The Public Sector, 1986 June 16

‘ Jobs restoration leaves ’em

MBS UP — City of Elmira e
ployees from left, front row, Wayne
sg obert Paganelli and John. -

arey, ani k row, Jack Wood at

3

CSEA Region 2 President George Boncoraglio, left,
joins with Jim Bell of the Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists, center, and the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize
winner, South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, during a
recent New York City press conference announcing
plans for the massive June 14 anti-apartheid march
and rally. At press time CSEA activists were busy
making plans for participation.

Overtime pay m=...hneld up at
isn’t all that’s...) Kingsboro

BROOKLYN — The administration at the list had been paid- a claim that CSEA

Kingsboro Psychiatric Center has has proved untrue. ©
apparently found a way to get blood from a Among the individuals on the list was
stone- But CSEA is furious because it’s a _ grievance won by CSEA last year directed _Local First Vice President Lou Smith who
sleight of hand trick at the expense of its _ the Kingsboro administration to issue both - insists he hasn’t received a penny for
members. at the same time. That grievance was based overtime worked for that period and his
The administration is forcing CSEA on the experience of one employee who had paycheck proves it. “When you only receive
members to work overtime, but is then not received his meal allowance for 51 your regular salary, you know you’re not
making them wait indefinitely to be paid for seperate occasions. getting any overtime pay, no matter what
their efforts. CSEA Local 402 has Says Local President Robert Nurse: management tries to tell you.”
documented that hundreds of employees are “Management’s excuse on the meal Adds Nurse:”We don’t need any more e
owed thousands of dollars dating back over allowance problem was that the person who explanations, we need the money. What
a period of months. handled the vouchers quit and a backlog burns me up is that this administration
The union also charges that even when the grew while they were bringing someone new expects people to work overtime even
employees are paid overtime wages, the onboard- but that’s been taken care of for though they have no idea if or when they’ll
paychecks do not specify the dates worked _ some time and we still have the get paid. Of course if anyone refused to
so that it becomes difficult for employees to problem.” work, the administration would be sure to
keep track of how much they are still owed. ~ CSEA recently submitted a list of over 66 bring them up on charges and fine them.”
There are also inconsistencies in overtime members from just one unit who are owed “The facility’s very good at taking money
meal allowance checks. Employees are not hundreds of dollars of overtime pay for away from employees, but when it comes to
receiving them within the same time-frame January. The administration threw it back paying them what they’ve earned, they e
as their overtime pay, even though a in their face telling them that everyone on conveniently foul up.””
The Public Sector (445010) is published every other
Sautic Monday by The Civil Service Employees Association,
$$ 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
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e
2 THE PUBLIC SECTOR June 16, 1986

Solidarity restores Elmira jobs

ELMIRA — Union solidarity. It’s alive,
it’s well and it’s effective in Elmira.

Just ask the 10 city employees who
were laid off despite strong protests only
to see their jobs contracted out to two
private local agencies.

CSEA refused to accept the city’s claim
that insurmountable budget problems
prompted the layoff of the 10 Elmira City
CSEA Unit members in January. The
union got particularly incensed when city
officials contracted out park maintenance
work after laying off the 10 city workers
in the Parks and Public Works
Department.

CSEA responded with a series of
informational picket lines, a press
conference, a hard-hitting letter writing
campaign to local newspapers, the filing
of two grievances, and a confrontation

‘Thumbs up” to
those who refused
to “knuckle under’’

with city council members. Chemung
County Local 808 and union regional
officials and staff gave substance to the
solidarity surrounding the campaign to
restore the employees to their jobs.

Elmira Unit President Jack Wood Sr.,
assisted by CSEA Field Representative
Jim Hennerty, filed a pair of grievances,
claiming the private agencies were
performing work that otherwise would
have been performed by employees who
had lost their jobs. At a City Council
confrontation, Wood cited other decisions
upholding CSEA’s position that work
cannot be contracted out until all workers
had been rehired.

The city, in the face of intensifying
pressure from all points, recanted its
decision to contract out the work. By
early April the city began rehiring the

laid off employees, and all have been
restored except for one person out on
compensation.

“T’d like to thank Field Rep Jim
Hennerty, my fellow unit officers and
every unit member who had the courage
to stand with us during the fight to save
those jobs,” said Wood. “That’s what
unionism is all about, really, and the
Elmira City Unit is one helluva group.
I’m proud to be a part of it!”

Lattimer says agency sent list of card signers to employers

°| NLRB accused of violating

By Ron Wofford
CSEA Communications Associate

BUFFALO—CSEA Western Region 6
President Robert L. Lattimer has blasted
the Buffalo office of the National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) following two
instances in which the names of
employees seeking to join CSEA were sent
to their employer.

e Lattimer called
it ‘unconscionable
that the NLRB,
the agency
charged with
protecting
workers’ rights,
would violate the
sacred trust of

mt y secrecy in an

e “es organizing effort.”

/ “The NLRB is

supposedly a

neutral party, but

their actions have
possibly.
jeopardized the
livelihoods of
these employees,

Lattimer

June 16, 1986

(Ea ete Nk rer EN) ACMI DD iO OEE PFs

who may feel retribution from possibly
anti-union employers. Are they

(the NLRB) living in a cocoon? Don’t
they understand what union organizing is
all about?” asked Lattimer.

On two occasions last month, Lattimer
said, “the NLRB mistakenly sent lists of
names of workers who had signed the
union authorization cards to their
employers at the agency where CSEA is
attempting to organize employees.

The facilities were identified as the
Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health
Center in Buffalo and the Friendship
House Community Center in Lackawanna.
The regional director of the NLRB has
acknowledged the lists were sent to the
agencies as the result of clerical error.
CSEA is attempting to organize 140
employees at the two locations.

“One mistake is bad enough,”’ said
Lattimer, “but it’s compounding
ineptitude for this to have happened a sec-
ond time!” Lattimer has sent a letter to
NLRB headquarters in Washington
requesting an investigation into what
occurred at the Buffalo office. “Federal
law prohibits employers from punishing

‘sacred trust of secrecy’
in CSEA organizing drive

workers for attempting to form a union,
but that’s only on paper. In reality, we
know that it happens, especially when
there are anti-union sentiments on the part
of management,” Lattimer stated.

An angry Lattimer noted that ‘besides
possibly jeopardizing the jobs of those
employees who signed cards with the
trust that their names would not be given
to or known by the employer, the NLRB
action also jeopardizes the organizing
efforts of Region 6 Organizer Tom Mullen,
who has been quite active in garnering
CSEA authorization signature cards
throughout the region.”

_At CSEA’s request, the regional NLRB
director has sent letters explaining what
happened, and assuring union officials
that the secrecy of the ballots in elections
will be safeguarded.

But Lattimer says he has no intention of
letting the matter stop there. “This is
inefficiency and incompetence at its
worst, and it’s typical of the Reagan
Administration’s attitude toward
organized labor. I wish there were some
way we could have this agency
disbanded,”’ he said.

3

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

POUGHKEEPSIE — A 20-cent per hour
pay hike per year could increase salaries
as much as 22% over the life of a new
three-year contract for Poughkeepsie
School District hourly cafeteria workers.
Salaried cafeteria employees will receive
an increase of $475 retroactive to July 1,
1985; $450 on July 1 of this year; and $425
next year, according to CSEA Field

-Qd Contract News

Pact = Across the board gains

Representative John Deyo.

The recently ratified agreement also
provides for a 5-cent increase in mileage
allowance and a health insurance buy-out
plan.

In addition, the school district will
continue to contribute 100% of the cost of
the health insurance premium.

Pay hiked 18%,
contract OK’d

NORTH CASTLE — CSEA Library Unit
members here have ratified a three-year
agreement that will increase salaries by
18% over the life of the contract.

According to Region 3 Field
Representative Dolores Tocci, members
will receive 7% pay hikes retroactive to
January 1, 6% next year, and 5% in 1988.

In addition, the contract provides for an
increase in longevity pay, vision car for
employees working 17 hours or more,
Martin Luther King Day off, increased
sick leave and unused personal leave
added to sick leave accruals.

“T’m really happy we have a three-year
agreement. It’s a good settlement” said
Unit President Theresa Havelka. ‘Dolores
was our inspiration and our support.”

Pictured with Unit President
Havelka, left, is Unit Secretar Therese
Pier. Standing is Region 3 Field
Representative Dolores Tocci.

their salaries 6% per year plus increments.

years.

Local 844, is retroactive to July 1.

Local 844 President Frank Bosco.

