the one thing the
Business Council knows the most about,
the mismanagement that caused the
budget deficit in the first place,"
McDermott said.
"I don't see a single reference in the
report about the millions of dollars
being sucked from the state budget by
unnecessary private consulting contracts
held by Business Council members. As
far as substance goes. The Zero Option
plan is a big zero, a nothing,"
McDermott said.
"State workers are already facing the
prospect of mandatory furloughs and
thousands of layoffs, and along comes
this nonsense from The Business
Council to freeze salaries and
increments of everybody who still has a
job. How unfair! How utterly stupid!"
McDermott said.
the working class they should sacrifice
and suffer some more. But the report
" I ' m s u r e you people c a n
do w i t h o u t f o r awhi le For
the good of the State
6
December 10. 19901
Stcto^
Who is the Business Councii of New Yoric, anyway?
And who are they to teii you to talce your iumps?
The Business Council of New York
State wants state employees to almost
single-handedly reduce the state's
massive budget deficit by receiving no
salary increases for the next two years.
Just who are these people who are
telling CSEA members to take the lumps
for everyone else?
"By comparison to the average CSEA
state employee's salary of $22,500, the
average member of The Business
Council is a fat cat, earning on average
about five times as much," CSEA
President Joe McDermott points out.
"Many Business Council members are
in income brackets that received the
highest savings from the state income
tax cuts at the same time most state
"Once you consider the
source, you can't seriously
consider the suggestion.
The Business Council is
the lobbying arm of a
bunch of high-level
management executives
whose interests are with
corporations and profits,
often at the expense of
employees. I would call
them an anti-union group."
workers saw their state income taxes go
up," McDermott said. "A family of four
making $125,000, and that includes
many Council members, saw their taxes
cut several hundred dollars. A family
of four earning anything less than
$32,000, and that includes virtually all
CSEA state employees, saw their taxes
increase.
"The working class is already carrying
a disproportionate share of financing
government, so who are they to tell us
to take a pay freeze as well?"
McDermott asked.
A profile of the readership of the
Business Council's magazine shows:
* A median income of about $100,000
* Nearly three-quarters are corporate
officers and owners or classify
themselves as management or
professional
* Nine out of 10 have attended
college
* More than 90 percent o w n their
o w n homes
* Most o w n more than one car; s e v e n
out of 10 o w n luxury, full- or mid-size
autos
* They all dine out each month, half
of them at least five times a month
"These are the people who think the
working class should carry the load so
the wealthy can go on racking up huge
profits and enjoying big tax breaks,"
McDermott said. "How can they even
begin to identify with the struggles and
the sacrifices of the working class.
Those people don't know the difference
between a blister and a blowtorch."
CSEA President Joe McDermott
Business Council's Zero Option report
an example why workers should unionize
CSEA President Joe McDermott calls
The Business Council's Zero Option plan
"the best endorsement I've ever seen
for why private sector workers should
unionize."
The Business Council report complains
that "state employees continue to enjoy
higher salaries and more generous
benefits than private sector workers."
The report noted "among other union
successes, across-the-board raises for
state workers...have exceeded the
annual inflation rate in 15 of the last 22
years" and ran 24 percent ahead of
inflation over the last decade.
"Hell, we're proud of that! It's our job
and our mission to win the best
contracts possible for our members,"
McDermott said. "We do our job very
well."
"On the other hand, many members of
The Business Council continue to
exploit their employees by paying lower
wages and providing grossly inadequate
benefits. Their own salary and benefit
figures in their own report confirms
that. Now they want to drag public
sector workers down also," McDermott
said.
"It's no coincidence that a lot of the
Business Council members operate nonunion businesses. And it's no
coincidence that on average their nonunion private sector workers earn less
and enjoy fewer benefits than unionized
public sector workers. The Business
Council's own report proves how
desperately many of their workers need
unions to represent them to stop this
exploitation by management,"
McDermott said.
December 10, 1990
CSEA gets leave credits restored for
Nassau sheriff department employees
EAST MEADOW - When Nassau
County told non-civilian sheriff's
department employees they could no
longer accrue leave time when they
were out because of on-the-job injuries,
they got mad — and CSEA got even.
The union filed a grievance and an
improper practice charge to reverse the
county sheriff's memo, which also called
for retroactively removing leave
accrued for anyone who earned it while
out because of job-related injuries.
"We felt all along the county took a
unilateral step in changing the terms
and conditions of employment for our
sheriff's department employees," said
CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Claude
Ferrara.
The Public Employment Relations
Board (PERB) agreed, giving the union a
winning decision.
Because sick leave and vacation leave
are "clearly mandatory subjects of
negotiation," the PERB judge ruled, the
county did not have the right to
unilaterally discontinue the long-term
practice of allowing accruals.
About 800 non-civilian employees
work in the sheriff's department.
"This is a great win for our members
in the sheriff's department here in CSEA
Nassau County Local 830," said CSEA
Labor Relations SpeciaUst John Clahane.
Sheriff's Department Unit President
Dan Murphy said the win would have a
major impact on department employees
because of the high number of on-thejob injuries.
GOOD NEWS brings smiles to faces of Nassau Sheriff's Department Unit Vice President
Tom DeStefano and, at right, President Dan Murphy. Ruling restoring leave credits
while on sick leave was turned over to them by Local 830 Administrative Assistant
Tony Giustino, seated, and CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Claude Ferrara.
CSEA action clears corrections officer
Nassau County tried to malce a scapegoat
By Sheryl C. Jenks
CSEA Communications Associate
EAST MEADOW - When a prisoner
escaped from the Nassau County jail,
county officials tried to blame it on a
corrections officer with a spotless
record.
But CSEA stepped in and proved that
Corrections Officer Thomas Boccarossa
wasn't at fault, the layout of the jail
was.
Boccarossa was on duty in the jail's
east tower when an inmate escaped.
Even though it was impossible for him to
see the area where the inmate escaped,
the county suspended him without pay
for 20 days.
