‘Carl McCall has proven himself to be an advocate for the working men and women of New York state.’
See Pages 10-11
Vol. 5/ No. 11 NOVEMBER 2002
pls
A LL
MONRne Wat
Budget
fybattles
J begin
Counties face
fiscal woes,
state next?
Story on Page 3
E
L 1000 AFSCME
=
Photo by Ron Wofford
Photo of the Month
Photo by David Galarza)
NEW YORK CITY — "Union Pride,” a CSEA/AFSCME
sponsored dog statue, part of an American Kennel Club
program to raise funds for search and rescue dogs, is now
on display in front of the CSEA Region Office in New York
City.
The statues commemorate the canine search and rescue
teams that took part in the recovery at Ground Zero.
The idea for sponsorship of a CSEA dog came from
Finger Lakes DDSO Local President Kathy Button and was
promoted by CSEA Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan.
Union Pride, wearing a green AFSCME T-shirt, will remain
outside the Metro Region office on Fulton Street in
Manhattan into the holiday season and then will make
visits to CSEA Offices in other parts of the state. Numerous
other dog statues are on display throughout New York City.
Region President George Boncoraglio and other members
of the region’s Executive Board pose with Union Pride
above.
CSEA President Danny Donohue
to visit Long Island Region
CSEA President Danny Donohue will visit the CSEA
Long Island Region on Friday, Dec. 6 to meet with
members.
The meetings will be held at the CSEA Long Island
Region office, 3 Garet Place, Commack.
Donohue will meet with union members from 1 to 7
p.m. Please call the Long Island Region office at
(631) 462-0039 to sign up for a visit and for directions.
Corrections
In a story that appeared in the September edition of the
Work Force on the Nassau County Sheriff's Department,
Deputy Sheriff Mark Simon was incorrectly identified in a
photograph as Christopher Scholz.
The photo on page 5 in the October Work Force involved
Schenectady day care workers addressing funding issues
before a County Legislative hearing with CSEA support; the
adjacent story involved CSEA’s legislative efforts on behalf
of Schenectady Family Health Services.
3 CSEA members
die on the job
CSEA mourns the loss of three more
CSEA members who recently died
in September and October on the
job, bringing the total to eight
deaths for the year.
SUNY Buffalo fatality
Most recently, David Schrader,
48, a SUNY Buffalo employee for 25
years, was killed on Oct. 16 when a
steam line valve on which he was
operating, burst. He was working in
the basement of Crosby Hall on the
school’s South Campus when the
accident occurred.
Public Employee Safety and
Health (PESH) investigators were at
the scene along with Local
President Ken Penski, and the
local’s occupational safety and
health representative, Rick Pershell.
CSEA’s Occupational Safety and
Health Department is investigating
the accident. The investigation is
continuing. Issues that are being
considered are: confined space
entry procedures, asbestos release
from the steam pressure and friable
asbestos in the steam tunnels.
Mr. Shrader was married and has
one son in college. He had worked
at the university for 25 years.
Ulster County worker dies
A longtime employee of the
Ulster County Highway Department
died Oct. 2. Richard T. Neal, 65, lost
consciousness while driving a
dump truck, causing the vehicle to
leave the road, roll down an
embankment and strike a tree.
Police did not know why Neal
lost consciousness but later
determined that Neal had died of
natural causes.
CSEA’s Occupational Safety and
Health specialists investigated the
accident.
Neal is survived by his wife, four
sons and three grandchildren.
Rockland fatality
On Sept. 30, Barbara Netel, a
Rockland County CSEA member
died. Netel, 41, worked at Building
A of the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health
Center. On the day of her death,
the Health Center building was
evacuated after a leak in a broken
sewage pipe.
A medical examiner ruled that
her death was from an existing
condition and not related to the
building’s evacuation.
CSEA praised the county for its
response to the situation and
subsequent evacuation of the
building, noting that the county
followed all safety procedures to
the letter.
Netel is survived by her husband
and two young children.
CSEA statewide board member
Frank D’Allesandro dies
Frank D’Allesandro, president of the CSEA Oneida County Local, passed
away unexpectedly on Sept. 20. D’Allesandro, 55, worked as an auditor
with the Utica comptrollers office. D’Allesandro was a union activist for
many of the 26 years he was a CSEA member. He served as president of
the CSEA city unit and as a member of the CSEA statewide Board of
Directors and was a Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and
daughter Nicole D’Allesandro.
met Learn who the CSEA-endorsed candidates in
your area are by checking the Political Action
area on CSEA’s web site!
Page 2 THE WORK FORCE Now er 2002
Budget
battles
begin
CSEA members across the state
have been taking to the streets
to fight against threatened
layoffs in their communities as
local governments grapple with
revenue shortfalls and budgets
decimated by state funding
inequities.
The hardest hit counties form
a line of red ink across upstate
New York — Erie, Monroe,
Niagara, Onondaga, and Albany
all are considering drastic
action to make ends meet.
Downstate counties are not
immune, either, including
Nassau County, which has been
in crisis for several years but
now is reeling from revenue
shortfalls.
“Our message is quite simple:
One layoff is too many,” said
CSEA President Danny Donohue.
\0 Lavorrsp
Ontario County CSEA members protest at the county office building recently, above, while their
brothers and sisters in Monroe County have taken to the streets.
“We were warning about this
two years ago when the state
was trying its best to spend the
budget surplus. We received tax
cuts instead of guarantees that
the money would be there when
we needed it,” Donohue said.
Medicaid costs
The difficulties stem from a
variety of factors but largely
from new health-care costs
imposed by state programs. The
expanded Medicaid programs
like Child Health Plus and
Family Health Plus are
increasing localities’ share of
Medicaid costs at a time when
the sluggish economy,
shortchanges in state aid and
the fallout from Sept. 11 are all
adding to fiscal difficulties.
Unlike most states, New York
requires counties to pay a
quarter of Medicaid costs. So
every time the state adds a
Medicaid program, counties
wind up footing much of the bill.
Onondaga County, which
includes the city of Syracuse,
has proposed raising property
taxes 6.5 percent and
eliminating 65 to 70 county jobs.
Jim Moore, CSEA Central Region
President, declared the threat of
job cuts “unacceptable.”
In Rochester, chanting to the
mantra of “cuts hurt families,”
200 Monroe County workers
turned out to protest the
Monroe County executive's
budget cuts and demonstrators
also picketed a county
Legislature meeting.
When the county Legislature
meeting began, CSEA members
filled the room to overflow
capacity, as speaker after
speaker urged restoration of
services and reconsideration of
county priorities.
The county is trying to fill a
$23 million budget gap this year
and as much as a $65 million
shortfall next year. The county
executive vowed not to raise
taxes and instead wants to
eliminate 700 positions and cut
many current services. CSEA
represents about 2,700 of the
county’s 5,000 employees.
Layoffs don’t work
CSEA Unit President Jim
Volpone presented a
comprehensive position paper
that showed the futility and
backfire effect of layoffs. He also
praised the county work force
as “hardworking, lean and
efficient.”
Meanwhile, CSEA members in
Niagara and Ontario counties
rallied at their county
legislatures recently in protest
of services and job cuts.
The Niagara County Unit
marched for the second time in
two weeks, as the legislature
continues pressing all
departments for deep cuts in
budgets for next year. Unit
leaders have maintained that
the cuts will make delivery of
services extremely difficult, if
not impossible.
Ontario County members
protested earlier this past
summer, and felt they had
beaten back any more layoff
threats. But the county has
again raised the threat of
layoffs. The CSEA unit has also
posted online, a budget
analysis that shows the county
in good enough fiscal shape to
avoid laying anyone off.
local level, what does the future hold for
W:: layoffs threatened across the state at the
the state? After the elections in November, a
gloomy forecast may be in the works at the state
level. Some estimates suggest the state is facing an $8
billion to $10 billion dollar shortfall.
November 2002 THE WORK FORCE Eiznr. 3
ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
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
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
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
Readers:
Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210-2303.
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES
RACHEL LANGERT Long Island Region
(631) 462-0030
DAVID GALARZA Metropolitan Region
(212) 406-2156
JANICE MARRA Southern Region
(845) 831-1000
‘THERESE ASSALIAN Capital Region
(518) 785-4400
MARK M. KOTZIN Central Region
(315) 433-0050
RON WOFFORD Western Region
(716) 886-0391
ED MOLITOR Headquarters
(618) 257-1272
The Publications Committee
LONG ISLAND REGION Jean Ahlert
METROPOLITAN REGION Lamont “Dutch” Wade
SOUTHERN REGION Vacant
CAPITAL REGION Helen Fischedick
CENTRAL REGION Bruce Damalt, Chair
WESTERN REGION James V. Kurtz
som COMIC, E>
Ef
sua
— ‘sno
T AFL CIOICLG +N
Make a difference — vote!
his Election Day the choice is clear
for CSEA members and you can make
a difference in the future of New York, if
you vote.
The CSEA ticket running for
statewide offices has a proven record of
accomplishment and concern for working
people.
CSEA members have enthusiastically embraced CSEA’s choice of Carl
McCall from Long Island to Jamestown (see story pages 10-11). There is no more
qualified candidate and no finer person than Carl McCall.
Most importantly, Carl McCall and his lieutenant governor running mate
Dennis Mehiel truly embody their campaign theme of education, hope and
opportunity. They will work hard every day to ensure that our schools have the
resources to deliver a first rate education to all New Yorkers. They will work hard
to ensure that economic development and opportunity will come to all parts of
the state.
New York faces serious economic uncertainty ahead. The effects of poor
budget and policy priorities in recent years have been compounded by a sluggish
economy and the fallout from 9/11. The effects are already hurting localities
across the state and the full impact on the state will likely come to light, shortly
after Election Day (see story page 3).
That’s why it is so important to elect Carl McCall as governor. Then we can
at least be sure of some fairness and respect as he deals with the crisis.
For the same reason CSEA has endorsed Alan Hevesi for New York state
comptroller. CSEA members know that electing a comptroller who can be trusted
to protect and preserve the retirement fund for New York’s public employees is
especially important to CSEA members.
CSEA is also endorsing Eliot Spitzer for re-election as attorney general. He
is everything that an attorney general should be and works hard to make sure
that the interests of all New Yorkers are protected or advanced. CSEA is proud to
support him because we know he will continue to do the job right.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5 remember: The polls mean nothing, good or bad. Your
support for candidates means nothing ... until you, your friends and family all
demonstrate you’ve got the power in our democracy by getting out and voting.
Then we all win.
Peer: THE WORK FORCE November 2002
Pataki silent on CSEA’s call to
halt mentally ill’s
ALBANY — CSEA President Danny Donohue
has launched a new offensive in the union’s
continuing assault on the Pataki
Administration's neglect of the mental health
system.
“The moral bankruptcy of the state’s mental
health policies demand immediate and
extraordinary measures,” Donohue said. “It is
no surprise to anyone who has been involved
in the mental health system that the state has
failed to live up to its obligation to adequately
care for people with mental illness. CSEA has
been making that point to lawmakers and the
news media for a generation. What is shocking
is how coldly and systematically the state’s
mental health officials have dumped patients
without any meaningful attempt to improve
their care or living conditions.”
“Scandal after scandal has been disclosed
a fae.
CSEA President Danny Donohue, left, Mental
Health Association of NYS President Joseph
Glazer and Capital District Psychiatric Center
mistreatment
Local President Hank Wagoner attend a press
conference criticizing state mental health
policies.
piecemeal — that’s why we have such a
fragmented and deficient system now.”
A continuing series of articles in the New
York Times has reported on the quiet dumping
of psychiatric patients into locked wards of
nursing homes, which were left virtually
unregulated by the administration. They follow
on the heels of reports last spring showing the
administration has been dumping other
regarding the Office of Mental Health’s
irresponsible mistreatment of individuals
inside and outside the system, yet there is still
no movement toward any comprehensive
reform,” Donohue said.
