The Work Force, 2007 January

Resounding reply to health care commission report

CSEA’s voices heard

ALBANY — CSEA members across the state
overwhelmingly have responded to
recommendations recently made by the
Governor’s Commission on Health Care
Facilities in the 21st Century, and their voices
have been heard.

Lawmakers have been deluged with
thousands of faxes, telephone calls and
testimony and it’s become clear few of the
commission’s recommendations for hospital
closings and consolidations, which could have
heinous outcomes, will come about without
more scrutiny and legislative wrangling.

“CSEA members have turned out in force and
made a strong argument that the state’s
lawmakers have understood,” CSEA President
Danny Donohue said. “There is still a lot of
work ahead of us but clear also recognition that
many of these recommendations cannot go
forward as proposed.
CSEA will hold
lawmakers to their
word.”

Senate Majority
Leader Joseph L. Bruno
said the legislature will
have to work with Gov.
Eliot Spitzer to fix the
parts of the plan “that
need to be fixed.”

Prominent
Assemblyman Ronald
Canestrari also said the
proposals will take a
long period of time to implement and will
provide opportunity to work on
the issues with the new administration. He
indicated particular concern about finding a
better approach for the future of the State
University of New York hospitals.

CSEA mounted numerous public events and
rallies, leaders testified at public hearings in
every part of the state and the union also
mounted a media campaign to get its message
out and get communities involved.

Among the issues of major concern to CSEA
are proposals for the following public hospitals
and nursing homes:

¢ In Erie County, the commission calls for the
merger of the public Erie County Medical
Center with the private sector Kaleida Health
under a wholly new entity.

¢ In central New York, the commission
proposes merging the public Upstate Medical

Donohue

CSEA SUNY Stony Brook Local President Carlos Speight leads a group of union members
demonstrating outside Stony Brook University Medical Center. Nearly 250 CSEA members turned

out to protest a proposal to privatize the hospital.

University Hospital, a SUNY teaching hospital in
Syracuse, with the nearby private sector
Crouse Hospital into one hospital under a new
entity that would not be public sector. The
action would be the first step in privatizing all
of the SUNY hospitals, including Stony Brook
and Downstate Medical Center.

¢ Also in Central New York, CSEA is
concerned about the proposal to give the
county-owned and operated Van Duyn Home

Sean Davis, a cook at Van Duyn Home &
Hospital in Syracuse, calls his area state
lawmakers to urge them to vote against the
Berger Commission report.

January 2007

and Hospital to the
private Community
General Hospital.
(See Page 5 for more
about the fight to
save ECMC, Van
Duyn and SUNY
Upstate.)

¢ The commission
is also proposing
significant bed
reductions at the
following public
nursing homes: A.
Holly Patterson
Extended Care
Facility (Nassau
County), Taylor Care
Center (Westchester
County), Valley View
Center for Nursing
Care & Rehab
(Orange County),
Glendale Nursing
Home (Schenectady
County), Willow

A CSEA member from
the Glendale Home in

Point (Broome Schenectady County
County) and Mount takes part in an Abany
View Health Facility Tally.

(Niagara County).
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

143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
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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

published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:

Readers:
Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210-2303.

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yack com 2
tc —_ pf

Page 4 THE WORK FORCE January 2007

Health care controversy, other important
work ahead in the New Year

lot of change is in the air as we start the New Year.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer and his new administration will have
a lot of work ahead. For CSEA, this will mean a lot of
adjustment, not just to policy shifts, but also to a new set
of officials.

While CSEA was an early and strong supporter of
Eliot Spitzer, I said at the time of our endorsement that
we certainly don’t expect to see eye to eye on every
issue. I have already publicly and loudly disagreed with
the governor-elect’s support for the recommendations
of the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21St
Century, which proposes the closing and merger of health
care facilities across the state, including enormous negative impact on
numerous CSEA-represented facilities and the communities we serve (see
stories pages 3, 5). We expect this issue alone will be difficult and
controversial for years to come.

l assure you that when we disagree with the Spitzer administration,
like its predecessors, over state budget items or other policy issues, CSEA
will work vigorously for what we believe is right and in the best interest of
our members. CSEA will not back away from that commitment.

We cannot know in advance how the new administration will
proceed. We must prepare for any and all circumstances. You and the
members of your local must do the same.

Important information and regular updates are always available on
the CSEA website: www.csealocal1000.org. I urge you to visit the site
regularly and stay involved through your local and unit to make a
difference.

We have much important work ahead of us in the New Year. I am
confident that, working together, we will succeed.

Van Duyn,

SYRACUSE — The Commission on
Health Care Facilities in the 215t
Century’s recommendations for
Central New York has CSEA and others
in the health care community fighting
proposals to privatize and merge SUNY
Upstate Medical University in Syracuse
and Onondaga County’s Van Duyn
Home & Hospital with nearby private
hospitals, as well as decreasing beds at
Broome County's Willow Point nursing
home.

The commission’s recommendations
were met with a flurry of opposition
from labor and management.

At Van Duyn, where CSEA fought hard
over the past two years to win a
successful campaign for increased
state funding to keep the facility
publicly owned, it was an outright slap
in the face to the hard work of union
members, as well as joint efforts to
explore shared services with
neighboring Community General
Hospital on sharing services.

“Tam very proud of the work we
perform and the wonderful care we
provide for all residents of Onondaga
County regardless of their means. Our
employees take pride in the work they
do. The commission report makes it

Upstate fights on

very clear that the emphasis behind
their recommendations is money
savings, not quality care,” CSEA Van
Duyn Unit President Barbara Taylor
told members of the state Assembly
Health Committee.

Upstate Medical University Local
President Michelle Hunter said if the
teaching hospital was privatized,
important specialized services, such as
the hospital’s burn unit and Level One
Trauma Center, might be closed due to
profitability concerns.

To build support against the
commission's recommendations, CSEA
members at Van Duyn held a marathon
phone bank session, flooding area
legislators with phone calls. Members
at Van Duyn and SUNY Upstate Medical
University also faxed thousands of
letters to lawmakers asking them to
bring the commission's report to a
vote and to vote to reject it. Taylor and
Hunter also joined Political Action
Coordinator Rick Noreault in meeting
personally with several state
legislators to lobby them to reject the
plan. CSEA is continuing to fight for a
better approach.

— Mark M. Kotzin

ZUBLIC HEALTH
CARE IS NOT
FOR SALE!

CSEA Onondaga County Water
Environmental Protection Unit
President Bob Reilly demonstrates in
support of Van Duyn Nursing Home
and SUNY Upstate Medical Center.

Union responds to ECMC merger bid

BUFFALO — Western Region CSEA
members joined together to fight the
final report of the Commission on
Health Care Facilities in the 215t
Century.

The commission has recommended
Buffalo's Erie County Medical Center
be merged with a private sector
hospital and become an entirely new
entity. That move could threaten the
safety net provided by public health

care, leaving thousands of Western
New Yorkers with no place to go.
Additionally, the merger could
jeopardize the hospital’s top-notch
regional Level One Trauma Center,
exceptional burn unit and other highly
specialized services.

“We cannot play games with public
health care. It is important that those
most in need continue to have access
to the excellent medical care provided

Public Health Gare!
|

SWE

Erie County
Medical Center
Section 3rd Vice
President Bella
Mendola joins
CSEA members in
demonstrating
outside the
center against a
merger proposal.

by ECMC,” said Region President Flo
Tripi. CSEA Western Region members
networked throughout their units and
locals, collecting signatures on more
than 2,000 letters faxed to seven
targeted state legislators. CSEA will
continue to fight for a better approach
in the new year.

Efforts to fight the proposals also
included letters to the editor,
testimony by Tripi at the Senate’s
public hearing at the University at
Buffalo and by Region Director Roger
Sherrie at the Assembly hearing in
Buffalo, and a multi-union
demonstration outside the Erie County
Medical Center. Sherrie also presented
CSEA’s position when he served as a
guest on an hour-long TV news special
titled “WNY Hospitals in Critical
Condition.”

The Erie County Local purchased
radio and television ads along with two
other unions representing EC MC
workers.

— Lynn Miller

January 2007

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

SEWVICES

“The commission
report makes it very
clear that the
emphasis

behind their
recommendations is
money savings, not
quality care.”

CSER Voices

“ I ‘m a new member of our
local’s women’s
committee, so I'm here to see
what other committees are
doing. I’m going to let our
members know about the
unity and new ideas we had
here at this conference. Times
are changing, and we as
women are very strong.99

— Joyce Dawkins, Brooklyn
Developmental Disabilities
Services Office Local and
first-time CSEA Women’s
Conference attendee, on
why she attended the
conference. (For more, see
Pages 14-15)

THE WORK FORCE Page 5
Court: Empire Medicare scam illegal

ALBANY — A state court unanimously ruled it
was illegal for the Pataki administration to force
employees and retirees covered under the state
health insurance program to contribute toward
the cost of Medicare Part B premiums for
retired public employees.

The Pataki administration was attempting to
force employees and retirees to pay at least $26
million per year the state had previously paid.

“As we saw it, the Pataki administration was
taking money that wasn’t theirs to take,
harming CSEA members and many others,”
Donohue said. “We are pleased the court
agreed with our assessment.”

CSEA claimed the state’s action violated
state civil service law, rules and regulations,
which require employers to pay 100 percent of
the cost of Medicare Part B premiums. Nothing
in the law, rules or regulations allowed the state
or other public employers to pass on the costs
to employees or retirees.

Soon thereafter, the state comptroller issued
an opinion supporting CSEA’s position that the
change was illegal. However, a state Supreme
Court ruling dismissed the union’s case in
March.

In reversing the lower court’s decision, the
Appellate Division’s 3rd Department ruled the

“correct” 40-year interpretation of the law. The
state must now stop forcing employees and
retirees to pay the Medicare Part B expense
and will have to reimburse them for those
payments since Jan. 1, 2006.

