Photo of CSEA member Mavis Alexander by David Galarza
CSEA is joining
unions across the
country in calling on
President Bush
to delay plans to
immunize health
care workers
against smallpox
until major
concerns about
the health and |
welfare of the
workers can be
Photo of the Month
S ie
ge
Photo by Mark M. Kotzin
Brian Kehoe, highway crew leader, Oswego County
Highway Department, stands outside the Oswego
County Highway Facility in Scriba before unused
and buried equipment. Some of the county’s moth-
balled equipment has been pressed into service due
to heavy snowfall this winter. See related stories on
Pages 5, 10 and 11.
CSEA member dies on job
CORTLAND — CSEA member Joseph Finn, 46, of
Cortland, died while shoveling snow at the
Department of Environmental Conservation office
where he was a Maintenance Assistant.
A coroner ruled the death was of natural causes
due to a heart attack. Although PESH investigated the
death, they also deemed it not work related.
Finn was survived by his parents.
Note: Each month, The Work Force will
feature an excerpt of the union’s agenda for the
future. To read the entire agenda, visit
www.csealocal1000.net and click on the
“Officers” link.
February
Diverse Constituencies
CSEA is a democratic Union committed to protecting
the rights of our diverse constituencies.
+ Our members comprise many differences.
+ Our diversities encompass culture, religion,
geography, politics and work.
+ Our collective strength is our diversity.
BND
AVUS)
Correction
CSEA member Doreen Diemer was incorrectly
identified in a photo caption on Page 7 in the
January 2003 Work Force.
Page 2 THE WORK FORCE February 2003
CSEA getting ready
for budget news
ALBANY — CSEA is calling on Gov.
George Pataki to take a fair and
responsible approach to balancing the
state budget.
At press time there was little detail
about Pataki’s pending budget
presentation.
CSEA President Danny Donohue said
he was “troubled” by the lack of detail
given in last month’s State of the State
address about how the governor plans
to deal with what many experts believe
may be an unprecedented $10 billion
budget shortfall.
“This is no time for surprises,”
Donohue said. “Contract talks between
the state and CSEA are just around the
corner and CSEA members expect and
deserve to be treated fairly at the
negotiating table.” (See President’s
Column, Page 4)
Right to know
Donohue also said New York
taxpayers deserve to know what impact
proposed spending cuts may have on
services they and their families depend
on, as well as what the long-term cost of
those cuts will be.
Pataki did say he would work with
CSEA and other unions to further reduce
the size of the state work force.
Although he said he hoped to avoid
layoffs, he did not rule them out.
Donohue said layoffs signal a failure of
the administration’s policies.
“CSEA members are willing to do our
fair share to help deal with a crisis,” he
said. “But we didn’t cause this crisis and
we're not willing to be scapegoats for
fiscal mismanagement or an
unwillingness to deal with problems
before they reached the crisis stage.”
Donohue said New York needs a
comprehensive and long-range plan that
is balanced and fair to deal with the
budget crisis. He said he expects the
governor to work with the union to find
real solutions.
CSEA has already offered one
proposal to help the state and localities
save money. The union has called on the
governor and state legislators to focus
on Medicaid prescription drug price
reform as a top priority in dealing with
the budget crisis.
Prescription drug plan
Testifying before the Assembly Health
Committee last month, Donohue said
prescription drug prices are the major
driver of increasing health care costs
and told lawmakers the rise in
prescription drug prices has outpaced
the increase in prices of nearly all other
products while drug company CEO’s
reap huge profits.
Several states, including Florida,
Maine and Michigan, have enacted
prescription drug price reforms and
realized significant savings. A Boston
University study suggests similar
actions by New York could help realize
$400 million annually in Medicaid
savings alone, with further savings
possible with additional reform.
“There is no one simple solution to
the state’s fiscal situation but it would
be irresponsible not seek out the
savings that other states are already
realizing in this area,” Donohue said.
“Prescription drug price reform is but
one example of the type of real and
long-term solutions that can get New
York state back on the road to recovery.
We urge Gov. Pataki and state
lawmakers to work with us to find
more.”
— Ed Molitor
Hevesi knocks Bush plan on NY fallout
New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi estimates President Bush’s proposal to
reduce capital gains taxes and eliminate taxes on dividends will cost New York $3.4
billion in lost revenues over four years.
Hevesi said the Bush package hits New York in three ways:
*Revenues lost from eliminating the tax on corporate dividends will amount to
$520 million in 2003, growing to a total of $2.15 billion through 2006 and at least
$6.4 billion over 10 years;
*Revenues lost from reduced capital gains will cost the state $200 million over
four years and $1.8 billion over 10 years; and
*The state will have to increase interest on notes and bonds to compete with
tax-free dividends.
Bush’s smallpox vaccine plan
another blow to workers
SEA is joining unions
across the country in
calling on President Bush
to delay plans to immunize
health care workers against
smallpox until major concerns
about the health and welfare of
the workers can be addressed.
As this edition of The Work
Force went to press, the first
phase of plans to immunize more
than 500,000 health care workers
was set to begin.
On Jan. 17, the American
Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees (AFSCME),
CSEA’s international affiliate,
urged Bush to delay the process
until a number of health and
safety issues are addressed.
AFSCME pointed out serious
concerns that the Smallpox
Vaccination Program is being
implemented without a
comprehensive program to
educate, medically screen,
monitor and treat vaccine
recipients, and to educate and
treat affected family members,
co-workers and patients.
Joining the 1.3 million-member
AFSCME in calling for a delay in
vaccination are the 2.7 million-
member American Nurses
Association and the 750,000-
member Service Employees
International Union, among other
unions.
AFL-CIO President John
Sweeney and AFSCME President
Gerald McEntee have each
written to the president
requesting a delay as well.
At present, neither the drug
companies manufacturing the
vaccine nor the insurance
companies who cover Workers’
Compensation own any liability
in the vaccine distribution.
“Theoretically, a worker could
be ordered to get the vaccine by
their employer, get sick from it
— or worse — and they and
their family would have no legal
recourse, no one to blame, under
the current proposal,” said CSEA
President Danny Donohue.
Immunity has also been
granted to hospitals
administering the vaccine.
Member concerns
Several CSEA members said
they have concerns about
receiving the vaccine.
“Because I’m in the Navy
Reserves I will soon get
vaccinated for smallpox and
anthrax. My main concern is
about negative side effects. I
have not been given enough
information about long term side
effects. Although I would rather
not have to take the vaccines,
I'm constantly thinking to myself,
‘What if I don’t get it and I'm
Sg] CSEA
members
Jerry Frazier,
above right,
and Victor
Alvarez, left,
say they have
concerns
about the
Bush proposal
to administer
smallpox
vaccine to
health care
workers.
exposed (to the virus)?” said
Mavis Alexander, a SUNY Health
and Science Center worker.
“This plan to vaccinate
(hospital workers) is a disaster
even before it starts,” said CSEA
member Victor Alvarez, an
electrician at SUNY Health and
Science.
“They are saying that only
essential people will need to get
vaccinated. Well, who’s going to
determine who's essential?”
“There just hasn’t been
enough talk about it. I hope we
start getting more information,”
said Jerry Frazier, a SUNY Health
and Science Center technician.
No friends of working families
“It makes no sense to leave
workers at risk while protecting
the drug and insurance
companies,” Donohue said.
The Smallpox Vaccine Program
fails to establish a compensation
fund to those who will suffer
serious and lifetime injuries from
the vaccination or exposure to
the vaccinia virus, according to
AFSCME.
Concerns were also raised
because the program fails to
implement the use of safety-
designed needles to protect
those administering the smallpox
vaccine and provides no
safeguards to prevent employers
from improperly coercing
employees to receive the
vaccine.
McEntee is also calling on
Bush to propose a fair method of
compensating workers who
receive the vaccine then get sick
from it.
— David Galarza and
Lou Hmieleski
See Page 5 for more
information on the vaccine
and work-related issues.
Between 14 and 52 of every 1
million people immunized will
suffer life-threatening
complications, such as
blindness and swelling of the
brain; one or two could die.
Under provisions of the
Homeland Security Act, people
injured by the vaccine would
have to sue the federal
government and prove
negligence to be compensated.
Westchester County’s health
commissioner has said he
would recommend against
health care workers and others
in the county receiving the
vaccine.
30 percent of service men and
women were not able to take
the vaccine after pre-screening,
no pre-screening is offered to
civilians.
February 2003 THE WORK FORCE Page 3
ISSN 1522-1091 E
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-ClO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President
STEPHEN A. MADARASZ
Communications Director & Publisher
STANLEY HORNAK
Deputy Director of Communications
LOU HMIELESKI
Executive Editor
AMY SCHARF
Associate Editor
CATHLEEN HORTON
Graphic Production Specialist
JANICE M. KUCSKAR
Graphic Production Specialist
BETH McINTYRE
Communications Assistant
The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York 12288.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
CSEA on-line: The CSEA web site
can be accessed at www.csealocal1000.net
Readers:
Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210-2303.
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES
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(631) 462-0030
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(212) 406-2156
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(845) 831-1000
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The Publications Committee
LONG ISLAND REGION Jean Ahlert
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CENTRAL REGION Bruce Damalt, Chair
WESTERN REGION James V. Kurtz
208 COMMUN,
ou 7, EB
Ef
SSERNATIONA
Zeetaossy SM
7 +AFLCIOICLS +N
Surprises aren’t good for labor-management
relations, public policy
here’s a lot of concern across New York
about how Gov. George Pataki’s proposed
budget plan will deal with what many analysts
believe may be an unprecedented $10 billion
budget shortfall.
CSEA has called on the governor to be fair
and responsible in his approach to balancing the
budget. But his State of the State speech raised
more questions than it answered. As always,
CSEA members are willing to do our fair share to
help deal with a crisis, but only as long as others
are also called on to fairly share the burden.
Right now it’s difficult to know the full extent of the problem
or what exactly needs to be done because the governor has only given vague
hints. We can appreciate his interest in demonstrating his confidence publicly.
But CSEA members also appreciate straight talk and fairness.
This is no time for surprises. Contract talks between the state and CSEA are
just around the corner and CSEA members expect and deserve to be treated fairly
at the negotiating table. CSEA members have done their jobs for the past four
years and continue to work hard every day on behalf of New Yorkers. Many CSEA
members who work for counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, libraries
and other public entities are in a similar situation.
Likewise, New York taxpayers, including CSEA members, deserve to know
what impact proposed spending cuts may have on services they and their families
depend on and what it’s going to cost them in the long run.
