Petitioiaing period starts Feb. 10
for elections of GSEA statewide
President, Executive
President, Secretary, Treasurer
Official publication of
ataki touts
plan 10 siasn
school taxes
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
THE PUBLIC
Vol. 20 No. 2 FEBRUARY 1997
«The $1.7 bHtlon
proposal would use
state aid to bring dowi
homeowners' bills by ^
more than a quarter
B Y SARAH MCTZGAR
Capitol bureau
Ts
U ' I ' X / O "
/
A L B A N Y — Gov. George
detailed a plan Saturday to cuti
Yorkers' school taxes, saying b
reduce homeowners' vschool
an average of 27 percent.
1?ropert>' taxes are Xm^
By
the largest c o m p o n e n t ^
sdiool tax," said the Rei
j\£>
^^W
IfYit^
J^
^
emoT. "We aift
IUM
Ubx.
Pataki says he's done with major job cuts
ing year," Pataki said. T o the extent
BY SARAH METZGAR
Capitol bureau
A L B A N Y - Gov. <
pressed to disclose ho^
for his massive school
posai, said Saturday ti
be slashing the state m
did in the first halfof;
"We expect no la;
|y in
his proposed budget for the amiing
1997-98 budget yfarmTuesd^.^y
taafibu
Pataki to make early retirement offer
BY S A R A H METZGAR
Capttot bureau
A L B A N Y — G w . George Pataki
announced Ihuraday that he would
offer another early retirement incentive to state woriöK« starting next
week,
The announoenaent came just tvw>
days after the Republican governor
presented his state budget plan for
1997-98,
would trim the state
woric force by 1,700 positions, on top
of the more than 18,000jobs he cut in
his first two years in ofiSce.
"Over the past two years, we have
succeeded in implementing an un-
precedented management plan for a
state work force," Pataki said in a
prepared statement Thursday. "We
are continuing our humane and fair
approach to m a n a g ^ the state work
force with this additional retirement
incentive."
' ^ e incentive is b e i ^ offered \mder tlie terms
rf^sti^
legation
passed last year. TÜik incentive, the
11th since last May, would get state
agencies started on Pataki's plan to
cut l,700jobs for 1997-98.
Workers' opportunity to apply for
the incentive package will b ^ i n
Tuesday and end March 12, As
usual, it is open to workesrs aged 50
and over with at least 10 years'
service who work in a position tainted for abolition, or a position that^s
idmtified as a possible transfa- spot
for a targeted worfter elsewhere in
state government.
Retirees taking the incentive will
earn a month of pension credit for
every year of s^rice, to a maxiiitum
of 36 Downths. Employees must file an
apjAication 14 days prior to the end of
the open period.
L4
Maiy Hines, spokeswoman for Pataki, s ^ about 5,000 state workers
have opted to take early retirement
since thefirstoffering in May.
SEE PAGES 3, 8, 14, 20
\»
Your union dues work for you
Your union dues, among the lowest in the country, support
CSEA efforts to obtain better wages, better benefits,
retirement benefits and equitable terms and conditions of
employment for the 265,000 active and retired members of
CSEA that are far superior to non-unionized workers.
CSEA negotiates the best contract provisions and
protections possible because effective management of union
dues make it possible for the union to employ an experienced,
qualified professional staff and utilize the finest resources
available.
Your dues also support CSEA's legislative and political
action program, making it possible for CSEA to promote and
support legislation that is in your best interest while working
to reject legislation that would be harmful to you.
CSEA supports issues that help you throughout your
working career and assist you when you retire, such as
pension supplementation, permanent cost-of-living
adjustments, health insurance for retirees and preservation of
the retirement system.
Your union dues work for you in many ways. Of every dues
dollar paid, 97 cents goes toward negotiating and enforcing
union contracts, improving and protecting terms and
conditions of employment and working on a wide range of
issues and projects that directly affect members. Three cents
is used for promoting political or ideological programs and
projects important to CSEA members and labor in general.
CSEA members who do object to the appropriation of a
portion of their dues for political or ideological purposes
unrelated to collective bargaining can obtain a rebate.
To request a refund from CSEA, individual refund requests
must be submitted in writing by certified or registered mail
addressed to:
CSEA Treasurer
Civil Service Employees Association
P.O. Box 2611
Albany, NY 12220-0611
CSEA refund requests will only be accepted during the
month of March. Requests must be postmarked during the
month of March, no earlier than March 1, 1997 and no later
than March 31, 1997.
Individual requests only must be submitted; lists of
members are not acceptable.
Each request for reimbursement must be typed or legibly
printed and must include the individual's name, home
address. Social Security number and CSEA local number. The
request must be signed by the member.
Graduating high school seniors who are
sons or daughters of CSEA-represented
employees are eligible to apply for a total
of $14,000 in scholarships offered by or
through CSEA. A single application covers
three scholarship programs.
Applications deadline is April 15.
Winners will be notified in June and
winners announced in The Public Sector.
Applications are available from CSEA local
and unit presidents and at CSEA
headquarters, region and satellite offices.
Eighteen Irving Flaumenbaum
Memorial Scholarships will be awarded
to graduating high school seniors. Three
$500 scholarships will be given in each of
CSEA's six regions.
One $2,500 Jardine Award will be
given to a graduating high school senior
entering higher education in the SUNY
system. The top 2 percent of scholastic
achievers, based on high school average,
class rank and SAT scores will comprise
the eligibility pool for this scholarship. The
award is given in memory of Charles
Foster, a longtime CSEA activist and later
the first business officer of the SUNY
system.
One $2,500 Travelers Award will be
given to a graduating high school senior
and is not limited to a student entering
the SUNY system. It is given in memory of
Joseph D. Lochner, CSEA's first employee
and later the union's executive director.
Application period set for
AFSCME's Clark scholarship
Applications for AFSCME's Jerry Clark
Memorial Scholarship will be accepted
beginning March 15.
The scholarship, available to children
of members who are college sophomores
majoring in political science with a 3.0
average at an accredited univeristy, offers
$10,000 a year for the junior and senior
years and an opportunity to intern in
AFSCME's political action department.
For more information, write: AFSCME
Education Department, 1625 L St. NW,
Washington, DC, 20036-5687 or call
202-429-1250
EBF clarifies MVP dental coverage
Effective Jan. 1, 1997, MVP HMO will
cover certain preventive dental procedures
for enrolled members' dependent children
under the age of 19.
Since MVP is picking up the cost, they
will become the primary insurance
coverage for these procedures. MVP's
coverage will carry a $10 co-payment per
visit. If you are covered by MVP and by
the CSEA Employee Beneflt Fund for
dependent dental coverage, the fund
will not cover services paid by MVP.
If your dependent children age 19 and
under are enrolled in both MVP and the
EBF, the EBF will not provide
reimbursement for MVP-covered
preventative services.
The EBF will reimburse the $10 copayment when services provided are EBFcovered procedures. The Fund will be
paying for the co-payment only and not
the service itself. Members must submit
proof of the $10 co-payment including
dentist information, services rendered and
the date of service on an EBF dental claim
form.
Please by aware that since the services
are being paid by MVP, the EBF frequency
limitations do not apply.
If you have questions concerning MVP
coverage, members may reach MVP at
1-800-TALK-MVP or the CSEA Employee
Benefit Fund at 1-800-EBF-CSEA.
The Public Sector (USPS 0445-010) is published monthly by The Civil Service Employees Association.
Publication Office: 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
Periodicals Mail Postage paid at Post Office, Albany, New York 12288 and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to: Civil Service Employees Association,
Attn: Membership Department, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
CSEA on line: The CSEA web site can be accessed at www.cseainc.org
THE
PUBLIC
Ofßcial publication of
The Civil Service Employees
Association, Inc. Local 1000, AFSCME,
AFL-CIO
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President
STEPHEN A. MADARASZ.
Director of Communications. Publisher
STANLEY HORNAK,
Asst. Director of Communications
ROGER A. COLE. Editor
KATHLEEN DALY, Associate Editor
CATHLEEN HORTON
Graphic Design & Support Services
RALPH DISTIN, Graphic Artist
JANICE NUSBAUM. Secretary
Applications available for
$14,000 in CSEA scholarships
Readers: Send any comments, complaints, suj^estions or ideas to:
I'ublisher, The Ihtblic Sector, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210-2303.
COMMUNICATIONS
ASSOCIATES
S H E R Y L C. J E N K S
Long Island Region
RON WOFFORD
Western Region
LILLY G I O I A
(516) 462-0030
Metropolitan Region
(212) 406-2156
E D MOLITOR
(716) 886-0391
Headquarters
(518) 434-0191
ANITA M A N L E Y
Southern Region
(914) 831-1000
DAN CAMPBELL
Capital Region
(518) 785-4400
Central Region
M A R K M. K O T Z I N
(315) 433-0050
s
The Public Sector Committee
L O N G I S L A N D R E G I O N (Vacant)
M E T R O P O L I T A N R E G I O N Jimmy Grippen Chairman
S O U T H E R N R E G I O N Diane Hewitt
Page 2 • The Public Sector • February 1997GENERALNEWS
CAPITAL R E G I O N Marguerite
Stanley
C E N T R A L R E G I O N Bruce Damalt
W E S T E R N R E G I O N James V Kurtz
State budget mixed bag of
potential benefits, concerns
'CSEA wants to work with all the parties ... to reach agreement
on a budget that is fair to CSEA members and all New Yorkers.'
ALBANY — CSEA is hard at work analyzing more than 1,100 pages of
facts and figures that make up Gov. George Pataki's $66 billion proposed
state budget, but some immediate conclusions are obvious.
There are some immediate areas of concern to CSEA, including the
proposed privatization of Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo and the
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw (see related story on this page), the
proposed elimination of another 1,700 state jobs, and a dramatic change in
the state's medicaid program that could hit public health care facilities hard.
But CSEA is also seeking more detail and discussion on other areas of the
budget, which could benefit CSEA members if done right. For example, the
Governor has proposed a plan to provide school property tax relief — an area
of concern to CSEA for years. But it remains to be seen if this relief will be at
the expense of the employees' negotiated benefits and salaries.
"Give the Governor credit for crafting a budget that appears to have
something for everyone," CSEA President Danny Donohue said. "But
everyone knows there's no free lunch and the big questions remains: what's
the cost and who pays?
"It's great to say you're cutting state and local government taxes —
everyone wants that," Donohue said. "But it's very hard to imagine how you
can actually do that without cutting services or shifting the burden
somewhere else."
"CSEA wants to work with all the parties — the Governor, the Assembly
and Senate — to reach agreement on a budget that is fair to CSEA members
and all New Yorkers."
SEE PAGE 14 FOR ADDITIONAL STORIES ON THE IMPACT OF THE
PROPOSED 1997-98 NEW YORK STATE BUDGET
ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
CSEA President Danny Donohue briefed news media representatives on
union concerns about the proposed state budget. WRGB Channel 6
reporter Judy Sanders interviews Donohue after the brieüng at CSEA
headquarters in Albany.
CSEA outraged over Pataki's plan
to privatize Roswell Park, Helen Hayes
Editor's note: Among CSEA's gravest concerns about
Gov. Pataki's 1997 state budget are the proposed
privatization of two facilities of the state Health
Department; the world-renowned Roswell Park Cancer
Institute in Buffalo and the Helen Hayes Hospital in
West Haverstraw. CSEA is outraged over plans to
privatize both facilities and is committed to an all
out efforts to defeat that budget proposal. In the
article below, CSEA members respond to the threat to
their future and their facility at Roswell Park.
BUFFALO — Plans by Gov. Pataki to privatize the
world-renowned Roswell Park Cancer Institute,
announced in his 1997 budget message, are being seen
as a call to arms for CSEA activists, members and
supporters of the center, a state-operated facility for
more than 100 years.
"This would be a tragedy in several ways, if the
institute were to be privatized," said Brian Madden,
president of RPCI Local 303. 'This would definitely be a
The future of CSEA Local 303
loss to our community, and a threat to the futures of
member Paul Luciano, a cook for
this local's 800 members."
31 years at Roswell Park, and that
CSEA also has 500 members in RPCI Health Research
of hundreds of other employees
Local 315, with Jim Jayes as its local president.
there could be uncertain with
"What a black eye this(privatization) would be for New
Gov. Pataki's announced plans to
York state, for Buffalo and Western New York," Jayes
privatize the facility.
said. "It would be a near catastrophe, and a slap in the
THE CSEA WORK FORCE
face to all the dedicated employees who have worked
here for years."
"I've taken a great deal of pride in working here for 21
years, " said Jerry Podemski, a carpenter and member of
Local 315. "But part of that pride came from knowing I
was working for the state, supporting the life-saving
work that goes on here, - not a privateer. If this
happens, our job protections would be lost, along with
the pension security we have had."
"Privatization would be pretty devastating for the
average worker," said Mike Bonfante, a senior
draftsman for 15 years and member of Local 303. "And
even worse for the workers at the bottom of the
economic ladder, because years of experience would be
replaced by less expensive laborers.The quality of care
would likely decrease, with the morale outlook very
poor."
"The average worker's tenure here is about 15 to 17
years," Madden said, "and in maintenance, where I
work, it's more like 20 years. And they've played games
with the early retirement incentives. Last year 85 people
applied, but only 10 actually received it, so they are
looking to dump a lot of Tier 1 and tier 2 workers. The
whole plan sounds like a retreat from the great Roswell
Park tradition of patient treatment and care.We've got to
fight this all the way."
- Ron Wofford
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 3
State DMV workers drive
agency's turn around
A L B A N Y — Five y e a r s a g o it w a s g e n e r a l l y
c o n s i d e r e d t h e s e c o n d - m o s t h a t e d a g e n c y in t h e
s t a t e . It w a s the b u t t of Jokes, r e c e i v e d a l m o s t
c o n s t a n t p u b l i c d i s d a i n a n d o f t e n its o w n w o r k e r s
r e f u s e d to tell p e o p l e w h e r e t h e y w o r k e d b e c a u s e
they w e r e e m b a r r a s s e d .
B u t after only three years with a Total Quality
M a n a g e m e n t p r o g r a m , t h e s t a t e D e p a r t m e n t of
M o t o r V e h i c l e s is o n e of t h e f r i e n d l i e s t , m o s t
c u s t o m e r - s e r v i c e - o r i e n t e d a g e n c i e s in the state.
A n d the e m p l o y e e s like it t h a t w a y .
G o n e a r e the long, a g g r a v a t i n g lines. N o w there
are e x p r e s s d r o p off lanes. B e n c h e s are plentiful
s o c u s t o m e r s c a n sit d o w n w h i l e a f r i e n d l y c l e r k
t a k e s c a r e of t h e p a p e r w o r k . C u s t o m e r f r u s t r a t i o n
has been replaced with smiles from customers
w h o n o w k n o w t h a t t h e y h a v e e n o u g h t i m e to r u n
a n e r r a n d , b u y a gift o r m a i l a letter w h i l e t h e i r
p a p e r w o r k is p r o c e s s e d b y h e l p f u l D M V w o r k e r s .
