The Public Sector, 1984 June 1

ALBANY — Details regarding implementation
of new job titles as Secure Care Treatment Aide I
and Forensic Program Aides I and I are
currently being worked out by CSEA and the
Office of Mental Hygiene. -

CSEA President William L. McGowan recently
announced that the new positions will be
assigned to state mental hygiene secure and
forensic units. Grade 9 therapy aides appointed
te the new titles will be moved up to a grade 11.

(Details being ironed out to grant
upgraded job titles for MH aides

Grade 13 aides will be upgraded to grade 14.

Employees in the new positions will receive
specialized training that covers emergency
procedures and non-abusive physical inter-
vention. No date has been set to begin the
training programs.

Ina related matter, negotiations are currently
underway to upgrade licensed practical nurses.

The Public Sector will fully report on the
upgradings as events warrant.

ALBANY — It’s time to vote for officers in
CSEA’s six Regions.

Members who have not yet receive ballots may
now request replacement ballots by contacting
the Independent Election Corporation of
America (ICA) at (516) 437-4900.

All ballots must, be returned to IECA, in Lake
\ Success NY, by 6 p.m. on June 15. Ballots will be

(Sune 15 deadline nears in region elections

counted at that time and results announced.
Notification of election results will be sent to all
candidates. The protest period ends on June 25. -

As usual, candidates for CSEA office will be
afforded an opportunity to observe the various
election procedures. Any candidates, or proxies
with written authorization from candidates, who
wish to observe the procedures at IECA may do
SO.

Official Publi

ag

ion of The Civil Service Employees Association Local 1000,
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

AFL-CIO.

Vol. 5, No. 43
Friday, June 1, 1984

Constant pressure forces state to move timetable up six months —

Elimination of fire hazards
= will make plaza safer sooner

- ALBANY — Fire hazards at the huge Empire
State Plaza complex here will be corrected six
months sooner than expected, a situation which —
CSEA statewide President William L. McGowan

iclory which proves public —

Special Olympics to benefit once
ALBANY — CSEA Labor Department Local 670 will sponsor its third an-

Plaza so both employees ard the general public
will have more than one exit in case of fire.
The new timetable came after Labor

regulations, administered by the state Labor

‘Department, require “Every building or

structure ... that the reasonable safety of |

“numbers of occupants may be endangered by the _|

blocking of any single means of egress (exit) due _

__ to fire or smoke, shall have at least tw te

again from

Olympics.

Local 670 walkathon

nual Walkathon/Runathon to benefit the Special Olympics program on
Wednesday, June 6 at the 2.5 mile inner oval of the state office building campus

here. ‘
Over the years, Local 670’s project has raised more than $17,000 for Special

“We hope to top the $20,000 mark with this year’s combined results from
the walk and a raffle,” says Labor Department CSEA Local 670 President
Jeanne Lyons. ‘We invite other CSEA locals, members or interested groups to
participate and help us raise funds,” she added. 2 .

IT'S UNDER GROUND
AT SMITHTOWN...
AND OVER HEAD AT

WAPPINGERS FALLS
... see page 20

FSA workers reminded about

unemployment claims filing

ALBANY — Unemployment insurance claims
should be filed by Faculty Student Association
(FSA) employees out of work during the summer
recess. an

CSEA has been lobbying to maintain the
benefits for FSA employees and it appears that
the Labor Department will do so. :

If claims are not granted by local offices,
applicants should immediately file appeals for
hearings before administrative law judges.

DANGER

Gains in insurance, pay
part of Chautauqua pact

MAYVILLE — After overcoming a series of time-consuming stumbling
blocks, the Chautauqua County Employees Unit of CSEA Local 807 has reached
agreement on a three-year contract.

Negotiations went through mediation and fact-finding stages as well as a
change in county administration before agreement was reached on a pact that
boosts wages by 2.5 percent in the first year, and 6.75 percent in both the second
and third year.

Other benefits gained for the 1,000-member unit include a six-step salary
schedule, up from the previous five-step schedule; increase in mileage pay;
clothing allowance for nurses; tool allowance for mechanics; numerous health
insurance gains, such as an increase in semi-private health care coverage from
70 days to 180 days, and major medical increase from $250,000 to $1 million.

Also, employees may now get a cash buy-out for continued health insurance
coverage after retirement, and a disciplinary procedure alternative to Section
75 of the Civil Service Law.

Unit President Dick Maggio, while not happy with the length of time need-
ed to complete negotiations, was happy ‘“‘to finally have an agreement in place.”

Maggio said the agreement was “fair under the present economic condi-
tions.”” He and Negotiating Committee Chairman Bill Beckerink thanked
fellow committee members and praised CSEA Field Representative Mark Hig-
gins for “‘a super job”’ in leading the negotiations.

Other committee members included Local 807 President Jim Kurtz, Gary
Berndt, Carol Young and Jim Smith.

Wg

CHAUTAUQUA AGREEMENT SIGNED — County Executive John A. Glenzer,
left, and CSEA Unit President Dick Maggio sign a new three-year agree-
ment covering the 1000-member Chautauqua County Employees Unit of CSEA
Local 807. Smiling their approval in the background are, from left, Director of
Personnel Jane Fagerstrom, Personnel Relations Specialist Carol Svensen-
Smith, CSEA Field Rep. Mark Higgins, and CSEA Negotiating Committee
Chairman Bill Beckerink.

HEALTHY TURNOUT — A crowd of
CSEA members showed up at the
Adam Clayton Powell Office Building
for the fourth in a series of Region II
health fairs. Above, Jardine Insurance
Representative Burnette Andrews
signs up a member of CSEA New York
City Local 010.

INFO FLIER — A Local 010 member
takes a look at a brochure describing
the joint labor/management Commit-
tee of the Work Environment and
Productivity.

Region Il
health
fair
fourth
in series

Page 2 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June-1, 1984

Cayuga workers respond to impasse,
‘stalling only makes us stronger’

AUBURN — An angry crowd of more than 300 marchers recently over-
flowed sidewalks in front of the Cayuga County Office Building here to demon-
strate to county legislators they want a contract.

The enthusiastic group was made up of CSEA members, their families,
and supporters from private sector unions who turned out to protest the county
employees’ lack of a contract since Dec. 31. Negotiations have dragged on
since October, noted President Mike Pisciotti, leader of the Cayuga County
Unit of Local 806.

“Time and time again we have come to the bargaining table with
reasonable proposals only to be met by continued stalling or the ridiculous
demands of the county negotiator,”’ Pisciotti said.

Another CSEA spokesperson said the county is offering a pact which in-
cludes an increase of $100 for 1984, coupled with cutbacks in personal time,
maternity leave and reduction in hours for highway personnel.

The recent mass demonstration, which took place prior to a formal

CAYUGA COUNTY UNIT PRESIDENT Mike Pisciotti, left front, updates
Region V President Jim Moore on the status of negotiations as the two picket
with more than 300 county employees, families and supporters prior to a re-
cent fact finder’s hearing in Auburn. The county employees have been work-
ing without a contract since Dec. 31.

A CAYUGA COUNTY EMPLOYEE brought her hundred of her fellow workers in protest of the lack
of a contract and good faith bargaining.

youngsters to the picket line to march with several

fact finder’s hearing, was prompted by alleged remarks from a legislator
indicating county employee morale was “high.”

“We are sending a message to that particular legislator — and all Cayu-
ga County legislators — that we are mad as hell! We are moving into our
sixth month with no contract and county employees are disgusted and total-
ly fed up with the unprofessional tactics of the county negotiator, as well as
the utter disregard by the Legislature for the county employees who provide
needed services.

“Tf they are trying to divide us, they are making a hig mistake. The stall-
ing and delays have only made us stronger,” Pisciotti shouted to the line of
picketers.

Joining Pisciotti and his fellow county employees on the line were CSEA
Regional President Jim Moore, Local 806 President Bruce Nolan, Region V
Director Frank Martello, Collective Bargaining Specialist Tom Pomidoro and
supporters from CSEA state locals, families, friends and private sector un-
ions in the area.

Arecommendation from PERB Fact Finder Eric Lawson is anticipated

soon.

IN THE SPIRIT of union solidarity, support on the Cayuga County
Unit picket line came from CSEA state employees and a number of
private sector unions including steel workers, carpenters com-
munications workers and others.

Ga >)

“Time and time again
we have come fo the
bargaining table

with reasonable
propositions only

to be met by
continued stalling

or the ridiculous
demands of the

county negotiator.”

CAYUGA COUNTY EMPLOYEES
participate in informational picketing
of the county office building during
their lunch hour recently to show
displeasure over stalled contract
talks. Later more than 300 turned
out for a giant protest prior to a
preliminary fact-finding hearing at
the Cayuga County Office Building
in Auburn.