4

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

improvements

WEST NYACK — 78 CSEA members working for Rockland
County BOCES recently ratified a contract that will increase

The three-year agreement also provides for an out-of-title
clause, double time pay for weekend security work, an additional
sick day for bus drivers and an added longevity step after 20

The contract, which covers clerical and maintenance
workers, and bus drivers who are members of Rockland County

Standing from left are Region 3 Field Representaive Larry
Natoli; Unit Vice President Gloria Heffler; Unit President Al
Cooperman; Jeanette Walsh; Maurice Schassler; and Rockland

Rockland County BOCES
unit boosted by big contract

Blue collar workers will receive a pay
hike of $850 per year for the three-years
and entry level salaries will increase by
$600 retroactive to July 1, 1985; $750 as of
July 1 of this year; and $750 effective July
1, 1987.

In addition, bus drivers and mechanics
will receive a differential of $250 for the
current school year.

Seniority the key,
as CSEA wins better

benefits standoff

CENTRAL VALLEY — CSEA members
who work in the Monroe-Woodbury School
District overwhelmingly ratified their new
two-year contract that retains key
seniority rights and increases salaries for
120 employees.

Members earlier had rejected a
contract that would have given the school
district discretion in assigning bus runs to
drivers, regardless of their seniority
status.

According to CSEA Collective
Bargaining Specialist Joseph O’Connor,
the new agreement “upholds the integrity
of the former contract. The union’s
objectives have been achieved.”

In addition to seniority rights, the new
contract provides for salary increases of
6% retroactive to July 1; and 6.5% effective
July 1 of this year for bus drivers.

Custodians, grounds and maintenance
employees and mechanics will receive 7%
pay hikes retroactive to July 1; and 7.5%
as of July 1 of this year.

Longevity payments will also be
increased and employees who work at
least 6 hours per day are guaranteed fully
paid medical benefits.

June 16, 1986

Mt ma 4

Supplemental life
pays for 12th year

About 26,000 CSEA members who participate in the
Supplemental Life Insurance Plan received dividend check
totaling more than $470,000 recently.

Basic group life to
pay out $2 million

Two million dollars in dividend checks will be mailed
later this month to participants in the Basic Group Life
Insurance Plan, it has been announced by CSEA President
William L. McGowan. To be eligible, a member must have
participanted for the entire distribution year ending Nov. 1, CSEA members have received dividend checks under the
1985. Supplemental Life Plan for the past 12 years, a total of

This refund of contributions is the sixth consecutive 200 ores Hat peviod:

dividend, and will be distributed to 65,318 members enrolled
in the Basic Group Life Insurance Plan.

Any questions concerning this refund should be directed
to the CSEA Insurance Department, 143 Washington Avenue,
Box 7125, Capitol Station, Albany, N.Y. 12224. Be sure to
include your social security number on all correspondence.

ical The Supplemental Life Plan is administered by Jardine
| Insurance Brokers Inc. and enables members to apply for as
much as $100,000 of insurance protection at the union’s low
group premium rates. The plan also provides coverage for
member’s spouses and children. A special offer on spouse
insurance is included with this year’s dividend check.

Make your pledge to
and make a big winner |

CSEA is sponsoring “TEAM CSEA” in the 3rd Biennial PEOPLE Fun Run on Thursday, June 26 in
conjunction with AFSCME’s biennial delegates convention in Chicago. CSEA, which pioneered the PEOPLE
RUN to help raise funds for AFSCME?’s legislative and political action arm, hopes to enter the most Fun Run
participants and raise the most funds during the event.

 ) Delegates attending the AFSCME convention are being
encouraged to walk or run in the event to raise funds for
PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative
Equality). Each entrant must obtain a mimimum of $35 in Name:
voluntary PEOPLE pledges to be eligible to compete. y set

Address:
ALL CSEA MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLEDGE A
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO HELP SPONSOR “TEAM
CSEA” DELEGATES IN THE FUN RUN. Please complete the
adjacent form and forward with your pledge IMMEDIATELY
@ to: Civil Service Employees Assn., PEOPLE Department, 143
Washington Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12210.

| PLEDGE TO “‘TEAM CSEA’’ FOR PEOPLE

State:

City:
CSEA Local —
[]$1

CSEA Region
[]$2.00 [ ]$5.00

[ 1.50 [ 1 $1.50 [ ] Other

All pledges received after the Fun Run will still be forwarded
to PEOPLE in CSEA’s name.

I
‘
Make checks payable to: PEOPLE i
|

}4

For proposed resolutions and constitution amendments

Annual meeting deadlines listed

CSEA Statewide Secretary Irene Carr has
issued a reminder that anyone wishing to submit
proposed resolutions and/or amendments to the
union’s Constitution and By-Laws for
consideration by delegates to CSEA’s annual
meeting in October must conform to deadlines to
do so,

Proposed amendments to the Constitution must
be submitted in writing to the statewide
secretary at least 90 days prior to the start of the
annual meeting, and proposed resolutions must
be submitted in writing to the statewide
secretary at least 60 days prior to the start of the
annual meeting.

CSEA’s annual delegates meeting will begin on
Oct. 26 in Niagara Falls.

CONSTITUTION CHANGES

Proposed amendments to the union’s

June 16, 1986

Constitution and By-Laws must be submitted in
writing to Secretary Carr at least 90 days prior to
the opening of the delegates meeting. Constitution
amendments must be approved by a majority of
delegates voting at the annual meeting, published
in the union’s official newspaper at least 10 days
prior to the next annual meeting, and approved
at a second annual meeting by at least a two-
thirds vote of the delegates before becoming
effective.

Proposed amendments to the Constitution and
By-Laws must be submitted to Secretary Carr
prior to July 28 to be considered at this year’s
annual meeting.

RESOLUTIONS
Proposed resolutions to be considered by the
delegates must be submitted to Secretary Carr

by Aug. 26, 60 days prior to the start of the
annual meeting, to be considered.

The statewide secretary will forward proposed
resolutions to a Resolutions Committee for their
consideration and recommendations, which will
be published in the union’s official newspaper at
least 15 days prior to the beginning of the annual
meeting. Resolutions which do not comply with
the deadline can be presented for action to the
delegate body only upon the approval of two-
thirds of the delegates present at the annual
meeting.

The Resolutions Committee is a 12-member
body consisting of one delegate from each CSEA
region appointed by the statewide president and
one delegate from each region appointed by the

region president.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Ralph Distin

Ralph W. Distin, a graphic
artist/typographer in CSEA’s
Communications Department and a
multiple award-winning cartoonist for The

Set special
election for
18 vacant
Board seats

E ighteen vacancies on CSEA’s
statewide Board of Directors will be filled
by a special election scheduled to start
June 30.

Under the union’s open election
procedures, any member in good standing
can have his or her name placed on a
ballot by obtaining the required number
of CSEA member signatures on an official
petition form.

In the State Division, a candidate needs
petitions signed by not less than 10
percent of eligible voters in the agency or
department he or she wishes to represent.
Not more than 450 signatures are
required.

In the Local Government Division, a
candidate needs petitions signed by not
less than 10 percent of eligible voters in
the Local he or she wishes to represent.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

6

Civil Service Employees Assn.

“Outstanding Employee of Year

Public Sector, has been selected CSEA’s
“Outstanding Employee of the Year” by a
special joint labor management
committee.

Not more than 450 signatures are
required.

The union’s statewide Election
Committee will oversee the balloting
which will be conducted by the
Independent Election Corporation of
America (IECA), Lake Success, N.Y.

CSEA’s Board of Directors has adopted
the following election schedule:

JUNE 30—Nominations open. Petitions
available from CSEA regional offices
and CSEA Headquarters.

JULY 31—Final day for nominating
petitions to be received at CSEA
Headquarters. Deadline is 5:00 p.m.

AUGUST 28—Last day to decline
nomination and to make changes in name
spellings.

SEPTEMBER 4—Drawing for ballot
position.

Distin, a 17-year veteran with the
union’s professional staff, specializes in
graphic design, typography and layout of
virtually all CSEA publications, literature
and material produced in-house. He also
creates editorial cartoons for The Public
Sector and has won numerous awards in
international journalism competition for
his artistic creativity.

He was nominated for the ‘‘Outstanding
Employee” award by several fellow
employees for his ability to perform at
peak levels despite a heavy workload; for
consistently meeting deadlines; for his
willingness to assist others in any way
possible; and for maintaining a pleasant
and positive attitude.

Distin attended Pratt Institute in
Brooklyn, received an Associate Degree in
Liberal Arts from Russell Sage Junior
College in Albany, and a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Literature from Harpur
College (SUNY Binghamton).