As The Work Force went to press, it was
unclear whether Gov. George Pataki would
appeal the decision. Unanimous Appellate
Division rulings require court permission for
appeal to the state’s highest court, the Court of
Appeals.

Also unclear is how the money would be
distributed to workers and retirees.

There are more than 1 million people

CSEA and many other unions sued in January
when the state “reinterpreted” long-standing
civil service law and began charging employees
and retirees directly for the Medicare Part B
premiums for the first time in 40 years.

Canal worker’s death investigated
ROTTERDAM JUNCTION — CSEA and the state are investigating the
death of veteran canal worker and CSEA member Michael Len, 45, of
Cohoes, who died after falling into the Mohawk River at Lock 9 of the Erie
Canal.

Len was cleaning debris when he apparently lost his footing and
plunged into the river at about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7, according to state Police.
He was in the water for about 30 minutes before he was located and
recovered about a half mile down the river.

State Police reported Len was wearing a life jacket, but turbulent
waters reduced its effectiveness. He normally worked as chief lock
operator at the Green Island Bridge, raising and lowering the bridge and
maintaining its mechanisms, but was working as part of a crew closing
Lock 9 for the season.

Co-workers tossed lines and life rings to Len, but he was unable to
reach them in the strong current.

“He was a bright individual. He was an easygoing guy and a good
friend,” Lock 6 chief operator Joe Ziter Jr. told the Daily Gazette of
Schenectady.

CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department and state Public
Employee Safety and Health staff are investigating the incident.

Former CSEA ad executive Johnson dies

Noel C. “Bud” Johnson is not a household name in the CSEA ranks but he
was a major player in making CSEA a household name across New York
state.

Johnson, who died Nov. 8, started an advertising agency in 1963 that
became one of upstate’s most prestigious agencies during the 1960s and
1970s.

The time frame coincided with CSEA’s growth as a labor union.

His firm, Van de Car, Deporte & Johnson, was retained by CSEA to help
secure its place in the media. He engineered the “Public Employees:
Where would you be without them?” advertising campaign that defined
CSEA image for more than a generation. He also had a hand in designing
the original CSEA logo which replaced the archaic “We Serve” motto.

Internment was at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National
Cemetery, with military honors.

state’s new interpretation was “arbitrary,
capricious and contrary to law.” The court
ruled the state’s new interpretation was
inconsistent with the plain language of the law,
its legislative history as well as the state’s

covered under the Empire Plan as a health
insurance option for state and participating
local government employees and their families.

— Ed Molitor

Clarkson workers ratify
agreement

POTSDAM — Determination, solidarity, hard work and a multi-faceted,
innovative contract campaign has resulted in an agreement for the 100
CSEA-represented facilities and services workers at Clarkson University.

The private-sector workers had been battling the university’s
administration over a wage offer they overwhelmingly rejected this
summer as “insulting.”

Clarkson University Local President Ed Collins said administrators had
offered the workers the same as the rest of the campus work force had
been given, which the workers termed unfair because it didn’t allow them
to keep up with rising costs of living.

The workers demanded a more fair wage offer by initiating a contract
campaign designed to increase public awareness and pressure campus
officials to move off of their “take it or leave it” offer.

CSEA’s campaign included putting up signs in area businesses and car
windows, demonstrating on the campus and through Potsdam, leafleting
and attending campus events.

To turn up the heat, the union developed the website
www.fightforfairness.com, and launched an innovative media campaign to
draw public attention to the site.

After their second meeting with a federal mediator one week after
intensifying their campaign, CSEA left the table with a tentative
agreement.

The contract includes a fairer wage increase and an additional wage
reopener for the tentative pact’s third year. The agreement also locks in
employee health insurance contributions for the three-year period.

Collins said member solidarity and community support were the keys
to the union’s success in getting university administration to extend a
more fair contract offer to workers.

— Mark M. Kotzin

Page 6 THE WORK FORCE January 2007
Lifespire workers ratify first,
historic contract with CSEA

MANHATTAN — CSEA
members at Lifespire, a
not-for-profit provider of
developmental disabilities
services based in New York
City, have overwhelmingly
approved their first CSEA
union contract.

The 1,200 Lifespire
employees are the largest
group of private-sector
workers to join CSEA.

The solid contract,
which provides retroactive
wage increases to July 1,
along with longevity
payments and other
benefits and protections,
includes a commitment
between CSEA and
Lifespire management to
work cooperatively to
secure more resources to
further improve wages,
benefits and quality of
care.

“CSEA is committed to
keeping New York's care
for individuals with
developmental disabilities
the model for the nation,”
CSEA President Danny
Donohue said. “We are so
proud of our members at
Lifespire and their
management's recognition
that fairness and respect
for the workers goes hand
in hand with quality care
for the individuals they
serve. We will work
together for real
improvements.”

“I want to congratulate
our new brothers and
sisters from Lifespire for all
the hard work and effort
they put into getting this
first contract,” CSEA
Metropolitan Region
President George
Boncoraglio said. “This
contract is a testament to
the hard work and quality
care they provide to all of
their consumers.”

Fay Livingstone and Norma DeGuzman, Lifespire
employees who care for people with developmental
disabilities at group homes and centers throughout New
York City, distribute leaflets during the 2006 New York
City Labor Parade as part of their fight for their first
contract.

The campaign to bring a
union to Lifespire was
preceded by several
months of an innovative
and comprehensive
organizing campaign
throughout New York City
building support from
community groups and
elected officials.

Card check neutrality

Lifespire workers
reached a card check
neutrality agreement with
management in early
December 2005. Lifespire
agreed to recognize CSEA if
a majority of employees
signed to join the union.

“This first contract is
the best way to start the
holiday season,” said
Norma de Guzman, a
senior developmental aide
and a leader in bringing the
union to Lifespire. “We love
our consumers and the
work we do and this
contract will allow us to
continue providing the
kind of care they deserve.”

The Lifespire union and
contract victory are part of
a comprehensive statewide
campaign for

improvements in quality
care throughout the
developmental disabilities
system. “Lifespire looks
forward to partnering with
CSEA to bring
improvements to New
York's service delivery
system,” said Mark van
Voorst, Lifespire’s CEO.

“We are particularly
pleased that CSEA has
joined Lifespire as a
partner in advancing
Lifespire’s mission to care
for the developmentally
disabled by providing
competent and
professional services,” said
Bob Krakow, chair of the
Lifespire board. “To the
extent we can promote a
model of mutual
cooperation, we have made
a good beginning with our
agreement.”

The campaign is
necessary because of an
epidemic in turnover rates
— up to 40 percent
annually — among front-
line employees of many
not-for-profit agencies that
threaten the long-term
quality standards of
services and care.

New York's system of
care for individuals with
developmental disabilities
is generally viewed as a
model for the nation and
CSEA’s relationship with
the state Office of Mental
Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities
is highly regarded as a
model for cooperative
labor relations. The
seriousness of the
employee turnover
problem in the not-for
profit agencies has raised
multiple concerns for the
future.

Fighting for quality care

Not-for-profit agencies
provide an increasingly
higher percentage of the
overall services to
individuals with
developmental disabilities
in New York. Most of the
agencies also receive up to
95 percent of their
operating budgets from
public funding.

By contrast, more than
16,000 CSEA members
provide life skills, medical
services and critical
continuity of care for
nearly 10,000 group home
residents of all ages and
ability levels 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.

Most of the workers are
employees of the Office of
Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities,
but the union has recently
made strong inroads in
representing employees in
not-for profit agencies.
Turnover rates among
CSEA-represented
employees in the
developmental disabilities
field are about 5 percent.

— David Galarza

January 2007

THE WORK FORCE

u EADING UNION
Represents 60,000 Workers in
HEALTHCARE
SERVICES

“CSEA is committed
to keeping New
York’s care for
individuals with
developmental
disabilities the
model for the
nation.”

— CSEA President
Danny Donohue

CSER Voices

6 L®22 looks forward to
partnering with CSEA to

bring improvements to New

York’s service delivery system.99

—Mark van Voorst, CEO,
Lifespire, on the not-for-profit
provider’s commitment to
work cooperatively with
CSEA to secure more
resources to further improve
wages, benefits and quality of
care for those who care for
individuals with
developmental disabilities.

Page 7
UVC EREGRCEMERT

“It would not be
too difficult for
our new
governor to
have a positive
effect on this
agency, because
frankly, the only
way to go is
up.”

CSE Voices

66" This conference has

allowed me to learn
about the different issues
facing women. The majority of
our local members are women,
so I am going to be able to
bring a lot of good information
back to them. Many of our
local members need to know
about issues such as retirement
and Civil Service law.99

— Rose Shaughnessy,
Hudson Correctional Local
and first-time CSEA Women’s
Conference attendee, on why
she attended the conference.
(For more, see Pages 14-15)

Page 8 THE WORK FORCE January 2007

CSEA urges change at OCFS

ALBANY — CSEA is
pressing Gov.-elect Eliot
Spitzer’s incoming
administration to
address major areas of
concern in the state
Office of Children and
Family Services.

During the Pataki
administration, the
agency has been rife
with complaints about
understaffing, delivery
of service,
contradictory protocols
and a lack of cohesive
mission and discipline.

“For too long, our
members have raised
legitimate concerns
about OCFS’ handling of
its youth centers,
staffing levels and
workload. It would not
be too difficult for our
new governor to have a
positive effect on this
agency, because frankly,
the only way to go is
up,” said CSEA
President Danny
Donohue.

A recent report by
the state Office of the
Inspector General found
fault with the
management of the
Louis Gossett Jr.
Residential Center in
Lansing, Tompkins
County, and at the same
time, exonerated
Gossett staff, which had
stood accused of
abusing residents.