“CSEA has no confidence in the leadership of
the Office of Mental Health and has called on
Governor Pataki to personally intervene. His
silence to this call remains deafening.”
“We need to see a real commitment to
overall, coordinated reform,” Donohue said. “It
is not enough to deal with the system
Members speak out on need for reform
(73 he state’s OMH facilities already have a staff that knows what they
are doing. Who else has the experienced and caring people to help
those that need it? The system needs people who know how to take care
of today’s psychiatric patient. Patients can say one thing, and do another.
Drug and alcohol patients who have psychosis could get worse without
the proper supervision. State staff are helping their patients become
ready for the transition to community living. But we don’t want to send
them to some of the “dumps” that are out there masquerading as
providers.99
— Les Crippen, Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide, 32 years
EG etecesignated OMH group homes should be staffed by those who
have the experience and training to work with and help today’s
psychiatric patients. That means the very people who currently are
staffing the state’s psych centers. It would facilitate the patients’ ability
to stay in the community, without going through the vicious cycle of
being released into the community without supervision, failing to take
their medications, and getting into trouble, and being readmitted. It
would be a permanent revolving door system, if left to private providers.
OMH outpatients need more support and supervision, and there needs
to be more case managers overseeing their care.99
Jackson
— Gwen Jackson, Licensed Practical Nurse, 24 years
= habe
Servi
patients into ee ence m run 100
substandard
living conditions in poorly maintained and
regulated adult homes. In both sets of
circumstances, the individuals rarely received
therapeutic treatment for their mental illness.
The governor has repeatedly avoided direct
questioning about the scandals but at press
time he defended the nursing home dumping
as appropriate placements. Gubernatorial
candidate Carl McCall has called for a U.S.
Justice Department probe of the practice.
But for CSEA the bigger issue is the continuing
lack of an overall plan for the reform of the
system to fill serious service gaps and create a
future balance between inpatient and
outpatient community based care.
CSEA recently joined with the Mental Health
Association to issue a report detailing the
broken promise of New York’s commitment to
create an effective, balanced system of
community based care for people with mental
illness, which was made in 1978 during the
administration of then-Gov. Hugh Carey.
The Carey administration committed the
state to developing a better system of care for
individuals with mental retardation and
developmental disabilities and for individuals
with mental illness. The promise has largely
been met in the Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities.
The Office of Mental Health on the other
hand has totally abandoned its commitment
and responsibilities resulting in a system that
is a national disgrace.
The Mental Health Association of New York
State’s report, “The Unfinished Promise of
Willowbrook,” curiously echoes a report CSEA
released in 1984 urging the state to develop a
comprehensive system of care that would
ensure a spectrum of care that would be
humane and cost-effective.
— Read the report online at
www.csealocall000.net
VWVorking at the house
is a home away
from home for me. The
residents are more like
family than patients.99
— Barbara Burtner, a 22-year operations
assistant at the Chautauqua County
Home
November 2002 THE WORK FORCE Eiznr. 5
CMS fires workers -
CSEA fights back
ALBANY — Nearly 100 CSEA protesters
rallied and then filled an Albany County
Legislature meeting recently to demand that
five contracted workers in the Albany
County Jail be given back their jobs.
The action follows a well-attended press
conference at the jail, at which CSEA
President Danny Donohue and several area
elected officials spoke on behalf of the fired
workers.
The five workers,
currently not represented
by the union, were fired for
participating in a Sept. 12
organizing rally.
CSEA activists spoke to
the county legislators
demanding that the workers
be reinstated and that the
contracted company, Correctional Medical
Services (CMS), voluntarily recognize the
union.
In reaction to the protest, the Legislature
passed a resolution urging CMS to take back
the workers but many legislators went even
further to suggest that if these workers
were not returned to their jobs by next
month’s meeting, the contract with CMS
should be severed.
“CMS must and will reinstate these
workers to their previous positions and
recognize their right to join CSEA,”
Donohue said. “It’s not a matter of what
CMS believes, it’s a matter of the rights
granted to these five workers under the
law,” Donohue added.
“Job security is a concern,” Stephanie
Spear, a physician’s assistant at the jail, told
an area newspaper, the Troy Record.
“These contracts with the county are up
every three years and without a union, we
667 like the variety of
my job and the
various challenges it
creates.99
— Laurie Tamutis, clerk, Lakeview
Shock Facility
have no assurance we will be kept
on,” Spear said.
Months-long fight
CSEA protested loudly earlier this
year when the Albany County
Legislature discussed hiring
Correctional Medical Services (CMS)
to provide health care to inmates at
the Albany County Jail. |
CSEA warned that CMS
was anti-union and had
a track record of union
busting all over the
country.
The legislature
decided to move
ahead and hire CMS
but assured CSEA and
the workers that union busting
would not be tolerated. Now, six
months later, fears have turned to
reality and five nurses have been
fired.
Danny Donohue meet with fired Albany County
Jail workers after a rally in support of the workers
who were fired by a private contractor.
Nearly all seventeen employees
working for CMS inside the jail
signed cards to join CSEA. CMS refused to
recognize them and a rally of support was
organized. The Sept. 12 rally was attended
by approximately thirty supporters, mostly
from CSEA and other area labor unions.
During the rally, CMS monitored the
employees who were marching on their
time off.
The next day, five employees who
attended the rally were escorted out of the
building and terminated. CMS cites the
employees’ participation in what they deem
an “illegal picket” as grounds for the firings.
CMS is using a caveat of a federal law that
requires 10 days’ notice prior to picketing a
healthcare facility.
CSEA contends that a jail is not a health-
care facility, that the “picket” was a rally
and that the NLRB has no jurisdiction over
the jail because it is a county facility.
CSEA also filed charges against CMS for
unlawful surveillance, unlawful
interrogation and intimidation.
The interest from the press has been
considerable. The fired workers spoke to
the media and said that they appreciated
the support they were receiving from CSEA.
They also said that they did nothing wrong
and that they hoped to be reinstated.
As of press time, CMS had not reinstated
the workers. Additional rallies have been
planned.
Doctor raps CMS
Dr. Trevor Letchmare, who worked under
CMS at the jail, said that CMS was guilty of
cutting corners in order to maximize
profits.
The doctor made claims to the Albany
County Legislature that he was encouraged
to skip certain prescription medications
and to avoid sending inmates to the
emergency room.
Letchmare testified that he was directed
not to prescribe pain medication to a
female inmate, which was ordered by the
inmate’s specialist at Albany Medical
Center.
The doctor said he refused CMS’
directions not to prescribe the medication,
calling CMS’ actions unethical and
inappropriate.
— Therese Assalian
reeem sy THE WORK FORCE November 2002
‘Moms’ to hundreds busy as ever
WEST BABYLON — Small handprints
finger-painted in crayon colors decorate
the bulletin board of Aline Paul’s corner in
Forest Avenue Elementary School’s main
office in West Babylon.
The handprints serve as
reminders of the dozen years
that she and the other main
office secretaries have been
shepherding children from
kindergarten to the fifth grade.
“It’s like being a mom to 400
children,” said Paul. “We’re
responsible for the class lists and keeping
track of the students; any test scores they
have, early dismissals, as well as
communicating with parents and
teachers,” she said. The secretaries also
order all the supplies in the building, from
paper clips to textbooks and furniture.
By the end of October, Paul and the
office staff are just beginning to catch their
breath after the annual fall rush.
Barthel
“We do the registering of the new
kindergartners and that takes a
tremendous amount of time and attention.
We have to deal with the anxious parents
and the scared children. We get the child’s
history, any allergies, school experience,
anything that will help us help the student.
Then we have all the data entry and that
takes weeks,” she said.
Nearby at Tooker Avenue Elementary,
Senior Clerk Typist Angela Mulder was just
getting off the phone with a parent. “Kids
forget everything you can imagine every
Services
Ram
day; homework, lunch, sneakers. Parents
come in to pick up their children early, and
we're responsible for keeping track of it
all.” But that doesn’t bother her.
“T love people! I can talk all
day long,” she said.
It’s her 17th year as secretary
to the principal. But because
she’s at the hub of the
school, she also has to keep
track of more than one
person’s schedule.
“There are 450 students,
900 parents, 35 teachers and then there’s
the principal — and I get to keep
everybody happy!” said Mulder.
The elementary school secretaries have
a key duty for the end of the year as well.
They are responsible for updating and
packing-up all the graduating 5th graders’
permanent records, so they will be
available when the students start in their
new school in September.
Fast-paced
What's it like? “Very hectic,” said Mulder.
Some of those records will eventually
travel a few blocks away to West Babylon
Junior High School where Marilyn Barthel
has been
secretary to
the principal
for 11 years.
Barthel says
she usually
doesn’t deal
directly with
the 1,200
students here,
unless they’re
in trouble, and
are sent to the
principal’s
office.
Barthel
coordinates
the huge
mailings that
go out
periodically to students and their families
several times a year. During a recent visit,
Barthel was working on the mailing for
student activities that will go out next
month.
And she said it’s no easier in the
summertime. “My summer mailing takes
Paul
Mulder
the better part of the summer. People think
that because school is closed we don’t do
anything, but that’s not so. Sometimes I
have so much to do that when I go home I
don’t even want to see the mail!”
Then there are reports to the
superintendent, the cleaning out of files,
interviewing candidates for staff positions,
6 here are 450 students, 900
parents, 35 teachers ...
and I get to keep everybody
happy!”
as well as answering the phone, which
never stops ringing. “Everything comes
through here, so when I can, I scream for
help with things like the photocopying. But
I love it, I really do,” she said.
Although it can get hairy at times,
Barthel says she’s glad to serve the public,
and grateful to have the backing of CSEA.
“Tm happy to be in the union. I feel that
if I needed them, if I was being abused or
mistreated, I would have somewhere to go.
Of course that doesn’t apply to me here.
But just the thought is comforting. How
does that saying go? ‘All for one and one
for all!”
— Rachel Langert
"| 66] t didn’t take too long to
realize that CSEA is the
union for me.99
— Jenita Banks, secretary, NYS Children
Family Services Local, one year member
November 2002 THE WORK FORCE BG 7
Rally targets mayor’s scheme
GLENS FALLS — More than 100 CSEA
members rallied at the Common Council
Meeting in Glens Fall to protest the
contracting out of jobs at the Department of
Public Works (DPW).
The mayor recently issued a request for
proposals (RFP), to private firms to do the
job currently performed by more than 35
CSEA members. The RFP was distributed
without consulting CSEA or Common
Council members. The proposals are to be
returned by Nov. 15.
CSEA members acted swiftly upon
hearing the news concerning the
contracting out proposal. At an Oct. 10
Common Council meeting, CSEA members
staged a rally with
more than 100
members and
supporters waiving
banners, holding
CSEA posters and
chanting “Keep
DPW Public.”
CSEA members
poured into the meeting room at the start of
the Common Council meeting. Some
marchers stayed outside to continue the
rally momentum. Cheers and honking horns
of support were heard while the meeting
progressed.
“(Contracting out] is a bad deal for
everyone who pays taxes, depends on public
services and wants a strong local economy
that offers opportunity for working families,”
said CSEA Capital Region President Kathy
Garrison
“Make no mistake about it, contracting
out will cost more money. It will mean
cutting corners on quality. And, it will hurt
the economy in our community by
eliminating jobs,” said Garrison
“Cc SEA is a strong and
diverse union that
looks out for all their
members. Gracias, CSEA.99
— Douglas Casasayas,
machine operator, 11 year member of
Nassau Coliseum Local
Pera -y THE WORK FORCE
CSEA members pack the Glens Falls Common
Council Meeting to protest contracting out of
jobs at the Department of Public Works.
DPW Unit President, Danny Knight
commented that budget shortfalls are
creating an “open season” on public
employees.