He, his wife Karen, and their two
children, Matthew, 14, and Kelly, 10,
reside in the Columbia County community
of Old Chatham.

SEPTEMBER 8 — Names, photos and
candidate statements printed in 'The
Public Sector.

SEPTEMBER 22—Official ballots
mailed.

SEPTEMBER 29—Replacement ballots
available from IECA.

OCTOBER 7—Ballots must be returned
by noon. Ballots will be counted and
results announced.

OCTOBER 17—Election protest period
ends.

In order to be eligible, a candidate must
have been a member in good standing of
CSEA since June 1, 1985 and continuously
paid membership dues since then. In
addition, he or she cannot be a member of
a competing labor organization and must
not be prohibited from holding office
under a penalty imposed by the CSEA
statewide Judicial Board.

June 16, 1986

99

a

Arbitrary searches violate rights

Sign of going too far

STATEN ISLAND — CSEA has won a
year long battle for employee civil rights
at South Beach Psychiatric Center, but
the victory means that all public
employees can breathe a little easier.

An arbitrator has ruled that a sign
posted by the South Beach management
threatening discipline against employees
refusing to submit to body searches when
entering the grounds violates the Public
Employees Fair Employment Act. CSEA
had filed the Improper Practice charges
last June.

“From the start we said this was an
arbitrary action that smacked of ‘Big
Brother is watching you’ insists CSEA Re-
gion 2 President George Boncoraglio.
“The arbitrator’s decision backs up our
position that management can’t just go
and violate people’s rights on a whim.”

The CSEA leader commented: “‘You’d
think it would be obvious to management
that creating a seige mentality in the
workplace doesn’t help employee morale
or productivity.”

Adds South Beach Local 446 President
Peter Antico: “It’s ridiculous that we had
to go through all this with the
management just so our members
wouldn’t have to feel threatened every
time they passed through the gate on
their way in to work.”

According to CSEA Attorney Dona
Bullock, winning the Improper Practice
charge against South Beach is a boost for
CSEA in its ongoing legal struggles with
the state over employee search and
seizure rights. ‘‘This situation was unique
because the facility actually put up a
billboard that was clearly intended to
intimidate employees-they can’t do that
anymore.”

The state tried to argue that they had
the right to post the sign without
consulting the union because it was
targeted at the general public as well as
employees. The arbitrator rejected this
defense however, pointing out that the
threat of disciplinary actions could only
be applied against employees.

The state also claimed that the
billboard’s message was just a reflection
of a policy already in effect-one that had
never before been challenged by the union

On a clear day
you can check

the contract .

EAST WILLISTON — The sun shone on
custodians from the CSEA unit here,
recently, when they won a contract griev-
ance regarding inclement weather pay.

Last February, the East Williston School

District was closed as a result of heavy

June 16, 1986

CSEA calls foul at South Beach PC

‘They're grabbing power to search
whoever they want

STATE OF NEW YORK
‘SOUTH BEACH PSYCHIATRIC CENTER
Fok THE PROTECTION OF THE PATINTS
AND EMPLOYEES, PERSONS OR VEHICLES:
COMING ON 10 THESE GROUNDS MAYBE
SEARCHED OR HAVE AKY PACKAGE OR
CONTAINER THEY ARE CARING MSPECTED,
FAILURE TO COOPERATE MAY RESULT IN
DENIAL OF ADMISSION OR OTHER OX
CCPLNARY ACTION.

CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION—South Beach Psychiatric Center Local
446 President Peter Antico stands beside a sign that's causing
some fuss. CSEA is pursuing an improper practice charge claiming
that the recently posted statement amounts to a carte blanche

to search all employees and guests at management's whim.

whenever they want’

CSEA Communications Associate
By Steve Madarasz
STATEN ISLAND—It’s humiliating enough to be stripped of your civil
rights, but it's worse when the offender an it to the world.

ter posted
ie grounds
contends

Without warning last May, South Beach
a sign at its entran: that anyone entering
could be subject to a ‘h without any justification. CSE
the policy is tion of civil rights and constitutes an improper practice.
The union has been fighting for the sign's removal since that time

vehi

This is avery basic issue" insists Region Il President George
Boncoraglio, "South Beach says they have the right to do this for the
‘protection of the patients and employees’ but they're really grabbing
the power to search whoever they want, whenever they want

Boncoraglio b nere are grounds for suspecting
a breach of security, South Beach management is violating the
constitutional right against illegal search and seizure.

Adds Local 446 President Peter Antico: “This is a policy that's being
selectively enforced. There's no consistency and certainly management
isn't being subjected to the same treatment our peopie are facing.”

Although CSEA has filed_an IP over the issue with the Public
Employee Relations Board, PERB has asked at a prehearing that the
charge be withdrawn, They contend that under a similar recent ruling
management does have the right to search persons entering and leaving
state facilities

However, Boncoraglio points out that the PERB decision was based
on circumstances at a state warehouse facility and are different in that
the psych center case involved search of packages, not personal body
searches. He said he is demanding a clarification and a resolution

ARBITRATOR TO STATE: SOUTH BEACH SIGN VIOLATES EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

. .. THREATS MUST STOP . . . CSEA has been upheld in Improper Practice charges
that South Beach Psychiatric Center overstepped its bounds in posting a sign claiming
the right to search anyone entering the facility. The issue, first covered by the Public
Sector last year is called a “big boost” for CSEA in its ongoing legal struggles over

search and seizure rights.

— but that claim was also rejected
because the state did not produce any
evidence that it had a consistent policy.

Although a recent Public Employee
Relations Board decision has upheld the
state’s right to search employee packages
when leaving facility premises in some
circumstances, as a way of protecting its
property, the arbitrator stated that ruling
does not apply to the South Beach
situation:

“The state’s interest in the discovery of
theft . . . does not outweigh the predominate
employee interest in personal searches. Nor
is (it) . . . applicable to the search of persons,
parcels, or vehicles entering the center.”

weather. The night custodial crew was
excused and the rest of the unit reported to
work early to begin snow removal.

At noon, the superintendent of buildings
and grounds dismissed the employees, who

@ © would normally have worked until 4 o’clock.

When the paychecks came in, the

members realized they had been paid double
time from the time they came in until noon,

and then regular time from noon to four.

“We filed a contract grievance because
the contract states that the rate of pay is

Bullock points out “It’s one thing to have
inspection of vehicles and packages leaving
the grounds, but when you get into body
searches, going or coming, the whole issue
changes. This decision insures that the union
have input on the development of policy in
that area ... in other words, if a facility
wants to get into body searches, it’s a man-
datory subject of negotiation with the union.”

Adds CSEA Field Representative Marcia
Schiowitz, who filed the original IP: “I’m
glad we pursued this case because we knew
what they were doing was wrong and now
we’ve been able to strengthen the rights of
employees rather than let management strip
them of every shred of privacy.”

double time until four p.m.” said CSEA
Field Representative Harold Krangle.
The matter was settled in the members’
favor prior to going to arbitration. ‘‘I feel
good about the settlement. We were going
according to the contract and when the
superintendent of schools looked into the
matter, he agreed to pay us the double
time” said Unit President Gilbert King.
“Superintendent Darrell Lund has dealt
with the situation fairly and the members
will get the double time pay they deserve”

adds Krangle.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Way to go

Judge: leave alone
their sick leave

CALLICOON — A Supreme Court judge has upheld an arbitrator’s
decision to restore sick leave accruals to two CSEA members
employed by the Highway Department.

According to Unit President Tom Schmidt, he and co-worker Ralph
Neer were injured in a work-related accident and were forced to use
accrued sick leave although it had been a past practice for the town not
to charge such time to the worker.

Following Arbitrator Earle Warren Zaidin’s decision to restore the

time to Schmidt and Neer based on past practice, town officials took
their case to the Supreme Court.

Justice Harold J. Hughes rejected the town’s petition to overturn
the arbitrator’s decision pointing out that the arguments attacking his
interpretation of the language of the contract “were not sufficient basis
to set aside the award.”

Schmidt praised the efforts of CSEA Attorney Barton Bloom, who
he says “did a super job.”

“The town highway workers commend Barton Bloom and we have
the highest regard for him as he has won cases for us in the past,” said
Schmidt.

School district solidarity

BOHEMIA — The Connetquot School District budget passed by 15
votes recently, due to the efforts of CSEA members in that unit.