—Photo courtesy of “The Auburn
Citizen"

More than 100 public TV stations nationwide will
air six all-new episodes of the highly-acclaimed
labor series “America Works” beginning the week
of Labor Day. And 67 of those stations, including
four in New York state, will soon be show-
ing rebroadcasts of 12 episodes of the series
which had originally aired on commercial sta-
tions in 1983 and early 1984.

New York state public stations scheduled to air
the summer schedule of rebroadcasts include
WMHT Channel 17, Schenectady, beginning July
8; WSKG Channel 46, Binghamton, beginning June
11; and WNYC Channel 31, New York City, begin-
ning June 7. Cable Channel L in New York City
also will show the series beginning in July at a
time and date to be announced.

Official publication of

NY stations among channels
airing ‘America Works’ series

-— |}

Among the subjects, locations and unions treat-
ed in the 12 summer episodes are: energy costs
(OCAW in Denver); hunger (steelworkers in Los
Angeles); health costs (SEIU in Massachusetts) ;
education (teachers in Texas); plant closings
(UAW in Indiana); voter registration (public em-
ployees in Detroit); toxics in the workplace (elec-
trical workers in Boston); job retraining (CLC in
Des Moines); senior citizens health care (steel
ILGWU and shoeworkers in Pennsylvania); in-
dustrial policy (national leaders); services to the
unemployed (IAM in Milwaukee): and pay equi-
ty for women (AFSCME in Maryland). Subjects
for the six new episodes will be announced.

“America Works” is produced by the Labor In-
stitute of Public Affairs of the AFL-CIO, Washing-
ton, D.C.

‘® PLANT CLOSINGS @ A JOBLESS @ PAY EQUITY
GERS @ JOB RETRAINING ® HEALTH FOR SENIORS @ IND
© INDUSTRIAL POLICY @ GAS DECONTROL ® THE NEW
JOBLESS @ PAY EQUITY ® VOTER REGISTRATION @ TOXIC
TOXIC DANGERS @ JOB RETRAINING @ HEALTH FOR SENIOR
TROL © THI HUNGRY @ HEALTH CARE COSTS © FI
@ FINANCING E& NGS @ HELP FO
HEALTH FOR SE © GAS DE
CARE COSTS @ |} PLANT CLOS!
VOTER REGIS S @ JOB RETR
RETRAINING © INDUSTRIAL PO
NEW HUNGRY © ® FINANCING ED
JOBLESS @ PAY ATION ® TOXIC
TOXIC DANGER |}, LTH FOR SENIOR
TROL ® THE NE RE COSTS ® FL
® FINANCING EDUCATION @ PLANT CLOSINGS @ HELP FO
HEALTH FOR SENIORS @ INDUSTRIAL POLICY @ GAS DE
CARE COSTS @ FINANC! EDUCATION @ PLANT CLOS!

RETRAINING ®@ HEALTH FOR SENIORS ® INDUSTRIAL POL
NEW HUNGRY @ HEALTH CARE COSTS @ FINANCING ED

PUT YOUR STORIES
OW THE SCREEN

Twelve episodes cover important issues
‘on-location around the country. Host Marie
Torre presents the larger picture, and mod:
erates a lively debate between opposing
experts, Lively, important and human tele-
vision, Tune in and be counted. Every week
you can help prove that AMERICA WORKS.

Every week you can meet people like
yourself, working in their own communities.
to solve some of the biggest problems
America faces today, AMERICA WORKS is
the acclaimed series about "people who re
fuse to give up. people who fight city hall
who try to make adifference

The Civil Service Employees Association
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224

The Public Sector (445010) is published every
other Friday by the Civil Service Employees
Association, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York
12224,

Publication office, 1 Columbia Place, Albany,
New York 12207.

Second Class Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York.

MICHAEL P. MORAN — Publisher
ROGER A. COLE — Editor

TINA LINCER FIRST — Associate Editor
BRIAN K. BAKER — Assistant Editor

Address changes should be sent to Civil Ser-
vice Employees Association, The Public Sector,
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224.

DEPEW CONTRACT SIGNED — Signing of a new three-year contract for members of the Depew
Union Free School District Unit of Erie County Education Local 868 was cause for celebration recent-
ly, Among gains was a clause that prohibits any subcontracting of cafeteria employee jobs. Enjoying
the moment are, from left, Local 868 President Jack Schlenker, Unit President Dave Tur and CSEA
Field Representative Bob Massey.

Page 4 _‘ THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

There may be no truer adage than that a labor union is only as strong
as its members make it. For that very reason, it is vitally important that
non-members join as members to protect and improve union gains
where unionism already exists, and that the pockets of unrepresented
workers be identified and provided the opportunity to become a part of
the American labor movement as well.

The right of workers to organize as a union and bargain collectively is
one of the basic tenets of the American system. It is a right guaranteed in
federal and state law. The campaign to bring that information to those
who may not be fully aware of it, and to convince those who are to use
that right, goes on daily throughout New York state and the nation.

Good teamwork

County local hike me

DELHI — If you want a surefire method for recruiting new CSEA
members, you would do well to follow the example of the revived
membership committee of Delaware County Local 813.

In describing the committee’s latest success Eric Groh, Local 813 vice-
president and organizing chairman, gave credit to the determination and
hard work of his committee: Pat McClenon, Joyce Warren, Donna Gillette,
Linda Utter and Ted Rotella.

In March of 1983, the committee decided to concentrate efforts in the
county infirmary, the work site of three of the task force. Other targeted
work locations included the county highway department, social services,
sheriff’s office, treasurer’s office and county landfill.

Using printed aids provided by the statewide membership committee,
and a suggested form letter designed by Region V Organizer Chris Jamison,
the group posted and hand delivered a series of flyers and bulletins to
increase awareness of the membership drive and point out the many
benefits of joining CSEA.

“The printed information was very helpful,” Groh said, ‘but we really
started to see some progress and recruit success when we used the personal
contact approach. When we talked one-to-one with non-members and
explained the benefits of being a CSEA member, we began signing them

McClenon and Warren were the best at establishing personal contacts
because they were on the floor (infirmary) all day long, said Groh. Gillette
was helpful, too, because she served as shop steward at the infirmary on the
3-11 p.m. shift.

Committee members also indicated they had help from an unsolicited
source — management. Reports of employee harassment for such
incidental things as sick call-ins provided the recruiting committee with an
added tool to sign new members.

“A few grievances and labor/management talks seemed to alleviate the
harassment and, at the same time, steer potential new members to the
union,” Groh said.

Although there is room for much improvement in membership in
several departments, the committee points proudly to the 90 percent figure
at the county infirmary.

“Pat McClenon was the most successful recruiter, but we like to think of
our success in terms of a team effort with much encouragement and support
coming from (Local 813) President George Lawson. Our drive has leveled
off somewhat, but we plan to gear up again in the near future,” said Groh.

HOLD IT! Don’t throw this copy of The Public Sector away! Pass it on to
someone in your local or unit who’s not a member; it’s loaded with the
kind of information about public employment and unionism not available

Training sessions for
new treasurers slated

SYRACUSE — Two training sessions have been scheduled for the
convenience of new CSEA treasurers in Central Region V who were not in
office at the time of the previous training programs.

One will be held in Syracuse June 6 at the Hotel Syracuse, downtown, in
the Director’s Room on the 10th floor. Registration will be at 6 p.m. with the
program scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The second will be June 7 at the Sheraton Inn on Genesee Street in Utica.
Registration for the program, to be held at the Inn’s Conference Center, is
set for 6 p.m. with the program to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Registration forms, available from local and unit presidents, must be
returned to Linda Fiorentino, 314 S. Bellinger Street, Herkimer, N.Y.
13350, by June 4. There is no registration fee.

helps Delaware

SIGNING UP — Delaware County Local 813 President George Lawson, left,
inspects some CSEA posters and listens as Steward Pat McClenon, center,
and Local Vice President Eric Groh deliver a sample of their CSEA
recruiting message. Membership Chairman Groh, McClenon, and other
members of the committee recently conducted a successful drive for new
members in Delaware County.

“We have proven to ourselves that we can do the job, now we must
continue our push for more members. The stronger we become in numbers,
the stronger our bargaining position during negotiations,” he said.

The goal of the Delaware County local is to double the number of new
members in the next year. With his committee’s spirit and determination,
Groh thinks they probably will go over the top.

anywhere else. A lot of locals have been successful in using The Public
Sector as part of their informational package in organizing new members.
Try it, it works.

ARSCUUS:

inthe public service AFSCME, CSEA’s international
union affiliate, is now the largest
labor union, public or private, in
the AFL-CIO.

AFSCME claimed the largest
membership in the AFL-CIO in
March when it paid per capita dues
on 1,045,722 members, including
CSEA members which comprise
the largest local within AFSCME.
That total surpassed the members
of both the United Auto Workers
and the Food and Commercial
Workers, which had been ahead of
AFSCME.