There are no quick fixes and a combination of approaches will be needed,
including raising revenue as well as finding greater economies. It is also important
to act quickly to deal with the problem before it gets worse.
We need to make the right tax choices. It makes no sense for the state to
keep cutting taxes if we are already short on revenue. It’s even worse if the result
is that localities will be forced to raise their taxes just so the state leaders can try
to score political points. CSEA believes the state must be realistic about its fiscal
situation and consider a surcharge on high income New Yorkers as the best way
to help raise revenues while having the least negative effect on the vast majority
of New Yorkers.
CSEA is looking to work with the governor on finding real solutions to our
real problems. But that means we need to be see a true labor-management
partnership built on mutual respect, trust and sharing of information to help meet
common objectives. So far all we’ve heard is that the administration plans to work
with us to downsize the work force. my
Page 4 THE WORK FORCE February 2003
The smallpox vaccination:
What you need to know
he Bush Administration
Ties recently approved the
program developed by the
Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) for implementing a
smallpox vaccination program
nationwide to provide
immunization against a
possible biological attack. CSEA
has some serious concerns
about the program's
implementation. (See related
story, Page 3). In the
meantime, here are some facts
you should know. This
information is provided to assist
you in making the decision
whether to receive the smallpox
vaccine. This plan calls for
certain individuals to receive
the vaccination before a case of
smallpox occurs. This type of
treatment is termed
“pre-event”
vaccination.
Smallpox Overview
@ Smallpox is caused
by a virus (variola) and
has been one of the
most devastating
infectious diseases in
the history of mankind.
@ There is no current
medicinal treatment for
smallpox, although vaccination
within four days of contact with
the virus can lessen the symptoms
and possibly prevent the disease.
@ Smallpox is highly contagious
and can cause blindness and other
severe physical disfigurations.
Transmission
@ Transmission of the disease is
only possible after the first
formation of the lesions in the
mouth and throat.
@ The most common mode of
smallpox transmission is through
airborne droplets of saliva from an
infected person to another
person’s mouth, nose, or
respiratory system, which usually
requires close contact because the
Smallpox vaccine
droplets do not normally travel
more than a few feet before falling
to the ground.
@ In situations where severely
infected individuals are
present, the disease could
be transmitted over
longer distances through
the air or by building
ventilation systems.
@ The disease can be
transmitted by direct skin
contact with smallpox
lesions, until all the scabs
have fallen off.
@ The disease can be
transmitted by direct skin
contact with smallpox
contaminated surfaces,
clothing, or bed linens.
Workplace Issues
It is important that workers are
involved with establishing policies
to ensure that any pre-
event vaccinations of
gee) health care workers and
® others include the
following protections:
@ Voluntary and
Informed Consent:
Vaccinations should only
be given on a voluntary
basis. Workers should be
fully informed of the
risks and benefits of
vaccination. They should have the
opportunity to discuss these
issues with their own or other
qualified medical provider prior to
deciding whether to receive the
vaccine.
@ Free and Confidential
Screening: Screening of potential
vaccine recipients is essential to
ensure that those at increased risk
do not receive the vaccine.
Information about
medical conditions of workers who
should not or do not want to take
the vaccine should be kept private.
@ No Reprisals or
Discrimination: Employers should
not take or threaten to take any
adverse action against workers for
NOT receiving the vaccine. There
should be no discrimination of any
Vaccine needle
kind against workers who should
not be vaccinated for medical
reasons.
@ No Loss of Income or Benefits:
Employers should cover any
lost time (under seven days)
or costs associated with
their employees taking the
vaccine or receiving
treatment for side effects.
Workers should not have to
use their health insurance
plan.
@ Workers’ Compensation:
The voluntary nature of
these vaccinations raises
some issues in relation to
Workers’ Compensation
coverage. Normally, if an
employee is out of work for seven
days or less, no benefits are paid
for lost wages, but medical costs
are covered. The seven days do
not have to be consecutive,
however. Eligibility for lost wages
begins on the eighth day. Any
questions on Workers’
Compensation coverage should be
determined BY YOUR EMPLOYER
prior to the vaccines being given.
@ Access to Medical Treatment:
There should be effective medical
surveillance to rapidly identify and
respond to any adverse effects
caused by the vaccine, including
availability of Vaccinia Immune
Globulin (VIG) and cidofovir.
@ Needlestick Protection:
Administering the vaccine should
be consistent with the Needlestick
Safety and Prevention Act of 2000,
which modified OSHA's
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to
require the use of needles with
safety features. Currently, the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) is planning to
distribute small 2-pronged
(bifurcated) needles that do not
have any integrated safety
features.
@ Staffing: Since one-third of
those who are vaccinated may feel
bad enough to miss work, plans
should be made to minimize the
impact of a vaccination program
on staffing levels.
February 2003
NEW
LEADING|UNION)
Represents 60,000 Workers in
LEAL CALE
SELNVLCES
Additional
Information
For additional information
on the smallpox vaccine,
consult the Center’s for
Disease Control website at:
www.cdc.gov.
For information specifically
for CSEA members, consult
the CSEA website at:
www.csealocal1000.net or
call your CSEA Occupational
Safety & Health Specialist at
your CSEA region office.
CSE Voices
66" hey are saying that
only essential people
will need to get vaccinated.
Well, who’s going to
determine who's
essential?99
— Victor Alvarez,
electrician, SUNY Health
and Science Center, a
21-year CSEA member.
THE WORK FORCE Page 5
IEW YORK'S:
LEADING, UNION)
Represents 50,000 Workers in
SOCIAL SERVICES aud
ADIUNISTRATIVE
SELWLCES
“We use the
bathroom (in
the trailer) to
make copies,
and we leave
the trailer to
use the
bathroom.”
66 (SEA takes care of the
members like one
would treat a family
member. We belong to a
large and diverse family
called CSEA.19
— Carol Guardiano, clerk I
maintenance department,
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center
Local
Function far outweighs
form in
WALLKILL — For some CSEA
members in Town Hall, going to
the bathroom has taken on a
whole new meaning.
The restroom in a trailer at
Town Hall is not equipped with
liquid soap and toilet paper but
with a microwave oven,
refrigerator and a small copy
machine. The copier sits next
to an unused toilet, while the
microwave oven sits atop a
small refrigerator.
“We use the bathroom (in the
trailer) to make copies, and we
leave the trailer to use the
bathroom,” said CSEA Town of
Wallkill Town Hall Unit
President April Shuback, one of
the affected employees.
Five union members
employed by the town’s water,
accounting and animal control
departments, including
Shuback, were moved last
summer from their offices
inside Town Hall to a trailer
behind the building because
the town’s Police Department
— also located on the site — is
expanding.
Wallkill town officials had
intended the trailer move to be
temporary, pending a taxpayer
vote on moving to a new town
hall.
The town did not hook the
adjacent trailer into any water
or sewer lines, making the
trailer’s bathroom toilet and
sink unusable.
But town taxpayers recently
voted down the proposal to
move Town Hall operations to a
former supermarket because of
high costs.
Shuback said she and the
other workers are coping with
the inconveniences associated
with the move to the trailer.
“The town is supposed to
hook up the water and sewer
lines in the trailer, but we don’t
‘office’
<a
|
Above: It’s a photocopy room. No, it’s a bathroom. No wait, it’s a
lunchroom. Below: CSEA Unit President April Shuback makes
the long, cold walk from the trailer to Town Hall.
know when that will happen,”
Shuback said. “The trailer has
heat and has very good air
conditioning in warmer
weather, but we have no
(usable) bathroom inside.”
To use the bathroom,
workers must leave the trailer
and walk to Town Hall on a
wooden ramp.
“Our biggest problem is that
the walkway gets very icy when
it snows,” Shuback said.
“There’s no traction on the
ramp, so we have to be careful.
We are supposed to be getting
a canopy for the ramp, but
we're not sure when that will
happen either.”
For now, some town officials
are trying to help the workers
cope with the situation. The
town supervisor recently
shoveled snow and ice from the
trailer’s ramp and at least one
member of the Town Council is
trying to get water and sewer
lines hooked into the trailer so
that the bathroom will be just
that.
“I guess we’re out here until
we get a new building, which
we really need,” Shuback said.
“The town is exploring its
options for a new building, and
in the meantime, we’re putting
up with it.”
— Janice Marra
February 2003 THE WORK FORCE Page 7
NEW YORK'S
LEADING)UNION|
Represents 30,000 Workers in
WASTE Ws EL,
IWAN AN a
IRFRASTRUCTULES
Give ’em a brake
Winter driving
tips
Give plows and
sanders plenty of
room.
Keep windows,
mirrors and lights
clear.
Make sure your car
is properly
maintained. Use
headlights in bad
weather.
Use caution when
approaching
intersections.
Wear your seat belt.
CSEs
Voices
(13 Bi, a CSEA member
means opportunities,
services and benefits.
— Michael C. Harris, 14-
year CSEA member, NYS
Office of General
Services, Empire Plaza
Visitor Information
Center
Page 8 THE WORK FORCE February 2003
DOT driver’s truck plunges
he walks away
100 feet;
ELLENVILLE — A CSEA member at
the state Department of
Transportation was recently injured
when his truck plunged over an
embankment while he was clearing
aroad after a snowstorm.
Carlos Santiago, a Highway
Maintenance Worker 2 and a 23-
year union member, suffered cuts,
bruises and a broken nose when
the truck he was driving left a
mountainous stretch of Route 52
outside of the Ulster County village.
A New Year's Eve rock slide
previously had caused the road to
be closed to drivers. Santiago was
plowing the stretch on Jan. 6 to
make Route 52 passable to
emergency vehicles.
While plowing on the uphill,
eastbound direction of the road, the
right front tire of Santiago’s truck
sank into a cracked, soft patch in
the road. The truck hit the
guardrail, causing it to plunge 100
feet off a cliff until it came to rest
against a tree. Santiago was alone in
the truck at the time.
Santiago was able to climb out of
the truck and call for help. He was
taken to Ellenville Regional
Hospital, where he was treated and
released.
While Santiago’s injuries were not
serious, CSEA DOT Local President
Dwayne Palen said the incident
illustrates the hazards that DOT
workers face every day in
maintaining highways.
“(The accident) again shows to
us that the nature of our jobs is
hazardous no matter where we are,”
Palen said. “Luckily, (Santiago) was
wearing a seat belt or it would’ve
been much worse for him. This
proves to us that you don’t have to
be standing in the road to get hurt
on this job.”
