Official Publication of the New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO February 2015 Advocating for a Fair Budget Sign up for Labor on the Move - See Back Cover • Convention Delegate Information - See Page 28 from members Ideas Pharmacist career ladder? To the Editor: I am responding to a letter about no advancement opportunities for nurse practitioners that was published in the November 2014 issue of The Communicator. The writer incorrectly stated pharmacists have two levels (pharmacist 1 and pharmacist 2). This has not been the case since September 1, 2005, when these titles were abolished. All pharmacists are now in the same title of “pharmacist.” Please clarify this so others are not misled and the writer of that letter will know members in other PS&T titles are in the same boat. KAREN NICOSIA West Seneca Editors Note: Although the previous pharmacist 1-2 title series (It was actually pharmacist 1-4) no longer exists, there is a current pharmacist career ladder, which may be viewed on the state’s Civil Service Career Mobility Office website at (http:// careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo /gotit/ titleinfo.cfm?jobcode=6303100&nu =05#). Let’s archive PEF’s To the Editor:history To the Editor: Archiving the history of PEF is important. The history of the union should be recorded for members and scholars. PEF needs to establish an archives so that our valuable history is not lost. Most of the PEF activists who participated in organizing PEF in 1978 and 1979 are now retired. Some have died. This is the time for a PEF archives to gather the history of organizing PEF, including ephemera, as well as conducting an oral history of the PEF pioneers. JEFFREY KASSEL New York Editor’s Note: PEF is considering how to retain the union’s history for the long term. Meanwhile, PEF is reviewing material for its historical significance. PEF also has a facility dedicated to storing and categorizing the union’s rich history. Email your ideas, comments to [email protected] Roots of struggle: labor history Sons of Vulcan, forerunner of the United Steelworkers By DEBORAH A. MILES The first union contract in American history was ratified when the Sons of Vulcan ended its strike February 13, 1865. It was quite a feat during a time when workers in Pittsburgh, mostly immigrants from England, Scotland and Wales, knew they were skilled craftsmen and demanded wage rates tied to market prices. This union consisted of men who were adept at puddling, the process of stirring pig iron with iron bars and exposing it to the air to burn off the carbon in the iron. This was the first process that created steel. The puddlers had to rely on their experience, physical strength and skill, as injuries occurred working with boiling molten metal. When the Civil War began, the Sons of Vulcan had power. Their work was vital to the war effort. In June, 1864, when the Civil War was coming to an end, employers attempted to cut wages. The union responded with a nationwide strike of its members that lasted eight months. The Sons of Vulcan had expanded, and with new members in eight other states, including New York, they were able to pull off a strike. The locals, which were called forges, came about after Miles Humphreys took the helm of the Iron City Forge of the Sons of Vulcan. He was the “grand master” and created an office for a “grand vulcan,” or vice president. In the beginning, the new union did little to help as membership was kept secret in fear of physical retaliation. This forge resolved Page 2 — The Communicator February 2015 to commit itself to craft unionism, merger was on the horizon for the Sons accepting only puddlers as members. of Vulcan. By August 1865, the City Forge The Associated Brotherhood of Iron membership had tripled. The following and Steel Heaters, Rollers and Roughers year, the national Sons of Vulcan began was formed. Another union, the Iron and employing paid organizers across the Steel Roll Hands of the United States east coast. That effort resulted in 36 also emerged. active forges with 1,514 members in After three years of negotiations, 1867. the three unions met in Pittsburgh The union’s strike policy was December 7, 1875, and drafted a inconsistent, lacked union solidarity and constitution and bylaws. They met separately August 2 and adopted the strikes were easily broken by employers. resolution for amalgamation. Financial support for the strikers came In 1876, the three unions merged as from fellow forge members, not the the Amalgamated Association of Iron national union. This led to the collapse and Steel Workers – the forerunner of of 11 local unions in 1867 and 16 more the United Steelworkers. in 1868. The union was down to 600 The Sons of Vulcan provided 85 members. percent of the new union’s membership In 1870, the national Sons of Vulcan and dominated the organization instituted a new policy where all for much of its early history. Its workers in a local forge were required to membership was almost exclusive to the walk off the job if a strike was approved. iron industry, as steelmaking was still in The union provided funding. These its infancy. changes significantly improved the union’s stability, and membership rose “Puddler” C ourtesy of N to more than 3,300 ational Pho Collection, to Company Library of C ong ress. within 83 forges in 12 states by 1873. The union saw a membership decline of approximately 25 percent after the Panic of 1873, but by 1876, the Sons of Vulcan was the strongest labor union in the U.S. Other steel unions were being organized across the country and a twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 The COMMUNICATOR February 2015 The official publication of NYS Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO www.The Communicator.org • www.PEF.org Volume 32, No. 1 February 2014 (0745-6514) The Official Publication of the New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO, 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham, NY 12110-1006. The Communicator is published monthly, except for January and August, for members of the New York State Public Employees Federation. Periodical postage paid at Latham, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Editor, PEF Communicator 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Road, P.O. Box 12414 Albany, NY 12212-2414 Phone 518-785-1900, ext. 221 Letters Policy: The Communicator welcomes letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant to PEF’s diverse membership. All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste. Please type your letters, keep them brief (up to 250 words), and include your name and phone number for verification. Send letters to: The Communicator, PEF, P.O. Box 12414, Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414 or e-mail to: [email protected] www.pef.org of contents THE COMMUNICATOR Table Ideas From Members: Letters To The Editor.................................. 2 Roots Of Struggle: Labor History. . ...................................................... 2 People’s State Of The State.. ................................................................ 4 Battle Over Flu Masks............................................................................ 4 Kent Testifies...........................5 PEF Testifies Against Design-Build Program.. .................................. 5 Trustees Report....................................................................................... 6 PEF Fights GOER Over Unit Determinations.................................... 6 President’s Message.............................................................................. 7 Members Join Education Picket.......................................................... 7 Meet PEF’s Contract Team.. .................................................................. 8 Executive Board Approves Staff Contract..................................... 11 PEF Mourns Former Regional Coordinator.................................... 13 Retirees In Action.................................................................................. 14 Meet The Team......................8 PEF Supports Spinal Cord Society.................................................... 15 Parolee Families Receive Holiday Gifts. . .......................................... 16 PEF Donates To Needy Children........................................................ 18 Shadowing A Parole Officer................................................................20 Fight For Parity Continues For Parole Officers.. ...........................21 PS&T Contract Benefits.. .....................................................................22 Elections Underway To Fill PEF Vacancies......................................22 Volunteers Make Hunger Appeal A Success.................................25 Federal Bill Of Rights............................................................................25 Holiday Cheer.......................16 Justice Arrives In Death Of Assaulted Nurse...............................27 PEF Convention Delegate Information.............................................28 Members Ask For Leave Donations.................................................32 PEF Testifies On Single-Payer Health Care Program.. .................32 New Education Requirements For Social Workers.. ....................33 Communication Notes..........................................................................33 Fond Farewells. . ......................................................................................34 Labor On The Move...............................................................................40 A Day With A PO.................20 Officers of PEF Susan M. Kent President Carlos J. Garcia Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Bayer, Wayne Spence, Barbara Ulmer Vice Presidents Kevin Hintz, Bonnie Wood, John Prince, Peter Banks, Jeanette St. Mary,James Moffitt, Nikki Brate, Vivian Street, Sheik Nabijohn, Jemma Hanson, Regional Coordinators Ronald Brown, Kenneth Johnson, Maureen Kellman, Trustees PEF Regional Field Offices Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Region 1 Buffalo 1-800-462-1462 2 Elmira/Hornell 1-800-724-5001 3 Rochester 1-800-724-5003 4 Syracuse 1-800-724-5004 5 Binghamton 1-800-724-4998 6 Utica 1-800-724-5005 7 Malone 1-888-498-8532 8 Albany 1-800-342-4306 9 Poughkeepsie 1-800-548-4870 10 Manhattan/Bronx 1-800-522-8700 11 Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island1-866-897-9775 12 Long Island 1-800-832-5284 Metro NY Labor Communications Council Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation Download the free app to scan this QR code to view The Communicator online Cover illustration by Mario Bruni, Sr. Graphic Designer The Communicator Staff Scott Morlock Executive Editor Sherry Halbrook Editor Mario Bruni Senior Graphic Designer Deborah A. Miles Reporter/Writer Paul R. Seeger Junior Graphic Artist Paul Murphy Secretary/Typesetter Kathi Blinn Advertising Account Executive Advertising in this publication does not represent an endorsement by PEF or its members. Members wishing to change their mailing address may call 800-342-4306, ext. 221. PEF is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO and Services Employees International Union. The Communicator February 2015 — Page 3 Wages, public services, education dominate the 25th People’s State of the State Story and photo by DEBORAH A. MILES With the sun shining and temperatures hovering around the 30 degree mark, labor leaders, clergy members, antipoverty activists and New Yorkers for fiscal fairness gathered for the 25th annual People’s State of the State message at the steps of the state Capitol in Albany. It was the day before Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his State of the State address, and a tradition for political activists to publically air their concerns. In front of several TV station cameras and reporters, PEF President Susan M. Kent said, “Tomorrow, in the governor’s state budget recommendations, we want to see money our members brought into the state and the services they provide be included in the budget.” Kent echoed some of the concerns raised by other speakers. “We need a $15-an-hour minimum wage. People who are working and people who aspire to work need to have a livable wage,” Kent said. “We need single-payer health care for all New Yorkers. “New York needs to be the state that leads the rest. And we need to have money in the Executive Budget to address poverty and education. I am calling on the governor and Legislature to make sure the final budget includes resources and vital services for all our citizens. We also need to make sure there is money in the final state budget to provide quality services for the most vulnerable individuals in IN UNITY – PEF members and leaders chant at the People’s State of the State in Albany January 20. Shown are Doug Williams, PEF President Susan M. Kent, VP Barbara Ulmer, Mario Chiarello and Secretary-Treasurer Carlos J. Garcia. the state, health care for all and optimal education for every child of every economic background.” The crowd of fewer than 50 people roared after Kent spoke, chanting “Raise the Wage.” Mark Dunlea, executive director of Hunger Action Network of New York State and coordinator of the event, said, “Twenty years after former Gov. Mario Cuomo’s ‘Decade of the Child,’ millions of New York’s children live in poverty, especially in upstate New York. Three decades after Hunger Action Network was formed in response to the budget cuts under trickledown economics, New York leads the country in income disparity. “At least $1.5 billion of the so-called $5 billion state windfall needs to go to jobs that are guaranteed to our most vulnerable – the poor, those on public assistance, the unemployed, people of color, and those who have been incarcerated. Clear goals for hiring these individuals should be part of the state’s economic development funding,” Dunlea said. Sara Niccoli, executive director of the NYS Labor-Religion Coalition, also received rousing cheers from the crowd. “The People’s State of the State is a picture of low-wage part-time jobs, cuts to schools and social services, and being buried neck-deep in property taxes, rent, student loans and high-interest credit cards. The majority are barely getting by. Voters and taxpayers are not looking for lip-service legislation, but real fixes,” Niccoli said. Kent added that the union, as in the past, would have a strong presence during the legislative session and will continue to fight for fairness, and especially for the needed public services that every community deserves. PEF continues battle against mandatory flu masks By DEBORAH A. MILES Most health care workers, including PEF-represented nurses, are required to wear a flu mask if they did not receive a flu vaccine while working in areas where patients or residents may be present. PEF argued the regulation in state Supreme Court in late 2014, but acting Supreme Court Judge Judith A. Hard said the regulation was not unreasonable. Yet in November, the state Department of Health (DOH) amended the regulation to require wearing a flu mask only when patients or residents are “typically” present. “Although the regulation did not previously, and does not now, provide any further definition, this appears to be a narrowing of the locations where mask wear is required for certain health care professionals,” said PEF associate counsel Page 4 — The Communicator February 2015 Jessica Caggiano. The amended regulation also states speech-therapy personnel may remove the mask when “modeling speech” or communicate with individuals who lipread. Caggiano said the DOH amendments directly address several of the arguments PEF made in the litigation before the Supreme Court. PEF is currently in the process of appealing the Supreme Court’s decision and is evaluating how the DOH changes will affect its appeal. It is in the process of filing a record on appeal and a brief to the Third Appellate Division. The DOH made other changes to the flu mask regulation. One was the definition of “patient or resident” to include most individuals who receive health care services, such as overnight residents twitter.com/nyspef and hospice patients. The other involves sufficient documentation for a person who received a flu shot. The amendment also clarified the language saying masks should be provided “at no cost to personnel,” instead of “free of charge.” “These amendments make the rule more reasonable and less stringent,” Caggiano said. “But DOH’s amendment may weaken PEF’s argument that the regulation is arbitrary and capricious, by making its own regulation more reasonable.” For now, PEF-represented heath care workers must adhere to the regulations, and wear the flu masks, if unvaccinated, during the flu season. In 2014, DOH Commissioner Howard Zucker declared the end of the flu season to be June 5. He has not set a date yet for the end of the 2015 season. twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 Testimony calls for the expiration of the designbuild contracting program Story and Photos by DEBORAH A. MILES A major area of concern for PEF is how the state is moving forward with its design-build method of construction, which currently gives the green light for contractors to design, build and inspect contracted construction. PEF President Susan M. Kent raised these concerns when she delivered a powerful testimony before the state Assembly Standing Committee in December, and urged lawmakers to take a cautious approach when deciding future funding for the design-build program. “New York state can save real money and get greater value out of the dwindling transportation dollars by doing more engineering work in-house and decreasing its reliance on costly consultants,” Kent testified. “PEF urges the Legislature to cast a critical eye toward design-build. Now is the perfect time to pump the brakes and take a more cautious approach.” Kent explained to Assembly Member David Gantt, chair of the Committee on Transportation, that designbuild reduces competition because fewer companies are capable of performing both functions. She said ASSEMBLY MEMBER DAVID GANTT design-build projects are inspected by consultants contracts. That firm uses a former DOT hired by the builder and that results in less assistant commissioner as its lead expert, independent oversight of the project. paying him more than $300 per hour, or in The design-build mythology comes from excess of $600,000 a year. data derived from a 2006 Federal Highway “My members throughout the state Administration report on design-build want you to know the best way to rebuild procurement. New York state’s infrastructure is “This report is flawed,” Kent with public employees overseeing, said. “The most noteworthy flaw designing and inspecting the is the report was based on the projects. Right now, who is perceptions of the participants, benefiting from design-build? not on empirical data, and Are local, small construction New York state was not companies benefiting? No. Many included as one of the seven of the projects, which are in the Department of Transportation works or proposed, are going to (DOT) participants. out-of-state or mega companies. “Unfortunately, advocates of This is not helping our local companies. design-build have cherry-picked certain This is not helping our youth,” Kent said. aspects of this report and now design-build Another area Kent emphasized was appears to magically save money all the public-private partnerships. She described time. Our data proves consultant engineers that concept as “more snake oil with cost approximately 87 percent more than magical qualities and a ploy to evade the in-house engineers. The average