Union
the biggest
in

AFL-CIO

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984 Page 5

] ALBANY — Winners of the Irving

i ~. Flaumenbaum Scholarship awards for 1984 have

PS Q 77 Ms been announced by Brian Ruff, chairman of the
ee scholarship committee.

The Flaumenbaum: scholarship program each year presents 18
$500 one-time awards to college-bound high. school seniors who are
the children of CSEA members. Three of the scholarships, named in
memory of the past Region | president who died in 1980, were given
again this year in each of the union’s six regions of the state.

Scholarship winners were selected on the basis of a combination
of factors including financial need, academic performance, class rank,

LONG ISLAND REGION I
MARIE LENA TUPOT

Marie is the daughter of Marie Tupot of Lindenhurst, a member of
Suffolk County Local 852.

LISA DANIELS

Lisa is the daughter of Carole Daniels of Lynbrook, a member of
Nassau County Local 830.

KENNETH B. RODWAY

5 Kenneth is the son of Roberta Rodway of Holbrook, a member of
Kings Park Psychiatric Center Local 411.

METROPOLITAN REGION II
ROSE A. VELAZQUEZ

Rose is the daughter of Dorothy Velazquez of Astoria, a member of
New York City Local 010.

ANDREA BLACKWELL

Andrea is the daughter of Delores Easterling of Brooklyn, a member
of State Insurance Fund Local 351.

JACQUELINE HAYNES

Jacqueline is the daughter of Althea Flowers of Brooklyn, a member of
Brooklyn Psychiatric Center Local 402.

SOUTHERN REGION III
CHRIS M. RUBINO

Chris’ mother is Maria Rubino of New Windsor, a member of Orange
County Local 836.

ERIK KLEIN

Erik is the son of Gloria Klein of Tappan, a member of Rockland
County Local 844.

MARSILIO LANGELLA

Marsilio’s mother is Tina Langella of Yonkers, a member of West-
chester County Local 860.

SEA Scholarship
Winners for 1984

scores on standardized tests such as SAT, and involvement in school
and extra-curricular activities.

The Flaumenbaum scholarship is one of three education awards
offered. through CSEA’s scholarship committee. The Thomas
McDonough Memorial Scholarships, first awarded in 1983, are
presented to six eligible former winners of the Flaumenbaum scholar-
ships.

Another award, the P. J. Ciampa Scholarship, is open to children of
CSEA members through the union’s affiliation with AFSCME. The
award offers full tuition at the University of Baltimore to winners who
have completed two years of undergraduate studies elsewhere.

CAPITAL REGION IV
MAUREEN McDERMOTT

Maureen is the daughter of John C. McDermott of Scotia, a member
of Schenectady County Local 847.

BONNIE CUMMINGS

Bonnie is the daughter of Margaret M. Cummings of Stephentown, a
member of Law Department Local 672.

BRIAN P. MORMILE

Brian’s mother is Kathryn Mormile of Amsterdam, a member of
Montgomery County Local 829.

CENTRAL REGION V
LAURA HOWARD

Laura is the daughter of Roger Howard of Fort Covington, a member
of Franklin County Local 817.

SUSAN ANN ZULLO

Susan is the daughter of Beverly Ann Zullo of Marcy, a member of
Marcy Psychiatric Center Local 414.

TAMMY REISMAN

Tammy is the daughter of Phyllis Reisman of E. Syracuse, a member
of Onondaga County Local 834. :

WESTERN REGION VI
TIMOTHY J. STRUBLE

Timothy is the son of Geraldine Struble of West Seneca, a member of
Erie County Local 815.

KAREN MACHNIAK

Karen is the daughter of Mildred Machniak of Tonawanda, a member
of Buffalo State Employees Local 003.

BONNIE GODSEY

Bonnie’s mother is Diane H. Godsey of Marion, a member of Wayne
County Local 859.

Scholarship presentations are tentatively scheduled throughout the regions
for late June. Photos of winners will be published in a later edition of The

Public Sector.

Page 6 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

BUFFALO — The recent CSEA-AFSCME suit charging Nassau County
with pay equity violations is already causing reactions all the way across
the state in Erie County.

Following published news accounts of the suit charging Nassau County
with violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act, the
Erie County executive has hastily assembled a task force to “uncover any
gender-based discrimination among county employees.”

The task force includes the county attorney, personnel commissioner
and labor relations director. But there is no CSEA representation and only
one female, a county legislator, was named to assist the task force.

County Legislator Mary Lou Rath said the decision to form the task
force stemmed from the Nassau County suit where CSEA-AFSCME has
charged the county with paying women less than men holding comparable
jobs. AFSCME President Gerald McEntee has said this case would be used

Nassau Co. suit on pay equity inspires
task force to ‘uncover’ abuse in Erie Co.

to win equity for county workers nationwide.

In Nassau County a 1983 CSEA-AFSCME study found that women com-
prise 56 percent of county employees in the lowest 14 salary grades. Nine out
of 10 of those women are in the lowest three grades.

The suit demands back pay for the affected workers and a halt to the
county’s unlawful employment practices. The county would also be required
to take affirmative action to comply with the law in the future.

The Erie County task force will examine job descriptions, specifica-
tions, titles and pay scales.

“There is no place for any discrimination in public employment,” said a
news release quoting County Executive Edward Rutkowski. “If we find that
any exists, however unintentional or latent it might be, we will take ap-
propriate action to root it out.”

¢ Suspension of bus driver

revoked in arbitration

SYRACUSE — “When I needed union help, CSEA was right there to go to
bat for me!”’

With those few words Diane Stinnett, a six-year veteran bus driver for the
Syracuse City School District, expressed her reaction to the news that an ar-
bitrator’s decision had revoked a 10-day suspension-without-pay imposed by
the district.

The case centered around an incident that occurred June 30, 1983, when
Stinnett was alleged to have left her job site without permission.

Stinnett was called in by her supervisor and later by the personnel depart-
ment to be informed that the school district would seek to suspend Stinnett for
10 days without pay. On the advice of CSEA Unit President Dave Kennedy,
Stinnett filed a grievance. With the aid of CSEA legal assistance, the issue went
to arbitration and the suspension was denied.

In its post-hearing brief, CSEA contended that the employer had failed to
prove neglect of duty or misconduct under the terms of the present contract.

According to Terry Moxley, CSEA field representative, the present agree-
ment was specifically negotiated to include language that states the burden of
proof in such a case lies with the employer.

In his decision to revoke the suspension, the arbitrator said that the district
“under the circumstances of this dispute has not sustained the burden of
proof’’ and that the suspension penalty was not in accordance with the agree-
ment between the parties.

County nurse reinstated after
charging boss of sex harassment

CANANDAIGUA — Ontario County has been ordered to reinstate a
county health facility nurse who was fired after she and other employees fil-
ed sexual harassment charges against the facility’s administrator.

Local 835 member Mary Jane Wood has been totally exonerated of 19
charges brought against her and will receive back pay and benefits she
would have received since her firing on June 2, 1983.

The charges against Wood included patient abuse, incompetency and
poor record keeping and were filed a few weeks after she and several other
staff workers accused the facility’s administrator, Gerald Cole, of sexual
harassment.

The county took the sexual harassment charges as a challenge to its
authority, the arbitrator said.

“The challenge was suppressed,” wrote arbitrator Robert E. Stevens,
“and suppressed ruthlessly without regard to the character, professional
status or reputation of the women involved.”

Wood said she feels vindicated and confirmed that she wants her job
back.

aa a just want to thank the union and all my friends who stood by me,” she
added...

Steve Ernhout, local vice president and grievance chairman, called on
the county to reinstate Wood as a head nurse, a position she held on a provi-
sional basis before being demoted to a regular staff nurse and eventually
fired.

Her decline in rank also coincided with the filing of the sexual harass-
ment charges.

Ernhout also called for the resignation of Cole, who he said was “trying
to hang her”’ for the sexual harassment allegations.

The arbitration proceedings were handled in the local’s behalf by CSEA
Attorney James T. Hancock.

GOOD NEWS — Diane Stinnett, Syracuse City School District bus driver,
learns of her grievance arbitration victory from Vice President Glenn

Steele, left, and President Dave Kennedy of Syracuse Schools CSEA Unit 6.
The unit is part of CSEA Onondaga County Local 834.

Amsterdam workers will still
have two unions, CSEA, AFSCME

AMSTERDAM — CSEA and AFSCME will continue to represent workers
in the city of Amsterdam’s Department of Water and Sanitary Sewers, accor-
ding to the decision of the three-member Public Employment Relations Board
(PERB).

The city was seeking a certification vote in an effort to unite all water and
sewer employees under one collective bargaining agent in the city’s newly
combined Department of Water and Sanitary Sewers, which previously had
been an independent water department and a city sewer department. The
water department employees are represented by AFSCME Local 1614 and the
sewer employees are part of CSEA Local 065.