" N e w c o m e r s are pleased a n d old timers
r e t u r n i n g to d o b u s i n e s s w i t h t h e ol' d r e a d e d D M V
a r e i n a s t a t e of s h o c k , " o n e w o r k e r e x p l a i n e d .
" Q u i t e a c h a n g e , " s a i d M i c h a e l F e b r a i o Jr.,
C S E A D e p a r t m e n t of M o t o r V e h i c l e s L o c a l 6 7 4
p r e s i d e n t a n d m e m b e r of t h e T Q M E x e c u t i v e
C o m m i t t e e . " T h i s c h a n g e of i m a g e , a t m o s p h e r e
a n d attitude b e g a n w h e n a Total Quality
M a n a g e m e n t p r o g r a m w a s e s t a b l i s h e d a n d the
C S E A m e m b e r s b e c a m e e q u a l p a r t n e r s in t h e
r e b u i l d i n g effort.
" U s e d to b e n o o n e t r u s t e d a n y o n e , l a b o r
d i s t r u s t e d m a n a g e m e n t a n d in t u r n m a n a g e m e n t
d i s t r u s t e d l a b o r . S o t h e first r o a d b l o c k w e h a d to
o v e r c o m e w a s t h e m a t t e r of t r u s t , " F e b r a i o s a i d .
T r u s t w a s built into the n e w p a r t n e r s h i p . Front
line w o r k e r s w e r e e n c o u r a g e d to g e t i n v o l v e d in
P r o j e c t T e a m s , w h i c h w o u l d tell m a n a g e m e n t h o w
to i m p r o v e t h e w o r k p r o c e s s e s .
" O u r m e m b e r s gave m a n a g e m e n t idea after
idea. S o m e w e r e good, s o m e weren't. E a c h w a s a n
h o n e s t e f f o r t b y t h e w o r k e r s to h e l p i m p r o v e t h e
D M V experience," Febraio said.
DMV: A Success
Stonj, a n A l b a n y e d i t o r i a l
r e c e n t l y r e a d . T h e e d i t o r i a l r e p o r t e d h o w it's n o t a
n i g h t m a r e to g o t h e t h e A l b a n y D M V o f f i c e
a n y m o r e . T h e o f f i c e is c l e a n , t h e w a i t i n g t i m e h a s
b e e n c u t in h a l f .
P o s i t i v e s t o r i e s h a v e a p p e a r e d in l o c a l m e d i a .
E v e n r a d i o c a l l in s h o w h o s t s h a v e b e g u n l o o k i n g
for a n o t h e r a g e n c y to s e r v e a s t h e b u t t of their
jokes, Febraio said.
— Daniel X. Campbell
Local brings need for marrow to light
Editor's note:
February
History
Month, and the
following
story is one
example
of how
CSEA
members
contribute
to
history every
day.
is
Black
l|VlacL
The Local 303 W o m e n ' s Committee p a s s e d out
l i t e r a t u r e at c h u r c h e s a n d civic g r o u p m e e t i n g s
a n d p u t i n f o r m a t i o n in l o c a l n e w s p a p e r s .
The National M a r r o w Donor Program maintains
a r e g i s t r y of v o l u n t e e r s w i l l i n g to b e d o n o r s a n d
c o o r d i n a t e s a n e t w o r k of o r g a n i z a t i o n s to r e c r u i t
d o n o r s , c o l l e c t m a r r o w a n d p r o v i d e it to p a t i e n t s .
Local 303 worked with network organization
A f r i c a n A m e r i c a n s U n i t i n g F o r Life.
A n y o n e r e g a r d l e s s of t h e i r r a c i a l
makeup.
Page 4 • The Public Sector • February 1997
Member bequeaths hospital $100,000
P O T S D A M — T h e g e n e r o s i t y of f o r m e r
C S E A S U N Y P o t s d a m Local 613 m e m b e r
G e r a l d B a r n e t t is b e i n g r e c o g n i z e d b e c a u s e of
the b e q u e s t h e left to a l o c a l h o s p i t a l .
H e w i l l e d the C a n t o n - P o t s d a m H o s p i t a l
F o u n d a t i o n a b e q u e s t of $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 f r o m h i s
e s t a t e , o n e of t h e l a r g e s t c o n t r i b u t i o n s t h e
hospital h a s ever received.
B a r n e t t , w h o r e c e n t l y d i e d of l u n g c a n c e r a t
t h e a g e of 6 0 , h a d b e e n a j a n i t o r a t S U N Y
P o t s d a m f o r 2 3 y e a r s a n d r e t i r e d d u e to h i s
illness last year.
" H e w a s a really nice p e r s o n , " C S E A S U N Y
P o t s d a m Local 613 President Colleen said. "He
w a s i n t e r e s t e d in t h e u n i o n a n d w o u l d s h o w
u p at meetings. E v e r y o n e liked h i m a n d he
w a s t h e k i n d of p e r s o n w h o ' d d o a n y t h i n g f o r
y o u if h e c o u l d . "
T h e h o s p i t a l n a m e d its r e s p i r a t o r y t h e r a p y
a n d u l t r a s o u n d r o o m s in B a r n e t t ' s h o n o r .
- Mark M. Kotzin
Fundraiser a tribute to fallen member
V E S T A L — C S E A m e m b e r s w o r k i n g at
S U N Y B i n g h a m t o n r e c e n t l y p a i d t r i b u t e to
t h e i r f o r m e r c o - w o r k e r , J o h n M a n g i n o , a n d at
t h e s a m e t i m e h e l p e d r a i s e m o n e y to b u y t o y s
for needy children.
Goeckel said more than 30 people, including
M a n g i n o ' s s o n J o e , w h o w o r k s at t h e
u n i v e r s i t y , p a r t i c i p a t e d in t h e e v e n t , w h i c h
raised nearly $700. T h e Local d o n a t e d the
p r o c e e d s to t h e B i n g h a m t o n C i t y P o l i c e
Benevolent Association's "Toys for T o t s "
p r o g r a m , w h i c h h e l p e d to b u y t o y s f o r n e e d y
c h i l d r e n d u r i n g the h o l i d a y s e a s o n .
" W e h a d 3 8 p e o p l e c o m e in a n d g i v e a b l o o d
s a m p l e for further m a t c h i n g d u r i n g o u r o n e - d a y
drive," s a i d Yvette C o l e m a n , a b o n e m a r r o w
a s s i s t a n t a n d the drive's l e a d organizer. " W e h o p e
t h o s e w h o w e r e n ' t a b l e to m a k e it t h a t d a y w i l l
t a k e t h e b a s i c s t e p s to s e e if t h e y c a n h e l p
someone by being a donor."
More African American donors are needed
b e c a u s e m a n y suffering from fatal b l o o d diseases
could be helped by a m a r r o w transplant, a oneh o u r outpatient procedure. A simple blood sample
f o r a p o s s i b l e t y p e m a t c h is n e e d e d first.
STATE GOVERNMENT BRIEFS
E a r l i e r t h i s fall, t h e C S E A L o c a l h e l d t h e i r
first " J o h n M a n g i n o O p e n " M e m o r i a l G o l f
T o u r n a m e n t , in m e m o r y of M a n g i n o , a n a v i d
golfer, s a i d Local President B o b G o e c k e l .
M a n g i n o , f o r m e r f o u r t h vice p r e s i d e n t of t h e
l o c a l , d i e d this p a s t J u n e at a g e 4 7 a f t e r
s u f f e r i n g a h e a r t attack on the j o b .
BUFFALO-An
ambitious campaign by
C S E A Roswell Park Cancer
I n s t i t u t e L o c a l 3 0 3 m e m b e r s to a l e r t t h e A f r i c a n
A m e r i c a n c o m m u n i t y to t h e n e e d f o r b o n e m a r r o w
d o n o r s h a s b e e n a s u c c e s s , a n d t h e d r i v e to
i n f o r m a n d recruit volunteers continues.
"I w a s r e a l l y i n s p i r e d b y a y o u n g , 1 8 - y e a r - o l d
o u t p a t i e n t , N a t a k a , w h o is in n e e d of a b o n e
m a r r o w t r a n s p l a n t a n d is b r a v e l y d e a l i n g w i t h h e r
o w n c o n d i t i o n w h i l e t r y i n g to h e l p a n d c h e e r u p
others," C o l e m a n said.
THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED
1997-98 NEW YORK STATE
BUDGET ON STATE
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
SEE PAGES 3 AND 14
Yvette Coleman, left, watches as Jeff Frasier
of CSEA Local 303 gives a blood sample to
phlebotomist Carrie Urbanski for the local's
bone marrow drive, headed by Coleman.
i n t e r e s t e d in f i n d i n g o u t m o r e s h o u l d c a l l the
H u m a n L e u k o c y t e A n t i g e n R e g i s t r y F o u n d a t i o n at
1-800-336-3363.
T h e l o c a l ' s d r i v e h a s a l r e a d y r e s u l t e d in at l e a s t
o n e c h u r c h m o u n t i n g a d r i v e a m o n g its m e m b e r s
to h a v e t h e i r b l o o d t y p e d .
The Local 303 W o m e n ' s Committee includes
Liaison D e n i s e Renfro, C h a i r p e r s o n Betty D o u g l a s ,
Coleman, Victoria Richardson, A l m a Hokes,
Carolyn Chandler, S h a r o n Batcho, Jeanette
Jernigan, Monica Gardon, Brenda Stubblefield
and Heather Ceranowski.
- Ron Wofford
Goeckel t h a n k e d event chair M a r t y A s h m a n
for " d o i n g a s u p e r j o b " in c o o r d i n a t i n g the
event. " E v e r y b o d y that participated h a d a
g o o d t i m e , a n d w e ' r e all g l a d to h a v e d o n e t h i s
in J o h n ' s m e m o r y , " h e s a i d . T h e L o c a l p l a n s
o n m a k i n g the t o u r n a m e n t a n a n n u a l e v e n t .
Lincoln's Birthday a floating holiday
In a c c o r d a n c e w i t h the C S E A c o n t r a c t s , the
state h a s designated Lincoln's B i r t h d a y a s a
floating
h o l i d a y for C S E A m e m b e r s in the
Administrative, Institutional a n d O p e r a t i o n a l
s e r v i c e s u n i t s , a s w e l l a s t h e D i v i s i o n of
Military a n d N a v a l Affairs.
F e b . 12, 1 9 9 7 , w i l l n o t b e o b s e r v e d a s a
h o l i d a y a n d is to b e t r e a t e d a s a r e g u l a r
w o r k d a y . E l i g i b l e e m p l o y e e s will r e c e i v e c r e d i t
f o r a h o l i d a y to b e u s e d o n a d a t e of t h e i r
c h o i c e . T h e floating h o l i d a y m u s t b e u s e d in a
f u l l - d a y u n i t n o l a t e r t h a n F e b . 11, 1 9 9 8 .
STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
NYC members give Newt "the boot"
STATEN ISLAND House Speaker Newt
G i n g r i c h a b r u p t l y c a n c e l l e d h i s p l a n s to visit a
State Island homeless shelter w h e n he learned he
w o u l d confront a C S E A - l e d demonstration.
U.S. Rep. S u s a n Molinari w a r n e d h i m a b o u t
the d e m o n s t r a t i o n a g a i n s t h i s r i g h t - w i n g , a n t i w o r k e r a g e n d a . T h e S p e a k e r h a d p l a n n e d to
breeze through Staten Island on a S u n d a y
afternoon for a quick photo opportunity, paying
o f f a W o r l d S e r i e s b e t to s e r v e G e o r g i a b a r b e c u e to
N e w Y o r k ' s h o m e l e s s if t h e A t l a n t a B r a v e s lost.
"All hell b r o k e loose w h e n w e f o u n d o u t a b o u t
this," C S E A Metropolitan Region President George
B o n c o r a g l i o said. " N o w a y c o u l d w e a l l o w the g u y
who's been dishing out corporate welfare while
he's gutting j o b safety protections a n d trashing
t h e e n v i r o n m e n t to p a y u s a visit w i t h o u t a p r o p e r
welcome."
C S E A i m m e d i a t e l y c i r c u l a t e d flyers a c r o s s N e w
York City alerting other u n i o n , environmental,
r e l i g i o u s a n d a d v o c a c y o r g a n i z a t i o n s of G i n g r i c h ' s
p l a n n e d visit. A s w o r d of t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n
spread, a R e p u b l i c a n party press release
a n n o u n c e d that the S p e a k e r h a d c h a n g e d his
plans.
" W e h a d t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n a n y w a y a n d told
o u r s t o r y to t h e f o u r T V s t a t i o n s a n d t h r e e m a j o r
n e w s p a p e r s w h o s h o w e d u p to c o v e r t h e N e w t l e s s
barbecue," Boncoraglio said.
U n k n o w n to d e m o n s t r a t o r s w h o p i c k e t e d t h e
b a r b e c u e for f o u r bone-chilling h o u r s , Gingrich
secretly held a brief m e e t i n g w i t h a f e w h o m e l e s s
people at a n u n d i s c l o s e d location a n d t h e n
e n j o y e d a l o b s t e r d i n n e r w i t h M o l i n a r i a n d their
s t a f f s a t o n e of S t a t e n I s l a n d ' s m o s t p o s h
restaurants.
" G i n g r i c h h a d to s n e a k i n a n d o u t of N e w Y o r k
C i t y to a v o i d f a c i n g t h e 8 0 p e r c e n t of A m e r i c a n s
w h o are fed u p with his immoral a n d unethical
antics," Boncoraglio said. "His approval ratings
a r e in the cellar for g o o d r e a s o n — b e c a u s e h i s
c o n d u c t is s h a m e f u l . "
- Lilly Gioia
LEAP wants to hear from you
CSEA Metropolitan Region President George
Boncoraglio demonstrates why House Speaker
Newt Gingrich decided to skip town.
Tough labor pays off at
Stony Brook maternity ward
S T O N Y B R O O K — A c c o l a d e s flowed like t h e
coffee s e r v e d at the g r a n d o p e n i n g c e l e b r a t i o n
for the reconstructed, state-of-the-art M a t e r n i t y
C e n t e r at S t o n y B r o o k University Hospital.
T h e a c c o l a d e s w e r e for the C S E A m e m b e r s
w h o d i d a l l t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n r i g h t d o w n to
c u s t o m - m a d e cabinetry.
" T h i s is a c o n t r a c t i n g - i n s u c c e s s s t o r y , "
C S E A Stony Brook University Local 614
President Grace Roy said. "The C S E A m e m b e r s
h e r e d i d all t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n , e l e c t r i c a l a n d
c r a f t w o r k — e v e r y t h i n g n e c e s s a r y to c r e a t e t h i s
g o r g e o u s maternity center."
If y o u h a v e q u e s t i o n s a b o u t y o u r e d u c a t i o n o r
career, the L E A P l i n e c a n help.