Palen said he believes the
accident may have been prevented
if the road’s shoulder had been
paved or had a more structurally
sound guardrail.
“The rail should have held the
truck on the road,” he said. “What if
it had been a school bus or a truck
containing explosives?”
Palen added that the active
winter has caused a strain on
highway workers across the state,
who face long hours and
treacherous conditions to safely
clear roads for drivers.
“It shows the vital service that
we provide to the people of New
York,” he said. “Hopefully, this
winter will outline the importance
of our work even more.”
— Janice Marra
Steuben County weighs lighter DPW duty
BATH — A Steuben County
Legislature committee is
considering a plan that would
divide county Department of Public
Works (DPW) crews into two, 12-
hour shifts to help lessen the load
of hours DPW workers put in while
moving loads of snow.
The plan would involve workers
to put in an eight-hour shift, then
be on call for four hours. County
officials say the proposal could take
two to three years to take effect,
and they intend to work with CSEA
in ironing out concerns the union
may have.
“These guys get run ragged. They
can’t plan anything. They can’t go
to their kids’ games. They can’t
take their wives out to dinner. Their
lives are run by snowflakes,” Tony
Clark, county snow/ice control
supervisor, told the Corning Leader.
Steuben County Local President
Ron Gillespie said the plan merits
investigating and said he was not
aware of any major concerns from
the union.
Two CSEA members, Pete
Gleason and Dave McKerrow, told
the Corning Leader they had mixed
Steuben County CSEA member Pete Gleason operates a county DPW
truck recently. The county is considering a new schedule aimed at
giving road crews more time off between shifts.
feelings about the plan, raising
concerns about adequate training.
“Not everyone can drive one of
those trucks,” McKerrow said. “You
don’t just hop in and drive it
around.”
During regular work hours, the
county could count on more hours
of coverage from road crews,
making it easier to keep roads safer,
according to county officials.
During heavy storms, the 12-hour
shift would give crews a chance to
rest, allowing them to begin their
shifts fresh.
Having the extra workers on call
would make it easier to reach
workers for overtime, the county
claims.
Penn Yan’s drive to win brings
national bus rodeo title
PENN YAN — Just call Sue
Gettings and Lee Ann Ovens
champions.
The two CSEA bus drivers for
the Penn Yan School District
earned the 2002 national team
championship for their skills in
the National Rodeo for Drivers of
Disabled Students held in Texas
last year.
“We're really proud of them,”
said Frank Modaffari, Penn Yan
Schools Unit president. “They
represented our district very well
at the rodeo, just as they do every
day on the job.”
“We normally drive our own
separate routes for the district,
but we competed together as a
team for the rodeo, because that’s
the way it’s set up — for two-
person teams,” said Sue Gettings,
a 35-year veteran driver. “It was a
lot of fun, and it’s good to have
your skills tested, and come out
on top. Plus, we both love driving
for our kids.”
The rodeo consisted of written
tests, vehicle pre-checks, secure
wheelchair loading, and
Bus drivers Lee Ann Ovens (left) and Sue Gettings (right) earned the
2002 national team championship at the National Rodeo for Drivers
of Disabled Students.
emergency evacuation, in addition
to driving an obstacle course.
“We’re planning on going back
next year to defend our title,” said
Ovens, a nine-year schools
employee.
“We're sure they'll repeat
another title run next year too,”
said Modaffari. “We'll all be
cheering them on.”
— Ron Wofford
Feisty Southold Unit gets attention
SOUTHOLD — More
than 30 fired-up CSEA
members of the
Southold School District
Unit took their contract
fight to the streets and
now they are getting
results.
On a frigid December
night, the union
members mounted a
loud, spirited
the talk of the town and
forced the school board
into addressing their
concerns.
The December school
board meeting was
dominated by a
discussion of the
contract dispute. That’s
when the board turned
over what amounted to a
new contract proposal,
demonstration while
and now the two sides
their intransigent school
board was having dinner,
just prior to the monthly
school board meeting.
Carrying signs that read:
NO MORE RHETORIC!
HOLD THE LINE! and
CSEA NEEDS A FAIR
Members of the Southold School District Unit take
to the streets recently, urging action on stalled
contract talks. The mobilization paid off, forcing
the school board to address their concerns.
CONTRACT! the tiny
Southold Unit, led by
unit President Don
Fisher, made its point
clear. After working
nearly six months
without a contract, the
union members became
have returned to the
bargaining table.
— Rachel Langert
Represents 55,000 Workers in
EPUCATLOLK SUFFOLK
SELNVLCES
SOUTHOLD UNIT
REACHES OUT —
The CSEA Southold
School District Unit
collected and
delivered 11 large
boxes full of non-
perishable food
items to striking
union brothers and
sisters from the
Plum Island Animal
Disease Center off
Long Island’s North
Shore. The
recipients were
deeply appreciative,
and said that any
visit or show of
solidarity and
support for their
long fight would do
wonders for the
members’ morale.
CSER Voices
4 j
66 (SEA hosts education
conferences that are
enjoyable and very
informative.
— Bridget Balletto, clerk
typist, attendance office,
Bellmore-Merrick School
District
February 2003 THE WORKFORCE Page 9
“ee THE WORK Fone
Winter’s hammer time fails to nail road crews
Editor's note: CSEA road crews and the workers
who support them in upstate New York have
faced a fiercer than usual winter. At a recent
CSEA Board of Directors meeting, CSEA's
statewide officers and the Board of Directors
issued a big thank you to the men and women of
state and local government highway crews for
their hard work and dedication in the recent
storms. This story focuses on efforts in parts of
the Capital Region.
other Nature recently dealt a one-two
Mie to residents of the Capital
Region — leaving more than 40 inches
of snow in less than a week over the holidays
Cohoes DPW workers first break up snow
banks with a grader ...
— but the daunting blows did little to stagger
CSEA members working on road crews.
Like an unwelcome house guest, the first
storm arrived on Christmas and just wouldn't
leave. On Jan. 3, another storm dropped more
footage on top of ice, making a bad situation
worse. Travelers were stranded, malls closed
and everyone was scrambling to get home
after a final trip to the store.
While residents hunkered down and
temperatures dipped to single digits, things
were just heating up for CSEA's plow and heavy
equipment operators.
Page LO February 2003
To date, more than 73 inches of snow has
fallen at the Albany Airport. Typically the
Capital Region averages 53 inches during the
entire winter.
For the hill towns just west of the city,
higher elevations mean higher numbers, with
the two recent storms dropping more than 60
inches alone. For many, this will be a winter to
remember.
“We had a couple of really bad storms back
in the '80s, but the way these storms came
back to back like that was really unique,” said
Bob Pierre, CSEA Cohoes DPW Unit president.
In the early hours of a large storm, crews are
just trying to keep the roads passable for
emergency personnel, said Rick Williams, East
Greenbush DPW foreman and 23-year CSEA
then use a snowblower on steroids to
clear the snow ...
member.
For many, this means long shifts, little sleep
and lots of coffee. “You gotta keep going to
keep the roads open,” said Kevin Slingerland,
who works in the Hill Town of Westerlo for the
Albany County DPW.
Caffeine helped him get through a 35-hour
shift at the height of the last storm, Slingerland
said. Guided by a sense of responsibility to the
public these workers do what they have to just,
to make it through.
“It really takes a toll,” said Pierre. Fatigue,
near-zero visibility add to demands.
“There are no shifts,” said Rick Bender, DPW
Unit president for the town of East Greenbush,
“You just go until you can’t anymore.”
Doing more with less
Many of the crews now do more work with
fewer people. The Albany County DPW had
about 40 members in the unit in 1978,
remembers John Nevins, Albany County DPW
foreman in Westerlo, a 23-year CSEA member.
Now there are 16. The state contracts with
counties for snow removal, adding to the
county burden.
Tralfic, parked cars, trash cans and growing
populations add to difficulties. Municipalities
heeding forecasters’ warnings declared snow
emergencies, easing snow removal with
parking restrictions.
... Which is trucked away.
“When a snow emergency is called early,
that makes our job much easier at the
beginning,” said Pierre.
Mopping up
When it stops snowing things kick into high
gear. Steep snowbanks cut a driver's visibility
and narrow streets. But harder yet is making
the snowbanks disappear.
To do that, crews like the one in Cohoes
work with military-like precision. Plows cut
snowbanks down to size, followed by a giant
snowblower, which blows the snow and ice
into dumptrucks following alongside.
One short city block will easily fill three
trucks.
Always plenty of work
Once things calm down there’s still work to
be done. The equipment that’s been running on
overdrive is in need of repair. Fire hydrants
need to be dug out and mailboxes that have
crumpled under the weight of the snow or
plows need to be replaced. The Saratoga
County DPW has a two-man cleanup crew
whose sole job is to replace downed mailboxes
throughout the county.
Albany County
DPW Unit drivers
in the county's
Hill Towns —
Knox, Berne and
Westerlo — see
many feet of
snow every
winter.
As mentally and physically exhausted as
these workers are after such extreme
conditions, they are still forced to contend
with that age-old question, “Why did you plow
my driveway in?” The answer is simple, said
Williams, “The plow only goes one way.”
Williams adds, “I'll come home from work after
a 20-hour shift and have to turn around and
shovel out my own driveway.” And, so it goes.
— Therese Assalian
Elsewhere ...
LOWVILLE — In Lewis and Jefferson Counties, CSEA members continue to do their regular job of
handling the massive amounts of snow that pile up on them thanks to the “lake effect” snow off
of Lake Ontario. According to DOT Region 7 Highway Maintenance Supervisor I Jim McHugh, this
year's snow/all has been nothing out of the ordinary.
“We get storms where we get one foot in the morning, one foot in the evening, and one foot
overnight, but that’s pretty much par for the course.”
McHugh reports that his folks are out on the roads constantly, working seven day weeks and
12-hour days on average. “When we have an eight-hour day, it’s almost like having a day off,” he
joked. “We've had guys who haven't had a day off since November. That's pretty much our
normal winter.”
HERKIMER — The village was one of the areas hit hard by both the Christmas Day storm and the
subsequent New Years’ storm. The first storm dumped around three feet of snow, followed by the
second, which was at least another two feet. According to Herkimer DPW Unit President George
Greiner, a heavy equipment operator, his 14 members were doing their best to play catch-up.
“It was just a lot of cleanup, a lot of hours to try and clean up the streets. The biggest
challenge was finding somewhere on the streets to plow it,” he said.
COOPERSTOWN — Among the hardest hit counties by the Christmas and New
Years’ storms was Otsego County, and the CSEA members working in the county
Highway Department said it was quite a challenge to keep ahead of the storms.