“I'm tired of hearing politicians talk about
[contracting out] like it’s some magical
solution that’s going to solve all these
problems and save money,” said Knight. “I
don’t buy it. I’m tired of being treated as a
cost that needs to be reduced. We are the
front-line service providers in this city and
we should be treated as resources and
partners, not costs.”
The crowd responded with resounding
applause to all speakers, including two local
residents who spoke in support of the DPW
“family.”
Organizers hailed the rally a big success
and pledged to continue the battle as long as
it takes to fight back the rising tide of
contracting out union jobs.
— Therese Assalian
*We are the front-line
service providers in
this city and we
should be treated as
resources and
partners, not costs. 9
November 2002
CSEA member
averts spread of
dangerous fire
WHITE FACE MOUNTAIN — An alert
and quick-thinking CSEA member who
was the first to notice smoke from a
fire on Little Whiteface Mountain is
being credited with preventing the fire
from raging out of control.
On the evening of Sunday, Aug. 18,
CSEA member Melissa Lawrence was
assisting riders at the gondola station
that carries tourists to the summit of
Little Whiteface. Around 4:40 p.m.,
Lawrence noticed a puff of smoke near
the top of the mountain. She
immediately called her supervisors to
alert them of the situation.
Quick evacuation ordered
Within minutes, visitors and staff
were ushered off the mountain.
Operations were shut down and the
mountain remained closed for two days
while the fire was being fought.
Fighting the fire was a group effort.
Staff utilized a snow machine to douse
the flames while the state police
coordinated aerial bucket drops.
Officers from the Department of
Environmental Conservation worked
side by side with firefighters from the
Lake Placid and Wilmington
departments. Machine operators
bulldozed the fire line over rough
terrain.
Fire brought under control
Finally, on Monday the fire was
brought under control. On Tuesday the
last of the flames were extinguished.
Whiteface Mountain opened for
business again that Wednesday.
“The conditions on the mountain
that day were so dry, it was like a
“tinderbox,” said Olympic Regional
Development Authority spokesman
Sandy Caligiore. “Because of Melissa
Lawrence’s actions when it was just a
puff of smoke, we were able to get to it
before it got out of control.”
A careless smoker on a scenic
gondola ride was blamed for starting
the six-acre brush fire that broke out
on the Adirondack’s Whiteface
Mountain.
— Therese Assalian
Cafeteria workers
cut contracted fat
FREDONIA — Cancel the
cafeteria contractors. Hold off
on the RFPs.
CSEA members of the
Fredonia Schools unit pushed
for — and have been given the
green light to continue working
for — a full school year to
bring the cafeteria budget out
of deficit status.
The district’s request for
proposals (RFP) was therefore
canceled.
“These dedicated workers
deserve a chance to continue
doing the job without a profit-
driven private contractor in
charge,” said Labor Relations
Specialist Penny Gleason.
“They took over deficit-laden
cafeteria operations in mid-
term last year and did a good
job toward reducing the deficit.
We made a presentation to the
board, and lobbied them to
cancel their RFP, so we could
begin with a full school year
ahead and continue making
efficient strides.”
The presentation by
Gleason, Unit President Mary Fredonia Schools Unit
President Mary Epolito moves
Epolito and member Judy
Oakes was well-received and
brought a statement of support
by the interim superintendent,
Charles Pegan.
“We have been encouraged
a storage rack in a district
cafeteria.
work with them,” Pegan said.
“This means the 22 cafeteria
workers (in the 93-member
with the progress made under
the guidance of Judy Oakes and
Mary Ellen Epolito and this
change in management. They
are moving in the right
direction, and I have pledged to
unit) can do their work without
the cloud of a profit motive
hanging over their jobs,” said
Gleason.
“We’re very happy the board
has shown confidence in us,”
said Epolito. “But
there will be a need
for investment in more
up-to-date equipment.
We're working with
equipment that is 30
years old or more. But
we're going to do all
we can to do the job
right.”
66] t is wonderful to be part
of a union that looks out
for the benefit of their
members.
— Dyane Nicholson-Danner, teacher aide,
Brentwood School District Local 870
— Ron Wofford
They put the brakes on contracting out
CSEA Greater Johnstown School District members pose for a
photo to accompany a story AFSCME is doing about their
contracting out victory. Standing are Priscilla Holcomb,
Roberta Healy, Gary Butler, Sandy Colman, Steve Smith,
Louise Chamberlain and Debbie Ovitt. Kneeling are Floyd
King Jr., Corey Barber and CSEA Unit President Judy Loucks.
Bus drivers victory international news
JOHNSTOWN — CSEA’s successful campaign to prevent
contracting out busing at the Greater Johnstown School District
has gained international attention.
CSEA’S international union,
AFSCME, was so impressed by the
union drivers’ victory that it will
feature the story in an upcoming
issue of AFSCME Public Employee
magazine, AFSCME’s official
publication which reaches 1.3
million readers across the country.
District officials recommended contracting out school bus
runs earlier this year because of a driver shortage and an
expiring lease on the district’s bus garage.
CSEA proposed viable
alternatives to contracting out
and launched an aggressive
public relations campaign
comparing the safety records of
district drivers with those of [
drivers employed by the
private contractor bidding to
take over the runs.
The school board voted to
keep the district drivers after
dozens of CSEA members and
concerned parents spoke out
against contracting out.
CSEA Mechanics Gary Henry
and Richard Lynaugh also
had a stake in the fight
against contracting out.
November 2002 THE WORK FORCE Eiznr. 9
©THE WORK Fone
CSEA stumps for union-friendly ticket
as Election Day draws near
The election efforts for CSEA-endorsed
candidates for office including Carl McCall
for governor, Dennis Mehiel for lieutenant
governor, Eliot Spitzer for attorney general
and Alan Hevesi for state comptroller are in
overdrive with the General Election rapidly
approaching.
CSEA’s enthusiasm for McCall at the top of
the ticket continues to rise. CEA members
have embraced McCall's message of
education, hope and opportunity at
campaign stops across the state.
With a tight race at hand, every vote
will be critical to the McCall victory in
November.
CSEA activists are encouraged to speak
at local, unit and general membership
meetings as well as executive board
“The Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) operations
just prior to and on Election Day are critical
to our endorsed ticket. It is time for each
and every CSEA activist to volunteer,” said
CSEA President Danny Donohue. “Please
consider giving at least a few nights at a
phone bank or assisting at a literature drop
in support of our candidates. Our efforts will
make a difference on Election Day.”
meetings on behalf of McCall and the
entire CSEA endorsed ticket. New
volunteers are being added every day to
the current CSEA volunteer base. But more
are needed.
Above, Carl McCall with running mate Dennis
Mehiel at his side, takes his message of education,
hope and opportunity to the people.
CSEA activists have been quick to notify
members to turn out in support of McCall at
rallies, debates and appearances. McCall
himself has noted in several public speeches
that wherever he goes, CSEA members in
green T-shirts are there to greet him.
In Syracuse, John Harbin, a McCall
supporter and president of the CSEA SUNY
Health Science Center Local attended a
McCall rally at his campaign headquarters.
“| anticipate doing phone banks, door to
door campaigning, basically whatever it
Southern Region President Diane
Hewitt attends a McCall rally at his
Newburg headquarters.
Page LO
November 2002
| s 1
McCall supporter John Harbin attends
a rally in Syracuse.
takes to get this man elected,” he said.
“Carl McCall has proven himself to be an
advocate for the working men and women of
New York State and I feel he’s the one
candidate for office of governor that will
follow through with the commitments he
makes to us,” he added.
Carl McCall is ready to lead our state. For
the past 10 years he has brought us results
and worked hard for CSEA members. Now
it’s our turn to support him.
Contact your Region Political Action
Coordinator for information on
volunteering and be sure to vote for Carl
McCall and the CSEA ticket — Dennis
Mehiel for lieutenant governor, Eliot
Spitzer for attorney general and Alan
Hevesi for comptroller — on Election Day,
Tuesday, Nov. 5.
BRP For a full listing of CSEA
<a endorsements in State legislative and
congressional races, visit the CSEA
Web site: www.csealocal1000.net
Micki Thoms,
Southern
Region PAC
Chair, greets
Attorney
General Eliot
Spitzer at the
Hudson
Valley Area
Labor
Federation’s
delegates
meeting.
CSEA President
Danny Donohue
with lieuntant
governor
candidate Dennis
Mehiel at the
CSEA Annual
Retiree Delegates
Meeting.
Carl McCall
ata
campaign
stop in
White
Plains.
Left to right, CSEA
members from the
Long Island Region,
Verna Morant, Shirley
Baker, Rutha Bush join
Joe Brown from
AFSCME and (seated)
Nassau County Local
President Jane
D’Amico at a McCall
rally in the state
Supreme Court
building’s press room
in Mineola.
THE WORK FORCE
CSEA backs Hevesi
for state comptroller
CSEA-endorsed
candidate for
comptroller
Alan Hevesi
discusses his
campaign with
Western Region
CSEA members,
including
Western Region
President Flo
Trippi.
CSEA’s endorsement of Alan
Hevesi brings the union's full
support to a candidate whose
election is critical to CSEA
members.
“The 265,000 members of CSEA
and their families will work hard
to elect Alan Hevesi. Our
endorsement brings with it a field
operation of workers from one
end of the state to the other,” said
CSEA President Danny Donohue.
As sole trustee of the $105
billion state pension fund, the
comptroller oversees the second
largest fund in the nation. Electing
a comptroller who will protect
and preserve the retirement fund
for New York's public employees
is especially important to CSEA
members.
While serving in the New York
State Assembly for 22 years,
Hevesi had a consistent pro-labor
voting record.
Hevesi’s opponent in the race
had a consistent anti-labor record.
He supported legislation that
would have eliminated jobs that
were performed by public
employees. In addition, he voted
against several CSEA supported
retirement reforms in recent
years, including CSEA's tier
reinstatement bill and tier equity
bill. That's why CSEA is vigorously
supporting Hevesi.
“Throughout his career, Alan
Hevesi has demonstrated a strong
commitment to the working men
and women of this state,” said
Donohue. “We are counting on
him to increase and protect the
state pension fund. It is a
tremendous responsibility that we
know Alan Hevesi can take on
with fiscal integrity.”
Under his leadership as New
York City comptroller, the assets
of the New York City employee
retirement system grew from $50
billion to $82 billion. He is the
only candidate with experience in
managing pension funds.
“lam proud and honored to
receive the endorsement of CSEA.
I thank Danny Donohue and all
the members of CSEA for putting
their trust in me. | will work hard
for all the people of New York,”
Hevesi said in accepting the
endorsement.
Every vote counts this Nov. 5.
Please use your power and vote
for Alan Hevesi, a comptroller
who will best represent the
working men and women of the
state.
November 2002
Page 11
CSEA remembers four slain workers,
calls for passage of security standard
WATKINS GLEN — On the 10th
anniversary of the tragic death
of four Schuyler County women
who were murdered simply
because they were doing their
job, CSEA called on the state
to do more to
protect its
workers.
On Oct. 15,
1992, Florence
Pike, Phyllis
Caslin, Nancy
Wheeler and
Denise Miller Van
Amburg, four
CSEA members employed at
the Schuyler County
Department of Social Services,
were gunned down in cold
blood by a “deadbeat dad”
angered that the agency had
garnished his wages.
“Within a few tragic minutes
on Oct. 15, 1992, Schuyler
County became the symbol of
the need for increased work
site security in public places
across the nation,” CSEA
President Danny Donohue said.
“The Schuyler County
tragedy provided a lesson that
should last forever, never to be
forgotten. Ten years ago today,
CSEA pledged to honor the
In 1980, the union fought for
and won the Public Employee
Occupational Safety and Health
Act — a law that made worker
safety a right instead of a
privilege for New York's public
employees.