Call the L E A P l i n e at 1 - 8 0 0 - 3 5 3 - 4 3 3 2 . L E A P
advisers provide advice a n d assistance between
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. on Thursdays)
a n d y o u m a y l e a v e a m e s s a g e a t o t h e r t i m e s to
r e c e i v e a c a l l b a c k a t a t i m e c o n v e n i e n t to y o u .
In a d d i t i o n to a d v i c e o n u s i n g L E A P v o u c h e r s
a n d other educational benefits, L E A P advisers are
a v a i l a b l e to w o r k w i t h y o u o n t h e f o l l o w i n g a r e a s :
•
Career Planning
•
Job Search Assistance
•
•
Academic Advisement
Financial Aid
•
Basic Skills a n d G E D
Preparation
Project Reach
L E A P is c o n d u c t i n g a s u r v e y of s t a t e e m p l o y e e
m e m b e r s a s it p l a n s P r o j e c t R E A C H c l a s s e s f o r
the spring.
C S E A / G O E R ' S Project R E A C H e n h a n c e s C S E A r e p r e s e n t e d employees' j o b skills, e n a b l i n g t h e m
N o t only did the C S E A m e m b e r s s a v e the
hospital m o n e y , they did the w o r k while the
maternity unit continued operating.
"This w a s a n extremely difficult j o b b e c a u s e
t h e h o s p i t a l still n e e d e d to f u n c t i o n , " P r o j e c t
S u p e r v i s o r C h u c k E i s e r m a n said. " D u s t control
w a s vital. T h e s t a f f a n d m y g u y s w o r k e d
t o g e t h e r a s a r e a l t e a m to m a k e t h i s h a p p e n . "
P a r i s i a s k e d t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n c r e w to r i s e f o r
a r o u n d of t h u n d e r o u s a p p l a u s e .
It t o o k t h e c o o p e r a t i o n a n d h a r d w o r k of all
t h e e m p l o y e e s , f r o m t h e d o c t o r s to t h e
h o u s e k e e p i n g d e p a i r t m e n t , to k e e p t h i n g s
r u n n i n g smoothly, Roy said.
— Sheryl C. Jenks
STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
REACH programs
p r o v i d e skill
d e v e l o p m e n t in
I LEAP participant
reading, writing,
[Debbie Armstrong
computation and
CSEA Local 352,
other workplace
department of Labor
competencies.
Buffalo, calls the
Program
LEAPLINE frequently for
components
advice and information.
include, b u t are not
l i m i t e d to: A d u l t B a s i c E d u c a t i o n , E n g l i s h a s a
Second Language and General Equivalency
Diploma.
To m a k e y o u r interest k n o w n please complete
t h e c o u p o n b e l o w a n d f a x o r m a i l it to L E A P .
ALL RESPONSES ARE CONFIDENTIAL
PROJECT REACH SURVEY
P l e a s e c h e c k the free c l a s s e s that interest y o u :
Improving reading
writing or
m a t h skills (check o n e or m o r e )
B u s i n e s s E n g l i s h (via the c o m p u t e r )
College Skills A s s e s s m e n t Test Preparation
English as a Second
T h e C E O of t h e h o s p i t a l c o n g r a t u l a t e d t h e
e m p l o y e e s a n d s a i d h e b e l i e v e d in k e e p i n g t h e
work in-house.
"I've n e v e r s e e n a better c o n s t r u c t i o n c r e w in
a n y of m y t r i p s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y , " D r .
Valerie Parisi, the chief o b s t e t r i c i a n /
gynecologist for high risk patients said. " T h e y
s a i d t h e y c o u l d d o it a n d t h e y c e r t a i n l y g o t it
d o n e . 1 a m s o p r o u d of t h e m a l l . "
to t a k e a d v a n t a g e
of p r o m o t i o n a l
opportunities a n d
access other
educational a n d
training initiatives.
GED
Language
Preparation
W h e r e a n d w h e n is b e s t f o r y o u ?
L o c a l C o l l e g e o r B O C E S ( n a m e of s c h o o l )
J o b Site, L o c a t i o n
Evenings
5-8 p.m.
6-9 p.m.
Saturday
a.m.
p.m.
Sunday
a.m.
p.m.
Name
Agency/Facility
Home
Address
Phone: (W)
(H)
M a i l to L E A P a t 1 L e a r J e t L a n e , L a t h a m N Y , 1 2 1 1 0 o r F a x to 5 1 8 - 7 8 5 - 4 8 5 4 .
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 5
CSEA members new to private
sector ratify tlieir first contract
V A L H A L L A - Staying with
C S E A is p a y i n g off for t h e
w o r k e r s of the W e s t c h e s t e r
County Laundry and
H o u s e k e e p i n g o p e r a t i o n s at t h e
c o u n t y m e d i c a l center.
The contract with M o r r i s o n Crothall, which expires M a r c h
31, 1998, provides b a s i c j o b
p r o t e c t i o n s to the w o r k e r s ,
C S E A Labor Relations Specialist
Larry S p a r b e r said.
disciplinary process.
" N o w that w e h a v e the
foundation cemented," he said,
" w e c a n b u i l d on that with the
u p c o m i n g contract a n d w o r k on
salary a n d benefits,"
T h e y recently ratified their
first c o n t r a c t w i t h t h e i r n e w
private sector employer.
" O u r g o a l in this first
a g r e e m e n t w a s to s e e t h a t
e m p l o y e e s h a d very b a s i c rights
s u c h as j o b protection." he said.
T h e y w o n l a n g u a g e on seniority,
j o b s e c u r i t y , the r i g h t to file
g r i e v a n c e s a n d t h e r i g h t to a f a i r
Negotiating Committee
m e m b e r s were Mary Williams,
B a r b a r a Edwards, Pedro
Mulleda and Michael Holcomb.
C S E A m a d e that contract
possible b y following the
m e m b e r s a n d their j o b s into the
private sector.
Members stick with CSEA
It t o o k c o u r a g e f o r t h e W e s t c h e s t e r C o u n t y L a u n d r y a n d
H o u s e k e e p i n g e m p l o y e e s to s t i c k w i t h C S E A w h e n t h e i r j o b s
w e r e privatized, b u t they w e r e determined.
C S E A L a b o r Relations Specialist Alisa Cagle w a s struck by
the w o r k e r s ' d e t e r m i n a t i o n .
" E v e n t h o u g h t h e y w e r e in a t o u g h p o s i t o n , w e h a d g o o d
t u r n o u t s for m e e t i n g s , " s h e said. " T h e s u p e r v i s o r s w o u l d s t a n d
t h e r e l o o k i n g i n t h e w i n d o w a n d t h e w o r k e r s w o u l d c o n t i n u e to
a s k q u e s t i o n s . T h e y w e r e d e t e r m i n e d to c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h t h e
u n i o n . It w a s n ' t t h e b e s t of c i r c u m s t a n c e s . I w a s i m p r e s s e d . "
M o r r i s o n - C r o t h a l l took over
the l a u n d r y a n d h o u s e k e e p i n g
o p e r a t i o n s w h e n they w e r e
privatized last year.
Meanwhile, T o w n Supervisor,
Vic C a n n u s c i a s k e d for a $ 4 , 5 0 0
raise, top a d m i n i s t r a t o r s h a v e
gotten hefty raises a n d the t o w n
also has 40 n e w employees.
M e a n w h i l e , 17 S a n i t a t i o n
Department employees have
b e e n l a i d off, a n d a n o t h e r 12
h a v e n e w j o b titles w i t h s a l a r i e s
as m u c h a s 47 percent less than
their p r e v i o u s salaries.
C S E A h a s filed a g r i e v a n c e o n
the issue, a s well a s c h a r g e s
w i t h the P u b l i c E m p l o y m e n t
Relations Board.
C S E A m e m b e r s are angry a n d
f r u s t r a t e d b e c a u s e their
s u g g e s t i o n s o n h o w the t o w n
can generate more money from
sanitation have b e e n ignored.
T o w n o f f i c i a l s h a v e f a i l e d to
a g r e e to o b v i o u s s o l u t i o n s s u c h
a s early retirement incentives.
Three sanitation employees are
w i t h i n a y e a r o r t w o of
retirement.
T h e b u y - o u t s f r o m the l a y o f f s
of a c c r u e d t i m e a n d t h e c o s t of
u n e m p l o y m e n t w i l l r e s u l t in
little s a v i n g s f o r t h e t o w n ,
employees say. For example, the
c o s t of l a y i n g o f f t h e f o r m e r
sanitation supervisor w a s more
than $95,000.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BRIEFS
Workers win two weeks' pay
W H I T E PLAINS - Westchester County
v i o l a t e d its o w n l a w a n d t h e c o u n t y c h a r t e r
w h e n it l a i d o f f e m p l o y e e s of W o o d f i e l d C o t t a g e
in D e c e m b e r 1 9 9 5 , r u l e d S u p r e m e C o u r t
J u s t i c e K e n n e t h W . R u d o l p h in a s u i t b r o u g h t
by CSEA.
H e o r d e r e d t h e c o u n t y to p a y t h e 2 4
e m p l o y e e s t w o w e e k s of b a c k p a y a n d C i v i l
S e r v i c e b e n e f i t s f o r t h e t w o w e e k s in 1 9 9 5 .
A s s o o n a s the privatization
t o o k effect, C S E A o r g a n i z e r s m e t
with workers a n d encouraged
t h e m to j o i n C S E A a s e m p l o y e e s
of t h e p r i v a t e c o m p a n y .
R u d o l p h r u l e d that the c o u n t y s h o u l d not
h a v e t r a n s f e r r e d o p e r a t i o n of t h e y o u t h
d e t e n t i o n facility to a p r i v a t e c o n t r a c t o r u n t i l
1996 u n l e s s b u d g e t revisions w e r e m a d e for
the 1995 fiscal year.
" M o s t of the e m p l o y e e s felt
that since C S E A h a d
r e p r e s e n t e d t h e m in t h e p u b l i c
sector for m a n y y e a r s that they
k n e w C S E A , " said Organizer
D o u g Morrison.
"It w a s o b v i o u s t h a t W e s t c h e s t e r C o u n t y
E x e c u t i v e A n d r e w O ' R o u r k e w a s s o e a g e r to
b r i n g in this private contractor that h e j u m p e d
t h e g u n w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g it t h r o u g h , " s a i d
C S E A Southern Region President C a r m i n e
D i B a t t i s t a . " N o w it's g o i n g to c o s t t h e
t a x p a y e r s , j u s t a s all of t h e c o u n t y e x e c u t i v e ' s
privatization initiatives h a v e cost the
taxpayers."
— Anita Manley
CSEA fights Southampton layoffs
SOUTHAMPTON Employees
of t h e S o u t h a m p t o n t o v m
Sanitation Department are
facing layoffs or lower salaries.
THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED
1997-98 NEW YORK STATE
BUDGET ON LOCAL
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
SEE PAGES 3 AND 14
C S E A c o n t e n d s the t o w n will
a l s o w a s t e t h o u s a n d s of d o l l a r s
o n legal fees.
"The town has absolutely no
r i g h t to tell e m p l o y e e s to d o t h e
same work, work more hours
a n d receive less m o n e y . T h o s e
s a l a r i e s w e r e n o t p u l l e d o u t of a
h a t . T h e y a r e a r e s u l t of y e a r s of
collective b a r g a i n i n g a n d c a n
not b e c h a n g e d arbitrarily," said
C S E A Long Island Region
Director R o n King.
"It's t h e t a x p a y e r a n d t h e s e
e m p l o y e e s a n d their families
w h o lose," said C S E A L o n g
Island Region President Nick
LaMorte.
— Sheryl C. Jenks
— Anita Manley
CSEA fights layoffs in Brookhaven
C S E A filed a l a w s u i t a n d two i m p r o p e r
p r a c t i c e c h a r g e s o n b e h a l f of s i x B r o o k h a v e n
A n i m a l S h e l t e r e m p l o y e e s l a i d o f f J a n . 1.
T h e cuts leave the already u n d e r s t a f f e d
shelter with only two dog control officer
positions. Five D C O s a n d a n a n i m a l
t e c h n i c i a n w e r e l a i d off. T h e y a r e all l o n g t i m e
employees.
A l t h o u g h the e m p l o y e e s offered m a n y g o o d
i d e a s o n h o w to i n c r e a s e r e v e n u e s a t t h e
s h e l t e r , t h e t o w n d i d n o t b e g i n to i m p l e m e n t
a n y of t h e m u n t i l a f t e r t h e l a y o f f s .
C S E A f i l e d t h e I P s b e c a u s e t h e t o w n is
t r y i n g to h a v e o t h e r w o r k e r s d o t h e j o b s of t h e
the laid-off dog control officers.
— Sheryl Jenks
Dispatchers win in Orangetown settlement
O R A N G E T O W N - Five police
d i s p a t c h e r s in the T o w n of
O r a n g e t o w n collected a n a v e r a g e
of $ 6 , 0 0 0 e a c h t h a n k s to a
grievance filed b y C S E A .
C S E A filed the g r i e v a n c e
b e c a u s e a l t h o u g h the e m p l o y e e s
were classified as 3 5 - h o u r a
w e e k e m p l o y e e s , they w o r k e d 4 0
h o u r s a week. A reclassification
of t h e p o s i t i o n m e a n t m o r e
c o m p l i c a t e d d u t i e s b e c a u s e of
computerized e q u i p m e n t that
required more training a n d
responsibility. T h e grievances
a l s o c a l l e d f o r c l a r i f i c a t i o n s in
Page 6 •
December
t996
work week and
assignments.
" W h e n w e first f i l e d t h i s
grievance," C S E A Labor
Relations Specialist Annette
Raetz said, "we were dealing
with a very difficult a n t i - u n i o n
town b o a r d a n d could not
resolve this."
Fortunately, the political
climate c h a n g e d last year a n d
the g r i e v a n c e w a s settled. T h e
u n i t a n d t h e t o w n a g r e e d to
r e d r e s s 12 i s s u e s t h a t C S E A
m a i n t a i n e d violated the
collective b a r g a i n i n g a g r e e m e n t
a n d the federal F a i r L a b o r
• The Public Sector
S t a n d a r d s Act, Raetz said.
S h o p Steward Ronnie Hickey
s a i d s h e w a s p l e a s e d w i t h the
agreement.
"The radio operators are n o w
being recognized," she said, " a n d
t h e a g r e e m e n t a d d r e s s e s a lot o f
t h e s i t u a t i o n s w e h a d to d e a l
with."
In a d d i t i o n to s e r v i n g a s s h o p
s t e w a r d for the r a d i o o p e r a t o r s ,
H i c k e y is t h e u n i t t r e a s u r e r a n d
a n e l e c t e d t r u s t e e of t h e v i l l a g e
of P i e r m o n t in R o c k l a n d C o u n t y .
— Anita Manley
CSEA Shop Steward Ronnie Hickey (seated)
and Radio Operator Mary Miggins.