cost of state’s debt cap while burdening future a DOT engineer is near $60 per hour, generations with financial obligations.” including benefits. Yet DOT has hired a Kent also addressed the shrinking state PEF PRESIDENT SUSAN M. KENT consulting firm to oversee design-build workforce. “DOT staffing levels are at historic lows. PEF-represented engineering positions have been reduced by almost 19 percent since 2008 and more than 31 percent since 2000. The most cost-effective element in infrastructure spending is being reduced. This makes no sense,” Kent said. Bill Holthausen, a civil engineer and PEF Executive Board member, joined Kent at the hearing and also answered questions fielded by Gantt. He reiterated the need for more staffing, and the importance of having professional state engineers do the overseeing and inspecting of the projects. Gantt invited Kent to meet with him to further discuss the design-build project and to move forward with her suggestion to form an independent commission to analyze and compare how state workers are the best qualified and the state’s mostcost effective resource for design-build DESIGN-BUILD, BLUEPRINT FOR DISASTER — Ad designed by PEF’s public projects. relations department that appeared in the December 2014 edition of City & State. www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 5 Trustees report Maintain standards of well run PEF divisions By PEF Trustees RON BROWN, KENNETH JOHNSON and MAUREEN KELLMAN Among the ways the trustees of PEF work to protect the interests of the members of the union is by conducting audits at the state, regional and local levels. This does not relieve PEF regions or divisions of their responsibility to regularly audit their own finances and report their findings to their members and to the secretary-treasurer of PEF. Neither does our review of the finances of the statewide union relieve its responsibility to submit its financial records to the scrutiny of independent auditors annually and to report their findings to the membership. When we, as trustees, review the finances and operation of a division, for instance, we report our concerns and recommendations first to the PEF secretary-treasurer and then to the steward council of that division. Among the many things we want to find are: • Timely, fair elections of stewards and officers; • Evidence that elected stewards and officers are familiar with their division’s constitution and are complying with their duties under it; • Timely council and membership meetings; • Full and accurate records and minutes of meetings, including agendas, member attendance and any other pertinent documentation; • Preparation and adoption of annual division budgets; • Timely submission of accurate and complete financial reports at those meetings; • Timely approval of expenditures and financial decisions by the council or members; • The filing and approval by the members of accurate and timely minutes of meetings; • Reports by the secretary to the treasurer of all motions approved by the members regarding division finances; • Timely appointment of a division audit committee; • Timely and accurate reports to the membership by the audit committee; • Timely, accurate and full records, including detailed receipts, of all financial transactions; • Timely, accurate and fully detailed vouchers and their review and approval by the division; • Timely and full explanations of expenditures (including but not limited to gift cards, charitable donations and membership dues in labor organizations, whether conducted by check, purchase card or cash transactions); • Appropriateness of expenditures as related to the activities of the division; and • Timely reports on the appointment and activities of division committees. We hope it will be helpful for our union’s members and leaders at all levels to know the expectations and standards for the proper operation of our union. We should all take the time to read our constitutions and bylaws and refer to them whenever in doubt of how to proceed. In addition, please feel free to ask us, as your trustees, about issues of concern to you or your general questions about union operations. You may email us at [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]. PEF fights state’s effort to back out of agreement placing M/C positions in PS&T unit By DEBORAH A. MILES The state and PEF are engaging in an ongoing battle as to whether specific titles should be designated management/ confidential or belong in the PS&T bargaining unit. In settlement of a 2010 unit determination petition filed by PEF, the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) agreed to place 256 management/confidential positions in the PS&T bargaining unit. Twice a year, PEF may submit unit-determination petitions seeking to place appropriate new positions in the PS&T unit, and once during a contract term PEF may petition to move existing titles. Moving titles into PEF is called an open petition. It is a lengthy process and is routinely resolved by mutual agreement. PEF and GOER settled the 2010 open petition, which included other pending petitions. The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) director officially made an interim decision and placed these positions in the PS&T bargaining unit. After the interim decision was announced, GOER said it had made a mistake and wanted to keep the titles as managementconfidential. The titles are in different agencies and include budgeting analysts, environmental engineers, administrative assistants and even a principal psychologist. “So far, GOER has not been successful in vacating the agreement,” said PEF General Counsel Lisa King. “It lost before the PERB director and PERB itself. Most recently, acting Albany Supreme Court Justice Francis Collins denied GOER’s request to withdraw from the agreement.” In early January, GOER appealed the Supreme Court’s decision to the Appellate Division, Third Department. King said the appeals process is lengthy and a decision should be made later this year by the Appellate Court. In a related case, the state has the ability to file an employer petition to transfer PEF titles into management-confidential positions. This may be done once during a contract period. In previous years and on rare occasions, the state has done so, and it selected only a few titles for very specific reasons. But in December, the state filed a new unit determination petition requesting 2,500 positions, including the 256, be classified as management-confidential. PEF was notified in late December PERB will not process GOER’s request until GOER provides a statement for each individual position and how the job duties form the basis for a managerial or confidential status. PEF President Susan M. Kent said the union is pleased with PERB’s quick action. “To comply with PERB’s rules, GOER has to, once again, notify all the 2,500 affected members. If a new application is filed, it would be different from the first one and PEF would take the position that members need to be notified again. This shows PERB is firm in holding GOER to the employer’s application requirement and must contain more than a mere conclusory statement that positions, which have been in PEF for decades, should now be management-confidential. “Be assured, we stand ready to fight for these positions that we strongly believe belong in PEF,” Kent said. For updates on the unit determination issue, visit the PEF website and PEF’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Page 6 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/susankentpef twitter.com/nyspef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 We must work together to clear state budget, contract hurdles the Civil Service process. In his combined State of the State and Executive Budget message, the governor spoke about the billions of dollars in settlement funds the state has received and how he has earmarked KENT the money. PEF members were directly responsible for bringing that $5.4 billion to New York. We believe the governor and the Legislature should recognize the value of the work done by the professional workers represented by PEF in securing the settlement by ensuring funds from the windfall are reinvested, in part, in state agencies to maintain and improve public services in all New York communities. We will fight the expansion of “DesignBuild” with every tool we have. Design-Build, using one contractor to design, build and inspect a project, is just bad public policy and we’ll be working hard with our union partners to fight the expansion of Design-Build. These are just some of the issues we will be dealing with this budget season. Moving forward from budget fights to contract negotiations, it will be more important than ever for us to maximize the clout of our union membership. We have included in this issue of The Communicator profiles of our contract team members so you can get to know the PEF folks who are working very hard with just one goal in mind: getting the contract we deserve. I will continue to do what I’ve always done, and that is advocating for our members and speaking out on issues important to you at every opportunity. For your part, it’s simple. Get involved and stay involved. Working together and speaking with one voice can only lead us to success! Presidents Message By SUSAN M. KENT Last year was a challenging year for PEF in many ways and I thank you for your effort, energy, resilience and commitment to your union. We start this new year together with clarity, determination and a renewed commitment to work together for a fair budget and for the contract we deserve. I want to let you know we have some real problems with Gov. Cuomo’s state 2015-16 budget proposal. First, it includes no funding increases for state agencies. With agency budgets remaining flat, understaffing will continue and needed public services in communities will decline. At the same time, he is talking about adding temporary workers in both the Department of Health and the Office of Information Technology Services. We must continue to show there is no need to bring in temporary workers under the guise of “special skills,” as our members can do those jobs and should be doing those jobs. While the nature of work can change, that should not be used as justification for the state to bring in temporary workers, which only serves to threaten our members’ job security, impede job advancement and undermine NEW YEAR’S EVE ACTIVISTS — PEF President Susan M. Kent and other union leaders join educators from around the state outside the The Executive Mansion on New Year’s Eve to stand together against attacks on public education and teachers. The demonstration coincided with the governor’s annual New Year’s Eve open house. — Photos by Paul Seeger www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 7 Meet PEF’s PS&T Contract Team By SHERRY HALBROOK As time runs out on the 2011-15 PS&T contract that expires April 1, the union’s team for negotiating a successor agreement is completing its training and developing its bargaining demands and strategy. The team is also reviewing how the existing contract language has been interpreted and is reviewing problems and issues raised by members. “I am very proud of this contract team, its members and our professional negotiators. I am confident in their ability to negotiate a fair agreement that will preserve and advance the rights and needs of our members,” said PEF President Susan M. Kent. Lead negotiators PEF’s directors of labor relations and contract administration are the chief negotiators for the union and bring many years of experience and training to that role. The team also will be assisted by highly experienced staff from those and other departments as needed. • Jim Hair is PEF director of labor relations. He joined PEF staff as a field representative after 12 years of service with the state where he led the PEF division at Capital District Psychiatric Center. He brings many years of experience, activism and leadership with locals of the HAIR International Union of Electrical Workers, the Civil Service Employees Association, and the United Steelworkers, as well as PEF. Hair has 20 years of experience as a PEF field representative and has been director of labor relations since 2012. “I’ve always been a union man,” Hair said. “I’ve always represented workers.” • Elizabeth Hough is PEF’s director of contract administration where she is responsible for central administration of the PS&T contract and for contract negotiations, along with the PEF director of labor relations. Hough is an HOUGH Page 8 — The Communicator February 2015 attorney with 30 years of experience serving on contract negotiating teams for PEF and other unions, including locals of the United Steelworkers, United Auto Workers and the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees. She has 20 years experience in PEF’s Contract Administration Department and has been deeply involved in every round of PS&T Unit negotiations since 1995. (The current PS&T contract that expires April 1, 2015, is the fifth such agreement.) Hough also is involved in negotiations of contracts for bargaining units of non-state workers represented by PEF. Contract team members The 17 members of the team also bring a broad array of experience and insights to the process. PEF members of the contract team are: • Wayne Bayer is a PEF vice president and an environmental program specialist 2 at the state Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany. A longtime labor activist in PEF Region 8, he is a steward of PEF Division 169 in Region 8. He is a member of the PEF Executive Council and BAYER Executive Board. He chairs PEF’s Political Action Committee and serves on the Political Action Advisory on Executive Committee. Bayer has been a state employee for approximately 34 years. As an executive assistant to PEF’s second president, Betty Hoke, Bayer worked with the PS&T Contract Team during her administration. “As a shop steward, I primarily focused on certain contract articles for representing members and their grievances. Now, I’m also getting an indepth appreciation of the contract directly relevant to the institutional employees and parole officers,” Bayer said. “I feel it’s not only important to take care of longtime PS&T employees in this contract, but also the newer and future employees.” Bayer said the working standards, wages and benefits in contracts such as PEF’s are important to all workers because they influence these standards in the competitive labor market. twitter.com/nyspef “Unions and workers’ rights have been under attack and demonized by opportunistic politicians and the news media,” Bayer said. “We in the labor movement are, in practice, ‘the People’s Defense Department.’” • Doug Begent is a teaching and research center nurse 3, at NYS Stony Brook University Hospital on Long Island in Region 12. With 33 years of state service, he is a member of the PEF Executive Board and a steward and member mobilizer in PEF Division 225. He serves on BEGENT the PS&T Contract Article 44 Committee on Nursing and Institutional Issues and also serves on the PEF and SUNY Joint Labor-Management Committee. Begent said he is stimulated by the challenge of serving on the contract team and feels he brings a good understanding of the needs of nurses and health care workers, particularly at Stony Brook and downstate regions, to the negotiations. • Ron Brown is a PEF trustee and works as a dairy products specialist 1 at the state Department of Agriculture and Markets in Utica, PEF Region 6. He is assistant council leader and a steward of PEF Division 275 and serves on the PEF Executive BROWN Council, Executive Board, Political Action Committee and the joint labor-management committee at his agency. With 32 years of state service, Brown said, “I was excited to have the opportunity to serve on our PS&T Contract Team. We have a lot of smart people on our team.” • Christopher Buman is a labor services representative (program specialist) trainee 2, disabled veterans outreach, for the Labor Department in PEF Region 1, western New York. BUMAN twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 He is a steward and the council leader of PEF Division 221 and a member of the PEF Veterans Committee. With two years of state service, he has already been a council leader for a year. A former Marine, he is a disabled veteran. Buman’s experience as a former temporary hourly worker in the PS&T Unit, brings an additional dimension of understanding and insights to the team. • Cathy Coty is a teacher 4 at Marcy Correctional Facility in PEF Region 6. She is a member of the PEF Executive Board and member of Division 375. She has served in every position at the local level during her service at the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Coty also serves COTY on the PEF LaborManagement Committee. Coty has 25 years of state service and began her PEF activism almost as soon as she became a member. Coty describes herself as a “no-nonsense kind of person,” who was encouraged by other PEF members on the statewide labor-management committee to accept the invitation to serve on the contract team. • Amy DeMarco is a research scientist 2 at the state Health Department in Albany. With 10 years of state service, she is a member of the PEF Executive Board, and a steward in Division 205. She serves on the PS&T Contract Article 19 Joint Committee on Parking and on the Joint Labor-Management Committee at DOH. “I felt really proud and honored when DEMARCO they asked me to join the contract team,” DeMarco said. “It’s an opportunity to express my commitment to my fellow workers in the most important way. I will not take collective bargaining for granted. I want to ‘pay it forward’ for all of our members the way our parents and grandparents have done for us.” • Steve Geyer is an engineer in charge at the state Transportation Department in PEF Region 8. He has 29 years of state service. Geyer serves on the PEF Executive Board and is council leader and www.pef.org a steward of Division 172. He also is a member of the Joint Labor-Management Committee at DOT. Geyer said he wants to help the contract team “achieve a contract that is fair and equitable and that represents the hard work, dedication and GEYER professionalism put forth by our members on a daily basis. I am also here to ensure my DOT brothers and sisters have a voice in this negotiation process.” • Kenneth Johnson is a claims services representative 1 at the state Insurance Fund (SIF) in New York City, PEF Region 10, where he has worked for the last 28 years. He is a trustee of PEF and a steward and the council leader of Division 240. Johnson serves on the PEF Executive Board and Executive JOHNSON Council, the Political Action Advisory Committee, the Political Action Committee, the SIF Joint LaborManagement Committee and the PEFGOER Joint Health and Safety Committee. “When I was asked to serve on the contract team, I jumped on it,” Johnson said. “I’ve been told I’m a voice of reason and a good negotiator. There’s a level of calm you must have, a level of focus and direction that comes with having a plan to achieve what we set out to do. I definitely want to get an equitable agreement.” • Maureen Kellman, who chairs the PS&T Contract Team, is an associate actuary for the state Department of Financial Services in New York City. A PEF Region 10 member with 24 years of state service, she is a PEF trustee and serves on the PEF Executive Board and Executive Council. She is a steward of Division 260. She also serves on the PEF KELLMAN Women’s Committee. “I felt honored to be asked to chair our contract team,” Kellman said. “As a rule, I’m a humble, but fearless person. Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation I feel my greatest strengths are that I’m level-headed, and a good tactician and strategist.” • Mike Kinley is a supervising professional conduct investigator at the state Education Department (SED) in Albany, PEF Region 8. He is a member of the PEF Executive Board and a steward and the council leader of Division 349. In addition, he was a member of the 2014 PEF Convention Credentials Committee KINLEY and serves on the PEF Ethics Committee and the PEF Divisions Committee. Kinley has 32 years of state service, split between SED and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. “I’m looking at this being my last state contract before I retire,” Kinley said. “I feel this is something I must do. My experience might be valuable to the team. It’s not just about getting the money for members, but also in trying to strengthen things in the contract to help employees in the future. “We need to show governors now and in the future they can’t always expect employees to give and never take anything back. There’s a certain tipping point. There has to be more substance than just a pat on the back.” • Prakash Lal is an information technology specialist 4 at the state Office of Information Technology Services in the Capital District, PEF Region 8. He was a delegate to the 2014 PEF Convention, representing PEF Division 357. He has 16 years of state service, beginning at the state Insurance Fund, moving to the Office of Mental Health LAL and then to the Office for Technology which has morphed into the Office of Information Technology Services. Lal said he is “happy to be on the contract team and to have this opportunity to get something good for our members.” (Continued on next page) The Communicator February 2015 — Page 9 (Continued from previous page) • Victor Antonio (Tony) Perez is a parole revocation specialist 1 at the state Department of Corrections and Community Services in New York City, PEF Region 10. He has 25 years of state service and is a member of the PEF Executive Board. He is PEF chair of the Joint Labor-Management Committee at DOCCS. PEREZ He is a steward and the council leader of PEF Division 236. He also is a vice president of the Hispanic Committee of PEF. Perez said he has always liked to work behind the scenes to resolve issues and organize members. He hopes the contract negotiations will provide another opportunity to address issues and improve working conditions for PEF members in parole services and throughout state service. • Barbara Rock is a community mental health nurse at Buffalo Psychiatric Center in PEF Region 1. She is a member of the PEF Executive Board and a steward and the council leader of PEF Division 180. She chairs the PEF Nurses Committee. She was a member of the 2014 PEF Convention Committee. Rock, who has 35 ROCK years of state service, said she has reached a point in her career where it is easier for her to take on the responsibility of serving on the team than it would be for younger members with family obligations. “I think the younger and future members and leaders of PEF need strong representation,” Rock said. • Ron Sampath is a child protective services specialist 2 at the state Office of Children and Family Services in the Capital District, PEF Region 8. He is a member of the PEF Executive Board and a steward and the council leader of Division 234. He also is a member of the joint Health and Safety Committee. Sampath, who said SAMPATH he grew up in “a labor Page 10 — The Communicator February 2015 family” has 12 years of state service and has been active in PEF for most of that time. “I followed the negotiation of our current PS&T contract as closely as I could, and I am very impressed with the knowledge PEF staff are bringing us of how the state has responded to our issues in the past negotiations,” Sampath said. • Sametta Shaw-Lipiec is a physical therapy assistant 2 at the Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office in PEF Region 6. With 18 years of state service, she has been active in the union about five years and serves on the PEF Executive Board. She also is a steward and the council leader SHAW-LIPIEC of Division 189, and serves on the Joint Labor-Management Committee at her agency. Shaw-Lipiec said she felt both privileged and a bit nervous when she was chosen to serve on the contract team and try to represent 54,000 workers at 50 state agencies and in 2,000 job titles. “I’m impressed by the diversity of our team both regionally and in terms of job titles,” she said. • Vivian Street is a developmental disabilities program specialist 2 at Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office in PEF Region 9 where she is the PEF regional coordinator. Street also is a steward of Division 276 and she serves on the PEF Executive Council, the Joint PEF-NYS Governor’s Office of STREET Employee Relations Committee on Special Assignments, the Joint Labor-Management Committee at the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the PEF Political Action Committee, the PEF Special Assignment to Duty Pay Committee and the PEF Special Elections Committee. After 38 years of state service and taking an active role in the union from its early years, Street said she sees her service on the contract team “as a final, parting gift in terms of what I can do for PEF members.” Street said, “I commend the PEF members on my team at Rockland Community Support and the PEF Region 9 staff who are all stepping up to help me there because they understand and appreciate the importance of what I’m doing here.” • Barbara Ulmer is a PEF vice president and a tax technician 2, corporations at the state Department of Taxation and Finance in PEF Region 8. Ulmer has nearly 30 years of state service, including time at the Thruway Authority and at SED, before moving to Taxation and Finance. Ulmer serves on ULMER the PEF Executive Board and is a steward of Division 190. She chairs the PEF Convention Committee and the PEF Women’s Committee. As convention chair, Ulmer has experience negotiating contracts with vendors. “I’m eager to get the negotiations started,” Ulmer said. “I’m optimistic we can get a good agreement for our members. The state’s in a different financial position than it was four years ago. We’ve ‘paid our dues,’ and we also have a very good negotiating team, so I’m optimistic.” _________________ If you have not already submitted your comments or concerns about the contract, send them to 2015contract@ pef.org. All comments will be submitted to the contract team for its review and consideration. Coming To A Region Near You! The PS&T Contract team — Uniting together to fight for the contract we deserve! PEF Members: Stay informed about the PS&T Contract negotiations! • www.pef.org • twitter.com/susankentpef twitter.com/nyspef • twitter.com/nyspef • facebook.com/publicemployeesfederation twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 PEF Board holds December meeting By SHERRY HALBROOK The PEF Executive Board dealt with several important issues at its meeting December 4 and 5 in Albany. Before the meeting agenda was adopted, the board debated the president’s and secretary-treasurer’s decision to allow its proceedings to be video recorded by PEF staff for posting on the members-only section of the union’s website. The board voted to not allow such recordings. Following a debate held in executive (private) session, the board voted 95-0 to approve a four-year contract with PEF staff, who are represented by United Steelworkers Local 9265. The agreement, which had already been ratified by the employees, is from July 1, 2011, when the previous contract expired, through June 30, 2015. The pact, which affects more than 100 employees at 13 PEF offices throughout the state, provides across-the-board pay raises of: 0.5 percent for the 2011-12 and 201213 contract years; 1 percent for 2013-14 and 2 percent for 2014-15. This broke PEF’s previous pattern of mirroring the state contract with regard to across-theboard raises. Other provisions include maintaining no premium contribution from staff for health insurance, but slight increases for co-pays and quantity limits for some prescription drugs. Also, the pay scale for field representatives is increased, and they must now provide a broader scope of services for PEF members. Additionally, processes and procedures for mileage reporting were agreed to for staff who receive car allowances. In a public statement after the meeting, PEF President Susan M. Kent acknowledged the contributions from the members of both negotiating teams, saying both sides worked diligently during this lengthy process. “The Executive Board overwhelmingly agrees this is a fair contract between PEF and USW,” Kent said. “As the president of a union, I am proud of this contract which recognizes the value of the USW staff while giving PEF the accountability we need for our members. “As PEF prepares to negotiate with the state in 2015, this agreement also serves as an example that employees can be valued in any economic climate, as this contract covers a time period during which PEF members were offered zeroes in their www.pef.org NEW E BOARD MEMBERS – New members of the PEF Executive Board take the oath of office at the board’s December meeting in Albany. They are Barrington Scott, Kashani Ratnayake, Tony Nuciforo, Nick Diehl and Kay Wilkie. — Photo by Sherry Halbrook contract. This administration is pleased to finalize this pact with USW and is devoted to fighting for the contract PEF-represented members deserve,” Kent said. USW Local 9265 President Bob Beckwith said, “While negotiations were long and difficult, it was the solidarity demonstrated by USW members that led to a fair contract. This allows us to move forward to continue to fight for the rights, benefits and safety of PEF members.” In an unusual departure from PEF history, the board chose to not act on an adjustment to pay and benefits for the union’s management/confidential staff, leaving an inequity among the PEF staff in terms of pay and benefits. Organizing new members The president outlined many important issues with which the union is dealing, including some that threaten the jobs of PEF members. Privatization and increased contracting with private organizations for state services continues to be a major threat, Kent said. One way, PEF can counter this challenge, she said, is by organizing the employees of those private organizations and bringing them into PEF. “We’ve been looking at some groups of employees who want to be part of PEF,” Kent said. “The workers want better education and training, and they want dueprocess protections. I ask your support for organizing these workers.” One board member said she wanted to help the workers, but feared they would take away the jobs of current PEF members. Kent said the union will fight to protect the jobs of its current members. “It’s a far better position if PEF Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation represents workers in non-state settings as well,” Kent said. “If we are all one union, we can speak with one voice.” After hearing the details of one of these organizing efforts from PEF Director of Organizing Joel LeFevre and one of his staff, and debating the issue, the board members voted unanimously to support the project. More information about this campaign will be made public when the effort is more advanced. PEF Secretary-Treasurer Carlos J. Garcia told the board members that currently PEF is representing approximately 3,000 bargaining unit members who have not signed and submitted PEF membership cards. “You should be asking new employees to join PEF,” he said. Fighting for members Kent reported on testimony she was giving at legislative hearings, media interviews and efforts to alert New York’s representatives in Washington about threats to New York state services. The president said she is focusing attention and resources on exposing the pitfalls of using design-build contracts for highway, bridge and other government construction projects. Instead of relying on state employees, this process invites “mega” contractors to submit a single bid on doing every part of a public project from initial design, engineering, and architecture, to the construction and inspection. The process, she said, shuts out both state employees and local, small companies and often gives the work to out-of-state businesses. It also greatly reduces state oversight and accountability. Contrary to what design-build supporters (Continued on next page) The Communicator February 2015 — Page 11 (Continued from previous page) may say, Kent said it can end up costing New York taxpayers more. “We are using every tool in our arsenal to fight this threat,” Kent said. She also talked about how cuts in federal funding are threatening jobs at the state Labor Department (DOL) and other state agencies. After her meeting with his staff, Sen. Charles Schumer helped head off some layoffs at the DOL, “but now there is a new threat.” Kent said she also has helped PEF leaders at the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities press that agency to do more to help PS&T employees who are being displaced by the closing of some facilities and programs. “Each state agency needs to be pressured with regard to starting the ARTL (Agency Reduction Transfer List) process earlier,” Kent said. “It should be used as soon as possible.” She cited specific problems at O.D. Heck Developmental Center in Schenectady where employees received letters from the facility about job placements, but the facility’s commitment to that notification is now in question. “We must be hand-in-glove on all of these issues. We can’t work alone. Everybody needs to know what’s going on,” she said. Kent encouraged board members and PEF divisions whose members are experiencing problems with the state’s new Justice Center to work with their PEF field representative. The president said PEF is closely monitoring civil service issues relating to the state’s “Fellows” program. While the union cannot expect to win every battle, she said, it does intend to fight for fairness and to protect its members and the public services they provide. “We must be a militant, purpose-driven union,” Kent urged. “We cannot gauge what we do by saying, ‘If we’re not sure we’re going to win, we’re not going to do it.’ Union work is never done. We must work together to build internal union strength.” She also reported that Dr. Fred Hyde, who was paid by the American Federation of Teachers to provide strategies for solving Downstate Medical Center’s financial issues, is now helping PEF members at Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport who are in contract negotiations with that facility. Preserving employees’ definedbenefit pensions is a major sticking point, she said. In addition, Kent reported on contract negotiations for PEF members who work Page 12 — The Communicator February 2015 for Alleghany County where management proposed dramatic shifts in health care costs. “All of the resources of this union will be put to work on behalf of our smaller and larger bargaining units in contract talks,” Kent said. When a board member reported a state agency is not backfilling vacancies until it has gone through a “certain number of lean management exercises,” and the agency is using that process to create more opportunities for giving the work to private contractors, Kent urged PEF leaders to bring such issues to their PEF field representatives and “put it on your labormanagement committee agendas.” A regional coordinator said he sees agencies increasing workload and using that as an excuse to hire more contractors if state employees can’t keep up. Appeal to ethics ruling The board heard evidence and then debated an appeal to a ruling by a PEF ethics hearing panel relating to the use of a PEF purchase card by the council leader of a PEF division. The same individual also serves on the Executive Board and as a regional political action committee chair. The hearing panel had ordered the council leader to reimburse PEF for any charges to the card that could not be sufficiently substantiated as legitimate division expenses as she had been instructed to do by the secretary-treasurer six months earlier. The legitimacy of some charges was difficult to verify because, when the use of PEF purchase cards was introduced in 2009, PEF did not institute a policy requiring detailed receipts for purchases made with the cards. The board heard testimony from the council leader and from members of the affected division, and then debated how to address the issue. The board voted 80-19 to find the council leader, Debbie Lee, guilty of violating provision 10 of the PEF Code of Ethics which states: “10. No elected official shall engage in corrupt or unethical practices by taking money, books, records or other property belonging to PEF or its divisions. The unauthorized destruction; alteration; or mutilation of records, vouchers, or receipts will constitute a violation of this code.” The board banned Lee from PEF membership for a minimum of three years. After that, she may petition the board for permission to rejoin the union. Kent said the American Federation of Teachers, which is one of PEF’s two twitter.com/nyspef international union affiliates, has agreed to conduct a forensic audit of these division financial records. Financial protections The responsibility for protecting the integrity of division finances starts with the members and stewards of those divisions, PEF Secretary-Treasurer Carlos J. Garcia said. Garcia announced he was notifying all officers of PEF divisions and other PEF officials they must retain detailed receipts for all expenditures of union monies. He emphasized how important it is for PEF divisions and regions to comply with all of the financial reports, record-keeping and audit requirements of the union and of federal labor law and regulations. Garcia said a division’s steward council is responsible for auditing the division’s financial records and submitting those audit reports to PEF. “We’ve received audits from 166 of PEF’s 223 divisions. That’s 74.4 percent compliance,” he reported. Garcia said, effective January 15, he will completely eliminate the use of purchase cards by PEF divisions and require them to use checks for their financial transactions. The PEF constitution requires the signatures of two officers for each expenditure. Some board members said it is difficult to recruit members to hold division office and to serve on division committees. They also said it can be difficult for PEF divisions to get the two required signatures if the divisions cover members in most or all of the state and the officers whose signatures are required live and work hundreds of miles apart. They also reported their PEF division checks are sometimes rejected by merchants because the division’s address and contact information are not printed on the checks. In a response to a request that he defer eliminating the use of purchase cards until better controls could be instituted, Garcia said, “We have internal controls, but people are not in compliance. “In addition, there is no way to comply with the constitutional requirement of a two-person sign-off prior to expending funds with a PEF bank card.” The board then approved a motion to delay Garcia’s intended elimination of the bank cards until he is able to do research to determine if the card could be continued while still maintaining constitutional compliance. The board approved a request from Garcia that it reimburse Region 9 Coordinator Vivian Street for two days of accrued leave she lost while doing PEF twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 PEF mourns longtime Reg. 9 leader