Read the proposed security
standard on-line at
www.csealocal1000.net, in the
Occupational Safety and Health
area.
Page 1 2
THE WORK FORC
memory of these four women
by leading the fight to make
every job site in New York
state a safer place to work,”
Donohue said.
That pledge resulted ina
proposed
Workplace
Security
Standard, which
the union
submitted to the
state Department
of Labor in 1994.
The proposed
standard would
have required employers with
more than 50 employees to
analyze dangers, educate
employees and make
improvements to protect their
employees against workplace
violence.
But Donohue said the
Department of Labor refused to
implement the standard, based
on a questionable cost basis
alone, sending a bad message
to working people across the
state.
“The Department of Labor
had a chance to lead the
country by implementing these
proactive, positive guidelines,”
Donohue said.
“And its dismissal of the
proposed standard ignores the
very real security risks in New
York work sites.”
Ironically, terrorism
concerns in recent months
CSEA President Danny Donohue takes part in a ceremony
marking the 10th anniversary of the slayings of four CSEA
members in a Schuyler County office building.
have led to implementation of
many measures included in the
CSEA standard.
State renews review of
standard
Many localities have
adopted measures similar to
the standard CSEA developed
and the state is once again
reviewing the union’s proposal.
Donohue said public
employees have the, often
unpleasant, responsibility for
carrying out policy decisions
made by others.
The state must accept its
responsibility to protect those
public employees on the front
lines, Donohue said.
“CSEA will continue to fight
for security improvements in
public work sites throughout
the state so that no family will
ever again have to suffer
through a senseless tragedy
like the families of our fallen
union sisters in Schuyler
County,” Donohue pledged.
— Ed Molitor
Attention: World Trade Center Workers, Volunteers
the World Trade Center site or the Staten
I: you were a worker or volunteer at or near
Island Landfill following the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks and you were involved in:
* rescue
* recovery
¢ restoration of essential services
¢ debris removal or sifting.
November 2002
You may be eligible for a medical screening
program offering free and confidential medical
screening examinations, referrals for follow-up
care and occupational health education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIG TOPIC
For more information, visit:
http://www.WTCexams.org
or call 1-888-702-0630.
Bringing up baby — baby panda that i
SYRACUSE — CSEA member
Kate Hannon says she’s gotten
used to the late-night feedings,
the added responsibility of
another mouth to feed, and the
nervous worrying over the
baby’s health. She’s enjoyed
watching him get his first teeth.
It’s the claws that have
bothered her a little, though.
The claws? Well, Hannon’s
not exactly a new mother ...
she’s just the primary caretaker
for one of the latest arrivals at
Onondaga County’s
Rosamond Gifford
Zoo. Banshi, a very
rare red panda was
born earlier this
summer at the zoo.
Banshi, now
about the size of a
large cat, was one of only 14
red panda births in the United
States this year, and is one of
only seven that survived. There
are thought to be less than
2,000 in existence worldwide.
Due to an injury sustained from
his natural mother, Hannon, a
CSEA member and zoo
attendant for the past nine
years, has taken over the duties
and is hand-raising him. A
mother herself, she says it’s
like having another child.
“You're there first hand for
all of his development. You
know when all his teeth come
in. It’s the same responsibility
that you have with a child,” she
says.
As Banshi’s primary
caretaker, she even takes him
home with her five nights a
week. At first she was feeding
him every three hours by
bottle, and not sleeping very
well, nervous over his health.
Her nervousness was
compounded by
the fact that Banshi
had a sister that
didn’t survive.
“It’s hard when
they’re little
because you're so
worried about how
they’re doing and their health. I
didn’t sleep very well. I would
compare it to being a nervous
new mom,” she said.
Not to worry though, Banshi
has been thriving from the
start. “He’s a beast,” said
Hannon with a laugh, referring
to his above-average weight
gain.
Hannon said that although
the zoo staff try hard to keep
baby animals with their natural
parents, when that becomes
Zoo attendant Kate Hannon
says raising Banshi, a rare
red panda under her care, is
like having another child.
impossible, it’s a nice perk for
the staff.
“Hand-raising is one of the
perks. We all have that little
bunny-hugger in us,” she said.
And ever the proud parent,
Hannon makes sure she brings
photos with her to family
events to show off her new
“child.” She says her real
daughter loves watching
Banshi, too.
Hannon got the “new mom”
job because of her expertise in
dealing with pandas. Some of
Some of the best horses in Saratoga aren’t
SARATOGA SPRINGS — CSEA
members working in the city’s
Department of Public Works
Since its opening in June, almost
80,000 people have taken a ride
on the 92-year-old Congress Park
Carousel.
The carousel is open 4 to 8 p.m.
Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays
and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays,
weather permitting.
Rides are 50 cents.
quietly took pride this summer
in seeing their work enjoyed by
young and old.
In fact, one of the biggest
attractions in the Spa City this
summer — along with the
ballerinas from New York City,
the orchestra from Philadelphia
and the famed Thoroughbreds,
all of which have left for their
winter homes — is staying in
its new home in Congress Park.
The newly restored
Kaydeross Carousel debuted on
June 29 with much public
fanfare. Hundreds waited in line
for a chance to take a ride.
Getting the carousel up and
running in time for the busy
summer season was a
monumental task for the CSEA
crew. Especially when you
consider that the carousel
hadn’t been ridden in 15 years
and was in hundreds of pieces
when the project began.
Beginning last year and
working straight through June,
CSEA members worked to
restore and paint the horses,
clean and repair the
mechanical parts and assist in
the construction of the building
that houses the carousel.
And their work has not gone
unnoticed. The New York
this came from a workshop she
attended at the Knoxville Zoo
in Tennessee, renowned as the
leading experts in panda care.
Now, says Hannon, one of the
hardest parts about raising
Banshi is knowing that he’ll
probably be placed in another
zoo by this time next year, to
help assist in another zoo’s
breeding program.
“I know he’s going to go toa
good place, so as long as I keep
that in mind, I’m OK,” she said.
— Mark M. Kotzin
at the track
Conference of Mayors and
Municipal Officials selected the
carousel for one of its Pride in
Public Works Awards.
The carousel itself dates
back to the turn of the century
and had previously graced a
now defunct amusement park
on the shore of Saratoga Lake.
Now that the hectic summer
season has come to an end, the
DPW employees can finally take
a breath. They can also take a
bow for their hard work in
bringing back something that is
bringing joy to so many.
— Therese Assalian
November 2002 THE WORK FORCE [eee Be)
= <
Ee WKES. LESS CERIKE BANOFFS
SSeS SX
SSS SSS
14 years ago...
The year was 1988 and ballots Be
were barely counted after \
Election Day when then-Gov.
Mario Cuomo announced a
“November Surprise.” Sunny budget
forecasts during the election season
suddenly gave way to the reality of a
$1.9 billion budget deficit that would require a
hiring freeze and other draconian measures to
address.
It was the beginning of a multi-year fight that
would pit CSEA against the governor on a range
of issues including layoffs, cuts in aid to schools
and localities, an attempted raid on the state
pension system (which CSEA stopped in court),
and a protracted state contract campaign.
CSEA’s attempts to stand firm against the governor's
cutbacks and demands required all of the union’s strength and
member resourcefulness.
Page 14 (QT aa oe
This Ralph Distin
cartoon appeared in
the November 1988
edition of The Public
Sector.
Also in 1988:
Brian Boitano wins the gold medal in the
mens figure skating competition in the
Winter Olympics held in Calgary, Canada.
“Rain Man” wins the 61st Academy Award
for best picture.
The World Health Organization begins
World AIDS Day.
The Soviet Union is at war with
Afghanistan.
In the presidential elections, George Bush
Sr. beats Michael Dukakis.
Flying from London to New York City,
PanAm Flight 103 crashes into the
Scottish village of Lockerbie. All 244
passengers, 15 crew members and ||
people on the ground were killed.
CSEA helps set labor agenda for Hudson Valley
NEW WINDSOR — As one of the
Hudson Valley Area Labor
Federation’s largest affiliates,
CSEA is playing
The delegates meeting also
attracted many state and local
political leaders and candidates
who are friendly to
a major role in gee labor, including U.S. Rep.
shaping the ~~ Maurice Hinchey, State
future of am Attorney General Eliot
organized labor. +|0/0 Spitzer and State
At the Comptroller candidate
federation’s Alan Hevesi, all of whom
recent, first Same meet addressed the meeting.
delegates
meeting, CSEA
members constituted 49 of the
115 voting delegates.
“CSEA’s role in the Area Labor
Federation shows that there is a
strong interest amongst our
members in building up labor,”
said Diane Hewitt, CSEA
Southern Region President and
executive vice president of the
federation.
Labor Religion Coalition offers gift giving idea
The New York State Labor Religion Coalition
has a wonderful gift giving opportunity just in
time for the holidays.
One year after the
inception of the Hudson
Valley ALF, labor is gaining
political strength and solidarity
in the Hudson Valley. The ALF is
aan alliance of the five central
labor councils that inlcude
110,000 members and 250 union
locals in seven Hudson Valley
counties.
Over the past year, ALF
affiliates have assisted CSEA with
The Labor Religion Coalition is a growing
alliance of religious institutions, unions — union-busting
as demonstrations at the site of
the new Price Chopper in
Newburgh.
One area in which labor is
seeking to gain more power is in
political action.
At the ALF meeting, Hewitt
introduced a political action
resolution in which the
federation is seeking to increase
voter registration among union
members by 10 percent. The
resolution, which passed also
Alan Hevesi, CSEA-endorsed requires endorsed candidates to
candidate for New York state support labor by advocating for
comptroller, speaks at the the right to organize and working
Hudson Valley Area Labor to revise the Taylor Law to
Federation Delegates Meeting. abolish strike bans on public
employees.
campaigns in Ulster County and
Ellenville Regional Hospital. — Janice Marra
CSEA, in turn, has supported
the federation with projects such
Pro-union law
targets
including CSEA, community and youth groups,
Border Witness chronicles the experiences of a individuals, and academics, who share a Legislation originally initiated by
delegation of young people from across New York commitment to economic justice. CSEA that prohibits employers from
state as they travel in northern Mexican For more information about the Labor Religion using state funds to discourage
communities. The book is in English and Spanish Coalition or Border Witness, call 518-213-6000 ext. union-organizing drives was signed
with more than 50 powerful photos. It is available 6294 or visit their website at www.labor- into law Sept. 30.
for $30 plus $3.50 shipping and handling. religion.org. “This is a major victory for New
York state workers,” said CSEA
Capital Region Labor Parade
CSEA members enthusiastically turned out for the Capital District Labor Parade held
in late September. Marchers walked through the city of Albany to Washington Park
to gather for speakers, food, music and a formal presentation.
President Danny Donohue. “This
new law, that CSEA has long been
advocating for, goes a long way in
discouraging anti-union forces.”
Under the provisions of the new
law, state funds cannot be used to
educate supervisors on anti-union
positions, or hire attorneys,
employees or consultants who will
coordinate an anti-organizing effort.
In addition, employers that
receive state funds are required to
maintain documentation for a three-
year period to prove that state
funds have not been used in
opposing organizing drives.
Employers can face sanctions of
$1,000 for an inadvertent violation
of the act, or three times the
amount of state money spent if the
law was violated knowingly or
repeatedly.
November 2002 THE WORK FORCE [etm Bs}
Important Reminders for State Employees
The 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.
Programs offset health care costs
There are several programs
currently available to state enrollees
that can help offset the increased out-
of-pocket expenses enrollees will face
in 2003.
The Pre-Tax Contribution Program
and the Health Care Spending Account
are two of these programs that, if used
properly, can help enrollees pay for
health care needs using pre-tax
monies. Following is a brief
description of each program. Enrollees
requiring additional information
should contact their personnel office
or the program administrator.
