The Work Force, 2006 December

Volume 9 No. 12 December 2006

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Photo by Lynn Miller

Ta “Seu: Pdges 10 and Id

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Complete Election Day coverage, Page 3

Your Long Island Region Newsletter, The Long Island Reporter, is enclosed
Complete Election Day coverage, Page 3
Photo of the Month

Former CSEA Lead Counsel John J. Kelly was
posthumously honored at a Veterans Day ceremony at the
Zalonga American Legion Post in Albany. In the photo,
members of the CSEA Capital Region Veterans Committee
pose with four of Kelly’s five children in front of a painting
of Kelly, a decorated World War II veteran who died in
1960. From left are Bob Plunkett, James Kelly, Gail
Stewart, Maureen Kelly Mayo, Paul Kelly, Joe McCormick
and John J. Kelly Jr. Their brother, Michael Kelly, was
unable to attend. John J. Kelly, an Albany native, served in
World War II and was seriously injured. After the war,
Kelly had a distinguished law career representing CSEA
members, including a dozen years as CSEA’s lead counsel
from the law firm of DeGraff, Foy & Holt-Harris, until his
untimely death of complications from his war injuries in
1960. CSEA established a scholarship fund in his memory
at the time of his death to provide college tuition help for
Kelly’s children. The Kelly Scholarship fund continues to
provide help to children of CSEA members who have lost a
parent.

EN ORK)

1 i re ry
: f ) J
LEADING UlOrd ALRy y

CSEA President Danny Donohue to meet
Long Island Region Members Dec. 14

CSEA President Danny Donohue will visit the Long Island Region Dec. 14 to meet with members.

The meetings wil be held in the region office at 3 Garet Place, Commack.

Donohue will meet with union members from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please call the Long Island Region office at
(631) 462-0030 for an appointment and directions.

Former CSEA research director Blom, 76

ALBANY — CSEA
members and staff are
mourning the death of
longtime staff member
William L. Blom, who
died Oct. 23 after a long
illness.

Blom, one of CSEA’s
earliest full-time paid
employees, was CSEA’s
Director of Research for
30 years before retiring in 1992.

As the Director of Research, Blom was
responsible for developing data on salary
and other fringe benefits to support the
union’s demands in contract
negotiations. He was also instrumental in
correcting inequities in job title and
salary allocations, winning career
ladders and salary upgrade for
thousands of state and local government
employees.

In 1987, Blom helped the union bring
about one of the most dramatic changes

Blom

in the history of the state classification
and compensation plan as 42,000 CSEA
members were upgraded, sharing pay
increases of more than $30 million, while
thousands more members received
several millions of dollars for performing
hazardous work.

Blom was also CSEA’s expert in civil
service law, helping members with layoff
rights and other non-contractual issues.
He maintained a close working
relationship with the state Civil Service
and Budget departments over several
administrations and was equally
respected by management and CSEA
members.

“Bill was a quiet man whose efforts on
behalf of the membership often took
place behind the scenes and out of the
spotlight,” CSEA President Danny
Donohue said. “Just about every CSEA
member today is reaping the benefits of
his efforts in some way or another and
for that, we all thank him.”

Ulster County budget cuts raise workers’ ire

KINGSTON — CSEA members in the
Ulster County Unit are fighting back
against a county budget proposal that
includes 27 layoffs and largely ignores
CSEA-represented county workers’
proposals to save money.

That proposed budget is a second
blow to county workers following the
county’s recent surprise decision to
double co-payments for workers using
the county health insurance plan.

“As it is, the Ulster work force is
smaller than it’s been in years,” said
Ulster County Local President Kevin
DuMond. “CSEA has successfully worked
to bring millions in additional aid to
Ulster County. Hundreds of union
members submitted suggestions for

saving even more taxpayer money, and
layoffs and the doubling of co-payments
are the results of all this hard work?”

CSEA members have been lobbying
state lawmakers for state aid later
awarded to the county-run Golden Hill
Health Care Center. Workers also
proposed cost-savings ideas through an
employee suggestion program. County
lawmakers will vote on the budget later
this month.

“There are plenty of moves the
county can make without hurting its
work force, cutting valuable county
services or burdening the taxpayers,”
Southern Region President Diane Hewitt
said.

— Jessica Ladlee

BATAVIA — CSEA members working for
Genesee County are stepping up their fight
for a fair contract after the county
legislature rejected a fact-finder’s report
and imposed a one-year contract on the
unit.

Unit members voted recently to accept
the findings, which call for annual raises
retroactive to January 2005 and universal
health care contributions.

At least one county legislator claimed
last month the fact-finder’s report forced
legislature’s unanimous rejection of the

Genesee County workers step up contract fight

proposal. The imposed contract for 2005
does not include a wage increase.

CSEA, however, contends county
officials could have — and should have —
called union members to discuss that
issue. Instead, by rejecting the fact-finder’s
recommendation and imposing the one-
year contract, the legislature returned
negotiations to square one.

The 300 CSEA members in the Genesee
County Unit have been working without a
contract since Dec. 31, 2004.

— Lynn Miller

Page 2 THE WORK FORCE December 2006

CSEA gets out the 2006 vote

Months of hard work by CSEA
activists produced Election Day
success for most CSEA-
supported candidates across the
state.

All of the union’s statewide
candidates, Gov.-elect Eliot
Spitzer, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton,
Attorney General-elect Andrew
Cuomo, Lt. Gov.-elect David
Paterson and state Comptroller
Alan Hevesi, scored impressive
victories.

State Senate Republicans will
remain in the majority after
holding onto all of the party’s
seats with the exception of the
35th Senate District in
Westchester County, where
CSEA-endorsed candidate Sen.
Nick Spano trails in a race that is
still too close to call.

“CSEA members showed up in
force across the state this
election season and it made a
huge difference,” CSEA President
Danny Donohue said. “We must
continue that involvement going
forward and hold all elected
officials accountable for
responsible action.”

The state Assembly will
remain firmly controlled by the
Democrats.

More information about key
local legislative and
congressional races will be
provided in the days ahead.

Visit CSEA’s website at
www.csealocal1000.org for more
results of races in your region.

Left, CSEA State University
at Stony Brook Local
member Maryann Phelps
and Pilgrim Psychiatric
Center Local member
Catherine Custance meet
with State Sen. Caesar
Trunzo. Union members
worked hard to re-elect
Trunzo in one of the Long
Island Region’s key races.

CSEA Madison County Unit member Karen Bright, who is employed at the
county’s Department of Social Services, works the phones at the CSEA
Central Region office on behalf of CSEA-endorsed candidates.

CSEA Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio, left, and New
York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes, to Boncoraglio's left, listen as
Gov.-elect Eliot Spitzer thanks labor leaders during his post-election
celebration. Also pictured are New York State United Teachers President
Richard Ianuzzi, left of Spitzer, and NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan
Lubin, right of Spitzer, and AFSCME District Council 1707 Executive
Director Raglan George, fourth from right.

Right, CSEA retiree Mary Mallgraf
and Richard Chaffin, Capital Region
Office of Children and Family
Services Local president, work
phone banks at CSEA's Capital
Region office.

x iw dh
Niagara County Local President
Elaine Timm volunteers at a phone
bank in the Western Region on
behalf of CSEA-endorsed
candidates.

December 2006

CSEA-endorsed Rep.-elect John Hall
shakes hands with CSEA President
Danny Donohue. Hall, a well-known
activist and former leader of the

musical group Orleans, was an
upset winner in the 19th
Congressional District in a race that
garnered national attention.

THE WORK FORCE Page 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
JANICE MARRA
Associate Editor
CATHLEEN FEBRAIO
Graphic Production Specialist
JANICE M. KUCSKAR
Graphic Production Specialist
BETH McINTYRE
Communications Assistant

The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York 12288.

Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
CSEA on-line: The CSEA website
can be accessed at www.csealocal1000.0rg

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

JESSICA LADLEE Southern Region
(845) 831-1000

‘THERESE ASSALIAN Capital Region

(618) 785-4400
Central Region
(315) 433-0050

MARK M. KOTZIN

LYNN MILLER Western Region
(716) 691-6555
ED MOLITOR Headquarters

(518) 257-1272

The Publications Committee

LONG ISLAND REGION Jane D'Amico
METROPOLITAN REGION Annie Campbell
SOUTHERN REGION Deborah Downey
CAPITAL REGION Helen Fischedick
CENTRAL REGION Doreen Gilbert
WESTERN REGION Mary Jo Tubbs

yack com 2
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Page 4 THE WORK FORCE December 2006

Change means hard work
is ahead of us

lection Day 2006 sent a strong message across the

country that it is time for change. CS9EA members stood
tall throughout the election season and our efforts made a
difference in many campaigns. We can all be proud of our
activism and responsible action for a short moment and
then it’s back to work.

Democracy is a wonderful thing and it does
matter who we elect, but campaigns and voting are only
a part of our responsibilities. We must continue to be
involved, hold elected officials responsible for their
promises and work hard for meaningful action. Make no
mistake: the challenges before us are enormous at every level! Budget
pressures, tax reform, the future of our health care system, the continuing
pressure from some in the business community to gut your pension
benefits are just some of what lies ahead of us.

When CSEA endorsed Eliot Spitzer for governor last spring, | noted
that good labor-management relations does not mean seeing eye-to-eye on
every issue, but it does mean having a healthy respect and working though
differences to produce results that benefit both sides. Surely we will have
differences with the new administration and will expect to get a fair
hearing, but that also means we need to offer ideas and alternatives when
there are tough issues to be addressed.

There is a great opportunity before us to improve the lives of our
members and make New York a better place to live and work. CSEA is
prepared to take on the challenge and keep fighting to make our voices
heard. We need your willingness to stay involved and work hard to ensure
success.

State Civil Service Commission denies mental
health therapy aides’ reallocation request

After waiting more than
five years for a response,
the state’s Civil Service
Commission recently
denied a reallocation
request made by nearly
2,600 mental health
therapy aides working at
state Office of Mental
Health facilities across
New York.

“Reallocating the
mental health therapy
aide title to a grade 11
salary would have gone a
long way toward
recognizing what has been
a reality for all mental
health therapy aides for
many years now,” said
South Beach Psychiatric
Center Local President
Joel Schwartz. “Their
responsibilities are worth
more than what a grade 9
salary pays.”

CSEA President Danny
Donohue said the union
will continue to press the
issue.“We are
disappointed in the Civil
Service Commission’s
decision, and CSEA will
continue to fight for what
is right,” he said.

Schwartz, chair of the

Office of Mental Health
Labor-Management
Committee and vice chair
of the state Mental
Hygiene Advisory
Committee, presented
testimony to the
commission to illustrate
some of the many changes
that have occurred in the
state mental health
system since he first
started in 1974 asa
mental health therapy
aide trainee making about
$7,400 per year.

“The request was based
on the fact that the
downsizing of the patient
population in state-run
psychiatric centers has
also led to a significant
downsizing of both the
professional and
paraprofessional staff,”
said Schwartz. “This
downsizing has resulted in
mental health therapy
aides’ job responsibilities
significantly changing and
expanding.”

In the reallocation
request, mental health
therapy aides describe
how they often perform
the work of rehabilitation

assistants, occupational
therapy assistants,
recreation assistants,
social work assistants and
secure treatment therapy
aides. They argued that all
of these titles are grade 11
or higher.

Mental health therapy
aides also cited since the
state has closed many
secure care units in recent
years, where the most
dangerous and violent
patients are treated,
patients are now ending
up in regular units where
mental health therapy
aides, and not specially
trained secure care
treatment aides, are left
caring for them.

“Mental health therapy
aides are vastly
underpaid,” said
Metropolitan Region
President George
Boncoraglio. “They
perform a job most people
would not want to do and
often work under
extraordinarily hazardous
conditions.”

To bolster his argument
for the reallocation,
Schwartz in his testimony

cited specific changes that
have made the job of a
mental health therapy
aide “a million times
different than when he
started 32 years ago.”

He cited how de-
institutionalization led to
the release of thousands
of people who would
eventually be re-admitted
to state psychiatric
centers and, often, prison
since they lacked the
resources needed to
maintain a relatively
healthy lifestyle.

Additionally, the push
toward the privatization of
mental health care often
led to state-funded private
providers picking and
choosing their patients.

Similar hearings were
also held in the state
Office of Mental
Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities
for developmental aides.
News of those hearings
will appear in a future
edition of The Work Force.

— David Galarza

Quality Care Campaign website online

SEA’s commitment to quality care

for individuals with
developmental disabilities has
reached into cyberspace with a new
website, www.qualitycareny.com.

This website is intended to inform,
enlighten and engage the
developmental disabilities’ advocacy
community across New York state on
the vitally important issue of quality
of care for children and adults with
developmental disabilities.

Quality Care New York is bringing
together self-advocates, family
members, direct care professionals
and others around the simple
proposition that care is better and

quality is higher when those
providing that care are valued,
respected and heard — when
caregivers have a voice.

The site is a clearinghouse of
information regarding public and
private, not-for-profit care providers.
County-specific information is
available, as well as an archive of
letters from elected officials
supporting the Quality Care
Campaign.

Several reports regarding
complaints against specific providers
are posted on the site, and visitors
can sign up for e-mail updates.