LOCAL 60VHHNMENT NEWS
County DOT changes a hit with workers, public
SYRACUSE - It takes a good crew of CSEA
members to pave the road to customer
satisfaction and that's what they're doing in the
Onondaga County Department of Transportation.
Customer service and satisfaction are not terms
usually associated with DOT workers, yet they're
being heard more and more around the Onondaga
DOT, thanks to the success of a TQM initiative
developed jointly by labor and management.
The program grew out of a desire to change the
department's image and become more customer
oriented. Assistant Commissioner John Leo said.
First they changed the terminology they use.
Now, they no longer receive "complaints" from
citizens. Instead, they receive "service requests."
"Changing the name was like a flag to us," Leo
said. "It was to let us know that we need to be
more responsive to our customers."
Dispatchers and section foremen developed a
computerized system to handle service requests.
Workers log the requests, prioritize and set time
limits for the work. They then let customers know
when the work is being done and follow up to
gauge their satisfaction.
It involves everyone, from the dispatchers who
take the initial calls and call customers back, to
the section foremen who visit the area of each
request and often meet with the customers to
better determine their needs, to the road crews
who do the work.
It's a winning system that has customers and
DOT workers singing its praise, CSEA Onondaga
County DOT Unit President Brian Stone said.
"I think it makes the workers realize that there
is a priority in satisfying these work orders, and
at the same time, gives them a better sense of
pride in their work," he said. "It gives the workers
an outlet to talk to people and better explain how
we operate and what we can do for them."
The public likes the system as well, CSEA
member Don Mauro said.
"The people that we're serving like the system.
The satisfaction element comes in a lot. It's nice
to hear it. I've had people drive in personally to
thank us for a job," he said. "Prior to this the only
feedback was negative."
"We've had some real good responses. I think
the union members are the biggest part of it —
they're the ones going out and doing the work,"
Section Crew Leader Paul Ranczuck, left, looks
on as Motor Equipment Dispatcher Don Mauro
enters data into the computerized service
request form.
Section Crew Leader Paul Ranczuk said.
And the praise from the customers is the best
indication that the new system is working.
"Two days ago a crew from your department
cleaned the culvert at the foot of my driveway. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank you
and the members of your crew for taking care of
this matter before the onset of winter, and I also
thank Donna, of your office, for keeping me
informed of the progress of the work," read one
letter.
"Just a note to express my appreciation for
your response to my request for road repairs.... A
big improvement! A sincere Thank You,' " read
another.
The initiative's success is being used as an
example throughout the county, and other
departments are interested in adopting it, Leo
said.
"I don't think we could be more pleased with
what we've done," he said.
- Mark M. Kotzin
County pays for misrepresenting facts
NEW CITY- A former Rockland County
executive's misrepresentation of the county's fiscal
health during negotiations has resulted in a
settlement which grants two days of leave time to
county employees.
CSEA Unit President Caroline Osinga said the
contribution of the two days per member is the
result of an improper practice charge CSEA filed
against the county in 1993. CSEA charged that
the county violated the Taylor Law when the
county misrepresented its financial condition at a
PERB fact-finding hearing. Based on that
information, CSEA accepted no wage increase for
1992. However, just a few months later. thenCounty Executive John Grant announced that the
county had an $8.4 million surplus.
After a series of PERB hearings and appeals,
CSEA petitioned the Supreme Court in Albany to
review the PERB Board order. The Court sent the
matter back to PERB for further hearings before
LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS
the administrative law judge. The settlement was
reached prior to additional hearings.
The county agreed to credit all full time workers
with one vacation day to be used by the end of
1997 and one sick leave day which will be applied
to a CSEA Sick Leave Bank to be established this
year," CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Annette
Raetz said. Part-time employees will also benefit
in proportion to their hours worked.
Osinga hailed the settlement as an example of
CSEA teamwork and said she is elated with the
results of the cooperative work effort of the
Rockland County Unit Executive Board, Senior
Associate Counsel Mike Ortiz and Labor Relations
Specialists Annette Raetz and Larry Sparber.
"Our members have achieved a tangible benefit
from this agreement," she added, "but equally
important is the fact that the process for resolving
conflicts under PERB works."
— Anita Manley
LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS
Local 854 collects toys
for kids in Tioga County
OWEGO - Santa got help from CSEA "elves"
in Tioga County.
For the second year, CSEA Tioga County
Local 854 ran the county's "Christmas League."
The League raises money all the year to buy
toys for needy families during the holidays.
The local's League committee, chaired by
Local Vice President Lynn Wool, raised more
than $1,200, Local 854 President Kathi
Cardone said.
About 700 children received gifts. The
committee started buying gifts in July and
stored them in a County Office Building room
the county provided. Area volunteer fire
companies distributed to the families.
About 50 CSEA members participated, with a
core group of about ten steady volunteers, Wool
said.
— Mark M. Kotzin
ScHolarships offered
WHITE PLAINS - Members of Westchester
County Local 860 are urged to apply for one of
six $1,000 scholarships being offered to
children of members of the local who are
graduating high school seniors, according to
Local President Cheryl Melton.
Winners will be selected based on their
overall school experience, community service
and an essay.
Applications are available by calling the local
office at (914) 428-6452. Deadline for filing is
April 15, 1997. Successful candidates will be
notified by May 30, 1997.
Committee members include Chairperson
Virginia Calcutti, Marie Lewis, Mary Miguez and
Fran OToole.
Companies cited in deaths
MIDDLETOWN - Federal officials have fined
two construction companies nearly $300,000 in
fines for violating safety regulations in July
1996. Two employees, one of whom was a
CSEA member who worked for the City of
Middletown, were killed.
Martin Grenzhauser and his co-worker Ed
Reiley were trapped in waist high water when
the trench they were working in collapsed.
Suddenly a six-inch water main broke, flooding
the trench and drowning the two men.
Grenzhauser worked for the city of Middletown
and worked a second job for one of the
construction companies.
The construction companies were cited for
not shoring up the eight-foot trench, failure to
provide safety gear, training and documentation
lapses and for not providing a written hazard
communication program.
The city of Middletown now requires that an
OSHA trained person must be at the worksite
of an open ditch.
"All the fines won't bring Martin back," said
CSEA City of Middletown Unit President Dave
Walters, "but I hope it will make people think of
safety first and that lives are important."
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 7
with you ^
The reality of the budget is more than a siicic press release
If something sounds too
good to be true, it probably is
Give Gov. George Pataki a lot of credit for
presenting a state budget that on the surface
seems to address many of the issues New Yorkers
care about — property tax relief, school
improvements, checking runaway health care
costs and welfare reform.
No one can be against those things. And a
number of the Governor's proposals represent
some innovative approaches that demand serious
consideration and dialogue.
But the reality of the budget is more than just
a slick press release. If something sounds too
good to be true, it probably is.
There are real questions about how much the
Governor's tax cuts and other proposals will cost
and who pays.
The Governor's proposal to provide school
property tax relief is a welcome area for debate.
CSEA has raised this issue for years and it must
be remembered that rising school taxes and other
pressures on local government have been the
direct result of cutbacks and other tax shifts from
Albany over many years.
School funding reform is long overdue, but it
must be addressed fairly. CSEA is willing to do its
fair part but tax reform must not be achieved at
the expense of school district employees.
Understand also that while the cuts in state
operations are less severe than in previous years,
the Governor is still proposing the elimination of
another 1,700 state jobs. And it is questionable if
that continuing downsizing really represents
better government.
CSEA is firmly against an ill-conceived proposal
to privatize the world-renowned Roswell Park
Cancer Institute and Helen Hayes Hospital. The
proposal comes before
the state has even
involved the employees
in dialogue on
alternative ways to
improve the facilities'
operations.
Then there is welfare
reform. CSEA wants real
welfare reform. That
means the creation of
new jobs for recipients,
without displacing
existing workers,
especially public
employees. We need to
see strong and clear
worker protection
language in any welfare
reform legislation the
state approves.
We all want better
government and we
have a real opportunity
to achieve it if New
York's political leaders
will get down to the
hard work that is
necessary to make it
happen. CSEA is
prepared to work with
the Governor and the
Legislature, with
Republicans and
Democrats, as long as
there is serious dialogue
to make New York a
better place to live and
work.
Q
Page 8* The Public Sector • December 1996
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
r a s h of r e c e n t i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g a p r i v a t e
s c h o o l b u s c o m p a n y in the C a p i t a l District
a r e a h a s o u t r a g e d p a r e n t s a n d r e f u e l e d the
d e b a t e over the s a f e t y of p r i v a t e c a r r i e r s .
O n e driver a r r e s t e d f o r d r i v i n g w h i l e
intoxicated; a n o t h e r c h a r g e d w i t h h i t - a n d r u n ; a n d yet a n o t h e r a c c u s e d of s t r i k i n g a
c h i l d w i t h a b r o o m h a n d l e to b r e a k u p a n
a r g u m e n t a r e a m o n g the i n c i d e n t s t h a t
h a v e p l a c e d p r i v a t e s c h o o l b u s c o m p a n i e s a n d the d r i v e r s w h o
w o r k for t h e m u n d e r i n c r e a s e d s c r u t i n y .
A
A n d w i t h i n c r e a s i n g n u m b e r s of f i n a n c i a l l y s t r a p p e d s c h o o l
districts l o o k i n g for c h e a p e r m e a n s of t r a n s p o r t i n g o u r m o s t
p r e c i o u s c a r g o , p a r e n t s a r e m a k i n g it l o u d a n d c l e a r t h a t
s a f e t y is m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n m o n e y w h e n it c o m e s to their
kids.
W h e n districts privatize t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s e r v i c e s they lose
c o n t r o l o v e r w h o ' s w o r k i n g for t h e m a n d the ability to h a n d l e
w o r k p l a c e p r o b l e m s . Private b u s c o m p a n i e s o f t e n h a v e h i g h
e m p l o y e e t u r n o v e r d u e in p a r t to s u b s t a n d a r d w a g e s a n d
b e n e f i t s . T h i s c a n m e a n i n a d e q u a t e t r a i n i n g to f a m i l i a r i z e
d r i v e r s w i t h district policies a n d l e s s t h a n t h o r o u g h r e v i e w of
drivers' safety records.
O n the o t h e r h a n d , s c h o o l districts w i t h their o w n
transportation s y s t e m s have a highly stable w o r k force that
c a n b e c o u n t e d o n to p e r f o r m their j o b s w i t h a g r e a t d e a l of
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d care. D r i v e r s a r e u s u a l l y r e s i d e n t s of the
district a n d o f t e n their o w n c h i l d r e n a t t e n d the s c h o o l . T h e y
a r e f a m i l i a r w i t h the r o a d s a n d w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s a n d h a v e
d e v e l o p e d l o n g - t e r m r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h the s t u d e n t s . A n d the
e n d r e s u l t is b e t t e r safety.
If a s t u d e n t b e c o m e s ill, o r if p o o r w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s
p r e v e n t t h e m f r o m delivering s t u d e n t s s a f e l y to s c h o o l , district
d r i v e r s t e n d to k n o w w h o to call, w h e t h e r it's a p a r e n t or o t h e r
relative o r e v e n a n e i g h b o r w h o they c a n trust w i t h the c h i l d ' s
safety a n d well-being.
A s p a r t of the c o m m u n i t y , s c h o o l district d r i v e r s a r e
f r e q u e n t l y s e e n at the s c h o o l ' s b o o k fair, b a k e s a l e or field d a y ,
e i t h e r b e c a u s e their o w n c h i l d r e n a t t e n d the district or s i m p l y
b e c a u s e they c a r e a b o u t the s t u d e n t s a n d a r e i n t e r e s t e d in
s e e i n g t h e m involved in o t h e r s c h o o l activities.
We don't want
strangers
driving our kids
THE CSEA WORK FORCE
"I've s e e n o u r b u s d r i v e r s o u t at the h i g h s c h o o l b a s k e t b a l l
g a m e on a Friday night," C S E A L a b o r Relations Associate J o h n
P h i l l i p s s a i d . " N o t b e c a u s e they're w o r k i n g , b u t b e c a u s e they
w a n t to root f o r their s c h o o l ' s t e a m . "
A n d it's that s e n s e of trust a n d c o m m u n i t y — that spirit of
f a m i l y , f r i e n d s a n d n e i g h b o r s - that h a s m o r e a n d m o r e
p a r e n t s d e m a n d i n g "we don't w a n t strangers driving o u r kids."
- Ed Molitor
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 9
Private school buses out of control
L A T H A M — P r i v a t e s c h o o l b u s o p e r a t o r s a r e in
b u s i n e s s for the m o n e y , not for the c h i l d r e n , a n d
t h e i r r e c o r d s p r o v e it.
R e c e n t i n c i d e n t s in t h e T r o y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t a r e
p e r f e c t e x a m p l e s of h o w b a d p r i v a t e s c h o o l b u s
s e r v i c e s c a n get.
S o m e t i m e s , to m a k e t h e n e c e s s a r y p r o f i t
m a r g i n s , private sector school transportation
p r i v a t e e r s a r e w i l l i n g to p u t u p w i t h p r o b l e m
drivers, less t h a n stellar driving r e c o r d s a n d even
d r u g a n d liquor a b u s e , o n a n d off the j o b .
W h e n t h e e s c a p a d e s of o n e p r i v a t e e r b u s
contractor, A l b a n y Yellow C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Corp..
m a d e d a i l y h e a d l i n e s in C a p i t a l D i s t r i c t
n e w s p a p e r s for d a y s o n e n d , the A l b a n y
Times
Union r e s e a r c h e d o n t h e d r i v i n g r e c o r d s of t h e
f o u r l a r g e s t p r i v a t e s e c t o r c o n t r a c t o r fleets in the
a r e a . T h e r e s u l t s w e r e eye o p e n i n g .
T h e Times Union r e p o r t e d t h a t A l b a n y Y e l l o w
C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Corp. cut nearly $2 million
d o l l a r s f r o m its b i d to b e a t t h e T r o y S c h o o l
D i s t r i c t ' s f o r m e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n c o n t r a c t o r of 2 0
y e a r s . N a t i o n a l S c h o o l B u s S e r v i c e s I n c . B u t the
p e r f o r m a n c e of t h e w i n n e r of t h e f i v e - y e a r , $ 5
million dollar contract, h a s b e e n severely lacking.
P e r h a p s t h a t l a c k of s e r v i c e c a n b e t r a c e d to
t h e d r i v i n g r e c o r d of t h e s c h o o l b u s d r i v e r s t h e
c o n t r a c t o r hires a n d the n o n - u n i o n s a l a r i e s the
c o n t r a c t o r p a y s . A c c o r d i n g t h e Times
Union,
A l b a n y Yellow C o m m u n i c a t i o n s h a s a 63 percent
r a t e of t i c k e t s o r a c c i d e n t s a m o n g its 1 2 5 d r i v e r s .
I n a h o r r i f i c e x a m p l e of d r i v e r s t u p i d i t y , o n e
A l b a n y Yellow b u s driver w a s arrested recently for
d r i v i n g w h i l e i n t o x i c a t e d in f r o n t of a T r o y s c h o o l
w h e r e h e w a s a b o u t to p i c k u p a b u s l o a d of
children.