Pre-tax Contribution Program (PTCP)
The Pre-tax Contribution Program
(PTCP) allows enrollees to have their
health insurance premiums deducted
from their pay before taxes are taken
out. This may lower the taxable
income and give the enrollee more
spendable income. Enrollees were
automatically enrolled in this program
when they became eligible for health
insurance, unless they declined to
participate. The enrollee paycheck
stub shows whether the enrollee is
enrolled in PTCP. "Regular Before Tax
Health" will appear in the Before Tax
Deductions column if your health
insurance premium is deducted from
your wages before taxes are withheld.
*Regular After Tax Health" will appear
in the After Tax Deductions column if
your health insurance premium is
deducted from your wages after taxes
are withheld.
Under IRS rules, by participating in
the PTCP enrollees may change their
health insurance deduction during the
tax year only after a PTCP qualifying
event (i.e. change in family status).
Additional information on the PTCP is
included in the NYSHIP Health
Insurance publication Choices for
2003.
If you wish to change your pre-tax
selection for the 2003 plan year health
insurance premiums, you must see
your health benefits administrator and
complete a health insurance
transaction form no later than Nov. 30,
2002. No action is needed if you wish
to keep your current pre-tax option.
Flex Spending Account/The Health
Care Spending Account
The Health Care Spending Account
(HCS Account) is a benefit for eligible
state employees that saves enrollees
money by allowing enrollees to pay for
out-of-pocket health care expenses
with pre-tax dollars.
The HCS Account allows eligible
CSEA members to contribute pre-tax
dollars to pay for medically necessary
health-related expenses that are not
reimbursed by their health insurance
or any other benefit plan (ie.
dental/vision). The employee
determines the amount of pre-tax
dollars contributed to the account,
after estimating 2003 anticipated out-
of-pocket expenses. The maximum
allowable annual contribution is
$3,000 and the minimum allowable
annual contribution is $150.
The Open Enrollment period began
in September and runs through Nov.
15, 2002. The program's plan year
operates from Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 31,
2003.
If you would like to know more
about the Health Care Spending
Account program or would like an
enrollment brochure, you may contact
the NYS Flex Spending Account
Hotline at 1-800-358-7202 or on the
web at www.lexspend.state.ny.us.
Empire Plan changes effective
Jan. 1 2003
Participating provider office
visit co-payments will increase from
$8 to $10. (A co-payment is the fixed
out-of pocket expense the patient pays
each time he or she visits a health plan
provider or receives a covered
service.)
Prescription drug co-payments
will increase from $3 generic/$13
brand name (no generic equivalent)
to $5 generic/$15 brand name (no
generic equivalent).
The non-participating provider
annual deductible will increase
from $175 to $185. (A deductible
applies when using non-participating
providers under the Empire Plan.) The
cost-sharing arrangement where the
enrollee is required to pay a fixed
dollar amount of covered expenses
each year before the health plan will
begin to reimburse for covered health
care expenses.
HMO out-of-pocket costs are not
negotiated with CSEA. Enrollees will
be sent a side-by-side comparison
detailing any changes in benefits for
2003. Contact your HMO for questions
regarding office visit or prescription
drug co-pay changes.
If you have any questions regarding
your health benefits, please contact
the CSEA Joint Committee on Health
Benefits at 518-785-4774 or 1-800-286-
JCHB (5242) or you may send
e-mail to jchb@cseainc.org.
Annual Option Transfer period
November is typically the Annual
Option Transfer month, when state
employees may change their health
insurance option and pre-tax
contribution status.
Employees who wish to change their
plan option must do so during the
Option Transfer Period by contacting
the health benefit administrator,
usually located in their agency
personnel office.
Your agency Health Benefits
Administrator will receive a supply of
Choices for 2003, your guide to NYSHIP
health insurance options. If you are
thinking about changing your option,
read the plan description, which
includes important information,
including office visit and prescription
drug co-pays for each of the health
plans available in the area you live
and/or work. The Choices for 2003
publication can be a very important
resource if you are contemplating
changing your health insurance option.
If you would like to review your options
and the benefits available, you may
obtain a copy of this guide from your
health benefits administrator directly.
Another important resource during
the option transfer period is the Rates
& Deadlines Guide. As soon as the 2003
rates are approved, a guide will be sent
to the enrollees’ homes so an informed
decision can be made about your
health insurance choices for the 2003
plan year.
Enrollee premium contributions will
increase in January. These increases
are two-fold; the first is the new
requirement for enrollees to contribute
toward the prescription drug premium;
the second is due to the health
insurance costs continuing to increase.
It is very important for all enrollees to
review the Rates & Deadlines Guide
upon receipt to determine what their
2003 calendar year health insurance
premium contribution requirement will
be.
As always, enrollees will have 30
days from the date that the rate
information is approved to make any
changes. If you decide NOT to change
your health insurance option, you do
not have to take any action. If you wish
to change health insurance options,
you must submit a signed Health
Insurance Transaction Form PS-404 to
your agency’s Health Benefits
‘Administrator by the deadline specified
in the Rates & Deadlines Guide.
Prescription drug
Effective Jan. 1, 2003, active CSEA
Executive Branch enrollees will be
responsible to contribute the
enrollee portion of the cost of
individual and dependent
prescription drug premium under the
Empire Plan or Health Maintenance
Organization. This will result in a
substantial increase to the current
payroll deduction.
‘The premium currently deducted
from enrollees biweekly paycheck is for
the hospital, medical and mental
health/substance abuse components of
the health insurance premium.
Enrollees do not currently contribute
toward the prescription drug portion of
the premium.
New York State will continue to pay
the majority of the health insurance
and prescription drug premium. New
York State will contribute 90% of the
changes
hospital, medical, mental
health/substance abuse and
prescription drug components of the
health insurance premium for
individual coverage and 75% of the cost
of these components for dependent
coverage.
Please remember this is a new
requirement for calendar year 2003.
Since enrollees can only change their
options during the Option Transfer
Period, enrollees should review the
Choices Guide and the Rates and
Deadlines Guide, carefully, to be fully
aware of your health plan benefits and
premiums for calendar year 2003.
If you have any questions, please
contact the CSEA Joint Committee on
Health Benefits at 518-785-4774 or
1-800-286-JCHB (5242) or you may send
e-mail to jchb@cseainc.org.
For more information on health insurance
options, visit the Joint Committee on Health
Benefits area of the CSEA website.
Page 16 Qa November 200:
New, Better, and Best! CSEA Legal Service
Program Members-Only Benefit
One out of every two Americans will need legal
advice during the next 12 months. Half of these
people will attempt to deal with the matter on their
own because they either do not know how to retain
an attorney or are afraid of the costs associated
with doing so.
The newly consolidated CSEA Legal Services
Program now includes most of the types of personal
legal representation that you might need. The
Program provides you and your dependents with
attorney representation in the areas of Workers’
Compensation and Social Security Disability matters,
Personal Legal matters, and our newest service,
Personal Injury matters. The CSEA Legal Services
Program will provide you with quality legal
representation at no out-of-pocket cost or, where
there are fees, at pre-published fees known by you
beforehand. You will have peace of mind knowing
that the Program attorneys have been selected by
CSEA for their expertise and commitment to our
members.
PERSONAL INJURY MATTERS (NEW)
All too often people do not know who to turn to or
what their rights are when they are injured. CSEA
has established a new service covering injury claims
which may involve a third party beyond your
employer.
All personal injury matters including product
liability, falls, automobile, boating, aircraft accidents,
construction accidents, medical malpractice and any
other liability case with significant personal injuries
will be handled by competent attorneys with an
expertise in personal injury litigation.
Representation in this area will be administered
through the law firm of Fine, Olin and Anderman,
LLP which now has, as a part of its firm, a separate
statewide network of expert personal injury
attorneys. Access to your case file documents via a
secure website will be available to you along with
regular case updates via e-mail.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL
SECURITY DISABILITY MATTERS
If you are injured on the job or sustain a job-
related illness, CSEA’s Workers’ Compensation Legal
Assistance Program can help you through the
complex procedures and steps involved in Workers’
Compensation. Additionally, the Program can help
you obtain Social Security disability benefits if you
become disabled.
Attorneys are available to assist and guide you
through the process. They will conduct in-depth
interviews with you, correspond directly with your
doctors, obtain prior work histories, process all
necessary forms and represent you at the hearing.
Representation is provided by the firm of Fine,
Olin and Anderman, LLP through its statewide
network of offices staffed by attorneys who
specialize in workers’ compensation/social security
disability law. These attorneys have been providing
CSEA members statewide with Workers’
Compensation Legal Assistance representation for
almost five years now.
PERSONAL LEGAL MATTERS
CSEA has created a Personal Legal Services Plan
to provide you and your dependents with
knowledgeable and affordable legal representation
to protect your legal rights in personal matters. The
initial enrollment fee entitles you to choose from
two to five legal services depending on the plan you
choose. As a plan participant, you are then also
entitled to a list of personal legal services at pre-
published rates. These cover the gamut from A to Z
(Adoptions to Zoning Appeals), and includes such
things as traffic tickets, real estate transactions,
family court matters, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant
rights and criminal matters. Once enrolled, you are
covered under the Plan for one year. A small renewal
fee of $25 each year helps to cover the
administrative costs of providing you with this
terrific coverage.
Legal services are provided by our CSEA regional
attorney network, supplemented with specially
selected attorneys. Probably you, or someone you
work with, know your regional attorney already.
These attorneys for the most part have worked with
CSEA members for a decade or more, providing
employment-related representation. They are each
committed to the CSEA Plan and to giving us the
best coverage throughout the state.
SO, CONTACT US.
HERE’S HOW
Use of the CSEA Legal Services Program and any
of its component Plan services is as easy as calling
CSEA Headquarters at 1-800-342-4146 during normal
business hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. and selecting the menu option for CSEA Legal
Services Program. You will be asked whether you
are interested in the injury-related plan or the non-
injury related plan. Follow these prompts and you
will get directly to the right place to begin the
process. Also, brochures are available describing in
detail each of the three services in the Program.
Information is also available on CSEA’s website at
www.csealocal1000.net, by logging onto the CSEA
Members-Only page.
What’s In It
For You?
THE DEAL WITH DENTISTS
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
receives many calls regarding requests for
referrals for dentists and
complaints about services
provided by a dentist. The
following information may
help you in making the
important decision of
choosing a dentist and
receiving the quality dental
care you deserve.
For liability reasons, the Benefit Fund
cannot refer members to a specific dentist,
either participating or non-participating.
The participating provider listing contains
the names of licensed dentists who have
agreed to accept the dental plan
allowances as payment in full for covered
services. The Benefit Fund has no
authority to comment on or investigate the
BENEFIT FUND
quality of work provided by a dentist. The
best way to find a dentist is to ask
co-workers, neighbors, relatives and
friends about their dental experiences and
if they would refer you to their dentist.
A dentist must be licensed by the state
Board of Regents to provide services in
New York state. Many times members ask if
there is a difference between a
DMD or DDS degree. DMD
stands for Doctor of Dental
Medicine and DDS stands for
Doctor of Dental Surgery and
they are equivalent as far as
training is concerned. Both are
doctoral degrees and the degree
received is dependent on the
dental school attended. New York licensed
dentists have completed a four-year
program in dentistry following a minimum
of two years of college. New York licensed
dentists must pass a state approved
examination and are required to take
continuing education courses regularly.
Dental hygienists must also be licensed
by New York to provide services. RDH
stands for registered dental hygienist
which means that individual has earned an
associate's or bachelor’s degree from an
accredited dental hygiene program, has
passed a state approved licensing
examination and has taken the required
continuing education courses.
Dental professionals must reregister
every three years to practice in New York.
All dentists, dental hygienists, and certified
dental assistants must display a current
state registration certificate in the dental
facility where he or she is employed. You
can verify a license by calling (518) 474-
3817, or e-mailing opdinfo@mail.nysed.gov.