“Tt was definitely the CSEA members who made the difference,”
stated CSEA Unit President Pat Kornely. ‘We canvassed the area and
handed out leaflets to the people in the community. We also defeated a
proposition for a seven-member school board.”

that

AND THE OTHER THING

We care |

CSEA is a union that cares. That’s what
people on Long Island discovered recently
when, despite rainy weather, Region I
members turned out in droves and helped
raise part of the $746,000 total for the recent
March of Dimes WalkAmerica there. In photo
at right, Region I President Danny Donohue,
left, displays a T-shirt worn in the event by
CSEA members who kept smiling right on
through the rain.

For services rendered

CSEA Field Representative Ron King, left, and BOCES Unit President
Thelma Shaw present Tom Zaleski with a certificate and a plaque at a
ceremony marking his retirement after 19 years of service in West-
hampton.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Honorable mention

Ten years later, he went to work

“41 t goes by fast,” said Stanle’
e ° _ in the barber shop. “The only

Glowatz of his 44 years of employ-

ment with the Middletown
Psychiatric Center.

Glowatz, honored recently by
co-workers at a retirement party,
began working at the facility in
1942.

qualification you needed was to be
able to use a straight razor,” he
explained.

Glowatz recalled the ‘‘good old
days” when he cared for a ward of
120 patients with his co-workers.
“Those were the days before tran-
quilizers,”’ he noted. ‘‘You had to
subdue the patients and use
restraints.”

Other changes are apparent
also. These days the patients have
more freedom, he said. ‘‘They can
come and go as they please and
they wear street clothes instead of
work clothes.”

The new retiree says he looks
forward to spending the summer
at the Jersey shore and would like
to travel with his wife, Doris, in
the fall.

June 16, 1986

L AKE PLACID — Nearly 400

delegates representing CSEA locals from
throughout the state were on hand for the
annual Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial
Local Government Workshop here May 30
to June 1.

The weekend mini-convention packed a
busy schedule of seminars, discussions,
exhibits and information tables
showcasing the union’s services and
benefits for members. A highlight of the
event was a keynote speech by AFSCME
International President Gerald McEntee
who told activists ‘‘American labor is
changing its way of doing business in this
country.

“We can’t afford any more PATCOs,
Greyhounds, Phelp Dodges. We can’t
afford to lose any more battles.”

McEntee’s address (see related story,
page 10) captured the spirit of the
workshop where CSEA staff and delegates
discussed a variety of topics related to
maintaining and gaining workers’ rights
through unionism.

Seminars focused on the issues such as:
“Using Our Past to Strengthen Our
Future,” “Developing Your Unit’s
Negotiating Strategy,” ‘Turning the Tide

June 16, 1986

THE
LAKE PLACID
HI LTON
WELCOMES
PCSEA
LOCAL
GOVERNMENT

Workshop
coverage
Pages 9-12

»

MARY E. SULLIVAN,
Local Government
Executive Committee
chairwoman.

= i? J

on Organizing,” and “Protecting Yourself
as a Leader.”

Other seminars dealt with the topics of
health and safety on the job, when and how
to settle in negotiations, and creating a
good media image for the union.

A general business session held on

A.

Sunday included presentations on the
progress of the comparable worth
project, the social services project and
the Fair Labor Standards Act. Mary
Sullivan, chairwoman of the Local
Government Executive Committee,
presided over the session.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKSHOP DELEGATES Art Howell, president of Steuben
County Local 851, and Virginia Hickox, vice president.

9

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Building a positive union image _,

Pp. image building communication
ideas were the main feature of a three-
hour workshop entitled ‘‘A Look In The
Mirror” put on by the CSEA
Communications and Education and
Training Departments.

After viewing the slide show, ‘‘Unions,
the Media and Public Opinion,” the 40
participants from local government units
throughout New York state reviewed
positive image programs untilized by the
Communications Department.

1 0 THE PUBLIC SECTOR

McEntee:

We’re on
the road to
recovery

U... as his theme ‘tough times

don’t last, but tough people do,” AFSCME
President Gerald McEntee told 400
activists here that the American labor
movement is ‘“‘on the road to recovery.”

McEntee’s optimism is based on a self
appraisal being done by the AFL-CIO
which he describes as “‘the most intensive
self-analysis ever made by a major
democratic institution.”

CSEA PRESIDENT
William L. McGowan
with Yates County Local
862 President Dale Axtel.

CSEA STATEWIDE
SECRETARY Irene Carr
addresses delegates.

He explained that in 1983 the AFL-CIO
created a Committee on the Evolution of
Work which did a study that was
“entirely concerned with the realities of
the world in which unions exist.” It
analyzed the many changes taking place
in the nation’s economy and examine@®
such issues as the continuing shortfall of
jobs and declining real wages.

Later, the committee spoke out about
the changing situation of workers and
their unions.

The AFL-CIO openly acknowledged that
“the labor movement must demonstrate
that union representation is the best @
available means for working people to
express their individuality on the job and
their desire to control their own working
lives, and that unions are democratic
institutions controlled by their members,
and that we have not been sufficiently
successful on either score.”

McEntee explained: ‘Simply put the
problem was that labor was losing mog:
members than we’d been organizing —
and also that it was tough to get even
existing members interested in union

“The CSEA institutional ad campaign
‘Public Employees Where Would You Be
Without Them,’ had three separate
messages in it,’’ CSEA Communications
Associate Dan Campbell told the audience.
“One was a message of identification.
Another was pride. CSEA is proud of its
members and this commercial showed
that pride. The last message was the vast
amount of invisible services public
employees provide to the public. Cut
public employee jobs, those invisible
services disappear and then the taxpayer
is upset.”

The concept of a public employee cable
television show using the P.M. Magazine
format was also discussed as was a
history of labor unions program for middle
school and high school students.

“Tt’s very important to established the
lines of communications with the press ing
a positive manner,” Aaron Shepard,
Director of Communications, told the
audience. ‘‘Get to know the media
representatives who will be covering you
if a positive or negative situation
develops,””

June 1

affairs until there was a deadlock in
negotiations or talk of a strike.

“It seemed that just about everything
labor had tried over the past decade or
more hadn’t seemed to work. We lost the
f@ht on PATCO, on Greyhound, on
Phelps-Dodge and others.”

In the face of these defeats, McEntee
notes “We could have copped a plea. We
could have cited a large number of
reasons to justify poor performance.”
But, he adds: “that would have been an
exercise in futility.

@'‘So this time, despite the many
difficulties, history is being made in the
American labor movement, and to me the
prime reason has been a change in the
way organized labor does business.”

He listed such innovations as:

*An agreement by the AFL-CIO to
select specific negotiating targets so that
“‘@e full strength of the federation and all
its constituent unions will be applied
during the collective bargaining
process,or — should it be necessary — a

CSEA STATEWIDE TREASURER Barbara Fauser talks with
Tom Gillot, president of the BOCES Unit of Franklin County
Local 817.

1986

DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING Larry
Scanlon talks at a workshop with
Sean Egan, president of Ulster
County Local 856.

SUFFOLK EDUCATIONAL LOCAL
870 President Mike Curtin speaks
with CSEA Executive Vice President
Joseph E. McDermott at a booth in
the exhibit hall.

strike.”

“Efforts by unions to sponsor publicity
campaigns to tell their side of the story
and “not just our side of a confrontation,
but labor’s historic role in building
America.”

*Establishing a national office to help
unions run corporate campaigns ‘“‘in effect
to battle companies not only on the picket
line but in their boardrooms.’”

*A new procedure using ‘‘umpires’’ to
prevent unions from fighting each other
when organizing new workers.

*Developing new types of membership
offering new kinds of benefits (such as
credit cards with the lowest possible
interest rate) ‘‘to utilize the vast
consumer power that 13 million members
can bring to an organization.”

The AFSCME leader emphasizes: ‘“‘We
have no alternatives.

“Not with what we’re all up against.

“We're fighting big business, fighting
the multi-nationals, fighting the
professional union busters, fighting the

Gerald McEntee

ideological government busters ‘‘and he
reminds CSEA’s leadership ‘“‘We’ve all
come to find out that when they talk about
guns or butter, what they’re really talking
about is our meat and potatoes.”

REGION 6 DIRECTOR Bob Massey, sitting, answers some
questions from Tim Anderson, president of Cattaraugas County
Local 805, and his wife Karen, secretary.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 1

SN

|
|
|
|
|
]

Get organized

W.. can be done to stem the tide of lost elections for
union certification?

That was the question posed to participants in a workshop
entitled ‘Turning the Tide,” presented by CSEA Director of
Organizing Larry Scanlon and Region 6 Organizer Tom
Mullen.

Mullen pointed out that organizing is the responsiblity of
all members.

“A few people on a committee can’t do it by themselves.
The task of organizing has to be shared by one and all, and
you can derive leads from union activists and field staff,”’ he
said.