According to Mechanic Neil Olmstead, who plows snow during the winter
months, the two storms left nearly 60 inches of snow in some areas of the county.
“We haven't had snow like this in years,” he said. “Our challenge was just trying | «
to keep up with clearing the roads so they were passable. We had guys working
real hard, plowing for five hours straight without getting out of the trucks.”
ay
Olmstead
THE WORK FORCE.
Top 10 ways you know
you’re in a snow
emergency
10. That great parking spot you got last
night is for the wrong side of the street.
9. The annoying text tickers and graphics
that your local TV news station plasters all
over the screen during a storm don't seem
as annoying.
8. Relatives from Buffalo send you
sympathy cards.
7. The video store has plenty of copies of
“Dr. Zhivago.”
6. Your spouse keeps asking why you didn’t
buy that snowblower before they sold out.
5. You keep wondering, “Why didn’t I buy
that snowblower before they sold out?”
4. Your dog hasn't been walked in three
days and doesn’t seem to mind.
3. Domino's won't deliver.
2. Your heating bill is higher than the Gross
National Product of a small country.
1. The plow just came through and dumped
another foot of snow on the driveway you
just cleared!
February 2003 Page 11
9/11 debris concerns Metro Region members
MANHATTAN — More than a
year after the World Trade
Center tragedy, windows, air
conditioners, and rugs at one
state agency near Ground
Zero still haven’t been
properly cleaned, according
to CSEA members.
Odors permeate office
“Nothing has been done,”
said Barbara Schoates, a clerk
at the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) as she glances
at a window smudged with
unknown particles. “Every so
often we smell the same odor
that we smelled after we first
returned to our
of safety equipment,” said
Schoates, who added that
many workers bought their
own gloves to handle
materials at their job site.
“We were originally alerted
by CSEA members who were
concerned about a building
around the corner that nearly
collapsed and had to be
demolished,” said Region
Health and Safety Chair Frank
Cosentino. “But when we got
to the DMV we noticed that
the windows were filthy and
the air conditioners had not
been replaced.”
Following the tragedy, the
federal and state
Es it
CSEA member Barbara Schoates points to some debris that
“We're going to keep
working on this hazardous
offices.” governments pitched in " ‘i
The DMV millions of dollars to remains on office windows since Sept. 11.
office, two mm clean up offices and A
‘ NEW, YORK'S) ia Cosentino and CSEA OSH
pneeasont of LEADING/UNION) buildings thet had heen staff will meet with federal
round Zero, 265,000 Members Strong contaminated by falling Environmental Protection
remained
closed until
late October
2001. The
building was reopened to the
public on Nov. 13.
TEAL Ty
No safety equipment offered
SARE and
debris. However, the
media has reported
that in many cases
undocumented
workers, with no experience
in cleaning up toxic
substances, were used in
clean-up efforts.
remedies.
smell.
Agency representatives soon
to discuss the debris and
So far, several members
have complained of upper
respiratory ailments. Another
said she’s lost her sense of
CSEA’s Occupational
Safety and Health
Department has
“We weren't given any kind
established a Safety
and Health Network for
CSEA activists
interested in occupational safety and
health issues.
The network will receive the quarterly
newsletter The Canary, a copy of any new
safety and health booklet, current
changes in rules or regulations, and any
other pertinent information related to the
safety and health of the CSEA
membership.
Page 12 THE WORKFORCE February 2003
CSEA’s leadership mailing list (all local
and unit presidents) is already part of
this network. CSEA needs to obtain the
name and address of at least one person
per local or unit to receive this
information. The most appropriate
person would be the safety and health
committee chair. Much of the information
distributed will be helpful in
labor/management meetings.
If you are interested in being part of
this Safety and Health Network, please fill
out the adjacent coupon and return it to:
CSEA, Attn: Monique St. Hilaire, 143
Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
situation,” said Cosentino.
“It’s unacceptable and
inexcusable for our members
to be exposed to such
unknown threats.”
CSEA safety and health mailing list
Please add the following CSEA
member to the Safety and
Health Network:
(Please print clearly.)
Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Social Security Number:,
CSEA Local Number:
— David Galarza
CSEA member saves man’s life
in harrowing
eryday Heroes
EAST GREENBUSH — Just days before
Thanksgiving, George Forgea was driving in
his truck when he got a call about a fast-
moving fire with residents trapped inside.
Forgea, a volunteer firefighter, assistant fire
chief and town DPW employee, was just
seconds from the house.
A frantic woman, clutching a baby and
yelling for help met him when he pulled up.
Her father, Frederick Bauer, who is
confined to a wheelchair due to a disability,
was trapped in the house. Forgea had to
act quickly to save this man’s life and, as it
would turn out, to save his own.
Operating on pure adrenaline, Forgea
jumped out of his truck and into the
burning home. The 12-year CSEA member
entered through the living room and
followed screams coming from the kitchen.
Fire rapidly was consuming the house,
fire rescue
visibility was non-existent and the dense
smoke meant he had only minutes to get in
and get out.
Police officer Ed Miano followed close
behind. Miano heard Forgea and Bauer
talking and then helped direct Forgea
through the choking smoke as he dragged
Bauer to safety.
As Forgea was approaching the porch, he
was overcome with smoke and almost went
down. John Herrington, another volunteer
firefighter, whisked Forgea away from the
house while Miano scooped up Bauer.
Both Bauer and Forgea received oxygen
at the scene. Bauer was taken away in an
ambulance. Forgea was later checked out
at the hospital and found to be OK.
Looking back, Forgea admits that
conditions inside the house were scary.
“I didn’t think I was coming out,” he said
recently.
On Thanksgiving, Forgea received a call
from the man’s daughter. She updated him
EU V7
NEW YORK
LEADING) UNION)
265,000 Members Strong
LAWL, FLLEKDS end
WELELEGKS
on Bauer's
condition and
thanked him for saving her father’s life. Of
course, many others are quick to give
credit to a man whose bravery and
humility truly exemplify a hero.
“You have to be real proud of him. I am.
This is great for one of our guys to do what
has to be done,” said Herrington, also a
town employee.
For Forgea and his co-workers, many of
whom are volunteer firefighters, helping in
the community and taking pride in one’s
work as community members go hand in
hand. There is a strong level of
camaraderie combined with a sense of
responsibility.
“It’s just in a day’s work,” said
Herrington.” Echoing that sentiment,
Forgea said, “Any one of us would have
done it.”
— Therese Assalian
A holiday at home for CSEA member and his family
QUEENS — Chaton Duplessy received a
holiday present a little earlier than most.
The CSEA member, a mechanic at the
Bronx Psychiatric Center, finally had his
baby boy Yvan home with his family for
Christmas, after the boy spent nearly all of
his 3 years in the hospital.
“It’s good that he’s here at home with
us,” said Duplessy. “The last two
Christmas’ we were in the hospital with
him.”
Yvan Duplessy has suffered from
seizures and a myriad of other ailments
since he was 3 months old. Doctors remain
baffled by his illness, said Duplessy.
“We have taken him to neurologists and
other specialists and they still don’t know
what he has,” said Duplessy.
Baby Yvan has already undergone major
surgery and has been prescribed dozens of
medicines to treat ailments ranging from
pneumonia to a kidney condition.
The whole ordeal has been stressful for
Duplessy, his wife, Remedios, and their
daughter, Thalia, 5.
Remedios, Yvan and Chaton Duplessy
enjoy a moment together at their Queens
home over the holidays.
Duplessy said he was comforted by all
the support he has received from fellow
CSEA members at the Bronx Psychiatric
Center.
“They were great. They knew about my
problem and were very supportive,” said
Duplessy. “They always ask me about the
baby.”
The Regional Women’s and Education
Committees also extended a hand by
raising funds to help the Duplessy’s enjoy
the holidays. They donated a gift certificate
to Toys R Us so the Duplessy's could
purchase some toys for their children.
“We needed to do all we could to help
this CSEA brother, his family and their
child,” said Jacqueline Stanford, Chair of
the Women’s Committee. “It’s something
that we would try to do for any of our
members in a similar yet very unfortunate
situation.”
Duplessy remains optimistic and
prayerful that Yvan will remain healthy and
at home.
“It’s still hard because we don’t know
what the future holds. We don’t know if
he’s going to walk or talk,” said Duplessy.
“But he’s still my son.”
— David Galarza
February 2003 THE WORK FORCE Page 13
ee ial aS J hy
THERE, THAT
LOOKS PRETTY GOOD
IF I DO SAY So MYSELF!
16 years ago...
SAFETY & HEALTH
OSHA’S
Bloodborne
Pathogens Standard
EN
CSE
Page 14 THE work FORCE
When the AIDS epidemic ravaged millions of
people worldwide in the mid-1980s, lack of
information and understanding posed an enormous
risk. Little was initially known about AIDS, how
communicable it was and what procedures health
care workers should follow in caring for individuals.
CSEA was in the forefront of ensuring that workers
had the most up-to-date information and support to
protect themselves and those they served.
The union helped present educational programs at
union workshops and in work sites. Union
publications helped deliver important information
about the disease and safety & health procedures to
be followed. CSEA also worked to make sure
Centers for Disease Control protocols were
extended to the Occupational Safety & Health and
Public Employees Safety & Health Acts.
February 2003
Also in 1987:
2 Presidential candidate Gary Hart drops out
of the race over “Monkey Business” scandal
2 Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev
introduces limited freedoms to the Soviet
Union, restructuring the Soviet economy
(perestroika) and calling for an end to
censorship (glasnost).
** Lt. Col. Oliver North testifies that he
assumed President Reagan knew funds were
diverted to the Contras and that key
documents were destroyed.
* U.S. Constitution’s 200th Anniversary
* |8-month-old Jessica McClure is pulled from
a well with only minor injuries.
2 Black Monday hits on Oct. 19, as the Dow
and other markets plummet.
KS.
NEW.YOR
265,000 Members Strong
Martin Luther King Jr.
cei event celebrates justice,
LAGOR LINt© equality and kinship
BALDWIN — Hundreds turned
out for the ninth annual
luncheon salute to the Rev.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
It was an opportunity for CSEA
members from all over Long
Island, members of the Coalition
of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU),
and people of good will to gather
and pay tribute to the premier
civil rights advocate.
Members of the community
also participated through stirring
dance, drama, and musical
presentations.