In rejecting the city’s appeal, PERB Chairman Harold R. Newman noted
that the two unions ‘“‘had an undisputed history of effective representation of
the employees in both units over an extended period of time.’’ The two-union
history is ‘‘indicative of separate communities of interest,’’ he said.

CSEA Attorney Richard Burstein said he hoped that this ruling would
enable the city and the unions to return to the bargaining table. Both CSEA and
AFSCME members have been working without a contract since December.

CSEA charge against DFY upheld

ALBANY — The Appellate Division of state Supreme Court has uphelda
charge by CSEA against the Division For Youth that the hiring of Rose Washing-
ton as director of DFY’s Tryon School in Johnstown was improper. ie

The court findings stated that the DFY exhibited ‘“‘an incredible abuse pf
discretion” when it appointed Washington to head Tryon School in October
1980.

CSEA had complained that in selecting Washington, DFY had bypassed
other qualified applicants and that Washington did not meet the minimum stan-
dards to even qualify to take the civil service exam for the position,

Washington left Tryon School last August to accept another position in New
York City.

t
i

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984 Page 7

7

Last in a series

Region Il
seminar
a@ success

NEW YORK CITY — Political action, organiz-
ing and an overview of the functions of a number
of CSEA departments were topics of discussion
at the last in a series of Region II seminars
designed to provide local presidents and field
staff with information they need to represent
members.

Political Action Director Tom Haley outlined
the services provided by CSEA’s Legislative and
Political “Action Department, which include
political action training, the solicitation and sub-
mission of proposals to the Legislature, and
political endorsements and fund raising.

Haley stressed the importance of membership
involvement in the PEOPLE committee, the
fund-raising arm of CSEA and AFSCME. “For
CSEA, the PEOPLE program is the only source
of revenue for making political contributions in
federal elections,’ Haley said. “It is therefore
very important that members get actively
involved.”

An overview of internal and external organiz-
ing strategies was presented by Region II Field
Representative and Organizer Martin Blum-
stein, who emphasized the importance of union
representation. “Simply put,” said Blumstein,
“having CSEA represent you means dignity and
security on the job.”

Ella Louise Wadsworth, supervisor of the
Membership Records Department, clarified the
roles and responsibilities of the department,

te participants in the Region II seminar.

\

CSEA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Bernard Zwinak makes a point

POLITICAL ACTION Director Tom Haley outlined services provided by his department and emphasiz-
ed the need for membership involvement in the PEOPLE committee, which raises funds for the union’s

political contributions.

which maintains computerized records of
CSEA’s 250,000 members.

Wadsworth urged participants to inform the
records department of any changes in name,
social security numbers or addresses, and other
relevant data. “Our records are only as accurate
as the information you provide,” she said. ‘Your
assistance is needed to keep our records
current.”

The functions of the Treasurer’s Office were
presented by Cathy Bruno, supervisor of general

accounts. Bruno said that among other duties

EDUCATION AND TRAINING Specialist Sean Turley, left, and Director Sally Bouton
write down suggestions from Region II members who took part in recent seminar.

and functions, the office handles all of CSEA’s
finances, assists local with financial affairs and
conducts training seminars for new local
treasurers.

Region II President Brenda Nichols gave
credit for the series’ success to the late Region II
President Frances Dubose Batiste, who for-
mulated the seminars,

“Frances believed wholeheartedly in building
unionism through education. It is with her spirit,
and in her memory, that we carried out this pro-
gram and that we will continue to carry on the
momentum she started.”

mr

Page 8

Member takes LEAP to higher education

Single parent finds C
union's tuition-free

program answer to
her longtime dream

By Anita Manley
CSEA Communications Associate

NEW PALTZ — For Elizabeth (Betty) Kearney, a single mother of four,
getting a college education was a dream she once considered nearly im-
possible.

But thanks to CSEA’s innovative Labor Education Action Program —
LEAP — this month Kearney will become the proud recipient of an associ-
ate degree in business administration from Ulster County Community Col-
lege. Come fall, she’ll begin working towards a bachelor of science degree
at the State University College at New Paltz.

“Once the (education) bug bites, you want more,” says Kearney. ‘‘And
you find you’re really capable of more than you think.”’

A member of SUC New Paltz Local 610 who works as a senior clerk in
the college’s International Education office, Kearney is a shop steward and
former local secretary, vice president and president. She says ever since she
became involved in CSEA she has been interested in studying labor law.

“Tn the union, I found I could help the members with their problems. But
I wanted to be able to help them better by educating myself more.”

The union’s LEAP program offers a large variety of courses to CSEA-
represented employees in the Administrative, Operational and Institutional
Services bargaining units only. It also provides tuition-reimbursement for
college courses, with the amount of reimbursement dependent on the par-
ticipant’s course grade.

Kearney took advantage of both programs, paying nothing for her tui-
tion and taking LEAP-sponsored courses that were applicable to her job. She
says not only have all of the courses helped her on the job and with her union
responsibilities, but they have given her the confidence needed to begin tak-
ing civil service exams. She is now on a number of civil service lists waiting
for the chance to advance in her job.

Now that her B.A. degree is imminent, Kearney looks forward to work-
ing toward her B.S. degree in the fields of law and society, where she will

‘W0CaL 1000, AFBCME, AFL-CIO

CSE

Labor Education Action Program
(518) 434-8151

UPWARD BOUND — Elizabeth Kearney, a CSEA employee at the State
University College at New Paltz, receives an associate’s degree from college
this month and plans to go on for a bachelor’s degree. Her success in higher
education was made possible through CSEA’s LEAP program.

again combine LEAP courses with tuition reimbursement. Her big goal is
to earn a law degree someday.

With her success in the arena of higher education, Kearney now en-
courages others to take advantage of LEAP’s educational opportunities. So
does SUC New Paltz Local President Dale Sutton. Says he: ‘‘Betty is living
testament to how members can advance themselves with LEAP.”

Fall courses
to be announced
week of June 11

ALBANY — Hundreds of
course offerings, with subjects
ranging from accounting to zool-
ogy, will soon be announced for
the fall semester of the Labor
Education Action Program
(LEAP).

Course announcements and ap-
plication blanks will be available

_ through state agency training
offices or from CSEA local presi-
dents beginning the week of June
11. Completed applications must
be received at the CSEA/LEAP
office in Albany no later than
July 18 in order to be processed.

The tuition-free courses are
available to CSEA-represented
employees in the Administrative
Services, Operational Services
and Institutional Services bar-
gaining units only. Classes will
be conducted by more than 75
public and private colleges and
BOCES across the state. =

Last year, about 6,500 CSEA
members took advantage of these
educational programs funded un-
der the ASU, ISU and OSU con-

ONE GIANT.

FOR
STATE WORKERS

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June. 1, 1984 Page 9

CANAL OPEN WITH
CONDITIONS POOR
AT SEVERAL SITES |
AFTER WINTER LULL

By Charles McGeary

CSEA Communication Associate
YRAGUSE — If other sections of the 524-mile New York
arge
in central N
nix and Mi

Sanal are in the sarr

orty condition
ylvan Beach, Three Rivers, Phoe
quiem for our once proud and noble

y may already un
March incident at the Phoenix Lock that result
ed in the collapse of 160 feet of retaining wall, CSEA has

continued to monitor that site while inspecting other areas
for similar problems. At four checkpoints in the Central New
York area, the physical condition of canal retaining walls
and other facilities is deplorable and border.

breakw:

ing on dangerous.

In spite of the $13.6 million budget for 1984 canal oper
ation, there has been no widespread effort tq begin the repair
work or increase the number of canal personnel required
to properly maintain the waterway. A walk-through of canal
terminal buildings indicates a shortage of manpower, in con-
trast with rows of valuable machines sitting idle for the lack
of experienced hands

A CSEA representative recently visited several locks and
areas of the canal system between the Oswego locks and
the eastern’end of Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach. These are
his findings.

AT MINETTO:
An accident
just waiting
to happen

AT MINETTO, near Oswego, the re-
taining wall that holds back the Oswego
River is in such a state-of disrepair that, given
the right weather conditions, the possibility
of a major accident is evident even to a lay-
man’s eye. From roadside ground level, a
huge lateral crack stretches across the en-
tire center of the 10-12 feet high wall. The
top and sides of the wall have been crum-
bling away for years with no apparent sign
of repair. To compound the Minetto problem,
a canal employee reported that boats using
the wall for a temporary mooring have actu-
ally felt the wall move during the docking
procedure. No date could be learned as to
the last repair work at Minetto.

mh

THE DISINTEGRATING RETAINING WALL on the Oswego River near
Minetto shows a huge lateral crack and crumbling surface. Top view of the
same wall, photo above, indicates further deteriorization and the close prox-
imity of the river and water level. 7

et eae

f; AT PHOENIX, scene of the recent ae
lapse of 160 feet of wall, the state has not be-
gun to remove the giant slabs of concrete that
remain on the bottom of the canal approach to
Lock One. An unconfirmed report says authori-
ties may opt for a private contractor to remove
the tons of debris.