The home page of Quality Care
New York’s new website.

December 2006

NEW. YORK'S:
LEADING UNION)
Represents 60,000 Workers in
LEAUL CARE

SELVICES

“(Mental health
therapy aides)
perform a job
most people would
not want to do and
often work under
extraordinarily
hazardous
conditions.”

CSER Voices

(3 'y goal is to unite all of

my members and
make them more involved in
the union.99

— Carol Croston, member
of CSEA’s second LEAD
class, on her goals in the
program.

THE WORK FORCE Page 5
‘Flagger’ training highlights dangers

ROCHESTER — A special train-
the-trainer session held recently
focused on an often overlooked
but critical job at road
construction sites, the workers
who direct traffic, or “flaggers.”
Road work zones are typically
one of the most dangerous to
work in, and flagging or directing
traffic is one of the most
dangerous jobs because it puts
the worker on the front line of

were

caused LEADING. IN iON
by motor 269,000 Members Strong
vehicles. /.(=[E1 97 ent

The Taf faye
train-the- HEAETE
trainer

session is being done through
the National Safety Council with
a grant from AFSCME, CSEA’s
international union.

Most of the 25 participants

traffic flow.

Despite that, employers often
post the least experiences
workers, or injured or seasonal

Left, Randy Boylan, and Robert Wilson, both state Department of
Transportation workers, demonstrate flagging procedures during a
training session at CSEA’s Rochester satellite office.

were from the Western and
Central regions, and will in turn
train CSEA members in their
locals and units.

workers, at those positions.

In the past 10 years, four CSEA
members have been killed in
work zones and since 1983 at
least 14 CSEA members have
been killed in work zones.

Most recently, CS9EA members
Linda Curtis, 47, a laborer in the
Warren County Department of

Public Works, was killed Oct. 6,
2005, by a speeding truck. The
truck’s driver was charged in the
incident.

National statistics show that
each year more than 100 workers
are killed and more than 20,000
are injured in road construction
sites. State data show that the

second highest industrial injury
and illness incident rate in the
public sector (19.2 per 100
workers) are in local government
highway, street and bridge
construction. The state
Department of Health reports
that from 1992-2000, 43 percent
of all fatal occupational injuries

CSEA’s Occupational, Safety
and Health Department will be
offering similar sessions in the
future.

Seneca County lauds workers’ WW Il service

WATERLOO — Across the state, you'd be
lucky if you could find even a handful of
World War II veterans still working in public
employment.

In celebration of Veteran's Day, the CSEA
Seneca County Local recently honored
three Seneca County employees, all World
War II Veterans, with a luncheon, CSEA
Veterans Hats, and framed certificates.
From left are Seneca County Local Veterans
Committee Chair Mike Lambert, Veterans
Gene Swinehart (Army), Francis Hurd
(Army) and Jim Crothers Jr. (Navy), and
Local President Carmina Russo.

Page 6 THE WORKFORCE December 2006

Seneca County employs three of that war’s
veterans.

That’s why the Seneca County Local
recently recognized veterans Jim Crothers Jr.,
Francis Hurd and Gene Swinehart. All three
work part time for the county; Crothers and
Swinehart as transportation drivers for the
Department of Social Services, and Hurd as a
laborer for the Maintenance Department.
They all became CSEA members three years
ago when CSEA began representing part-time
workers.

As a celebration of Veterans Day and in
recognition of their service, Seneca County
Local President Carmina Russo and Seneca
County Local Veterans Committee Chair Mike
Lambert treated the three veterans to lunch
and presented them with CSEA veterans hats
and framed certificates honoring their
service.

Crothers, 80, served in the Navy from 1944
to 1952 and was stationed on the USS Knapp
in Charleston, S.C., and worked as a radio
worker doing flag signals in the South Pacific
and Korea.

Hurd, 82, served in the European theater

as a Corporal Technician for the Army Corps
of Engineers from 1942 to 1945. He went
ashore at the Omaha Beachhead in France six
days after D-Day and took part in the Battle
of the Bulge. His combat engineer battalion
was the first to put a bridge over the Rhine
River in Germany. Hurd was decorated with
five battle stars.

Swinehart, 80, served as a sergeant in the
Army’s field artillery in New Guinea, Africa
and the Philippines. He served from 1944 to
1946.

All three said it was nice to be recognized
by the union for their service and said the
annual observance of Veterans Day is
important.

“It’s good to be recognized for a while,”
said Swinehart.

“It should always be continued,” Hurd said.

“I enjoy Veterans Day,” said Crothers. “It’s
very rewarding and it makes me think about
things I almost forgot about.”

— Mark M. Kotzin

CSEA
slams
Wayne
County’s
hired gun

LYONS — CSEA members are
objecting to a move by the Wayne
County Board of Supervisors in
hiring an outside negotiator, which
union officials said is a waste of
taxpayer money.

“They are spending taxpayer
money to hire a negotiator the
county doesn’t need,” said CSEA
Wayne County Supervisory Unit
President Tom Edwards. “We have
people right here in the county
who could work with us on this
agreement, rather than have
someone come in from out-of-
town.”

There are at least three people
on the county’s payroll, earning a
combined annual salary of almost

Gallen 8 Gas -*

dl. 7S
Basoe Cootaries "Po

CSEA Wayne County Unit Vice
President Linda Pearce at a
recent contract rally. Above,
Wayne County workers
demonstrate outside the county
offices.

INP

3

ou

$250, 000, who could negotiate the
contracts. The negotiator, union
leaders said, has not been
responsive to the union’s
proposals, including health
insurance proposals that would
result in significant savings for the
county.

Instead, the outside negotiator
rewrote the entire contract,
making an estimated 470 changes,
and then declared impasse when
CSEA would not agree to all the
revisions. A mediator will now
work with both parties to try to
reach an agreement.

“We hope the mediator will see
that the total rewrite of the
contract is not an acceptable
option,” said CSEA Wayne County
Unit President Mark Braccio. “We
will not let the negotiator simply
dismiss our well-researched
proposals that contain cost
savings for the county.

Chanting “Show Some Respect”
and carrying signs detailing the
services they provide, more than
100 Wayne County workers
recently demonstrated outside the
county offices, and have held two
15-minute lunchtime rallies. Each
was in front of a different county
office building.

The employees, members of the
CSEA Wayne County General and
Supervisory Units, marched
outside the county courthouse
Sept. 19 before attending the start
of the board of supervisors’
meeting. The group remained in
the meeting for nine minutes —

one minute for every month the
group has been working without a
contract. The contracts expired
Dec. 31, 2005.

“| hope they hear us loud and
clear,” CSEA Western Region
President Flo Tripi said outside the
courthouse. “This fight is going to
last for as long as it takes; we are
not going to quit.”

As in many localities across the
state, CS9EA members provide a
wide variety of services to county
residents, Braccio said. They work
to protect children, keep families
together, help seniors stay in their
own homes, keep parks green,
build safe roads, dispatch
emergency help and provide
medical care.

“When you have a problem, who
do you call? You call someone
from the county,” Braccio said.
“CSEA members are here for
county residents from cradle to
grave. If you need to call 911,
you're calling CSEA members
working for the county. If you need
nursing home care, you're calling
CSEA members working for the
county. If you need help paying the
bills, you’re calling CSEA members
working for the county. If you need
mental health services, you're
calling CSEA members. We work
hard every day to provide Wayne
County residents with the essential
services they need.

“All we’re asking is for some
respect in return.”

— Lynn Miller
December 2006

THE WORK FORCE

___ NEW YORK'S —
LEADING) UNION)
Represents 50,000 Workers in
SUCIAL CERNVLCES ent
FAW WINIS ERA GIVES

SEWWLCES

“Hardworking,
dedicated CSEA
members come to
work every day to do
their best for this
county. We want to
be treated with
fairness and
respect.”

CSER Voices

oe y goals are really to

gather as much
information as I can get
through the LEAD program so
I can go back to the
membership and educate
them about the things that are
happening in the labor
movement and try to make
the union bigger than it is
now.99

— Richard Acevedo,
member of CSEA’s second
LEAD class, on his goals for
the program.

Page 7
IVIATN EE WANG
IKELUASTRUCTULES:

“There have been
many year-round
seasonals working
side-by-side
permanent people
doing the same work
and they were not
getting the same
rights. That was not
fair and that’s not how
civil service is
supposed to work.”

Voices

73 y goals are to open

the lines of
communication between our
members and the new
officers that were just recently
elected. We want them to
know who we are and to
realize that we're not just the
union. In order for us to be
strong as a union we need to
get all of these members
involved and that’s what we'd
like to try to do.99

— Bea Sala, member of
CSEA’s second LEAD class,
on her goals for the
program.

Page 8 THE WORKFORCE December 2006

Progress on temps, seasonals

at Parks & Rec; m

Many long-term, temporary,
seasonal workers in the state
Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation have been
offered permanent employment
status by the agency after CSEA
sought a solution to the workers’
status.

The agency’s ruling, which took
effect Oct. 19, offers 585 of 800
long-term seasonal workers
permanent, full-time annual
employment.

CSEA has been pushing for a
solution for workers who, while
working year-round at 40 hours

per week, were deemed temporary,

seasonal workers.

Despite virtually working as
full-time workers, their status
remained temporary and seasonal.
They also did not share the
benefits that accompany
permanent employment.

The agreement was a
cooperative effort among Parks
and Rec, the Governor’s Office of
Employee Relations, the Division
of Budget, and the state
Department of Civil Service.

While CSEA sought the proper
classification and appointment
status for the workers, the
solution was not negotiated
between the union and the state
and the union has expressed some
concerns about the move.

Concerns remain

“The battle’s not over. We still
will seek a full and accurate
resolution in Parks and other
agencies, such as DEC,” said CSEA
President Danny Donohue,
referring to a similar situation
temporary, seasonal workers are
experiencing in the state
Department of Environmental
Conservation.

Those benefiting from the
situation at Parks were pleased.

“I am glad because Parks’ hiring
practices have been corrected.

ore to be done

CSEA member Kevin Julius prepares to unload leaves at Spa State
Park in Saratoga Springs. Julius is a temporary, seasonal state

There have been many year-round
seasonals working side-by-side
permanent people doing the same
work and they were not getting the
same rights. That was not fair and
that’s not how civil service is
supposed to work,” said Debra
Dukes, Parks and Rec Local
president at Saratoga Spa State
Park.

“It feels good to be made
permanent. There is more
protection. Before they would be
able to just lay you off. Now
there’s more security and that’s
important. We all have families to
support,” said Kevin Julius, a park
worker at Spa State Park.

There were many workers who
missed the agency’s cutoff and
were left as temporary workers.

In those cases, workers will not
be able to exceed 1,750 hours a
year of work.

The Oct. 19 appointment date
meant many who did not get the
permanent appointment will have
their hours suddenly cut.

CSEA has requested the agency
postpone the cut-off until April

Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation worker
who has received a permanent appointment.

2007, the state’s new fiscal year.

“I feel this sudden change will
put an undue hardship (on many
workers) and open the door for
management to remove our time
and attendance benefits we put in
the time to earn,” said Chris
Flaherty, a seasonal worker in
CSEA’s Long Island Inter-County
State Park Local.

Flaherty added that pension
benefits will also be affected for
those working the mandated 1,750
hours a year, removing a major
incentive many workers seek when
they take such jobs with the state.

CSEA has raised concern that
the newly converted workers are
being required to serve a 12-month
probationary term, and the union
is urging those members to check
with their local presidents on how
to prepare for probationary
evaluations, even though in some
cases the workers have been with
the agency for 20 years or more.

— Therese Assalian
and Lou Hmieleski

Member fights to expand, preserve
rights for workers serving in naatary

BROOKHAVEN — If you had less than
two week to get your entire financial life
in order, could you do it?

That was the prospect facing
Brookhaven Building Inspector
Elizabeth Triebs last holiday season.
While she was visiting family for
Christmas, the U.S. Navy reservist was
activated to serve in Kuwait and had to
report by Jan. 16.

“There were so many things that I
had to take care of,” said Triebs, a
mother of two. “I requested time off to
see doctors, get ID cards and take care
of some things, but the answers kept
coming back in the wrong way. I used
all my time up on the books, and then I
had to use time without pay. It’s not like
Iwork for a tiny village, or a small town.
Lasked, ‘Why can’t this town take care
of its military?”

Breaking new ground

Triebs approached then newly
elected town Councilwoman (and
former CSEA member) Kathleen Walsh
to try to resolve the situation.

“I went to Kathy and said, ‘I'm not
happy. We really need to do something
about this,” Triebs said. “I may be the
first to use these benefits but I told
(town officials) I would not be the last.”

Together, Triebs and Walsh broke
new ground by filling in some large
gaps in local law.

Their efforts resulted in the
Brookhaven Employee Servicemember
Benefits and Compensation Protection
Act, which does three main things for
town employees serving in the military:

© It continues the town’s paid
medical benefits for the service
member's family for up to two years
from deployment;

* It provides for up to one year of
the difference between the service

member’s town base pay and their
military pay (often a significant gap);

* It also provides the service
member with an additional two weeks
of paid vacation time to use either to
prepare for deployment, or before
returning to employment with the town.