The event was organized by
the Nassau County Local's
Diversity Committee, which is
co-chaired by CSEA members
Tim Corr and Rudy Bruce. “This
gathering is a celebration of the
ideals represented by Dr. King:
justice, equality, and the kinship
of all people,” said Bruce.
Corr added: “It is a chance for
CSEA activists to recommit
themselves to the fight for
human rights for everyone, and
to pay homage to a truly great
leader,”
Two dedicated union leaders
of our time participated as well
— CSEA President Danny
Donohue and AFSCME Secretary-
Treasurer William Lucy.
Donohue said he was proud to
be part of a celebration that kept
the sprit of King alive. “At a time
CSEA President Danny Donohue (left) and AFSCME Secretary-
Treasurer William Lucy (right) were guest speakers at the MLK
Luncheon in Baldwin.
when violent action was too
often utilized, Rev. King proved
that non-violence can get things
done,” said Donohue.
“Martin Luther King showed
that when good people stand
together, they can make a
difference,” Donohue added.
Donohue also reminded
attendees that King was an
organizer who stirred people to
reach deep down inside
themselves and find creative
ways to make waves for positive
change.
“If Rev. King was here, he
would challenge every one of us
to fight for comparable worth,
for equity, for fairness, and for
one another,“ said Donohue.
AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer
William Lucy, who marched with
King, said he couldn’t agree
more. “As part of the human
family, we have a moral
obligation to leave this world a
little better than we found it.”
Lucy said it is critical that
Americans rededicate
themselves to making King’s
dream of equality and justice a
reality.
Derrick Chestnut plays a
tribute to the Rev. King on
his saxophone.
“Current economic policy is
enacted at the expense of
working people,” said Lucy.
“This nation lost 100,000 jobs in
December. While corporate
thieves line their pockets,
working families are left to pay
the price.”
“Our nation may be planning
to go to war tomorrow, but we
can’t even deal with the real war
on our own working people in
this country,” said Lucy. “Still, Dr.
King’s work lives on in the work
of CBTU, CSEA activists, and in
the day to day struggles of all
those who challenge the system
to do the right thing for average
people.”
The message of the day was
clear: Despite all the struggles
that lay ahead, the Rev. King
would say that we should not
agonize; we should organize!
— Rachel Langert
Moving forward for progressive change
unions at home and abroad as well as
the economic system that favors the
hopes of all working women and men.
The program included musical
selections, a video, essay contest,
dance program and performance by
Jack Landron, a bilingual actor and
singer, union member and former
personal assistant to Rev. King.
ALBANY — CSEA joined with a
coalition of labor organizations in
Albany for the fifth annual labor
celebration in honor of the Rev. Martin
Luther King Jr. titled Moving Forward
for Progressive Change.
The event celebrates the life of the
Rev. Martin Luther King and recognizes
the commitment of workers and their
The Student Theater Outreach Program performed a dance at the fifth annual
labor celebration in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
February 2003 THE WORK FORCE Page 15
Important Reminders for State Employees
he following information is intended for CSEA represented Executive Branch enrollees — enrollees employed by the
State of New York covered by one of the following CSEA collective bargaining agreements: Administrative Services Unit,
Institutional Services Unit, Operational Services Unit or the Division of Military and Naval Affairs.
Considering
Retirement?
What you need to know about continuing your
NYSHIP health insurance coverage into retirement
As you plan for retirement, one of the most
important decisions you will have to make is
what to do with your health insurance coverage.
Information is the key to a smooth transition
into retirement. Talk with your agency’s health
benefits administrator (usually located in the
Human Resources or Personnel office) early in
your retirement planning to make sure that your
service qualifies you for health insurance as a
retiree. The following information can be found in
the New York State Health Insurance Program
(NYSHIP) General Information Book and is meant
to assist CSEA State Executive Branch members
who are planning to retire.
Do not assume that your health insurance
benefits will continue automatically when you
retire. In order for you to continue NYSHIP
coverage for yourself and your eligible
dependents after you retire you must meet three
eligibility requirements:
First, you must have completed a minimum
service requirement, determined by the date on
which you last entered state service:
— If you were last hired before
April 1, 1975, you must have had at least five
years of benefits eligible state service or at least
five years of combined service with the state and
one or more of its participating employers or
participating agencies that participate in NYSHIP.
— If you were last hired on or after
April 1, 1975, you must have had at least 10 years
of benefits eligible state service or at least 10
years of combined service with the state and one
or more participating employers or participating
agencies.
Second, you must qualify for retirement as a
member of a retirement system administered by
New York State or any of New York State’s
political subdivisions.
Third, you must be enrolled in NYSHIP or be
an enrolled dependent of someone who is
enrolled in NYSHIP at the time of your retirement.
Sick Leave Credit
You may be entitled to use the value of your
accumulated unused sick leave to offset all or
part of the cost of your individual or family
health insurance during retirement whether you
are in the Empire Plan or an HMO. This will not
affect the value of your sick leave for pension
purposes.
Lifetime Monthly Credit
When you retire, your unused sick leave is
converted into a dollar amount by dividing the
total dollar value of your sick leave by your
actuarial life expectancy in months. The result is
a lifetime monthly credit, which reduces your
cost for health insurance for as long as you
remain enrolled in any NYSHIP option. The
amount of your monthly credit will remain the
same throughout your lifetime. However, the
balance you pay may change each year. Enrollees
can estimate the value of their sick leave credit
by referring to the calculation worksheet located
in the NYSHIP General Information Book or on the
web at www.cs.state.ny.us.
If you are currently planning for retirement and
would like to know more about continuing your
health insurance coverage, contact your agency
health benefit administrator (HBA) usually
located in the personnel department.
May 15 is deadline for submitting
proposed resolutions, changes to
CSEA’s Constitution and Bylaws
Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the CSEA constitution and Bylaws for
consideration by delegates to the union’s 2003 Annual Delegates Meeting must be submitted
by May 15, 2003.
Proposed resolutions may be submitted only by a delegate and must be submitted on the
proper forms. Forms for submitting resolutions are available from CSEA headquarters and
region offices.
Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws must be
submitted no later than May 15 to Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves, CSEA Headquarters,
143 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y., 12210-2303.
The 2003 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting will be held Oct. 20-24 in Lake Placid.
Page 16 THE WORK FORCE February 2003.
Deadlines for 2002
Empire Plan claims
Empire Plan enrollees have until March
31, 2003 (90 days after the end of the
calendar year) in which to submit medical
expenses which were incurred during the
2002 plan year to:
United Health Care Service Corp.
P.O. Box 1600
Kingston, N.Y. 12402-1600
For the Empire Plan Basic Medical
Program, the Home Care Advocacy
Program (HCAP) and for non-network
physical therapy or chiropractic services;
ValueOptions
P.O. Box 778
Troy, N.Y. 12181-0778
For non-network mental health and
substance abuse services received in 2002;
CIGNA/Express Scripts
Member Reimbursement/Claims
Review Unit
P.O. Box 1180
Troy, N.Y. 12181-1180
For prescriptions filled at non-
participating pharmacies or at participating
pharmacies without using your New York
Government Employee Benefit Card.
Enrollees can call the Empire Plan at
1-877-7NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) with
questions or to obtain claim forms. As a
reminder, when using the Empire Plan’s
new toll-free telephone number, please pay
extra attention to the choices offered by
the automated system.
As always, please ensure accurate and
complete insurance information is given to
your provider at the time services are
received. This information assists network
providers/pharmacies in submitting claims
directly to the appropriate insurance
carrier on your behalf. If you have a non-
network claim submission, make sure you
complete the requested subscriber
information and sign the claim form, attach
an itemized billing and send to the
appropriate carrier before the deadline.
What’s For You?
REMINDER
For New York State
employees with the CSEA ATSCAME Local 100 AFL-CIO
EMELOUEE
ScCNEF:T
EBF Prescription Co-Pay
Reimbursement Plan as
well as Unified Court
System and Local Government units
(School Districts, Counties, Towns,
Cities, and Villages) with
miscellaneous benefits through the
Employee Benefit Fund, the time is
here for submission of 2002 claims.
Claims for the EBF
reimbursements plans for
Prescription Drug Co-Pays, Physician
Co-Pays, Health Insurance Co-Pay,
Legal, Hearing, Maternity, and
Annual Physical need to be
submitted with all pertinent
materials or original receipts by
March 31, 2003. Claim forms are
available by calling the Fund at the
numbers listed below.
Contacting the Fund
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
operating hours are 7:30 am to 4:30
pm. Customer Service
Representatives can be reached by
contacting the Fund at 1 (800) 323-
2732 or 1 (800) EBF-CSEA. The Fund
also has a TDD number for the
Hearing Impaired at 1 (800) 532-
3833.
When calling from a touch tone
phone, please follow our
computerized phone system
instructions.
Press 1 _ Claim Forms, Provider
Listings, Plan Booklets ... Then...
Press 1 - To use the Vision Benefit
Press 2 - Forms, Listings, Booklets
Press 2_ Dental ... Then ...
Press 1 - Claim Forms, Listings
Press 2 - Personal Assistance
Press 3_ Other EBF Benefits ... Then
Press 1 - Enrollment Mailbox
Press 2 - Vision
Press 3 - Drug
Press 4- COBRA
Press 5 - Miscellaneous Benefits &
Personal Assistance
Press 4_ Marketing Department ...
Then ...
Press 1 - Patrick Regan, Marketing
Manager
Press 2 - Colleen Switts,
Member/Provider Liaison
Then for ...
Region 1 Local Government - Linda
Sclafani ... dial 631-462-5224
Region 3 Local Government - Colleen
n Ever Better Future
Foley ... Press 3
Region 4 Local
Government - Kim Lucas ...
Press 4
Region 5 Local
Government - Meghan
Pastiglione ... Press 5
Region 6 Local Government - Sarah
Scanlon ... Press 6
Regions 1, 2, 3, 4 State - Carisa
Haber! ... Press 7
Regions 4, 5, 6 State - Dave Reed ...
Press 8
If calling from a rotary phone,
please stay on the line anda
representative will provide you with
assistance.
When making inquiries, members
should have their Social Security
Number handy along with Claim
information, dates of service,
provider’s name or other pertinent
information. If our representatives
are unable to take your call at that
time, you may be forwarded to our
voice-mail system.
When faxing materials to the Fund,
please remember that this is for
administrative or enrollment use
only and not for submission of
claims. The appropriate department
fax numbers are:
Administrative Offices - 518-782-1234
Marketing Department - 518-782-9979
Dental - 518-782-7052
Member Services (enrollment,
vision, misc. benefits) - 518-786-3658
Ski Belleayre!