Neila Cardus By SHERRY HALBROOK Many PEF members and retirees were shocked and saddened in late January to learn of the death of former Region 9 Coordinator Cornelia E. (Neila) Cardus. Cardus, 66, died peacefully at her home in Millbrook January 24. She is survived by her son Michael Cardus and his wife and children, who live in Buffalo, and by her daughter Alyssa Cardus, of Millbrook. A founding member of PEF, she retired in the fall of 2009 from the regional coordinator post she had held for 24 years. She retired from state service after 32 years working for the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (now called the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities), at Wassaic Developmental Center (now the Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office), where she was council leader of PEF division 248 and was elected to the PEF Executive Board before becoming regional coordinator. Cardus’ dynamic style and passion for the union, for Region 9 members and for the public they serve made a strong impression on many people. “She did a good job, which was attested to by all of the times she was re-elected. Neila always wanted the best for her region and for the people in her region,” recalled PEF’s third president, Rand Condell. “We didn’t always agree, but disagreement was fine with her. There was never any malice involved.” “Neila’s the one who got me involved business, because the state would not allow her to claim employee organizational leave for that time. Division election appeals The board also heard an appeal to the decision of the PEF Divisions Committee in the election of a division council leader. The nominating petitions of one of the two candidates were rejected because they were submitted through the regional PEF office rather than directly to PEF headquarters as required. The PEF Divisions Committee found the candidate should have been told her petitions were invalid so she could submit others. The committee ruled the office of council leader should be vacated and the election should be run again. The council leader who had been seated as the only certified candidate, appealed that decision to the Executive Board. During the board’s discussion, www.pef.org in PEF,” said Vivian Street, who has been Region 9 coordinator since Cardus retired. “She also got me involved in the Black Caucus of PEF and the PEF Women’s Committee. She introduced me to a broader union perspective beyond my CARDUS workplace. “Neila was totally committed to PEF,” Street said. “She was such a good advocate and cared so much about the members. She would go to great lengths and would do whatever she had to do to support the cause and the union.” Former PEF Executive Board member and now a Region 9 field representative, Ron Greene became a close friend to Neila and her family. Now an ordained minister, he conducted the memorial service for Neila’s husband, Jim, when he died several years ago. Greene said he was working for the NYS Division for Youth (now the Office for Children and Family Services) at its Highland Center when federal funding for it was threatened and the DFY announced it would close the center. “I led a letter-writing campaign to save the facility,” Greene said, “and when Neila heard about it, she said, ‘Who is this guy? We’ve got to get him involved in PEF!’ “I was just a member doing what I had to do,” Greene said, “but Neila got me to run for council leader of PEF Division 270, then for the Executive Board and then she convinced me to become the Region 9 Political Action Committee chair. That’s how she could draw you in over a period of years and just keep getting you more involved.” Greene gave Cardus high marks for her skill in building support for PEF and its issues in the state Legislature and in Congress. “When it came to working with politicians, Neila was the best. President Bill Clinton is the only person I ever saw who was better than Neila at working a room full of politicians. She would go up to every person and know them by name and start talking to them about things important to them. She really knew how to bring people together.” Sara Dempsey is another PEF Region 9 field representative and she, too, credits Cardus for changing her life. “I started out as a secretary from a temp agency,” Dempsey said. “Neila is the one who gave me the idea that I could become a field rep. She fought for me to get this position. She was amazing and a real force to be reckoned with. She had a firm handle on every situation she encountered. I learned so much from her. I learned how to do this job and how to really care about the people I serve. She saw something in me, I didn’t even see in myself until she brought it out in me. “Above all, Neila loved her family and her members. I will miss her.” information was provided that there is no process in place to notify candidates during the election period who have submitted an invalid petition. The board voted to order a new election. In a separate appeal regarding steward elections in Division 373, the board overturned the Division Committee’s decision. The election will be held again. members for each seat. The information was supplied to them and they filed a petition requesting the opportunity to caucus and do the apportionment again. The delegates caucused again October 1, the final day of the convention. The apportionment published in the DecemberJanuary issue of The Communicator with the rules for the 2015 triennial elections was the result of the second caucus. That apportionment was challenged by a board member from Taxation and Finance in Region 8. After hearing from witnesses and debating the issue, the board voted to uphold the first apportionment. However, Kent said that decision created a “constitutional crisis” because the PEF constitution specifically states the delegates must decide how to apportion representation of members, not the Executive Board. Board apportionment The board debated how to deal with an issue regarding how constituencies were apportioned at the PEF convention for Executive Board representation of members at the state Department of Taxation and Finance. The delegates from that agency caucused Monday, September 29, to apportion their board seats. However, the next day (Tuesday), several of the delegates went to PEF statewide officers and protested that they were denied information about the number of Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 13 A message from PEF Retirees President Jim Carr Retirees in action Watch out for dirty, dark-of-night deals As I reflect on the past year and contemplate this new year, I think of Faith Hallock, the founder and first president of our PEF Retirees Chapter 2 in Elmira and the Southern Tier. She was not only the founder of Chapter 2, she was a true activist who fought for the rights of women, workers and senior citizens. Faith gave integrity to the word activist because she was an effective one who always had sincere intentions and knew how to get results. Some of you “old timers” may remember Faith because she was the first woman parole officer in the state and she was never shy about speaking her mind. I remember one time when I was PEF Region 2 coordinator and we were holding our legislative reception. Faith pulled me aside and gave me some blunt advice that still rings true today. She said, “You’ve got to watch these bastards because they will pass a bill in the dark of night to screw you over!” Her words rang in my years as I read about the 201415 federal budget that passed and contains a lot of non-budgetrelated policy riders done mostly in the dark of night behind closed doors. The Kline-Miller amendment to the Consolidated Further Continuing CARR Appropriations Act of 2015 is one of them. It allows the firstever cuts to vested pension benefits. A publication of the AARP (American Association of Retired People) warns: “Secret Attack Holds Consequences for Over 100,000 Retirees – New York Pension Cuts? What’s at stake in Congress’ Backroom Pension Deal?” This move is really a hit to New Yorkers already living on very modest incomes. In some cases, retirees in New York could see their combined Social Security and pension income slashed by 21 percent. Elections have consequences and we are beginning to see them in the terrible non-budget-related riders stuffed into the federal budget bills. The political rhetoric is meant to pit young against old, private worker against public worker, union worker against non-union worker. We need to stand together and demand a secure, dignified retirement for all! May my mentor and friend Faith rest in peace knowing I am still watching the b@*#*#*s and need your help to try to keep them honest. Retiring or Retired? Join PEF Retirees now! Membership equals benefits. Contact PEF Retirees at 800-342-4306, x289 or [email protected] DON’T DROP NYSHIP AT 65! STATE CELL RATES ONLY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES Aflac Accident Insurance helps ensure your finances aren’t caught off guard, too. Aflac Accident insurance policies help with unexpected bills and out-of-pocket expenses that can result from an accidental injury. And the benefits can be used to help with things major medical doesn’t cover. For a covered accident here’s how we can help: Your enrollment is going on now. • $1000 initial accident hospitalization for a covered accident • $125 for appliances like crutches and wheelchairs • No deductibles or copayments In New York, policies NYR35100, NYR35200. NYR35300, NYR35400, NY35B24, NY3BOF, NYR35500, NYR35600, NYR35700, NYR35800, NY35W24, NY35WOF. This is a brief product overview only. The policy has limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. Refer to the policy for complete details, limitations, and exclusions. • For more information, visit aflac.com/nyspef. • Apply face-to-face or by calling 1.877.433.4816. • Available to actively working members only. • This is not disability insurance. For more information, contact Sember Miller at 518.915.9191 or email at [email protected]. MMC14071 In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211 | aflac.com Page 14 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef 5/14 PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 Retirees Action appreciates PEF’s backing Spinal CordInSociety PEF was among the supporters of the 30th Annual Spinal Cord Society’s celebration held in Albany in late October. Approximately 130 people attended the event including PEF President Susan M. Kent who is a member of the Honorary Committee. The Capital District Chapter of the Spinal Cord Society is comprised of volunteers who work together to help strengthen the research fund and find a cure. Paul Richter, chairman of special events for the society, said a spinal cord injury affects a person for a lifetime. “This has been a neglected area of research,” Richter said. “Many CARRof the injuries are sustained by people age 17 to 30, and they are paralyzed for life. They have diving and motorcycle accidents, but the majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Often their injuries affect internal organs. Currently, there is no known cure for spinal cord injury paralysis.” “This event, which PEF has been a part of for 30 years, is a very unique and rewarding experience,” Kent said. “Along A message from PEF Retirees President Jim Carr Retirees headline to go here HOPING FOR A CURE – PEF Vice President Wayne Bayer, President Susan M. Kent, Paul Richter, Vice President Barbara Ulmer, Secretary-Treasurer Carlos J. Garcia and Gustavo Santos pose for a photo at the Annual Spinal Cord Society’s fundraiser. — Photo by Paulsen Photography with the supporters of the society, those affected by spinal cord injuries also attend. It is a way for people with similar injuries to connect, and for us to realize how much more awareness is needed.” Richter said the society is thankful for PEF’s long-time support and its loyalty. — Deborah A. Miles MEMBERS MORTGAGE CORP. “NO FEES” Mortgage Loan Program Since 1999... Lender finance fees, title insurance fees, recording fees, NYS mortgage tax, bank attorney, escrow deposits & short interest are applicable on all NYS loans. We are a Union Only Service Provider! Members Mortgage Loan Fees: Application Fee Appraisal Fee Processing Fee Credit Report Fee $0 $0* $0 $0 No Borrower paid Points to us No Borrower paid Broker fees We are the Largest Originator of Union member mortgages!! $0 $0 Rates are in the 4’s!! 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They each received food baskets, and toys, games, cloths, linens, even table-top Christmas trees. PEF President Susan M. Kent said this 24-year tradition illustrates how PEFrepresented parole officers are an example of how dedicated PEF members are to their communities. “This annual event has a significant and positive effect on the recipients,” Kent said. “It shows how encouragement and support can help make a difference in someone’s life. It also is a shining example of how members use their own time to enhance their public service.” Walter Jones, a parolee who was invited to pick up gifts for his six grandchildren who live with him, was overwhelmed. “This is really incredible,” Jones said. “Without this, the children wouldn’t have much of a Christmas. I was told you have to stay strong and have faith. This is an answer to a prayer.” HAPPY HOLIDAYS — Children and family members of deserving parolees receive gifts wrapped by parole officers and other volunteers at PEF HQ. (Above) One parolee explained his delight to a FOX TV reporter. — Photos by Deborah A. Miles Susan Jeffords, a parole revocation specialist and the event’s organizer, added, “It makes a big difference when someone is trying to succeed at a new life, and receives kindness JEFFORDS from others. This event helps deserving parolees and their families realize people care and want to help them succeed in turning their lives around.” The gifts, toys and cash contributions were made by PEF, parole officers, Albany County’s Public Defender’s Office and Alternative Defenders Office, Kindlon, Shanks and Associates, and staff from the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. — Deborah A. Miles The Best Value in Wireless. The Sprint Family Share Pack is the perfect plan for your data hungry family. Get 20GB of data to share on up to 10 lines when you switch to Sprint. Plus, save with the Sprint Discount Program. Visit a Sprint Store or sprint.com/save. 19% Discount for employees of NYS Applies to select regularly priced Sprint monthly data service. Mention this code for the Sprint Discount Program. Corporate ID: GASNY_ZZZ Activ. Fee: $36/line. Credit approval required. Plan: Offer ends 3/12/2015. No discounts apply to access charges. Includes 20GB of on-network shared data usage, 100MB off-network data usage and unlimited domestic Long Distance calling and texting. Int’l svcs are not included. Max of 10 phone/tablet/MBB lines. SDP Discount: Avail. for eligible company employees or org. members (ongoing verification). Discount subject to change according to the company’s/org’s agreement with Sprint and is avail. upon request for select monthly svc charges. Discount only applies to data service for Sprint Family Share Pack. Not avail. with no credit check offers or Mobile Hotspot add-on. Other Terms: Offers and coverage not available everywhere or for all phones/networks. Restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com for details. © 2015 Sprint. All rights reserved. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. Other marks are the property of their respective owners. N155013CA MV1234567 Page 16 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 YOUR VISION BENEFITS JUST GOT BETTER. USE YOUR VISION INSURANCE AND GET 50 % OFF A SECOND PAIR OF GLASSES Savings is off a complete pair of frames and lenses. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Both pairs must be ordered at time of initial transaction. Some restrictions apply. See store for details. Find more than a great pair of glasses. Find a better you. For locations visit visionworks.com www.pef.org We Accept Many Insurance Plans, including Davis Vision Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 17 BRINGING GOOD CHEER – PEF Vice President Barbara Ulmer and PEF retiree Oji Reed present a check to St. Margaret’s Center in Albany. The event coincided with a run by a state motorcycle club, comprised of parole and police officers, called the Renegade Pigs of New York. Santa also visited the children at St. Margaret’s. — Photos by Scott Morlock • Local unions must elect their officers by secretballot; international union and intermediate bodies must elect their officers by secret-ballot vote of the members or by delegates chosen by secret ballot. • International unions must hold elections at least every five years, intermediate bodies every four years, and local unions every three years. • Unions must comply with a candidate’s request to distribute campaign material to members at the candidate’s own expense and must also refrain from discriminating against any candidate with respect to the use of membership lists. Candidates have the right to inspect a list containing the names and addresses of members subject to a union security agreement within 30 days prior to the election. • A member in good standing has the right to nominate candidates, to be a candidate subject to reasonable qualifications uniformly imposed, to hold office, and to support and vote for the candidates of the member’s choice. • Unions must mail a notice of election to every member at the member’s last-known home address at least 15 days prior to the election. • A member whose dues have been withheld by an employer may not be declared ineligible to vote or to be a candidate for office by reason of alleged delay or default in the payment of dues. • Unions must conduct regular elections of officers in accordance with their constitution and bylaws and preserve all election records for one year. • Union and employer funds may not be used to promote the candidacy of any candidate. Union funds may be utilized for expenses necessary for the conduct of an election. • Union members may hold a secret-ballot vote to remove from office an elected local union official guilty of serious misconduct if the secretary of labor finds the union constitution and bylaws do not provide adequate procedures for such a removal. • Union members who have exhausted internal union election remedies or who have invoked such remedies without obtaining a final decision within three calendar months after their invocation may file a complaint with the secretary within one calendar month thereafter. • The secretary of labor has authority to file suit in a federal district court to set aside an invalid election and to request the court to order a new election under the supervision of the secretary and in accordance with Title IV. Com Wadin ing to SpRingg RiveR 2015 NO OUT-OF-POCKET! Digital Hearing Aids are available with no out-of-pocket expense for PEF participants. WE SPECIALIZE IN audiological evaluations and advanced digital hearing aids. Nassau County 333 E. Shore Rd, Suite 102 • Manhasset • (516) 466-0206 Nassau County • Manhasset • (516) 466-0206 E. Shore Rd, Suite 102 City 1100 Franklin333 Ave, Suite 300 • Garden • (516) 248-0068 • (516) 248-0068 1100 Ave,• Lake Suite Success 300 • Garden City622-3387 2800 Marcus Ave,Franklin Suite 207 • (516) • Lake Success • (516) 622-3387 2800 Marcus Ave, Suite 4045 Hempstead Tpke, Suite 202 • 207 Bethpage • (516) 396-1017 4045 Hempstead Tpke, Suite 202 • Bethpage • (516) 396-1017 Suffolk County Suffolk County • (631) 238-5785 57 Southern SuiteBlvd, 4 • Nesconset • (631) 238-5785 57Blvd, Southern