CSEA filed a grievance on
Boccarossa's behalf, claiming that the
problem was the jail itself, not the
officer. An arbitrator agreed and
ordered the county to pay Boccarossa
20 days' back pay. A member of CSEA
Nassau County Local 830, Boccarossa
has a good record and no previous
disciplinaries.
8
December 10, 1990
The prisoner escaped over a fence in
an area only partially lit.
"There are dark spots between the
lights and often the existing lights blind
the officers assigned to the east tower,"
said CSEA attorney Lou Stober.
A month earher, another inmate
escaped at the same spot, but
management failed to correct the
problems.
The poor visibility is undisputed. One
of the county's witnesses, a lieutenant
from the Internal Affairs Unit of the
Nassau County Sheriff's Department,
said the view from the east tower is
limited. He also testified that the west
tower was not staffed during the escape.
After the escape, the sheriff's
department posted an officer in a car at
the southeast corner.
Boccarossa said he was doing his job
properly, but a propane tank and a shed
obscured his view. A prisoner could
easily watch a corrections officer in the
tower and move across the yard while
the officer was looking elsewhere, he
said.
Stober presented the arbitrator with a
1988 report, "A Study of the
Management of the Nassau County
Correctional Center," issued by the
Criminal Justice Institute of South
Salem.
"Two perimeter towers that are
staffed with armed officers are poorly
placed and designed for maximum
observation of the perimeter," the
report said. "A portion of the perimeter
lighting is directed into the eyes of the
tower officers, further obstructing their
vision."
The report recommended moving the
northeast tower to provide a better sight
line to the east perimeter fence and
adjusting perimeter lights so they
wouldn't shine in the tower officers'
eyes.
The county never implemented the
report's recommendations.
"Even the most attentive officer could
miss someone dressed in dark clothing
in the darkness of a winter morning,"
the arbitrator said.
Socto^
CSEA Arbitrations
Victories strengthen
work week rights
CSEA recently won two important arbitrations that
strengthen state employees' rights and prevent management
from changing workers' shift assignments just to avoid paying
overtime.
In both cases, the arbitrators forced management to
adhere to the CSEA/NYS contract which limits management's
ability to change shift assignments. The second case also
involved the creation of floating shifts that required
employees to change work hours to cover for scheduled
absences.
The first arbitration resulted from three separate
grievances filed at Willard Developmental Center in 1988.
Management had made several schedule changes to plug
holes in the work schedule.
On behalf of the three employees, Richard Allen, Steven
Lichak and Susan Pratt, CSEA filed grievances saying that the
schedule changes violated the CSEA/NYS contract.
According to the contract, management cannot
reschedule days off simply to avoid paying overtime except in
a specific case and with one week's notice.
CSEA argued that Willard DC management made the
changes only to cover for routine vacancies and avoid paying
overtime.
The arbitrator agreed with the union that management
changed the grievants' schedules merely to cover vacancies
caused by routine incidents, not for any reason of magnitude.
The changes were to cover for an employee on workers
compensation leave and two employees who had transferred.
"These are situations that are routine and could have
been covered by any number of schemes, including payment
of overtime to the employees who were reassigned," the
arbitrator said. "The state needs to do more than just assert
that it had to cover its (staffing) requirements in order to
justify not paying overtime and reassigning a bid employee."
The arbitrator ordered that the three employees be paid
the difference between their regular rate of pay the overtime
rate for the time they were reassigned.
In the second case, CSEA argued that the management at
Broome Developmental Center violated the CSEA/NYS
contract when it tried to create two floating shifts for
stationary engineers who work in the facility's power plant.
The power plant runs three regular shifts a day. In April
1988 after talks with the union but with out the union's
agreeing, management established two float positions. That is,
the people holding the jobs, although they normally worked
the day shift, would be subject to assignment to other shifts
to cover scheduled absences.
CSEA argued successfully that the floating shift violates
the contract's specification of the workweek and the clause
that requires changes in the workweek or workday or
establishment of new shifts must be made with written notice
and consultation with CSEA.
The union also argued that the contract permits a change
in the starting times of designated shifts, and doesn't cover
floating shifts. CSEA also pointed out that no other state
facility has the floating shifts and Broome DC only established
them to avoid paying overtime to deal with scheduled
absenses.
The arbitrator agreed, saying the contract allows the state
flexibility in changing starting times and assign workweeks
that are not consecutive. However, "that flexibility does not
extend to the establishment of a shift which has as a normal
part of its structure a float to other shifts on an as-needed
basis," the arbitrator said.
The arbitrator ordered the state to end the floating shift
and assign the workers based on their seniority to permanent
full-time shifts.
Kings Parle offers employees elder care
KINGS PARK - CSEA has
pioneered on-site day care for
children of state employees across the
state, but what about the elderly
dependent of those employees? Where
can they go?
With a grant from the state Office
of the Aging, Kings Park Psychiatric
Center will help answer that question
through a pilot project providing onsite elder care.
Through a survey, 50 employees
said they were interested in on-site
elder care.
"These employees often are torn
between their duties as employees and
their duties to their parents," said Dee
August, fifth vice president of CSEA
Kings Park Psychiatric Center Local
411. August is also the CSEA
representative on the project's board
of directors.
The day care program for the
elderly, expected to begin operations
in January, will initially care for 12
people at an expected $35 a day.
December 10, 1990
9
EA Women.
red, aware and alert
39
10thAnnualCSEA'sWomen'^ Cqnfetence'hugesuccess'
AWARD WINNER - Barbara Reeves
accepts plaque from CSEA President Joe
McDermott after Reeves was named winner
of the annual Irene Carr Leadership Award
for 1990. Reeves is a member of CSEA
Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center Local
434 and member of the union's statewide
Board of Directors. She served on the first
ad hoc women's committee in 1979 and
helped spark establishment of the panel as
a permanent standing committee.