T h e other private
contractors don't fare m u c h
better, a c c o r d i n g to t h e Times
Union. T h e n e w s p a p e r
reported that:
Northland Transportation
Inc., with 65 drivers, h a s a
5 7 p e r c e n t r a t e of a c c i d e n t s
a n d traffic convictions; t w o
drivers h a d past convictions
of d r i v i n g w h i l e i n t o x i c a t e d
a n d t w o h a d p a s t c o u n t s of
driving while impaired.
Another Northland driver
p l e a d e d g u i l t y to d r i v i n g w h i l e
ability i m p a i r e d , l o s i n g h i s
license for a y e a r p a y i n g a
$ 3 7 5 fine for o p e r a t i n g a n
empty b u s with a blooda l c o h o l c o n t e n t of . 0 7 .
National School Bus Inc.
h a s 3 6 d r i v e r s of
w h o m 31 p e r c e n t h a v e h a d traffic convictions or
accidents; two, i n c l u d i n g one driver w h o
a p p a r e n t l y w o r k s for b o t h N a t i o n a l a n d A l b a n y
Yellow, h a v e c o n v i c t i o n s for driving w h i l e ability
i m p a i r e d on their D M V r e c o n d s .
Brown Transportation, h a s 7 7 d r i v e r s of
w h o m 4 2 percent h a v e accidents, violations or
s u s p e n s i o n s o n their licenses; three w e r e
c o n v i c t e d of d r i v i n g w h i l e a b i l i t y i m p a i r e d ; 13
percent h a d multiple convictions or accidents on
their r e c o r d s .
The Troy School District h a s w a r n e d A l b a n y
Y e l l o w C o m m u n i c a t i o n s C o r p . to i m p r o v e its
service or b e replaced. B u t m a n y p a r e n t s are
d e m a n d i n g that the district c o n s i d e r e s t a b l i s h i n g
a district-owned-and-operated b u s transportation
system rather than replacing one problem
privateer with another.
" T h i s e d u c a t i o n a l e x p o s e of t h e r e c o r d s of t h e
f o u r l a r g e s t privateers in the C a p i t a l District
s h o w s o n c e a g a i n t h a t p u b l i c e m p l o y e e s d o it
best," C S E A Capital Region President C a r m e n
Bagnoli said. " O u r m e m b e r s are dedicated, h a r d
w o r k i n g professional school b u s drivers w h o k n o w
that they a r e r e s p o n s i b l e for the daily
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n of o u r m o s t c h e r i s h e d p o s s e s s i o n s
— o u r c h i l d r e n . T h e y live s p a r t a n lives to m e e t
the r e q u i r e m e n t s of the t o u g h l a w s of N e w Y o r k
a n d h a v e b e e n k n o w n to p o l i c e t h e i r o w n r a n k s
w h e n n e c e s s a r y . P u b l i c e m p l o y e e s d o it b e s t , it's
that simple."
— Daniel X. Campbell
Safety at stake in privatization battle
P O R T B Y R O N - T h e s a f e t y of s c h o o l
c h i l d r e n is a t s t a k e in C S E A ' s f i g h t a g a i n s t
p r i v a t i z a t i o n of s c h o o l b u s e s in t h e P o r t
B y r o n S c h o o l District.
M a r s h a l l i n g n e w s p a p e r articles, statics a n d
r e p o r t s , C S E A w a n t s to c o n v i n c e t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d that private b u s services could
j e o p a r d i z e that safety - b e f o r e the b o a r d
o p e n s b i d s f r o m private b u s companies.
T h e u n i o n is i n v o l v i n g the p u b l i c in the
fight, e d u c a t i n g t h e m w i t h a d v e r t i s e m e n t s ,
p u b l i c f o r u m s a n d p r e s e n t a t i o n s at s c h o o l
b o a r d m e e t i n g s . T h e e f f o r t is w o r k i n g , s i n c e
polling s h o w s r e s i d e n t s are b o t h well
i n f o r m e d a n d o p p o s e d to p r i v a t i z i n g s c h o o l
b u s service.
C S E A p r e s e n t e d the b o a r d w i t h a r t i c l e s
detailing d a n g e r o u s situations b r o u g h t a b o u t
b y private b u s drivers a n d the p o o r
p e r f o r m a n c e r e c o r d s of p r i v a t e c o m p a n i e s .
Port Byron school bus drivers Nancy Alcock, inside bus,
Ed Perrine, left, and Earl Mills, right, volunteer their
time showing students the proper way to exit a bus in
an emergency.
Page 10 • The Public Sector • February 1997
" T h e s a f e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n of s c h o o l c h i l d r e n
m u s t a l w a y s b e t h e t o p p r i o r i t y of a n y s c h o o l
transportation program," C S E A Central
R e g i o n P r e s i d e n t J i m M o o r e t o l d the b o a r d .
" Y o u s h o u l d k n o w t h a t in N e w Y o r k , p r i v a t e
c o n t r a c t o r s p r o v i d e o n l y h a l f of all s c h o o l
b u s i n g , y e t a r e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r 8 5 p e r c e n t of
the m o s t c o m m o n s c h o o l b u s fatalities.
" I n a n o t h e r s a f e t y s t u d y , it w a s s h o w n t h a t
after privatization, school b u s accident rates
w e n t u p 2 6 2 percent over three years — three
to f o u r t i m e s h i g h e r t h a n the s t a t e a v e r a g e , "
he said. " T h e s e are startling statistics that
cannot be ignored."
T h e school district's b u s drivers a l w a y s p u t
s a f e l y first, b u s d r i v e r W a l t K o l c z y n s k i s a i d .
F o r y e a r s the d r i v e r s h a v e v o l u n t e e r e d o n
t h e i r o w n t i m e to r u n s a f e t y p r o g r a m s t h a t
exceed state requirements, he said.
B u s driver N a n c y Alcock, w h o c a m e u p
w i t h the idea for extra training, s a i d the
p r o g r a m h a s drivers review b u s safety rules
a n d s a f e c r o s s i n g p r o c e d u r e s at the
b e g i n n i n g of the y e a r , g o i n t o c l a s s r o o m s
d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r to t e a c h s a f e t y a n d d o
r e v i e w s at the e n d of t h e y e a r . T h e t r a i n i n g
utilizes a special "safe b u s " c o n s t r u c t e d b y
t h e d i s t r i c t d r i v e r s to d e m o n s t r a t e h o w to
s a f e l y exit a b u s in a n e m e r g e n c y . P r i v a t e
b u s i n g operations wouldn't offer as m u c h
s a f e t y t r a i n i n g to s c h o o l c h i l d r e n , A l c o c k
said.
"I d o n ' t t h i n k t h e y ' r e g o i n g to t a k e the
e x t r a t i m e to g o i n t o t h e s c h o o l s a n d t a l k to
t h e k i d s , " s h e s a i d . " S a f e t y w i l l b e p u s h e d to
the w a y s i d e . "
C a y u g a County Local 806 m e m b e r s have
b e g u n collecting petition s i g n a t u r e s a g a i n s t
p r i v a t i z a t i o n to b e p r e s e n t e d to t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d . A s t h i s i s s u e of The Public Sector w e n t
to p r e s s , t h e y c o l l e c t e d m o r e t h a n 1 , 0 0 0
s i g n a t u r e s in t h e s m a l l c o m m u n i t y .
- Mark M. Kotzin
THE CSEA WORK FORCE
School unit fighting piece-meal privatization
SIGN OF THE TIMES - A sign warning against drunk
driving, sponsored by the members of the CSEA Bellport
School District Unit, is installed at a shopping center in
Bellport by, from left, Bellport Unit President Frank Chieffo,
Suffolk Educational Local 870 Vice President Pete Piraino
and President Diane Klement. The CSEA Unit also
distributed letters to all 1,700 students at Bellport High
School urging them "never to be afraid to refuse a drink, to
call for help after drinking and "never get in a car with
someone who has been drinking!" It's just one more example
of how public employees care about their community and
the people who are their family, friends and neighbors.
PAINTED .POST - CSEA activists have mounted a series of pre-emptive moves
against privatization of school bus routes and services in the Corning-Painted
Post district.
They recently picketed a school board meeting, where more than 50 members
of the CSEA unit and Steuben County Local 851 rallied.
"The board has been practicing a form of piece-meal privatization by
contracting out single bus routes as they become open through retirements or
resignations," Unit President Paul Smith said. "And they have commissioned a
cost-saving study that suggested subcontracting,"
The unit wants to let the board and the public know the consequences of
privatization, CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Candy Saxon said, such as high
rates that follow lowball bidding, a drop in safety and efficiency and the loss of
dedicated CSEA members,
"which can't be measured in
dollars alone."
The unit's public
education campaign also
included literature handed
out at shopping areas,
petitions, newspaper ads
and building support among
parents of school children.
"We're very proud and
thankful of the way all of
our members came together
to support the drivers'
cause," Smith said. "I'm sure
they recognize the strength
in unity, and the fact that
should help be needed in
their own situation, their
union sisters and brothers
can be counted on. That's
CSEA labor relations specialist Candy Saxon,
what unionism is all about."
left, and Corning-Painted Post Schools Unit
— Ron Wofford
President Paul Smith are interviewed by a local
reporter during the picket.
CSEA member driven by safety
EAST GREENBUSH - When local television
station WTEN wanted to show the vast difference
between private contractor bus driver operations
and public sector operations, Jackie Rogers was
selected to represent the East Greenbush School
District.
"I'm not better than any other driver here,"
Rogers said. But she is a safety aware bus driver
with 23 years of public sector driving experience.
"I am not a fun bus driver," Rogers said. "My
student passengers know that my Job is to drive
the school bus in as safe a manner possible. I
follow the guidelines from the New York State
THE CSEA WORK FORCE
Education Department and our district's policy."
Rogers explains that students are part of the
safety process.
"A driver must have discipline on their bus so
they can concentrate on their driving." Rogers
said. She uses the district's Assertive Discipline
Plan. "I post it and I explain it to all the students
and to their parents, where possible. We don't
want any accidents to happen on or off the bus
during travel time. My safety motto is 'Safety
Never Takes a Vacation.' Safety doesn't know it's a
holiday or a Friday afternoon."
Rogers was recently certified as an Article 19A
examiner and, with fellow employee Patricia
Cipollari, trains new drivers for the district.
"The two-hour course really takes five days,"
Roger said. "When we're done we have the new
driver sign a statement that they understand all
of the information provided. We're always open for
questions and if a new driver has a question or
concern, we want to know about it so that the
driver feels confident in his position."
The District has a fleet of 96 buses which
transport 4,968 students over 5,000 miles a day.
Rogers said CSEA mechanics keep the fleet in tiptop condition.
"Any safety concerns are promptly taken care
of, and we always have the confident feeling that
we are driving a safe, properly maintained bus,"
she said.
And the parents of the students of the East
Greenbush School District can be confident that
their children are being transported to and from
school by professional, public employee bus
drivers like Jackie Rogers.
— Daniel X. Campbell
Lawmakers concerned with safety
An increase in the number of school bus
accidents statewide has State lawmakers
looking at ways of improving school bus safety.
Gov. Pataki's proposed state budget includes
$400,000 for school bus driver training grants
which were eliminated from last year's budget.
Meanwhile, CSEA is supporting Senate and
Assembly initiatives to improve school bus
safety, including:
• A bill which would make assault on school
district employees, including bus drivers, a
felony;
• increasing the penalties for unauthorized
boarding of a school bus; and
• legislation prohibiting the operation of a
school bus to or from school activities with any
passengers standing.
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 11
American Labor Link
AFL-CIO
revises
'Do Not
Buy' list
The AFL-CIO
Executive Council
h a s revised the
c r i t e r i a it u s e s to
c r e a t e its b o y c o t t
list, a n d a n e w list
should be available
by spring.
T h e r e v i s i o n s a r e p a r t of a n
e f f o r t to i m p r o v e t h e
e f f e c t i v e n e s s of b o y c o t t s i n
helping achieve justice for
vi^orkers f a c i n g r e c a l c i t r a n t
e m p l o y e r s in b a r g a i n i n g a n d
organizing situations.
U n d e r the r e v i s i o n s , t h e
national or international u n i o n s
involved m u s t review with the
federation their p l a n s for
boycotts a s p a r t of a strategic
campaign or other appropriate
tactics a i m e d at s e c u r i n g j u s t i c e
f o r t h e e m p l o y e e s of t a r g e t e d
companies.
labor to Neighbor'
links union to community
U n i o n m e m b e r s are the b e s t
advertisement the l a b o r m o v e m e n t
h a s , a n d C S E A p l a n s to t u r n to its
m e m b e r s to r a i s e t h e u n i o n ' s
visibility a n d i n f l u e n c e .
C S E A is u s i n g a s its m o d e l t h e
AFL-CIO's Labor-to-Neighbor
p r o g r a m w h i c h enlisted u n i o n
m e m b e r s to e d u c a t e o t h e r u n i o n
m e m b e r s o n i s s u e s i m p o r t a n t to
w o r k i n g p e o p l e in t h e 1 9 9 6
elections.
"Labor-to-Neighbor works," C S E A
President D a n n y D o n o h u e said.
" N o w w e n e e d to m o v e b e y o n d
e l e c t i o n s a n d t a k e l a b o r to t h e
n e i g h b o r h o o d s o n all o u r m a j o r
issues.
" C S E A m e m b e r s a r e this u n i o n ' s
g r e a t e s t r e s o u r c e , " h e s a i d . "If w e
can get out a n d convince o u r coworkers, neighbors, church
m e m b e r s , c l u b m e m b e r s , a n y o n e at
T h e n e w " D o N o t B u y " list is
e x p e c t e d to b e c o m p l e t e d
s h o r t l y . A s s o o n a s it is
c o m p l e t e , it w i l l b e p o s t e d o n
the A F L - C I O U n i o n L a b e l a n d
Service T r a d e s D e p a r t m e n t ' s
p o r t i o n of L a b o r n e t , t h e f o r u m
for u n i o n s a n d u n i o n m e m b e r s
o n the C o m p u s e r v e c o m p u t e r
n e t w o r k . It will a l s o b e a v a i l a b l e
to t h o s e w h o c o n t a c t t h e
department by fax or e-mail. The
f a x n u m b e r is 2 0 2 - 6 3 8 - 1 6 0 2 .
information
was
by the L a b e l Letter, a
newsletter
Union
Label
and
Department.
Service
Trades
Labor-to-Neighbor generated a
solid r e s p o n s e in the 1996 elections,
s a i d C S E A D i r e c t o r of P o l i t i c a l
Operations E d LaPlante, w h o
w o r k e d in the 27th C o n g r e s s i o n a l
District in w e s t e r n N e w York.