Suite 4 • Nesconset • (631) 928-4599 640 Belle Terre Rd,J4Building J4 • Port Jefferson 640 Belle Terre Rd, Building • Port Jefferson • (631) 928-4599 • (631) 238-5785 Jericho 203 • Smithtown 994 Jericho994 Tpke, SuiteTpke, 203 •Suite Smithtown • (631) 238-5785 • (631) 332-3274 1111Hwy, Montauk 1111 Montauk Suite Hwy, 201 •Suite West201 Islip• •West (631)Islip 332-3274 Long Island’s Premiere Hearing Health Care Providers Long Island’s Premiere Hearing Health Care Providers EarWorksAudiology.com www.pef.org Page 18 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef The Communicator December 2014 - January 2015 — Page 9 twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 Are you a state employee? Are you struggling with a drug and/or alcohol addiction? Is a family member in WKLV GLɝFXOW SRVLWLRQ" At Solutions Recovery Center, we are here to help. Over the years, we have helped many state workers recover from their addiction, all without spending an arm and a leg to do so. • Participation with all major insurance carriers ȏ 9DULHW\ RI WUHDWPHQW VHUYLFHV LQFOXGLQJ GHWR[LȴFDWLRQ • 30, 60, and 90 day programs With 24/7 help available Calll us 1 (800) 476-1801 Or visit us: www.SolutionsRehab.com We are always here to answer your questions! www.pef.org www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 19 February 2015 The Communicator 13 Shadowing a parole officer Danger lurks behind ever Story and Photos By DEBORAH A. MILES On a rainy and foggy mid-December night, a dimly lit street in Troy became the backdrop for a highly organized pursuit of a parolee who had absconded. Red lights glared off the wet street as six state parole officers and three Troy police officers entered an old row house to serve a warrant and arrest the parolee. Parole Officer Jess Premo was part of the action. “It’s a good thing we had so many officers there,” Premo said. “There is less chance of something going wrong. We had our body armor on and our guns drawn, but we were able to take the parolee into custody without incident.” Premo is one of the younger POs working out of the Albany office. He’s been there eight years and has always been drawn to law enforcement. He doesn’t fit the old stereotype image of a big, burly, tough guy. Instead, he is tall, slender and has piercing steel-blue eyes. He dresses casually in jeans and a jacket, and is straightforward and polite. But he has the grit to deal with very nasty felons. He credits his fellow POs, and said more women are on the force and do an outstanding job. The next morning Less than 12 hours after capturing the absconder, Premo was knocking on a door in another section of Troy to check on a sex offender, “Tim.” His apartment was dark, small and uncluttered. The aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee filled the air as Premo’s eyes scanned the kitchen, looking for anything inappropriate such as a pornography magazine or evidence of drugs. He checked the inside of the refrigerator and looked on top. There was nothing, but Tim had colored his all-gray hair to dark brown. Premo takes out his cell phone and tells Tim to stand still while he takes a photo to update his file. Tim cooperates and poses for a mug shot. He knows the drill without being asked. He stands for a front-view shot, and then turns sideways. Still standing with his arms crossed in front of his chest, Tim starts talking. “Officer Premo was there to pick me when up when I was released from prison around three years ago. He has helped me in many ways. He has been my mentor and guide. He keeps me in check. I realize my freedom and what it takes to stay out here. I’m walking the line. “I’ve had a couple of hiccups when I was unsure of things. But I can always call and Officer Premo tells me what I can’t do and can do. He doesn’t let me get away with anything. He questions me. He’ll give me all the rope I need to hang myself.” Tim laughs. “I have learned from him and others like him to become a better person. That’s why we need role models to help us build better values and morals.” Premo leaves and walks up an old squeaky wooden partially winding staircase and taps on the glass window of another apartment door. “Norman” opens it and looks surprised. The partially bald and overweight man backs up allowing his PO to enter and scan the room. Norman has been out of prison for 13 months and unable to find a job. Along with being a sex offender, his age and arthritic medical condition play a role in his unemployment status. “It’s tough coming out of prison. When I felt frustrated and wanted to beat my head against the wall, I’d call Officer Premo and tell him I am having a tough week. And he stopped in to see me to make sure I’m OK. He helps me in a whole bunch of ways. He went online to find my brother who had passed away,” Norman said. Premo gives the small living area a final check and tells Norman to keep looking for a job. He looks this parolee straight in the eye and says, “I’ll be back.” Sudden violence Parole officers don’t have a standard daily routine. They often mentally plan their day, but when parolees are involved, anything can happen. Early in December, Premo was catching up on detailed and extensive paperwork every parole officer must do. Inside the Albany parole office, one of his parolees tested positive for drugs. He resisted arrest and lunged into the walls. It took multiple POs to take the parolee down to the ground to prevent further injury to him or the staff. Dents mark the walls where the incident took place. A few months prior, another parolee attempted to escape custody and a couple of the POs suffered torn ligaments in their shoulders and fingers from the brawl. Incidents such as these do occur, but not every day. Approximately 50 parole officers work in the Albany office, and meet with parolees on a regular basis. The waiting room is filled to capacity with parolees from 11 counties. Approximately 150 to 200 are questioned and urinetested on the day when they are required to report. Special cases Many POs have more than 100 cases, as the PO workforce has dwindled from 1,000 to fewer than 800. Premo supervises 16 of the state’s 2,300 parolees who were PREMO Page 20 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 ry door convicted of sex crimes. “I have a reduced caseload because the ones I have are more intense and require more supervision. They have committed multiple and all kinds of sex offenses. They are in a SIST (Strict Intensive Supervision and Treatment) program. Their supervision could last a lifetime,” he said. Some of the parolees Premo supervises must wear a GPS ankle bracelet. They have his cell phone number and don’t hesitate to call. On the way to a private sex-offender counseling agency, a parolee calls Premo and asks if he can go to the park to bird watch. Premo listens as the man explains there has been a sighting of a rare bird in his neighborhood. Premo tells him he can’t go. Another parolee calls and asks permission to visit his family for the Christmas holiday. This one is more complicated, and Premo tells the man a plan must be arranged to make sure his nieces and nephew are never alone with him. Arriving at the counseling agency, Premo is greeted with a smile from Sheri Roberts, a therapist. His parolees are required to attend sessions there. Roberts gives him an update. She protects their confidentiality by using their initials. “I’ve been told E.W. is staying overnight at his girlfriend’s house,” Roberts says, knowing that is off-limits. Premo adds that fact to his list, as he takes notes to document every call, tip, visit and problem for his reports. “Most people don’t realize the many facets of our job,” Premo said. “We work closely with the police department and several community organizations. We are involved with re-entry programs to help parolees find housing and transportation as well as placing them in treatment programs. When we take someone into custody, we are involved with the hearing process. “There are many personal rewards when you make a difference in someone’s life. But it is dangerous work and, unfortunately, parole officers do not have IN THE FIELD — PO Jess Premo enters a residence and photographs a paroled sex offender who dyed his hair. the same health benefits as other lawenforcement officers. “The state should realize when we do our job, we are saving the state money. Compare the cost of having a felon being supervised in the community to what it costs to keep him in jail,” Premo said. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision issued a recidivism report in November that stated 9 percent of ex-offenders released in 2010 were sent back to prison based on a new felony conviction within three years of their release. That figure is a record low since monitoring started in 1985, and the report credits the work of parole officers. Premo said, “The main thing is to keep the community safe and prevent another victim. It’s a cool job. I’m happy to do it.” PEF continues parity fight for parole officers While state legislators prepare to address hundreds of bills in 2015, PEF is also revving up its campaign to bring equity to parole officers. In previous years, hundreds of parole officers lobbied for legislation that would make just a part of their benefits equal to those of other lawenforcement officers. “One of our issues is the right to receive full-disability compensation when injured on the job. Presently, parole officers receive only 60 percent of disability compensation, while other law-enforcement personnel receive 100 percent,” said PEF Division 236 Council Leader Tony Perez. “POs put www.pef.org their lives on the line every day, and we work arm-in-arm with all law-enforcement agencies. It is simply reasonable and fair to expect the same compensation when doing the same work and receiving the same injuries in the line of duty. “We also will continue our lobbying efforts for the heart-presumption disability benefit, since parole officers are not allowed to enter service with any type of heart condition. We are working on a new improved bill to introduce to the Legislature,” Perez added. In 2014, PEF parole officers from across the state successfully lobbied the Legislature. The Parole Officer Parity Bill was only one vote short of unanimous support. But it was vetoed by Gov. Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation Andrew Cuomo. PEF President Susan M. Kent said the union is also continuing to challenge the creation of the offender rehabilitation coordinator (ORC) title. The position is a result of the state merging a corrections counselor with a facility parole officer, titles which PEF has argued and testified are separate jobs. The union also filed a petition to have the title rescinded. State Supreme Court Justice Richard J. McNally Jr. dismissed the initial petition in August. Kent said PEF appealed McNally’s decision to the Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department, in midSeptember and is waiting for a decision. — Deborah A. Miles The Communicator February 2015 — Page 21 PS&T contract benefits Getting paid or not when you are on-call By DEBORAH A. MILES When Mother Nature or just life’s circumstances prevent people from going to work, others are required to be on standby. Sometimes, questions arise on whether you are eligible to receive oncall pay. Article 31 of the PS&T Agreement deals with standby/on-call pay and recall assignments. PEF members in grades 22 and below are entitled to standby on-call pay if management requires you to remain on-call. Some professionals may assume they are required to remain on-call, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are entitled to on-call pay. Employees must ask the manager of their facility or agency if they are required to remain on-call, and the manager’s answer is the determining factor. “The critical question to ask your manager is if you will be subject to discipline if you fail to answer a work call during offhours,” said Paula Hennessy, PEF director of health and safety, training and education. “If you chose not to answer the phone or an email, you are not on-call and not eligible for standby pay. If you are required to answer the phone and may be required to return to work as a result of that call, you are oncall and eligible for standby pay.” Management has the right to decide when on-call duty is necessary. But if you are required to answer the phone during off-hours and return to work, management must give you standby pay. If it does not, an Article 31 grievance should be filed. PEF members who work from home are entitled to receive overtime pay. “Some of our members have asked if they leave home and return to work, whether at a worksite or in the field, if they are entitled to receive a minimum of a half-day of recall pay,” Hennessy said. “Article 31 provides a half-day of recall pay in addition to standby pay. If management refuses to pay, and depending on the circumstances, you must file an Article 7 or Article 31 grievance.” Hennessy also said if members are mandated to perform off-hour duties or return to work, and you refuse, you may face possible disciplinary action for insubordination. If you are overtime eligible and perform work from home, you are entitled to receive overtime pay for the time actually spent working from home. If you are required to leave home and return to work, you are entitled to receive recall pay. For more information, contact your council leader or field representative. Three mid-term vacancies filled; elections underway to fill nine more, including two regional coordinators By SHERRY HALBROOK Jeanette St. Mary has been elected PEF Region 6 coordinator and Joseph Chisholm, Leonard White, Karin Harris, Ralph Mabb III and Santhosh Thomas have been elected to the PEF Executive Board. No balloting was required because they were the only petitioners submitting certified nominations for those posts. They will serve the remainder of those terms, which expire July 31, 2015. Chisholm and White were elected in the 2014 fourth quarter special elections to fill mid-term vacancies. Chisholm was elected to fill Board Seat 20, which represents certain members at the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision at Attica, Wende, Gowanda, Collins, Lakeview and Wyoming correctional facilities. White was elected to Seat 410, which Page 22 — The Communicator February 2015 represents PEF Region 12 members at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center on Long Island. Harris, Mabb and Thomas were elected in 2015 first quarter special elections. Harris fills Board Seat 295, which represents members at Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (excluding McPike ATC), Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center for Children and Youth, Central New York Psychiatric Center and certain members at the state Office of Mental Health main office. Mabb fills Seat 420, which represents members at the State Department of Motor Vehicles. Thomas was elected to Seat 335. It represents PEF Region 9 members at Rockland Psychiatric Center, Rockland Psychiatric Center for Children and Youth, and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research. Because more than one nominee was certified as a candidate to fill each of the mid-term vacancies in the regional coordinator posts for PEF Region 7 and PEF Region 12 and for Executive twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef Board Seat 500 in the 2015 first quarter special elections, balloting will be conducted. The Region 7 coordinator serves members working in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, and the Region 12 coordinator serves members working in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Sharon Lamb and Edward Snow Jr. are running for Region 7 coordinator, and Eugene Deal and Nora Geiser are the candidates for Region 12 coordinator. Peter Rea and Melvin Romeyn Jr. are running for Board Seat 500, which represents members at the state Transportation Department’s Region 1 (Schenectady). Ballots will be mailed to PEF members in those constituencies February 5 by the American Arbitration Association for return by February 26. Ballots will be counted by AAA February 27. No further special elections will be held until after the PEF Triennial Elections conclude later this year. PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 ADIRONDACK ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY Announces the opening of its NEW DOWNSTATE LOCATION 95-25 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, N.Y. • UPSTATE LOCATIONS • ALBANY CLIFTON PARK UPSTATE 518.348.0634 GLENS FALLS DOWNSTATE 718.997.6300 OFFICE HOURS FOR 6-7 DAYS A WEEK FOR EASY PATIENT ACCESS AWARD WINNING, STATE OF THE ART EMR ORAL SURGERY PRACTICE Same Day Consultation and Surgery * General Anesthesia & Sedation for Anxiety State of the Art Dental Implants - Wisdom Teeth Extraction Surgical TMJ Treatment - Corrective Jaw Surgery Extensive list of Dental & Medical Insurances Accepted including CSEA, GHI, Delta, Guardian, MetLife and many more * Based on medical history and patients preferences www.adirondackoralsurgery.com 2008 – Robert E. Fox Award for excellence in process improvement 2006 – NYS Governor’s Award for leadership and management GHI pted Acce Focused on Quality, Service and Satisfaction ADIRONDACK ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY Gary S. Wadhwa, D.D.S., M.B.A.* Paul S. Johar, D.M.D.* Timothy J. F. Lynch, D.D.S. Pierpaolo Preceruti, D.D.S., M.D.* Robert Chang, D.D.S., M.D.* Jeremy Lassetter, D.D.S., M.S Michael Gelfman, D.D.S. Paul S. Chahal, D.D.S* * Board Certified Diplomate ... SPECIALISTS IN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY www.pef.org www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 23 February 2015 The Communicator 15 S U N LIF E Group Term Life insurance Protect the life you love by securing it for the people most important to you. Modified Open Enrollment ends on November 21, 2014 Sign up for Group Term Life insurance with lower rates and no medical questions asked for the following amounts:1 If you are electing coverage for the first time after your initial If you have existing coverage, eligibility period, you can elect: you can increase coverage by: For you One times basic annual earnings One times basic annual earnings For your spouse $20,000 One category Visit www.pef.org (click on Membership Benefits Program) or e-mail [email protected]. Fill out your Group Term Life enrollment form by November 21. 