The report criticized
OCFS and the Gossett
Center for not providing
sufficient mental health
services for troubled
youths, but there is

some question as to
how much mental
health care the agency
is expected to provide.

It also criticized the
agency for not
maintaining its
ombudsman office and
Independent Review
Board, which are
supposed to provide
independent oversight
for the agency’s
centers.

The report
recommended OCFS
should conduct an
assessment of agency
staffing needs to reduce
mandatory overtime
and make the
appropriate budget
requests where needed.

The report
concludes, “The
systemic weaknesses
were, in almost all
cases, acknowledged by
OCFS and Gossett
management who
agreed that they must
be immediately
addressed. While
certain of these issues,
such as fiscal and
staffing needs, should
be addressed in OCFS’
budget request
proposals, many of
these weaknesses can
and must be addressed
right now. The
alternative, we fear, will
be that OCFS will no
longer, in the words of
its commissioner,
continue to ‘escape
some of the potential
catastrophes’ that may
well result.”

Most recently, an

escape at the Tryon
Youth Facility pointed
to confusion about
alerts sent to the
surrounding
community, and what
specific protocols
should have been
followed.

Following that crisis,
a youth at Tryon died
after being restrained.
As this edition of The
Work Force went to
press, the two staff
members involved were
on paid leave as an
investigation continued,
but have not been
accused of any
wrongdoing and
reportedly were
following the agency’s

protocol for restraining
youths.

CSEA members and
their leadership at
OCFS facilities across
the state have long
expressed concerns
about staffing levels,
overwork, and
occupational safety and
health issues. CSEA
members have unfairly
taken the brunt of
misguided media
coverage of recent
events.

— Lou Hmieleski

Decorating for the holidays

David Weaver, a laborer and member of the
Hudson City Unit, hangs a stocking in one of
the miniature houses that are part of the
“Santa’s Village” display in the city’s Seventh
Avenue Park. CSEA members employed by the
city decorate Hudson’s downtown every year
in preparation for the city’s Winter Walk.

The unhealthy state of health care
and what you can do: a special report

ocal government agencies, school

districts and private sector employers
spend more on health care than on any
other item, thanks to skyrocketing health
care costs, and the pain is being passed

onto CSEA members.

High health care costs, including those
for insurance premiums and prescription
drugs, has spurred many public employers
to propose cutting worker health care
benefits, raise premiums and co-payments

and cut public services.

The situation seems dire for working

people; health care costs in the United
States have increased by 73 percent during
the past 10 years and the Kaiser Family
Foundation projects that prescription drug
costs will total more than $446 billion by
2015 (see Pages 10-11).

However, CSEA members can take
control over high health costs and
negotiate health care benefits that are
comprehensive and save money by using
the union’s many resources, including the
Health Benefits Department and the
Employee Benefit Fund. This four-page

report will also
highlight CSEA’s
insurance
programs through
Pearl Carroll &
Associates.

With our
professional
resources and
innovative ideas,
New York's

Leading Union is proving that we can win
over skyrocketing health care costs.

Health care crisis spiraling out of control

TARRYTOWN — Steel literally
holds General Motors together,
while coffee revs up Starbucks’
profits.

Steel and coffee define these
corporations, yet General Motors
and Starbucks each spent more on
health care last year than they did
on their companies’ most basic
supplies.

In New York’s public sector,
health care costs have spiraled so
out of control that 10 counties
spent their entire property tax
revenues on Medicaid.

Dr. Jon R. Cohen, chief medical
officer of North Shore Long Island
Jewish Health System, shared
these statistics with stunned CSEA
members at the union’s recent
Women’s Conference. He said he
believes health care should be a
basic right, but said it has been
treated as a privilege in New York.

“Only prisoners have the legal
right to health care,” he said.

During the last five years,
prescription drug costs have
doubled from $85 billion to $170
billion. Overall health care costs
in recent years have jumped by 73

percent, yet average worker wages
have only increased by 15
percent. About two-thirds of the
state’s hospitals lost revenues last
year.

Cohen said about 25 percent of
health care costs last year stem
from paperwork.

“About 1 percent of the cases is
responsible for 20 percent of the
cost,” he said.

Along with prescription drugs,
Medicaid is one of the biggest
culprits of public health care
spending. New York state spent
about $48 billion on Medicaid last
year, and much of that cost is
passed onto counties that are
already struggling to meet health
care costs.

“Counties cannot build roads or
improve education as a result of
Medicaid increases,” Cohen said.

With prescription drug costs
skyrocketing and employers
increasingly cutting health care
benefits and raising premium
costs and co-payments, many
workers find themselves without
access to affordable health care.

In New York state alone, 3

million people are uninsured, and
2 million of them are middle-class
people working in small
businesses that offer no or high-
cost health coverage.

He advocated passing an
amendment to the state
constitution to guarantee citizens
access to minimally basic health
care. A Massachusetts law passed
last year requires most employers
to offer health coverage and
residents to buy health insurance
or be covered under a subsidized
plan if they are unable to afford a
health plan.

Cohen criticized the private
health savings accounts
supported by the Bush
administration, calling them a
“failure.”

In these tax-preferred accounts,
workers contribute thousands of
dollars annually for health care in
lieu of employer-sponsored group
insurance. The money, which
comes out of the workers’
pockets, is used in conjunction
with high-deductible health
insurance. The health savings
accounts shift health care costs

Dr. Jon R. Cohen outlines the
state’s health care crisis at the
CSEA Women’s Conference.

from employers to workers.

Cohen said the accounts have
backfired because fewer people
will get preventive, or even
necessary, health care.

“A lot of workers don’t want to
use their own money for health
care,” he said. “We don’t have a
health care system in this country.
We have a sick care system.”

— Janice Marra

January 2007

THE WORK FORCE Page 9

The unhealthy state of health care and what you can do: a special report

Prevail at bargaining table with Health

Benefits

Mcrte: of your bargaining
unit have been working
under an expired contract and it’s
unlikely you will have a new
agreement anytime soon.

The main reason for the stalled
negotiations is your employer is
seeking to cut the workers’ health
benefits and raise employee
contributions because of high
costs.

Sound familiar? This scenario is
increasingly common for many
CSEA bargaining units as health
care costs continue to rise, but
members can still get the
comprehensive and fair health
benefits that has helped make
CSEA New York’s Leading Union
with the help of several of the
union's professional resources.

Health Benefits Department

When CSEA members and staff
are facing issues related to
negotiated health benefits, the
CSEA Health Benefits Department
can provide

help and
guidance. : Q

The i Te
department ! \
coordinates

and oversees
all of the

union's

negotiated

health

benefits, and

its primary goal is to enhance and
expand health benefits while
containing costs to employers and
members.

Department staff have expertise
with issues facing the health care
industry, and their insight and
experience can help local
government members stretch

Department, Employee Benefit Fund

their health care dollars further.
Department staff educates
CSEA members on the efficient
use of their health care benefits.
Additionally, the department
conducts research into health
care options to help find the most
comprehensive benefits for CSEA
members at affordable costs.

Rx for health care costs

In the United States, health care
costs have risen by 73 percent
during the past decade, while
wages have only risen by 15
percent. New York state spends
about $48 billion on Medicaid per
year ~ the single largest expense
for most of the state’s counties.
Among the insured, costs of
premium and co-payments have
also increased significantly.

Health care costs are rising
primarily for the following
reasons:

* People are living longer;

* High cost of medical
technology, research and
development;

New prescription medications

for ailments — FAG

advertising
budget for
many of them;

* Increased
obesity rates;
and

* Large
profits for
insurance and
pharmaceutical
companies.

In the last five years,
prescription drug costs in the U.S.
have doubled from $85 billion to
$170 billion, prompting many local
governments to cut back on

and a hefty

a>,
—_

x

services and employee health
coverage. The Kaiser Family
Foundation, in a June report
about prescription drug trends,
projects drug costs to skyrocket
to more than $446 billion by 2015.
The foundation also reported in
June that health insurance
premiums have risen by 87
percent since 2000.

While CSEA members have felt
the pinch from these skyrocketing
drug costs, the Health Benefits
Department can help soften the
blow for workers and their
employers by negotiating
alternative prescription drug
options.

Several local government
entities have adopted alternative
prescription drug programs that
have provided savings to
employers while eliminating co-
payments for our members for
many high cost prescription
medications.

Many CSEA members have
options to buy reduced-cost
generic drugs, which cost as
much as 40 percent less as name-
brand drugs. Another successful
drug option are mail-order
pharmacies, which fill up to 90-
day supplies of maintenance
drugs at a lower cost to workers.

Other products and services,
including Flexible Spending
Accounts, have been adopted by
local government entities to
reduce member out-of-pocket
costs and employer premiums
while leaving benefits intact.

The Employee Benefit Fund

CSEA’s Employee Benefit Fund
is also an essential resource for
local government units looking to
negotiate high-quality — and

affordable — dental, vision and

other health benefits into their

contracts.

EBF provides benefits to more

than 450 local government, school
district and
public
authority
units across

the state. Its
staff has
considerable

experience in
dealing with
the
complexities
that
surround Local Government
negotiations.

When CSEA local government
unit negotiating teams are trying
to find the best dental and vision
benefits, they can turn to EBF for
expert comparison.

This service may be used by
unit officers at any time, whether
they are preparing for contract
negotiations or are already in the
middle of a contract, and would
like to review programs and
benefits.

This service can help units
compare various benefit programs
before they settle on a provider.
For example, if a CSEA unit has
dental coverage that is not
through the EBF but wants to
compare its coverage with any
EBF plans or other providers, EBF
staff will compare and evaluate
the quality of all proposals.

This study will show the
specific strengths and weaknesses
of the plans reviewed. Similar
analyses can be made with the
vision care programs offered. The
CSEA EBF dental and vision
programs provide many options

Page 10 January 2007

THE WORK FORCE

on every plan.