AT THREE RIVERS, near Syracuse,
conditions are also poor. Retaining walls are in
much need of repair to correct serious leaning;
crumbling and sinkholes continue to undermine

Page 10

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

cae weaken the canal wall structure.

AT SYLVAN BEACH:

; The breakup of a breakwater
symbolic of canal conditions

AT SYLVAN BEACH, at the eastern end of beau-
tiful Oneida Lake, the largest body of water totally within
* the state, similar deteriorization of the canal continues.

Bi Sylvan Beach merchants, Oneida Lake Association and
hing, other concerned citizens have pleaded with state authori-

‘ ties to correct conditions at the 400-yard-long breakwater

a that protects the beach and nearby amusement park area
from the ravages of winter ice and, in summer, when wind

THE 1978 PHOTO at left shows the
breakwater wall at Sylvan Beach. The
effects of many winters and ice
damage have already taken their toll

on the gateway to one of New York ~
State’s prime recreational areas and

2 Great Lakes.

conditions make the shallow lake treacherous. In 1978
an improvement campaign was launched by several
groups acting through their state legislative representa-
tives. The net result was a wire fence and a “no trespass-
ing” sign to deter swimming and fishing from the
crumbling breakwater. What was formerly a breakwater
performing a.vital function now looks more like a naval
gunnery test area.

IN MAY, 1984, nothing remains of the
Sylvan Beach breakwater, below, ex-
cept giant slabs of concrete rubble.

eta igetniiaan
SIRES tase ecceuceee

Po ae
Oe eee ore
Yt ee ae
: i ——
x Cee we

BARGE CANAL LOCAL 502 PRESIDENT Frank Zammiello Jr., a tireless fighter for the restoration o
th® canal to a useful waterway, points out the state’s cursory effort to correct the breakwater problem

with a fence and ‘no trespassing” sign.

As the taxpayers of Sylvan Beach, Minet-
to, Phoenix, Three Rivers and other areas
along the canal wait patiently for restora-
tion work to begin, CSEA is continuing its
determined fight to pressure the legislature
and inform other authorities as to the
problems. Through flyers, posters, bumper
stickers, petitions and advertising cam-
paigns, the union has also extended an ap-
peal to recreational boaters and other
concerned citizens to join the fight

The proud and historic barge canal —
part of our national heritage since the ear-
ly 1800's — must not be allowed to die say
those who work it and those who use it
They feel, strongly, that in terms of com-
mercial transportation by water, flood con-
trol, irrigation, and for thousands of
recreational boaters, the New York Barge
Canal is, and should continue to be, a valu-
able and cherished feature of the Ernpire
State.

ae THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984
2 Eva

Page 11

By Charles McGeary
CSEA Communications Associate

SYRACUSE — Twenty-four hours after surgeons at Manhattan’s
Presbyterian Hospital opened his chest, removed his diseased heart and
replaced it with a healthy one, Bruce Murray was sitting up in bed and
drinking a soft drink.

The 34-year-old Onondaga County employee, a member of CSEA Local
834, became the first Syracuse resident to ever undergo the delicate
operation. i

Since 1977 Murray has suffered from cardiomyopathy, a disease of the
heart muscle, and was recently told by heart specialists he could not expect
to live more than a year without the operation.

:The hospital procedure called for Murray to be in New York to begin
waiting for the cardiac transplant team to locate a heart donor. According to
a hospital spokesperson, the average wait for a donor heart is two weeks. He
did not have long to wait. The next day he was told the four-member organ
recovery team was on its way to pick up the donor heart of a 17-year-old who
had been killed in a road accident.

Murray invited reporters to view the 4% hour operation that was, in the
Navords of one of the surgeons, a ‘‘1-2-3 textbook operation.”

County employee's heart transplant
prompts local's appeal for organ donors

A——

NEW
LEASE
ON
LIFE

BRUCE MURRAY, an
employee of Onondaga
County, is reportedly
making satisfactory
progress after undergoing
a heart transplant
operation in New York
City. The 34-year-old CSEA
meniber of Local 834 is the
first Syracuse resident to
undergo the operation.

According to a hospital official, patients stay in the transplant isolation
unit for three to four weeks. When they leave the hospital they are
suppposed to remain in the New York area for another six to eight months of
regular checkups. During this time, patients are taught about their
medication and the importance of a proper diet and daily exercise.

Two weeks after receiving his new heart, Murray experienced his first
rejection episode. The surgeon who performed the May 11 operation said it
is normal for the body of a heart transplant patient to balk at the new organ.
Murray’s condition later stabilized.

While Murray continues his long recovery period in New York, his
fellow Onondaga County employees follow his progress and have begun a
drive to encourage organ donations.

Pat Callahan, president of CSEA Onondaga County Local 834, expressed
the feelings of many of her fellow members by saying, ‘We can all learn
from Bruce Murray’s display of courage and his desire that others be made
aware of the importance of organ donations.

“Bruce was given a new lease on life through the thoughtfulness of a
young man he never knew,” Callahan said. ‘‘By following that example, he
hopes that others will consider the precious gift of an organ that could save a

ife,””

eae

TOPICS OF MUTUAL
CONCERN were discussed in
depth when CSEA local officials
representing Office of Mental
Hygiene and Office of Mental
Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities employees in CSEA
Region VI met recently in
Buffalo. From left are Buffalo
Psychiatric Center Local 403
President Joe Polite; Gowanda
Psychiatric Center Local 408
President Joe Hageman; Elaine
Mootry of West Seneca Develop-
mental Center Local 427;
Monroe Developmental Center
Local 439 President Creaola
Shelton; Mary Cartwright of
Local 439; and Wayne Jones of
Local 408.

Page 12 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June T, 1984

NEW YORK CITY — Mental hygiene therapy
aides at Brooklyn Developmental Center (BDC)
were honored here recently in what was called a
“Jong overdue’’ joint labor/management tribute
to their vital role in client care.

“We are honoring a group around which our
whole program revolves,” BDC Director
Thomas Shirtz told the 33 MHTAs chosen by their
co-workers to accept ‘appreciation’ awards.
“This event is long overdue. It is about time we
recognize how important you are.”

Sponsored by CSEA Local 447 and the labor
management Human Relations Committee

(HCR), the festive daylong event was attended
also by parents and legislators who praised the
strength, courage and resourcefulness of
therapy aides.

“You are the mothers, fathers, speech
pathologists, doctors, nurses and teachers of
these clients,” said HCR Chairwoman Sheryl
Morse. ‘‘You are the backbone of the facility.””

Legislators including Congressman Ed
Townes, Office of Minority Affairs, Represen-
tative McKinley Jones and Assemblyman Bill
Boylan also acknowledged the ‘‘special”’
qualities of MHTAs.

“Tt takes a very special kind of person to get in-

UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN Ed Townes ad-
dresses MHTAs at the awards ceremony. Looking on
is Brooklyn Developmental Center Director Thomas
Shirtz.

day celebration.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

MHTAs from wings
312 and 313 of Brook-
lyn Developmental
Center show off ap-
preciation awards.

volved, and to do the job that you do with pa-
tience, caring and love. I’m glad to be here to
share this day with you,” said Boylan.

CSEA Local 447 President Denise Berkley call-
ed the event ‘‘a huge success’’ and a much need-
a recognition of ‘‘often overlooked” therapy
aides.

“MHTAs provide the most ‘direct care to
clients day in and day out,” said Berkley. ‘Yet
they are often overlooked and taken for granted.
MHTAs deserve to be recognized today and
every day for the crucial, multifaceted role they
play.”

. n

AN EMPLOYEE looks over display of photos featuring co-workers during the recognition

Page 13

Page 14

€ CSEA'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR 1984 )

STATUS REPORT iiay is, 1925

AGENCY SHOP
$.4358 A.5827 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill received bi-partisan support from those legislators who felt that non-

members should be required to contribute toward the cost of services provided
them by the unions, Public employee unions have demonstrated a responsible
and aggressive attitude in bargaining on behalf of all of those they represent, not
just union members. The law should be made both permanent and uniform for all
public employees in New York State.