By Sheryl C. Jenks
CSEA Communications Associate
Union officials are calling CSEA's 10th
annual Women's Conference a "huge
success."
More than 350 CSEA activists from
across the state attended the conference
held on Long Island recently. The
conference program included keynote
speakers and a variety of interesting and
informative workshop and seminars.
The theme of this year's conference
was "CSEA Women . . . Prepared, Aware
and Alert!"
The three-day event, planned by the
Statewide CSEA Women's Committee,
began with welcoming speeches by CSEA
Statewide President Joe McDermott, CSEA
Region I President Gloria Moran and
CSEA's Women's Committee Chairperson
Helen Zocco.
Leadership Award Presented
One of the highlights of the conference
was the presentation of the annual CSEA
Irene Carr Leadership Award.
"This is an award presented to a CSEA
member who has demonstrated leadership
ability, dedication to CSEA brothers and
sisters and commitment to concerns of
women within the labor movement," said
CSEA Education and Training Specialist
Connie Wunderlich, staff adviser to the
statewide Women's Committee.
This year's recipient is Barbara Reeves,
a CSEA activist and mother of two, with a
list of credits and projects longer than
Santa's list of Christmas toys.
Reeves, vice president of CSEA
Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (MVPC
Local 434, started an on-site mammograph
breast screening program at MVPC which
has screened more than 350 women in the
last two years.
Reeves also is involved in the K.I.D.S.
Children's Identification Program under
which more than 500 CSEA members wer
able to have their children's identification
photo and fingerprints computerized.
Reeves served as an original member o,
CSEA's first Women's Committee and
chairperson of CSEA's first Statewide
Safety and Health Committee.
She has helped co-workers kick smoking, learn to deal with stress and
understand nutrition as an EAP coordinator
at her facility, and she has also served in —
numerous local and regional elected p o s t »
"Outstanding achievement needs to b e "
recognized and that's the reason we
instituted this annual award," said
McDermott, "We are extremely proud of
Barbara Reeves."
The workshops presented at the
conference included: "Lobbying Your
Legislator: It's Time We Talked," which
discussed the "do's and dont's" of lobbyin
effectively;
"Streetwise and Safe" which addressed!
safety plans to avoid becoming a victim;
"Your Legal Rights in Separation,
Divorce and Child Support," which taught
members how to navigate the legal proces
and use the laws to maintain their standard
of living;
•
"Perfect Presentations Take Practice,"!
which gave members a step-by-step
jfEA STATEWIDE TREASURER Mary E. Sullivan, standing, stops
I chat with, from left, Rosemary Baker and Dorothy Pennerjen of CSEA Oneida County Local 833 and Marcia Hatherill of
'SEA Onondaga County Local 834.
Iproach to planning and presenting themilves professionally;
• "Don't Just Complain — Campaign,"
» i c h taught members to identify
important union issues and use the union
s^ength to create effective strategies that
WOMEN'S COMMITTEE — Members of CSEA Women's Committee,
which sponsored the annual women's conference, surround
committee chairperson Helen Zocco. Seated from left are Harriet
Hart, Zocco and CSEA staff advisor Connie Wunderlich. Standing
from left are Barbara Harrington, Cathy Barretta, Genevieve Clark
and Ellen Burke.
make the difference;
"Simple Techniques for Self Defense," a
seminar on tactics to eliminate or reduce
bodily harm; and
"After the Attack: Your Rights as a
Victim," which addressed rights under the
•Many workshops and seminars were conducted
YOUNGEST DELEGATE - Allison Paige
Service, seven weeks old, raises her voice
from arms of mother, Deirdre, a member of
CSEA Madison County Local 827. CSEA
Long Island Region President Gloria Moran,
right, notes Allison's official registration
pass.
10
December 10, 1990
CONGRATULATIONS - Several CSEA officers congratulate Leadership Award winner
Barbara Reeves, center background. From left are Capital Region President C. Allen
Mead, Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio, CSEA Executive Vice
President Danny Donohue, CSEA Secretary Irene Carr, for whom the award is named;
Reeves, CSEA President Joe McDermott, CSEA Treasurer Mary E. Sullivan and Long
Island Region President Gloria Moran.
law and the services available to victims of
crime.
The Statewide CSEA Women's Committee includes Zocco, Barbara Harrington,
Harriet Hart, Claire Rubenstein, Ellen
Diange-Burke, Catherine Barretta and
Genevieve Clark.
I
I
CSEA files I
complaint I
Westchester
County
forcing
employees
to work in
inadequte
and unsafe
conditions
66
to force
management
to correct
situation
They treat the prisoners better
By Anita Manley
CSEA Communications Associate
VALHALLA — CSEA says clerical
employees temporarily assigned to a
mobile trailer office at the Westchester
County Penitentiary are being forced to
work in inadequate and unsafe
conditions.
CSEA has filed a safety and health
complaint with the county, CSEA Labor
Relations Specialist Max Neuberger said.
The correctional clerical employees
are transferred to the mobile office
during the renovation of their regular
office area. Those renovations could
take more than a year to complete.
95
The mobile office is cramped, has
inadequate exit doors, does not have
bathroom facilities, has poor ventilation,
has no running water and, until the
union complained, did not even have a
fire extinguisher, Neuberger said. He
also said the outside wooden steps and
platform are fire hazards.
"They treat the prisoners better," one
employee complained.
Employees must walk outside about
100 feet to the main building to use
bathroom facilities, a time-consuming
process that is made more inconvenient
with the onset of cold weather. And
while other bathroom facilities are now
available in the main building, for
CRAMPED QUARTERS — Tables, desks, chairs, file cabinets and cartons are crammed
into a 12-by-15 foot space inside the temporary mobile office. The work area has poor
ventilation, no running water and no bathroom facilities.
12
December 10, 1990
awhile after the move no bathrooms
were accessible to the employees while
inmates were being processed.
Neuberger said bottled water and a
fire extinguisher were provided in the
mobile office only after the union
complained.