Since no two bargaining units
are the same, all programs are
developed to meet the varying
needs of the CSEA units in local
government.

EBF also has the ability to
improve on plans offered by other
providers and could potentially
lower costs because of EBF’s
status as a non-profit trust fund.

Units wishing to take advantage
of this service should call the
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
Marketing Department at the
number listed below. There is no
obligation and units do not have
to contract with EBF to use this
service.

A thorough explanation of
benefits is available to local
government units from the CSEA
EBF by calling the fund.

— Janice Marra, Margaret
Gannon, Dave Reed
and Frank Antonucci

To contact the CSEA Health
Benefits Department, call (518)
785-4774 (within the Capital
District area) or (800) 286-5242.
Visit the Health Benefits
Department web page on CSEA’s
website at www.csealocall000.0rg
/health_benefits.php.

To contact the Employee Benefit
Fund, call (800) 323-2732
(800-EBF-CSEA). Visit EBF’s website
at www.cseaebf.com.

Greenwich school unit finds succes

GREENWICH — CSEA members have
been increasingly saddled with high
health care costs, but the Health
Benefits Department can help
members - and employers - better
manage health care costs by
bringing fresh ideas to the
bargaining table that cuts costs and
protects health benefits.

“We just think outside the box,”
CSEA Health Benefits Specialist
Margaret Gannon said. “We bring a
very unique perspective to health
benefits coverage. We can help
maintain and improve our members’
health benefits while saving them
and their employers money.”

That innovation helped protect
health benefits in the CSEA
Greenwich School District Unit's
contract.

The unit's 70 members pay 10
percent of the cost of their health
insurance premiums. When the unit
began its contract negotiations with
the Washington County school
district last year, district
administrators proposed to increase
the premium contribution to 13
percent of the cost. Greenwich
administrators also offered the
union a four-year contract with 2.5
percent raises each year.

CSEA Greenwich School District
Unit and Washington County Local
President Brenda Facin said the
negotiating team was dissatisfied
with the proposal and wanted to find
a way to save on health care costs,
yet retain the same level of benefits.

She turned to her labor relations
specialist, Richard Blair, for help,
and he recommended turning to
CSEA’s Health Benefits Department
to research a possible solution.

Gannon did a cost analysis of the
unit's health care options,
particularly Empire Blue Cross/Blue
Shield’s Matrix and PPO health
plans, and found that the PPO
offered a similar level of health
benefits at a significantly lower cost.

Several of the unit's active
members, as well as many of the

Brenda Facin, shown here in her office at Greenwich High School, used

CSEA’s Health Benefits Department to negotiate for her unit a
comprehensive health care plan that also saves money for members and

district administrators.

unit's retirees, were covered through
the Matrix plan, Gannon found that
if they all changed to the PPO
option, the district would save
$50,000 each year.

Along with Facin, Blair and the
unit's negotiating team, Gannon
presented her findings to the
membership.

“We talked to everyone, especially
those who were covered by the
Matrix plan. We had to convince the
membership that the PPO’s benefits
are just as good, if not better in
some areas, than those in the Matrix
plan,” Facin said. “We also showed
them they would save money by
switching plans.

Facin said the union decided to
propose their findings to district
administrators.

“We offered to give up the Matrix
plan and save the district money,
but in return, we asked the district
not to increase our health insurance
contributions and to increase the
percentage of our raises each year,”
she said.

District administrators were
receptive to CSEA's proposal,
agreeing to a five-year contract with
4 percent raises each year in

exchange for discontinuing the
Matrix plan. The district also gave
each unit member stipends for 2006
and 2007, as well as PEOPLE check-
off and Work Institute programming
to train members. Unit members
ratified the contract unanimously.

Facin said members of her unit
are now reaching out to Gannon
with questions about their health
beneifts.

“L attribute our unanimous
ratification to Margaret and Rich,”
Facin said. “They're specialists in
their field and they really know what
they're doi

Facin said district administrators,
including Superintendent John
McGuire, are very supportive of the
workers.

“They have total respect for
CSEA,” she said. “I realize that other
units have much more difficulty in
dealing with their employers, so
we're grateful that our district works
well with us.”

— Janice Marra

January 2007 Page 11

The unhealthy state of health care and what you can do: a special report

CSEA’s Valuable Insurance Program
protects your health, peace of mind

For more than 70 years, CSEA
members have been able to add
an extra layer of protection to
their health, lives and families
through the union’s
supplemental insurance
programs.

Even if CSEA members have
very comprehensive health
benefits through their
employers, unexpected illnesses
or injuries can derail their
financial health. The union’s
insurance programs can help
financially protect members and
their families.

Working with Pearl Carroll &
Associates, which administers
many of CSEA’s insurance
programs, the union’s insurance
program goal is to provide
members with the best possible
insurance plans at the best
possible price. Pearl Carroll &
Associates is an independent
company based in New York
state, so their focus is on
members as neighbors.

CSEA and Pearl Carroll &
Associates designed some of the
insurance programs to meet
members’ unique needs. They
are underwritten by some of the
most respected insurance
companies in the business,
providing complete, competitive
and affordable coverage. With an
easy payroll deduction system in
place, CSEA members also have
no worries about paying their
premiums on time.

PEARL:-CARROLL
& ASSOCIATES

Page 12 THE WORK FORCE

On this page is an overview of
CSEA’s supplemental insurance
programs.

Critical Illness

The CSEA Voluntary Critical
Illness Program, also called
Specified Illness Insurance,
provides members and their
families with benefits should
they be struck by cancer, heart
attack, kidney (renal) failure,
stroke and other conditions
requiring a major organ
transplant.

While most medical insurance
plans provide coverage for
catastrophic expenses, not all
expenses associated with an
illness are covered.

The CSEA Critical Illness
Program will pay a lump sum
benefit that can be used to meet
out-of-pocket expenses such as
deductibles, co-insurance, travel,
phone or household help. There
is no coordination of benefits.
Full benefits are paid directly to
the insured regardless of what
he/she may collect from any
other insurance.

This type of coverage acts as
a supplement to insurance plans
and may not, by law, be used as
a substitute. Under New York
law, anyone who is not insured
under an individual or group
policy that arranges or provides
basic hospital and basic medical
and/or major medical insurance
is not eligible for this coverage.

Classic Disability Income Plan
If CSEA members are unable to
work due to an extensive illness
or injury, the Disability Income
Plan pays a monthly benefit.
This monthly benefit amount will

begin after a specified waiting
period and will continue for a
specified benefit period.

Your eligibility for benefits will
be determined by your group
policy including its exclusions
and limitations, pre-existing
conditions and coordination of
benefit provisions.

Hospital Income Plan

The Hospital Income Plan is a
supplemental insurance policy
that pays a daily benefit to CSEA
members are hospitalized for an
accident, illness, or injury.

This benefit, which is paid
directly to enrolled members, is
over and above any other
available insurance, and is not
dependent upon the amount of
medical expenses involved.

These benefits can help
members offset the cost of
deductibles, co-payments and
other out-of-pocket medical
expenses related to
hospitalization that are not
covered by health insurance.

This plan also contains
benefits for ambulance services,
second opinion and outpatient
procedures.

Life insurance plans

CSEA members can help
protect their families financially
in the event of their deaths
through one of the union’s
sponsored life insurance
programs.

CSEA and Pear! Carroll &
Associates have designed
several individual and group life
insurance products to fit your
needs.

CSEA’s Security Life Premier
Plan covers members and their
families for up to $250,000 in the
event of a policyholder’s death.
This program does not build any
cash value.

The union’s Family Protection
Whole Life Insurance Plan offers
life insurance coverage with
accumulating cash values after
the first few years of coverage.
This plan also allows an insured
member to take out cash loans
from the cash values of the plan.

The Estate Master Select
Universal Life Insurance Plan
offers life insurance coverage
with accumulating cash values
after the first few years of
coverage. This plan also allows
an insured member to take out
cash loans from the cash values
of the plan. This plan allows
CSEA members to adjust their
death benefits and premiums as
their family needs change
without buying another plan.

For more information or to enroll
in an insurance program, contact
Pearl Carroll & Associates

at (877) 847-2732

(877-VIP-CSEA) or visit the CSEA
insurance program website at
www.cseainsurance.com.

January 2007
CSEA members save prison farm from ruin

FALLSBURG — Had a
group of CSEA
members working at
Sullivan Correctional
Facility not acted

Saved from fire

In October 2005,
when a CSEA member
first smelled smoke in
the area of the farm’s

quickly on Oct. 26, 265,000 Members Strong bedding silo, workers
2005, operations at the Listy, FLEX S cui quickly took action.
maximum-security KELERE GUS Farm managers said

prison would be
running differently
today.

Sullivan Correctional Facility is
home to one of the several dairy
farms run adjacent to state
correctional facilities across New
York. These dairy farms provide
inmates in their prisons’ region
with milk and other dairy
products.

The farmers are state
employees who work along with
inmates, who are supervised by
corrections officers, to raise a
large dairy herd, pasteurize the
milk the cows supply, and deliver
it to 11 other correctional facilities
in the area.

The farmers at Sullivan
Correctional Facility say they are
proud of their farm operation.
Sullivan’s farm, one of the highest
milk-producing corrections farms
in the state, has been designated
as a Dairy of Distinction, an honor
bestowed on many private farms.

quick thinking saved

the state hundreds of
thousands of dollars in damages
while preserving the source of
milk for correctional facilities in
the lower Catskills.

“Jeremy Hubert, one of our
farmers, first saw the smoke, so
he told the corrections officers at
the farm,” said Larry Bracken,
farm manager. “It was a
cooperative effort between us and
the corrections officers. Jeremy
went and grabbed fire
extinguishers, while Mike Walter,
our lead farmer, went and grabbed
hoses to connect to the fire
hydrants we have on the farm.”