Another concern of many members is
their dental records. Dental patient records
usually contain your dental case history,
examination findings, and treatment
records. They must be maintained by the
dentist for six years or until the client
turns 22, whichever is longer. Records are
usually confidential unless you have
approved their release. If you want a copy
of your records, provide your dentist with
a written request. There may be a charge
for the copies of x-rays or the treatment
record.
Dentists who are considered specialists
have additional education in the field that
they practice. They are not licensed in the
specialty area by New York state. Some
specialists you may encounter are:
Endodontists: perform procedures such
as root canals
Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons:
diagnose and treat injuries and defects of
the head, neck, face, and jaws and perform
difficult extractions.
Orthodontists: treat problems related to
misaligned teeth
Pediatric dentists: specialize in treating
children and adolescents.
Periodontists: diagnose and treat
diseases of the gums and bone surrounding
the teeth.
Prosthodontists: replace missing teeth
with fixed or removable substitutes such
as dentures, bridges and crowns.
An Ever
Better Future
November 2002 THE WORK FORCE ttm Wf
K is for
Knowledge is power. And CSEA has a
wealth of knowledge available to members
to give them the power to solve issues
related to work or home life. Need legal
counsel? Interested to know if the candidate
in your area supported an important piece
of legislation? In need of some research for
your next contract negotiation? Turn to the
team of CSEA professionals to gain the
help, insight and guidance you need.
We have highlighted several CSEA
departments to better explain the wealth of
knowledge CSEA members can tap into.
Legal Department
The Legal Department provides a myriad
of services to benefit CSEA members.
CSEA attorneys provide technical
assistance on a wide range of labor-related
issues to union leaders and staff dealing
with legal and contract issues.
Some matters are handled exclusively by CSEA staff,
such as all Public Employee Relations Board (PERB)
and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) matters, and
some are handled with region attorneys, such as
disciplinary representation.
Workers who are injured on the job or who have
sustained a job-related injury may use CSEA’s Workers’
Compensation Legal Assistance Program and other legal
benefit prorams (See page 17).
Legislative and Political Action Department
CSEA has a respected political action network to
make your voice heard by elected officials from school
boards and city halls to the New York state Legislature,
Congress and the White House. Laws, public policies
and elected officials affect the well-being of CSEA
members. That’s why CSEA is actively involved in the
electoral process, by way of campaigns and
endorsements, and the legislative process, by initiating
legislation and lobbying to get laws passed that help
working families.
CSEA endorses and works to elect candidates who
are friendly to working people. Once endorsements are
made, CSEA's Political Action Department works with
activists to mobilize support for candidates. This may
include polling, precinct targeting, voter identification,
voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, phone
banking, organizing and recruiting volunteers.
To make sure that public policy-makers understand
the concerns of CSEA members, we dedicate resources
to political analysis and action. To promote legislative
action, CSEA circulatesdraft legislation to the appropriate
members of the state Legislature for sponsorship and
Much of the power of CSEA’s
knowledge is transferred to union
members during workshops at
conventions and conferences. Above
and at right, union members take part
in a problem-solving task.
then works with that sponsor to push the bill through to
become law. Whether it's a bill to protect worker safety
or easing the costs of prescription drugs, you can count
on CSEA to know what's happening at the local, state or
national level.
Research Department
The Research Department analyzes and makes
recommendations on major budget and policy issues for
CSEA. The department also provides relevant
information to region staff to support contract
negotiations such as salary comparisons, budget and
health benefit analysis.
Education and Training Department
This department provides labor education and
training to local and unit officers, stewards, grievance
representatives and activists as well as members across
the state. The department also provides special training
for organizing campaigns or other union needs.
Communications Department
CSEA’s Communications Department constantly
seeks and is fed information from all the departments
and areas within the union. The department takes the
information and feeds it back to the members through
The Work Force, newsletters and web site so that
members, leaders and activists have the power and
knowledge to address the issues that affect them on and
off the job.
Many resourcees are available on-line, at
www.csealocal1000.net, and especially in the
members-only area.
Above left, Long
Island Region
President Nick
LaMorte and
Central Region
President Jim
Moore, right, lead
workshops.
CSEA also has several key affiliations that strengthen
our knowledge and power and therefore strengthens the
CSEA membership as well.
AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees)
As Local 1000 of AFSCME, we belong to a national
union that has over 1.3 million members. AFSCME has
developed a wide range of services and resources that
are available to its affiliates. With a qualified and capable
staff, AFSCME provides services in four major areas:
workplace issues, legislation and political action,
communications and leadership training/union building.
Especially on issues of national interest, AFSCME is a
sound resource that CSEA members are fortunate to
have.
The Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI
The Fiscal Policy Institute is a non-partisan research
and education organization that focuses on the broad
range of tax, budget, economic and related public policy
issues that affect the quality of life and the economic
well-being of New York state residents. CSEA can turn to
the FPI for first rate assistance and information on
budget and public policy issues that affect working men
and women across the state.
As a CSEA member, you have a broad range
of services, staff and knowledge at your
fingertips. When CSEA’s knowledge grows, our
power grows too. To find out more about any of
these CSEA resources, check out the CSEA web
site at www.csealocal1000.net or call
1-800-432-4146.
Page 18 QT November 200:
Mission Achievement Awards
presented to CSEA Retirees
Two retired CSEA activists
recently were presented with
the 2001 and 2002 Donald
Webster Memorial Mission
Achievement Awards at the
Annual Retirees Delegate
Meeting held in Rye.
Patricia Wilder was presented
with the 2002 award. Wilder was
a union activist for the 30 years
that she worked at various
positions within Jefferson
County. After retiring, she
became involved with the
Jefferson-Lewis Counties Retiree
Local and served as president
for nine years and currently
serves as vice president. She is
also involved in her local
community with the AARP
Watertown Chapter, SCORE
(Service Corps of Retired
Executives) and the Jefferson
County Historical Society.
Irene Hillis accepted the 2001
Memorial Mission Achievement
Award. Due to circumstances
last year surrounding Sept. 11,
the awards presentation was
canceled.
Patricia Wilder and Irene Hillis
were presented with the Donald
Webster Memorial Mission
Achievement Awards at the
Retiree Delegates Meeting in Rye.
Hillis was also a union activist
for 30 years as a state employee
at Willowbrook State School,
now Staten Island DDSO. As a
retiree, her activism continues
as current president of the New
York Metropolitan Retirees
Local. Her community activities
include helping her church with
fundraising while also serving as
treasurer of both the Ladies
Guild and CYO Senior Guild.
Congratulations to both
women on these well-deserved
honors.
Break in membership affects eligibility
A break in union membership
status can have long-term 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
-- for union office, voting privileges
accident, illness, maternity 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-tree status.
Note, however, you must continue
to pay dues to run for office.
Dues-free 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.
PEOPLE PERSON
- The PEOPLE
recruiter for the
month of
September is Lori
Nilsson of the
Central New York DDSO.
She recruited 35 new members.
PEOPLE is CSEA and AFSCME’s
political action program aimed
at getting friends of working
families elected to Congress ...
METROPOLITAN REGION WINS
PEOPLE CUP - Metropolitan
Region President George
Boncoraglio accepted the 2002
PEOPLE Cup
on behalf of
the CSEA
Metropolitan
Region at the
Annual
Delegates
Meeting. The
region recruited 627 PEOPLE
members in the year 2002 - the
most for any CSEA region ...
CSEA MEMBER RECOGNIZED
FOR LIFELONG LEARNING -
CSEA member Heidi-Lynn
Wagner, a health benefits
administrator, was honored for
her commitment to lifelong
learning by The Association of
Joint Labor-Management
Education Program. The
association’s mission is to
strengthen and promote
labor/management educational
programs in order to solidify the
philosophy and practice of
lifelong learning ... BRICK
LOCATOR ON WEB SITE -
Bricks purchased for the Hudson
River Way in memory of five
CSEA Tax and Finance members
killed in the Sept. 11 tragedy are
now easier to find thanks to a
link on the city of Albany’s web
site. Log on to www.albanyny.
org and click on the “Locate
Your Brick” link and type in the
names or inscription for
assistance ...
0 wane 11
CSEA RUNS/
WALKS IN
RACE FOR THE
CURE - CSEA
members in the
Capital Region
joined forces in the
Race for the Cure, a fundraiser
for the fight against breast
cancer. CSEA was a silver
sponsor of the event, hosted an
information booth and entered a
team of runners and walkers ...
IN MEMORY OF DAN
CAMPBELL - CSEA Albany
County Local President Jack
Rohl organized the first annual
Dan Campbell Memorial
Scholarship event. The Oct. 5
bowling tournament, attended
by CSEA members and staff,
raised more than $1,700 for a
scholarship fund in Campbell’s
name. Campbell passed away in
February after three decades of
work as the Capital Region's
Communications Associate ...
CBTU PRESENTS AWARD TO
DONOHUE - The Long Island
Chapter of the Coalition of Black
Trade Unionists (CBTU)
presented a Leadership Award to
CSEA President Danny Donohue
in recognition of his vision,
leadership and dedication to the
labor movement in New York
state and the country ...
DONOHUE PRESENTS AWARD
IN HEMPSTEAD - CSEA
President Danny Donohue was
on hand at the second annual
CSEA Town of Hempstead Local
Golf Outing. With the proceeds
from the
event, $1,000
college
scholarships
are awarded
to members’
children. CSEA j
President
Danny
Donohue also
presented Local President Bill
Flanagan a plaque recognizing
Flanagan’s leadership and the
local’s achievements.
November 2002. THE WORK FORCE [Eeerm ks)
A vote for McCall is a vote for:
V Fairness and respect for
working people
V Improving our schools
> V Creating job growth and
expanding opportunity
1 / ¢ sat
Carl McCall, governor Dennis Mehiel,
lieutenant governor
Tuesday Nov. 5
YOUR UNION oa
NEWSLETTER
Itis indeed an honor to be
able to step forward as your Local
| president. | am fortunate to be
| following in the footsteps of such
remarkable people as Irving
Flaumenbaum, Rita Wallace and
Tony Giustino. They were leaders
who paved the way toward a
- strong and successful union.
During the past seven years | have learned a
great deal while serving as executive vice president.
Most importantly, | have witnessed the need for
knowledge and strength, tempered by reason, and
culminating in positive action.
A passion for something doesn’t come from your
head. It comes from your heart. Passion gives life to
vision. My passion for union activism on behalf of
my fellow employees has given life to a vision —
that our members can earn a decent wage, enjoy
guaranteed benefits without the constant fear of
losing their jobs and reap rewards commensurate
with their hard work.
To realize this vision, we must educate, we
must communicate, and, at times, we must fight.
And we will fight. As we enter one of CSEA’s most
challenging periods ever, we will use every tool at
our disposal to make sure that our hard-won
benefits, job security and re-staffing concerns are
not neglected.
In the past, our strength has been in our unity. It
is imperative to our success that we stay united. |
call on all our members to work together with their
union leadership to promote the goals and
objectives that will lead us to success.
| pledge my presidency to the following
standards:
+ We will maintain the highest level of
professionalism.
+ We will maintain and expand internal and
external communications.
+ We will address head-on the challenges that will
certainly face us.
+ We will work to improve organizational
effectiveness whenever and wherever we find it
lacking.
+ We will maintain an open dialogue between our
members and our leadership. In other words, we
will listen to you. Your voice will be heard.
+ We will strive to negotiate the best possible
contracts and benefits.
+ We will promote a positive awareness campaign
of CSEA work and expand ties and coalitions
within the community.
| look forward to working with our membership,
officers and the Executive Board as we tackle the
formidable tasks that lie ahead. | ask for your unified
support as we move our great union forward.