"We're trying to get management to
respond to these legitimate health and
safety concerns," Neuberger said. "It's
unfortunate the county would not
correct these awful conditions without
the union having to file a complaint."
NO ESCAPING IT — The mobile office is
so crammed that a table blocks an exit.
This could be disasterous in the event of
a fire or other emergency.
Sector
Danger at 911
Emergency call for Nassau
Emergency Operations Center
MINEOLA — Underground offices are
a sickening tomb for Nassau County
Emergency Operation Center workers.
But a problem with the ventilation
system that sent eight employees to the
hospital in September demonstrated
just how bad the situation really is.
As a result, CSEA has increased the
pressure on the county administration to
relocate the 110 police "911" operators
and fire communications personnel out
of the underground offices and into a
more healthy worksite.
The HOC is a former bomb shelter
adjacent to Nassau Police Headquarters.
It began operating as a full-time office in
1973. Almost immediately, the
employees, members of CSEA Nassau
County Local 830, began reporting
respiratory problems, headaches, sore
throats and irritated eyes.
CSEA has filed numerous complaints
over the years, including several under
the Public Employee Safety and Health
Act (PESHA).
No air quality violations have been
found.
Air problems tough to prove
The situation shows why it's so hard
to gain relief for air quality problems.
While the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) is
reviewing the entire issue of office air
quality, the current standards were
intended for industrial settings. It is very
rare that offices, even those located
underground, don't meet the standards.
That doesn't mean, however, that the
working conditions are healthy.
In 1981, the Nassau County Labor and
Health Departments recognized serious
problems with the ventilation system.
For example, the system's air intake is
located in the middle of a parking lot.
They recommended high priority for
upgrading the system.
The money was appropriated but the
county didn't make the improvements.
"Air here is killing us"
In September, a contractor doing
maintenance work removed air filters
for cleaning. The system spewed filthy
accumulated dust and filter sediment
into the offices.
"You could not believe the stench,"
Unit President Joan Kelila said.
Employees took turns relieving one
another as people had difficulty
breathing and some ran out to vomit.
Kleila herself experienced chest pains
and difficulty breathing.
Amublances took eight people
suffering from elevated blood pressure,
chest pains, breathing difficulties
and burning eyes to area hospitals. One
of those employees is still to ill to return
to work.
"When people had to go to the
hospital we all realized the air in here is
killing us," said Unit President Joan
Kleila. "We're breathing this stuff in on
a daily basis."
CSEA officials went directly to the
DOWN TO WORK BENEATH THE
GROUND - CSEA Nassau Police
Civilian Unit President Joan Kleila
descends the steps to her unit's
-^M^Z^y^oviisii^
Air quality
nroblems have plagued the
employees in the Emergency
d e r a t i o n s Center for years. One
reason is that the fresh air intake is
I S
in the middle of a parking
lot, above, left.
county Board of Supervisors to demand
action on this problem.
CSEA Nassau County Local 830
President Rita Wallace cited a 1990
survey of the EOC employees in which
65 of 113 employees said they take
medication for upper respiratory
illnesses.
Since 1982, there have been 17
miscarriages out of 34 known
pregnancies among EOC employees, she
added.
"Must there be 17 more miscarriages
and 65 more members suffering upper
respiratory problems before the county
wakes up and removes our people from
their underground offices?" added CSEA
Region I President Gloria Moran.
After the CSEA presentation. County
Executive Thomas Gulotta said he was
sympathetic to the difficult conditions
the employees work in. He asked the
Department of Public Works and
Department of General Services to work
with CSEA to find solutions to the
problems.
"Everyone agrees that it's an
unhealthy work environment," CSEA
Occupational Safety and Health
Specialist Dan Mora said. "The
employees' safety and health should be
the primary consideration and the best
solution is to get the people into a new
location as soon as possible."
Eight people were hospitalized with elevated blood pressure, chest pains,
difficulty breathing and burning eyes.
December 10. 1990
13
Thomas McDonough
scholarships
CSEA announces winners
of annual memorial awards
Six college students have been
awarded $500 CSEA 1990 Thomas
McDonough Memorial Scholarships.
Diane Lucchesi, chair of the CSEA
Special Memorial Scholarship
Committee, announced the winners, all
children of CSEA members. One
scholarship was awarded in each of
CSEA's six regions.
The winners are listed below
according to region.
Region I
Lee Anne Fisher of West Islip attends
SUNY at Geneseo. She is the daughter
of Jean Fisher, a senior stenographer at
Lindenhurst Public Schools and a
member of CSEA Suffolk County
Educational Employees Local 870.
Region II
Cheryl Gaskin of the Bronx attends
Barnard College of Columbia University
She is the daughter of Vernice
a secretary with the Workers
Compensation Board and member of
CSEA New York City Local 010.
Region III
Joseph Lauricella of New City attends
Cornell Univeristy. He is the son of
Anna Lauricella, a legal stenographer
with Rockland County and a member of
CSEA Rockland County Local 844.
at Geneseo. She is the daughter of Anne
Bassett, a bus driver with the Southern
Cayuga Central Schools and a member
of CSEA Cayuga County Local 806.
Region VI
Region IV
Jeannette Marie Green of Saratoga
Springs attends Colgate University. She
is the daughter of Angela Green, a
secretary with the Saratoga Springs City
Schools and a member of CSEA Saratoga
County Educational Local 864.
Region V
Diane Bassett of Genoa attends SUNY
Robert J. Falgiano of North
Tonawanda attends SUNY at Buffalo. He
is the son of Carol Falgiano, a special
education teacher aide at North
Tonawanda Schools and a member of
CSEA Niagara County Educational Local
872.
The winners of the McDonough
scholarships previously won CSEA's
Irving Flaumenbaum scholarships.
Art for Labor,
Labor for Art
You can help to buy a painting by labor's premier artist
for the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
The painting, "Family Supper," is now privately owned.