LIMITED RIGHT TO STRIKE

$.6530 A.5138 In Senate, Assembly committees
Several other states, including Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana,

Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin allow public employees, other than those
engaged in essential services, the right to strike where both parties have par-
ticipated in impasse resolution procedures which have been unsuccessful. This
bill is modeled after the Hawaii approach, and would provide a right to strike for
public employees who do not have resort, by law or agreement, to an impasse
resolution procedure which culminates in final and bindina interest arbitration

EMPLOYER IMPROPER PRACTICE

Introduction pending
Where a public employee strike has been caused by an employer improper

practice, the penalties against the union and individual employees would be

mitigated
LOBA FOR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
$.3728 A.4832 In Senate, Assembly committees
The final resolution of an impasse in negotiations would be resolved with the

system of last offer binding arbitration, under which a panel consisting of one
member appointed by the public employer, one member appointed by the union
and one member appointed jointly, would select the most reasonable final offer
of either the public employer or the union. This bill is particularly designed for the
- political subdivisions, and is to be utilized as an optional method to finally resolve
an impasse

U-GRADES

$.3903 A.5109 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill amends the Civil Service Law and the Education Law to prevent the

Chancellor of the State University from unilaterally changing positions in the
university from the classified service to the unclassified service in derogation of
the constitutional concepts of merit and fitness

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
$.8319 A.8696 In Senate committee, PASSED Assembly
This General Construction Law presently sets forth public holidays. Although

Dr. Martin Luther King Day is designated as a public holiday, the law does not
provide for its public celebration. This bill would change that provision so that Dr.
Martin Luther King Day would have the same status and importance as other
public holidays.

SECTION 75 REVISION —
INDEPENDENT HEARING OFFICER

$.152  A.1982A In Senate, Assembly committees

Civil Service Law Section 75 presently provides the procedure by which an
employee of the State or political subdivision with permanent status may be ter-
minated for incompetence or misconduct. CSEA and the State have negotiated
an alternate disciplinary procedure which ends in final and binding arbitration.
Under Section 75 however, the hearing is to be held by the appointing authority
or his designee. As a result, the employer becomes the prosecutor, judge, and
jury, amost unfair procedure. This bill would require the selection of an indepen-
dent hearing officer

ATTORNEY FEES — WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
$.2402A A.2826A_ In Senate, Assembly committees
Present law requires an injured employee to file a claim for workers’ com-

pensation or death benefits where injury or death arose out of and in the course
of employment, and prevents an employee from suing the employer directly.
Unlike a direct suit, benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Law are severely
limited to a percentage of an employee's average weekly wage. Where an
employer controverts or denies the claim, a hearing must be held. If the
employee retains a licensed representative or an attorney, those fees are taken
out of the extremely minimal award. This bill would require fees to be paid by the
carrier, in addition to the award, where the employee is successful

LAYOFF UNITS
$.3544 A.6194 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill amends the Civil Service Law to provide that the layoff unit in a

political subdivision with a population of fewer than 50,000 shall be all of the
departments or agencies in the political subdivision, rather than the single
department or agency as is the present case. A political subdivision could “elect
out” of these provisions by filing an appropriate resolution

LOCAL CIVIL SERVICE NOTIFICATION
S.4180 _A.7781_ In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would require the personnel officer or local civil service commission

to provide written notice of proposed rule changes to persons interested, and is
similar to the procedure presently provided for the New York State Civil Service
Commission under the Administrative Procedure Act

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, e 1, 1984

COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARDS

$.4048 A.3036 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would allow employees of the Department of Mental Hygiene to

serve on Community Service Boards.

MILITARY LEAVE (30) WORKING DAYS
$.2398A A.2146A PASSED Senate, in Assembly committee
The New York Court of Appeals, New York's highest court, has recently

determined that the provisions governing military leave for public employees pro-
vides for paid military leave for 30 calendar days, instead of 30 work days. As a
result, employees who work on the second shift or who have pass days on other
than weekends, may be required to attend ordered military drills without being
paid. This bill would merely restore the practice as it existed prior to the Court of
Appeals decisions.

WHISTLEBLOWER
$.1153 A.8552 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill protects public and private employees from retaliatory personnel ac-

tion by an employer against an employee who discloses policies or practices
reasonably believed to pose a threat to public safety or health, or who discloses
substantial mismanagement, gross waste of funds or abuse

VETS MEDICAL LEAVE
A.1210 In Assembly committee
This bill would provide veterans of World War Il, Korea, and Vietnam with the

ability to attend appointments at VA hospitals or other similar medical facilities
without charge to leave credits, for treatment and care related to service-
connected disabilities.

STENOGRAPHERS FEES —
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

S.8744 A.10860 In Senate, Assembly committees

Under the Employee Rights category, we need a bill which would implement
a collective bargaining agreement between CSEA and all other unions represen-
ting court reporters within the State of New York and the Office of Court Ad-
ministration with respect to the amount of money to be paid for the production of
transcripts.

HEART BILL — CORRECTION OFFICERS

$6042 In Senate committee

This bill would provide a presumption that diseases of the heart occurring in
correction officers were caused by employment for retirement system acciden-
tal disability hearings.

TIER Ill REVISION

S.7373-A A.8442-A In Senate, Assembly committees
The bill would provide for various improvements in the Tier Ill section of the
retirement system.

FIRST $20,000 EXEMPTION

Introduction pending

This bill would allow the first $20,000 of a pension allowance to be exempt
from Federal Income Tax and would prevent retirees from being taxed on the in-
come resulting from tax exempt securities.

RETIREE EARNINGS

A.2726 In Assembly committee

This bill would increase the amount a retiree from the State of New York or
its political subdivisions could earn without loss or diminution of retirement
allowance. It is the intent of the committee that such amount keep pace with the
amount provided with respect to federal social security

DENTAL PLAN
$.1706 A.2242 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would allow retirees to be eligible for dental insurance under the
group coverage.

HEALTH INSURANCE — 25% OF COST FOR DEPENDENTS
§.3783 A.4829 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would provide that the surviving spouse of a retiree who had family

coverage in the health insurance plan would be allowed to continue such
coverage after the employee's death, at no more than 25% of the full cost

CORRECTION OFFICER 25 YEAR PLAN
$.5598 A.5437 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would provide, on a local option basis, a 25 year half pay retirement

plan for correction officers of political subdivisions:

ROME COMMUNITY STORE
S.3396A A.5432A In Senate, Assembly committees
This proposal would provide retirement system credits for employees of the

Rome Community Store in the Department of Mental Hygiene who have been
denied service credit for years of-service prior to June 21, 1973, because the
Retirement System has determined that they were not authorized retirement
credit prior to that date

CONTINUED

( CSEA'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR 1984 )

EARLY RETIREMENT —
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION & PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

Introduction pending

This bill would grant an additional three (3) years retirement service credit
similar to that provided by Chapter 17 of the Laws of 1983, upon local option,
for employees of the political subdivisions and public authorities. Each such par.
ticipating employer would be required to make the necessary contributions to
fund the early retirement option applicable to them

STENOGRAPHERS FEES
Introduction pending

This bill would increase the tran:
ment between CSEA and OCA.

pt fee in areas not covered by the agree

MONROE COUNTY TRANSFER
$.8467 A.10929

This bill is intended to insure that employees of the Monroe County Sheriff's
Office who are transferred to the City of Rochester will continue to be employed.

VDT SAFETY

$.6528A A.7158A In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would provide for establishment of health and safety standards for
operation of VDT equipment.

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

Introduction pending

This bill would amend Civil Service Law Section 115 to make New York
State's public policy of equal pay for equal work applicable to the political sub-
divisions as well.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

S.686A _A.737A In Senate, Assembly committees

The Employees Retirement System is presently administered by the Com-
ptroller, who is also the sole trustee of more than $18 billion in assets. Public
Employees who are members or pensioners of that system have no voice in in-
vestment decisions made by the Comptroller, unlike those in the five pension
systems in New York City and the New York State Teachers Retirement System.
This proposal would guarantee public employee and retiree voting membership
on the Board of Trustees for the Employees Retirement System.

PARITY BILL

$.7285 S.2253 A.8555 A.9733 In Senate, Assembly committees
The Education Law presently encourages the contracting out of transporta-
tion services by school districts by giving private contractors a more favorable
state-aid formula. This bill would eliminate that advantage.

CONTINGENCY BUDGET

§.1333 PASSED Senate, referred to Assembly committee

This bill would provide for a local school board to adopt an alternate budget
procedure which would provide for continuation of cafeteria services and
transportation services after a regular budget has been defeated by the voters.

; ; BUS SEATS
Introduction pending

The Transportation Law would be amended to require motor vehicles seating
eleven passengers or more and used in the business of transporting school
children, to be equipped with padded seat backs at least twenty four (24) inches
in height, rather than twenty eight (28) inches in height.

SUPPLEMENTATION

$.8298 A.10080 in Senate, Assembly committees
In order to offset inflationary increases occurring during the last year, this bill

would add to the supplementation provided by Chapter 422 of the Laws of 1981
and continued in 1983. The increase in the amount of supplementation would
vary from year to year, be computed on the first $10,500 of annual retirement
allowance, and be available for those who retired at age 55.

VETS BUY-BACK — WORLD WAR Il
$.3734A A.4831A_ In Senate, Assembly committees *
Veterans of World War | would be allowed to purchase up to three years of

credit in the Retirement System.