"Labor-to-Neighbor made union
m e m b e r s a real political force in this
country," LaPlante said. "Working
p e o p l e h a v e to c o u n t e r t h e m e g a
b u c k s of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t s a n d
corporations somehow."
F o r e x a m p l e , a C S E A m e m b e r of
a school b u s unit c o u l d d i s c u s s the
d a n g e r s of p r i v a t i z i n g b u s s e r v i c e
w i t h p a r e n t s of c h i l d r e n o n t h e i r
c h i l d ' s b a s e b a l l t e a m to g e t t h e m
involved in a issue that affects t h e m
directly.
" C S E A a n d l a b o r in g e n e r a l n e e d
to m a k e t h e m s e l v e s a n d t h e i r i s s u e s
k n o w n , " D o n o h u e said. "The issues
that concern u s c o n c e r n other
p e o p l e , a n d w e n e e d to i n f o r m o u r
n e i g h b o r s a b o u t w h o w e are, w h a t
w e c a r e a b o u t a n d h o w to f i g h t f o r
what's important."
— Kathleen Daly
Y o u c a n h e l p in t h e n a t i o n a l
w e r e p a i d only 6 cents for the effort.
B e c a u s e the w o m e n a r e p a i d not
b y the h o u r b u t b y t h e p i e c e , a
campaign
w o r k e r m u s t s e w t h e s h o u l d e r s of
c a m p a i g n to i m p r o v e t h e lives of
for f a i r n e s s
1 , 2 0 0 s h i r t s in e i g h t h o u r s in o r d e r
20,000 California strawberry
for the
to e a r n a d a i l y w a g e of $ 3 . 3 3 . T h a t ' s
w o r k e r s w h o a r e t r y i n g to o r g a n i z e
strawberry
150 shirts a n h o u r .
w i t h the U n i t e d F a r m
workers. You can
Workers.
S t r a w b e r r y pickers report poverty
w a g e s , dirty d r i n k i n g w a t e r a n d
bathrooms, sexual harassment
and
These w o m e n are employed by a
help by asking
company w h o contracted with
s u p e r m a r k e t m a n a g e r s to s u p p o r t
D i s n e y to m a k e t h e s h i r t s . T h e y g e t
basic rights for s t r a w b e r r y workers.
no health i n s u r a n c e or p a i d sick
arbitrary firings. Despite injuries
O r you can distribute a n d sign
d a y s . T h e y e v e n h a v e to b r i n g in
r e l a t e d to 10- to 1 2 - h o u r d a y s
pledges s u p p o r t i n g the w o r k e r s .
s t o o p e d o v e r in f i e l d s t r e a t e d w i t h
If y o u w a n t to h e l p , g e t m o r e
their o w n c u s h i o n s b e c a u s e they
h a v e o n l y r o u g h w o o d e n b e n c h e s to
toxic p e s t i c i d e s , f e w w o r k e r s h a v e
information from y o u r central labor
sit o n a s t h e y w o r k . If t h e w o r k e r s
health
c o u n c i l o r call t h e c a m p a i g n a t
try to d e f e n d t h e m s e l v e s o r o r g a n i z e ,
1-888-AFL-CIOO
they are
insurance.
W h i l e the i n d u s t r y h a s f l o u r i s h e d ,
w o r k e r s ' s h a r e of e a c h d o l l a r s p e n t
on strawberries h a s dwindled from
1995.
F o r j u s t 5 c e n t s m o r e p e r p i n t of
provided
put out by the AFL-CIO's
all, of h o w i m p o r t a n t t h e i s s u e s of
w o r k i n g p e o p l e a r e to all of u s , w e
create a p o w e r f u l a r m y . "
Join campaign to help
strawberry worl<ers
17 c e n t s in 1 9 8 5 to 9 c e n t s in
*This
— Danny Donohue
C S E A is e n c o u r a g i n g m e m b e r s to
to t a l k n o t o n l y to o t h e r u n i o n
m e m b e r s b u t to t h e i r n e i g h b o r s ,
c h u r c h a n d civic g r o u p s a n d o t h e r s
a b o u t i s s u e s t h a t a r e i m p o r t a n t to
w o r k i n g people.
American Labor Link Briefs
C o m p a n i e s a n d their p r o d u c t s
will n o w b e l i s t e d f o r u p to o n e
year with additional one-year
listings possible. T h e previous
terms a n d r e n e w a l s w e r e for u p
to t h r e e y e a r s .
T h e b o y c o t t list s h o u l d b e
u s e d in s u p p o r t of " v i g o r o u s
c a m p a i g n s w h e r e a b o y c o t t is a n
appropriate weapon — and
w h e r e t h e r e is a g e n u i n e
opportunity for a national 'Do
N o t B u y ' c a m p a i g n to h a v e
significant impact," said A F L C I O P r e s i d e n t J o h n J. S w e e n e y .
*Labor-to-Neighbor works
.... CSEA members are
this union*s greatest
resource'
berries, C a l i f o r n i a ' s $ 6 5 0 million a
year strawberry industry could
b o o s t w o r k e r s ' piece rate b y at least
5 0 p e r c e n t , a c c o r d i n g to o n e s t u d y .
T h e A F L - C I O is s u p p o r t i n g t h e
Page 12 • The Public Sector • February 1997
(1-888-235-2466)
or 2 0 2 - 6 3 7 - 5 2 8 0 .
Workers go to dogs as
Disney collects profits
It'll c o s t y o u $ 1 9 . 9 9 to b u y a " 1 0 1
fired.
T h e N a t i o n a l L a b o r C o m m i t t e e is
l e a d i n g a c a m p a i g n to c o n v i n c e
D i s n e y to s t o p t h e u s e of H a i t i a n
s w e a t s h o p l a b o r , a s w e l l a s in
Thailand and B u r m a . You can help
b y w r i t i n g to D i s n e y C E O
Michael
Eisner. For more information a n d a
D a l m a t i o n s " outfit for y o u r child,
s a m p l e letter, call t h e N a t i o n a l
b u t t h e H a i t i a n w o m e n w h o s e w e d it
L a b o r C o m m i t t e e at 2 0 2 - 2 4 2 - 3 0 0 2 .
GENERAL NEWS
ATTENTION:
A N D LOCAL
GOVERNMEm- EMPLOYEES
WORKING, BUT NOT
GETTING PAID, OVERT1IVIE
Please carefully
O Are a state or local
government employee in a
CSEA bargaining unit; and
O Are in a non-attorney or
non-physician position; and
O Have regularly worked
overtime (i.e., more than 40
hours in a week) in the past
two years; and
O Have not been paid at all
or have not been paid at a
rate of time and a half your
normal hourly rate of pay
for that overtime because
you are considered on
**salary" or are labeled
**overtime ineligible*' or
'*exemptr
• Recent developments in the Fair
Labor Standards Act, its regulations,
and case law may now entitle you to
overtime pay for your overtime.
• In order to investigate this issue
and represent your interests, we
need to know your particular
situation.
• Please complete the following form
and return it to us on or before
THE CSEA WORK FORCE
read this notice If you:
Feb. 28, 1997. Also, if you know of
other CSEA unit state or local
government employees in the same
situation, please tell them about this
and have them complete the form
also.
• Remember: If you don't tell us
about your situation, we probably
can't help you. If you have any
questions, please contact us at
1-800-342-4146, ext. 443 (Lori
Lossi).
Name - -
PLEASE NOTE: Your name will not be
revealed to management unless you
specifically authorize us to do so at a later
date. No action will be taken on your behalf
unless you specifically authorize it in writing
after we have concluded our investigation.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY
COMPLETED THIS FORM
IN RESPONSE TO AN
EARLIER NOTICE. IT IS NOT
NECESSARY FOR YOU TO
COMPLETE ANOTHER.
Social Security No. _
Home Address
Home Telephone
Business Telephone
STATE AGENCY or LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Location
TITLE
Brief Description of Duties
Approximate overtime (hours in excess of 40) per week in last two years (An estimate is all that is
necessary at this time):
Does the employer have records that show amount of overtime worked per week?
If so, describe and state where located:
Yes
No
Do you have notes or other records that show amount of overtime worked per week? Yes
If so, describe:
No
Return
this
Jorm
hejfore
Febrxicury
28,
1997
FLSA Overtime Project
c/o Lori Lossi
CivU Service Bmployees Association
143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
to:
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 1728
Landmark Public Benefit Corporations
approved for Nassau, Westchester facilities
As this edition of The Public Sector went to press, both houses of the
state Legislature approved the landmark formation of Public Benefit
Corporations (PBCs) to operate the Nassau County Medical Center, the A.
Holly Patterson Geriatric Center and Westchester County Medical Center
currently operated by their respective county governments.
CSEA is cautiously optimistic at this stage that creation of the PBCs
should mean better fiscal health for the facilities, better job security for the
employees, and continued high levels of services to the people who need
them.
CSEA has already secured many protections for employees who will be
under PBC operations, including continued civil service protection and
membership in the NYS Retirement System, no layoffs as a result of the
changeover, continued public employee status, maintenance of the existing
salary and salary scale, and continuation of CSEA representation. CSEA is
also committed to strongly opposing any aspects of the plans that would
create a negative impact on employees.
CSEA continues to examine all aspects of the proposals and will provide
additional information to employees as they become available.
How the budget
impacts on you
SOiviE HIGHLIGHTS, AND LOW LIGHTS,
OF THE PROPOSED STATE BUDGET
Pataki's Proposed Budget
CSEA continues to carefully analyze the more
than 1,100-pages of Gov. George Pataki's budget
proposal to determine its full impact on public
services and public employees. Some things,
however, are already clear: the proposed budget
contains some very positive items affecting public
services and employees, contains much that is of
serious concern, and leaves questions in other
areas.
Following are quick overviews of areas of the
proposed state budget that impact on public
services and employees.
Welfare reform a difficult issue
ALBANY — One of the most difficult issues of
the state legislative session will be the
implementation of welfare reform. And CSEA has
already publicly joined the debate.
CSEA believes there is a real need for fair,
meaningful welfare reform, which the union has
defined as a workers issue. Working welfare
recipients under reform proposed must be
provided real jobs with real wages and security
and must not replace existing work forces. In
short, there must be dignity in work, dignity for
workers.
In recent testimony before a joint hearing of
the state Assembly Ways & Means, Social
Services and Children & Families Committees,
CSEA President Danny Donohue told lawmakers
that welfare reform must protect the job security
of those who are already working while creating
real jobs for those on public assistance.
Donohue said there are lots of nuts and bolts
issues and an awful lot of hard work to be done
if New York is to make welfare reform work. He
stated that the CSEA/AFSCME principles for
reform, which call for no job displacement
among other things, is the appropriate starting
place.
Page 14 • The Public Sector • February 1997
No layoffs, but 1,700 positions to go
CSEA is concerned over proposed plans to
reduce the state workforce by another 1,700
positions during the coming fiscal year. The
reductions are proposed to be achieved through
attrition (2,050), abolishing of positions (450),
creation of new positions (1,150) and transfers to
authorities (350). While Gov. Pataki has stated
he believes no layoffs will be necessary, CSEA is
watching the process carefully, remaining
cautiously optimistic that layoffs will be avoided.
The union recognizes that losing positions for any
reason is undesirable since it means placing a
greater burden on remaining employees and
could result in service reductions.
Early retirement program offered
A just-announced early retirement program for
state employees could help further reduce any
need for layoffs, but CSEA advises employees to
study the program details carefully before making
any decisions.
The newest early retirement program is open to
workers aged 50 and over with at least 10 years
of sen^icc who work in a position targeted for
abolition, or a position identified as a possible
transfer spot for a targeted worker elsewhere in
state service.
Workers participating will earn one month of
extra pension credit for each year of service, up
to a maximum of 36 months. Reductions apply
for retiring before age 55.
The program ends March 12 and workers must
apply at least 14 days prior to March 12.
Interested workers should contact their agency
human resources office for complete details.
As with past early retirement programs, CSEA
views it as a personal choice workers must make,
deciding if taking early retirement is best for
them or not.
Consolidations for DSS, DFY
The budget proposes consolidating divisions of
the state Department of Social Services and the
state Division for Youth into a single agency to be
known as the Department of Children and Family
Services. Some other duties now handled by DSS
would be merged into another new agency to be
called the Department of Temporary and Disability
Assistance. The proposal promises no layoffs.
CSEA believes that the consolidations, if done
properly, could provide a more positive future for
both agencies.
Tax cuts - what's the real cost?
Pataki proposes to reduce taxes by $1.9 billion
in his new budget, mostly from a reduction in
state income taxes, as well as decreases in estate,
gift and business tatxes. He also proposes a
reduction in school taxes for property owners and
senior citizens while increasing state funding for
education and capping the amount school
districts can increase the tax levy.
CSEA President Danny Donohue says while the
budget is cleverly crafted to appear to offer
something for everyone, there is no such thing as
a free lunch and the big questions remain: what's
the real cost and who really pays?
OMH - No closures
No OMH facility closures are proposed in the
1997 budget, but 525 adult inpatient beds will be
eliminated through ward consolidations.
The budget proposes that Elmira Psychiatric
Center become a satellite of Binghamton PC,
Hutchings PC become a satellite of Rochester PC,
and Middletown PC become a satellite of Rockland
PC.
A great deal of exploration and analysis is
necessary in order to determine the impact of
these "satellites."
OMRDD - more shift to communities
Under the proposed budget more than 500
OMRDD employees will leave state developmental
centers to work in community residences operated
by the state and/or non-profit agencies. The
budget includes $14 million for new capital
constructions for secure beds, primarily for the
Center for Intensive Treatment at Sunmount
Developmental Center. On the downside,
institutional pharmacies are proposed to be
privatized, effecting 11 CSEA jobs.
GENERAL NEWS
Summary of
October meeting
of CSEA Board
of Directors
A t i N Ö U S ! ^ ^
TheCSE^
Grievance Representation
Video Training
Program
Editor's note: The Public Sector
publishes a summary of actions taken
by CSEA's Board ojDirectors
at the
board's official meetings.
The
summary is prepared by CSEA
Statewide Secretary Barbara
Reeves
for the iriformation of union
members.
A L B A N Y — C S E A ' s statewide
B o a r d of Directors met here on Oct.