A labor-oriented group has been working to buy paintings
of primitive artist Ralph Fasanella from private owners and
hang them in public places.
Fasanella, a union organizer in the 1930s and 1940s,
has been called the greatest primitive painter since
Grandma Moses. His works have received critical acclaim
over the last two decades, but many of his paintings of
working people wound up in private collections.
A coalition of labor and community groups have
worked to purchase many of his paintings and display them
in places where more people can see them.
"Family Supper" is a colorful portrayal of Fasanella's
family at supper in a three-room apartment. Remarkable
details such as cups hanging in a cupboard, a day bed,
memorials to his parents and coin-operated heat bring the
picture to life.
The Immigrant Family Labor Heritage Project is offering
prints of the painting to raise money to buy the original for
the Ellis Island museum.
For your copy, send $ 10 plus $4 for shipping to The
Immigrant Family Labor Heritage Project, 1710 Broadway,
New York, NY 10019. Checks should be made out to The
Labor Heritage Project - CUNY.
14
December 10, 1990
UNITED
BUYING
SERVICE/NTL
Happy Holiday Season firom
United Buying Service Intl, Inc...
The Official buying service of CSEA.
CALL1-800-336-4UBS
Y E M t ROUND
Shopping H p s For The Holidays!
• On all major purchases ($100 or more), first choose the category of the
gift (jewelry, video equipment, a fur coat, TV, etc)
SAVINGS
UBS is CSEA's official discount shopping
service, offering the lowest prices on
automobiles, major appliances, video, stereo,
furniture, carpeting jewelry, china, crystal,
flatware, luggage and a host of consumer
electronics. Shop around on any of the above
items, and then call UBS for their price. You'll be
glad you did.
VISA and MasterCard accepted.
• Next, decide on the budget you can afford.
• Don't wait till the last minute. Many stores are keeping inventories on
major items to a minimum and the popular items are already scarce.
• Once you have a model number, call UBS Toll-Free for a discounted
price quote - thev will save you money!
SPECIAL rCNE tJEWELRYSALE
Diamond Stud Earingis starting at $100
GenuLae Cultured Pearls as low as $200
Tennis type Bracelets - $500
• If you don't have the time to shop or are simply confused as to Prestigious jewelry wholesaler in f^anhattan has
agreed to allow CSEA customers into his
which item to purchase - call UBS. Give them the category of gift wholesale
showroom as a courtesy to UBS.
you want and your budget. They will do a computer search to see Actual dealer prices are available on better
including - engagement and wedding
what the best buys in your budget and product category are and jewelry
rings - by appointment only advise you of price and availability.
CaU UBS at: 1.800.336-4UBS.
ZENITH Television
BELL SOUTH Answering Ma^hin^
• 13" Color TV
• Remote Control
• Cable Ready
Suggested
Retail:
• Beeperless Remote
• Illuminated Tubed Neon
• See Through Plastic Design
• Call Screening
Suggested
Retail:
$99.00
$299.00
CSEA MEMBER PRICE: $239.00
^
CSEA MEMBERS SAVE: $60.00!
CSEA MEMBER PRICE: $49.00
CSEA MEMBERS SAVE: $50.00!
MACtNAVOX Compact P i s k
M.4XON Radar Detector
• X&KBand
• Dual Audio Warning
• Bar Graph LED
• Visor or Dash Mount
Suggested
Retail:
$139.99
CSEA MEMBERS PRICE: $69.99
CSEA MEMBERS SAVE: $70.00!
NEW "UBS AUTO HOTT JNR"
The new ' U B S A U T O HOTLINE"
service enables CSEA members to obtain new
car factory costs on all makes and models of
American and Foreign cars and trucks plus
dealer cost on factory installed options. This
information puts you in the driver's seat when
negotiating with a dealer. UBS auto specialists
will also give you a used car evaluation while you
are on the phone. This arms you with the
information you need to determine whether or
not the new car dealers are trying to "steal your
trade". With this information, you can determine
whether you are better off trading your car or
selling it privately.
If you have already
determined which new car you wish to purchase,
UBS can refer you to a new car dealer that has
agreed to a substantially reduced price for CSEA
members. Long term leasing is also available to
qualified customers.
Call: 1-900-446-9400
($1.95 per minute)
Sector
Plavgr
• Remote Control
• Dual 16 Bit D/A Converters
• 20 Track Memory
• Head Phone Jack
Suggested
Retail:
$199.00
CSEA MEMBER PRICE: $119.00
CSEA MEMBERS SAVE: $80.00!
CSEA
HOLIDAY
SPECIALS
FRIGIDAIRE Microwavi. Qyi^n
8 Cubic Feet
' 750 Watts
• 10 Power Levels
• Auto Defrost
• Free 13 Piece Dishware Set
Suggested
Retail:
$239.00
CSEA MEMBER PRICE: $169.00
CSEA MEMBERS SAVE: $70.00!
LOCAL
ATTENTION:
AND
UNIT
PRESIDENTS!
UBS announced an E ^ C l u g j v g C S E A S f t l g
at the October 22nd conference at the Concord
Hotel. Four color, glossy, sales flyers are being
made available for January distribution. If you
have not already ordered flyers from UBS, and
you have a method of distribution available to
your members in January, call UBS right away!
They are only printing enough brochures to
satisfy orders. They go to print this week!
Call: 1-800-877-llJBS or 203-967-2883 ask for Andrea O'Connor.
1-800-336-4UBS
N e w Expanded Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:30 am to 7:30 pjm
Saturdays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
I December 10, 1990
15
CSEA members demonstrate support for CSEA White Plains Unit President Joe Roche, who was hit with
trumped-up charges following a confrontation with the city mayor.
Banned in White Plains
CSEA unit president targeted for political retribution
WHITE PLAINS - "Big Al's got to
go; we want Joe" has become the
rallying call of CSEA members and
other unionists in the City of White
Plains. The slogan is the heartbeat of
regular demonstrations in support of
CSEA City of White Plains Unit
President Joe Roche, who has been
SOLIDARITY WITH JOE - CSEA
Region III President Pat Mascioli
Joins demonstrators in a show of
strength for White Plains unit
president Joe Roche.