Belleayre Mountain, owned and operated by the
state Department of Environmental Conservation, is
offering a discount State Worker Day on Sunday,
Feb. 23.
Ski all day for $25. Be sure to present
identification indicating you are a state worker.
°
All union members
can ski any weekday all season (excluding holiday
weeks) at Belleayre for $27 by presenting your union
card at the ticket office.
Belleayre is located on Route 28 in Highmount.
CSEA members are employed in all aspects of the
mountain’s services.
CONGRATULATIONS
The EBF would also like to
congratulate the following group
which has recently joined the Fund
for benefit coverage:
City of Poughkeepsie
and these groups that have either
added a new benefit or upgraded an
existing EBF plan:
Copiague Memorial Library;
Dutchess County;
Hastings-on-Hudson S.D. Custodians;
Ossining Public Library
Are you missing out on
something you really can’t afford
to pass up? For more information
about the CSEA EBF and their
programs, please contact the Fund
at 1-800-323-2732 or 1-800-EBF-CSEA
or visit the EBF web page at
www.csealocal1000.net and click on
the Employee Benefit Fund in the
Member Benefits section.
NYS & CSEA Partnership
Launch Web site
Ts NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training’s Web site
is up — a wealth of information about education and training for
CSEA-represented New York State employees. And more!
Check out the programs and services designed to encourage you to
participate in new learning experiences. And it all can be accessed from
your computer.
Here are opportunities for improving job skills, learning new
technologies and preparing for the demands of your current and future
jobs. Web site postings include information about:
Schedules/descriptions for a variety of employee courses;
Education Basics, GED, ESOL and other programs;
Advisement services in the areas of educational planning, financial
aid, and non-traditional approaches to further education;
Tuition benefits that assist with the costs of professional
development; and
Vouchers/reimbursement for employees to take a personal computer
course.
The home page takes you to information about the Partnership,
programs and services, contact information, and publications and
applications for downloading.
The Web site also includes information on resources for NYS agency
or facility managers/supervisors of CSEA-represented NYS employees as
well as CSEA local presidents or union representatives. Resources
include labor-management training and facilitation services; agency
work force development and quality of work life grants; and programs
that may be jointly requested by labor and management.
Other features to be added to the Web site include online course
registration; online surveys, guest book and success story pages.
Ideas about the Web site are welcome. Please send your comments to
NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training, Corporate Plaza
East - Suite 502, 240 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203 or email
to webmaster@nyscseapartnership.org.
February 2003 THE WORK FORCE Page 17
egotiators prepare for long sessions ahead
As representatives of their co-workers at the
bargaining table during contract negotiations,
the CSEA state and local government
negotiating teams have a tough job to do. It’s a
job they take extreme pride and effort in. And,
in the upcoming year with gloomy budgets
forecast, many expect the job to be even
tougher.
How the process works
Once the negotiating teams are in place, the
teams review surveys from the membership of
what they'd like to see changed.
“By reading the surveys we get to see what
matters most to the members — whether it’s
receiving more vacation time, being able to sell
vacation time or holding the costs on health
insurance,” said Community Resident Director
of the Finger Lakes DDSO and CSEA state
negotiating team member Kathy Button.
“From what I’ve read on the surveys, our
members know and understand the reality of
the state’s fiscal situation,” said Button. “They
have taken a very responsible approach.”
Once the requests are made, the negotiating
team and CSEA staff put their requests
together in a written proposal. The proposal is
then presented to the management team. This
is considered the clarification period.
At this point, there are frequent caucuses
among both teams. The teams can counter,
reject or accept the management’s proposal.
While these decisions are being considered,
there is much time spent away from the
negotiating table.
If neither team is making progress, either
side can declare an impasse. When this occurs,
a mediator is brought in to work with the two
teams to attempt to move the process forward.
After three mediation sessions are attempted,
the process turns to fact finding.
During the fact finding period, a neutral
person attempts to fashion an agreement
keeping in mind both party’s wants and needs.
The parties on both sides can agree to the fact
finders recommendations or either side can
reject it.
In all cases except for school districts, a
legislative body can impose a one-year
settlement. When a legislative imposition
occurs, governments may impose no raises but
can not take away any salary or benefits.
Page 18 THE WORKFORCE February 2003
(Left to right) Sharon Connor, Lori Nilsson and
Robert Timpano, of the state negotiating team,
review current contracts.
Many times the negotiating team works
extremely long hours. “At times we’re asked to
work Monday through Friday and straight
through the weekend,” said Button. “You must
have a true dedication to the cause to give up
family and your own bed.”
Several of the negotiators at the local and
state level predict long and arduous contract
talks for this year. “The rising costs of health
insurance is on everyone’s mind,” said Mel
Thomas, AV Technician and negotiator for the
Geneva City Schools. “A decent raise can be
wiped out when you factor in additional health
care costs,” he said.
Once the contract is agreed upon at the
bargaining table, it must be ratified by the
membership. All members in good standing are
able to vote. A Labor Relations Specialist (LRS)
presents the changes of the tentative
agreement. If the contract is upheld, the
negotiating is complete. If the contract is voted
down, the team goes back to the negotiating
table.
“I would like to see every member go
through the process just to have a better
understanding of what goes on,” said Button.
“It’s a tough job but I enjoy the challenge.”
CSEA takes pride in its negotiators. They are
dedicated to achieving a fair and decent
contract for all parties involved — another
useful and relevant benefit to union
membership.
— Amy Scharf
Strength in diversity
for negotiating teams
When it comes to choosing state and
local government negotiating teams, CSEA
places great value in choosing teams that
represent the diverse CSEA work force.
At the state level, each CSEA region
president is asked to make
recommendations for the negotiating
team to the CSEA president. The
president then chooses a team of CSEA
members from across the state who will
work with professional CSEA contract
negotiation staff.
“At the state level, it is vital to have a
diversified team from all backgrounds and
job titles,” said Jeff Howarth, CSEA
statewide negotiator and Industrial
Training Supervisor for the Eastern Ulster
Correctional Facility.
At the local government level, unit
presidents select members for their
teams. CSEA encourages selections that
are representative of the entire
workplace, covering a broad spectrum of
titles and departments.
After the negotiating teams are picked,
they receive training on the collective
bargaining process from the education
and training staff at CSEA.
“I encourage members to attend
trainings,” said Mel Thomas, AV
Technician and negotiator for the Geneva
City Schools. “Especially in these tough
times, I want our negotiating team to be
as strongly prepared as possible,” said
Thomas.
“Our negotiating teams are top notch
and extremely competent,” said CSEA
President Danny Donohue. “Our
members know our needs first hand and
work hard to get the best possible
contracts for everyone involved.”
McDonough Scholarships awarded
Six children of CSEA members, one from each of CSEA’s six regions,
have been named winners of CSEA Thomas H. McDonough Continuing
Studies Scholarships.
The winners were announced by CSEA President Danny Donohue
and Lamont “Dutch” Wade, chairperson of CSEA’s Special Memorial
Scholarship Committee.
The awards are for $1,000 each and are intended to assist the
students in pursuing their college studies by augmenting the CSEA
Irving Flaumenbaum scholarships, which each of the recipients had
won as graduating high school seniors.
The continuing studies scholarships are named in memory of the
late Thomas H. McDonough, a longtime union activist who served as
acting president and executive vice president of CSEA.
Winners of the 2002 CSEA Thomas H. McDonough Continuing
Studies Scholarships are:
Long Island Region
Matthew Campbell of Patchogue is a student at North Carolina State
University. His mother, Jeanine Campbell, is a clerical aide at
Patchogue-Medford Schools.
Metropolitan Region
Marina Frimer of Whitestone is a student at Sophie Davis/CUNY. Her
father, Yefim Frimer, is a plant utility engineer at SUNY Maritime
College.
Southern Region
Todd M. Derkacz, is a student at Dickinson College. His mother, Beth
Derkacz, is a teachers’ aide in the Port Jervis City School District, and
his father, Gary Kerkacz, is a mechanic in the Port Jervis Central
School District.
Capital Region
Deborah C. Pelosi is a student at Russell Sage College. Her mother,
Diane Pelosi, is a principal account clerk in Fulton County.
Central Region
Patricia Poindexter is a student at Ithaca College. Her mother,
Dorothy Poindexter, is a teachers’ aide in the Williamstown School
District.
Western Region
Paige Patterson is a student at SUNY Buffalo. Her mother, Darbe
Corser, is a teaching associate at Newfane Central School District.
The McDonough scholarship recipients were selected on the basis of
merit and need from a pool of previous winners of the Flaumenbaum
scholarships by members of CSEA’s Memorial Scholarship Committee.
CSEA seeks members for grievance
case payments
CSEA is trying to locate five members who are entitled to a significant
amount of money resulting from an overtime grievance case the union
filed against Nassau County several years ago.
Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to locate Ann Miller,
who lived in Westbury; Keith Burger, who lived in Amityville; Yvette
Brown, who lived in Roosevelt; Louise Borg, who lived in Centerport;
and Charles Beller who lived in Morril, Mass. All five worked at the
former Nassau County Medical Center.
If you can help us locate any of these individuals please call Ed
Catrine of the CSEA Legal Department at 1-800-342-4146 Ext. 1443.
PEOPLE PERSON —
The PEOPLE person
for the month of
December is Rutha
Bush. She is a
member of the Long
Island
Developmental
Center & Sagamore Children’s
Psychiatric Center local. She
recruited 30 members. PEOPLE
is CSEA and AFSCME’s political
action program aimed at
electing individuals friendly to
working families to Congress ...
SPA NEGOTIATIONS EARN
PRAISE — The Saratoga Springs
School District Unit’s 429
members have a new contract
and the school district praised
CSEA for its approach to
negotiations. CSEA Local
President Betty Eagan said the
four-year pact includes pay
raises and the addition of bus
drivers to the contract, which
also covers custodians, typists,
maintenance workers and
teacher aides in the nearly 7,000
student district ...
WESTCHESTER SCHOLARSHIPS
— April 15 is the application
deadline for scholarships
awarded by the CSEA Local in
Westchester County. A dozen
scholarships of $1,000 will be
given to graduating high school
seniors to further their
education. Children of
Westchester County Local
members, who have belonged to
NEW:YORK'S)
UNIO
265,000 Members Strong
CSEA
TODAY
the union for at
least a year, are
N eligible. Winners will
be judged on overall
school performance,
community service,
letters of
recommendation
and an essay. For applications,
call (914) 428-6452. Successful
candidates will be notified by
May 30 ... DIAMOND FOUND
ON ICE — Two Saratoga Springs
DPW employees are being
credited for going the extra mile
in finding a diamond that fell out
of a ring at an area ice rink. The
owner of the ring noticed the
diamond was missing when she
brushed her hand against the
other and felt something jagged.