While Bracken and Hubert
continued to fight the growing fire,
Walter and farmer Duane Hannold
pulled the farm’s dozens of
Holstein cows to safety. By the
time local firefighters arrived, the
fire was extinguished.

“The potential for disaster with
this fire was huge,” said Sullivan
Correctional Facility CSEA Local

ik

Four CSEA members who work in the farm at the Sullivan Correctional
Facility were honored at a recent local meeting for their efforts
extinguishing a fire at the farm. From left, Trevor Grant, farmer; Mike
Walter, lead farmer; Southern Region President Diane Hewitt; Jeremy
Hubert, farmer; Larry Bracken, farm manager; and Sullivan
Correctional Facility Local President Merv Armstead. Also honored
but not shown is farmer Duane Hannold.

President Mervin Armstead, who
recently honored the farm
workers at a local meeting. “These
men went above and beyond.
They prevented the fire from
becoming a real disaster.”

“I am always proud that
whenever there is an obstacle, the
members of CSEA go over it,
around it and through it to get the
job done,” said Southern Region
President Diane Hewitt, who
presented plaques to the farm
workers.

Now, it’s business at usual again
at the farm. Nearly 24 inmates
work eight-hour shifts during the
farm's operating hours from 6 a.m.
to 8 p.m.

A sign of the high quality of this
operation, a portion of the
Sullivan herd was recently sold ,
fetching an impressive $200,000
for the state.

— Jessica Ladlee

CSEA gives relief to June flooding victims

SYRACUSE — CSEA members
affected by June’s severe flooding
who applied for help from the
union’s flood relief efforts recently
received a gift from their union
brothers and sisters just in time
for the holidays.

The most severely affected
CSEA members mostly live in New
York’s Schoharie Valley and
Southern Tier.

CSEA members raised money
for flood relief through multiple
fund-raisers and donation

collections, including a website
the union established at
www.cseacares.com. The union’s
efforts got a huge boost in
September when AFSCME
President Gerald McEntee
presented Moore and CSEA
President Danny Donohue with a
check to CSEA’s relief fund for
$50,000.

The proceeds of the CSEA fund-
raising efforts were split evenly
between the union members who
applied for relief. Letters like the

following were typical of those
received thanking CSEA for its
efforts.

“I received the check from the
union yesterday and wanted to
send along my thanks. The money
is really appreciated, especially at
this time of year when we are
dealing with the added stress of
Christmas, with so much money
going out to fix our home. Please
extend my appreciation to
everyone involved in organizing
the flood relief committee. Thank

you so much. Merry Christmas.
We'll hope for a better 2007,” said
Diana Wilson of the Broome
County Local.

“We're so proud of what our
committee members were able to
accomplish to help our brothers
and sisters in need, and we thank
all who donated on their behalf,”
Central Region President Jim
Moore said on behalf of the
union’s region presidents.

— Mark M. Kotzin

January 2007 THE WORKFORCE Page 13

CSEA Women’s Conference

CSEA women building a better future

TARRYTOWN — [i
More than 400 §j
CSEA members
sharpened their
leadership
skills, mastered
career and
personal life
management
tips and
strengthened
their solidarity
at the union’s

Standing Women’s
Committee Chair
Jackie Stanford
welcomes CSEA

recent
. members to the
statewide
te conference.
Women’s
Conference.

In keeping with the conference's
theme, “Union Women Building a
Better Future,” CSEA members
attended workshops and other
presentations throughout the
weekend aimed at developing new
skills and honing acquired ones.
The conference is also open to men
and non-activist CSEA members.

CSEA President Danny Donohue
said women have advanced the
labor movement.

“CSEA is uniquely gifted by
having many female officers and
delegates,” Donohue said. “New
York works at every level because
of the work women do every day.”

“The CSEA Women’s Conference
provides a unique opportunity for
our members to discuss and share
ideas on topics traditionally of
concern to women,” Standing
Women’s Committee Chair Jackie
Stanford said. “With women of all
ages increasingly entering and
advancing in the workplace,
addressing work and family issues
has become even more important
for women and men.”

Providing one of the conference's
most uplifting moments was the
“Sounds of Unity” session led by the
New York Drum Café. During that
plenary session, which generated a
standing ovation, attendees banged
on various-sized drums to celebrate
their diversity and unity.

Page 14 THE WORK FORCE January 2007

Other conference programs
addressed topics that concern
members in and out of the
workplace, including political
action, sexual harassment, financial
planning, domestic violence, stress
management, yoga and Tai Chi.

Another conference highlight was
a presentation on the state’s health
care crisis by Dr. Jon R. Cohen, chief
medical officer at North Shore Long
Island Jewish Health System.

Cohen said health care is the
largest cost for public and private
entities. “Counties cannot build
roads or improve education as a
result of Medicaid increases,” he
said. “Ten New York state counties
spent their entire real estate tax
collections on Medicaid last year.”

— Janice Marra

SUNY New Paltz Local member Mary Griffin, Standing Women’s
Committee Southern Region representative Karen Pecora and Standing
Women’s Committee Retiree representative Sylvia Thomas drum to the
beat during the “Sounds of Unity” plenary session. In the background are
Standing Women’s Committee members Bobbi Eisgrau, Cathy Barretta and
Kim Wallace.

TARRYTOWN — Catherine
Custance, a Long Island Region
activist who has devoted years of
service to union and women’s
causes, was presented this year’s
Irene Carr Leadership Award at the
CSEA Women’s Conference.

“Catherine gives selflessly of her
time and talents whenever and
wherever she is needed,” said Long
Island Region President Nick
LaMorte. “She is always a fine
representative of CSEA, a
passionate advocate for workplace
safety and justice, and this
recognition is well-deserved.”

In 2005 Custance was selected to
become one of the first participants
in CSEA’s Leadership Education and
Development Program, which is
designed to cultivate new
leadership in the union, insuring its
continued health and vitality.

Custance, executive vice
president of the Pilgrim Psychiatric
Center Local, created a domestic
violence awareness workshop

Custance wins 2006 Irene Carr Leadership Award

during her participation in CSEA’s
first Leadership Education and
Development program. She has
presented the program to CSEA
members across the state,
including at the Women’s
Conference.

“Domestic violence is an issue
that is near and dear to my heart,”
she said. “Since I've begun
presenting the program, I have
been able to help 62 CSEA members
who were facing domestic violence
and the last three have been men.”

Carr, a former statewide
secretary who died in 2004, fought
for what she called “work and
family issues,” including
encouraging women to take union
leadership roles and building more
than 50 child care centers at state
agencies.

CSEA President Danny Donohue
congratulates Catherine Custance
on winning the 2006 Irene Carr
Leadership Award. (Photo by
Jessica Ladlee)

— Janice Marra
and Rachel Langert

CSEA Women’s Conference

Union gets Katrina victim through the storm

TARRYTOWN — Michele Baker
had planned to live in New
Orleans for the rest of her life.

Instead, the past president of
AFSCME Local 872 was forced to
flee her home and job as a
custodial supervisor amid
Hurricane Katrina and its
devastating floods.

During the dark days following the storm, it
was AFSCME members’ solidarity that brought
Baker and her husband some light and helped the
couple recover from Katrina.

“We were helped by the solidarity of our
union,” Baker said during an address at the
recent CSEA Women’s Conference. “Without
AFSCME, we would be much worse off today.”

Baker

Trapped in the storm

Baker had planned to evacuate to Atlanta, but
she was unable to leave New Orleans when her
father died shortly before the storm. She and her
husband weathered the storm in their sport
utility vehicle and found themselves trapped
when floodwaters rose after the city’s levees
broke.

“T held onto my husband and prayed for
safety,” she said.

At one point, National Guard soldiers passed
by them and Baker, who is unable to swim,

begged for help.

“They said they couldn't stop for us,” she said.

Eventually, Baker and her husband waded
through the floodwaters and reached the
Superdome, where conditions were quickly
deteriorating for thousands of people trapped in
the shelter of “last resort.” They shared the last
of their own food supply with several young
children.

“When I was walking through the water, it was
all about survival and trusting God,” she said.
“Our administration didn’t come through for us.”

Helping hands

Driven by solidarity and the Bush
administration’s lackluster response to the
disaster, AFSCME members, including CSEA
members, began helping their brothers and
sisters affected by Katrina by raising money,
collecting basic supplies and searching for
members in shelters in Gulf Coast states.

Baker and her husband boarded a bus at the
Superdome for a shelter in Baton Rouge, La.,
where an AFSCME searcher later found them.

“I started yelling, ‘my union came for me!” she
said. “My union helped us, not our government.”

Unable to return to her storm-devastated east
New Orleans neighborhood, Baker needed a new
beginning. AFSCME paid $5,000 to Baker and
other members affected by the storm.

The International also gave her a job as a staff
organizer for AFSCME Local 1550 in Houston,
where Baker now lives.

“(Union members) don’t just come together for
grievances,” she said. “We come toward each
other for love and support. Our union helped us
get our lives back together.”

She has visited her home in New Orleans,
which she said looked like a ‘war zone,’ and
hopes to move back to the city one day. She
would also like to see more New Orleans
residents return.

“We're desperate and still need help,” Baker
said. “We appreciate everything CSEA and
AFSCME have done for us and please do not stop
here. We have a long, long way to go.”

CSEA Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan
said Baker’s story proves the need for union
solidarity.

“When no one is there to help us, we need to
be there for each other,” she said.

— Janice Marra

CSEA members can help Katrina victims by
purchasing Cooks from the Heart, a cookbook of |
CSEA members’ favorite recipes. Visit
www.csealocall000.org/cooks_order.php for more
information or call 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1256.

Photos of the Women’s Conference

Left, CSEA
Secretary
Barbara
Reeves
addresses the
Women’s
Conference.