31. 1996. In official action, the b o a r d :
• A p p r o v e d the election s c h e d u l e for
the 1997 election of C S E A statewide
officers;
• A p p r o v e d a bid b y I C E , a n
i n d e p e n d e n t firm, to c o n d u c t the
1997 statewide officers election, 1998
B o a r d of Directors election a n d the
1999 region officers election;
• A p p r o v e d dissolving C o l u m b i a
C o u n t y State T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Local
511 a n d transferring the m e m b e r s to
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n , Region I, Local 676;
• A p p r o v e d the S t a n d i n g Legal
Committee report of Oct. 31, 1996;
• A p p r o v e d the S t a n d i n g R u l e s a n d
Regulations as amended;
•Approved Jane D'Amico as a
m e m b e r of the Region I Political
Action Committee;
• A p p r o v e d the following a s
m e m b e r s of the Region II Political
Action Committee: V i n c e n t
Martusciello, chair; Harriet Hart,
officer liaison; M a x N e u b e r g e r , staff
liaison; Steven Sayles, J a c q u e l i n e
Stanford. Juanita Shine, Frank
Consentino, C h a r l e s Perry, C l a u d e t t e
Sullivan, Lester Crockett, E l y Bar,
Shirley Mehl, Steve Pezenik, Stanley
Goodman, B a r b a r a Rustin, C a r a
Quaglieri, Roy Lester, Pat Metzger,
T o d d R e i s m a n , Y v o n n e Sewell, Cheryl
C o p e l a n d , Joe A r a v e n a , K e n C r o s s o n ,
R u t h D i n k i n s , Elaine Lake, S a m u e l
Lozado, R a m o n L u c a s , C h a r l e s B o w e n
a n d T o n y Bailous;
• A p p r o v e d the following a s
m e m b e r s of the Region V Political
Action Committee: C h a r l o t t e A d k i n s ,
D o n H a s k i n s , Betsy Kinch a n d M a r g e
Winchell.
Questions concerning
of actions taken
by
CSEA's
statewide
Board
of Directors
should be
directed to CSEA
Statewide
Secretary
Barbara
Reeves,
CSEA
Headquarters,
143 Washington
Avenue.
Albany,
NY 12210,
1-800-342-4146
or
(518)
434-0191.
this
summary
CSEA Statewide
Secretary
Barbara Reeves
^
^
^
^
Six-Hour Interactive Video Training Program.
For State, Local Government & Private Sector Divisions.
Completes the Education Component for Certification.
Train the Trainer Course Is Available To Those Interested
in Conducting This Training Program.
^ For More Information,
Call the CSEA Education & Training Department at 1-800-342-4146.
Please contact me about conducting this training program in my Local/Unit.
Name:
Local/Unit:
Address:
Phone:
# of participants to be trained:
I am interested in learning how to conduct this training program
PLEASE RETURN TO: CSEA Education & Training Department, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
L
I
Also, the CSEA Education and Training Department
will be conducting the following programs this Spring:
• Union Building Workshop (Preventing Decerts)
• The Steward Course
• Local Government Negotiations Team Training
* Discipline & Interrogation
• Labor/Management Committee Training
• Working with the Contract
• Contract Administration for Private Sector Stewards
For information about the locations, dates and times for any of the above workshops, contact the
CSEA Education and Training Department at 1-800-342-4146, extensions 294 or 359. If you would like
to register for any of the above workshops, please contact your CSEA Local or Unit president.
The Public Sector • Decembei-1996 * Page'i15>
GENERAL NEWS
NOTICE
OF
NOMINATIONS
Elections for CSEA statewide PRESIDENT,
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY,
TREASURER to be held in 1997
The offices of CSEA statewide
president, executive vice
president, secretary and treasurer
are scheduled for election in 1997.
CSEA members will be electing
officers to fill those statewide
offices for a 3-year term effective
July 1, 1997.
Persons seeking a statewide
office may petition and appear on
the ballot individually or as part
of a slate. A slate must contain a
candidate for each of the
statewide offices: president,
executive vice president, secretary
and treasurer.
Candidates must be at least 18
years old, have been a CSEA
member in good standing since
June 1, 1996, £md must have
Any CSEA member who is considering the possibility
of running for office may obtain information
regarding the election process by contacting the
Election Committee at CSEA Headquarters
l"800-342-414:6. Ext. 477
continuously paid CSEA
membership dues since that date.
Candidates cannot be a member
of a competing labor organization
and must not be serving a
disciplinary penalty imposed by
the CSEA statewide Judicial
Board.
Any CSEA member who meets
the above criteria may become a
candidate and have his or her
name placed on the ballot for a
specific statewide office by
obtaining 1,000 signatures of
CSEA members eligible to vote in
the upcoming election. Signatures
must be of CSEA dues-paying
members who are not serving a
suspension and who have no
delinquent dues. The signatures
must be collected and submitted
on official nominating petition
forms in a timely fashion under
the published election schedule.
Nominating petition request
forms are now available from
local presidents, CSEA
headquarters and region offices.
Petition request forms may be
filled out and returned to CSEA
Headquarters and/or region
offices ahead of schedule, but
the nominating petitions will
not be released until Feb. 10,
the first day of the petitioning
period.
The election process will be
overseen by the union's Elections
Committee. The balloting will be
conducted by an independent
election agency approved by the
union's statewide Board of
Directors.
The schedule for the 1997
election for CSEA statewide offices
is below.
Schedule of election of CSEA statewide officers
April 16
O Drawing for candidates' positions on the
ballot (headquarters).
Petitioning
period
O Membership list available for inspection
by candidates (headquarters).
starts February
10
February 10
March 21
April 14
O Start of petitioning period.
O Nominating petitions released from CSEA
headquarters and region offices.
O Deadline for nominating petitions to be
received at CSEA headquarters (5 p.m.).
O Deadline for candidates to decline
nomination (8 a.m.).
O Deadline for candidates to submit
campaign statements and photos for
publication in The Public Sector.
O Deadline for receipt of candidates'
campaign literature at CSEA
headquarters for distribution (5 p.m.)
May edition of
O Publication of campaign statements and
photos submitted by candidates.
May 15
O Ballots delivered to Post Office for
mailing.
May 23
O Replacement ballot may be requested if
original ballot was not received.
June 5
O Deadline for receipt of ballots (8 a.m.).
The Public Sector
Election results will be announced after the ballot count.
Candidates will be notiüed by mail.
July edition of
The Public Sector O Election results published.
H.E.A.T can save money in fuel bills
CSEA members in:
New York City
Long Island
Westchester County
Putnam County
Northern New Jersey
can join H.E.A.T. (Heating Energy Affordable Today), a buying group that
uses the purchase power of 16,000 nnembers to negotiate lower prices for
fuel oil with full-service dealers. Included in membership is a free service
contract. The cooperative contracts with 50 different fuel oil delivery and
service companies. Annual membership fee is $25 with money back
guarantee. When you call, mention you are a CSEA member and you
will get a second year's membership at no charge.
Page 16 • The Public Sector • February 1997
Call 1-800-660-HEAT
CBTU to meet
in New Orleans
The Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists annual meeting will
be May 22 to 26 at the Hyatt
Regency Superdome in New
Orleans.
For more information,
contact Portia Given at
1-800-342-4146, extension 210
to coordinate convention
registration and hotel
accomodations.
GENERAL NEWS
1910^18
1929
CSEA joins
AFSCME
H o w ' s your m e m o r y these days? D o you
r e m e m b e r shopping before s u p e r m a r k e t
s c a n n e r s ? Life before A T M m a c h i n e s a n d
cellular phones? Twenty years ago nobody
k n e w what a "fax" was. "Computer" wasn't a
h o u s e h o l d word, m u c h less a c o m m o n
appliance.
For
d a y is
seems
Sector's
points
1942 1962
EDITOR'S NOTE: A s
events
Robert f
was
and
T h e P u b l i c S e c t o r marks
issues
in the union's
District
impressed
difference
s o m e t h i n g to s u r v i v e 2 0 y e a r s in o u r
a r e m a r k a b l e a c h i e v e m e n t . S o it
a p p r o p r i a t e 2 0 y e a r s f r o m The
Public
b i r t h to l o o k b a c k at s o m e h i g h
a n d a h e a d to t h e f u t u r e o f C S E A .
Itself a r e m a r k a b l e s u r v i v o r , C S E A m a r k s
its b i r t h i n 1 9 1 0 a s a n a s s o c i a t i o n of s t a t e
e m p l o y e e s . N o w it is t h e l a r g e s t p u b l i c
e m p l o y e e u n i o n in t h e s t a t e w i t h a h i s t o r y
f u l l of g r o u n d - b r e a k i n g a c h i e v e m e n t s .
T h i s m o n t h l y s e r i e s will t a k e a l o o k at
s o m e m o m e n t o u s e v e n t s in C S E A h i s t o r y .
In F e b r u a r y w e salute the v i s i o n a r y C S E A
leaders a n d delegates w h o voted for
a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h the 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 in
1 9 7 8 . The Public Sector t h e n c h a r t e d a
h i s t o r i c c h a n g e i n the u n i o n ' s d i r e c t i o n f r o m
being N e w York State's oldest a n d largest
p u b l i c e m p l o y e e u n i o n to a l a b o r
organization with broad national influence.
O n e of t h e 1 , 2 0 0 C S E A d e l e g a t e s a t t h e
C o n c o r d H o t e l v o t i n g in f a v o r of t h e
a f f i l i a t i o n w a s the u n i o n ' s f i r s t b l a c k
s t a t e w i d e officer. B r o t h e r J i m m y G r i p p e r Jr.
A s t a u n c h s u p p o r t e r of t h e a f f i l i a t i o n
proposal, Gripper recalled that s o m e
d e l e g a t e s felt r e l u c t a n t to v o t e f o r it, f e a r i n g
C S E A w o u l d l o s e its a u t o n o m y a n d
independence.
"1 w a s f o r t h e a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h A F S C M E 1 0 0
percent," said Gripper w h o n o w serves as
c h a i r p e r s o n of t h e u n i o n ' s P u b l i c S e c t o r
Committee. H e noted that the highly
successful agreement between C S E A and
A F S C M E has brought many outstanding
b e n e f i t s to t h e h o m e s of C S E A m e m b e r s a n d
their families.
" C S E A ' s integrity h a s b e e n a b s o l u t e l y
maintained," Gripper said, a n d " A F S C M E ' s
m e m b e r s h i p i n c r e a s e d f r o m 7 0 0 , 0 0 0 to o v e r
a m i l l i o n a f t e r t h e a f f i l i a t i o n , m a k i n g it t h e n
t h e n u m b e r o n e u n i o n in t h e A F L - C I O . "
S i n c e 1 9 7 7 The Public Sector h a s r e p o r t e d
t h e f a s t - p a c e d a n d u n d r e a m e d of c h a n g e s in
g o v e r n m e n t , civil s e r v i c e a n d t e c h n o l o g y
that affect C S E A m e m b e r s .
" O u r m e m b e r s c a n feel j u s t l y p r o u d t h a t
n e a r l y 2 0 y e a r s a g o their l e a d e r s h a d the
f o r e s i g h t to p o s i t i o n C S E A a t t h e c u t t i n g
e d g e of t h e l a b o r m o v e m e n t , " C S E A
President D a n n y D o n o h u e said.
— LUly Gioia
THE CSEA WORK FORCE
Ä o Ä ' a n d t U a t
^ a t ' s a great benefit!
ü
2010
im
1978
its 20th
87-year
year
history
of publication,
through
the eyes
we
take a look at
of CSEA
significant
members.
Janet Torres,
CSEA NYS Division o£ Housing
and Community Renewal Local
258, three-time AFSCME
delegate:
"My first AFSCME convention
as an elected CSEA delegate was
overwhelming. AFSCME was a
whole lot bigger than I thought.
"I was so impressed by tlie
number of different AFSCME
unions from so many states.
Belonging to AFSCME Is great
and going to AFSCME meetings
reminds you fliat yon have an
important purpose. Beüig
active in the tmloh is what it's
all about.
"I remember how hugely
impressed 1 was being part of
50,000 AFSCME members
marching in Washington, D C., for Solidarity Day in
1991. You see these things on the TV, but when you
participate and you are actually there, the feeling is
astonishing, tt makes you feel like a totally new person
and makes you believe even more in what you are fighting
for."
Marie Romanelli,
former CSEA
SUNY New Paltz
Local 610
president, was on
the CSEA Board
of Directors when
CSEA affiliated
with AFSCME:
"My initial
reaction to the
affiliation at the
time was one of
resistance, but
as I sat back and
really listened
and tried to
envision what
impact it would have, it
made me realize it was time to start thinking
in a much wider and global approach.
"I realized the afflliation would enable us to
... offer more services not only from a state
and local government position, but it would
make it possible to have some say and input
into what was happening on a federal level, on
what Impacts us as taxpayers and citizens on
a day-to-day basis.
"One big example of this was when there
was a threat that the federal government was
considering taxing vacation and annual leave
pay; it was through the efforts of AFSCME
and CSEA that made it possible to defeat that
action."
'ja'ning eo„rer^®e
Po'«ieaI ^«ion
«"len I left there I sa J,
opportunity to make . h "
guy working for AFSP«^^"®''- '
a
<0 coast trafnInfi vT^i^"^
eoast
form their own
'o
Commlttees^ri
changes
r
resources AFSCME hin
"^e
probably the b e ^ ,
" "'^s
partin/
'''"'^"^ninglevertook
'•ve eve7"ee
high level Te^^^erttee
professionalism
^
^^^CME event
^
'«bs on the w o r S e t b o ?
- one way or the nih ,
movement
a" interconnected Wl?h
you've got a voi^.
J ^ AFSCME
'nternafion:
™
'evel, they seem to h ^^ "ational
than any orhernn. ^ ^ f
olout
amilatlo]; we wo™dn"t
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 17
CSEA members have
insurance plan options
T r a d i t i o n a l l y t h e N e w Y e a r is a t i m e w h e n p e o p l e
r e - e v a l u a t e t h e i r lives, m a k e r e s o l u t i o n s a n d c h e c k
u p o n t h e i r f i n a n c i a l p o s i t i o n . It's a l s o a g o o d t i m e to
evaluate y o u r i n s u r a n c e coverage. A s a C S E A
m e m b e r , y o u h a v e a w i d e v a r i e t y of i n s u r a n c e
p r o d u c t s a v a i l a b l e , s o h e r e is a r e v i e w :
> G r o u p W h o l e Life I n s u r a n c e Plan: a n e w p l a n
that h a s solid coverage with c a s h v a l u e s that b u i l d
e a c h year.
> Disability Income Plan: a n improved p r o g r a m
with n e w features s u c h a s w o r k stoppage benefit,
survivor benefit a n d vocational rehabilitation benefit.
> Personal Lines Insurance Program: a popular
program featuring payroll-deducted automobile,
h o m e o w n e r s , r e n t e r s a n d u m b r e l l a liability c o v e r a g e .
> Security T e r m Life I n s u r a n c e : helps protect the
f i n a n c i a l f u t u r e of s u r v i v i n g l o v e d o n e s .
>• L o n g T e r m C a r e I n s u r a n c e : h e l p s a i d in the
c o s t l y e x p e n s e of c u s t o d i a l c a r e .
>• R e t i r e m e n t C o u n s e l i n g : a f r e e s e r v i c e t h a t h e l p s
m e m b e r s best p r e p a r e for retirement.
>• H o s p i t a l I n c o m e P r o t e c t i o n : p r o v i d e s m a n y
b e n e f i t s to h e l p c o v e r e x p e n s e s if y o u a r e c o n f i n e d to
a hospital.