Walsh said it was the right thing to
do as an employer. “The law was meant
to keep the family whole,” she said.
“When someone is sent overseas on our
behalf, they should not have to worry
about the family that is left behind. I
guess it was never given anyone's full
attention before, but it's something
more employers need to consider.”

Breaking new ground is something
that’s not entirely new to Triebs.

She was on active duty during the
1980s and started working for the town
five years ago and is the town’s first
female building inspector.

In the military, she is often the only
female engineer. During her most recent
deployment she was an Engineering
Aide 1S¢ Class in the Engineering
Division of the Navy.

She found the difficulty of being
deployed compounded by her inability
to get time off. She needed to update
her will, get updated military family IDs
for her husband and children, transfer
medical records, get everyone new
doctors, pay off debts and get power of
attorney so her family could access her
financial information, bank accounts
and handle her bills while she was
gone. Triebs also had to ensure her
family could carry on should she die or
become incapacitated while deployed.

“You become physically ill with just
the stress of deploying and you don’t
need all this other stuff, too,” she said.

She spoke to her husband every
night, and kept in touch with Walsh by
e-mail. Triebs’ husband, David, followed

Brookhaven Councilwoman Kathleen
Walsh, left, and CSEA Brookhaven
White Collar Unit President Meg
Shutka, right, welcome back Building
Inspector Elizabeth Triebs, center,
from her military service in Kuwait.

up with the progress on the legislation,
which was passed while Triebs was
away.

“| thought, ‘That’s very cool! I got
something done and I'm not even
there.’ ” said Triebs.

Triebs was not back to work at the
town in time to see the new legislation
she inspired go into effect in January
2006. Town officials made the law
retroactive so that she could get back
the time — and pay — she lost during her
active military service.

“I think it will benefit other members
tremendously. It will alleviate a lot of
the stress that Beth suffered. She was a
real trouper here,” said CSEA
Brookhaven White Collar Unit President
Meg Shutka. “We just want to give her a
big thank you for her service and her
sacrifice. We appreciate it so much.”

Triebs said one thing she realized
during that stressful time last year was
that it was difficult for civilians to relate
to what she was going through.

“People don’t realize why we do what
we do,” she said.
— Rachel Langert

Writing for a fair contract

contract.

Left, at a recent CSEA meeting, Clarkson University maintenance, custodial and
buildings and grounds workers wrote letters to Clarkson President Anthony

] Collins urging him to intervene in the workers’ stalled contract negotiations
and accept the workers' fair wage proposal. They have been working under an
expired contract since July and are waging an aggressive campaign to fight for
a fair wage increase from the university. They recently established a website
to promote their cause at www.fightforfairness.com. The private sector
Clarkson workers joined CSEA last year and are negotiating their second union

LEAD DING UNION

Represents 55,000 Workers in
EDUCATION SULEOKT
SELVICES

“When someone
is sent overseas
on our behalf,
they should not
have to worry
about the family
that is left
behind.”

66 [would like for the

employees to get the
chance to meet their leaders.
When I was coming up I
didn't know who my leaders
were. So I want to venture
out and make sure everybody
fits the face with who's
representing them out in the
work force.99

— Jeff Roberts, member of
CSEA’s second LEAD class,
on his goals for the
program.

December 2006 THE WORK FORCE Page 9
BUFFALO — CSEA members answered the call in
four Western New York counties when a freak
October storm ripped down trees and knocked
out power to almost 400,000 households.

Police departments, highway crews, parks
workers, social services workers, local
government employees and even staff at the
Buffalo Zoo worked during the initial response
and the intense cleanup that followed.

“The October storm took everyone by
surprise,” said CSEA Western Region President
Flo Tripi. “Normally, two feet of snow doesn’t
even make a Western New Yorker blink. This
time was different. Our hardworking, dedicated

Crews’ hard work helps

CSEA members did whatever they could to
quickly bring life back to normal for residents of
this area.”

“When disasters strike, CSEA members are
usually the first in and the last out,” said CSEA
President Danny Donohue. “CSEA members
should be proud of their service and recognize
the extraordinary work of their union brothers
and sisters in western New York in this unusual
situation.”

Winds out of the west whipped up a narrow
band of lake effect snow Oct. 12 that stretched
from downtown Buffalo north and east across
parts of Erie, Orleans and Genesee counties.

I

Tn

helped clear streets following an October storm. Officials have said the wood chips from the

professional football stadium.

storm would cover 25 acres and the tree limbs picked up and hauled away would fill a

By the evening rush hour, the heavy, wet
snow had already begun to stress tree limbs. As
they broke and crashed to the ground, they took
power, phone and cable lines with them. Some
people would be without power for 10 days.
Responding to calls for help

At area police stations, phones rang non-stop
as residents called for help.

“We were inundated with calls about
electricity being out, downed power lines and
flooded basements,” said Robin Clark, a public
safety dispatcher for the Tonawanda Police
Department and a CSEA member. “People were
asking for the location of shelters. They were
concerned about medical supplies and medical
equipment that runs on electricity. They had
questions about property damage and about the
travel ban.”

soften disaster’s punch

Highway Maintenance Supervisor Jerry
Bartel, left, and Highway Maintenance Worker
and CSEA Erie Department of Transportation
Local President Mike Kam, look over
assignments for the day. Hundreds of highway
and transportation workers from across the
state converged on Erie, Niagara, Orleans and
Genesee counties following an October storm
that brought down trees and power lines.

Page 10 December 2006

THE WORK FORCE

Despite the travel ban, necessary because
tree limbs and power lines choked streets, Clark
and other essential employees needed to get to
work. Three dispatchers remained on duty
throughout the busiest times. Normally, just one
person is scheduled.

The call volume slowed a bit within 48 hours
— two dispatchers were on duty instead of three
—and calls continued to decrease over the next
several days as power crews restored electricity.

Working together
As the calls slowed for dispatchers, the pace
increased for state Department of
Transportation workers. At the same time, Erie
County workers fielded non-emergency phone

Kevin Clark, left, John Ribble, Mike Tomassi,
John J. Mase and Michael Dowd of Hornell
State Employees Local pose for a photo as the
sun rises in the background. The crew, like
many other from across the state, spent
several days in the Buffalo area helping with
clean-up from the October storm.

State Department of Transportation trucks
from across the state stream into the Darien
Lake State Park staging area.

calls at the Emergency Operations Center in
Cheektowaga. Some CSEA members volunteered
at shelters.

In Depew, several hundred state
transportation and state parks workers from
across the state gathered to help.

Crews fanned out onto the narrow, tree-lined
roads in the small villages and suburbs
surrounding Buffalo, said Highway Maintenance
Supervisor Jerry Bartel.

In some instances, they worked side-by-side
with members of the National Guard. The
workers’ goal was to clear impassable streets
and remove fallen trees so utility crews could
come in and restore power and heat to
residents.

“These (employees) are very passionate
about their work,” said CSEA Erie County state
Department of Transportation Local President
Michael Kam. “Trees make them tick. That’s
good, because I think this is the world’s largest
leaf and debris cleanup. The trees were peeled
back like bananas; we've got quite a mess here.”

As quickly as crews could remove or chip
debris from the street and sidewalk, residents
would drag out more from their backyards, Kam
said.

Department of Transportation crews also set
up a staging area at Darien Lake State Park in
Genesee County. Crews spent as many as two
weeks in the area before heading home.

—Lynn Miller

Heavy

Equipment Operator Jamie Dussing clears
broken tree limbs following an early lake
effect snowstorm that socked the Buffalo

area.

Jason Dickerson, a tree pruning supervisor
from Saratoga Springs, uses a log-loader truck
to clear storm debris from a street in the
Village of Williamsville, one of the areas
hardest hit by the storm.

December 2006 Page 11
Dues schedule revisions more fair, equitable

ALBANY — Delegates to CSEA’s 2006
Annual Delegates Meeting in September
approved a restructuring of the union’s
dues schedule to make the schedule fairer
based on member incomes.

For the majority of CSEA members, the
schedule’s dues brackets will remain the
same. For those members earning more
than $40,000, there will be five new
brackets, with the top bracket being for
members earning more than $60,000 a year.

The only increase CSEA members in the
brackets below $40,000 annually will see is
the annual AFSCME dues adjustment, which
was approved at the AFSCME convention in
August. The American Federation of State,
County and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME) is CSEA’s international union.

All adjustments will be reflected in the
first pay period of 2007.

CSEA’s dues structure has been tied to
salary ranges since the late 1980s.
Delegates last approved a revision to the
dues schedule in 1995.

In the 1995 revision, a top dues rate of
$40,000 was set, and at the time, fewer than
10 percent of union members earned that
much. At present, 23 percent of union
members earn more than $40,000, anda
revision was needed to make the schedule
fairer and more equitable.

For the last several years, all dues
adjustments have been limited to the
AFSCME annual adjustment. A new formula
for that adjustment was approved at the
AFSCME Convention this year to better
position the union for organizing and
political representation, the results of
which are already being seen.

CSEA member dues pay for all aspects of
union services including legal
representation, contract negotiations and
administration, occupational safety and
health operations, regional offices and field
operations, communications services,
organizing, and administrative operations.

CSEA’s affiliation with AFSCME provides
services and support for all of our
activities, and representation at the
national level.

It also makes us part of the AFL-CIO, the
nation’s most important labor organization.

Page 12 THE WORK FORCE December 2006

CSEA Dues Schedule for 2007 with new income brackets

Annual Biweekly
Range Current Jan. 07 rate Current Jan. 07 Adjustment
up to $5,000 127.26 135.14 4.89 5.20 0.31
$5,000 -$9,999 190.51 202.32 7.33 7.78 0.45
10,000 - 12,999 261.78 277.74 10.08 10.68 0.60
13,000 - 15,999 324.03 341.68 12.46 13.14 0.68
16,000 - 21,999 365.54 384.32 14.06 14.78 0.72
22,000 - 27,999 408.66 428.61 15.72 16.49 0.77
28,000 - 29,999 416.77 436.94 16.03 16.81 0.78
30,000 - 31,999 443.68 464.58 17.06 17.87 0.81
32,000 - 33,999 467.35 488.90 17.98 18.80 0.82
34,000 - 35,999 476.10 497.89 18.31 19.15 0.84
36,000 - 37,999 501.40 523.87 19.28 20.15 0.87
38,000 - 39,999 527.01 550.18 20.27 21.16 0.89
New Income Brackets
40,000 and above 539.66
40,000 - 44,999 539.66 569 20.76 2188 112
45,000 - 49,999 539.66 584 20.76 22.46 1.70
50,000 - 54,999 539.66 599 20.76 23.04 2.28
55,000 - 59,999 539.66 614 20.76 23.62 2.86
60,000 and above 539.66 629 20.76 24.19 3.43

Three different benefits add
up to one large savings

SEA members can save one all sorts of purchases by taking advantage of CSEA
Member Benefits discount programs, including the Buyers Edge, Avis, and Working
Advantage.

¢ The Buyers Edge offers discounts on major appliances, TV and video equipment,
audio equipment, carpet and rugs, diamonds, fine jewelry, luggage, lighting, pianos
and organs, travel discounts, kitchen cabinets, autos, moving, real estate and more.

¢ The Avis Member Savings Plan offers $20 off a weekly car rental plus a free
weekend day!

¢ Working Advantage offers discounts on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, city
passes and other entertainment. Save on trips to Disneyland, Busch Gardens, Sea
World and Universal Studios, as well as on trips to Boston, Las Vegas, New York, San
Diego and Hollywood.

Call 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1359 or visit www.csealocal1000.org and select ‘members only
benefits’ from the ‘member benefits’ menu item.

Day of Caring projects beautify Buffalo

BUFFALO —
Visitors to several
Buffalo-area
agencies will have
a nice place to sit,

bundle the lumber
into kits. Crews
planned to
assemble 24
planters and 16

thanks to the mane. ERIENDS ai benches in about
efforts of CSEA RELEKECKS four hours. When
members. complete, they

Members of the
CSEA Buffalo State Employees
Local spent a recent morning
building benches and planters
as part of the United Way’s
annual Day of Caring.

Working in three small
groups, CSEA members.
gathered in Buffalo’s City Hall
with members from another
union and the New York Air
National Guard’s 107th Air
Refueling Wing. There, sounds
of electric saws and nail guns
could be heard among the
buzz of morning traffic.

“We’re working together as
a team,” said Tom Rogalski,
local president and one of the
morning’s ‘foremen.’

Rogalski worked with
electrician Randy Napierala in
advance to measure, cut and

Halloween fun raises money

would have eight
finished projects to deliver to
local agencies.

“We've got everything
already packaged,” Napierala
said. “We simplified the
design a bit to make it
manageable for the
volunteers. Everyone picked
up on it very quickly. We have
a good group here.”

Moses Shipman is a regular
Day of Caring volunteer.
Volunteering hits close to
home for the building
services aide.

“I have a nephew who
attended Camp Good Days
and Special Times, which is a
camp for children with special
needs,” Shipman said, “I
originally got involved
because of him. I enjoyed it,

CSEA Buffalo State Employees Local member Kristine
Maszczak helps build a bench as part of her work for the
United Way’s recent Day of Caring.

so | keep coming back. This is
good for the community. | am
happy to be able to do
something good for someone
else.”