Left, CSEA
President Danny
Donohue, CSEA
Secretary
Barbara Reeves
| and Standing
Women’s
| Committee
members
.| welcome first-
time conference
attendees.

Right,
Left, CSEA Southern
Executive Vice Region
President Mary President
Sullivan Diane Hewitt
introduces welcomes
Michele Baker. attendees to

the region.

— Photos by Jessica Ladlee and Janice Marra

Right,
CSEA
Treasurer
Maureen
Malone
discusses
the union’s
efforts to
help
Katrina
victims.

Nassau County Local activist
Nydia Concepcion enters a raffle
at the Women's Committee table.

January 2007 THE WORK FORCE Page 15
Important 2007 changes regarding Empire
Plan participating laboratory providers

There will be a
change in
participating
providers of
laboratory services under the
Empire Plan Medical Program
effective Jan. 1, 2007.

¢ As of Jan. 1, 2007, Laboratory
Corporation of America (LabCorp)
will be the sole national
participating provider of laboratory
services for the Empire Plan
Medical Program. In addition to
LabCorp, many other regional and
local laboratory providers continue
to participate, providing broad
access to participating providers
for laboratory services.

« Effective Jan. 1, 2007, Quest
Diagnostics will no longer be a
participating provider of laboratory
services for the Empire Plan
Medical Program.

What this means to you
While you may not always know

what laboratory your physician
uses, to minimize your out-of-
pocket expense it is important your
physician sends your samples to an
Empire Plan participating
laboratory for testing. As long as
your physician uses a participating
laboratory, you will not be
responsible for any cost other than
your co-payment for covered
services.

What UHC is doing
United HealthCare continues to
expand the network of regional and
local participating laboratory
providers in areas where Quest has
in the past provided lab services,
including New York, New Jersey

Health _ ¢
Benefits

and Connecticut.
LabCorp is also
working to increase
its presence in these
markets.

United HealthCare, in
cooperation with LabCorp and the
regional and local participating
laboratory providers, has initiated
an aggressive communications
campaign to target participating
doctors to ensure they are aware of
these changes. Participating
physicians are receiving letters,
telephone calls and site visits that
will continue through the end of
this year and early 2007.

What you should do

Ask your physician to verify that
your laboratory participates in the
Empire Plan. If the laboratory your
doctor regularly uses is no longer a
participating provider after Jan. 1,
2007, United HealthCare will be
happy to help you or your
physician identify laboratories
covered under the plan.

For a list of participating
laboratory locations, visit the New
York State Health Insurance
Program’s (NYSHIP) website at
www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd/welcome/lo
gin.cfm. Follow the prompts and
then select “Using Your Benefits.”

For more information, you can
call 1-877-7NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447);
select United HealthCare (option 1)
and then select the option for Plan
Benefits (option 1).

See Page 18 for more about
Empire Plan changes for 2007.

PEOPLE PERSON —
The PEOPLE recruiter
of the month of
November is Barbara
Rustin of the New York
Metropolitan Retirees
Local in the
Metropolitan Region.
She recruited 14 new
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 ... PESH CITES STATE
PARK — The state Public
Employees Safety and Health
Bureau issued five citations
following reports that CSEA
members at Bear Mountain State
Park were working under hazardous
conditions, including suspected
crumbling asbestos and lead

IRK'S
DING UNIC

TOD

exposure, during
renovations at the Bear
Mountain Inn.
Following a complaint
CSEA filed with PESH
last May, renovations at
the historic inn were
stopped. CSEA argued
workers were not being
informed whether
asbestos and lead were
present. The PESH citations require
that workers in affected areas be
informed of risks and trained in
asbestos awareness. PESH also said
park officials must officially
determine the amount of asbestos
at the inn and other potentially
affected work sites within Bear
Mountain State Park. Other
requirements in the citations
included educating workers on the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's lead standards, in
the event they are exposed to lead,
and having management provide
records of asbestos containing
materials and lead in the workplace.

May 15 is deadline for submitting proposed
resolutions, changes to CSEA’s Constitution

& Bylaws

Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the CSEA
Constitution & Bylaws for consideration by CSEA delegates to the
union’s 2007 Annual Delegates Meeting must be submitted by May 15,

2007.

Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the CSEA

Constitution & Bylaws may be submitted only by a delegate and must
be submitted on the proper forms. Forms for submitting resolutions are
available from CSEA headquarters and region offices.

Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the Constitution

and Bylaws must be submitted no later than May 15 to Statewide
Secretary Barbara Reeves, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave.,

Albany, N.Y., 12210-2303.

The 2007 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting will be held Sept. 17 - 21 in

Lake Placid.

Break in membership affects eligi

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

* seeking or holding union office;

© signing nominating petitions for
potential candidates;

* voting in union elections, and;

* voting on collective bargaining
contracts.

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

If you go on unpaid leave or for any other
reason have a break in your employment
status, your dues will not continue to be paid
through payroll deductions. You must make
arrangements to pay your dues directly to
CSEA to continue your membership status. If
you are either laid off or placed on leave
without pay status due to becoming disabled

ity for union office, voting p

leges

by accident, illness, maternity or paternity,
you may be eligible for dues-free
membership status for a period not to
exceed one year. If you are called up for
active military duty you may also apply for
dues-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.

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 January 2007

CSEA Legal Services Program:
truly a diamond in the rough

The CSEA Legal Services
Program provides our members
and their families with
opportunities for quality legal
representation in numerous non-
employment related areas.
Currently there are five separate
plans within this unique Program.

“Taking Care of Business: You,
Your Family and Your Life”
covers advanced directives such
as wills, health care proxies, and
powers of attorney. It also
includes areas generally referred
to as “elder law” covering estate
planning, Medicaid eligibility and
long term care arrangements to
protect family assets and plan for
unexpected contingencies. You
have worked hard to have your
own home, put away money for
retirement and save for your
children. All of this could be
threatened at any moment by a
loved one’s illness or disability.
Taking Care of Business entitles
you to legal consultations,
guidance, document preparation
and, where needed,
representation.

Our Social Security Disabilities
Benefits [SSDB] Plan provides
representation to those who
become unable to work because
of a disability, whether physical or
mental, but are not age-eligible to
retire [65 or older depending on
date of birth]. SSDB provides
monthly payments to workers
meeting the SSA definition of
disabled and covers every
disability, not just on the job
disabilities. Hereditary conditions
and those that result from aging
are considered as well. Unable to
do “any substantial gainful work”
due to a physical or mental
impairment that has lasted or is
expected to last one year can
qualify you for benefits. This SSDB
Plan entitles you to consultation,

guidance, and representation to
secure these benefits if you or a
family member qualifies.

The CSEA Workers
Compensation Legal Assistance
Program [WCLAP] helps injured
workers to secure full coverage
for all medical care resulting from
a work-related injury, as well as
wage replacement for temporary
or permanent loss of earnings and
special compensation for loss or
partial loss of a limb. While you
have two years to file a WC claim,
notice to your employer does not
constitute filing for a WC claim to
be initiated on your behalf. And,
once filed, a WC claim entitles you
to the medical benefits and
weekly payments for a minimum
of 18 years and possibly for life.

Our CSEA Personal Injury Plan
helps you if you sustain a
personal injury as a result of an
accident caused by someone
else’s carelessness. The injury
does NOT have to be work-related
to be covered or compensable.
Examples of accidents covered by
our Personal Injury Plan include:
auto accidents; pedestrian
accidents; bike or boat accidents;
slips or falls; dog bites;
construction work; defective or
unsafe products; and medical
malpractice. For many non-work-
related accidents the timeframe
for commencing an action against
the third party is very short; even
as short as 30 days for no fault
auto filings or 90 days in other
instances.

And, there is the CSEA Personal
Legal Services Plan, designed to
help you with the many life events
such as adoption, marriage and
divorce, real estate transactions,
consumer installment contracts,
document review, and more, for
which quality representation by

an attorney will be important to
you and your family members.

Under the administration of our
CSEA Legal Department, all
program attorneys have agreed to
provide their services at
substantially discounted
prepublished fees, or 20 percent
discount for Taking Care of
Business, or with no out-of-pocket
expense where fees are provided
by statute as in Workers
Compensation matters. Fees vary
across the state, depending on the
geographic area of the
participating attorney. Without
the benefit of the CSEA Program
discount, these services would
cost you much more.

Finding a CSEA Legal Services
Program attorney is as simple as
calling the CSEA toll-free number:

1-800-342-4146 and following the
prompts for the Legal Services
Program. Listen to the directions
for accessing the Injury-Related
Plans, or the Non-Injury Related
Plans, which include the Taking
Care of Business Plan.
Information is also available on
the CSEA website at
www.csealocal1000.org.

CSEA’s Legal Services Program
is truly a “diamond in the rough,”
providing you and your family
with quality services and
expertise. But, like a good
diamond, the LSP has many facets
and it increases in value literally
and otherwise, only if you take it
out, use it and share it with
others!

NOTICE + NOTICE + NOTICE + NOTICE + NO RDING UNION |
265,000 Members Strong

REMINDER TO PRIVATE

ELIECTLOL.
WOLLCLE

SECTOR LOCAL PRESIDENTS

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.

THE WORK FORCE Page 17

January 2007
Health insurance option transfer
period extended until Dec. 29

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 free Choices guide available
from their agency’s benefits
administrator. Choices contains
information on the Empire Plan
and health maintenance
organizations that participate
in the New York State Health
Insurance Program (NYSHIP).

Check the rates
At press time, the health
insurance rates and deadlines

publication for
2007 was being
printed and
mailed to
enrollees’
homes. Members who want to
change health insurance
options must submit a signed
Health Insurance Transaction
Form PS-404 to their agency's
health benefit administrator by
Dec. 29, 2006.

The 2007 biweekly health
insurance premium deductions
for CSEA active state
employees are noted on the
chart on this page.