She had given up hope of ever
finding the 1/4 to 1/2 carat
diamond. The next morning,
Jamie Boyce and Larry Baldwin
swept the ice, sifted through the
debris and located the diamond
and personally delivered it to
the grateful owner ... CD
AVAILABLE — CSEA member
Lauretha Lige of Schenectady
recently had her gospel CD
picked up by Trans World
Entertainment. The CD includes
the songs “God Bless America,”
and “Amazing Grace.” It has
been distributed throughout 16
different stores in the Capital
Region including Coconuts and
FYE.
Break in membership affects eligibility for
A break in union membership status can have
longterm future implications. Your membership
status affects your eligibility with respect to:
+ seeking or holding union office;
+ signing nominating petitions for potential
candidates;
+ voting in union elections, and;
+ voting on collective bargaining contracts.
Only members “in good standing” can
participate in these activities. To be in “good
standing,” your dues cannot be delinquent.
If you go on unpaid leave or for any other
reason have a break in your employment status,
your dues will not continue to be paid through
payroll deductions. You must make arrangements
to pay your dues directly to CSEA to continue
your membership status. If you are either laid off
or placed on leave without pay status due to
becoming disabled by accident, illness, maternity
_ union office, voting privileges
or paternity, you may be eligible for dues-free
membership status for a period not to exceed
‘one year. If you are called up for active military
duty you may also apply for dues-free status.
Note, however, you must continue to pay
dues to run for office.
Dues-ree or gratuitous membership allows
members to continue their insurance coverage
while out of work. It does not protect your right
to run for or hold office. This does not apply to
members who are on leave due to being called up
for military duty. Members on active military
duty, upon return, are considered to have had
continuous membership status for all CSEA
election purposes.
Please notify the CSEA Membership Records
Department at 1-800-342-4146, Ext. 1327, of any
change in your status and what arrangements
you are making to continue your membership in
CSEA.
February 2003 THE WORK FORCE Page 19
Ye
Skillful health care; ts
road repairs where you
need them; safe and orderly
school bus rides; calm,
professional responses to your
9-1-1 calls.
Your CSEA Work Force does
all this and more!
Precise college course registrations;
aides teaching the developmentally disabled;
probation security and monitoring;
caring service for people with mental illness.
Your CSEA Work Force makes it happen!
Every day of every year, the 265,000
members of CSEA make these and so many other vital
services work for you.
Caring... Capable... Doing the jobs RIGHT!
CSEs
The Work Force
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-C10
Danny Donohue, President
" New York's
SEA members have faced many \\ :
challenges in the 93 years of our history. ne
is likely that the events and circumstances
of 2003 will once again a our strength =
and character in new ways. It is also
certain that CSEA members will be
better, more representative and activist union, is making a difference. We are effectively
changing as an organization to provide even better means for all our members to get
involved and improve our work life, our contracts and our communities.
We are working hard to confront the wide range of challenges we face to make us a
stronger organization and to ensure that our members and leaders have all the
knowledge, resources and support to get the job done.
CSEA is second to none in providing skills, issue and career training for our members
and leaders at every level. We have made giant strides in improving the communication
with our membership. We have added member benefits programs that offer real value to
your life and cannot be matched by any organization. We have successfully carried out
contract campaigns. We have enhanced our presence and ability in the legislative and
political action at the federal, state, local and school district level through true grass roots
activism. This grass roots activism has also extended into community outreach with good
results. Most especially, we have truly established ourselves as the best voice for working
people and have seen a whole new dynamic in workers organizing with CSEA’s help.
None of it is easy, but our vision for a better CSEA is becoming a reality. We have built
a strong foundation and the work must continue.
Events and activities involving CSEA members throughout the past year alone are
proof positive about why we are New York's Leading Union. CSEA members
demonstrated their talent and dedication on and off the job over and over again making
our communities better places to live in every part of the state.
2002 was a difficult year that began with a nation, state and city still in a state of shock
in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. In those difficult months, CSEA members
tose to the challenge in direct and indirect ways.
As if to honor the memory of the five brothers and sisters CSEA lost in the World
Trade Center, CSEA members responded to the aftermath of the event in so many lines
of duty. From workers staffing the family response center in Manhattan, to state
Department of Transportation and local government highway crews, to medical screeners
to logistics specialists working with the State Emergency Management Office, CSEA
members were on the job for months to do what had to be done.
The outpouring of generosity from CSEA members to raise funds for the victims’
=
0 ators
families was also inspirational. But it was also just a small part of the thousands of
community and charitable activities that CSEA members embraced. In every part of the
state, the union and its members have initiated and participated in and supported more
worthwhile causes than could possibly be all mentioned here.
Early Warnings About Difficulties Anead
Even in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 it was apparent that the tragic
events would also have an enormous negative impact of city and state finances. Some
estimates have pegged the impact at $6 billion in lost tax revenue as a direct result of the
attack. It was clear to CSEA that this would make already shaky state finances even
worse in the year ahead.
My budget testimony to the state legislature in February 2002 sounded this warning. In
that testimony | called for more balance and fairness in the state's budget to ensure fair
funding for state and local government services, pointing out that it would be
unacceptable to promote state tax cuts while shifting the burden to localities and the
property taxes working people pay. The testimony further warned lawmakers early and
responsible action would make far more sense than waiting for a crisis before acting. At
year's end it was increasingly apparent that what we warned about was in fact coming to
pass.
Early signs of the approaching crisis were also evident in a variety of local government
budget battles in the later months of 2002. From Erie County to Monroe to Onondaga to
Albany to Nassau counties to name a few places, fiscal crunches were the order of the
day as CSEA members stepped up to fight for fairness. It was a scene that is likely to be
tepeated many times over in the year ahead in even more communities. The lesson to be
learned, however, is the strength of the CSEA membership’s ability to make a difference
through grass roots involvement and community coalition building.
Fighting Contracting-out/ Cutbacks
Across the state in school districts, towns, villages and cities, CSEA members have
effectively responded when the specter of contracting out our work to private contractors
has reared its ugly head. CSEA members armed with the right information and minds full
of better ideas have been able offer alternatives and build community support to stop the
politicians’ knee-jerk response when money gets tight. CSEA has proven time and again
State of our Union
Agenda
Throughout the past year, CSEA engaged in a renewal of purpose reflected in the
priority agenda that our union unveiled at the 2002 Annual Delegates Meeting. It is an
agenda for the future to ensure that our union will continue to take the lead on issues that
make a positive difference in the lives of our members and the communities we live in.
The Agenda represents the broad range of activities of our union and helps to focus
our efforts. The agenda items were identified and developed with broad opportunity for
comments and input from throughout the leadership ranks and by canvassing our
membership about what it views as important. It is our purpose to involve our members in
issues they care about and, at the same time, more clearly define what our union is all
about.
Highlights of each agenda area will be published in each month's edition of The Work
Force throughout 2003. The entire agenda can be viewed online at CSEA’s website
www.csealocal1000.net - click on the “Officers” link.)
The strength of CSEA is in your involvement, your commitment and your unity. The
challenges we face in the year ahead make it more important than ever that we work
together for a better New York and a better America.
In solidarity,
Danny Donohue Dern
State of our Union
Page 7
Education & Training
Recognizing that knowledge and skills are power, CSEA's Education and Training
Department conducted hundreds of workshops and training programs during the past
year to make sure CSEA activists have the tools to get the job done. Steward training,
grievance representation, contract negotiation and administration were among the
‘subjects covered for thousands of participants. Additionally, the union conducted
workshops on the role and responsibilities of CSEA Central Labor Council delegates in
nine different locations across the state. Hundreds of CSEA members also participated in
10 Civil Service Test Preparation Review classes held between August and December.
Legal Services Program
CSEA’s impressive member benefits grew even broader with the addition of a more
comprehensive program of Legal service benefits. A new personal injury program and
statewide expansion of our personal legal matters program joined our Workers
Compensation and Social security Disability offerings to give you even more benefit.
These programs are offered at low or no cost to you and are easily accessible to protect
your rights.
New Health Benefits Department
CSEA is once again leading the way with the establishment of a new Health Benefits
Department that will better coordinate our resources and expertise as we work to protect
and improve your health benefits. Health benefits are among the most complicated,
expensive and important areas in all of labor relations. We will
work to ensure that our efforts in negotiations, legislation and
public policy will represent the best interests of all our
Members.
AFSCME Convention
Last June,198 elected CSEA delegates participated in our fy
international union, AFSCME’s 35th biannual convention in Las
Vegas. It was one of the most productive conventions in
AFSCME's history. In addition to addresses by President
Gerald McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy, the
convention also heard inspiring messages from nationally
acclaimed speakers including actor Martin Sheen and
community activist Erin Brockovich.
Workshop Programs
More than 500 activists participated in our annual state
workshop in Saratoga Springs last April where the agenda
focused on learning how to organize and mobilize in
preparation for the next round of state contract negotiations.
Another 500 local government, schools and private sector
activists met in Lake Placid in June for their annual workshop
which focused on contract campaigns and community coalition
building.
Nearly 600 activists including scores of first-time attendees
participated in our Women’s Workshop held in Ryebrook,
Westchester County, in November. Under the theme “Building
Power for Ourselves, Our Union and Our Community,” the
program laid the foundation to build an even more powerful
union.
Annual Delegates Meeting
CSEA’s 92nd Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York
City Sept. 9-13 was one of the most significant events in our
Page 6
history. Being in New York on the anniversary of 9/11 was an enormously emotional and
ultimately rewarding experience. Nearly 800 CSEA delegates marched behind the CSEA
banner for a moving memorial march and candlelight vigil in Central Park. It was an
unforgettable moment in CSEA's history and demonstrated the courage, compassion
and dedication that is at the heart of what CSEA is all about.
CSEA’s decision to move the Annual Delegates’ Meeting to New York as a tribute to
the victims of Sept. 11 and to express support for the city was also courageous. It was
made after considering the urging of our delegates at our 91st ADM and with the support
of our Board of Directors. There were nearly $200,000 in cancellation fees to reschedule
the event from Rochester but in the end it was the right thing to do.
The ADM itself was notable for its inspirational visits from U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton,
then-state Comptroller Carl McCall, AFSCME President Gerald McEntee and AFSCME
Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy. Delegates also participated workshop programs to
advance the CSEA Agenda, described below.