M o s t of t h e C S E A i n s u r a n c e p l a n s p r o v i d e t h e
c o n v e n i e n c e of p a y r o l l - d e d u c t e d p r e m i u m s . T o l e a r n
m o r e a b o u t a n y of t h e a b o v e i n s u r a n c e p r o g r a m s ,
call J a r d i n e s G r o u p S e r v i c e s C o r p . T h e J a r d i n e
C S E A H o t l i n e is 1 - 8 0 0 - 9 2 9 - 6 5 5 6 .
A MERRIER CHRISTMAS - CSEA Local 010 Division for Youth Pregnancy Unit Staff
receive donations of toys and gifts from CSEA Metropolitan Region President George
Boncoraglio, right, who started a toy drive after he learned DFY had eliminated all
Christmas funds for teenage mothers and their babies. Thanks to the Metropolitan
Region Executive Board, Christmas arrived on time. From left are: Local 010 members
Frances Charles, Arenthia Shearrill, Elnora Howard, Delroy Lowe and Boncoraglio.
1997 Empire Plan out-of-pocket expenses remain unchanged
Hospital Outpatient Co-payment
Remains at $25
Y o u r hospital outpatient c o - p a y m e n t
r e m a i n s $ 2 5 for e a c h visit w h e n you
receive one or m o r e of the following
covered outpatient hospital services on
the s a m e day: s u r g e r y ; diagnostic
radiology ( i n c l u d i n g m a m m o g r a p h y
according to guidelines); diagnostic
laboratory tests; p r e - a d m i s s i o n testing;
a n d D e s f e r a l for Cooley's a n e m i a .
Y o u r hospital outpatient c o - p a y m e n t
r e m a i n s $25 for e m e r g e n c y r o o m
services i n c l u d i n g certain professional
services r e n d e r e d in a medical
emergency.
A medical e m e r g e n c y is a s u d d e n ,
u n e x p e c t e d o n s e t of a medical condition
w h e r e immediate c a r e is n e c e s s a r y to
prevent w h a t c o u l d r e a s o n a b l y be
expected to result in either placing y o u r
life in j e o p a r d y or c a u s e s e r i o u s
i m p a i r m e n t to y o u r bodily functions.
E m e r g e n c y c a r e for a n accident m u s t
b e given within 72 h o u r s of the
accident. E m e r g e n c y care for the
s u d d e n onset of a n illness m u s t b e
given within 24 h o u r s after the first
a p p e a r a n c e of the s y m p t o m s of a n
illness. Y o u will not have to pay the $ 2 5
hospital outpatient c o - p a y m e n t if y o u
are treated in the outpatient
d e p a r t m e n t of a hospital a n d it b e c o m e s
n e c e s s a r y for the hospital to admit you
at that time a s a n inpatient.
Participating Provider
Copayment Remains At $5
U n d e r the P a r t i c i p a t i n g Provider
P r o g r a m y o u p a y only y o u r $ 5 c o p a y m e n t for office visits, s u r g i c a l
p r o c e d u r e s p e r f o r m e d d u r i n g a n office
visit, r a d i o l o g y services a n d d i a g n o s t i c
l a b o r a t o r y services.
You pay only your $15 co-payment
for facility c h a r g e s , s a m e - d a y o n - s i t e
testing a n d a n e s t h e s i o l o g y c h a r g e s at
a participating ambulatory surgical
center.
If y o u r provider's office h a s a n y
q u e s t i o n s r e g a r d i n g the a m o u n t of y o u r
c o - p a y m e n t or if you need to locate a
participating provider in y o u r area,
contact M e t r a H e a l t h at
1-800-942-4640.
Annual Deductible Remains $161
U n d e r the Basic Medical P r o g r a m ,
the a n n u a l deductible r e m a i n s at $ 1 6 1
per enrollee, $161 per enrolled
s p o u s e / d o m e s t i c partner, a n d $ 1 6 1 for
all enrolled d e p e n d e n t children
combined.
T h e E m p i r e Plan then p a y s 80
percent of the r e a s o n a b l e a n d
c u s t o m a r y c h a r g e s for covered services.
T h e r e is n o B a s i c Medical a n n u a l or
lifetime benefit m a x i m u m .
Benefits are paid at 100 percent after
the a n n u a l c o - i n s u r a n c e m a x i m u m of
$ 7 7 6 per employee a n d covered
dependents combined.
1996 Empire Plan claims must be filed by March 31
All 1997 E m p i r e P l a n B a s i c Medical
claims m u s t b e s u b m i t t e d by M a r c h
31, 1997, to:
M e t r a H e a l t h Service C o r p .
A d m i n i s t r a t o r for MetLife
R O . B o x 1600
Kingston, N.Y. 1 2 4 0 1 - 0 6 0 0
Basic medical claim f o r m s m a y be
o b t a i n e d f r o m y o u r agency's personnel
office or f r o m M e t r a H e a l t h . M a k e s u r e
you complete the r e q u e s t e d s u b s c r i b e r
i n f o r m a t i o n a n d , if applicable,
d e p e n d e n t s t u d e n t information. Don't
forget to sign the claim form.
by the provider, original bills m u s t
include all medical/diagnostic
i n f o r m a t i o n a s k e d for on the claim
form. M i s s i n g information will delay
the p r o c e s s i n g of y o u r claim.
Please b e certain to have y o u r
doctor or other provider fill in all the
Information a s k e d for o n the claim
form. If the claim f o r m is not filled out
If y o u have a n y q u e s t i o n s
c o n c e r n i n g y o u r claim, y o u m a y
contact M e t r a H e a l t h directly at
1-800-942-4640.
Page 18 • The Public Sector • February 1997
Empire Plan Enrollees May Be Eligible for
Out-Of-Pocket Reduction
E m p i r e P l a n enrollees m a y b e eligible
for the B a s i c Medical P r o g r a m ' s coi n s u r a n c e m a x i m u m reduction
provision.
T h r o u g h a negotiated benefit for
C S E A - r e p r e s e n t e d state employees.
E m p i r e Plan enrollees m a y b e eligible to
r e d u c e their a n n u a l o u t - o f - p o c k e t coi n s u r a n c e from $ 7 7 6 to $ 5 0 0 per
c a l e n d a r year. A s of Oct. 1, 1995, those
employees e a r n i n g $ 2 0 , 2 5 3 or less b a s e
s a l a r y are eligible.
Enrollees w h o meet the criteria m a y
o b t a i n a n application f r o m the state
D e p a r t m e n t of Civil Service at
1 - 8 0 0 - 8 3 3 - 4 3 4 4 or 5 1 8 - 4 5 7 - 5 7 5 4 .
Information s h o w i n g that the enrollee is
the h e a d of the h o u s e h o l d a n d sole
w a g e e a r n e r of the family m u s t b e
provided.
S e n d the application to:
N Y S D e p a r t m e n t of Civil Service
Division of E m p l o y e e Benefits
W. Averell H a r r i m a n State Office
Building C a m p u s
A l b a n y . N.Y. 12239
* Please refer to y o u r E m p i r e P l a n
Certificate for o u t - o f - p o c k e t costs
associated with the M a n a g e d Physical
Medicine P r o g r a m a n d M a n a g e d Mental
Health a n d S u b s t a n c e A b u s e P r o g r a m .
A l t h o u g h the o u t - o f - p o c k e t costs
r e m a i n u n c h a n g e d for 1997, they differ
widely b a s e d on network vs. n o n network benefits.
GENERAL NEWS
Attention ISU Employees...
Enhance your job skills, e x p a n d your career development opportunities
The registration deadline for the ISU Employee
Enhancement Workshop Series has been extended to
15 days prior to the date the individual workshop is
held. Workshops on a wide variety of topics (see
below) are open to CSEA-represented NYS employees
in the Institutional Services bargaining unit.
For workshop registration forms,
see your agency or facility human resources or training office,
or your CSEA Local president.
Or call the NYS/CSEA Labor-Management
at (518) 473-3416
Committees
flE/WEMSE/? - REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS 15 DAYS PRIOR TO DATE OF WORKSHOP
DATE
WORKSHOP TITLE
Feb. 18
E m e r g e n c y First A i d
3
Feb. 19
E m e r g e n c y First A i d
1
Feb. 20
E m e r g e n c y First A i d
2
Feb. 20
Residential Safety M a n a g e m e n t
1
Feb. 25
Back Power Management
2
Feb. 25
4
Feb. 26
B a s i c s of Residential M a i n t e n a n c e
and Repair
I Don't M i n d C h a n g e A s L o n g
A s It D o e s n ' t Alter A n y t h i n g
Residential Safety M a n a g e m e n t
Feb. 26
S t r e s s In Y o u r Life
4
Feb. 26
2
Feb. 2 6 - 2 7
1 Don't M i n d C h a n g e As Long
A s It D o e s n ' t Alter A n y t h i n g
Home Cookin'
March 4
B a r k Power Management
3
March 4
Stress In Y o u r Life
6
March 4
I Don't M i n d C h a n g e A s Long
5
March 4-5
A s It D o e s n ' t Alter A n y t h i n g
Home Cookin'
3
Feb. 25
March 5
B a s i c s of Residential M a i n t e n a n c e
and Repair
March 5
Residential S a f e t y M a n a g e m e n t
March 5
S t r e s s In Y o u r Life
M a r c h 11
S t r e s s In Y o u r Life
M a r c h 11
Residential Safety M a n a g e m e n t
REGION
1
2
1
5
3
5
2
4
LOCATION
Taconic CF
B e d f o r d Hills, N Y
Sagamore CPC
D i x Hills, N Y
Brooklyn D D S O
Brooklyn, N Y
B e t h p a g e State P a r k
Farmingdale, NY
Metro D D S O
N e w York, P^Y
Capital Region D D S O
Schenectady, NY
Pilgrim P C
West Brentwood, NY
Metro D D S O
N e w York, N Y
D F Y Tryon RC
Johnstown, NY
Staten Island D D S O
S t a t e n Island, N Y
Long Island D D S O
Commack, NY
Letchworth D D S O
Thiells, N Y
Livingston C F
Sonyea, NY
Binghamton S O B
Binghamton, NY
Taconic D D S O
Wassaic, NY
Broome D D S O
Binghamton, NY
H u d s o n River P C
Poughkeepsie, N Y
Central N Y D D S O
Rome, N Y
Staten Island D D S O
Staten Island, N Y
Capital Region D D S O
Schenectady, N Y
REGION
DATE
WORKSHOP TITLE
M a r c h 11-12
H o m e Cookin'
5
M a r c h 12
Back Power Management
1
M a r c h 12
Self Discipline & Emotional Control
3
M a r c h 12
6
M a r c h 18
B a s i c s of Residential M a i n t e n a n c e
a n d Repair
I Don't M i n d C h a n g e A s L o n g
A s It D o e s n ' t Alter A n y t h i n g
Self Discipline & Emotional Control
M a r c h 18
Back Power Management
5
M a r c h 18
E m e r g e n c y First A i d
5
M a r c h 19
E m e r g e n c y First Aid
6
M a r c h 19
Self Discipline & Emotional Control
2
M a r c h 19
Residential Safety M a n a g e m e n t
5
M a r c h 19-20
H o m e Cookin'
5
M a r c h 20
E m e r g e n c y First Aid
4
M a r c h 20
S t r e s s In Y o u r Life
1
M a r c h 25
6
M a r c h 25
I Don't M i n d C h a n g e A s L o n g
A s It Doesn't Alter A n y t h i n g
Back Power Management
M a r c h 26
Self Discipline & Emotional Control
5
M a r c h 26
Residential Safety M a n a g e m e n t
6
March 26-27
H o m e Cookin'
6
M a r c h 27
I Don't M i n d C h a n g e A s L o n g
A s It Doesn't Alter A n y t h i n g
3
M a r c h 13
4
1
6
LOCATION
Sunmount D D S O
T u p p e r Lake, N Y
Sagamore CPC
Dix Hills, N Y
M i d d l e t o w n PC
Middletown, N Y
D F Y Industry
Industry, N Y
S U N Y Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, N Y
B e t h p a g e State P a r k
Farmingdale, N Y
O x f o r d Vets H o m e
Oxford, N Y
M o h a w k Valley P C
Utica, N Y
D F Y Industry
Industry,NY
Brooklyn D D S O
Brooklyn, N Y
Utica S O B
Utica, N Y
Central N Y D D S O
Syracuse, N Y
D F Y Tryon RC
Johnstown, NY
Pilgrim P C
West B r e n t w o o d , N Y
D F Y Industry
Industry, N Y
Western NY D D S O
West S e n e c a , N Y
Binghamton S O B
Binghamton, NY
Letchworth S P
Castile, N Y
Western NY D D S O
West S e n e c a , N Y
Wallkill C F
Wallkill, N Y
Members bring holiday joy to AIDS babies
CSEA Bronx Psychiatric Center Local 401 members helped
spread holiday cheer by delivering teddy bears and toys to
AIDS babies at Hale House, Harlem Hospital and to pediatric
patients at Bronx North General Hospital. From left are
Barbara Rustin, a member of CSEA New York Metropolitan
Retirees Local 910 who volunteered to help; Local 401
President Carol Backstrom and Kim Long, a MHTA and
member of Local 401. The toy drive was dedicated in
memory of Kim Long's 4-year-old nephew, Troy Pires, who
recently died of cancer.
THE CSEA WORK FORCE
The Public Sector • February 1997 • Page 19
MMM
'We drive your kids
to school...''
"on the roads
m maintain,.
Dignity In Work,
_
Dignity For All Workers.
"keep you safe aU
night and d^..."
"We obey the
golden ruie,
to ease our
neighbors'
pain.,,"
"We answer
nine one one,.."
Of New York on Welfare Reform.
There is a real need for welfare reform. But people can only gel off
welfare if they can transition into decent-paying jobs with benefits.
The CSE'\ Work Force has the experience, expertise and knowledge
needed to help bring about meaningful change.
There are many issues to be resolved, but two are of prime
importance:
To make the plan work, welfrif? recipients need the necessarx- tools to
move from welfare to work — education, training and child care.
Then, as productive members of the work force, they deserve the
same right to a decent wage and safe workplace as the men and
women they work alongside.
"Dignity in Work, Dignity For All Workers." That's true welfare reform.
• l l i e present work force cannot be displaced:
• Participants must have real jobs with full
employment rights.
If "workfare" simply replaces experienced workers with new workers
in a game of "musicid chairs," nothing will be gained, and much will
be lost. And if the new jobs aren't real, government will just be shifting
the cost of welfare, benefitting no one and creating problems
elsewhere.
The Work Force
Local 1000, AFSCMF,, AFL-CIO
Danny Donohue, President
Official publication of
The Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12210-2303
INSIDE THIS EDITION
• The proposed state budget: how it impacts on you - Pages Z, 8, 14
• State Government News - Pages 4 and 5
Ä Local Government News - Pages 6 and 7
• Is school bus privatization putting your children at risk? - Pages 9, 10 and 11
• Have you worked overtime, but not been paid? Maybe we can help - Page 13
• Nominating period starts Feb. 10 in CSEA statewide elections - Page 16
A