Still, a membership comittee is the hub of the organizing
effort in any unit, he noted. Among other things, the role of
the committee should include:

¢ recruiting new members or agency shop workers;

¢ maintaining membership records;

¢ orientating new employees;

¢ explaining member benefits;

¢ developing a membership kit for new members.

DIRECTOR OF FIELD SERVICES Paul Burch has an informal
talk with union leaders. Pictured, from left, are Burch, Region 1
Director Ross Hanna, Region 2 President George Boncoraglio,
Region 1 President Danny Donohue, and Region 4 President C.

Allen Mead.

[a

12

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

POLITICAL ACTION’S PEOPLE COORDINATORS show off their stuff, from left:
Doris Pratz, Region 5; Marie Prince, Region 6; Sue Waltz, Region 4; Cheryl Sheller,
Statewide; and Mark Neimeiser, AFSCME.

EAP GETS SOME ATTENTION from Cathy Green, Suffolk
Local 852 Executive Board, and Aileen Ronayne, Town of
Babylon Unit.

REGION 5 PRESIDENT Jim Moore, center, makes a point with
Region 5 Secretary Helen Hanlon and Anthony Muscatiello,
president of James E. Christian Health Department Local 664.

June 16, 1986

eCSEA: Action overdue

State orders

shutdown of

shelter;
*Clemente to

return as park

By Stephen Madarasz
CSEA Communications Associate

BRONX — CSEA officials are
@ applauding a state Health Department or-
der to stop the use of Roberto Clemente
State Park as a shelter for the homeless.
The action means the Park should soon
return to full use as a recreational
facility.

The shelter opening was first described
as a temporary emergency arrangement
between the state and the City of New
York. But that was nearly three years ago

@ and members of CSEA Local 010 who
work at the park had long begun to won-
der if the operation had become
permanent.

In a November 1985 letter to Governor
Mario Cuomo and a December 1985
feature in the Public Sector, CSEA had
contended that it was inappropriate to
house hundreds of men, women, and
children on a gym floor. Originally shelter
residents were families who had been
burned out or evicted from their homes
and were awaiting resettlement by the
City’s Human Resources Administration.

But CSEA members contended that over
time it was clear that street people, many
with alcohol and drug problems, were also
being moved in. The letter to the
Governor, signed by CSEA

@ representatives expressed serious concern
for the deteriorating conditions at the
facility and the safety and welfare of
residents and employees.

Although members never received a
formal response, the City recently
addressed these concerns in announcing a
new policy of attempting to place the
homeless according to need- seperating
individuals with drug or alcohol problems

® from the general population and keeping
families together in non-barracks type

results.

Budget Advisory Committee.

injustice.”

June 16, 1986

BOHEMIA — When the hours of two of the attendance aides in
the Connetquot School District were cut, CSEA Unit President
Pat Kornely took the issue directly to the Board of Education for

Kornely, who was supported by over 100 CSEA members- as
well as many members of the community-asked about the
justification for cutting the hours of these vital employees.

The planned cutback was based on the recommendation of the

“We are willing to support your proposed budget, but we need
support from you, too” she said. “These attendance aide positions
have been cut from 40 to 19 and *2 hours. This is a terrible

FRIDAY, MA Y 9, 1986

A DISSERVICE TO EVERYONE ...CSEA members at Roberto Clemente State Park
have been caught in the middle over the past 3 years watching community use dwindle
while families were housed like refugees on a gym floor. But improvement is on the

way.

shelters.

The December 1985 Sector story made
CSEA’s case that continued use of the
park as a shelter allowed the City to avoid
the real issue of finding decent, affordable
housing for the families stuck in the
shelter.

At the same time, the union pointed out
that the facility was not built to
accomodate so many people on a
residential basis. It was also noted that
programming and community use of the
facility dropped significantly after the
shelter opened.

These same issues were raised in the
state’s decision to close the facility as a
shelter.

That decision was made by Social
Services Commissioner Cesar Perales
after a Health Department inspection
cited ‘imminent and immediate health
hazards, including no appropriate fire

The facts speak for themselves...

“Fortunately, after I made the speech, the board listened to
more discussion . . . once they understood the role these
employees play, they also opposed cutting the hours” Kornely

explained.

principals.

exits from the sleeping area and improper
storage and preparation of food.

Perales has stated however, that the
facility is in compliance with fire codes
for a recreational building, but not as a
residence. He added that rennovations
could be made to allow the shelter to stay
open. But he told the New York Times:
“Tf the city made the repairs and changes
this would no longer be a gym or a park.
And I am saying we are not going to turn
this gym into a permanent shelter .. .”

Says CSEA Region 2 President George
Boncoraglio: ‘“The state is saying the
right things about the intolerable
conditions at Roberto Clemente- things
CSEA’s been saying all along- but now we
have to see if they’re really going to act
on what’s wrong.”’

A specific timetable for relocating all of
the present occupants has not yet been
established.

Attendance Aides are responsible for dealing with the students
and their families on a one to one basis. They must often make
home visits and also go to court when there are family problems.
These employees work hand in hand with the school district

Kornely said it is due to the diligent efforts of these employees
that attendance in the Connequot district is on the rise, resulting
in more state aid for the district.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 3

AA io

“Central’’ CSEA programs

Pair of fairs:
A healthy

SYRACUSE — A pair of recent CSEA-
sponsored health fairs for union members
at Syracuse City Hall and at Willow Point
Nursing Home in Broome County are part
of what CSEA Region 5 President James
Moore calls ““CSEA’s commitment to
keeping its members well informed and
healthy’’.

The back to back events provided
members an opportunity to have their
blood pressure checked, learn about the
latest developments in CSEA’ public
employee health and safety efforts, or
have their eyes examined for glaucoma.

Said Kery Nestle, a food service helper
at Willow Point: “Promoting health and
safety among the employees is a good
way to help build a solid union base.”

combo

Top, left, CSEA Central
Region Director Frank Mar-
tello fields a question from TV
34 as part of the media focus
on the CSEA events. At left,
Dolores Herrig is busy pass-
ing out CSEA information to
City of Syracuse employees.

Above, left, Mary Sullivan, Region 5 First Vice President ,

reviews some of the information being provided CSEA
members at the Willow Point Health Fair with Broome County
Local 804 President Joan Brower. Meanwhile, food service

workers line up for CSEA.

Job opening Field Rep, OSH Specialist

CSEA is seeking qualified applicants for a -

pair of job openings on the union’s profes-
sion) staff.

The union is seeking a Health and Safety
Specialist to fill a vacancy in the New York
City office; and a Field Representative to
be assigned to the Westchester County area.

The Health and Safety Specialist will ser-
vice the five boroughs by inspecting
worksites for possible health and safety
violations. A working knowledge of federal
and state OSHA standards, Hazardous

14

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Substance Act, and fire and electrical codes
is required.

Minimum qualifications include a
bachelor’s or associate’s degree plus one
year experience in an investigatory or safe-
ty position; or three years experience in
such an occupation.

The Field Representative will be assigned
to the Westchester County area and must
have knowledge of labor relations, especial-
ly in the public sector. Candidates must also
possess the ability to work with union

members and assist them in contract
negotiations and administration; ability to
operate independently and schedule own
caseload is important.

Minimum qualifications include a
bachelor’s degree or three years of respon-
sible work experience in personnel, labor
relations or a related field.

Interested candidates for either position
should send resumes immediately to:
CSEA, Personnel Director. Box 7124,
Capitol Station, Albany, New York, 12224.

June 16, 1986

OSWEGO — In yet another asbestos
bombshell at SUNY Oswego, school officials
shut down and padlocked a gymnasium
building on the campus within two hours of
receiving a consultant’s report on the health
and safety conditions of the facility. The
report found levels of asbestos high enough
to be considered a Level One Priority- the
highest of seven exposure levels.

The consultants had been called in by the
State University’s central administration to
survey all campus buildings for asbestos.
That action came on the heels of CSEA’s
revelation earlier this year that school

® officials had covered up dangerous asbestos
conditions in buildings throughout the
college, placing the health and safety of
students, employees and the general public
in jeopardy.

Although this latest action caught CSEA
officials by surprise, CSEA Local 611
President Dale Dusharm says the college
administration is handling the present crisis

very responsibly. “The administration acted
immediately...everyone’s been moved out of
the building and it’s all locked up. The only
people with access are the fire and safety
technicians and they have to wear asbestos
suits,”’ Dusharm noted.