1. If the amount you apply for exceeds the Guaranteed Issue amount or if you want to elect coverage or increase coverage at a later date, you are required to complete and submit an Evidence of Insurability application, which must be approved by Sun Life prior to coverage taking effect. For additional information, contact the PEF Membership Benefits Program. Group life and disability insurance policies are underwritten by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Windsor, CT) under Policy Form Series 13-GP-LH-01, 13-LF-C-01, 13-GPPORT-P-01, 13-LFPort-C-01, 13-ADD-C-01, 13-LTD-C-01, 13-LTD-P-01, 13-STD-C-01, and 06P-NY-DBL. © 2014 Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.All rights reserved. Sun Life Financial and the globe symbol are registered trademarks of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. Visit us at www.sunlife.com/us. GVLAD-EE-4763 SLPC 26197 10/14 (exp. 10/16) Page 24 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 A WORTHY TRADITION – PEF members and retirees volunteer at Albany’s Crossgates Mall to raise money for the 30th annual Holiday Hunger Appeal on December 14. Shown are Ron Vero, Diane Kenific, Ron Sampath and Bob Harms. A total of $1,469 was raised that day, including a $500 donation from both PEF Retirees and PEF Region 8. — Photo by Andrea Coton Federal Bill of Rights and Election Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act Title I – Bill of Rights of Union Members • Union members have equal rights to nominate candidates for union office, vote in union elections, and participate in union meetings. They may also meet with other members and express any opinions. • Unions may impose assessments and raise dues only by democratic procedures. • Unions must afford members a full and fair hearing of charges against them. • Unions must inform their members about the provisions of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). • Members may enforce Title I rights through a private suit against the union, but may be required to exhaust internal union remedies for up to four months before filing suit. • Union members and nonunion employees may receive and inspect collective-bargaining agreements. This right may be enforced by the individual or by the U.S. secretary of labor. Title IV – Elections • Local unions must elect their officers by secret ballot; international union and intermediate bodies must elect their officers by secret-ballot vote of the members or by delegates chosen by secret ballot. www.pef.org • International unions must hold elections at least every five years, intermediate bodies every four years, and local unions every three years. • Unions must comply with a candidate’s request to distribute campaign material to members at the candidate’s own expense and must also refrain from discriminating against any candidate with respect to the use of membership lists. Candidates have the right to inspect a list containing the names and addresses of members subject to a union security agreement within 30 days prior to the election. • A member in good standing has the right to nominate candidates, to be a candidate subject to reasonable qualifications uniformly imposed, to hold office, and to support and vote for the candidates of the member’s choice. • Unions must mail a notice of election to every member at the member’s lastknown home address at least 15 days prior to the election. • A member whose dues have been withheld by an employer may not be declared ineligible to vote or to be a candidate for office by reason of alleged delay or default in the payment of dues. Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation • Unions must conduct regular elections of officers in accordance with their constitution and bylaws and preserve all election records for one year. • Union and employer funds may not be used to promote the candidacy of any candidate. Union funds may be utilized for expenses necessary for the conduct of an election. • Union members may hold a secret-ballot vote to remove from office an elected local union official guilty of serious misconduct if the secretary of labor finds the union constitution and bylaws do not provide adequate procedures for such a removal. • Union members who have exhausted internal union election remedies or who have invoked such remedies without obtaining a final decision within three calendar months after their invocation may file a complaint with the secretary within one calendar month thereafter. • The secretary of labor has authority to file suit in a federal district court to set aside an invalid election and to request the court to order a new election under the supervision of the secretary and in accordance with Title IV. The Communicator February 2015 — Page 25 Hear Better in 2015 ® with Zounds The Smarter Hearing Aid at no cost to you. Most PEF Member and Retiree insurance benefits provide reimbursement for up to two Zounds® Digital Hearing Aids • 57 U.S. Patents of Advanced Technology ® 16 • Rechargeable! Never Change or Buy Batteries 16 Programmable Channels • Background Noise Reduced up to 90% FREE Charging Station FREE Remote Control • No Feedback Squeals PLUS: FREE cleanings, repairs • Experience Greater Clarity with Music, and adjustments for the (1) (2) Lectures, TV and Movies life of the aid! PLUS! Qualified clients will receive a FREE CaptionCall® phone ($199 value)! (3) Hear and read what your callers say! Hear better TODAY...in just one appointment. No Co-Pay | No Hearing Exam Fee(4) | No Adjustment Fee NYC/BOCA RATON, FL WAPPINGERS FALLS (212) 843-4502 (845) 635-0060 SYRACUSE/CENTRAL NY WEST SENECA 314 E. 30th St. New York, NY 10016 (888) 837-7535 3212 Erie Blvd. East DeWitt, NY 13214 1289 Route 9, Suite 2 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 (716) 674-6740 Southgate Plaza 1100 Union Rd. West Seneca, NY 14224 www.ZoundsHearing.com (1)Subject to insurance reimbursement policy (2)Limit one free remote control and charger with purchase of a pair of Clareza hearing aids. (3)Offer applies to patients with hearing loss certified by our Specialists. (4)Unless administered by an Audiologist or physician, this test is for the purpose of amplification only. Present offer at participating Zounds Hearing Centers listed on this ad. Expires 2/28/15. Not valid with other offers. Void where prohibited. ©2015 Zounds Hearing, Inc. Page 26 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 Justice arrives in death of assaulted nurse By DEBORAH A. MILES The Kingsboro Psychiatric Center in Brooklyn was the site of a brutal attack on a PEF-represented nurse on January 31, 2011. Her name was Elenita Congco. She died in her home five months later. Shortly after the attack, Congco talked about that morning when a 23-year old patient, with martial arts training and a history of severe psychiatric issues, climbed on her back. He choked her with one hand and beat her with the other. At first, she thought she had died. The only thing she recalled was not being able to open her eyes, but Congco heard the sound of people’s voices saying, “Oh my God, oh my God, where is all the blood coming from?” It took nine people to remove the assailant. While recuperating from a concussion, herniated cervical disc and contusions throughout her body, Congco spoke about the aftermath. She wanted to be an advocate for violence prevention and said, “Something must be done. Someone could get killed in there. It could have been me.” The attacker was arrested for a misdemeanor. Congco and her only child, a son who is an airline pilot, spent the next couple of months in court, with people from the district attorney’s (DA) office, lawyers, and from PEF. PEF helped her navigate through the workers’ compensation system. The incident was hard-wired into her soul and every day it became harder for Congco to resume the CONGCO life she had before the attack. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) took over, and she was afraid to leave her apartment. Afraid the attacker would see her and kill her. Congco lived alone. She needed medication, but the PTSD prevented her from getting it. She died. Her son found her body when he returned from a flight to check on her. Now, more than two years later, the case has come to a close. The coroner’s office said her death was not a result of the attack. But the Brooklyn district attorney’s office realized if Congco had not been attacked, she would still be alive. The DA upgraded the misdemeanor charge to a felony, as PEF had advocated for the DA to comply with the Nurse Felony Law. Her son also won the death claim from workers’ compensation. “Justice, sometimes and unfortunately, is slow,” said PEF President Susan M. Kent. “This union continues to fight to protect all its members. It is a felony to assault an on-duty nurse, and PEF fought hard to make that law a reality. But violence against nurses is still underreported and some criminal justice authorities are unaware of the law’s requirement. “Everyone was shocked, appalled and saddened as to what happened to Ms. Congco, the incident itself and the terrible aftermath. We cannot let this happen again.” Josephine Whitehead, a psychiatric nurse at Kingsboro and friend to Congco, said she has been missed. “I am still very sorry about what happened to Elenita. It happened so fast,” Whitehead said. “It is as if she was sacrificed for us, so there could be changes in the law. Mentally ill patients are unpredictable, and violence still occurs.” If you would like assistance upgrading your facility’s violence prevention plan, or need direction on what to do when an incident occurs in your workplace, contact the PEF Health and Safety, Training and Education Department at phennessy@ pef.org. If you need information about the Nurse Felony Law, contact [email protected]. TOP LOSERS – Four Region 8 PEF members were recognized by the region’s Women’s Program in December as winners of a weightloss competition. Shown are Millah Musungu, Anna Quackenbush, Valerie Temple and Kim Appler. www.pef.org – Photos by Sherry Halbrook Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 27 37th ANNUAL PEF CONVENTION DELEGATE INFORMATION Syracuse, New York • October 18-21, 2015 The number of delegates allotted on the following pages may be increased based on counts as of March 5, 2015 Official numbers of delegates allotted will be available on the www.pef.org website under Divisions/Elections. RULES FOR DELEGATE NOMINATIONS 1. In order to be nominated, you must be a dues-paying PEF member as of March 5, 2015. You must obtain the signatures of five (5) other dues-paying PEF members from the specific constituency. Dues-paying PEF members signing a petition must also be a member as of March 5, 2015. 2. All nominating petitions will require the signature, printed name, and correct member ID number. Member ID number consists of up to the first four letters of your first name and up to the first four letters of your last name AS THEY APPEAR ON YOUR PAYCHECK and the five digits of your home zip code. 3. The accuracy of the information required in the petition is the sole responsibility of the person being nominated. 4. A nominee may not sign his/her own petition. 5. A member may sign only one (1) petition. 6. Nominating petition forms will be available at all Local PEF Offices on March 11, 2015, at 9:00 AM. Petitions can be mailed to you or picked up and will be posted by 12:00 noon on PEF’s web site. Faxing is not allowed. Only members submitting a petition have the right to appeal. 7. Only official nominating petitions may be used to gather signatures. Although reproductions of the official form may be used, the Committee will accept only those forms containing original signatures. Reproduced (photocopy, FAX, etc.) signatures will be deemed invalid. 8. All petitions must be received by 5:00 PM on April 10, 2015. Petitions must be returned either by hand delivery or United States Mail as follows: Hand delivered: To the Local PEF Office – During regular business hours 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, petitions will be accepted at the Local PEF Offices. The Local PEF Offices cannot receive petitions outside of regular business hours. The deliverer will receive a receipt that is signed, date and time stamped. To PEF Headquarters – During regular business hours 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday only the Divisions Department may immediately provide a receipt that is signed, date and time stamped. Otherwise the petitions can be deposited in the secured Drop Box in the lobby of PEF Headquarters. The petitions will be collected on a daily basis and signed, date and time stamped receipts will be sent to the candidates later. OR Mailed – All mailed petitions must be sent to: NYS Public Employees Federation c/o the Divisions Department P.O. Box 12414, Albany, New York 12212-2414. Mailed petitions must be received no later than 5:00 pm on April 10, 2015. Received means “in hand, not mailed or postmarked.” Faxed petitions will not be accepted. If regular mail is used, please allow ample time for mailing. If certified mail is used, a return receipt may be requested, although this is not required. Please note that certified mail sometimes takes longer than regular mail. Postal failures or inadequacies are a matter between the individual submitting the petitions and the post office. Delivery delays and/or failures are not grounds for appeal. Allow five days or more for mailing, to be safe. Petitioning results will not be given out over the phone. All petitioners will receive a letter by April 26, 2015 announcing the outcome of the petitioning process. Executive Board Members, Council Leaders and Labor Management Chairs will be notified via the email address PEF has on file of a listing of the petitioning results for their area. 9. Where the number of valid nominees is equal to or less than the number of authorized constituency delegates, no election will be required. Nominees will be so notified. 10. No PEF or employer resources (staff, office equipment, etc.) may be used for electioneering, and no PEF dues money shall be expended for this purpose. This includes PEF headquarters, regional offices and local divisions or councils. 11. No person shall use the PEF logo or letterhead on any written or printed material for campaign or endorsement purposes in any PEF election. 12. Division newsletters may not endorse or contain material that appears to endorse any candidate for delegate. 13. In addition to the above rules, the PEF Code of Ethics will apply to all election activities, which is found in the PEF policy manual. 14. Failure to meet any of the above requirements or deadlines is not appealable. RULES FOR DELEGATE ELECTIONS 1. No PEF or employer resources (staff, office, equipment, etc.) may be used for electioneering, and no PEF dues money shall be expended for this purpose. This includes PEF Headquarters, Regional Offices and Local Divisions or Councils. 2. No person shall use the PEF logo or letterhead on any written or printed material for campaign or endorsement purposes in any PEF election. Page 28 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef 3. Division newsletters may not endorse, or contain material that appears to endorse, any candidate for delegate. 4. In addition to the above rules, the PEF Code of Ethics will apply to all election activities, which is found in the PEF policy manual. A. Appeals to the Delegate Elections Committee 1. Any current PEF member who believes he/she is aggrieved twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 2015 Convention Delegate Information RULES FOR DELEGATE ELECTIONS by anyone’s alleged violation of the Delegate Election rules or any alleged misapplication or misinterpretation of the PEF Constitution or any PEF policy or procedure concerning Delegate Elections and has filed a petition during the regular election period, may appeal such to the Delegate Elections Committee. a. There shall be a time limit of fifteen (15) calendar days following the close of petitioning or end of balloting for filing appeals to the Delegate Elections Committee. 2. The appeal shall be submitted on a Delegate Elections Appeal Form and filed with the Delegate Elections Committee in person or by mail at PEF Headquarters. The appeal shall contain a concise, factual statement of the facts of the alleged violation, misinterpretation or misapplication. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Delegate Elections Committee shall notify, in writing, persons as may be deemed appropriate, of the appeal. Such persons shall then have 10 working days from notification of the appeal to make a written response to the Committee. 3. The Delegate Elections Committee shall conduct an investigation of the appeal, if appropriate, and shall use its best efforts to render a decision in writing within 30 calendar days of receipt of the appeal. B. Appeals to the Credentials Committee 1. The Delegate Election Committee’s decision may be appealed to the Credentials Committee to be heard on the Sunday evening prior to the start of the Convention except if a petition was not filed during the regular election period. The appeal shall be filed in writing with PEF’s Secretary/Treasurer, delivered in person or by mail, within 15 calendar days following the date of the written decision of the committee. 5. For Those Constituencies Requiring Elections: a. Ballots will be mailed on May 1, 2015. b. Completed ballots must be returned to the PEF post office box in Albany, NY as printed on the nominating petition, by 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2015. c. The ballot count will commence on May 27, 2015 at PEF Headquarters in Albany, NY. d. Those wishing to observe their election count must notify the Delegate Election Committee by May 22, 2015. e. Ties will be broken by the following method: Each candidate’s name will be placed in a container, and a random drawing will take place. f. Ballot results will not be given out over the phone. Candidates will be notified by June 7, 2015 as to the outcome of the balloting process. Executive Board Members, Council Leaders and Labor Management Chairs will be notified via the email address PEF has on file of a listing of the ballot results for their area. A full listing of the convention delegates will be pubished on the PEF Website by June 6, 2015 and published in the July-August issue of The Communicator. Alternate delegates will be identified by rank as established by order of vote tally. 6. If a delegate leaves his or her constituency between the closing date for nominations and the starting date of the convention, the following rules apply: a. If the move was due to an involuntary transfer or a layoff within the PS&T unit, the delegate may attend the convention. b. If the move was due to a voluntary transfer or promotion within the PS&T unit, the delegate may not attend the convention. If an elected alternate is available, they will be notified. c. If a delegate leaves his/her constituency due to retirement or resignation, the delegate may not attend the convention. d. If a delegate has been off a current payroll (not paying union dues) for more than three (3) months, the delegate may not attend the convention. 7. If any delegate is unable to attend the convention for any reason, including, but not limited to the above situations, written notification must be received by the Delegate Elections Committee, at PEF Headquarters in Albany, New York, by September 15, 2015, in order to allow sufficient time to notify any available alternate there may be, to attend the convention in their place. CONVENTION DELEGATE INFORMATION The 2015 PEF Convention will be held Sunday, October 18, through Wednesday, October 21, 2015, in Syracuse, New York. Delegate representation to the Convention shall be assigned on a one member/one vote basis with one delegate per fifty (50) regular members or major fraction thereof. Representation for the Convention shall be based on the number of regular members paying dues as of the first pay period in March preceeding the Convention. Apportionment is based on the size and geographic breakdown of the department as described in PEF’s Constitution. If there are too few members in an election district, the Committee in consultation with the Executive Board member will combine the district with another district of common interest. If you are interested in running as a delegate from your department, review the delegate apportionment list and locate your Agency’s Name, Delegate Constituency Number and Agency Code Number. Directly across from the name will be the type of apportionment identified for your work site. Nominating petitions, rules and timetables will be available to each PEF member March 11, 2015, and can be obtained by contacting your local PEF Office. Note: Each “Delegate Constituency #” in the first column, denotes a separate election district. 