16
December 10, 1990
suspended without pay on trumped-up
charges following a run-in with the
city mayor.
CSEA has also filed a $10 million
lawsuit against Mayor Al Del Vecchio
for violating Roche's constitutional
rights.
The situation began earlier this fall
when the mayor threatened to fire
Roche because he was campaigning
for a rival city council candidate.
When the candidate won the
election and shifted majority power in
the city council to the Democrats, the
Republican mayor's anger carried into
a CSEA contract negotiating session
and led to a physical confrontation
between the two jnen.
Until that meeting, the mayor had
not been directly involved in
bargaining sessions on the contract
for city employees.
Prior to the confrontation Del
Vecchio was heard screaming: "I'm
the master politician in White Plains.
I'll kill anyone who messes with
politics in my town."
Del Vecchio accused Roche of
provoking the incident and brought
him up on charges. He also banned
him from city property.
CSEA is fighting the charges on a
number of grounds. For example,
CSEA says the disciplinary process
violates Roche's right to a fair hearing
since the mayor appoints the hearing
officer.
CSEA's punitive lawsuit against Del
Vecchio charges that he is violating
Roche's right to free speech and right
to represent his members.
"The mayor's always resented that
I'm trying to represent my members
to the best of my ability," Roche said.
The incident is not the first time Del
Vecchio has been involved in physical
confrontations. He has had similar
public incidents with a city council
member and a reporter.
Since the run-in, CSEA members and
other White Plains unionists have held
regular demonstrations at City Hall,
packed City Council meetings and
conducted a publicity campaign to
alert the public.
The union has also publicly pointed
out that the mayor is using taxpayer
dollars on what amounts to a political
vendetta.
The mayor's intimidation tactics
don't end with Roche. City firefighters
who honked their engine horns in
solidarity with one of the
demonstrations were threatened with
disciplinary charges. Two outspoken
CSEA activists were visited by city
detectives investigating unspecified
"threats" made against the mayor.
"When a union leader can be
suspended without pay and brought
up on charges for doing his legally
protected job on behalf of his
members, we all have to stand up for
what's right," said CSEA Labor
Relations Specialist Dee Tocci, who
witnessed the confrontation.
Now's the time to open your heart
Some fellow union members are
counting on your help during
a time of need
Little James Mainella
awaits liver transplant
CHARLIE PULVER shows a few of the pills
he must take to stay alive.
Charlie Pulver always
helped others in need
VALATIE — CSEA members are
known to have a lot of heart. Now
CSEA has a member who needs one.
Charlie Pulver, an Ichabod Crane
School District CSEA member, is waiting
for the phone to ring telling him he has
four hours to report to the Presbyterian
University Hospital in Pittsburgh.
But to qualify as a transplant
candidate, Pulver must have two air
ambulances on standby ready to fly him
to Pittsburgh. This will cost $8,800 up
front, which Pulver doesn't have.
The Columbia County community has
rallied to Pulver's assistance with local
groups holding fund raisers and seeking
other forms of help.
"Charlie has been a popular
personality in this area for a number of
years," said CSEA Ichabod Crane School
District Unit President Bunny Altomer.
"Besides being a school bus driver,
Charlie runs a popular lunchroom in the
village and he's always been ready to
help others who are down on their luck.
Now it's our turn to help him."
CSEA members interested in helping
Charlie Pulver can send their donations
to:
Charlie Pulver Fund
c / o Bunny Altomer
CSEA Ichabod Crane School Unit
Valatie, N e w York 12173
WANTAGH - Members of the
Department of PubUc Works (DPW) Unit
of CSEA Nassau Local 830 are working
to raise money for a member whose
baby is currently waiting for a liver
transplant.
Joseph Mainella and his wife, Linda,
have been struggling emotionally and
financially with the long term
hospitalization of their nine-month-old
son, James Joseph.
"Their son was just brought home
from a hospital in Boston and is on
standby for a transplant," said DPW Unit
President Ralph Spagnolo.
Mainella, an electrician at the Cedar
Creek sewage plant, has depleted his
leave entitlements with the costly visits
to Boston.
The unit held a raffle to raise some
money for their co-worker and they will
continue to collect donations.
"I hope our members will reach into
their pockets and try to help out," said
CSEA Local 830 President Rita Wallace.
"This is what unionism is all about,
helping your brothers and sisters."
Anyone who would like to help can
send a check to:
James Joseph Mainella
c / o CSEA DPW Unit
P.O. Box 101
Wantagh, N e w York 11793
ZACHARY IVES has a smile to warm the
coldest heart. He's hoping your
generosity will smile on him.
Courageous Zack Ives
facing tough operation
BALSTON SPA — Cancer is a very
hard disease to face. And when it affects
a child it is all the more dreadful.
But the smile on four-year-old Zachary
Ives shows no sign of the disease. It's
warm enough to melt the coldest heart.
The smile lights up the child's face and
almost makes the damage to his left eye
socket seem normal. But it's not.
In 1987, Zachary lost his left eye to
cancer and other complications of the
disease. Now he needs facial
reconstructive surgery before he can be
fitted with an artificial eye.
Ives, the grandson of Mona Ross, a
member of CSEA Saratoga County Local
846, has been taken under the wing of
the local's general unit members. They
are attempting to raise the $8,000 the
operation will cost.
But bake sales and raffles aren't
enough.
CSEA Saratoga County General Unit
President Corinne Daley hopes that
other CSEA members will help make
Zack's smile a bright and full one.