The delegates worked on a number of issues during the business sessions and
approved the first-ever honorarium schedule for statewide officers. There has been no
increase in statewide officer honorariums since 1993. The new schedule, which also
includes a longevity provision, will take effect for officers elected to statewide positions
and taking office in 2004. The schedule had previously been approved by CSEA’s Board
of Directors.
The CSEA
State of our Union
“s paTTERY
that our members can always do the job more cost-effectively than an outside contractor,
if they are given the support, tools and opportunity to do the job right.
Sadly, we are likely to face a whole new round of attempts to sub-contract work in the
year ahead because someone will always be pitching the come-on that they can do the
work “cheaper.”
Prescription Drug Reform
One of the most important areas that CSEA has already identified to help the state
and its local governments save money is reform of prescription drug costs. Prescription
drug price increases have risen by double digits every year since 1995 and have created
undue pressure on health care costs in a variety of ways. The bottom line is that these
price increases are mostly fueling obscene profits by the pharmaceutical industry at our
expense.
To date the Bush administration has been unwilling to address this issue at the federal
level. But the president's own brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and several other states
including Michigan, Maine and California have all
taken action on their own to leverage better prices
from drug companies creating huge savings for
taxpayers. There is evidence that New York could
save at least $400 million annually by reforming its
Medicaid prescription drug costs alone, with more
savings possible. But that should only be the
beginning.
CSEA believes it is essential that broader reform
of prescription drug prices must also follow. It will
be our priority to keep pushing for action.
Mobilization/Contract Campaigns
The strength of CSEA is in the unity, purpose
and action of our membership across the state.
CSEA members in cities, counties, villages, towns,
libraries and other public entities have secured
good, strong contracts through contract campaigns
that involved their entire membership and reached
out for community support from family, friends and neighbors. These activities have
shown the way for CSEA activism and outreach.
State Contract Negotiations
CSEA's state contract expires March 31, 2003. Our negotiating team is prepared like
State of our union
never before and it may still be one of the most difficult rounds of bargaining we've ever
experienced. The representative team, made up of a diverse group of members from
across the state, has already worked hard reviewing the contract surveys you submitted,
preparing our proposals and planning strategy. We have communicated to the state that
we are ready to meet and have been informed that the state does not anticipate that they
will be prepared to begin the process until mid-February.
State Legislative Session
CSEA members lobbied long and hard for fairness in the 2002 legislative session in
Albany. In early April AFSCME President Gerald McEntee joined with your CSEA leaders
and activists at the Capitol to help press the union's legislative agenda. In the end, CSEA
effectively secured a number of important restorations to the governor's proposed budget
along with key legislation. The union's top priority, pension reform to allow individuals with
25 years of service to retire at age 55 was signed into law by the governor after an
exhaustive press by CSEA. CSEA also took the lead in securing enactment of legislation
prohibiting not-for-profit agencies from using state funds for union-busting. This legislation
will not only help in leveling the playing field for helping workers to organize their union
but it is also the right thing to do morally, and for taxpayers.
Early in the year, the governor signed into
law CSEA-backed legislation providing
protections to workers in the health care field
who blow the whistle on employers who put.
patients at risk. It was important legislation to
help maintain patient care standards in health
care facilities.
Another new CSEA-backed law took
effect Jan. 1 that expands the scope and
availability of basic women’s health services
for all New York women and sets minimum
levels of women’s health services that must
be covered under health insurance plans.
Highlights of the new law include requiring
insurers to cover annual mammograms for
women beginning at 40 and providing all
medical insurance coverage for osteoporosis
detection. CSEA lobbied for several years to pass this important piece of legislation.
Federal Issues
From protecting Social Security, to health care reform, to ensuring that New York gets
Page 3
its fair share of federal aid, to making sure that
economic policies will not harm New York, let alone
working people, CSEA is maintaining its attention on a
wide range of federal issues. Working in coordination
with AFSCME, CSEA is keeping close tabs on the
actions of the Bush administration and Congress. Last
year we trained scores of activists to serve as federal
Political Action Liaisons, maintaining close contact with
our elected members of the House of Representatives
and U.S. Senate on key legislation affecting working
people. These activities are also coordinated with our Federal Issues Committee.
CSEA also leads the way in our support for PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to
Promote Legislative Equality) - AFSCME's federal political action committee, which raises
funds to help elect individuals friendly to working families.
2002 New York State Elections
CSEA members can be proud of their efforts on behalf of the union's endorsed
candidates, including our backing of Carl McCall in his unsuccessful run for governor.
Carl McCall eared the CSEA endorsement through years of his hard work and loyalty to
‘our members and no one worked harder for Carl than CSEA members. CSEA members
also helped re-elect Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and made a real difference in making
sure Alan Hevesi was elected New York State Comptroller.
Beyond the statewide races, nearly 90 percent of the union's endorsed candidates for
the state legislature and other local offices were elected with the help of CSEA members.
Itis an important fact because CSEA will need all the allies it can bring together in the
year ahead.
New Alliance
CSEA has played a leading role in the advancement of the
AFL-CIO’s New Alliance. This historic realignment of the Labor Movement is intended to
better coordinate the activities, energy and priorities of all unions at the grassroots level.
CSEAis deeply committed to this project as a fundamental reshaping of how labor unions
work together in communities across the state. In the process we have affiliated more
than 1,500 CSEA members as delegates to central labor councils in the past year. As
delegates they are part of the dramatic changes aimed at making the labor movement
more representative, more democratic and more effective.
CSEA members also demonstrated
their solidarity by participating in labor
parades and events across the state
including Buffalo, Rochester, Massena,
Syracuse, Albany, Poughkeepsie and
New York City.
Keeping Safety and Health a CSEA
Priority
CSEA was deeply saddened by the
loss of nine of our members on the job in
the past year, demonstrating once again
that we must never take safety and
health for granted.
Melinda Drumm, James Nash, Robert
Zulawski, James Gotthardt Jr., George
Nader, Barbara Netel, Richard Neal, David Schrader and Joseph Finn all gave the
ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. CSEA is greatly saddened by their loss and we send
out our sympathies to their families.
The reality is that CSEA members perform dangerous work that can put them at risk
every day. We must continue to fight for workplace protections and stronger enforcement
of existing laws and regulations.
CSEA members across the state
participated in a number of Workers
Memorial Day activities in late April,
including the dedication of a
community garden designed by
CSEA member Mike Wrobel at Finger
Lakes DDSO. CSEA also participated
in a ceremony at the Workers
Memorial in Hauppauge. Additionally,
more than 500 members participated
in a moving memorial service in
Saratoga Springs as part of the state
workshop along with members of the
State of our Union
Union Organizing
For the past several years CSEA has been committed to helping unorganized
workers find their voice in the workplace. A number of groups have formed their union
with CSEA help in the past year. Working with employees at Ellenville Regional
Hospital in Ulster County, CSEA members created a textbook example of how to
build community support for a union organizing campaign. The Ellenville drive built on
the strength of CSEA's local presence in the community and helped empower the
workers with the support of their family, friends and neighbors along with the union's
political allies, to demand recognition from their employer.
Workers at Southern Westchester BOCES, Ulster County Head Start, and the
Town of Vestal had similar experiences as they sought and gained recognition. At
year’s end CSEA had active
organizing campaigns in numerous
locations across the state. Organizing
a union remains a lengthy and
difficult process and should make all
of us appreciate the gains we have
made and take nothing about our
union for granted. Itis inspiring to
see courageous workers standing up
for what they know is right and
Fecognizing that forming their union is
the best way to achieve real fairness
and respect.
CSEA also had success helping
workers to gain recognition at the
Vestal Library, Arlington School
District monitors and llion School
District. Wayne County part-time
employees were also recognized.
State of our Union
community and family and friends of CSEA members who lost their lives on the job in the
past year. It demonstrated the priority CSEA places on making sure the union remembers
those who lose their lives while we rededicate ourselves to seeking safer working
circumstances.
In October CSEA marked the10th anniversary of one of the darkest days in our union's
history. On Oct. 15, 1992, a gunman, angered that his wages had been garnished for
failure to pay his child support, walked into the Schuyler County Department of Social
Services in Watkins Glen and murdered CSEA workers Phyllis Caslin, Denise Miller Van
Amburg, Florence Pike and Nancy Wheeler.
CSEA honored their memory with a service outside the county building. In the aftermath
of the tragedy 10 years ago, CSEA initiated efforts to improve security in public buildings
across the state. Many localities
responded but the union also developed a
statewide security standard which would
require all public employers to evaluate
their security and develop appropriate
plans. To date the Pataki administration
has refused to issue the standard. But with
CSEA’s renewed call for action the Labor
Department is once again reviewing the
issue. Both the state and many localities
have in fact, already taken steps that go
beyond the standard in the wake of the
9/11 terrorist attacks, including airport-
style security checks at the state Capitol.
Labor/Management Partnership
For the past 20 years, CSEA’s
Labor Education Action Program — LEAP
— has been a model program gaining a
national reputation of the success
cooperative labor-management
partnerships can achieve. Jointly funded under the New York state contract, LEAP has
provided more than 50,000 CSEA-represented state employees with career advisement
and tuition payments and assistance to help earn college education. In the past year LEAP
has transformed with a variety of other contract related labor management programs and
benefits into the NYS-CSEA Labor-Management Partnership. The merging of the various
programs will ensure even better coordination and delivery of these important programs.
Work Institute
CSEA opened a bold new chapter in our history last spring with the launch of the Work
Institute, a new program that will provide all CSEA members with enhanced education,
training and career opportunities. The Work Institute's major initiatives to date have focused
on programs to deal
with skills training and
retraining to help
address the shortage
of workers in the health
care field. But CSEA
plans to expand the
Work Institute's reach
into a wide range of
activities that will
support on the-job
learning and promote
opportunities for career
advancement.
Page 5
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The growth in drug spending has increased by
double digits, every year since 1995.
All New Yorkers pay too much, and so do our
state and local governments.
That's why CSEA is pressing
for Drug Price Reform.
New York State must use its bargaining power to
negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.
Drug Price Reform can reduce Medicaid costs alone
by an estimated four hundred million dollars annually.
With more savings possible.
Prescription Drug Costs are
a tough pill to swallow.
The right prescription
for all New Yorkers is
Drug Price Reform.
CSEs
The Work Force
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-ClO
Danny Donohue, President
Michigan, Maine, Florida and California all have reforms already.
Why not New York?
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