Although the Empire Plan
has experienced a modest

Health

Benefits %

premium
increase this
year, the HMO
premium rates
vary. Many of
the HMOs have made
significant changes to their co-
payments and benefit structure
which may have resulted in a
decrease in premium and
extensive increases to out-of-
pocket expenses.

Please remember to review
all benefits changes and
premium rates during this
option transfer period. This is
necessary because requests to
change health insurance
options outside the option

NYSHIP 2007 Premium Rates

(For CSEA Executive Branch Active Exp loyees}
= -

Healih Plan
Name

NYSHIP
Option Code

J niiv ideal Premiums

2007

The Empire Flan

oot

Aetna 210
Bine Choice

CDPHP (Capital)

CDPHP al)

HMD Blue (Utica Waterto

Tudlepe nclent Health

IVP Health (East)

Health

MVP Health (Mid-Hudson)

Prefertect Care

Univers Healthcare

Page 18 THE WORK FORCE January 2007

transfer period are limited. See
your General Information
Book/Empire Plan Certificate
for more information.

Payroll dates

New health insurance
options for administrative lag -
exempt employees will begin
Dec. 28, 2006. If you change
options, the earliest paycheck
in which an adjustment will be
made is the Dec. 13, 2006,
paycheck.

New health insurance
options for administrative lag
payroll employees will begin
Dec. 28, 2006. If you change
options, the earliest paycheck
in which an adjustment will be
made is the Dec. 27, 2006,
paycheck.

New health insurance
options for employees under
the institutional payroll will
begin Jan. 4, 2007. The earliest
paycheck in which you will see
a health insurance deduction
change will be the Jan. 4, 2007,
paycheck.

Because of processing time,
most paycheck changes will be
made retroactively in mid-to
late-January and will include
retroactive deductions to the
effective date of coverage.
More information about the
option transfer period is
available at agency personnel
offices.

See Page 16 for important
changes in laboratory providers
participating in the Empire Plan.

Page 2 State of our Union State of our Union

A message from’\.,
CSEA President
Danny Donohue

| am proud to tell you the state of
our union has never been better or
stronger, but the challenges we
face have never been greater.

Most importantly, actions at
every level of our union over the
past year have helped to secure
our future and better prepare us for
what lies ahead.

In the coming year, each of us
must renew our commitment in
word and action to demonstrating
that we truly are New York's
leading union.
effective and responsive for our members.

Everywhere we turn, working people are
under attack and it is up to all of us to stand up
for fairness and respect.

Through our International union, AFSCME,
and in our own actions, an historic overhaul of
our union has begun to enhance our political
clout, improve our ability to organize new
members and better train our activists for the
fight ahead. It is a necessary part of
safeguarding the rights and benefits we have
won and ensure that we have the resources and
ability to keep fighting successfully at the
national, state and local levels.

We cannot transform our union without your
help. The strength of CSEA comes from having
thousands of members in thousands of places,
making our voices heard in all those locations.
It doesn’t happen on its own. We need more
members to become activists. That means
helping out in local activities — a contract
campaign or mobilizing around a budget issue
that affects you, or even volunteering on a
community or charity activity or social event.

CSEA also needs activists to become shop
stewards and local or unit union officers. It may
be a big step for you and will require enormous
determination, training and learning, but our
future depends on scores of individuals like
you, stepping up to represent your union.

CSEA also strives to make sure our officers
have the best available training and help to get
the job done and that means new skills,

C SEA is focused on making our union more

Page 2

technology and approaches. Our Leadership
Education and Development (LEAD) program is
such a groundbreaking effort that needs to
grow. LEAD provides a yearlong, intensive
curriculum for union activists to help them

“become better leaders. Our first statewide

LEAD class graduated last year and our second
group of activists began their training this year.

Election 2006

Sal
Months of hard work by CSEA activists
produced Election Day success for most CSEA-
supported candidates across the state. CSEA
members showed up in force and it made a
huge difference in many races. As important as
electing allies may be, it is also essential that
each of us hold all elected officials — friend and
foe — accountable. For CSEA members, there is
a direct connection between our strength at the
ballot box, our strength in the legislative arena
and our strength at the bargaining table.

Securing strong contracts

Negotiating and protecting strong contracts
for our members is CSEA’s top priority. Scores
of contracts were fairly settled over the past
year because of the expertise and skill of CSEA
staff and local negotiating teams, supported by
local leadership and members. Spirited contract

: ah FI

campaigns using a wide range of traditional and
high tech tactics helped bring about positive
results.

Many of our largest county units and the
state bargaining units will be among the CSEA
units facing contract negotiations in 2007. CSEA
will be working vigorously to achieve fair
settlements.

Campaigning for Quality Care

CSEA’s Quality Care campaign for the future
of developmental disabilities services and the
people who provide these services in New York
gained momentum throughout the year. The
Qualitycareny.com website was launched to
help gain wider understanding and exposure for
what is at stake.

Securing a first contract for the employees of
Lifespire, the largest group of private sector
employees to ever join CSEA, demonstrated the
benefits of cooperative and respectful labor-
management dialogue. Both CSEA and the
Lifespire management are in agreement to work
together for more resources to fund
improvements that will benefit services,
workers and most importantly the individuals.
CSEA was also instrumental in the state
legislature's overwhelming approval of the
Quality Care Act, which would have provided an
additional $25 million in funding to help boost
the scandalously low pay of employees of not-

State of our Union

for-profit agencies providing developmental
disabilities services. Unfortunately, at press
time, the legislation’s fate was uncertain due to
incomprehensible opposition from the largest
service contractors, led by NYSARC, Inc.

More Secure Work Sites

CSEA played the leading role in the
enactment of the landmark Worksite Security
Act, which will help make New York the
national leader in protecting public employees
from potential workplace violence. The law
requires public employers with more than 20
employees to assess potential risks and take
appropriate measures to reduce them.

CSEA laid the groundwork for this legislation
following the murder of four members at the
Schuyler County Department of Social Services
in Watkins Glen in 1992. After the murders,
CSEA worked with many localities across the
state to assess risks in public buildings and
develop cost-effective measures to protect
workers and the public. During this time it
became clear that New York needed statewide

standards for safer work sites.

State of our Union

Working For Better
Health Care

One of the highlights of the
2006 legislative session was
CSEA’s securing a commitment
for an additional $100 million in
annual state funding of county
nursing facilities. That victory
was thrown into some question
at year's end with the release of
the recommendations of Gov.
George Pataki's Commission on
Health Care Facilities in the 21st
Century. The commission

recommends the merger of
numerous facilities and widespread
privatization of key public health care centers
CSEA believes would undermine the access and
quality of health care in many communities.
CSEA mounted an immediate and vocal
statewide campaign urging better choices. (See
story, Page 3)

Responding to Disaster

Whether it was the floods of summer or the
unexpected snows of October, CSEA members
were going above and beyond the call of duty
on the front lines of public safety. Off the job,
CSEA members demonstrated their incredible
humanity and generosity in helping individuals
and communities survive and rebuild. Even
beyond the borders of New York, CSEA
members continued their efforts to help the
victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural
disasters. It is truly inspiring!

CSEA 100 Project

CSEA is proud of who we are and what we
do. For nearly 100 years we have grown and
changed into New York's leading union while
holding true to our purpose and principles.
Especially as we approach our century mark, it
is important to preserve and learn from our
history as we chart our course ahead. You can
view an online gallery of nearly 1,000 photos
that tell the story of CSEA at
www.csealocal1000.org/whoweare.php. Thanks
to CSEA, tremendous work has been
accomplished at the CSEA archives, housed in
the Grenander Special Collections at the
University at Albany.

Throughout our history, CSEA has accepted
many challenges and we are stronger for it. We
are well prepared for the challenges of 2007
and beyond and will continue to do what is
right. I look forward to working with you and
making the year ahead our best yet.

ant

Page19
CSEs® Long Island Region ”

Pe © ign

-6ng Island Reporter
CSEA mounts one-two punch

SEA was appalled when the Governor’s
Commission on Health Care Facilities in the
21st Century, released a se recommending
widespread closures and other downsizing to
many of the state’s hi ospite Is and nursing homes.

Lawmakers ial heard CSEA members and have
made it cle: r that few oft e recommendations will come
about without addressing roblem areas.

When the report recommended the pr s of State University | sw York hospitals, the gloves
came off. 2
The SUNY Stony Brook Local, in coo! e) ith the Long Island “Jl In, mounted a Day ot keion BA,
to deal a ‘one-two juste oa to the so eport at the whole notion of as SUNY.

2007

4

PUBLIC HEALTH
CARE IS wv
BS FOR saul /

Please see Health Care continued on Page 3
Health Care conta from page 1

“| strongly urge you to defeat this plan. It is bad medicine
for New York,” CSEA Long Island Region President Nick
LaMorte told the state Assembly panel convened in Medford
to hear testimony on the recommendation.

The report on hospital and nursing home restructuring
and downsizing was scheduled to become law if state
lawmakers failed to reject it by Dec. 31, 2006.

“This is not a health care policy. It is a budget policy
based on the Pataki administration’s slash and burn
approach to health care,” said LaMorte. “We cannot and will
not embrace a plan that ignores the needs of the most
vulnerable, the wider community and hospital work force.”

While LaMorte was testifying at the hearing, hundreds of
CSEA members flooded the street outside Stony Brook
University Hospital carrying signs that said, “Public Health
Care is Not For Sale!” The workers also called for the report
to be rejected as it is a prescription for health care disaster.

In preparation for the Day of Action, the region and the
local papered the hospital with notices urging everyone to
call their lawmakers and urge them to reject the plan.

CSEA Political Action Coordinator Gretchen Penn
attended virtually every Stony Brook holiday event to get
members’ signatures on letters to their lawmakers, and then
CSEA flooded the lawmakers’ fax machines and phone lines
with the message — ‘Say NO to the state's report!”