Yours in solidarity,
Jane D'Amico, President
CRM ane
Farewell Message from Tony Giustino
I've written many messages to
CSEA members over the course of
my seven years as president of
Local 830. This one, by far, is the
most difficult.
| have decided, after 35 years
in government, that it is time to
call it a career. | am moving on to
new challenges and new endeavors, to jobs in
which | can utilize the tremendous knowledge and
experience | have gained both as a union activist
and as a government worker. As an attorney who
has specialized in labor law, it is my hope to put all
of my experience and education together to work on
behalf of the labor movement in general and CSEA
in particular.
In the upcoming months and years, | will be
working with CSEA regional labor attorney Lou
Stober, and | will be on hand to assist your union
leaders as CSEA enters negotiations on a new
contract with Nassau County and the Nassau Health
Care Corporation.
| was both proud and humbled to have been
elected by our members to three consecutive terms
as president. | served with all the energy, strength
and dedication that | could muster. You can be
certain that my sole motivation through these seven
years has been the good of our union.
Our new president is Jane D'Amico, who has
served with me since my first election. She has
been an outstanding executive vice president and
union activist. Jane is a highly competent and
capable person who will exert strong leadership over
our union as we enter some very challenging times.
Jane's knowledge of the issues that face CSEA and
her superb administrative abilities will ensure a
smooth transition.
Thanks for your help and support over the years.
| wish you all well.
Yours in unionism,
é
Tony Giustino
2 EXPRESS
The
Work Force
PRESS
November 2002 = Vol. 7 No. 11
‘A Monthly Publication of CSEA Nassau County Local 830,
JANE D'AMICO, President
Tony Panzarella, Editor
(616) 571-2919 Ext. #13
Ronald G. Gurrieri, Chait, Communications Committee
CSEA Long Island Region Communications Associate 631-
462-0030
NASSAU LOCAL 830
Executive Officers:
JANE D'AMICO, President
LES EASON, Executive Vioe President
GEORGE WALSH, 1st Vice President
ROBERT CAULDWELL, 2nd Vice President
RAYMOND CANNELLA, 3rd Vice President
JEWEL WEINSTEIN, 4th Vice President
RON GURRIERI, 5th Vice President
MARY DELMARE, 6th Vice President
TIM CORR, 7th Vice President
NANCY IANSON, 8th Vice President
RUDY BRUCE, Sth Vice President
NOREEN LINGHAM, 10th Vice President
BOBBI EISGRAU, Secretary
KATHLEEN VITAN, Treasurer
Unit Presidents/Executive Board:
JOHN ALOISIO Ill, Treasurer's Office
STANLEY BERGMAN, Comptroller's Office
RUDY BRUCE, Department of Public Works
RAY CANNELLA, Civil Service Commission
TIM CORR, Recreation & Parks
VIVIAN CROWLEY, General Services
KENNETH DASH, SR., Administrative Unit
MARY DELMARE, School Crossing Guards
LES EASON, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility
BOBBI EISGRAU, County Clerk
RAYMOND FLAMMER, Assessment Department
‘SUSAN GRAHAM, County/Distrct Attorney
CYNTHIA HANCOCK, Nassau Community College
NANCY IANSON, Drug & Alcohol
DAVID JOHNSON, NC Democratic Project Unit
RON KAHL, AMTS
JERRY LARICCHIUTA, Sheriffs Support Unit
LOUIS MINGHINELLI, Health Department
LILLIAN NEUMAR, Police Civilians
JUNE NOLAN, Trafic & Parking Violations
DIANE RUSS, Consumer Affairs
LARRY SCHNURR, Deputy Shenifs
PAUL SIMON, Fire & Rescue Services
MICHAEL TIMMONS, Social Services
GEORGE WALSH, Nassau University Medical Center
PETER WRBA, Probation
JOSEPH WHITTAKER, Fire Marshal
We welcome reader suggestions: Please address your
comments to Tony Panzarella, Editor, Nassau County
EXPRESS at CSEA Nassau Co. Local 830, 400
County Seat Dr., Mineola, NY 11501-4137.
What do you
do when you are
terminated or disciplined based upon
charges that do not specify what you did
wrong? This was the issue in two recent
arbitration cases | handled, one involving
the Medical Center and one involving the
County Clerk's office. The answer is that
an application to dismiss the charges
based on due process grounds should be
made.
In both cases the arbitrators found the
charges or portions of the charges were
defective and that the charges had to be
dismissed. In one case, the charge read
simply “theft of services”. The arbitrator
held that the phrase “by itself, is plainly
inadequate and is made more so by dint of
the fact that the Employer is charging
Grievant with a pattern of theft of services
... the compound deficiencies mandate
that the Notice of Personnel Action be
dismissed, without prejudice, and that,
accordingly, the Employer be directed to
reinstate Grievant and make him whole.”
In that case, the Employer was given the
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
LEGAL UPDATE
by Louis D. Stober, Jr., Esq.
CSEA Regional Attorney
opportunity to re-charge the employee
since the statute of limitations to charge
the employee had not expired.
A similar result occurred in the County
Clerk's case. In that case | made a motion
to dismiss the charges against the
Grievant claiming that they lacked
specificity thereby violating contractual
and due process rights by inhibiting my
ability to mount a full and proper defense
to the charges. The arbitrator held “... all
references related to the Grievant's
absences that were included as part of the
... Notice of Personnel Action, which
charged the Grievant with ‘Dereliction of
Duty’ were removed from being a part of
the charge. This is so, because:
(a) That part of the charge did lack
specificity, in that no dates for the
absences were cited;
(b) The absences referred to are
contained in a separate charge which was
grieved and a final determination had yet
to be rendered;
(c) Departmental actions, other than
termination, had already been initiated
against the Grievant for the referenced
absences...”
Therefore, a two-fold attack on the
charges, based upon lack of specificity
and “double jeopardy” i.e., that the
Grievant had already been previously
charged for the same matters that he was
now being terminated for led to a
successful outcome and the Grievant was
reinstated with full back pay minus a five
day suspension without pay.
As can be seen, there are many issues
that have to be analyzed in any
disciplinary case besides the issue of
whether misconduct or incompetence
occurred.
Therefore, if you are ever the subject of
discipline, pay particular attention to the
language of the charges and let your
CSEA representative know whether you
have been previously disciplined for the
same incidents or whether the charges
are unduly vague so as to prevent you
from forming a proper defense.
CBTU honors Donohue
and Jones at first annual
awards dinner
The Long Island Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists (CBTU) held its first annual awards dinner in
October and honored two great union activists: CSEA
President Danny Donohue and retired Nassau County Local
830 member Barbara Jones.
Top right, Barbara Jones, secnd from right, accepts the
award in her honor. Jones was a founding member of the Long Island
CBTU Chapter and a longtime union activist in Local 830 and the
Long Island Region. She is the first recipient of the CBTU Service
Award which will be named the Barbara Jones Award in her honor.
From left to right, CBTU Long Island Chapter President Rudy Bruce,
Laret Williams of JLT Insurance and Hempstead Town Councilwoman
Dorothy Goosby.
Bottom right, members of the CBTU Long Island Chapter take
time out for a group photo.
Left, CSEA Local 830 President Jane D’Amico, center, accepts
the CBTU Award on behalf of CSEA President Danny Donohue.
Making the presentation are Chapter President Rudy Bruce, left,
and Metropolitan Region Director and CBTU member Alan
Jennings.
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
Vote for Bergman & Grasso
CSEA members running for New
York State Assembly
If you want to ensure that CSEA’s legislative agenda is placed front and center
in Albany, what better way to do it than electing Assembly candidates who happen
to be CSEA members.
CSEA is fortunate this year to have two of its members running for the New
York State Assembly. Both have received the CSEA endorsement. CSEA urges all
members and their families to get the vote out for Stan Bergman in the 12th
Assembly District and Vincent Grasso in the 14th Assembly District.
STAN BERGMAN
Stan Bergman is President of Local 830’s Nassau County
Comptroller’s Unit. His name can be found on both Row “B”
(Democrat) and Row “H” (Working Families). He has been a
CSEA activist for over 10 years and, as Chair of the local’s
Anti-Privatization Committee, has been in the forefront in the
fight against the privatization of bargaining unit jobs.
Stan has also received the endorsement of National
Organization for Women (NOW) and the United Auto Workers
(UAW). He has been a crusader for women’s rights and causes. He has also
expressed concern over a proposed widening of the Southern State Parkway,
calling DOT's plan a $5 billion waste of taxpayer money that will succeed only in
turning the road into another Long Island Expressway.
Stan earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Queens College and his
master's degree in accounting from C.W. Post. He and his wife, Carol, reside in
Levittown with their two daughters. He comes from a union family. His father was a
member of the NYC Transit Workers Union and both his mother and grandmother
were members of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (now Unite).
VINCENT GRASSO
Vincent Grasso is a CSEA Local 830 member with the Nassau County Board
of Elections. He has been a community volunteer and activist for
years, serving as a Literacy Volunteers of America tutor, on the
Village of Valley Stream Board of Ethics, as a trustee with the
Gibson Civic Association and with an organization called
Christmas in July, which rebuilds homes for the poor.
Vincent has been a Long Island resident for 30 years,
residing since 1998 in Valley Stream with his wife, Mary. They
have one daughter. He attended Sachem High School in Suffolk
County and graduated from SUNY Stony Brook. He has been a
great advocate of the public school system and is an avid
environmentalist.
Since 1992, Vincent has been a member of the Army Reserve. He currently
serves as an intelligence non-commissioned officer with the Joint Forces
Intelligence Command at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
ExPRESS 3
CSEA endorses
candidates for state
Senate and Assembly
When you go to the polls to
vote on Nov. 5, CSEA urges you
to pull the lever for the
candidates below in your New
York State Senate and Assembly x. *
districts. After careful
consideration and personal
interviews with all candidates,
CSEA has concluded that these
men and women most closely
embrace the philosophy, causes
and goals of our union and who
associate themselves with the
aspirations of working men and
women.
New York State Senate
5th S.D. — Carl Marcellino (R)
6th S.D. - Kemp Hannon (R)
7th S.D. — Michael Balboni (R)
8th S.D. — Charles Fuschillo (R)
9th S.D. — Dean Skelos (R)
New York State Assembly
12th A.D. — Stan Bergman (D)
13th A.D. — David Sidikman (D)
14th A.D. — Vincent Grasso (D)
15th A.D. — Donna Ferrara (R)
16th A.D. — Thomas DiNapoli (D)
17th A.D. — Maureen O’Connell (R)
18th A.D. — Earlene Hooper (D)
19th A.D. — Mike Moore (D)
20th A.D. — Harvey Weisenberg (D)
21st A.D. — Thomas Alfano (R)
In Nassau County’s three congressional races, CSEA
endorses the following candidates: 3rd CD — Peter King (R);
4th CD — Carolyn McCarthy (D); 5th CD — Gary Ackerman
(D).
4 EXPRESS (CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS: ‘(CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS. EXPRESS 5
CSEA Activists Honored At Annual Dinner Dance
Pisa and dignitaries from throughout Nassau County turned out to help CSEA honor
four activists at Local 830's Annual Dinner Dance, held this year on Oct. 10 at the
Westbury Manor. New President Jane D'Amico, in her first official public appearance,
congratulated the honorees and then went on to assure the audience that She’s prepared to
carry on the union's strong leadership.
Former President Tony Giustino thanked everyone for their support during his seven years in
office and praised D'Amico as a “competent, intelligent leader who will continue fighting for you.”
The event was presented by the Social Committee, chaired by Beth Luttinger. Awards were
presented this year for outstanding contributions to CSEA.
Following is a photo essay of the event.