Dan Daly, a building
services aide with 29 years’
experience, agreed. “It’s a nice
thing to do,” he said. “You

don’t hear about people
helping out like this too
often.”

The United Way supplied
the materials and the tools for
the event.

— Lynn Miller

for joyful holiday season

SARATOGA SPRINGS — CSEA
Saratoga Springs City Hall Unit
members celebrated Halloween
by dressing up for a good cause.

Unit members dressed up in
costumes and attended a lunch
party, where they raised more
than $500 to help buy holiday
gifts for residents at Maplewood
Manor, the county’s nursing
home.

Unit members had also
organized other fund-raisers this
year to buy the gifts.

The committee, comprised of
unit members Nancy Wagner,

Doug June, Kathy Sharp, Patrick
Piper, Tony Tozzi, Florence
Wheeler and Lynn Browne,
organized the lunch and will buy
the gifts.

— Therese Assalian

From left, Saratoga Springs City
Hall Unit President Kathy
Moran, Olivia Dean, Lynn
Browne, Doris Dyer, Michael
Peters, Karen Whipple and
Tony Izzo show off their
Halloween costumes.

December 2006 THE WORKFORCE Page 13

Eight years ago ...

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, who died Sept. 13 of
this year at age 73, gave the keynote address at the 1998
CSEA Women’s Conference in White Plains. She won a
standing ovation from union members during her address
about politics and women’s health. She is shown at right at
that year’s CSEA Women’s Conference. CSEA held this
year’s Women’s Conference last month in Tarrytown.

Like Irene Carr, the former CSEA statewide secretary
who paved the way for women union members to become
leaders on every level of the union, Richards was a
trailblazer who became known for her progressive politics
and sometimes fiery speaking style.

She was the first woman to be elected to Texas
statewide office in more than 50 years when she became
the state’s treasurer in 1982. In 1990, Richards again made
history when she became the first woman to ever be
elected governor of Texas. In 1994, George W. Bush
defeated Richards in her bid for re-election.

Since serving as governor, Richards spent the remaining
years of her life campaigning for other Democrats and
advancing social issues of interest to women.

Page 14 THE WORKFORCE December 2006.

Richards addresses the CSEA

Women’s Conference in
White Plains in 1998. She
spoke about her career in
politics and personal health
habits during a speech that
garnered a standing ovation.

Also in 1998 ...

2k President Bill Clinton outlines first balanced
budget in 30 years.

2 U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania are bombed
in terrorist attacks.

2k Titanic becomes the highest-grossing film of all
time, earning more than $580 million domestically
and winning || Oscars.

2 Frank Sinatra dies at age 82.

3 Sen. John Glenn returns to orbit in the space
shuttle Discovery, 26 years after he became the first
American to orbit the Earth.

2k The New York Yankees defeat the San Diego
Padres in the World Series, garnering 125 wins along
the way, the most ever by a major-league baseball
team.

Special Olympics
salutes CSEA’s
Donohue

ALBANY — CSEA President Danny Donohue was warmly honored in
November by the Special Olympics New York at its Salute to Labor.
“We are honoring our colleague Danny Donohue for his

continued efforts in an ongoing fight for fairness and respect of all
individuals, including those with intellectual disabilities," said Special
Olympics New York President Neal J. Johnson.
= CSEA has been a longtime supporter of
‘SE. FN Special Olympics and more than 16,000 CSEA
members work with developmentally
challenged individuals every day.
fi NEW. FORKS 1 Proceeds from the Salute to Labor dinner
will benefit Special Olympics New York and the
pon nearly 43,000 athletes it series throughout the

EABOR EINK state through cost-free athletic training and

competition in 22 Olympic-style sports.

Special Olympics has provided sports programs for people with
intellectual disabilities, including mental retardation, for 37 years. To see
more photos from the event, visit www.csealocal1000.org.

Danny Donohue is

shown with, from far

left, Neal J. Johnson,

Richard Iannuzzi,

president of New York

State United Teachers,

Yolanda Vega of the

New York State

Lottery, Brian

O’Shaughnessy,

executive director of

the New York state

Labor Religion Coalition and New York state AFL-CIO President
Denis Hughes as they promote the coalition’s Free Trade Coffee
project. A custom Special Olympics Blend was presented at the
dinner. To learn more about the Free Trade coffee program visit
CSEA’s website at www.csealocal1000.org.

Preliminary work set
for state contract talks

ALBANY — CSEA is laying the groundwork to begin
negotiating a new state contract for the four executive
branches. The current contracts expire on the close of
business April 1, 2007.

The January 2007 Work Force will contain extensive details
related to the state negotiating team and timelines for
negotiations.

Brianne Nobis, a Global Messenger
for Special Olympics New York,
spoke about her experiences as a
Special Olympics athlete and
advocate for people with
disabilities at the Salute to Labor.
At left, Nobis, left, poses with New
York Lottery personality Yolanda
Vega, who emceed the event.

Assemblyman Paul
Tonko, CSEA.
President Danny
Donohue, state
Sen. George
Maziarz, and
Special Olympics
| New York

=| President Neal J.
Johnson at the
event honoring
CSEA President
Danny Donohue.

CSEA members joined their co-workers at Bernard Fineson in honor
of Veterans Day. Members who have served in the military received
a certificate of appreciation and were treated to a breakfast
reception. From left, Metropolitan Region Labor Relations Specialist
Barbara Moore, Charles Eato, Bernard Fineson, Director Frank
Parisi, Creedmore Psychiatric Center Local Acting President Carlota
Williams, Metro Region President George Boncoraglio, Alva Heron,
Michael Wilson, Ali Syeed, Creedmore Local Treasurer Leila
Hoskins, (kneeling) Alfred Braxton. The empty chair represented
Armando Cruz, currently serving in Iraq.

December 2006 THE WORK FORCE Page 15
HIPAA: what you need to know

The CSEA Employee Benefit CSE
partner’s dental or

Fund is dedicated to

maintaining the privacy of your
vision claim? If so, AFSCME Local 1000, AFL-CIO
and you do not have EMPLOYEE

identifiable health information.
In conducting our business,

a signed HIPAA form NE! FUND

on file, you will be

Anew HIPAA form must be
completed and signed every
two years. If you have any
questions about the form,
please call us at the toll-free
number.

Once your form is filled out

regarding a spouse’s
or a domestic

“library,” the HIPAA.
authorization form
is found on that
page.

If you are looking
for more in-depth
information about

we will create records
regarding you and the services

we provide to you. We are
required by the Health
Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996
(HIPAA) to maintain the
confidentiality of health
information that identifies you,
and the law also requires us to
follow the terms of the notice
of privacy practices that we
have in effect at the time.

denied access to that
information. However, there is
a simple solution to this
dilemma: the HIPAA
authorization form.

There are two different ways
to obtain a HIPAA authorization
form. If you have access to the
Internet at work or at home,
downloading and printing the
form is just a few simple clicks

the privacy policy you can click
on “HIPAA Statement” and view
the policy from the main page
of our website. There is also a
link to the form at the end of
the statement.

If you do not have access to
the Internet, you can simply
call EBF at (800) 323-2732 and
speak with any of our customer
service representatives who

and signed, you must mail it in.
EBF will not accept a faxed
version because we need to
have an original signature on
file.

The address is:
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund

P.O. Box 516
Latham, N.Y. 12110

Have you ever contacted EBF
looking for information

An Ever Better Future

Break in membership affects eligibility
for union office, voting privileges

A break in union membership status can have long-term future implications. Your
membership status affects your eligibility with respect to:

away. If you visit
www.cseaebf.com and click on

will be happy to mail you a
HIPAA authorization form.

As the weather grows colder, let your
peace of mind grow warmer with us!

PEARL:CARROLL
& ASSOCIATES

1-800-697-2732

Same people, same great service
and now with in-state ownership!

* seeking or holding union office;

* signing nominating petitions for potential candidates;
* voting in union elections, and;

* voting on collective bargaining contracts.

Only members “in good standing” can participate in these activities. To be in “good
standing,” your dues cannot be delinquent.

If you go on unpaid leave or for any other reason have a break in your employment
status, your dues will not continue to be paid through payroll deductions. You must
make arrangements to pay your dues directly to CSEA to continue your membership
status. If you are either laid off or placed on leave without pay status due to becoming
disabled by accident, illness, maternity or paternity, you may be eligible for dues-iree
membership status for a period not to exceed one year. If you are called up for active
military duty you may also apply for dues-free status.

Note, however, you must continue to pay dues to run for office. Dues-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

Visit http://www.cseainsurance.com for more
information on available programs.

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.

Page 16 THE WORK FORCE December 2006
Protecting Your Benefits

Health insurance option transfer for plan year 2007

Members who are
considering changing health
insurance options for 2007
should weigh many factors
before making a decision.

A good source of specific
health insurance information is
the 2007 Choices guide
available from your agency’s
health benefits administrator.
Choices contains information
on the Empire Plan and health
maintenance organizations that
participate in the New York

State Health

to your agency’s

Insurance Plan Health health benefits
(NYSHIP). Benefits administrator. If
To change you do not wish

your option, see your agency's
health benefits administrator
as soon as possible. Ask for a
health insurance transaction
form PS-404.

Additionally, if you are
enrolling in an HMO or
changing to another HMO, ask
for an HMO enrollment form.
Return the completed form(s)

to make a change, no action is
required.

Check the rates
Rates influence the choices
we make when choosing a
health insurance plan.
At the time this article went
to press, the health insurance
rates for 2007 were not yet

approved. When the rates are
approved, a Rates and Deadline
publication will be printed and
mailed to enrollees’ homes.

Members who are thinking of
changing health insurance
options should review the
Choices brochure, which
provides a summary of plan
benefits and the rates and
deadlines publication, when
available.

Promoting Good Health

Benefiting those who served

Local 1000
Members

| LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM f
pe J

<f

, Games|, FE
This members-only benefit program
provides attorney representation for
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION; SOCIAL
SECURITY DISABILITY; PERSONAL
INJURY and PERSONAL LEGAL MATTERS
for members AND their dependents.

The CSEA Veterans Committee displays the union’s new “Veterans & Military
Personnel” guide, an employment benefits guide CSEA produced for CSEA members
employed in the public sector who are also veterans and active military personnel.
In “Veterans & Military Personnel,” CSEA members in the public sector who served
or are serving in the U.S. armed forces can get an overview of the rights and benefits
available to them, including those related to military leave and retirement. Pictured
from left are Janet Foley, director of CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health
Department, Ed LaPlante, special assistant to CSEA President Danny Donohue, CSEA
Veterans Committee member Joe York, committee member Maryann Phelps, Veterans
Committee Chair Len Beaulieu, seated, holding guide, committee member Evans
Quamina, CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Department secretary Janet
Womachka, Veterans Committee member Ted Beblowski and committee member Len
Foster. Not shown are Veterans Committee members Bill Curtin and Bob Pyjas and
CSEA staff attorney Leslie Perrin, who helped develop the guide. CSEA recently
mailed the guide to members on the union’s Veterans Committee mailing list. To get a
copy of “Veterans & Military Personnel, contact Womachka at CSEA headquarters at
(800) 342-4146.

Quality legal representation al little or no
out-o-pocket cost for injury/llness related matters.
Also, representation Is available at pre-negotiated,
pre-published tees tor other personal matters.

catt 1-800-342-4146

and Follow Prompts for
CSEA Legal Services Program

December 2006 THE WORKFORCE Page 17

MONROE — When AI Gonzales retired

from the New York Police Department
after 20 years on the beat in the south
Bronx, he made the transition to a job
closer to home as a part-time bus driver
in the Monroe-Woodbury School District.

However, the students he drives may
not realize their bus driver has another
job that has brought him in contact with
some big names in the entertainment
industry.

A talented bagpiper and an avid
motorcyclist, Gonzales has been tapped
for appearances in various television
shows, most recently the ABC daytime
drama “One Life to Live.” Gonzales spoke
recently with The Work Force’s Jessica
Ladlee about the personal hobbies that
have led to multiple acting gigs.

WF: Did you learn to play the bagpipes after joining
the NYPD?

AG: Actually, | started as a teen-ager more than 30
years ago. My mother’s family is Irish and it was
one of those things that always interested me. | did
play the bagpipes for a few years with a police
group, but | have my own band now where | use the
bagpipes. | do the acting part time.

WF: How did the acting career come about?

AG: | know some people who work in the
entertainment industry, so when they needed a
bagpiper or motorcycle cop for a scene, they called
me because they knew | was reliable. These are

Page 18 THE WORK FORCE

December 2006

mostly shows being shot in New York. | was ina
scene as a motorcycle cop in “The West Wing,” |
was in a scene in “Third Watch,” and | played the
bagpipes for a Visa credit card commercial.

WF: What was your role on “One Life to Live?”

AG: | was a bagpiper at the funeral for the
character Detective John McBain. The actor who
plays him was in contract negotiations at the time,
so they wrote a story in which he was killed in a
car crash. | was in two good scenes that aired. It
turned out the actor, Michael Easton, did re-sign
after we shot the episode, so they ended up
writing that it was somebody else in the car who
died and McBain was actually in the hospital in
bandages.

WF: How long did the scenes take to shoot?