If you're interested in helping please
send a contribution to:
Zachary Ives Fund
c / o Christine Olmstead, Treasurer
CSEA Saratoga County General Unit
80 Church Street
Ballston Spa. N e w York 12020
.December 10, 1990
17
PLEASE POST
WAKE UP,
AMERICA
GUILD WINERIES & DISTILLERIES
Cook's Champagne
Distillery,
Wine & Allied Workers
International
Union
HOLLY FARMS
Chickens and processed poultry products
International
Brotherhood
of Teamsters,
Chauffeurs,
Warehousemen
& Helpers of
America
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
Producer International and Hammermill bond, offset and writing
paper and related products
United Paperworkers
International
Union
JOHN MORREU& COMPANY
Meat products: John Morrell, Rath Blackhawk, Nathan's
Famous, Tobins First Prize, Hunter, Tom Sawyer, Krey,
Partridge, Rodeo, Scott Petersen, Bob Ostrow, E-Z Cut, Table
Trim, Golden Smoked, Carson Ribs
United Food & Commercial
Workers International
Union
KAWASAKI ROLUNG STOCK. U.S.A.
get off your apathy!
Motorcycles
Transport
Workers
ACE DRILL CORPORATION
Wire, jobber & letter drills, routers and steel bars
United Automobile,
Aerospace
& Agricultural
Implement
of America
International
Union
Workers
BROWN & SHARPE MFG. CO.
Measuring, cutting and machine tools, and pumps
International
Association
of Machinists
& Aerospace
*
Workers
Iceberg Lettuce: Red Coach, Friendly, Green Valley Farms,
Lucky
United Farm Workers of
America
CAUFORNIA TABLE GRAPES
Table grapes that do not bear the UFW union label on the
carton or crate
Farm Workers of
America
CLARK GRAVE VAULT COMPANY
Implement
Workers
CONTINENTAL AIRUNES
Continental airline carrier
International
Association
of Machinists
& Aerospace
and Transport
Workers Union of
America
Workers,
New York newspaper publication
Graphic Communications
International
Union,
Workers of America,
International
Association
Aerospace
Workers, International
Brotherhood
Workers, and The Newspaper
Guild
Communications
of Machinists
&
of
Electrical
Brand name wood products: L-P Wolmanized, Cedartone,
Waferwood, Fibrepine, Oro-Bond, Redex, Sidex, Ketchikan,
Pabco, Xonolite
United Brotherhood
of Carpenters
& Joiners of America,
and
International
Woodworkers
of
America
MOHAWK UOUEUR CORPORATION
Mohawk labeled gin, rum, peppermint schnapps, and cordials
Distillery, Wine & Allied Workers International
Union
Cigarettes: Camel, Winston, Salem, Doral, Vantage, More, Now,
Real, Bright, Century, Sterling, YSL/Ritz; Smoking Tobaccos:
Prince Albert, George Washington, Carter Hall, Apple, Madeira
Mixture, Royal Comfort, Top, Our Advertiser; Little Cigars:
Winchester
Bakery, Confectionery
& Tobacco Workers International
Union
ROME CABLE CORPORATION
Workers
SEATTLE-HRST NATIONAL BANK
UiiiiaJ
V\/ithdraw funds
ruuu a CuiiimüiCiai
Workers
international
Union
SHEU OIL COMPANY
EASTERN AIRUNES
Continental airline carrier
Internetional
Association
of Machinists
& Aerospace
and Transport
Workers Union of
America
GARMENT CORPORATION OF AMERICA
• ••
Brand name chairs: Matrix, Poly, Dorsal, Vertebra, Stax, Afka,
Modular, Auditorium and University Seating (for airports and
auditoriums)
International
Association
of Machinists
& Aerospace
Workers
Cables used in mining and construction industry
International
Association
of Machinists
& Aerospace
DAILY NEWS
Work clothes and uniforms
Amalgamated
Clothing & Textile Workers
America
R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO.
Copper and steel burial vaults
United Automobile,
Aerospace
& Agricultural
of America
International
Union
BUY
BUILD UNION
BE UNION!!!
of
LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORP.
BRUCE CHURCH. INC.
United
Union
KRUEGER INTERNATIONAL, INCORPORATED
Union
Workers,
AFL
Subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (parent company of Shell South
natural gas products
SILO. INC.
National retailers of electronic equipment and appliances
International
Brotherhood
of Teamsters,
Chauffeurs,
Warehousemen
& Helpers of
America
GREYHOUND UNES. INCORPORATED
UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD CO.
Intercity bus and charter services
Amalgamated
Transit
Union
Retail,
Brand names: Bee, Bicycle, Tally Ho, Aviator and Congress
Wholesale
& Department
Store
Union
Union Label and Service Trades Department, AFL-CIO - November/December 1990
DON'T BUY THE DAILY NEWS
A LEMON SHOULD BE
SQUEEZED, NOT FLOWN
D O N ' T FLY
CONTINENTAL OR
EASTERN AIRLINES
18
December 10. 1990
AT YOUR SERVICE
YOUR UNION A REFERENCE CUIDE TO CSEA MEMBER SERVICES AND BENEFITS
CSEA
Toll'Free
AFSCME
The union's toll-free telephone number —
1-800-342-4146 — is your direct link to CSEA
Headquarters.
When you call the toll-free number, a
recorded message describes the choices to
put you through to the right place for the help
you need.
You need a touch-tone telephone to
complete your call without operator
assistance. If you aren't calling from a touchtone telephone, an operator will pick up and
complete your call at the end of the message.
If you know the extension number of the
individual that you're trying to reach, you can
press "O" plus the extension number on your
touch-tone telephone at any point during the
recorded message and be connected.
If you don't know the extension, the
message will give you the following choices;
* For Field Operations or the Empire
Plan/Health Benefits Committee, press number
1
Advantage
Credit
Card
THE AFSCME MasterCard has one of the
lowest interest rates around — 5 percent
above the prime lending rate. There is no
annual fee.
To obtain an application form, call your
CSEA regional office.
The card is issued by the Bank of New
York. If you apply for a card and there is no
response within four weeks, call the bank tollfree at 1-800-942-1977.