Receiving the honors
were:
ELLEN ANDERSON
Nassau University Medical Center
DiaNe BERNSTEIN
Department of Public Works
Nancy IANSON
Department of Drug & Alcohol
Rose SAccHETTI
District Attorney/County Attorney
6 exeress
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
(SER
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IN CONJUNCTION WITH 0% i 'Sh y
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OWNASSAU s CSER Q
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medicalcenter (2) ao
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(Formerly Nassau County Medical Center) Oo z
Center of Primary Care Task Force
OUR GOALS
ANNUAL PHYSICAL ¢ Deal with discrimination/human rights issues
in the work place.
+ No co-pay for CSEA members and family
+ All testing done at one facility
+ Permit for free parking
+ Test results sent to your own physician or
NUMC physician
Center of Primary Care can be used for all your comprehensive
¢ Provide guidance, outlets and methodology to
CSEA
members in discrimination/human rights issues
in the work place.
* Update, communicate with and inform members
about
CSEA structure, election process, officer selection,
staff and employment opportunities.
health care needs with the same benefits
HOURS:
Tuesdays — 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays — 1 - 3:30 p.m.
572-5380
For further details and appointments call:
SCSEA NASSAU LOCAL 830 — JANE D’AMICO, PRESIDENT
¢ To listen.
THE FOLLOWING CSEA TASK FORCE MEMBERS ARE AVAILABLE
FRIDAY MORNINGS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WANT
Rudy Bruce -- 571-7200
Carolyn Jones -- 571-0911 / 527-6678
Tim Corr -- 571-2919, Ext. 14
al highlight of the holiday season,
zal 830's Holiday Party, will be held this
4 (ear on Thursday, Dec. 12, at The Sands
on Beech Blvd., in Atlantic Beach. The
festivities will get under way at 7 p.m.
and run through
1:30 p.m.
The admission price this year is $25
3r person for Local 830 bargaining unit
:mployees. For guests of bargaining unit
employees, the price is $45.
The party will include a cocktail
hour, open bar, full sit-down dinner,
music and dancing. Adding to the
excitement will be a raffle featuring
many great prizes.
Beth Luttinger, Social Committee Chair, and her
committee are asking members to bring an
unwrapped children’s toy for the U.S. Marines’ annual
“Toys for Tots” program.
Reservations will be taken in advance only on a
first-come, first-served basis and must include
payment in full. Phone reservations will not be
accepted. Checks should be made payable to
“Nassau Local 830 CSEA" and should be sent to:
CSEA, 400 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501,
Attn: Beth Luttinger. Reservation forms can be
obtained at the above address or through your unit
president.
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
CSEA/HIP “Healthy Heart” Program
Recipes for the Fall To Keep You Healthy
With the assistance of a grant from HIP, Nassau Local
830 is conducting an ongoing “Healthy Heart” program in
an attempt to exert a positive influence on the daily living
habits of members in areas that effect health. The
following is another in a series of Healthy Heart articles
that are running in The Express in conjunction with the
program.
The following recipes are being provided by CSEA
Healthy Heart Program (funded by HIP) and the CSEA
FATE Program (funded by the March of Dimes).
Fall is here and winter is not far away. It's a good time
to plan some warm, tasty, home-cooked meals for those
cold winter nights. Here is a collection of kitchen-tested
tecipes that are low in fat, high in fiber, high in folic acid,
and very, very delicious.
Tropical Shrimp Stir Fry
Servings: 3 VV
Ingredients
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. white wine or water
1 tbsp. canola oil
1 tbsp. lime juice
2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. red hot sauce (optional)
1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 cup diced eggplant, or zucchini
2 cups diced fresh or canned pineapple
16 medium cleaned shrimp
3 cups cooked white or brown rice
1. Place the soy sauce, oil, wine or water, lime juice,
ginger, garlic and hot sauce in a large skillet or wok. Cook
over medium heat for 1 minute.
2. Add the shrimp, bell pepper, zucchini, and pineapple.
3. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp are white
and firm in the center.
4. Stir in the rice and remaining soy sauce and cook for
another 5 minutes.
Nutritional Analysis
343 calories, 5 g. fat, 173 mg. cholesterol, 356 mg.
sodium, 3 g. fiber, 105 meg. (25% DV) folic acid
Source: Taste of the Tropics
Savory Skillet Beans
Servings: 6
———
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2 tbsp. vegetable oil (olive preferred)
3 celery stalks (about 1 cup chopped)
2 green or red bell peppers (about 1-1/2 cups chopped)
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme (1/2 tsp. dried)
1 tbsp. chopped fresh basil (1 tsp. dried)
1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano (1/2 tsp. dried)
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper (or more to taste)
pinch each of cayenne and salt
2 cups chopped fresh or low-sodium canned tomatoes
(14-1/2 oz. can)
1 tbsp. honey or molasses
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
4 cups cooked black-eyed peas or butter beans
(two 10-0z. frozen packages or two 16-oz. cans, drained)
chopped scallions or grated cheese (optional)
1. In a heavy skillet, sauté the onions and garlic in the oil
‘on medium heat.
2. Chop the celery and bell peppers, and add them to the
pan. Continue to sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring
occasionally.
3. Add the thyme, basil, oregano, black pepper, cayenne,
and salt. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the onions
are golden, stirring once or twice.
4. Add the tomatoes, honey or molasses, and mustard,
and simmer for 5 more minutes.
5. Add the beans, cover and stir occasionally until
thoroughly heated. Canned beans will be hot in less than
10 minutes, but frozen beans need to simmer for 15 to 20
minutes.
6. Top with scallions or grated cheese if you like, and
serve.
Nutritional Analysis
160 calories, 5 g. fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 192 mg. sodium,
8 g. fiber, 81 meg. (20% DV) folic acid
Source: Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home
Collard Greens
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 bell peppers (mix green, red, or yellow)
2 bunches of scallions
3 bunches of collard greens
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme)
1/4 cup water
salt and pepper to taste
1. Wash greens thoroughly. Remove tough stems and
chop.
2. Cut peppers into small pieces. Slice scallions. Mince
garlic.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok.
4. Sauté scallions, peppers and garlic for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add greens and thyme and stir. You will have to add
greens a little at a time. As they cook down, keep adding
until they are all in the skillet.
6. Add just enough water to prevent burning, Cover, and
express 7
simmer until tender, about 30 minutes.
7. Add more water if needed.
Nutritional Analysis
51 calories, 2 g. fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 13 mg. sodium, 3
g. fiber, 18 meg. (5% DV) folic acid
Lentil and Kale Soup
Servings: 6 -8
Ingredients
1 tbsp. canola oil
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
7 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1-1/2 cups lentils, rinsed
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2-3 cups coarsely chopped kale
3 or 4 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. salt
juice of 1 lemon
1. In a large saucepan, heat the canola oil
2. Add the carrots, diced onion, and garlic and sauté for 5
minutes.
3. Stir in the broth, lentils, cumin, and pepper, and bring
to a simmer. Cook over low heat for 1 hour, stirring
occasionally, until the lentils are tender.
5. Stir in the kale, parsley, salt and lemon juice, and cook
for 15 minutes more.
Nutritional Analysis
192 calories, 2 g. fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 370 mg. sodium,
12 g. fiber, 169 mcg. (42%) folic acid
Source: Vegetarian Soup Cuisine
8 EWRESS
Greetings Brothers and
Sisters,
Congratulations are in order! As you are
probably aware, there has been a change in
leadership at Local 830.
After serving as your Vice President for
seven years, Jane
D'Amico has taken over
as the new President of
Local 830, following the
retirement of former
President Tony Giustino.
He was a diligent, caring
and highly effective
representative for his
membership, and we are
grateful for his many
years of service.
It is important to
remember that while
there has been a change in leadership, your
officers commitment to the membership is
as strong as ever. | can’t think of anyone
more dedicated, more seasoned, or more
capable of stepping up to the plate to fight
hard on your behalf, than Jane D'Amico.
Jane has a stellar record of leadership,
and | expect that she will execute a
seamless transition. Let me assure you that
CSE
Nassau Local 830
Standby
CSEA BARGAINING AGREEMENT
SECTION 29A— 1&2
“An employee who is ordered to be on
standby shall be paid one hour for
every eight hours the employee actually
remains on standby. Compensation for
standby shall be pro-rated but not less
than 1/2 hour for each continuous
period of standby.”
change in
Standby is time that an employee is not actually on duty
butis continuously available to report to duty within
one hour of receiving notification.
A Message from L
It is important to
remember that while
there has been a
leadership, your
officers’ commitment
to the membership
is as strong as ever.
g Island
Region President Nick LaMorte
Jane D'Amico has my full support, as well
as that of the Executive Board, as she
embarks on her new mission. She is well-
prepared for the challenge of leading the
Local, even during these very difficult times.
Arecent article in Newsday threw a
floodlight on the situation
in which many Nassau
workers find themselves.
County workers, who have
been asked to bear the
brunt of years of
mismanagement in local
government, with calls for
givebacks, out of title
work, and lag payroll, are
not being equipped with
the basic tools they need.
Too many
technological advances
have bypassed the work
force. The county invested too little money
in infrastructure. Too many workers do not
have e-mail access, and archaic systems
are used to file records. The result is a
profound technological gap. Employees
personally lose out because workplaces are
behind the times. It will take years of
investment in both training and equipment to
bridge the gap.
As contract time draws near, you should
know that Jane D'Amico, myself, and all of
our CSEA leadership are committed to
fighting for our members, our jobs, and for
the services that we still provide, despite the
antiquated infrastructure and the fiscal
challenges that lay ahead.
| am confident that we at CSEA not only
have the exemplary leadership, but also the
professional, quality work force to get the
job done, no matter how tough. Remember
that when the going gets tough, the tough
get going!
Yours in solidarity,
Nick LaMorte, president
CSEA Long Island Region
Nek bys
(CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
Negotiations Under Way
Local 830 President Jane D’Amico, second from right, meets with
members of the Nassau Health Care Corp. Bargaining Committee to
discuss issues facing CSEA in its contract negotiations on behalf of
employees of the Nassau University Medical Center and the A. Holly
Patterson Extended Care Facility. At right is former President Tony
Giustino, who will provide help in negotiations. Negotiations are also
under way on behalf of Nassau County workers.
Scholarship Forms Now Available
Plan Ahead: Get Your Tickets Now
For Martin Luther King Luncheon
It's never too early to assure
yourself a spot at CSEA's annual Dr.
Martin Luther King Ceremony
Luncheon. The Unity Committee,
which sponsors the program, has
announced that tickets are now on
sale for the 2003 event, which will be
held on Saturday, Jan.11, from 12:30
to 4:30 p.m. at the Coral House in
Baldwin. The price remains at $30 per
person ($20 for children 12 and
under). Also, nominating forms are
now available for the annual college
scholarships presented each year by
the Unity Committee at the luncheon.
This year, four $500 scholarship
awards will be given out.
According to Tim Corr and Rudy
Bruce, Unity Committee
co-chairs, the 9th Annual Luncheon
will include entertainment, raffles and
door prizes. Guest speakers will be
Bill Lucy, secretary/treasurer of
AFSCME and statewide CSEA
President Danny Donohue. Lucy was
an associate of Dr. King and walked
with him on several of his historic
marches.
For more information or to buy
tickets, call Corr at 571-2919, Ext. 14,
Andrea Gatewood at 572-0954 or
Juanita McKinnies at 378-2790.
Reservation forms are available at the
CSEA office, 400 County Seat Drive,
Mineola.
The Unity Committee's Scholarship
Sub-Committee is now accepting
nominees for its annual scholarships.
Verification must be submitted that the
student is a graduating high school
senior or an enrolled college student
in good standing. The student must
maintain a cumulative average of 3.0
(B) or better and must be the child or
under the guardianship of an active
CSEA Local 830 member. Financial
need is also a factor. The award may
be renewed at the discretion of the
Unity Committee.
According to Corr, it must be
shown that the student has active
personal involvement in the
advancement of the principles of
human rights within the community.
For more information on the
scholarships, contact Juanita
MckKinnies at the phone number listed
above.
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0