37th ANNUAL PEF CONVENTION DELEGATE INFORMATION Syracuse, New York • October 18-21, 2015 www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 29 2015 Convention Delegate Information Del Con. No. Agency Code Agency Name Type of Apportionment # of Deleg. Allotted 100 00640 State Ins Fund Reg. 1 101 Reg. 2 & 3 102 Reg. 4 103 Reg. 5 104 Reg. 8 105 Reg. 9 106 Reg. 10 107 Reg. 12 108 01890/ Comm Supervision Reg. 1,2,3,&5 109 10870 Reg. 4,6,7 110 Reg. 8 382 Reg. 9 111 Reg. 10 112 Reg. 11 & 12 374 01110 Off Info Tech Serv Reg. 1-7 375 01110 Off Info Tech Serv Reg. 8 376 01110 Off Info Tech Serv Reg. 9-124 114 01030 Ex Alc Bev Con Statewide Reg. 1-9 116 01050/ Ex Off Gen Serv 01077 Homeland Security Reg. 1-7 117 01050/ Ex Off Gen Serv Reg. 8 01077 Homeland Security Reg. 8 118 01050/ Ex Off Gen Serv 01077 Homeland Security Reg. 9-12 119 01060/ Ex State Police 01070 Ex Mil Navl Aff 120 01080 Ex Hsg&Cmty Rnl Reg. 2-8 121 Reg. 1,9-12 122 01090/ Ex Div Human Rt Reg. 1-12 01360/ Ex Council Arts 01370/ Ex Off of Aging 01510 Ex Racng& Wgrg Bd 123 01120/ Ex Cons Prot Bd 01400/ Ex Crime Victim 01540/ Ex Elections Bd 21110/ Off Reg Mgt Ast 124 01190 Ex Veterans Aff 01131 Veteran Ed Asst 125 01300 Ex Adiron Park 130 01490/ Ex Crmnl Jst Sv 01530/ Ex Corr Comm 01060 Ex State Police 01620/ Off Prev Dom Vi 131 01570/ Adv For Disable 01580/ Council on Chil 01590/ Qual Care Ment 132 (02000/ Audit Control Reg. 1,2, 5&6 00650 Insur Fund A&C) Reg. 3-6 134 Reg. 8 135 Reg. 9-124 373 21065 SW Fin Servs (SFS) 136 03000/ Law Reg. 1-9 03020/ Medicaid Fraud Reg. 1-9 137 03000/ Law Reg. 10-13 03020/ Medicaid Fraud Reg. 10-13 13806000/06010/06110 Agricul Markets S/W 13937000Dept of Fin Serv (DFS) Reg. 1-9 (Banking/Insurance) 140 37000 Dept of Fin Serv Reg. 10-12 (Banking/Insurance) 141 08000 Civil Service Statewide1 and Div. 250 142 09000/ Envir Cons M/O DEC Reg. 0 - 09180 ENV Cons Lag PR D.169A,B,C 143 DEC Reg. 1 - D.385 144 DEC Reg. 2 - D.169D 145 DEC Reg. 3 - D.169E 146 DEC Reg. 4 - D.169F 147 DEC Reg. 5 - D.169G 148 DEC Reg. 6 - D.169H 149 DEC Reg. 7 - D.169I 150 DEC Reg. 8 - D.169J 151 DEC Reg. 9 - D.169K 152 10000 Cor Attica 2 2 2 2 7 2 13 5 3 2 2 1 5 4 2 57 3 1 2 14 2 3 2 2 3 1 1 1 4 1 2 24 4 2 3 2 7 3 16 12 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Page 30 — The Communicator February 2015 Del Con. No. Agency Code Agency Name Type of Apportionment # of Deleg. Allotted 153 10010 Cor Auburn 2 154 10020 Cor Clinton 2 155 10030 Cor Watertown 1 156 10040 Cor Great Meadw 1 157 10050/ Cor Fishkill (D.310) 3 50390 158 10060 Cor Wallkill 1 159 10070 Cor Sing Sing 1 160 10080 Cor Green Haven 2 161 10090 Cor Albion 1 162 10100 Cor Eastern NY 1 163 10110 Cor Elmira Cntr 2 164 10120/ Cor Bedfrd Hill (D.353) 2 50390 165 10130 Cor Coxsackie 1 166 10140 Cor Woodbourne 1 168 10160 Corrl Srvcs M/O 4 170 10630 Cor Southport 1 172 10270 Cor Hudson 1 174 10230 Cor Adirondack 1 10510 CorMoriah 175 10240/ Cor Dwnstst (D.296) 1 50390 176 10250 Cor Taconic 1 180 10290 Cor Otisville 1 182 10320/ Cor Edgecombe 1 10360/ Cor Lincoln Fac 10500 Cor NYC Ctl Adm 10170CorQueensboro 183 10350 Cor Ogdensburg 1 184 10370 Cor Five Points 2 185 10390 Cor Mohawk 3 186 10430 Cor Wende 2 188 10450 Cor Gowanda 2 189 10460 Cor Groveland 1 190 10470 Cor Collins 1 191 10480 Cor Mid-State 2 192 10490 Cor Marcy 2 194 10530 Cor Franklin 2 195 10540 Cor Altona 1 196 10550 Cor Cayuga 1 197 10560 Cor Bare Hill 2 198 10570 Cor Riverview 1 199 10580 Cor Cape Vincent 1 200 10600 Cor Lakeview 2 201 10610 Cor Ulster 1 203 10640 Cor Orleans 1 204 10650 Cor Washington 1 205 10660 Cor Wyoming 2 206 10670 Cor Greene 2 207 10680 Cor Shawangunk 1 208 10690 Cor Sullivan 1 209 10800 Cor Livingston 1 10300 CorRoch Fac 210 10810 Cor Gouverneur 1 211 10820 Cor Willard DTC 2 212 10840 Cor Upstate 1 213 10850 Cor Hale Creek 1 216 11000/ Educ Main Off Reg.8 20 11010 Ed Special 217 11000 ACCES - Upstate (D.230) 2 Reg.2,4-7 218 (D.230) Reg. 9 1 219 ACCES (VESID) Dwnst (D.376) 4 Reg. 10-12 220 ACCES (VESID) Buffalo (D.215) 1 Reg. 1 221 ACCES (VESID) Rochester (D.372) 1 Reg. 3 222 SED Dwnst & 3 OPD S/W - (D.349) 223 11100 Ed Hgr Ed Srvcs 2 224 11000/ Educ Main Off 2 11260 Ed Batavia Blind (D.298) 225 11270 Ed Rome Deaf 1 226 12000/ Health Main Off Reg. 1 2 twitter.com/nyspef Del Con. No. Agency Code Agency Name Type of Apportionment # of Deleg. Allotted 227 12200 Reg. 2&3 2 228 Reg. 4-7, not 2 Saranac Lake or Herkimer 229 Reg. 8 and Saranac Lake, 43 Herkimer 230 Reg. 9 1 231 Reg. 10 4 232 Reg. 12 1 295 12000/ 12200 Div. 191G 2 233 12010 Roswell Park 22 234 12030 H Helen Hayes 6 235 12120/ H Vet Home Oxford 2 12180/ H Vet Home Batavia 385 12150/ H Vet Home St. Albans 1 384 12190 H Vet Home Montrose 1 238 14010 Wkrs Comp Board Reg. 8 5 239 Reg 1-7, 9-12 4 240 14020 Labor Reg. 1 (D.221) 4 242 Reg. 2& 3 2 243 Reg. 4 2 244 Reg. 5 5 245 Reg. 6 (D.217) 1 246 Reg. 7 (D.273) 1 247 Reg. 8 16 248 Reg. 9 3 249 Labor D.245 10 252 14020 Labor Reg. 12 (D.200) 3 253 16000 Public Service Reg. 10 1 254 Rest of State 6 255 17000 Trans Main Of 15 256 17010 Tr Albany Reg 1 (D.258) 5 257 17020 Tr Utica Reg 2 4 258 17030 Tr Syracs Reg 3 5 259 17040 Tr Roch Reg 4 5 260 17050 Tr Bufflo Reg 5 6 261 17060 Tr Hornel Reg 6 3 262 17070 Tr Wtrtn Reg 7 3 and Div 247 (51420) 263 17080 Tr Pghkps Reg 8 7 264 17090 Tr Bing Reg 9 4 265 17100 Tr Hapaug Reg 10 7 266 17110 Tr Long Isl City Reg 11 8 381 17000 NY Metro Transp Reg. 10 1 Council 267 19000/ State Statewide 3 19010 State Dept Lag 268 20010 Tax & Finance Reg. 1 3 269 Reg. 2&3 2 270 Reg. 4-7 2 271 20010/ Tax Finance Reg. 8 11 20020/ Tax & Fin Lag 20030 Div Tax Appeals D190 Stwrd const. A thru G, Q & R 391 D190 Stwrd const H,I J,K 12 392 D190 Stwrd const L, M, N, O & P 12 272 20010 Tax Finance Reg. 9 2 274 Reg.11 (D.406) 5 275 Reg.11 (D.290) 2 276 Reg.12 2 277 Reg.13 (D.341) 1 278 20050 Lottery Div 3 279 22000 Economic Dev S/W 2 55630 NYSTAR 280 23000 Motor Vehicles Reg. 1-7 1 281 Reg. 8 3 282 Reg. 9-11 3 283 Reg. 12 1 284 25000 Off Child. Fam Sv. Reg. 1-4 3 285 Reg. 5, 6, & 7 3 287 DFY Albany+27000 (D.302)Reg.8 3 288 Goshen Secure (D.193)1 1 290 Highland (D.270) 1 291 Mid Hudson (D.272) 2 292 Reg.10,11,12 3 293 25000 OCFS (D.234) 13 393 27000 OTDA 9 twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 2015 Convention Delegate Information Del Con. No. Agency Code Agency Name Type of Apportionment # of Deleg. Allotted 294 (D.191C) 2 296 (D.191 H,I,J,M) 3 298 (D.191W) 1 299 (D.404) 1 300 (D.373) 3 301 (D.337&264) 2 30225000/27000 2 OCFS/OTDA (D.369) 303 27000 OTDA Albany (D.409) 3 304 Manhattan (D.192) 5 307 Glendale (D.399) 5 308 28050/ SU Stony Brook 37 28058/ SU Stony Brook PR 28200/ SU Col Westbury 28390/ SU Tech Frmgdal 28570/ SU Maritime Col 28580 SU Col Optomtry 309 28100 SUNY HSC Bklyn 14 28108 HSC Bklyn PR 28010/ SU Albany 28020/ SU Binghamton 28030/ SU Buffalo 28040/ SU Buffalo Spec 28150/ SU Col Brockport 28160/ SU Col Buffalo 28180/ SU Col Fredonia 28190/ SU Col Geneseo 28210/ SU Col New Paltz 28220/ SU Col Oneonta 28240/ SU Col Platsbrg 28250/ SU Col Potsdam 28260/ SU Purchase 28270/ SUNY Col Techno 28280/ SU Empire S Col 28360/ SU Tech Canton 28370/ SU Tech Cobskil 28380/ SU Tech Delhi 28400/ SU Tech Morsvil 28650 SU Administratn 310 28110/ SUNY HSC Syr 30 28118/ HSC Syr Hosp PR 28170/ SU Col Cortland 28230/ SU Col Oswego 28550 SU Env Sci&Frst 28350/ SU Tech Alfred 312 490--/ All Parks and Recs. S/W 7 Del Con. No. Agency Code Agency Name Type of Apportionment # of Deleg. Allotted 491--/ 492--/ 493--/ 494--/ 01510/ ExRacing&WgrBd (D.305) 19002 313 50000 MH Main Off (D.392A only) 314 50000 MH Main Off (all other work sites excluding D. 392A) 315 50010/ MH Bing Psy Ctr 50731 Bington Child S 316 50020/ MH Kngbr Py Ct 50520 Bklyn Children 317 50030 MH Buflo Psy Ct 318 50390 MH Cntrl NY P C Reg. 1-5,8,10-12 377 50800 NYC Childrens Ct 320 50080 MH Manhatn P Ct 321 50100 MH Midltn Psy C 50170 MH Rockland PC items in Sullivan & Orange County 322 50110/ MH Roch Psy Ctr 50743 MH Roch. Child Serv. 323 50120/ MH St Law Psy C 50570 St Law Child Sv 53500 OASAS Trmt. Ctrs. Reg. 324 50150 MH Creedmr P Ct 325 50390 MH Cntrl NY P C Reg. 9 326 50170 MH Rockland P C not items in Sullivan & Orange County 327 50180 MH Psych Inst 328 50190/ MH Hutchings PC 50738 Hutchs Child Sv. 329 50200 MH Pilgrim P Ct 330 50210/ MH Mhwk Val P C 50540 Mhk Vly C Yth 53500OASAS Reg. 331 50310 MH Bronx Psy Ct 332 50340 MH Nat Kln Inst 333 50350 MH Krby Psy Cnt 334 50390 MH Cntrl NY P C (D.344 only) 335 50440 MH Mid Hdsn P C 336 50500/ So Beach Chld S 50790 MH S Beach Cntr 3 4 3 5 5 5 6 5 1 4 4 9 3 9 3 5 8 3 5 2 2 5 3 9 Del Con. No. Agency Code Agency Name Type of Apportionment # of Deleg. Allotted 337 50510 MH Wash Hts Un 338 50550/ Elmira Child Sv 50920 MH Elmira Psy C 339 50590 Cap Dst C You 50980 MH Cap Dst P Ct 340 50810 W NY Ch Psy Ctr 341 50850 MH Sag PC C Yth 342 50850 MH Rck PC C Yth 346 51000/ OPWDD Main Off (all D.257)6 50390 MH Central NY (D.257) PC Reg 347 51000/ OPWDD Main Off (D.167) 51330 Western NY DDSO (D.167) 348 J. N. Adams (D.243) 349 51350 Long Island DDSO (D.209) 350 51210 Hudson Valley DDSO 351 51240 Central NY DDSO (D.304)Reg.4 352 Rome (D.189)Reg.6 353 51250 Taconic DDSO (D.248) 354 51270 Staten Island DDSO (D.280) 355 51290 Capital District DDSO 356 51380 Brooklyn DDSO (D.244) 357 51420 Sunmount DDSO (D.242) 358 51430 Ins Res Dev Dis (D.345) 359 51450 Metro NY DDSO (D.407) 360 Manhattan (D.292) 361 51470 Bernard Fineson DDSO (D.207) 36251780Monroe (D.259) 363 Craig (D.201) 365 Newark (D.246) 366 51940 Broome DDSO (D.197) 367 53500 OASAS Trmt Ctrs (D.311) 53500 OASAS Trmt Ctrs (Reg.2-5,8) 369 53000 OASAS Main Off (D.265) 370 53000 OASAS Main Off (D.314) 371 53500 OASAS Trmt Ctrs (Reg.9-12) 372 51940 Val Ridge CIT (D.403) 40099001N.D.R.I. 99003 NDRI St & Adm Ser 401 99002 Alb Hsng Author 403 99004 Albany Co Prob 404 99005 NYS Canal Corp. 405 99006 Eastern Niagara Hosp. (Lockport Hosp.) 407 99008 Allegany County 1 4 5 2 2 2 3 2 5 6 3 4 4 3 3 3 4 2 2 2 3 4 3 4 5 2 2 2 4 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 Submission of resolutions, legislative agenda items • The deadline for submitting resolutions and suggested legislative agenda items for presentation to the 2015 PEF Convention is July 3, 2015, by 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by July 3, 2015, AND received by July 10, 2014. • Per convention policy, “No resolution received by PEF will be printed for the consideration of the delegates if it lacks a fiscal impact statement.” • Please send all 2015 RESOLUTIONS, typewritten, and in the established format to: NYS Public Employees Federation c/o the Secretary-Treasurer’s Office P.O. Box 12414 Albany, NY 12212-2414 • You also may send resolutions electronically (Word document) in the established format. Emails must be sent to [email protected]. To confirm receipt, or for assistance regarding resolution format, please contact the Office of the PEF Secretary-Treasurer at the previously stated email address or at 800-342-4306, ext. 226. • Please send all suggestions for the 2015 PEF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA to: PEF Legislative Department c/o PEF Vice President Wayne Bayer 90 State Street, Suite 1029 Albany, NY 12207-1811 • You may also send suggestions for the PEF federal and state legislative agendas electronically (Word document) by emailing them to [email protected]. To confirm receipt, please contact Danielle Thomson at the previously stated email address or at 800-724-4997, ext. 201. Division Convention Stipend – All divisions will pay the same convention stipend to all delegates from their division. www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 31 Leave donation needed Ailing members need your leave donations By SHERRY HALBROOK The following PEF members have reported a need for leave donations: • Susan Bell is a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the state Education Department in White Plains. She has continuing medical issues. To donate leave, call the SED human relations office at 518-474-5215. • Derelaine (Dee) Benton-Smith is a nurse 1 at SUNY Buffalo Student Health Services. She has primary sclerosing cholangitis and needs a liver transplant. To donate leave, call Tammi Blajszczak at 716-829-5940 or email her at tlb25@ buffalo.edu. • Jessica Brown is a nurse 1 at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. She is confined to bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. To donate leave, contact Linda Mazzone in human resources at the hospital. Her number is 315-464-4943. • Karen Corbin is an education finance specialist 2 at the state Education Department in Albany. She is being treated for complications to intestinal surgery. To donate leave, contact the SED personnel office at 518-474-5215. • Sarah Davies is an environmental educator 1 at the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in Albany. She is being treated for breast cancer. To donate leave, contact Lorie Bellegard in the DEC personnel office at 518-402-9260. • Charlene Fogarty is a medical care representative at the NYS Insurance Fund in Albany. She is recovering from surgery on a broken ankle. To donate leave, contact Debbie Gimondo in human resources at 518-437-6404. • William Gaudette is an information technology specialist 1 at the state Office of Children and Family Services. He is undergoing a series of surgeries for his back. To donate leave to him, call the agency’s benefits unit at 518-473-7936. • Lori Grabowski is a teaching and research center nurse 2 at SUNY Upstate Medica center in Syracuse. She is being treated for lymphoma. To donate leave, contact Linda Mazzone in human resources at the hospital. Her number is 315-464-4943. • Mary Jackson is an offender rehabilitation coordinator at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. A cancer survivor, she has chronic respiratory and other medical issues and needs several surgeries. To donate leave, call the facility at 914-941-0108, ext. 3600. • Adrienne Kulak is a community mental health nurse at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse. She is being treated for multiple myeloma. To donate leave, call Wendy Willm at 315-426-3600 in the personnel department at Hutchings. • Theresa Lacey is an alcohol and substance abuse treatment program assistant at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. She is being treated for several medical issues. To donate leave, call the facility at 914-941-0108, extension 3600. • Jim Mextorf is a program technology analyst 3 at the state Office of Information Technology Services. Following severe complications to diabetes, he has had several surgeries and he needs a kidney transplant. To donate leave, call his personnel office at 518-473-0398 or email [email protected]. • Christine (Chrissy) Osuchowski is a teaching and research center nurse 1 at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. She has been confined to bed rest for the remaining months of her pregnancy. To donate leave, contact Linda Mazzone in human resources at the hospital. Her number is 315-464-4943. • Cheryl Staines is an associate medical facilities auditor at the state Office of the Medicaid Inspector General. She is undergoing cancer treatment. To donate leave, call Sarah Macintosh at 585-408-0380. • Kristen Trapalis is an offender rehabilitation coordinator at Greene Correctional Facility. She is being treated for recurring cancer. To donate leave, contact Sherry McGinnis in the facility’s personnel office at 518-731-2741. • Bill Wiemers is a teacher 4 at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. He has a debilitating autoimmune disease that reduces his ability to work on a regular basis. To donate leave, call the facility at 914-941-0108, extension 3600. _____________________ The rules for making and receiving leave donations are set forth in a memorandum of understanding included in the PS&T Contract. For more information, check the Contract Resource Center on the PEF website or refer to your contract. If you, or a PEF member you know, needs leave donations because of a medical or urgent family situation, you may contact The Communicator to request publication of that need. You may send requests to [email protected], or call 800-342-4306, ext. 271. Be sure to provide your contact information. HEALTH CARE – PEF President Susan M. Kent listens to Richard N. Gottfried, chair of the state Assembly Health Committee, after testifying on single-payer health care. Kent told the panel PEF has long supported a single-payer health care system for all and said, “ It is the only effective solution that will solve the health care crisis union members face at the bargaining table and that we face collectively as a society.” The testimony took place at the Legislative Office Building in Albany January 13. — Photos by Deborah A. Miles Page 32 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 Does the end ever justify the means? notes as trustworthy and honorable when communicating – regardless of the outcome – they must kick old Niccolo to the proverbial curb. Communication is power. Studies of communication ethics emphasize the capacity of interactions to be either destructive or to create a positive (no one is harmed) result. How we communicate is a choice. It should be a thoughtful, deliberate choice that takes not only our personal goals, but the need to preserve relationships (maintain respect) into account. We all know this as the “Golden Rule.” Most faiths including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Bahaism and others embrace that concept of “Do unto others, as you would want them to do unto you.” Humanists also believe in treating people the way you wish to be treated and working for the common good of society. Regardless of where a person finds their moral compass, actions do speak louder than words. The “means” we use will be how people perceive us. And to that point, 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant advises, “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.” Communication By PAULA HENNESSY You might think, “Everyone does it. So, Lately, I’ve seen some really poor what’s so bad?” public behaviors by folk attempting to Well, let’s consider that little thing accomplish something by any means, called ethics. Former U.S. Supreme no matter how offensive or divisive their Court Justice Potter Stewart said, behavior actually is. It made me think, “Ethics knows the difference between “Does behavior affect how a message is what you have a right to do and what is perceived?” Clearly, it right to do.” There lies does. the challenge. Sixteenth century Those who have Italian diplomat, studied philosophy Niccolo Machiavelli and ethics know about espoused, “the end consequentialism. justifies the means.” This theory states that He lived in a time a person’s action, no when politicians rose matter how wrong, to MACHIAVELLI to power through achieve a successful dirty tricks (sound familiar?). outcome is always OK. Machiavelli’s rationale allows a person In other words, the success of to employ any action – even those that the action (consequence) outweighs are unethical and immoral – to get what the morality of the method. It’s the they want. Today, 500 years after his quintessential example of “the end book “The Prince” was published, this justifies the means” or the “win at any rationale continues to be demonstrated cost” premise. in many areas of public and private An opposing philosophy, deontological communication. ethics, judges the rightness or Those who embrace this credo may wrongness of a person’s actions, rather claim they are working for the greater than the success or failure of the good, when it soon becomes clear that attempt. As filmmaker Spike Lee might they are working solely for their own ask, did they “do the