One of the main reasons why the closing
of the building-Laker Hall — came so
unexpectedly, is that the State Labor
Department recently gave the building a
clean bill of health. “This is just another
example of why we need legislation to
provide better standards when it comes to
asbestos,” claims CSEA Director of
Occupational Safety and Health James
Corcoran.

CSEA contends that the Labor
Department usually takes its tests under the
best possible conditions, in still air, which
may not accurately reflect the true danger
levels. However, the union also concedes
that DOL is operating within legal health
and safety guidelines- pointing up the need

CSEA’s Region 4 Activities Committee has announced it’s remaining
schedule for 1986 trips. Interested individuals should contact the person
listed for complete details relative to specific trips.

DATE(s) DESTINATION

June 26-29 Williamsburg

July 3-5 Thousand Islands

July Riverside Park

July Saratoga Harness,
dinner at Joe Collins

@ July 11-13 Old Orchard Beach

July 19-20 Old Timer’s Day,
Yankee Stadium

July 26 Boston

July 31-Aug. 6 Nashville, Tenn.

Aug. 2-3 Boston Red Sox vs.
j Kansas City
) Aug. 3 Hartford, Jai Alai
| Aug. 5 Vanderbilt Mansion &

| Culniary Inst., Hyde Park
| Aug. 9 Yankees vs. Kansas City
@ Aug. 15-18

Cape Cod
Aug. 17 Mets vs. St. Louis
| Aug. 24-29 Wildwood, N.J.
Aug. 23-Sept.3 EXPO '86
Aug. 23 Mystic Seaport
Sept. Deep Sea Fishing,
Gloucester
Sept. 8-12 Wildwood, N.J.
Sept. 10-19 California
Sept. 13 San Gennaro Feast,
South Street Seaport
@ sept. 18-21 Ogunquit, Me.
Sept. 27-Oct.11 Ireland
Sept. 28-29 Atlantic City, Trump
Oct. 5-6 Reading,Pa. shopping
outlets
Oct. 5-12 Carnival Cruise
| Oct. 9-12 Ottawa
Oct. 18 l-day mystery trip
Oct. 23-25 Reading, Pa. shopping
| outlets
Nov. 2-3 Reading, Pa. shopping
® outlets
Nov. 8 Boston Quincy Market
Nov. 9 Football, NY Giants vs
Eagles
Nov. 15 Fall River, shopping
outlets
Nov. 29 Roosevelt, L.I.,
Flea Market
Dec. 3 New York City
Dec. 8-10 Kelley’s in the Poconos

CONTACT }
Theresa Phillips 283-6196
Theresa Phillips 283-6196
Dennis Haskins 270-1831

Dennis Haskins 270-1831
Betty Ann Pratt 438-5265

Joe Ross 372-6904
Betty Ann Pratt 438-5265
Gerry Darrah 293-6675

Joe Ross 372-6904 |
Terry Fusco 355-8583

Marcy Donnini 237-1865
Mike Rea 377-2181

Betty Ann Pratt 438-5265
Mike Rea 377-2181
Sandy Davis 383-1592
Marcy Donnini 237-1865
Betty Ann Pratt 438-5265

Mike Rea 377-2181

“GIVE US THE TOOLS AND WE’LL DO THE JOB BETTER TOO,” CSEA
Region 2 President George Boncoraglio tells a reporter for public
television’s Metroline program. Boncoraglio said CSEA is furious that the
Department of Motor Vehicles is using prison inmates, in better working
conditions than DMV employees, to answer phone questions from the
public. The interview will air in the New York City area on WNET, Channel
13, on Thursday, June 26 at 10 p.m.

for stricter controls.

“Without tightening things up, we’re going
to continue to see outrageous situations like
this popping up; where DOL will approve a
worksite while a consultant will recommend
immediate shutdown,” adds Corcoran. ‘‘We
have to recognize that the mere presence of
asbestos in the worksite presents a hazard.”

Plans are still being finalized for
removing the asbestos from Laker Hall. But
while that plan may be proceeding with
necessary caution, there is still cause for

some concern on the SUNY Oswego campus.

That’s because the consultants have not yet
completed their asbestos survey of all the
campus buildings.

\ —

Dennis Haskins 270-1831
Linda Bridgewater 456-8037

Betty Ann Pratt 438-5265
Theresa Phillips 283-6196
Joe Ross 372-6904

Theresa Phillips 283-6196

Marcy Donnini 237-1865
Theresa Phillips 283-6196
Marcy Donnini 237-1865
Betty Ann Pratt 438-5265

Theresa Phillips 283-6196

Marcy Donnini 237-1865
Marcy Donnini 237-1865

Joe Ross 372-6904
Theresa Phillips 283-6196

Terry Fusco 355-8583
Terry Fusco 355-8583

e
g
4

Marcy Donnini 237-1865

June 16, 1986

THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 5

CSEA education
programs open doors

Members score big as
good IDEA gets better

ALBANY — Since CSEA established the Institute for
Development, Education, and Advancement— IDEA — in 1985, the
program has helped hundreds of members improve their job
performance, go on to college, and move up in their careers. But,
even with such an impressive record behind it, IDEA has been
studying the needs of CSEA members in recent months to
determine how to do better.

The study involved testing and surveying 800 CSEA members
in 10 different state worksites across New York. Among the
findings was the startling statistic that nearly 80% of those asked,
expressed an interest in sharpening their basic educational skills
— particulary reading and math abilities.

The IDEA program, which is part of the CSEA-New York
State Labor Education Action Program (LEAP), is an outgrowth
of the old high school equivalency program. It goes far beyond
that though. IDEA Coordinator Robert Knower says CSEA’s
interest in running the program stemmed from a desire to
broaden its purpose and provide other educational challenges and
services to its members.

“‘We’ve been successful in doing that because right now most
people in the program are there either to prepare for promotional
examinations or for refresher purposes before going into college
courses.” €

The way IDEA is set up, the program adapts to meet the
specific needs of the individual. There is an open-ended enrollment
and from the start, instructors and participants work together to
determine strengths and weaknesses, set goals and work to reach
them. This is usually accomplished in about 13 weeks and is free

Possible pilot programs in Albany and New York City

to CSEA represented state employees covered by the ASU, ISU,
and OSU contracts.

The results of the recent testing and survey reinforce the
importance of IDEA. They clearly indicate the stronger an
individual’s basic skills, the greater the chances of advancing in
the state workforce. The flipside is that career ladders and
promotional opportunities mean little if employees can’t progress
for lack of these skills.

Yet, these skills can be taught if individuals have the chance
to enroll and make the effort to learn. IDEA tries to make that
part as simple as possible by scheduling classes at worksites and
overlapping shifts to accommodate as much of the workforce as
possible.

While this conveniences many employees, it does not solve the
problems of participation for all. Particularly in the mental health
facilities, staff requirements often interrupt classes or prevent
members from participating. In other circumstances, members
cite home demands, transportation, and exhaustion after work, as
major obstacles.

For these reasons, IDEA has also developed a correspondence
course for members to obtain the benefits of the program at home
on their own time. According to Knower, other ways of simplifying
participation are being looked at based on the survey response.

For CSEA members, IDEA can help open a lot of doors
personally and professionally. But there’s also a bigger picture.
Increased participation means that state will have greater
opportunity to promote from within its own ranks leading to an
even more experienced and capable workforce. That is good news
for all New Yorkers.

LEAP looking or ways to turn your
life experience into college credit

$25 drop-out fee

The LEAP oversight committee has
come up with a common sense idea to
find its proposal to make it easier for
union members to earn college degrees.

Right now, LEAP pays the full tuition
of anyone who attends two of the first

ALBANY — The first meeting of a
special members committee to oversee the
Labor Education Action Program (LEAP)
has launched some bold new ideas.

LEAP offers tuition-free courses at two
and four-year public and private colleges,
BOCES and various state facilities across
New York state. LEAP is open'to CSEA-
represented state employees in the Ad-
ministrative Services, Institutional Ser-
vices and Operational Services units only.

Committee members Anthony Ruggiero,
Gloria Scott, Richard Riley, Claire
McGrath and Tom Warzel recently told
LEAP Director Tom Quimby that they
want to make it easier for participants to
get college degrees. They came to that
conclusion after checking out responses to
a 1985 LEAP survey.

The survey revealed that only a small
percentage of people were actually engag-
ed in a degree program. Meanwhile, there

16

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

are many other people who have a wealth
of on-the-job experience that includes tak-
ing part in various work-related education
and training activities.

The idea was born of finding a way to
turn this credit for life experience into
credits toward a college degree.

Quimby is looking into a pilot program
for the Albany and New York City areas
that will:

% Counsel members toward gaining col-
lege degrees;

% Award college credits based on life ex-
perience; and

+ Award college credits based on prior
knowledge gained by attending seminars,
workshops, etc.