AG: | was at the studio the whole day, from 9 in
the morning to about 9 at night. They shot a few
different takes from three to four different angles,
then edited it down. | prerecorded the bagpipe
music in the studio, so when | played in the scene |
sort of had my bagpipes shut off. They gave me an
earpiece with a tiny antenna, played back what |
played in the studio, and | played my fingers along
with it. Then, they mixed that track in.

WF: Do the students and your co-workers

know about your other part-time job?

AG: They didn’t until it was mentioned in the local
newspaper. They know now! | just started working

‘Hobbies lead
/ to fame

CSEA member Al Gonzales, shown here with the Monroe-
Woodbury School District bus he drives, is an
accomplished bagpiper and motorcyclist whose hobbies
have led to acting gigs.

at Monroe-Woodbury this year, after | retired from
the NYPD. The NYPD had trained me to drive their
buses for times when they needed large numbers of
officers sent to one location. | joke that a busload of
students here are less rowdy then driving a busload
of cops!

Fighting for a fair contract

joined by members of the nearby New Windsor Unit,
demonstrate Oct. 21 outside the grand reopening of the town's
Chadwick Lake Park, where Newburgh Unit members completed
many improvements. Unit members have worked three years
without a contract and negotiations are in the fact-finding stage.
Sticking points include wages, health insurance and a town
proposal to make staffing cuts to sanding trucks during
snowstorms, a move CSEA members have protested for safety
concerns. CSEA members also demonstrated against Town Board
members voting themselves raises throughout the three years
the CSEA agreement has been expired while the union members
have had no resolution.

REMINDER TO PRIVATE
SECTOR LOCAL PRESIDENTS

ELECTION NOTICE

The term of office for current Private Sector Local officers will
expire on June 30, 2007. Elections for office must be conducted
and completed before the new term begins on July 1, 2007.

A letter was sent by the Statewide Election Committee (SEC) on
Aug. 15, 2006, to each Private Sector Local President requiring
each Local Executive Board to select an election committee and
chairperson prior to Oct. 15, 2006.

If you have not selected an election committee, please do so
immediately. Please refer to the SEC’s Aug. 15 letter for
procedural requirements.

If you did not receive a copy of the Aug. 15 letter, or have
questions pertaining to it, please contact the SEC at 800-342-4146,
ext. 1447.

PEOPLE PERSON —
The PEOPLE recruiter
of the month of
October is Millie Lucas
of the Suffolk Area
Retirees Local in the

and amendments to
the local Civil Service
Rules and to the
appendices that can
significantly affect
members. Members

Long Island Region. She £265,000 Members Strowg requesting to be
recruited 26 new CSEA notified must be filed

PEOPLE members.
CSEA’s PEOPLE
program protects and
improves our jobs, benefits and
pensions in Washington, Albany
and in your community. Your
support and participation in
PEOPLE strengthens CSEA’s clout
in the workplace, in the
legislature, in your community
and in the labor movement ...
HEALTH CARE ARBITRATION
VICTORY — Members of the
private sector Crothall Local,
consisting of couriers, laundry
and housekeeping workers at
Westchester Medical Center, will
soon have access to an affordable
medical and hospitalization plan.
Only 40 percent of the local’s
members were enrolled in the
company’s insurance plan
because of premiums up to $7,000
per year for families, but costs will
be more affordable to workers
now that an arbitrator has ruled
Crothall violated the CSEA
contract by refusing the union’s
request to offer alternate
coverage. The ruling forces
Crothall to introduce an alternate
plan, found through CSEA, that
has minimal out-of-pocket costs ...
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL
SERVICE NOTIFICATION — CSEA
is urging officers of local
government division locals and
units to sign up for their local
Civil Service Administration’s
mailing list to be notified of
upcoming Civil Service public
hearings and related meetings.
Under Subsection 2 of Section 20
of the state’s Civil Service Law,
members have the right to be
asked to be notified of Civil
Service public hearings that may
affect one’s local jurisdiction. The
Civil Service Administration
mailing list is important for CSEA
officers because the union can
keep informed about any hearings

December 2006

KORA

with their local civil
service commission
or personnel officer
every December, even if members
have previously filed for Civil
Service notification ... SEPT. 11
RESPONDERS: REGISTER FOR
WORKERS’ COMP — Many Sept.
11 responders are now eligible to
receive Workers’ Compensation
benefits under recent changes to
state law. The state recently
changed its Workers’
Compensation Law to allow
people who worked at Sept. 11
recovery efforts between Sept. 11,
2001, and Sept. 11, 2002, but who
are not ill, to be eligible to file a
workers’ compensation claim
should they become ill from a
Sept. 11-related illness in the
future. Many health experts
predict thousands of exposed
workers will become ill from
illnesses linked to Sept. 11 toxins.
Hundreds of CSEA members
across the state worked as paid
and volunteer Sept. 11
responders. You must register
with the state Workers’
Compensation Board by Aug. 14,
2007, to be eligible for Sept. 11
Workers’ Compensation benefits
at any time in the future. For more
information or to download a
registration form, visit CSEA’s
website at www.csealocal1000.org
and follow the links for the New
York Committee for Occupational
Safety and Health and the state
Workers’ Compensation Board

... TENTATIVE AGREEMENT —
Members of the Livingston County
Full-Time Employees Unit have
ratified a tentative agreement after
a contract campaign. Unit
members launched a contract
campaign in March after they
voted to declare impasse in
negotiations.

THE WORK FORCE Page 19
This holiday season, give a gift that gives back!

This holiday season, get into the spirit of giving by choosing union-made, American-made gifts!
Not only will you be giving high-quality gifts to your loved ones, but you will be giving your
union brothers and sisters the gift of good union jobs.

With U.S. consumers expected to spend more than $60 billion for holiday gifts this year, your
choice to buy union, buy American will go a long way toward keeping good jobs with fair pay
and benefits in our communities.

Here are some ways to get started on your holiday giving, union-style!

Get your java and help support the work of the New York State Labor-
Religion Coalition and workers struggling for decent wages by buying
Fair Trade coffee from Dean’s Beans. All Dean’s coffee is organic,
kosher, fair trade, and shade grown to support healthy environments
for coffee growers and protect critical migratory bird habitat. Visit
Dean’s Beans website at www.deansbeans.com and enter “CSEA” in the
promotion code box. You can also link to Dean’s Beans from CSEA’s

home page at www.cealocal1000.org.
CSE# eStore

Visit your Company Store at
Visit the CSEA e-store for all of your local and unit gift-giving http://cseastore.sm-pm.com

needs. Here, you'll find clothing, bags, mugs, officer supplies and nee
recreational items for fun, useful gifts that keep on giving! Follow eStock
the link to the CSEA e-store at CSEA’s website at - —

powered by
www.csealocal1000.org.

All Products are Union-Mada in the USA

Sitma

88,972.3487x212

ie supose

Nov. 24-Dec. 3, 2006 is Buy Union Week

Give the Gift of Good Jobs — Shop Union for the Holidays

Download a packet and support Buy Union Week

AFL-CIO’s Union Label & Service Trades
Department website, www.unionlabel.org,
will help you find thousands of union-made
gifts, including clothing, books, athletic
equipment and toys that will delight your
loved ones and give back to your union
brothers and sisters. Union Label is again
sponsoring “Buy Union Week” from Nov.

24 to Dec. 3.

CSE Long Island Region | #

eS CL Jeieltabe/ i 2006

Ong Island Reporter

Oyster Bay members SORT it out

Left, standing in front of
their truck in the division's
parking lot are, left to
tight, Mike Commisso,
Ron Caputo and Tony

Below, Rich Pavlick, a
sanitation supervisor,
fills his truck at the
division pump.

route trucks, five bulk
trucks for picking up

tI “white metal,” old

\)) refrigerators, washers and
=| dryers, and one roll-off
truck that can handle big

At right, the crew of this route
truck consists of, left to right,
Scott D'Amico, Rob Plummer

and Mark Seher.

be fellow members of the Oyster Bay Local were off Nov. 10 for
Veterans Day, but it was just another workday for the 200 members
in the town’s Sanitation and Recycling (Separate Oyster Bay's
Recyclables Today —- SORT) Division.

Sanitation worker Mark Seher was up by 3:45 a.m., his usual wake up time. By 5 a.m., Seher, Scott D'Amico and Rob Plummer had

Please see Sanitation continued on Page 3
Sanitation contd from Page 1
their truck out and were collecting garbage officials.
from more than 800 homes on their route in “Ithink John Venditto and residents
Massapequa. They collected 29,000 pounds, appreciate what sanitation and SORT do,” he
nearly 15 tons of garbage. “That's light on a said. “The guys do a good job.”
Thursday or Friday,” said Seher. “Monday and
Tuesday, right after the weekend, it's heavier.”
After dropping their garbage at the transfer
station in Old Bethpage, the workers brought
the truck back to the division’s headquarters on
Miller Place, gassed it up for the next day's

— mS

work and left it in the large parking lot behind é *

the office. Doing paperwork after the trucks come back from their routes
In his 16 years on the job, Seher has are, from left, supervisors Mike Stine, Frank Keiling, Steve

suffered two shoulder injuries and had back Miller and Frank Criscuola.

surgery this past April. “There’s wear and tear

on this job,” he said. ; ; Raymond Starke, right, head of the Sanitation &
Augie Buckhardt, local president since 1997, _ Recycling Division, talks with Luis Rodriguez.

worked in the Sanitation Department for 27 “7

years.

For many residents, he said, sanitation
employees are the ‘first line,” the town
employees they see most, so sanitation is
especially important in communicating the
quality of town services to residents.

The local has a very good relationship with
Supervisor John Venditto and Oyster Bay's

Above, Kevin McClorey, left, assistant

dispatcher, has just given Chris Stoltz his
paycheck.

Below, Sanitation Inspector James Baxter,
seated, talks with James Ryan, radio-
telephone operator in the division.

S

With Local President Augie Buckhardt, seated,
!| are, from left, 2nd Vice President Rocco
De’Rienzo, Brian Hirtzel, steward for SORT,
Separate Oyster Bay's Recyclables Today, the
town’s recycling program, Dan Hess, sanitation
steward, and Pat Davino, assistant sanitation
steward.

Above, JoAnn McLane, seated, and Gerry DiDio
are among the division's clerical employees.

Long Island Reporter 3

PHOTO OF THE MonTH

Joe Arma, center, holds flowers presented to him by Timmi Nalelpa, fifth from left,
whose life he saved by performing the Heimlich maneuver when she was choking
on a piece of bread crust in the Brookhaven Town Hall cafeteria on Sept. 27. He
also holds a plaque given him by the Brookhaven White Collar Unit's Health and

Safety Committee for his dedication to others, presented by Unit President Meg
Shutka, at Arma’s left. “Timmi and | are lifelong friends,” said Shutka, “so I'm
especially appreciative to Joe.” Standing behind him is Brian Tohill, chair of the
Occupational Safety and Health Committee. Arma, who works in Geographic
Information Services, learned the lifesaving technique when he was a baseball
coach at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. This was the first time he used it.
“I'm glad | was in the right place,” he said. Other members of the White Collar
Unit attended the presentation, held at Town Hall Oct. 20.

G reetings Brothers and Sisters,

As I sit down to write this, I’m having
a difficult time believing that the year
2007 is right around the corner. When |
was a kid, | can remember my parents
and grandparents saying that the years
go by in a flash. Now, | understand what
they were saying. It seems like you
blink and another week or another
month has clicked by. The clicking
seems to speed up as the years pass.

That’s why it’s so important to make
good, productive use of the time we do
have. After all, isn’t every new day
another opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of those around
us?

Through CSEA, we have ample
opportunity to achieve positive change.
If you sit on a negotiating committee,
you can shape and improve the pay,
benefits and work rules for yourself and
the other members in your unit or local.
If you sit on the state negotiating
committee, your input and suggestions
can help CSEA members all over the
state. It’s not only a privilege, but an
awesome responsibility.

If you are an activist, you can help
other members enduring difficult or
stalled negotiations by coming out for
protest demonstrations or just by

2 Long Island Reporter

Message from Long Island Region President

Nick LaMorte

showing support for
your brother and
sister members.

Every unit or local has different
circumstances of course, but | think we
can all relate to the delays, the
misinformation, and the outright
disrespect that management sometimes
displays.

Today it may be your friends
having it tough at contract time, but
tomorrow it may be you. That’s what
being in a union is about — looking out
for one another and fighting for the
common good. CSEA members are
strong because we have the resources
of a 265,000-member organization
behind us.

By sticking together and showing a
united front, we can help break contract
logjams, increase the union’s strength
and secure a better, brighter future for
ourselves and our children.

In solidarity,

Ni leh president

Long Island Region

Another successful year for
Strides Against Breast Cancer

COMMACK — CSEA members, their families, friends and
supporters contributed nearly $30,000 to the American
Cancer Society through the Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer walk at Jones Beach in
October.

“The Strides walk was the biggest
they’ve ever had, with more than
35,000 walkers,” said Bobbi Eisgrau,
chair of the region Women’s
Committee, which coordinated
CSEA’s participation. She estimated
that 350 CSEA members and family, |.
neighbors and students from the state 7
university colleges where they work
participated.