VETS BUY-BACK, WORLD WAR Il, KOREA, VIETNAM

§$.860C A.1005C In Senate, Assembly committees
Veterans of World War Il, Korea and Vietnam would be allowed to purchase

up to three years of credit in the Retirement System

HEALTH INSURANCE — UNUSED SICK LEAVE
$.1532 A.2019 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would allow an unremarried spouse of an active employee of the

state who died on or after April 1, 1979, to continue individual coverage and ex-
haust any accumulated and unused sick leave up to 165 days.

TIER | AND Il REOPENERS
S.3905A A.5107A_In Senate, Assembly committees
This would allow employees who were on the payroll prior to the cutoff date

for eligibility in the lower tier and who, through no fault of their own, were both
eligible for membership and reasonably believed they had properly applied for
the membership, to file to become members of the lower tier

UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO
5.3229 A.4009 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would allow employees who were employed by the University of

Buffalo prior to its acquisition by the State of New York to purchase retirement
credits from the New York State Retirement System for the time of employment
by the University, with electing employees contributing both individual and
employer contributions, together with appropriate interest.

SECTION 75 REVISION — PROTECTION FOR NON-
COMPETITIVE POSITIONS IM POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

Introduction pending
At present, Civil Service Law Section 75 provides tenure protection for in-

dividuals in the state service only who occupy positions classified to be non-
competitive class. This bill would extend that protection to employees of the
political subdivisions with at least five years of continuous service in the non-
competitive class.

ABOLISH MINI-PERBS

S.8751 In Senate committee
This bill would abolish mini-PERB's other than the New York City Office of

Collective Bargaining.

SOUTH AFRICAN DIVESTMENT
$.6757 A.5034 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill would amend Section 199-b of the Retirement and Social Security

Law to require the divestment of monies of the retirement funds invested in en-
tities doing business in or with the Republic of South Africa, and allows a three-
year period for such divestment to occur.

BUS DRIVER TERMINATION

$.1834 A.2390 In Assembly committee :
This bill would prohibit the Commissioner of Education from establishing a

rule requiring the termination of any bus driver when he or she reaches the age of
65.

OMH, OMRDD, SUNY FILL LEVELS

In budget, Chapter 53 of the Laws of 1984 A
The 1984-85 State Budget includes language requiring the above identified

agencies to maintain established fill levels or ratios or to provide explanation for
the failure to do so.

ELIMINATION OF 2-FOR-2 PENALTY

8.4336 A.5158 In Senate, Assembly committees

CERTAIN BENEFITS- STATE AGREEMENTS

Introduction pending
A proposal to implement provisions of section 7.7 of the agreements bet-

ween CSEA and the State relating to employees with 5 years or more of con-
tinuous service and payment of the lump sum of fiscal year 1984-85.

PUNITIVE DAMAGES
Introduction pending

This bill would allow municipalities to indemnify employees in punitive
damage claims.

VETERANS IDENTIFICATION RECORDS

§.7494 A.8770 In Senate, Assembly committees _ i
This bill requires the maintenance and distribution of records identifying

veterans for use in calculating accurate fiscal notes for veterans’ buy-back bills.

IRA EXTENSION

$.8252 A.11316 In Senate, Assembly committees
This bill amends Chapter 220 of the Laws of 1982 to make IRA deduction

authority permanent

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

~ Page 15

In this issue, The Public Sector comple
ent State Workshop in New York City for
r

| a
coverage of the
‘A delegates and

7 XL,
8 A, IN
Included here are shots of union leaders taking part in NEW
1 YORK

seminars, workshops and yarious other activities that took place
during Whe thavecday meetin’ Wi
Turn to page 18 for more photos and a feature story. on

contracting-out, topic of one of the seminars.

Bo

FOUR ON FORENSICS — Discussing
the operation of a forensic ward at
Central Islip Psychiatrie Center are,

from left, Long Island Region President @
Danny Donohue; John Tish, Central
Islip state delegate; Central Islip Local
404 President Alfred Henneborn; and
CSEA President William L. McGowan.
e
@

«©,

COMING UP — With the State Workshop still in full swing, some
CSEA activists were already looking ahead to AFSCME Interna-
tional’s June meeting in San Francisco. Considering union
business to be addressed at the convention are, from left,
Memorial Health Department Local 64 President Anthony
Muscatiello; Capital Region President C. Allen Mead; William
MeMahon, Department of Social Services board representative;
James Gripper Jr., Region Il board representative; and CSEA
Executive Vice President Joseph McDermott.

FIELDING QUESTIONS — Collective Bargaining Specialis
James Cooney considers a comment from a participan'
seminar on contract negotiations for the Institutional Services
Unit. Responding is Elaine Mootry, a Mental Hygiene board
representative from West Seneca Developmental Center Local @
427,

Page 16 THE PUBS BR, Friday, June 1, 1984

CONTRACT CONCERNS — St. Clair
Payne of Manhattan Children’s
Psychiatric Center expresses a con-
cern about upcoming contract
negotiations. Waiting to speak is
Denise Berkley, president of
Brooklyn Developmental Center
Local 447.

TALK ABOUT TOXINS — Mitchell
Brathwaite, CSEA Occupational
safety and health specialist, makes
some points about poisons during
seminar on ways to resolve problems
with occupational hazards, old and
new.

»—>

WHAT’S DUE-ING? — CSEA statewide:
Treasurer Barbara Fquser hands out some
information from hergoffice to Ana Diaz,
Brooklyn Developmental Center Local 447

treasurer. Looking 0)

Auditor David Knutg.
table was one of ne;
workshop to provide

and delegates.

is CSEA Internal
The information
ly 20 set up at the
Ip to union officers

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

Page 17

Combatting
contracting ouf

By Brian K. Baker
Assistant Editor

NEW YORK CITY — Contracting out is a serious problem for state
workers and how to win a battle against the loss of their jobs to the private
sector was the concern of union leaders who attended a seminar on the sub-
ject at the State Workshop here.

Reasons for not contracting out and strategies to use against such a
threat were key points made in a presentation by CSEA Coordinator of
School District Affairs Larry Scanlon and AFSCME Labor Economist Alice
Grindstaff.

According to Grindstaff, the best way to fight contracting out is to at-
tack early.

“As soon as you even hear a rumor of subcontracting you should contact
your local president and get the machinery going. The sooner you recognize
a problem of subcontracting and respond, the better off you'll be,”’ said
Grindstaff.

It’s also best to involve organizations other than the union in the strug-
gle, she said.

“You cannot fight contracting out only as a union. You have to make it a
public issue and to do that you have to get everyone you can involved and
form a coalition.”

Scanlon noted that in school districts bus drivers have been successful in
preventing contracting out by organizing around “‘winnable issues” and get-
ting the PTAs and other community groups involved.

“In the case of transportation programs, we’ve organized within the
community and emphasized the safety issue,” he said. ‘‘We ask who they’re
going to hire and whether they’ll take people from outside the district.”

Grindstaff highlighted several reasons why the state should not contract
out public services. Among them is the higher costs that it often means.

“It often costs much more because of the costs of contract preparation
and monitoring as the added expenses incurred through private companies’
having to make a profit and pay taxes,’ she said.

Poorer service for the public is a possible result and another reason for
not subcontracting because ‘‘private companies do only what the contract
specifies and no more,” said Grindstaff.

Other reasons include: increased chance for corruption through
bribery, kickbacks and payoffs; failure of contractor to perform service
because of bankruptcy, financial problems or lack of equipment; ballooning
costs after a very low price in first contract; problems of drawing up con-
tracts that ensure a government gets what it wants for the price it pays; con-
tract irregularities including bidding among ‘“‘price-fixing”’ contractors;
less accountability to the public since government will be unable to make a
contractor respond to public needs except through renegotiation.

Scanlon said that by creating an awareness of the problem, com-
municating with union leaders, organizing, researching, and running a
positive campaign which shows how public servants can do a job better, sub-
contracting of state work can best be avoided.

“Getting involved in the political process is always very important,
especially with the state,”’ he said. ‘‘If you’re a union officer, offer to testify
at a public hearing, for instance. You have to inform and motivate not just
your members, but the public, too.”

BENEFITS — One of many infor-
mation tables at the State
Workshop was staffed by members
of CSEA’s Employee Benefit Fund
(EBF). Pictured at the informa-
tion table are, from left: Jason
McGraw, EBF director of
marketing and communications;
Louis Mannellino, EBF trustee;
Paulette Carroll, EBF represen-
tative; and John Gully, board
representative for the Department
of Taxation and Finance.

Page 18

~ THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

ee

ALICE GRINDSTAFF, AF-
SCME labor economist, ad-
dresses participants in a
State Workshop seminar on
contracting out. Reviewing
notes on the topic is CSEA
Coordinator of School Dis-
trict Affairs Larry
Scanlon, who also spoke.

ATTENTIVE LISTENERS
at the seminar were Treas-
urer Lila Stein of SUNY
Farmingdale Local 606 and
Unit President Allan Win-
dover of Transportation Al-
bany Local 676.