Quimby is now seeking a contractor to
run the program and expects to have pro-
posals in hand by mid-May. He is op-
timistic that an educational institution will
be found to make it easier for union
members to earn college degrees.

three classes even if they drop out later.
Cutting the drop-out rate would produce
the funds needed to sponsor the credit for
life experience program.

Accordingly, the committee has|
decided that anyone who fails to complete
a course after LEAP has paid their
tuition will have to pay a $25 drop-out fee.
The only exception is when
circumstances beyond the person’s
control prevent him or her: from
completing the course. In that case, the
committee would decide whether the
situation warrants waiving the $25 fee.
Otherwise, failure to pay would make
participants ineligible to take any more
tuition-free courses.

It is expected that the fee will help curb
drop-outs by giving people more
incentive to complete courses.

LEAP is funded under article 14 of the

ASU, ISU and OSU contracts.

June 16, 1986

A great way to quench
a thirst for knowledge

LEAP is the Labor Education Action Program of the Civil
Service Employees Association. It offers tuition-free
courses at two and four-year public and private colleges,

\, BOCES and various state facilities across New York state.
LEAP is available only to CSEA-represented state
employees in the Operational Services, Administrative
Services and Institutional Services Units, Health Research
Inc., SUNY Construction Fund and Division of Military and
Naval Affairs. CSEA/LEAP courses are designed to in-

if
Labor Education Action Program crease upward career mobility in state service, and im-
——————————=—=———prove the quality of life on and off the job.

CSEA/LEAP armenia
its 1986 Fall Semester

OURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND APPLICATION FORMS for CSEA’s Labor Education Action Program (LEAP) 1986
Fall Semester of more than 1,200 courses at 88 locations throughout the state WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OR ABOUT

JUNE 20.

ae DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR THE 1986 FALL SEMESTER IS JULY 22, 1986. Completed applications must be
A received in the LEAP Office by that date to be considered.

PPLICATION FORMS AND COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM YOUR AGENCY PERSONNEL
OR TRAINING OFFICER. You must submit a properly completed LEAP 107 Tuition Free Course Application Form in or-

der to be considered.
Aa FOR THE FALL SEMESTER MAY APPLY FOR a first and second choice of course. However, only one
course can be approved each semester. CSEA/LEAP will attempt to approve an applicant's first choice wherever possible.

/ APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MAIL AT THEIR HOME ADDRESS whether or not their course application has been
accepted or rejected.

How to apply

Koviain a CSEA/LEAP course announcement and LEAP 107 *
application form from your agency personnel or training officer. All students who apply for credit courses must have a high
Your CSEA Local president also may have a limited supply. school or equivalency diploma.

kK the course announcement is very detailed as to courses
available and which schools or institutions offer them. If you have
any questions concerning course requirements, prerequisites or oth-
er matters, it is your responsibility to personally contact the college
or BOCES at the phone number listed in the course announcement
BEFORE filing your application.

K certain courses have prerequisites, assessment or diagnostic
test requirements. Those courses are clearly indicated in the course
announcement. You MUST contact the school regarding those
items before applying to LEAP.

Complete the application form completely and accurately. An
application form with incomplete or inaccurate information is
subject to automatic rejection. Make a copy for your personnel or
‘faining office, and mail the original application to the return
address on the form as soon as possible.

Kimportant REMINDER—COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE LEAP OFFICE BY JULY 22, 1986
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE FALL 1986 SEMESTER.

In the next edition of The Public Sector, the requirements and responsibilities of students who are selected to participate in
the CSEA/LEAP Fall 1986 Semester will be discussed in detail.

MEANWHILE, REMEMBER THAT LEAP COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FORMS WILL BE AVAILABL!
ABOUT JUNE 20. AND THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR FILING IS JULY 22, 1986, WITH THE COMPLE
IN THE LEAP OFFICE BY THAT DATE. DON’T RISK SLOW MAIL DELIVERY—FILE YOUR APPLICATION EARLY,

CSEA/LEAP offices are located at 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12210. The CSEA/LEAP phone number if (518)
434-0191 Extension 226 or 228.

REMEMBER — Application deadline is July 22

. 17
June 16, 1986 THE PUBLIC SECTOR

$2.00/ | PEOPLE windbreaker,
pay diamond lapel pin plus
period

1

AFSCME Presidént’s Club
membership plus

t ne $1.50/
step! rratiod
$1.00/
pay
period

AFSCME’s PEOPLE visor plus

we

Political Check- off

What you need to know

Pic flying around Washington now to balance the federal budget by cutting
government programs would certainly affect all public employees. Whether or not
the changes directly touch your job, you’re bound to feel them in your pocketbook
and see their impact on the lifestyles of working people like you.

That’s why CSEA is pulling together for
PEOPLE, AFSCME’s special fund for political
contributions. Under terms of the new state
contract, CSEA members will be able to have a
bi-weekly deduction set aside especially for e
PEOPLE. The monies will be used for
contributions for Congressional candidates who
have your best interests at heart. And
remember, this is an election year.

The chart at left lists giveaways for the
amount you authorize to have deducted from
your check per pay period.

50 cents/ “In Partnership with PEOPLE” 18 oz. mug and
pay CSEA’s “Washington Watch” newsletter
period
PEOPLE Contest Rules itt :
= ; rele 2250 ae
1. To be eligible for prizes at each contest level at second drawing may choose from the nine remaining er
right, a CSEA member must sign up 25 fellow prizes x AVP | | ll
members 4, The contest continues in the sameway eachtime __\~ g t MA
2. At the first level, when contest participants have another 250 members is signed up. Contest <\ tike 2 fe (eke) AN ¢ 4b
submitted PEOPLE Deduction Authorization cards participants are eligible at each level as long as they Watch | i] Pec YE
for a total of 250 members, drawings for prizes will sign up an additional 25 members. Zs y i “oo, °S8 <<
be held. These include: 5. If by midnight Sept. 30, 1986, 2,500 CSEA VAN 17150 “ le
a. Drawings for $50.00 Savings Bonds to be members have been signed up for PEOPLE Yft
awarded to two of the participants; deductions, the grand prize of a trip for two to St. I | |
b. A drawing from among the participants and Thomas will be raffled off at the State Convention e VAVAI
250 members signed up for one of the 10 prizes at Contest participants as well as all members that have WM L-|_!5]oo MV
right. signed up for PEOPLE deductions will be eligible. S Food T ~ fi
3. At the second level (500 members signed up), NOTE: All PEOPLE Deduction Authorization cards <> pegeessof fl color z
similar drawings will be held. The winner of the for this program will be subject to verification ae t 12150 55 "
Each year, at the Annual State Convention in the fall, | ra) “ah va J
The “The PEOPLE Cup” will be awarded to the CSEA region \ WA :
PEOPLE withthe highest average contribution per member. A plate NS ,) le Ww \/) lo
on the base of the cup will be inscribed for the region which (0% sao as
Cup will be able to display the trophy in its regional office during TS 8. eg Cop,
that year. Lan . 7 Mery V
VAS AA vii
- - I
Statewide PEOPLE Committee Members = Vie
< luggas® >
Region 2 Henry Reese —y <{* a
Region 3 Sarah Jackson UN 3
Region 4 Suzanne Waltz i
Region 5 _ Doris Pratz
Region 6 Marie Prince —
Political Check-off cards available from Statewide PEOPLE Coordinator Cheryl Sheller
at CSEA Headquarters.
@

18

THE

PUBLIC SECTOR

June 16, 1986

How do you feel
about boycotting
products of
companies whose

union employees
are on strike?

Where asked: Long Island Region 1

ANDREW WILLS JR.
Housekeeping

Long Island Developmental Center
Local 430

ARMOUR PROCESSED MEATS CO.

DON’T BUY

National Boycotts Sanctioned by the AFL-CIO Executive Council

INDIANA DESK CO.

Armour Hams, Armour Bacon, Armour Hot Dogs
This UFCW boycott does not include processed
meat products made by Armour-Dial.

United Food & Commercial Workers

BASF A.G. CORP., Geismar, Louisiana

Video, Audio and Computer discs, Lurotin brand
vitamins, Alugard 340-2 protectant in anti-freeze
Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union

BROWN & SHARPE MFG. CO.

Measuring, cutting and machine tools and pumps
Machinists & Aerospace Workers

BRUCE CHURCH, INC.

Iceberg Lettuce:
Red Coach, Friendly, Green Valley Farms, Lucky
United Farm Workers

CALIFORNIA TABLE GRAPES

Table grapes that do not bear the UFW union label
on the carton or crate
United Farm Workers

ADOLPH COORS CO.