AFSCiVIE
Services
Advantage
Program
Legal
The AFSCME Advantage Union Privilege
Legal Service Program makes it possible for
you to easily obtain high quality, affordable
legal services for many personal legal matters.
For more details and a list of the participating
lawyers in your area, call the CSEA office in
your region.
Insurance
* For disciplinaries, grievances and other
legal matters, press number 2.
* For Communications, the Executive
Offices or Political Action, press number 3.
* If you have a question concerning dues,
membership or agency shop, CSEA group
insurance other than health or need to talk to
the Finance Department, press number 4.
* To hear CSEA's Current Issues Update for
news of interest to CSEA members, press 5.
CSEA offers several insurance programs at
low group rates and provides the convenience
of automatic payroll deduction.
These voluntary group plans include: Basic
Group Life, Supplemental Life, Income
Protection Program, Hospital Indemnity Plan,
Family Protection Plan, Auto Insurance and
Homeowners Insurance. For more details,
call 1-800-366-5273 or (518) 381-1600.
Employee
For health insurance questions concerning
Empire Plan coverage, call the appropriate
following telephone number:
Benefit
Fund
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund is a
CSEA-administered trust fund which provides
certain supplemental negotiated benefits for
state employees and participating local
government employees. It currently
administers Dental Care, Vision Care,
Prescription Drug, and Package 7 Benefits
Plans.
For questions regarding any of the benefits
or for assistance with negotiations, call:
Health
Insurance
EMPIRE PLAN
1-800-342-9815
Blue Cross Claims
or (518) 465-0171
1-800-942-4640
1-800-537-0010
1-800-992-1213
Metropolitan Claims
Participating Providers
Empire Plan Health Call
(Hospital admission approval/surgical review)
1-800-323-2732 or (518) 463-4555 or write:
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
14 Corporate Woods Boulevard
Albany, NY 12211
and
If you are retiring soon, it's important that
you select the proper option from the
Employees' Retirement system.
By using the services of a CSEA-provided
retirement counselor, you'll be able to plan for
a lifestyle in your retirement years that takes
into account your anticipated expenses.
For more information, call 1-800-366-5273.
General retirement information and retiree
membership information are available by
contacting CSEA's Retiree Department at
CSEA Headquarters 1-800-342-4146 or (518)
434-0191.
Technical retirement benefit questions (i.e.,
eligibility for service buy-back, transfer of
membership), requests for retirement
allowance applications, and requests for
retirement estimate applications should be
directed to the New York State and Local
Retirement Systems at (518) 474-7736.
United
Buying
Service
Get big savings on consumer products
through the union's official discount buying
service. UBS combines the power of millions
of members to negotiate discounts on a whole
range of major name discount products.
Everything from automobiles to major
appliances, video to home furnishings and
more. The program is free to CSEA members
and carries no service charges. To place an
order or for pricing information, call
1-800-336-4UBS or 1-800-877-4UBS. UBS has
also set up a hotline for information on limited
special monthly offers available only to CSEA
members. For a listing of specials, call the
hotline at 1-203-967-2980.
Grievances,
Disciplines
If you believe you have a grievance,
immediately contact your local grievance
representative or shop steward. If they are
unavailable, contact your CSEA Unit or Local
President, or your CSEA Labor Relations
Specialist at the appropriate regional office. Do
not delay if you believe you have a problem;
grievances must be filed on a timely basis.
CSEA REGIONAL OFFICES
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Education
Retirement
Training
CSEA can help you prepare for civil service
exams with low-cost study booklets and freeto-borrow video tapes.
CSEA also provides educational workshops
for union activists eager to learn more about
their union responsibilities.
To request booklet order forms or to obtain
information on union workshops, call CSEA
headquarters at 1-800-342-4146. For
information on videotapes, contact your CSEA
regional office.
LONG ISLAND REGION 1 OFFICE
Hauppauge Atrium Building
300 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy.
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(516) 273-2280
(516) 435-0962
SOUTHERN REGION 3 OFFICE
Rural Route 1
Box 34, Old Route 9
Fishkill, NY 12524
(914) 896-8180
CENTRAL REGION 5 OFFICE
6595 Kirkville Road
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 433-0050
METROPOLITAN REGION 2 OFFICE
Suite 1500
11 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
(212) 514-9200
CAPITAL REGION 4 OFFICE
Suite 402
1215 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 489-5424
WESTERN REGION 6 OFFICE
482 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 886-0391
Safety
To report unsafe or unhealthy working
conditions or serious accidents, call your
CSEA labor relations specialist. For
occupational safety and health information, call
CSEA headquarters at 1-800-342-4146.
CSEA STATEWIDE HEADQUARTERS
143 Washington Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12210
(toll-free)
Press 5 for Current Issues Update.
1 -800-342-4146
(518) 434-0191
• December 10. 1990
19
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If we allow Gov. Cuomo
to get his way, thousands
of public employees will
join the unemployment line
BLOW THE
WHISTLE
ON WASTE!
If you know where a few spare
deputy commissioners with nothing
to do hang out;
If you know of equipment being
used inefficiently;
If you know about unnecessary
consulting contracts that let private
contractors do work public
employees should be doing;
If you know of better, more
effective, ways to do work in
your department or agency;
If you know of waste in
government in any form, in any
amount:
BLOW THE WHISTLE! Every
dollar saved could help save a
job! Use t h e h a n d y form at
right to p r o v i d e CSEA with
information to help y o u r
union eliminate w a s t e in
g o v e r n m e n t and s a v e jobs. All
information s u b m i t t e d will be
treated w i t h strictest
confidence.
(Clip and send to)
Joe McDermott, President
Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
Yes, I want to help CSEA eliminate waste in government. I think the
following information should be investigated:
Name.
.Social Security
Address
City
_
Home phone:
_State.
Zip.
Work phone:
I am a member of CSEA Local
(All information will be treated with strictest confidence)
20
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December 10, 1990
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