Contracting out is increasing not only in the traditional areas of con-
sulting and refuse collection, but in such service areas as building
maintenance, food service, security and health care. Scanlon and Grindstaff
say that if public employees are to survive, they must debunk the myth that
the ‘‘private sector can do it better.”

Scanlon also suggests that in a campaign against subcontracting public
employee groups use a strategy that is positive rather than negative.

“A negative campaign is one in which you go after the contractor. But a
positive campaign is much better to use. That’s one in which you show how
you can do it much better and cheaper,” said Scanlon.

Fact-finding report
OK'd by Warren
County employees

LAKE GEORGE — Warren County employees
have voted to accept the recommendations of
Fact Finder Sigmund Giambruno as a basis for a
contract settlement with the county. The county
has indicated it will also accept the report.

In his 13-page report, Giambruno attempted to
resolve a dozen items which had forced the
parties to impasse after five bargaining sessions
failed to produce a negotiated agreement. The
employees have been working without a contract
since Jan. 1.

The major road block to a_ negotiated
agreement was management’s insistence that
the workers accept a 2.5 pecent salary increase
in their base salaries this year plus a 2.75 percent
like next year. CSEA Collective Bargaining
Specialist Harm Swits and Warren County Unit
President Doug Persons, chairman of the unit’s
bargaining team, repeatedly rejected the
county’s economic offer as ‘‘totally
unacceptable.”’

The fact finder agreed with the union’s position
and recommended a 6 percent salary increase
for this year and a 5.5 percent increase for next
year. He also recommended that the workers in
grades 1 and 2 receive an additional cash
increase before the county calculated the
recommended settlement.

The fact finder, appointed by the Public
Employment Relations Board, also supported
CSEA in its proposal for a credit union, retaining
joint labor-management meetings, retaining
tuition aide for job-related courses, increasing
stand-by pay and keeping the employee’s share
of family health insurance costs at the current
level. He strongly recommended that job tenure
be granted to non-competitive workers after one
year of service rather than after three years,
which the county wanted.

Union files IP
against library

LINDENHURST: — CSEA has charged
Lindenhurst Memorial Library with not paying
agreed raises to its CSEA workers. The
improper practice charge is a result of the
library’s changing the salary schedule and not
following the terms of its agreement with the
CSEA unit.

Following a demonstration by employees
outside the library last January, the library
trustees and the CSEA bargaining unit came to
terms on a new contract. However, the library
has decided not to issue the 8 percent raise,
including increments, agreed to in the contract.

The library instead is applying the raise so
that the senior people receive an increase as
little as 3 percent.

“For some reason, the library has departed
from the method of calculating raises used in the
past,” said Unit President Laura Tursi. “The
way the library is calculating our raises amounts
to a $4,717 loss for this bargaining unit as a
whole.”

The bargaining unit, part of CSEA Suffolk
County Local 852, had been without a contract for
seven months before the agreement. In the three
months since the agreement, the unit and the
library have been unable to agree on how to
calculate the increase.

“The community approved the library budget
to fund our increase,” Tursi said. “I can’t see
any reason for the library trustees not to abide
by the terms of our contract.”

( Region | Workshop held )

McAFEE, N.J. — More than 200 CSEA members attended session. A seminar on developments in
from the union’s Long Island Region attended the public service law was presented by Attorney
11th Annual Region I Workshop here recently. Five Pauline Kinsella of the Albany law firm of Roemer
seminars drew enthusiastic crowds. & Featherstonhaugh. t

A seminar on workers’ compensation was CSEA Director of Communications Michael P. i
conducted by Elliot Levine of the firm of Kotler & Moran conducted a seminar on improving the
Vitale, Huntington. Linda Berry, director of higher public image of the union. He was assisted by
education and opportunity programs at Skidmore Assistant Director of Communications Melinda
College, Saratoga Springs, spoke on the subject of Carr. A discussion dealing with insurance was led
self-assessment and goal-setting at another well- Py is DeLuca and Art Morales of Jardine Insurance

rokers, Inc.

BREAKING. for coffee between seminars at recent regional workshop were Long Island Region
President Danny Donohue, left, Connie Wunderlich of Suffolk County Educational Local 870, and CSEA
Executive Vice President Joseph E. McDermott.

am
3 : Se ' :
HOSPITALITY is extended by a group of Long Island Region women leaders to CSEA statewide
Treasurer Barbara Fauser, center, during recent regional workshop. From left are Nassau Retirees
Local 919 President Bertye Rees; Annette Hunt of Nassau County Local 830; Fauser; Long Island
Region Treasurer Jean Wichmann; and Carol Craig, chairwoman of the regional education committee,
which arranged the workshop program.

P sg AP aR CD “e ;

< Ze ; aN aee cscs ces
SELLING PINS to help boost the upcoming International Games for the Disabled were Nassau County
Local 830 members Joan McEntee, left, Ida Scalise and Ken Zwerling. Hundreds of CS9EA members are
\ working on preparing facilities for the games, to be held June 16-30 in Uniondale.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984 Page 19

More Smithtown sites identified
as potential methane timebombs

“EACH SITE PRESENTS A VERY SERIOUS POTENTIAL HAZARD"

7 By Joel Bruinooge
CSEA Communications Associate

SMITHTOWN — CSEA has widened the scope of its investigation into a
serious methane gas explosion last month at the Smithtown landfill facility
that injured three employees.

CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Mitchell Brathwaite has
identified three other Town of Smithtown facilities where a methane gas ex-
plosion danger may threaten employees. Brathwaite called for the state
Department of Labor to inspect each worksite.

Smithtown’s Senior Citizens Center, Highway Department headquarters,
and Highway Department annex at Kings Park were all built on or near old
landfills. ‘Each site presents a very serious potential hazard,” says
Brathwaite.

‘The danger created by methane gas escaping from landfills was dramat- -
ically brought to the public’s attention in early May when three CSEA wor-
kers were seriously burned in the methane gas explosion at the Smithtown
Municipal Services Facility.

Injured in the May 4 blast were Local 852 members Frank Detelich,
29, a maintenance mechanic; William Maccaro Jr., 22, a laborer; and Vito
Lasurdo, 21, a laborer. All three were injured when an explosion occurred
in a room housing electrical equipment. :

CSEA Unit President William Maccaro Sr., whose son was among the
three injured, complained as long ago as last summer of methane gas in the
very room where the explosion occurred, A subsequent inspection by the

_ Department of Labor found no methane, but several CSEA membets say the
building was vented prior to the DOL inspection after the department provided
prior notice of their pending investigation.

That angers union officials, who point out that New York state requires
such inspections be unannounced except in case of imminent danger or where
special preparations are necessary. “DOL can’t claim imminent danger ex-

_ isted because they waited more than two months to inspect,” says Brathwaite.
“Special preparations were not needed, since you want to test for methane
under the real conditions that exist during the workday.”’

A fund to
jured in

Fund aiding
injured men
established

aot x ay fe 2 c a
MITCHELL BRATHWAITE, left, CSEA occupational health and safety
specialist, has inspected the Smithtown Municipal Services Facility, back-
ground, and three other town work sites for possible methane gas contami-

nation. Brathwaite is discussing the problem with Smithtown sanitation
head Duane. Rhodes.

WHILE IN WAPPINGERS FALLS, THE CONCERN IS ABOUT

ASBESTOS

WAPPINGERS F'ALLS — Office personnel in

t Main Street

Samples taken in the district’s other 13 school

the Wappingers Central School District who are
long-term employees at Roy C. Ketchum High
School have been urged to take advantage of an

~offer to undergo a chest X-ray to detect any
effects of asbestos.

CSEA Unit President Mary Jane McNair
explained that the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
recently discovered the presence of asbestos in
the ceiling tiles in an old section of the high
school.

While NIOSH made interim recommendations
for cleaning and maintenance of the building
until preliminary findings could be verified,
acting School Superintendent Lawrence Gilmour
decided to close the school building to all staff
and students as a precautionary measure.

Following thorough testing, the school was
reopened with the exception of the old section.

bis a

UNIT PRESIDENT Mary Jane McNair

Page 20 ‘THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, June 1, 1984

buildings indicated no asbestos present.

MeNair said she is encouraging all long-term
and retired employees to sign up for the
screening. There will be no charge. Results will
be given to each individual and, if desired, his or
her physician. Group results will be included in
the NIOSH final report.

NIOSH noted that employees who have had
chest X-rays in the last 12-18 months need not be X-
rayed again. NIOSH personnel will examine the
films with the consent of the employee.

MeNair praised Gilmour for his concern for
the employees. “I want to be sure and mention
that Mr. Gilmour has been extremely cautious in
his concern with the employees,” she said.

Anyone interested in having the screening
should leave their name and address with
Gilmour’s office. They will be contacted as soon
as final arrangements have been made for the
X-ray.