Beer: Coors, Coors Light, Herman Joseph's 1868,
Golden Lager, Masters III, Colorado Cooler
George Killians Irish Red

AFL-CIO Brewery Workers Local 366

EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES

Air passenger and freight transportation
Machinists & Aerospace Workers

FABERGE, INC.

Personal care products:
Aphrodisia, Aqua Net Hair Spray, Babe, Cavale, Brut,
Ceramic Nail Glaze, Flambeau, Great Skin, Grande
Finale, Just Wonderful, Macho, Kiku, Partage, Tip Top
Accessories, Tigress, Woodhue, Xanadu, Zizanie de
Fragonard, Caryl Richards, Farrah Fawcett and
Faberge Organics

Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union

FORT HOWARD PAPER CO.

Green Bay, Wisconsin and Muskogee, Oklahoma
Mardi-Gras, Page, Sof-Knit tissues and napkins, Antique
towels, Pom-etts, Econ and Dolly Madison tissues

United Paperworkers International Union

HOLIDAY PAPER CUPS, piv. of imperial Cup Co.

Holiday Paper Cups brand name
United Paperworkers International Union

Union Label and Service Trades Department, AFL-CIO

Medium and high priced desks
United Furniture Workers

LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORP.

Brand name wood products:
L-P Wolmanized, Cedartone, Waferwood, Fibrepine,
Oro-Bord, Redex, Sidex, Ketchikan, Pabco, Xonolite
Carpenters & Joiners and Intl. Woodworkers

MARVAL POULTRY COMPANY, INC.

Turkeys and turkey parts: Marval, Tender Pride, Lan-
caster, Frosty Acres, Top Frost, Table Rite, Manor
House, Richfood, Food Club, Dogwood Hill Farms. All
products bear USDA stamp #P-18

United Food & Commercial Workers

NIXDORFF-LLOYD CHAIN COMPANY

Heavy duty chains sold in hardware stores. The
Nixdorff-Lloyd brand name appears on the chain spool.
Machinists & Aerospace Workers

R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO.

Cigarettes: Camel, Winston, Salem, Doral, Vantage,
More, Now, Real, Bright, Century

Smoking Tobaccos: Prince Albert, George Washington,
Carter Hall, Apple, Madeira Mixture, Royal Comfort,
Top, Our Advertiser, Sterling

Little Cigars: Winchester

Bakery, Confectionery & Tobacco Workers

SEATTLE-FIRST NATIONAL BANK

Withdraw funds
United Food & Commercial Workers

SHELL OIL COMPANY

Subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (parent company of
Shell South Africa). Gasoline, petroleum and natural
gas products.

AFL-CIO

STERLING RADIATOR

Baseboard heaters for the home
United Automobile Workers

TROJAN LUGGAGE COMPANY

Luggage—Hampton, Vagabond, Newport, Nassau,
Going to Grandma's, Monterey, Aspen, Magnum, Bis-
cayne, Executive Briefs, Dant’e

United Furniture Workers

oR

June 16, 1986

“T can understand the:
boycotts because the
employees will be out a lot
longer without them. When
there’s a boycott, I go along
with it.”

Re

DELORES JORDEN
Housekeeping

Long Island Developmental Center
Local 430

“T strongly feel that
boycotting is to protect the
employees. The people who
are on the union’s side can
keep the product off the
market. I think it’s great
that The Sector announces
the boycotts. ’m glad ’'m
informed.”

JAMES EGAN
Smithtown Beach Guard
Suffolk Local 852

“T believe in boycotting
certain institutions,
depending on how they treat
their employees. I’m a union
person and I would follow a
boycott and keep the
product out of my house.”

THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 9

By Charles McGeary
CSEA Communications Associate

ROME — The battle smoke has lifted at
Rome Developmental Center, and CSEA
forces have apparently won the fight to pre-
vent the redeployment of the afternoon
housekeeping employees to the day shift.

But, as Local 422 President Jon Premo
and Vice President Jim Martin are quick to
point out, one victory does not necessarily
win a war. And so, the local officers pledge
to continue the stepped-up efforts to prevent
contracting out of cleaning services in non-
client areas.

The initial skirmish in the housekeeping
issue began Jan. 13 when Rome D.C.
management called a meeting with CSEA
officials to spell out plans for contracting-
out of housekeeping service and movement
of afternoon housekeeping staff to days.

THEY FORGOT ONE THING

“We sat patiently for over one hour and
listened to management describe a plan,
complete with graphics, charts and
everything else they could drag into the
meeting,’ Martin said. ‘‘They only
neglected one thing. At no time before the
meeting were we given the courtesy to offer
any input to the plan, or discuss the effect
the plan would have on the lives of 64
employees,” Martin continued.

At the conclusion of the management
presentation, CSEA called for a caucus and
it was granted.

“We returned from the caucus in a short
time and promptly notified management we
were totally opposed to contracting-out and
the movement of any housekeeping person-
nel. Management’s reaction was to ter-
minate the meeting. The first skirmish end-
ed with our request for a meeting with the
facility director, Keith Hoffman, as soon as
possible,’’ Martin explained.

Without delay, Local 422 officials moved
in several important directions. While
waiting for a meeting date with the facility
director, CSEA filed four grievances (two
contract and two non-contract) to cover the
planned shift change and the contracting
out issues. A general meeting of the entire
housekeeping staff was also held to inform
the employee of the plan to file grievances
on their behalf. CSEA regional and state of-
fices and legal department were also
notified.

“We wanted to touch all ‘bases’ to bring
every available CSEA force into action,”
Premo said.

POLITICAL ACTION

Region V President Jim Moore im-
mediately pledged full support of regional
staff, including the political action
representative, Tim Burns. At a following
strategy session, Moore, Premo, Martin
and Burns decided to request support from
state legislators in the area. By personal

20

THE PUBLIC SECTOR

visits, telephone contacts and letters to
local newspapers, area lawmakers were
asked to support the union’s position to halt
the shift change. State Senators Jim
Donovan, Nancy Lorraine Hoffman and
Assemblyman William Sears offered sup-
port by calling the director at Rome D.C.
and asking that he reconsider the shift plan.

The battle lines were gaining strength as
CSEA awaited the first meeting with the
director. That came Feb. 21 at a labor-
management meeting when Director Hoff-
man agreed to listen and then review both
sides before making a decision.

In the meantime, union grievances were
approaching the second step hearing.
Following a second labor-management
meeting, Hoffman proposed a variation in
the original plan that did not call for the en-
tire housekeeping shift to be redeployed.
Again, CSEA representatives rejected the
plan as unacceptable.

A CHANGE OF DIRECTION

CSEA combined forces continued their
action until April 14 when management
issued a brief directive to halt its redeploy-
ment plan. The notification, in effect, said:
“No employees on the afternoon shift shall
have their shift changed without their con-
sent.” CSEA withdrew the grievances.

Although Premo and Martin expressed
satisfaction with the management decision
to halt the shift moves, both officers vowed

LOCAL 422 PRESIDENT Jon Premo —

“We’ve apparently won the battle to halt
redeployment...”

VICE PRESIDENT Jim Martin

to continue the fight to halt contracting-out
of services they feel can best be handled by
well-qualified ‘in house’ state employees
who are familiar with the facility.

“We've apparently won the battle to halt
redeployment,” Premo said, ‘‘but we can’t
relax our efforts to fight contracting-out.
For all the officers and members of Local
422 here at Rome Developmental Center I
want to thank the entire CSEA ‘army’ that
took part in the fight to halt the shift move.
When we needed help we got it in a hurry
from Jim Moore, CSEA regional and head-
quarters staff members, the legal depart-
ment, and Tim Burns and the political ac-
tion team that spurred our state legislators
to listen and help support our drive. It wasa
combined forces victory in every sense.”

A CLEAR MESSAGE

Jim Martin added this comment: “‘I think
the message we sent to the Department of
OMRDD in Albany and their management
representatives here at Rome D.C. is clear.
They just can’t unilaterally ‘jockey’ the
work shift and lives of 64 employees around
and not expect a battle from the union. Isn’t
it the primary purpose of labor-
management meetings to openly discuss
plans before implementing them? We never
had a hint of what they planned to do. They
simply called us in and hit us with a mess of
charts and shift plans and said this is it! No
warning. No sensible request for union in-
put. Nothing! Under the present contract,
we just couldn’t accept that. We filed four
grievances and ‘geared up’ for a legal
fight,” Martin said.

June 16, 1986°