“Tt was just wonderful to see all
the CSEA members,” she said. “We saw many more
children walking with their parents than in previous years.
It’s not a women’s thing; it’s a family thing — husband
and wife, children, grandchildren walking with
grandparents.”

She thanked members of the Women’s Committee for
their work in making the union’s participation so
successful.

“As far as the Long Island Region Women’s Committee,
they’re tops,” she said. “The members turned out and they
really worked hard.”

She also thanked the vendors, who supplied T-shirts,
bottled water, cakes and coffee and souvenir bags.

Eisgrau expects next year’s walk to be even bigger and
better. “We always look forward to next year,” she said.

Bobbi Eisgrau
we
== Inside Reporter
Long Island Region 2006 Leadership Conference

Above, SUNY Stony Brook Local President Carlos Speight,
left, and Long Island Judiciary Local 330 President Kevin
Ray Sr. discuss the concerns of local leaders.

Below, among the local leaders attending the conference
are, left to right, Long Island Developmental Disabilities
Services Office Local President Darryl Wilson, left, Suffolk
Cooperative Library Services Local President Jim Balletta
and Region Secretary Lee Reynolds of the Nassau
Educational Local.

4 Long Island Reporter

Above, during a break in the Saturday morning session,

Roberta Carter, left, of the Suffolk Retirees Local looks over a

conference booklet. Seated next to her are Rutha Bush,

center, and Shirley Baker of the LIDDSO Local 430. Three

dozen local leaders in the Long Island Region attended.

Below, Dominic Ciaramella, left, Suffolk Retirees Local

president, chats with Mary D’Antonio, SUNY Old Westbury
Local president, and Kevin Ray Sr., Long Island Judiciary

Employees Local president.

{lf we want to be powerful, we have to
turn out our members. And word-of-
mouth at the workplace is the most
effective way to communicate in politics.

ORT JEFFERSON — The annual CSEA
Pp Long Island Region Leadership
Conference brought together 35 of the
region's local presidents and vice presidents for
leadership and political action sessions.

The conference was held at the Danford Inn on
Friday evening and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21. The
‘Saturday morning session provided training for the
local officers, while the afternoon session was
devoted to political action.

Fran Turner, CSEA‘s director of political action
and the union's top lobbyist, said in 2004 many
union members didn’t vote despite the importance
of the issues. In focus groups, the non-voters gave
as the reason that nobody had asked them to go
out and cast a ballot.

“If we want to be powerful,” she said, “we have
to turn out our members. And word-of-mouth at the
workplace is the most effective way to
communicate in politics.”

She discussed Westchester County-area state
Sen. Nick Spano’s re-election race in 2004 that he
won by only 18 votes out of the 114,000 ballots
cast. “The key,” said Turner, “was how many
people he got to pull out his supporters on
Election Day.”

Her audience heard the message and spread it
in the more than two weeks before Election Day.
In Nassau and Suffolk counties, all 38 CSEA-
endorsed candidates won, including several in
very tight races.

Bay Local.

Left, Fran Turner, center, director of CSEA\s Political
Action Department, makes a point to Bill Walsh, right,
president of the Suffolk Municipal Employees Local,
and Bobby Rauff, executive vice president of the Oyster

Right, Laura Gallagher,
left, and Lee Reynolds,
center, co-chairs of the
region Social Committee,
talk with Nick LaMorte,
region president, about
the holiday party.
Information about buying
tickets for the party is on
Page 6.

Nick LaMorte, second from left.

Above, CSEA Political Action Director Fran Turner, left, Eric Muldoon
of CSEA's Education and Training Department and Executive Vice

President Mary Sullivan, right, came from Albany to participate in the
conference. Here, they are shown with Long Island Region President

Statement from Long Island Political Action Committee Chair

COMMACK — John Shepherd, chair of
the region Political Action Committee,
thanked members and their families for
the strong support they gave CSEA-
backed candidates on Long Island on
Election Day.

“The region Political Action
Committee spent the last few months
registering members to vote,
interviewing candidates, educating our
members and getting the vote out,” he
said. “All of our efforts were marked by
success on Nov. 7, thanks to the
backing of our members.

“We endorsed 21 candidates for
state Assembly and all 21 won. Our

own Marc Alessi, who is a Democrat in

the 1st Assembly District, which is
heavily Republican, won all of the 98
election districts in his Assembly district.

“We endorsed nine candidates for
state Senate and all nine won.

“We endorsed four candidates for
U.S. House of Representatives and all
four won.

“We endorsed candidates for
governor, lieutenant governor, attorney
general and U.S. senator and they all
won.

“Our success in the endorsements
was 100 percent. We will now gear up
for December fire and water district
commissioner elections, March village
mayor and trustee elections and April

school district elections. As always, we
will continue voter registration drives
and the committee will meet on a
monthly basis.”

C. Shepherd
Chair, Long Island Region
Political Action Committee

John Shepherd, president of Nassau
Municipal Employees Local, chairs the
Long Island Region’s Political Action
Committee.

Long Island Reporter i)

Village of Hempstead cleanup day

Some of the CSEA members in Hempstead who turned out for the village cleanup
include Gary Kornova, Phil Avila, Elliot Brown, Phil Abbondondolo Sr., Joe Rogers,
Daniel Simone, Anthony Simone, Phil Abbondondolo Jr. and Kevin Harlston.

Recently CSEA members participated in the Village of Hempstead cleanup day.

“They showed pride in their village by coming out to lend a hand and help the village
straighten up. They should be commended for their efforts,” said Village of Hempstead
Unit President John Shepherd.

He noted it was just another way that CSEA members give back to their communities.

CSEA members,

Join the CSEA LI Region Veterans Committee this holiday
as we remember the veterans who live at
THE NORTHPORT VA HOSPITAL

WW AND THE Wy

gtenseen

Last Call for tickets!
Long Island Region

Holiday Party

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006
7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Chateau Briand, Westbury, $75

“é

S

a

BS

&
©
it

s

For more information, call Laura Gallagher, 516-876-3293 -
or Lee Reynolds 516-353-4420

rr

St SRST F

Checks must be received

no later than Monday, Dec. 4
Checks should be made payable to
CSEA Long Island Region and sent to
CSEA Long Island Region Social Committee
3 Garet Place, Commack, N.Y. 11725
Please include names of guests who will be
seated at your table(s).

wWIOM TO Mwaty Wes

»
ut
if

LONG ISLAND STATE VETERANS HOME

Show your support by donating the following items:

Underwear ~ Denture Tablets * Combs & Brushes * Scarves
Toothbrushes * Shaving Cream * Stamps * Nail Clippers

Postage Stamps * Bar Soap * Denture adhesive Toothpaste
Shampoo Knit Hate & Gloves * Sweat Shirts & Sweat Pants

your UNWRAPI

Ifyou cant shoo, a donation
The committee will deliver items to the Veterans

on Saturday December 2nd. Volunteers are
needed.

For more lafrmatien contact Commitee Chat
Manan Phelps at (516) 971-4629,

Long Island ‘Region,
Nick Lamorte, President

Long Island Reporter

On Veterans Day, members of
the Long Island Region
Veterans Committee honored
those who served in the U.S.
armed forces. Taking part in the
committee's annual observance
are, from left, Barbara
Maniscalco, Jill Mallon, Herman
Williams, Edward Hussey,
Maryann Phelps and Valerie
Ciaramella.

nd=the-Re gion

Sa
Calendar of Upcoming Events: De
December 2006 etslee

2— Defensive Driving — 9 am.3 p.m.
4— Human Rights Committee Meeting — 5:30 p.m.
6 — Veterans Committee Meeting — 6 p.m.

8 — Festival of Lights
11 —Women’s Committee Meeting — 5:30 p.m.
12—President/Vice President Training — 5-9 p.m.

13-Region Holiday Party, Chateau Briand — 7-11:30 p.m.
44 —Danny Donohue Member Visits — 1-7 p.m.

16 — Women's Committee Blood Drive — 9 a.m.3 p.m.

18 - Safety & Health Committee Meeting —5 p.m.

21 —MAT Committee Meeting — 5:30 p.m

25 — Region Office Closed — Christmas Day

ashibee 0

Brookhaven Unit member retires

Leilonie Gearity, sixth from left, is honored by co-
workers on Oct. 20, the day she retired from the
Brookhaven town clerk's office after 40 years of service.

SUNY Stony Brook awards scholarships

STONY BROOK — The State
University at Stony Brook Local
recently launched its scholarship
program by awarding $1,000 college
scholarships to one member, and the
children of two other members.

The award winners are Biju John,
a member who works in the Physical
Plant department, who won the Phil
Santella Scholarship; Marissa
Sheryll, daughter of Margaret Sheryll,
who works at the School of Health
Technology and Medicine, and
Karissa Gropper, daughter of
Catherine Gropper, who works in the
Occupational Therapy department.

“We understand the high cost of
education,” said Carlos Speight, local
president. “That's a big burden. We
don’t make big dollars and we want
to help fellow members along.”

He said in the hospital
environment, CSEA members work
beside doctors, nurses and other
health care professionals. “Many of
them are children of public service
workers,” Speight said, “and we want
to help our children move on to
professions.”

Santella, for whom one
scholarship is named, is a former
local president who began working at
Stony Brook in 1972 and retired in
1994. Since his retirement, he has
been the local’s office manager and
is an active member of the Suffolk
Retirees Local.

From top to bottom: Biju John, left, winner of the Phil
Santella Scholarship, receives a giant $1,000 check
from Richard Tuckosh, chair of the local’s scholarship
committee; Marissa Sheryll receives her scholarship
from Richard Tuckosh; Long Island Region President
Nick LaMorte, center, speaks at the SUNY Stony
Brook scholarship ceremony. With him are SUNY
Stony Brook Local President Carlos Speight, left, and
Richard Tuckosh.

With her are, from left, are Cynthia Roma, Michelle
Albanese, Linda DelGuidice, Debbie Hughey, Cathy
Marcus, Mary Dugan, Anne Miller, Jayme Short and
Laurie Murray, deputy town clerk.

FARMINGVILLE —Leilonie Gearity's co-workers bid
her a fond farewell when she recently retired after 40
years of service in the Brookhaven town clerk's office.
Alongtime shop steward for the Brookhaven White
Collar Unit, Gearity received flowers and a warm thank
you from Meg Shutka, unit president.
As a principal clerk, she worked on many jobs in the
office, including Town Board resolutions, zoning
changes and helping residents who called the office.
Gearity, the mother of two and the grandmother of
two, said the highlight of her career was meeting
many nice people. “I made a lot of friends, and they'll
stay in my heart because they're my second family,”
she said.

Long Island Reporter

Locals hold successful Information Fairs

COMMACK — Hundreds of members from the
SUNY Old Westbury and Oyster Bay locals recently
attended information fairs to remind them of benefits,
services and programs available to them through the
union and selected vendors.

The Oyster Bay Local's fair was held Oct. 23, 24
and 25, next to the union office at the Department of
Public Works building on Miller Place.

The Old Westbury Local held its information fair
in conjunction with an Oct. 27 membership meeting
at the Student Activities Building on campus.

“We want to thank the vendors who came and
encourage members to visit them and learn about
the wonderful benefits they are offering our
members,” SUNY Old Westbury Local President
Mary D’Antonio said.

The vendors at the information fairs included

representatives from the CSEA Employee Benefit
Fund, the Legal Services Program and PEOPLE,
CSEA's federal political action program; New York
State Deferred Compensation Plan, Long Island
Audiology, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Chase Union Plus
Mortgage Plan, Pearl Carroll and Associates, the
Health Insurance Plan, Countrywide Home Loans
and New Bridge Employees Assistance Services.

Top photo, Frank Caliguri, left, who works in the
town's Recycling Division, chats with social workers
Robert Hazelton and Nancy Hazelton of New Bridge
Employees Assistance Services.

Above, chatting before the information fair and
membership meeting of the SUNY Old Westbury
Local are, left to right, President Mary D’Antonio, Joe
Cupolo of the State Employees Federated Appeal
and Karen Carlen-Murray, local treasurer.

Above, Old Westbury Local members look over
materials on a program offered by one of the
vendors at the information fair.

Right, Delores Carter, left, and Linda Sclafani,
second from left, offer material about CSEA’s
Employee Benefit Fund to Peggy Avanzato of the
Oyster Bay Local at the union's information fair. At
tight is Alex Bard, local 1st vice president.

Above, lke Bryant, right, gets information about BJ's
Wholesale Club from Steven Bogin.

Left, Mario Salerno, right, an Oyster Bay Highway
Division employee, gets information on mortgages
from Alan Kreit of Countrywide Home Loans.

Below, Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte,
standing at rear left, speaks to members of the
Empire State College Local on the Old Westbury
campus, who were invited to attend the meeting and
information fair.

8

Long Island Reporter
YOUR UNION
NEWSLETTER

hy do | love this job? I'm not exactly

sure, but sometimes when | have a few

moments alone | think about the
importance of what it is | do and | get pumped up. |
like the pressure, the challenges and most of all, |
like to win. Winning, however, can be a daunting task
when you are a union leader, especially in the public
sector. All of this brings me to the most important
aspect of why | love this job. It's you, the members |
represent.

