New York State Assemblyman Peter Rivera, standing, speaking with concerned Bronx Psychiatric Center (BPC) workers at a meeting where labor and management addressed the Center's safety risks. Listening are, from left, Office of Mental Health Director Lloyd Sederer, Public Employees Federation (PEF) Council Leader Darlene Williams, Bronx Psychiatric Center Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local President Abraham Benjamin, PEF Vice President Pat Baker and CSEA Metropolitan Region Executive Vice President Denise Berkley. At BPC alone, some 38 accidents and injuries had been reported the month before the meeting, the highest in any state mental health facility.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen leads a chant on the steps of the state Capitol as PEF Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igo, PEF Statewide Vice President Pat Baker and CSEA Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley keep the crowd fired up at the March for Main Street rally in Albany on January 7, 2009.