right thing”? advantage and interest. The battle between “ends” and They easily use communication that “means” has raged since time began, bends the rules and the truth to justify but when I think about the role of self-serving behavior. But is the message PEF leaders, the choice seems crystal being received positively or negatively? clear. If leaders want to be identified Master, clinical licensed social workers must meet new continuing education requirements By SHERRY HALBROOK If you are a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you will be affected by the state’s new continuing education requirements that took effect January 1 of this year. You are now required to complete 36 hours of acceptable, formal continuing education during each three-year registration period. The full outline of the state education requirements, as well as a listing of approved course topics and providers, are available online at the state Education Department Office of the Professions website at http://www.op.nysed.gov./prof. On the website, select Social Worker and then Continuing Education. Both classroom and online training are deemed acceptable in securing credits, but only accredited providers may be used to www.pef.org obtain continuing education credit units (CEUs). PEF is working through the PS&T Contract Article 15 Joint Committee on Professional Development and the Public Service Workshop Program (PSWP) to provide regional workshops to social workers through the SED sanctioned providers. These workshops will offer CEUs at no cost to PEF members. The location and time of the workshops will be announced when they become available at www.pswp.info. Select course offerings. Meanwhile, the Workshop and Seminar Reimbursement (WSR) Program, offered through Article 15, is a valuable funding resource for obtaining needed credits. You may apply for reimbursement of up to 1,000 per fiscal year for non-college-credit bearing courses, workshops, and seminars. For the full guidelines and the application go to the Governor’s Office of Employee Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation Relations website at www.goer.ny.gov and select training and development, then select PEF. PEF members also may access the PEF Membership Benefits Program’s Higher Education Incentive Program (HEIP). It will reimburse individual PEF members, in good standing, for tuition of up to $600 for one job- or career-related, successfully completed post-secondary course at an accredited college or university for the Spring 2015 Semester. It also gives compensation for books/materials needed for the course. The complete guidelines and application are available online at https://www.buymbp.com. For more information, you may contact the PEF Training and Education, Health and Safety Department at 800-342-4306, ext. 254. The Communicator February 2015 — Page 33 Members retiring MEMBERS RETIRING CommFeb2015 40pages:Layout 1 12/23/14 11:25 AM Page 30 Fond farewells Fond farewells PEF’s gratitude and best wishes go out to the following members who are retiring: • Dori Baldwin, PEF Division 179, state Office of General Services; • June Beckford, PEF Division 205, state Health Department; • James Caputo, PEF Division 190, state Department of Taxation and Finance; • Mariamma Chacko, PEF Division 241, Creedmoor Psychiatric Center; • Esther Delgado, PEF Division 296, Downstate Correctional Facility; • Susan Drumgould, PEF Division 248, Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office; • Mary Hanny, PEF Division 235, Rockland Psychiatric Center; • Dr. Alan Jaffe, PEF Division 241, Creedmoor Psychiatric Center; • Denise Kelly, PEF Division 357, state Office of Information Technology Services; • Dr. Gemma Marcelo, PEF Division 241, Creedmoor Psychiatric Center; • Kenneth Mas, PEF Division 321, state Department of Public Service; • Constance McCarthy, PEF Division 234, state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance; • Dr. Nasreen Mirza, PEF Division 244, Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Services Office; • Steven Oakden, PEF Division 357, state Office of Information Technology Services; • Scott Reichert, PEF Division 341, state Department of Taxation and Finance; • Kevin Richard-Morrow, PEF Division 357, state Office of Information Technology Services; • George Simon, PEF Division 339, state Department of Motor Vehicles; • Madelyn Sperduto, PEF Division 241, Creedmoor Psychiatric Center; • Cynthia Sykes, PEF Division 250, Kingsboro Psychiatric Center; • Donald Terry, PEF Division 284, state Transportation Department; • Celine Tholany, PEF Division 296, Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center; • William Vick Sr., PEF Division 190, state Department of Taxation and Finance; • Maureen Wetter, PEF Division 190, state Department of Taxation and Finance; and • Gary Zirpoli, PEF Division 190, state Department of Taxation and Finance. Are you or PEF members you know retiring? Please send information for this column to [email protected]. – Sherry Halbrook %HFDXVH \RXU FDU GHVHUYHV WKH EHVW SURWHFWLRQ +XPDQV :H PHDQ ZHOO EXW VRPHWLPHV DFFLGHQWV KDSSHQ $QG VRPHWLPHV WKRVH DFFLGHQWV LQYROYH \RXU FDU )RUWXQDWHO\ ZLWK %HWWHU &DU 5HSODFHPHQW RQO\ IURP /LEHUW\ 0XWXDO ,QVXUDQFH LI \RXU FDU LV WRWDOHG ZH¶OO JLYH \RX WKH PRQH\ IRU D FDU WKDW¶V RQH PRGHO \HDU QHZHU 7R OHDUQ PRUH FRQWDFW D ORFDO DJHQW RU YLVLW \RXU ORFDO /LEHUW\ 0XWXDO ,QVXUDQFH RIILFH WRGD\ 5HVSRQVLELOLW\ :KDW¶V \RXU SROLF\" 3() 0(0%(5 (;&/86,9( %(1(),7 &RQWDFW 8V 7RGD\ WR 6WDUW 6DYLQJ 5HVSRQVLELOLW\ :KDW¶V \RXU SROLF\" ZZZOLEHUW\PXWXDOFRPSHIPES 2SWLRQDO FRYHUDJH $SSOLHV WR D FRYHUHG WRWDO ORVV 'HGXFWLEOH DSSOLHV 'RHV QRW DSSO\ WR OHDVHG YHKLFOHV DQG PRWRUF\FOHV 1RW DYDLODEOH LQ &$ &RYHUDJH SURYLGHG DQG XQGHUZULWWHQ E\ /LEHUW\ 0XWXDO ,QVXUDQFH &RPSDQ\ DQG LWV DI¿OLDWHV %HUNHOH\ 6WUHHW %RVWRQ 0$ /LEHUW\ 0XWXDO ,QVXUDQFH Page 34 — The Communicator February 2015 Page 30 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 Advertise in the publication that reaches top professional public employees. For Information contact Kathi Blinn at 518-785-1900 or 800-342-4306 X276 Email: [email protected] PEF Professional Directory ● PEF Professional Directory © Turn to us and turn a new leaf We serve NYSHIP patients from all over NY state Two convenient locations in Syracuse and Utica Our board-certified surgeons specialize in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, using the most advanced weight loss surgery techniques. We perform surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, NY and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica/ New Hartford, NY. Both hospitals are Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited centers. If you are overweight, suffer from weight related conditions, and have struggled to lose weight and keep it off with diet and exercise, weight loss surgery may be right for you. We are happy to consult with you and help you discover how weight loss surgery can change your life. Visit DrGraberMD.com, or call 877-269-0355 to learn how these life changing procedures can improve your health! LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE Get the Facts on Why You Should Have It! Tax Incentives and Discounts help make this vital need AFFORDABLE! Call for the FREE LTC Shoppers Guide today for strategies to LOWER the cost of Long-TermCare Insurance. \ New York Long-Term Care Brokers, Ltd. 11 Executive Park Drive Clifton Park, NY 12065 www.nyltcb.com 518-371-5522 Ext. 101 www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 35 Advertise in the publication that reaches top professional public employees. PEF Professional Directory ● PEF Professional Directory Albany Group Dental Practice, P.L.L.C. O’Brien Hearing Aid Center ➤ 100% Digital Programmable Hearing Aids ➤ FREE Hearing Evaluation “ a Non-Medical test for the sole purpose of the proper fitting of a Hearing Aid” EMPIRE INSURANCE Accepted – $1500 per ear every 4 years NO UPFRONT OUT-OF-POCKET COST Sean O’Brien – BC-HIS, Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Science/N.Y.S. Licensed H.A. Dispenser Shagufta D. Farooqui,D.D.S. Nermin Girgus D.D.S. General Family Dentistry ● Preventive Dentistry ● Cosmetic Dentistry ● Orthodontics ● Crowns & Bridges ● In Office Teeth Whitening ● Emergency Care ● Root Canal Therapy ● Implant Dentistry ● Lumineers 1575 Central Avenue, Colonie One mile west of Colonie Center Appointments: Call 518-869-7167 GHI Participating Practice Specialized Services may not be fully covered by your insurance. C all F or A ppointment ... 607-734-2849 227 Hoffman Street (Corner of Church), ELMIRA, NY COMPLETE HEARING SERVICES Lynn Audiology & Hearing Aid Services, PC ◆ Evaluations ◆ Digital Hearing Aids ◆ Custom Earplugs/Hearing Protection AUDIOLOGISTS: Dr. Deborah Lynn Dr. Susan Boggia Dr. Cara Bedore Expert in advanced technology and assistive listening aids. ➤ pediatric & adult evaluations Audiologists ➤ digital hearing aids & repairs ➤ musician plugs & hearing protection Center for Better Hearing 318 Ridge Street ● Glens Falls, NY 12801 We accept Empire Plan & most insurances 30 Matthews St., Suite 307 518-798-4800 GOSHEN, NY 10924 Most insurances accepted, including NYS Empire Plan 845-294-8544 Saratoga ◆ Glens Falls ◆ Lake George ◆ Adirondacks www.ardenhillhearing.com Post Nassau Dr. Shraddha Adhvaryu Your Ad in General Dentistry, Orthodontia and Dental Care for Children & Adults GREY & GREY, LLP 516-746-3654 Representing Injured Workers Since 1967 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY Manhattan: 115 Broadway (Suite 403) Tel. 212-964-1342 Queens: 118-21 Queens Blvd. (Suite 618) Tel. 718-268-5300 Nassau: 360 Main St., Farmingdale Tel. 516-249-1342 Suffolk: 646 Main St., Pt. Jefferson Tel. 631-249-1342 Bronx: 305 E 149th St. (2nd floor) Tel. 718-268-5300 White Plains: 203 E. Post Rd. (Suite E) Tel. 914-984-2292 Page 36 — The Communicator February 2015 The publication that reaches the top professional NYS public employees 1015 Hillside Avenue New Hyde Park, NY 11040 Weekend and Late Hour Appointments Available Most Insurances Accepted New Patients and Emergencies W E L C O M E Crowns ◆ Root Canals Extractions ◆ Bleaching ◆ Orthodontia (braces) ◆ Laser Treatment ◆ Dental Implants ◆ ◆ For Advertising Information Contact Kathi Blinn at 518-785-1900 or 800-342-4306 X276 email: [email protected] FAMILY DENTISTRY ◆ Brian Leibowitz, DDS Joseph Cinquemani, DDS Visit us at either location 2535 Middle Country Road, Centereach . . . . . . . . . . . 631-467-4440 60-51 Woodhaven Boulevard, Elmhurst . . . . . . . . . . . . 718-275-2929 PEF Participating Dentist ◆ Evening and Saturday Appointments Available twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 ● ● For Information contact Kathi Blinn at 518-785-1900 or 800-342-4306 X276 Email: [email protected] PEF Professional Directory ● PEF Professional Directory Astoria, NY Nassau CountySuffolk County Babylon 400 West Main Street (631) 422-6066 Hauppauge 111 Smithtown Bypass (631) 724-0900 Levittown 3601 Hempstead Tpke (516) 579-7577 Massapequa 5454 Merrick Road (516) 798-3300 Don’t miss a sound.... OTOhealth Hearing Aids · Hearing evaluations & Consultations · Digital Hearing Aids Sales & Service · Programming of digital hearing instruments for increased performance · Custom ear molds · No out of pocket expense for members with benefits John E. Kenul 28 - 56A 41st St., Astoria, NY 718-274-4327 Valley Stream 417 West Merrick Road (516) 568-0448 Riverhead East Suffolk Dental, P.C. 1149 Old Country Road (631) 369-7400 ORAL SURGEON ORTHODONTIST Mitchell Brookstone, D.D.S. 1228 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh (516) 826-1666 Schreiber & Kahn, D.D.S. 28 N. Merrick Avenue, Merrick (516) 378-1033 146 Newbridge Road, Hicksville (516) 932-6200 Complete dentistry all on premises. Participating PEF Dentist — We accept the dental schedule of payment as payment in full for all covered procedures. Caplin Dental Goldberg Group Family Care Program PEF Participating Dentist Since 1980 otohealthhearingaids.com Dr. Laura Brodsky Audiologist THE AUDIOLOGY CENTER Comprehensive Hearing Healthcare Advanced Technology Digital Hearing Aids Hi Fidelity Custom Musician’s Earplug (518) 783-3110, Ex. 3004 Accepting All Major Insurances Including Nys Empire Plan BROOKLYN ● QUEENS ● MANHANTTAN ● STATEN ISLAND (718) 622-3500 CAPITAL REGION (800)-942-4327 Delmar Health Center 250 Delaware Avenue, Delmar ITHACA ● HORSEHEADS (607) 271-9783 GREATER BINGHAMTON ● VESTAL (607) 797-9020 NANUET (845) 623-5020 PHYS I C I ANS , P . C . www.communitycare.com NEW WINDSOR ● MONROE (845) 567-6347 Capital Region Health Park 711 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham (Northway Exit 6) www.pef.org YONKERS ● YORKTOWN (914) 968-7555 Hearing Centers You Won’t Believe How Far Digital Hearing Aids Have Come Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 37 SO MANY BENEFITS Take advantange of all of the benefits available to you as a dues PEF EVENTS Buffalo Sabres MARCH 20 • 7PM FIRST NIAGARA CENTER Buffalo, NY THEATRICAL EVENTS Online on Registraabtile Avail MARCH 13 • 8PM Higher Education Incentive Program (HEIP) Tuition Reimbursement Tickets: $51 Rochester Broadway Theatre Rochester, NY Pilot program for Fall 2014 AND Spring 2015 semesters Albany Devils MARCH 22 • 3PM TIMES UNION CENTER • Up to $600 for one job or career related course • Up to $75 textbook reimbursement Visit us online to get the program guidelines. Albany, NY APRIL 15 • 7PM Tickets: $80 Eugene O’Neill Theatre New York, NY T R AV E L S P E C I A L S 2 for 1 Cruise Fare with Free Airfare* Plus PrePaid Gratuities, unlimited Internet and up to $200 Shipboard Credit. Book by March 31, 2015 • Travel March 5–April 11, 2015 *Discounted cruise fares and airfares are based on availability. Extra amenities are based on categories booked. 3 Nights at Disney with Park Tickets for just $899 518) 782-9045 (800) 767-1840 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY Hours: M-F 9am–5pm email: [email protected] www.peftravel.com Family of three* can enjoy 3 nights at Disney’s All Star Music Resort with 2-day theme park tickets for just $899 most Sunday through Thursday nights. Book by March 28, 2015 Travel is good for most dates between April 12–May 21 and May 25–28, 2015 *Family of three based on 2 adults and 1 child (3-9). Other resorts are available. Offer excludes 3-bedroom villa and campsites. For more details and availability contact PEF Travel. JULY 19 • 5PM Tickets: $64.50 and includes dinner Westchester Broadway Theatre Elmsford, NY ARE YOU MOVING? Please update your address and contact information with your payroll department so you are kept apprised of important benefit communication. 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Road | PO Box 12414 | Latham | NY | 12414 Page 38 — The Communicator February 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445 ......START SAVING TODAY! paying PEF member or PEF retiree through PEF Membership Benefits Program. For a full list of available benefits visit Membership Benefits at www.pef.org. SKI AREA TYPE Bousquet Ski Area Pittsfield, MA DISCOUNT MEMBER PRICE PRICE* Weekend/Holiday $22$18 Adult Good Any Day Jr. (6-12) Good Any Day $48 $38 Catamount Ski Resort Hillsdale, NY Weekend/Holiday $39$32 Gore Mountain North Creek, NY Adult Good Any Day Teen (13-19)/Sr. (65-69) Jr. (7-12) Good Any Day $60 $48 $34 Bromley Mountain Ski Resort Manchester Center, VT $39 $31 $48 $39 $28 NEW! Greek Peak Mountain Resort Good Any Day $49$40 Cortland, NY3 hr. Tubing$20 $16 Holiday Mountain Monticello, NY Good Any Day $25 $20 Hunter Mountain Weekend/Holiday $55 $44 Hunter, NYMidweek$44 $36 Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort Good Any Day $56 $45 Hancock, MA7 hr.Twilight (3-10pm)$30 $24 Killington Resort e-ticket ONLY Good Any Day $69 $56 Present your PEF ID Card at the following resorts to Killington, VT receive a discount. Kissing Bridge Weekend $40 $32 If you need a PEF ID card call PEF Membership Benefits Glenwood, NY Midweek $25 $20 Program at (518) 785-1900 or (800) 342-4306 ext. 243, 8 Hr Flex $46 $37 NEW! Mount Southington option 1 or e-mail request to [email protected] NEW! Glenwood, NY Oak Mountain Ski Resort Speculator, NY - $10 off regular rates when you show your PEF ID card at the ticket window. Oak Mountain has a Ski and Snowboard School, accessible by snowmobile, 22 trails, 1 quad chairlift, 2 t-bars, 22 park features, 4 lanes of snow tubing and miles of snowshoeing. Maple Ski Ridge Schenectady, NY - Buy one get one FREE Tuesday, ski/ snowboard pass. Hours of operation 3-9pm. Visit mapleskiridge.com for new information and specials. This offer is NOT valid for tubing. Scheduled to open Dec. 15. Last day this discount can be used is March 1, 2015. Plattekill Mountain Roxbury, NY - $10 off full-day full-price adult lift ticket when you present your PEF ID card. Not valid during resort holiday periods 12/26/14-1/3/15, 1/17-1/19/15, 2/14-2/16/15. Limit one per person. Please check the website for an up-to-date list of PEF ID card discounts. *PEF members can purchase up to 10 tickets per ski resort, per winter season at the PEF member price. Membership and discount rates subject to change without notice. For a complete list of restrictions visit us online. Night Flex $24 $20 Mount Sunapee Ski Resort Good Any Day Newbury, NH e-ticket ONLY $62 $50 Mountain Creek Ski Resort Weekend/Holiday e-ticket ONLY Midweek/Twilight Vernon, NJ $50.99 $41 $35.99 $29 e-ticket ONLY Pico Killington, VT Good Any Day $46 $37 Ski Butternut Great Barrington, MA Most Weekends/Holiday $40 $32 Ski Shawnee e-ticket ONLY Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA Weekend/Holiday Tubing: 4 Hr Wkd/Hol. $50 $37 $40 $30 Stratton Mountain Adult $64 $52 Stratton, VTJr. (7-17)$52 $42 Swain Ski Center Swain, NY Good Any Day $37.50 $30 Whiteface Mountain Adult Weekend/Holiday $64 $52 Wilmington, NYAdult Midweek$45 $36 Jr. (7-12)$44 $36 Sr. (65-69) $60 $48 $53 $43 Windham Mountain Ski Resort Weekend/Holiday Windham, NY Midweek$48 $39 Indicates e-ticket available. Tickets must be purchased through PEF Membership Benefits Program. *PEF members may purchase up to 10 tickets per season at the PEF Member Price. **Up to an additional 10 tickets can be purchased at the Discount Price. Visit our eStore for details on each resort and ticket. Operating schedules are subject to change at any time. Please check the specific resort website for operation schedule. (800) 342-4306 | (518) 785-1900 ext. 243 | [email protected] www.pef.org Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation The Communicator February 2015 — Page 39 LABOR ON THE MOVE THE TIME IS NOW Sign Up Now! Go to www.pef.org Coming To A Region Near You! The PS&T Contract team — Uniting together to fight for the contract we deserve! The Kent/Garcia administration is looking forward to membership contract meetings to find out what issues are important to you. Meet the PS&T Contract team, see page 8 of this issue. These meetings also are an opportunity to meet with members of the 2015 PS&T contract team and get answers to your questions about the negotiation process. When a schedule is confirmed, it will be posted on the PEF website, PEF’s Facebook page, Twitter and the weekly PEF Information Line at 800-553-2445. PEF Members: Stay informed about the 2015 PS&T Contract negotiations! www.pef.org • twitter.com/susankentpef • twitter.com/nyspef • facebook.com/publicemployeesfederation The union that cares for the community New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO Representing 54,000 professional, scientific and technical employees www.PEF.org Susan M. Kent Carlos J. Garcia PresidentSecretary-Treasurer
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