It really hit me last week when many of our CSEA
Local 830 members joined me and my team at
Eisenhower Park to help shoot our upcoming cable
television commercial. It was truly an amazing
feeling of camaraderie and unity. About 100 of our
members came out to join us on a beautiful, sunny
day, and we were able to have some fun. Yes,
shooting the commercial was a serious assignment,
but as always, CSEA members know how to have a
good time. | was able to speak to most of those who
participated and the conversations were priceless as
they helped me to reach out to our members. For
me, this was a great opportunity. It’s very difficult to
communicate with almost 10,000 members, but
whenever | get the chance to speak with a large
cross-section such as that day in the park, | take
advantage of it.

Meeting so many people and getting to know and
understand them is not just a challenge, but it's also
one of the rewards of the job. | know what is
important to my members, but nothing is more
effective than having someone tell you what is
important to them in their own words. Some of the
most ‘popular’ issues discussed included a lack of
promotions, out-of-title work, understaffing, poor
working conditions, lack of respect from
management, aging and inadequate equipment and
unfair treatment on the job. The biggest concerns are

Nassau County Would Cease to Function Without Us

& Today, the county and NHCC
have responded in a more
favorable light to the idea that
CSEA members are not second-
class citizens. We are the
foundation that supports the
entire county. J

in this order: health insurance and title review.

| wanted to list the most pressing issues for you
so you know for sure your union is aware of them. |
will tell you every one of these problems has been
addressed with the county and in some instances we
have been successful. However, we have not even
scratched the surface on some of them because
these issues are in dire need of vast improvement.
As for health insurance, | have spoken on the
subject quite a bit and you can rest assured that |
have no plans on dealing it away. The title review will
take a while and we will guardedly cooperate with it
to make sure that all of you working out-oftitle are
recognized and fairly compensated.

| think we have come a long way toward
balancing our labor relations with both the county
and the Nassau Health Care Corp. (NHCC). What |
have on my side are you, the heart and soul of
Nassau County. What | have against me are
decades of lopsided, one-way mistreatment of the
county work force. Today, the county and NHCC.
have responded in a more favorable light to the idea
that CSEA members are not second-class citizens.
We are the foundation that holds up the entire
county. Unfortunately, most of our members work
behind the scenes, without the glory or fanfare of
some other workers not represented by CSEA. Still,
this county would cease to function without us. That

pe

Message from CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta

is what we have been trying to remind everybody
and is one of the driving forces behind the upcoming
commercial. My one line in the commercial is, “I'm
proud to be president of CSEA Local 830,” a line that
says it all.

Yours in unionism,

Laricchiuta

lassau Local 830 president

WHAT’S INSIDE

December 2006 Express
re Page 3
« Laricchiuta Visits Department of

Public Works and Department of
Social Services

t= Pages 4 and 5
* CSEA Films Cable Commercial
* CSEA Members Honored
at CBTU Dinner
re Page 6
* Breast Cancer Bill Passed With
CSEA’s Help

2 EXPRESS

Cee CSEA Nassau County Local 830
LAFLE SS
December 2006 + Vol. 11 No. 12

‘A Monthly Publication of CSEA Nassau County Local 830
JERRY LARICCHIUTA, President

Ryan Mulholland, Eaitor
(616) 571-2919 Ext. #13

www cseaiocal830.019

CSEA Long Island Region Communications Associate Rachel
Langert (631) 462-0030

NASSAU LOCAL 830
Executive Officers:

JERRY LARICCHIUTA, President

DIANE RUSS, Executive Vice President
RON GURRIERI, tst Vice President
ROBERT CAULDWELL, 2nd Vice President
DEBRA IMPERATORE, &rd Vice President
‘SCOTT MULHOLLAND, 4th Vice President
TIM CARTER, Sth Vice President

EARL STROUGHTON, 6th Vice President
DEBBIE O'CONNELL, 7th Vice President
BARBARA LANG, &th Vice President
ROBERT McLAUGHLIN, Sth Vice President
JOHN ALOISIO, 10th Vice President
PETER KIERNAN, 11th Vice President
‘SUSAN COHEN, Secretary

BETH LUTTINGER, Treasurer

Unit Presidents/Executive Board:
CHUCK ALBERS, Fire & Rescue Services

JOHN ALOISIO Il, Treasurer's Office

ROB ARCIELLO, Deputy Sherif

STANLEY BERGMAN, Comptroller's Office

LISA SINAGRA-TIRPAK, Public Safety

ROBERT CAMPO, Public Works Department

RAY CANNELLA, Civil Service Commission

TERRI KOPVITCH, Health Department

ROBERT CAULDWELL, Social Services

STEPHEN COHEN, Medical Examiner's Office
CAROL CONTI, County Clerk

CAROL CROSTON, Nassau Community College
VIVIAN CROWLEY, General Services

KENNETH DASH, SR., Board of Elections

MARY DELMARE, Crossing Guards

ROBERT CONTI, Police Communications Operators
ALICE BARRON, A. Holly Patterson

ROBERT GILIBERTI, Senior Citizens Affairs

ROSE SACCHETTI, County/Distic Attomey
NANCY IANSON, Drug & Alcohol

DEBRA IMPERATORE, Police Civilian

RON KAHL, AMT

KEN HAMEL, Sheriffs Support

PILAR MILLER, Assessment Department

JOHN RINALDO, Parks, Recreation & Museums
MARLA ROWE, Probation Department

DIANE RUSS, Consumer Affairs

EARL STROUGHTON, Nassau University Medical Center
JOSEPH WHITTAKER, Fire Marshal's Office

"] comments to Ryan Mulholland, Editor, Nassau County

We welcome reader suggestions: Please address your

EXPRESS at CSEA Nassau Co. Local 830, 400 County
Seat Dr., Mineola, NY 11501-4137.

This Month in
Labor History

Dec. 5, 1955
The American Federation of Labor and
the Congress of Industrial
Organizations, the two largest labor
organizations in the United States,
merged to form the AFL-CIO. The
federation now has about 9 million
members.

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

LEGAL UPDATE

By: Louis D. Stober Jr., Esq., CSEA Region Attorney
www.Stoberlaw.com

CSEA Challenges County Decision to let Police Officer run Probation Department

When Nassau County was first created back at the turn of the
20th century, various county departments were also created.
Ultimately, the present departments came into existence. One of
the departments is the Police Department and another is the
Probation Department. By law, each of these departments has a
very different function in the criminal justice system. Under the
provisions of the law, it is the function of the Police Department
to investigate and prevent crimes, and it is the function of the
Probation Department under NYS Executive Law §257(4) and 9
NYCRR §§350.2 & 350.4 to act with complete impartiality when
dealing with individuals on probation and when undertaking
investigations used to provide sentencing recommendations to
the court.

The New York state attorney general's office has also ruled in
Official Opinion | 91-61, that “[t]he positions of probation officer
and police officer are incompatible.” The opinion clearly states,
“a probation officer should not also serve as a police officer.”

In July 2004, the county designated Deputy Chief Kevin
Lowry as Criminal Justice Coordinator. Lowry is a sworn member
of the Nassau County Police Department. In CSEA’s lawsuit, we
allege that since his tenure began, Lowry has effectively become
the head of the Nassau County Probation Department, taking
over the day-to-day operations of the department.

The suit alleges that Lowry has, in his capacity as de facto
head of the Probation Department, unilaterally instituted a dress
code for all Probation Department employees and has also sent
out correspondence using Nassau County Probation Department
letterhead to department employees admonishing them on their
use of sick leave even though John Carway holds the position of
Probation Director. CSEA is alleging in the suit that Carway
holds little authority; as an example, administrators report
directly to Lowry and he runs the weekly administrative staff
meetings as well as other daily meetings of a less formal nature.

The suit also asserts that the Probation Unit members are
concerned about the direction in which Lowry is taking the
department and that Lowry is not knowledgeable of the culture
and practice of Probation Department investigations and
supervision.

In January 2006, CSEA Unit President Marla Rowe sent a
letter to Robert Maccarone, acting state director of the New York
state Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, voicing

Probation Unit members’ concerns that Lowry is the de facto
Director of Probation. Rowe also pointed out in the letter that
Deputy Chief Lowry may have violated the collective bargaining
agreement by unilaterally implementing a department dress
code.

When the county refused to remove Lowry from running the
Probation Department, CSEA commenced suit. The county
moved to dismiss the suit claiming that CSEA did not have
standing to sue, that the suit was time barred and that Lowry
could perform the duties he was assigned even though he was a
member of the Police Department.

In a decision dated Oct. 16, 2006, Supreme Court Justice
John M. Galasso, held in favor of CSEA and denied the motion
to dismiss, finding the suit timely and that a legal basis for relief
was alleged. To quote Justice Galasso: “[CSEA] alleges Deputy
Chief Lowry has taken over the day-to-day operations of the
Department by requiring administrators to report directly to him
and by running the weekly staff meetings and by otherwise
making policy decisions... [CSEA] maintains the county has
arbitrarily and capriciously hired a sworn member of the Police
Department in violation of New York state Executive Law...
Petitioner CSEA seeks to compel the county to prohibit Deputy
Chief Lowry from taking control of the Probation Department,
allying it with the Police Department and otherwise assuming the
duties and requirements of the department that are not
administrative in nature. In support of its position, petitioner cites
an opinion of the attorney general issued upon the request of the
Washington County attorney's office, which concludes that the
positions of probation officer and police are incompatible
because of an inherent inconsistency between the two offices
and a potential for conflict of interest... While the opinion was an
informal one because the attorney general only renders formal
opinions on state government issues, it is, nevertheless, a
persuasive

Continued on Page 3

Correction

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman has asked
CSEA for a correction on the September 2006 Nassau County
Express’ President's Message regarding mandated health
insurance buyback.

Under Weitzman’s proposal, two married union members
would be mandated to buy back one of the couple's health
benefits for $2,000. If co-payments cost more than the $2,000
buyback, the difference would be fully reimbursed.

President Laricchiuta wanted to clear up an honest mistake
in his message. This does not however, in any way indicate
that CSEA is considering conceding any health benefits.

Quote of the M4

“Lam proud to represent 10,000
members in Nassau County.”
— CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta

during CSEA Local 830's cable TV commercial filmed
Oct. 27 is set to air in December

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

EXPRESS 3

Local 830 Leaders Meet with Departments of Public Works, Social Services

CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta and
his staff met with members from the Department of
Social Services Oct. 11 and the Department of Public
Works Oct. 12.

There was an excellent turnout for both meetings,
as the Oct. 12 meeting that took place at Nassau
Community College also was the formal introduction
of new Department of Public Works Commissioner
Raymond Ribeiro to CSEA members. Ribeiro was a
guest on “Talkin’ Labor with Local 830” in September,
but for those who did not tune in, this was their first
taste of the new commissioner.

Ribeiro spoke at length about taking pride in your
job, the need to update equipment and fleet, and
making garages and work stations more attractive so
potential employees want to work for Nassau County
DPW.

Amain point of contention for DPW workers, with
winter coming and impending overtime for
snow plowing, is the issue of having cots or similar
places to rest for workers. After 16 hours, New York
state law prohibits anyone from operating a vehicle,

so rest is necessary during the usual snowstorms in
the winter. Laricchiuta suggested the county rent
trailers during the winter for workers to rest in, rather
than the couches that are in the garages year round
and present a negative connotation.

Laricchiuta then spoke and updated members on
all of CSEA’s latest endeavors, and mentioned the
upcoming contract talks and the push for more
promotions, which will be made possible by the
investigation of out-of-title work the county is in the
process of doing.

The Oct. 11 meeting at 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd.
for Department of Social Services members was also
very productive as Laricchiuta discussed similar
topics such as contracts, promotions, staffing and
out-of-title work. On Oct. 25,

Laricchiuta met with the Department of Social
Services Unit Executive Board at the Local 830 office
to go over other related issues.

CSEA Local 830 Holds Information Fair at Local

On Oct. 17, the CSEA Local 830 held an
information fair at its office in Mineola to welcome all
CSEA members on their lunch hours and give them
member benefits information, an opportunity to meet
President Jerry Laricchiuta and his staff, to show
everyone where CSEA does all its work, and offering
alunch that included heroes, salads and beverages.

There was a turnout of approximately 100 people,
as well as CSEA member benefits specialists and

Legal Upda te continued From Page 2

analysis of the intent behind the statutes and regulations
cited. Therefore, the court finds that [CSEA] has a legally
cognizable cause of action.”

With that decision, the court has made it clear to the
county that it is going to be accountable for its actions.
Discovery is now commencing and a trial will be held
thereafter.

This case demonstrates CSEA Local 830's commitment
to its members and that it will leave no stone unturned in
protecting its members and the public from improper actions
by management.

If you find your department is engaging in improper or
illegal activity, you can contact the local to take legal action
to protect your rights.

There is a limited statute of limitations for taking action,
so do not delay.

representatives from HIP and Pearl Carroll &
Associates.

Laricchiuta said he washappy with the event. “It's
always important when we can meet our members on
a more personal basis, and inviting them into our
local office certainly does that,” he said.

Abundant Joy
This Season

Jerry Laricchiuta at the Oct. 12 Department of
Public Works meeting.

You can watch a one-minute video from the
Department of Public Works meeting by logging
onto www.CSEA830.org and clicking on the
Special Features icon.

LOG ON TO
www.CSEA830.ORG!!!

New Website Includes:

+ Brand new, functioning “Members”
section with contracts, unit constitution
and member benefits information;

+ Links to all CSEA staff and unit
presidents by telephone and e-mail,

+ Archives of all radio shows, videos,
pictures and current Express
newsletters;

+ Up-to-date information on all the latest
in CSEA news;

AND MUCH MORE!

4 Express SEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS EXPRESS 5

CSEA Members Honored CSEA Films Commercial to Air on Cablevision

at CBTU Dinner

From left to right, CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta,
Rudy Bruce and William Hughes.

At the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) dinner at the
Chateau Briand in Carle Place Oct. 26, Department of Social Services
employee and CSEA member Bill Hughes was honored for his great
dedication to the community.

Hughes’ many activities include serving as president of the
Hempstead Coordinating Council of Civics, the Village of Hempstead
Zoning and Appeals Board and president of the Hempstead Heights Civic
Association and Development Corporation.

Hughes said he believes strongly in promoting and mentoring young
people as future leaders through his membership on the Administrative
Committee of the Weed and Seed Program, where he encourages
youths to seek positive activities. Recently, Hughes also became board
president of Harbor Child Care, Inc., which operates programs in six
locations in Nassau County.

He is also a Vietnam War veteran and an active member of the
Gomillon Campbell Post of the American Legion.

After 18 years of service at the Department of Social Services,
Hughes is retiring. Local 830 would like to thank him for all his great
service over the years to Nassau County and the community.

Hughes’ accolades would not have been possible without the hard
work of Department of Public Works member Rudy Bruce, president of
the Long Island Chapter of CBTU.

Bruce said the main objectives of this organization is to put forth
greater and more creative efforts to improve the image of labor
throughout the community.

There are 51 chapters of CBTU in the United States and Bruce's hard
work has made the Long Island Chapter one of the most successful.

After months of preparation, CSEA Local 830
filmed its commercial with Cablevision Oct. 26
and 27 as part of an image awareness campaign
aimed at Nassau County residents.

The basic premise of the campaign is to
educate the public about CSEA, including the
union's members, industries they represent and
‘on how hard all 10,000 members in Nassau
County work.

Local 830 represents more than 800 job titles
in Nassau County, in 38 different departments.

Local 830 staff, along with camera crew from
Cablevision, filmed at many county work sites,
including a county crossing guard post, Nassau
University Medical Center, Department of Social
Services building, Nassau Community College
and Eisenhower Park's Red Course.

The capper to the commercial was the
gathering of about 100 CSEA members at
Eisenhower Park Oct. 27, including Local 830
President Jerry Laricchiuta, whose line was: “Hi,
my name is Jerry Laricchiuta, and | am proud to
be president of CSEA Local 830. We work for our
members and our members work for you.”
Following that, all 100 CSEA members
screamed in unison, “We work for you!”

Right, Nassau County crossing
guards.

Below, group shot of CSEA members
and vehicles at Eisenhower.

The final task to finish it off was to film workers in
other departments, including Deputy Sheriffs,
Crossing Guards and Parks as separate groups
saying, “We work for you!”

The commercial will be airing on News 12
Long Island, and many other cable stations
starting in either December or January and
should run for at least six month. Variations of
the commercial will air because the union and
Cablevision filmed a lot of footage of as many
members and departments as possible.

“Nassau County residents need to know all the
departments and titles that we represent. As |
have said a number of times, without our
members, Nassau County would cease to
function,” Laricchiuta said.

Local 830 would like to thank all members who
came out to support this endeavor and made this
commercial such a success, as well as all the
various work sites and officials who went out of
their way to help out.

Top to bottom:
CSEA members
work on the 9th hole
at the Eisenhower
Park Red Course;
Department of
Social Services;
Deputy Sheriffs
Department; CSEA
members escort a
patient to the Level
1 Trauma Center.

Special Message About a Great
Young Man

By CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta
Written Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006

CSEA could somehow help an organization called H.E.V.N. (Help End
Violence Now) on Long Island. His name was Hykiem Coney. He was a
former gang member and now the organization's leading board member. | decide to
meet with him and his mentor, the Bishop Raymond J. Mackey, just to see what this

organization was all about.

The bishop began off the meeting with an explanation of what H.E.V.N. was all
about and how he was working around the clock trying to convince young men to
turn their lives around, leave the gangs or, even better, staying away from them. He
then went on to introduce Hiekim, and the bishop spoke of how out of control this
young man’s life was just a couple years earlier. Bishop Mackey saw something
special in this street-smart tough guy and something there clicked.

| was skeptical, but when Hykiem began to speak, | knew almost immediately |
was meeting a truly special person. He didn't speak fast or loud. He didn't try to
impress us with tough talk or gang lingo. Instead, Hykiem spoke in a soft but direct
tone, always making eye contact and always ready to answer any of our questions,
regardless of how personal or intrusive they might have been. He was as honest as
anyone could be and you could tell his past had bothered him — really bothered
him. You also could not help but note the sincerity and motivation in his voice. He
came across as a true leader on a mission and nothing was going to stop him. His
Presence was one of somebody gifted, as person who does not come along very
often. He was a great salesman, because he was NOT a salesman, but instead
somebody who was giving 100 percent of his being toward a cause that he knew all
too well was of the highest importance. | was very impressed with Hykiem and felt
as though | had just met somebody who would someday be a well-known leader.

| saw Hykiem two Mondays ago while | was addressing members at Nassau
Community College. He was a student there. We spoke briefly and | assured him
CSEA was still trying to get some things done to help H.E.V.N. | remember his smile
and pleasant personality from that day. Now, it may have been Hykiem who was a
little skeptical. We made a few jokes and shook hands. | told him he'd be hearing
from me soon.

Three days later, Hykiem was shot in Uniondale and later died from his wounds.

The say he was killed because of his anti-gang stance and how effective he was.
We will all miss Hykiem and Long Island has lost a great leader. | had already been
convinced about where Hykiem’s heart was and his special qualities made you want
to help him. He made a difference and that's a great accomplishment.

| am no longer skeptical, but instead just very angry and sad.

| ast year, | met a young man who came to my office to convince me to see if

6 EXPRESS CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS.

MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS CSEA Local 830

is asking for
toy donations
this holiday season.

=

CSEA IS LOOKING TO ADOPT
MEMBERS’ FAMILIES THIS HOLIDAY
SEASON!!!

Toys will be distributed to

If you are a family or if you know of a family going through some fainillles eed liv Bre.

financial difficulties, please contact Diane Russ (571-2919 x12) or

Debbie O’Connell (571-2919 x22). taal t eat

CSEA is looking to provide food, clothing, gifts, toys and other 400 County Seat Drive
item to any of these families. in Mineola

***P_LEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED anytime between now

WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL!*** and Monday, Dec. 18.

CSEA Wins Leave for Breast Cancer Screening for County Employees

Gov. George Pataki signed into law Aug. 16 CSEA-supported legislation allowing county
workers to have leave time from their jobs to be screened for breast cancer.
All county employees will have up to four hours leave annually for breast cancer screening. The
time cannot be charged to the workers’ leave accruals.

The union has been working to secure this benefit for county employees since a similar
benefit was granted to state workers in 2002.

The law, which went into effect Sept. 16, encourages breast cancer screening because early
detection saves lives.

LOCAL 830 ATTENDS BREAST CANCER WALK

Staff from CSEA Local 830 and the Long Island Region participated in the
American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5-kilometer walk 4.
Oct. 15 at Jones Beach.

This is a non-competitive walk that takes place in more than 100 cities across the
country and CSEA was proud to be part of it. Attendees included Long Island »
Region President Nick LaMorte and Local 830 Executive Vice President Diane
Russ.

CSEA members stand in front of the NUMC
Mobile Breast Imaging Center. They are Nurse
Frances Risko, Driver Guillermo Campisi, Clerk
Elizabeth Pinner and Mammogram
Technologist Anne Grechanik.

q@>

AMWAVK ONO,
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

Veteran’s Corner

By Debbie O’Connell

Veterans Day was Nov. 11. There are 24.9
million military veterans in the United States.
Veterans were first honored as a remembrance of
the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
back in 1918 when World War | ended and
Veterans Day (internationally known as Armistice
Day) was established a year later.

There were many celebrations in Nassau
County to honor those who served in foreign wars.
On Nov. 6, Long Island National Cemetery in
Farmingdale had its annual Veterans Day Memorial
Service. Nov. 11 was the Veterans Day Wreath
Ceremony held by the Veterans Committee at the
War Memorial in front of the H. Lee Dennison
Building on Veterans Memorial Highway. Finally,
Nov. 13 was the commemoration at the Veterans
Memorial at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow at
10 a.m. put on by the United Veterans
Organization of Nassau County. Many government
officials attended as well as a large amount of
veterans’ organizations and spectators.

The Sth annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down
took place Nov. 20 at the New York Armory in
Freeport and was a success. Local 830 collected
non-perishable food and personal care items for
the Stand Down and received many items from our
members to help out. We thank everyone for their
support!

Notes: Hundreds more veterans in Nassau
County are now eligible for alternative veterans’ tax
exemption as New York state rolled back the start
date of the Vietnam War to Feb. 28, 1961, after it
was previously Dec. 22 of that year... If you are a
veteran who did not actually set foot in Vietnam but
have developed any disease caused from
exposure to Agent Orange, including diabetes
mellitus or prostate cancer, you should speak to a
veterans’ counselor as soon as possible to explore
your options. This applies primarily to U.S. Navy
personnel who served on ships off the coast of
Vietnam from Jan. 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975... The
UVO Public Access Television Show “Veterans
News” is back on the air at 2 p.m. Fridays on
Cablevision Channel 20.

Express [

CSEA Local 830

Annual Holiday Part

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 200
7 p.m. to 11 p.m

eh LY =~, CSEA is also planning a special
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video collaboration of the year
that was for Local 830.

rest Hollow Country Club:
Woodbury

2 N Members and Fee Payers:
$36; Non-Members: $50

Please send form with check made payable to CSEA Local 830, 400 County Seat Drive, Mineola,
N.Y. 11501, Attn: Steve Cohen

Name
Department Phone No.
Number of tickets at $36: Number of tickets at $50:

Martin Luther King Jr. 13th Annual Ceremony Lunghgon
Presented by CSEA Unity Committee

OLD THE DATE! Saturday, 6, 2007

12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. * Coral House * 70 Milburn Ave., Baldwin q
Limited Seating. Tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADVANCE SALE ONLY — NO TICKETS AT DOOR

* Entertainment * Raffles * Door Prizes * Scholarships Awarded *
$35 Adults; $20 Children 12 and Under

Please complete & return coupon below with payment. Check should be made payable to
CSEA Nassau Local 830 and mailed to: CSEA Nassau Local 830, 400 County Seat Drive,
Mineola, N.Y. 11501. For more information, contact: Juanita McKinnies: 516-378-2790 or 516-
353-0459 (cell); or Tim Corr: 571-2919 ext. 14.

of RESERVATION FORM

Name

Home Phone Work Phone

Agency Employed By

Check amount Please seat me with

8 ExPRESS

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

A Message From Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

As | sit down to write this,
I'm having a difficult time
believing that the year 2007 is
right around the corner. When |
was a kid | can remember my parents and
grandparents saying that the years go by in a flash.
Now, | understand what they were saying. It seems
like you blink and another week or another month
has clicked by. The clicking seems to speed up as
the years pass.

That's why it's so important to make good,
productive use of the time we do have. After all, isn’t
every new day another opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of those around us?

Through CSEA, we | have ample opportunity to
achieve positive change. If you sit on a negotiating
committee, you can shape and improve the pay,
benefits and work rules for yourself and the other
members in your unit or local. If you sit on the state

( ... it's so important to make good,
productive use of the time we do
have. After all, isn't every new day

another opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of those
around us? j

negotiating committee, your input and suggestions
can help CSEA members all over the state. It's not
only a privilege, but an awesome responsibility.

If you are an activist, you can help other members
enduring difficult or stalled negotiations by coming
out for protest demonstrations or just by showing
support for your brother and sister members.

Every unit or local has different circumstances of
course, but | think we can all relate to the delays, the
misinformation, and the outright disrespect that
management sometimes displays.

This month from

Talkin’ Labor With Local 830

CSEA Local 830's weekly radio c=
show on WGBB AM 1240, “Talkin’
Labor with Local 830” has had a
busy November as it has welcomed
guests such as Nassau County
Comptroller Howard Weitzman.

Coming up in December, listen for
statewide CSEA President Danny
Donohue to join Local 830 President
Jerry Laricchiuta on the show for
what should be a compelling
conversation on the latest CSEA
news.

Jerry Laricchiuta, right, with

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

on WGBB AM 1240

Comptroller Howard Weitzman.

Solidarity an awesome responsibility

Today it may be your friends having it tough at
contract time, but tomorrow it may be you. That's
what being in a union is about — looking out for one
another and fighting for the common good. CSEA
members are strong because we have the resources
of a 265,000-member organization behind us.

By sticking together and showing a united front,
we can help break contract logjams, increase the
union's strength and secure a better, brighter future
for ourselves and our children.

In solidarity,

Nick LaMorte, president

‘Na Region

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Nappy
flolidays