CSEA Labor Relations Specialists Guy DiCosola and
Les Eason, who are assigned to the local, also provided
much support and help in the campaign.

After a while, when members were lobbying on mobile
phones supplied by the union, some of the legislators’
answering machines were either turned off or completely
clogged with messages, but CSEA kept hammering away.

“Each and every member who picked up the phone,
signed a letter or came to the rally was a tremendous help in
the union's effort to help them,” said LaMorte. “We wanted
the pressure to get so that these lawmakers realize there's
nowhere to hide from us and our disgust with this move.
Everything we did was designed to use our strength, and the
political process to work on our members’ behalf.”

“There are recommendations in the Berger report that
would combine to cripple this facility, and endanger its
mission, which is to provide health care to everyone without
regard to their ability to pay,” said CSEA Stony Brook Local
President Carlos Speight. “This is a public teaching hospital;
Suffolk's only Level One trauma center, and if they privatize

PUBLIC HEARTH
| VCRREIE Nor’ |
FORSAKE

PuBLie

HeEautH |E&.
mal Sige Aer" |

it, as is called for in the report, the state and federal money
will be slashed and the hospital will turn its focus from
patients to profits. That would be a disaster for the
community.

“Make no mistake; privatizing the jobs of some 4,000
public employees at the medical center amounts to a direct
attack on CSEA members and their families,” said LaMorte.
“The hospital employees here are the bedrock of strong and
stable communities and state lawmakers will change that at
their own peril.”

LaMorte said this position has the backing of 50,000
members on Long Island and 265,000 CSEA members
across the state.

“The state might claim taking this institution private will
make it more cost effective, but the truth is that CSEA
members already save the public money by providing
essential services every day,” said Speight. “It doesn’t make
any sense for overpaid outside contract workers to steal
your tax dollars without having to answer to anybody, but
that's just the kind of change that the Berger report will
enable.”

Speight said the hospital often fails to properly use its
greatest resource — its own state employees. “CSEA

members working at this hospital could have saved the state

more than $2 million last year alone if SUNY had used the
hospital construction crew it already has for in-house
projects rather than give the work to higher-paid private
contractors, and that’s just one example.”

“State lawmakers have said these concerns need more

On page 1, as the first group of protesters came out to
march in the shadow of the hospital, Long Island Region
President Nick LaMorte testifies the Berger report will harm
the most vulnerable in society, the hospital work force and
the greater Long Island community if it is not rejected by the
state legislature. Behind him is Gretchen Penn, the region's
political action coordinator.

review and problem areas must be addressed before these
plans such as the SUNY hospital proposal will go forward.”

— Rachel Langert

Atleft, before testifying, Region President Nick LaMorte was
interviewed by a Channel 12 reporter. Below, the protest at
the Stony Brook University Medical Center drew a large
energetic crowd of members from all over the hospital,
including the housekeepers, below left, who had their say.

Long Island Reporter 3
PHOTO OF THE MONTH

G reetings Brothers and Sisters,

There are so many things | want to say to you as
we begin this New Year. | have been fighting for the
betterment of CSEA members for about 30 years
now, first, as a member in the Farmingdale School
District, then as a unit officer, president of the
Nassau Educational Local, and finally as a region
officer.

Through it all, | have been by your side, speaking
on behalf of the membership, participating in some
difficult contract fights and taking action in many
campaigns to beat back either a federal, state or
local effort to restrict our rights.

One of the things | learned very early on was that
it really doesn’t make a difference if the contract
campaign, the issue or the problem doesn’t affect me
directly. The reason is, as a CSEA member, as a
union member, whatever affects one union person
directly, affects every other member indirectly. Just
because management or some elected official has
got it out for your co-worker today, that doesn’t mean
he won't be coming for you or me tomorrow. The
point of being in a union is to fight these attacks as a
group, in unison.

That's why many CSEA activists come out in
support of each other at rallies, demonstrations,
school board or government meetings. | was so glad
to see members and officers from many of the other
locals signing petitions and making phone calls to
lobby against the state plan to privatize the Stony
Brook University Medical Center. Some even came

2 Long Island Reporter

Message from Long Island Region President

Nick LaMorte

out to demonstrate with
them. That is the true
union spirit. It's something we can
always use more of. There will always be another
fight tomorrow and it is up to all of us individually to
stick together and watch each other’s backs.

Remember: If they come for your co-worker or
neighbor today, they'll be coming for you tomorrow.

My motto for this year will be: Stand strong and
keep fighting!

Wherever you work, whether there are 9 of you or
9,000, CSEA will be fighting by your side.

In solidarity,

Nick LaMorte, president
Long Island Region

Ni as

Region PAC says thanks for
election help

COMMACK — The Long Island Region's Political Action Committee
has expressed thanks to 40 CSEA activists who participated in the
union’s 2006 election campaign.

The volunteers’ hard work helped several state legislators in
Nassau and Suffolk win re-election despite strong opposition.

“These members represented all of CSEA this election cycle and
gave their time and energy to make sure that our elected officials
remember that CSEA is a driving force in this state,” said John C.
Shepherd, Political Action Committee chairperson.

In support of union-endorsed candidates, the volunteers gave out
campaign literature on the street and went door-to-door in targeted
districts, sent out mailings, called other CSEA members from phone
banks, took part in candidates’ fund-raising efforts and helped get out
the vote on Election Day.

“Thanks to their work and the support of CSEA members, their
family and friends, all 38 candidates we endorsed won election. “Our
record in endorsements was as successful as it could be,” said
Shepherd.

The largest group of volunteers came from Suffolk Local 852, with
President Bill Walsh heading the list of 17 activists taking part in the
campaign.

Tying all the union's election efforts together was Gretchen Penn,
political action coordinator for the region.

The volunteers honored by the PAC are:

Judiciary Local 330 — President Kevin Ray and Barbara
Maniscalco.

Pilgrim Psychiatric Center Local 418 — Catherine Custance.

LIDDSO Local 430: President Daryl Wilson, Shirley Baker, Rutha
Bush and Peter Marriott.

SUNY Stony Brook Local 614 — Debbie Nappi-Gonzalez and
MaryAnn Phelps.

Nassau Local 830 — President Jerry Laricchiuta, Ron Gurrieri and
John Rinaldo.

Suffolk Local 852 — President Bill Walsh, John Christ, Dave
Clark, Carmela Conte, Virginia Foran, Mike Giglio, Wendell Mealy,
Jeanne McCarthy, Jim McDowell, Peter Messina, Beverly Pelletier,
Robert Pritchard, Joanne Silvia, Tom Skabry, Christopher Smith,
Debbie Trapp, Richard Vaccio and John Walton.

Suffolk Education Local 870 — Kristen Devine and Maria Navaro.

Town of Oyster Bay Local 881 — Bobby Rauff.

Nassau Municipal Local 882 — Steve Abramson, Eleanor Arnost,
Michael Delasant, Carol Ebron, Gary Kornova and Michael Taylor.

Suffolk Retirees Local 920 — Millie Lucas.
a

== Inside Reporter

Left, Pete Collins, left, president of
the Southampton Unit of Suffolk

supervisor of Southampton, during
the party,

Right, Long Istand Region President Nick LaMort, third from
left, emphasizes his point to Long Istand Developmental
Disabilities Services Office Local 430 President Daryl Wilson,
second from left. Listening are Dave Clark, left, of Suffolk Local
852 and CSEA President Danny Donohue.

Above, joining Long Island Developmental Center Local Executive Vice
President Ronnie Oliver, 3rd Vice President Michaele Jackson, and
Treasurer Gloria Cannon was Delores Carter from CSEA Member Benefits

Above right, CSEA President Danny Donohue told those in attendance there
were no enemies, just union brothers and sisters, in the room.

Right, Long Island Region Director Ron King speaks with Suffolk Municipal
Local President Bill Walsh.

4 Long Island Reporter

Local 852, chats with Skip Heaney,

He Pye Olidays
Long Island Region
Holiday Party

CARLE PLACE — More than 320 CSEA members
and their guests enjoyed themselves at the Long
Island Region's annual holiday party, held at the
Chateau Briand here Dec. 13.

There was a lot of food, music, dancing and
socializing. There were only two speakers and
both spoke briefly.

After welcoming everyone to the party,
Region President Nick LaMorte paid tribute to
those who serve their fellow union
members in the Long Island Region.

“We have a great region and a great
crew — the shop stewards and grievance
reps who help us do the job we do,” he said. “It's
a wonderful union. It's the greatest union in New
York state, no, in the United States.”

He also paid tribute to a group of retirees
present, calling them “our founding fathers.”

CSEA President Danny Donohue, the other
‘speaker, said CSEA was the best union the country
“not because of the leaders in this room, but
because of the members you represent.”

LaMorte took the microphone again and asked
everyone to introduce themselves to one person he or she didn’t know and strengthen
the bonds of solidarity.

He ended by urging all those present to have a good time. “Let's dance,” he said.
“Let's party. This is our night.”

Clockwise from top right: Long Istand Region
Secretary Lee Reynolds, who is also on the Social
Committee, emceed the ceremonies; Long Island
Region Treasurer Christine Urbanowiecz was
among those who attended; North Hempstead
Unit President Dan LoMonte, Long Beach
member Steve Abramson and Oyster Bay
Local Executive Vice President Bobby Rauff
spent some time chatting; President Danny
Donohue and Long Island Region President
Nick LaMorte took time to thank some of the
union's “founding fathers and mothers,” Local
830 retirees, for their contributions through the
years; SUNY Old Westbury Local President Mary
D’Antonio and SUNY Stony Brook Local member
Carol Low were having a tough time deciding which
raffles to enter.

Long Island Reporter i)
The Vets Committee ‘elves’

The CSEA Long Island Region Veterans
Committee was busy spreading lots of holiday
cheer to area veterans in December. CSEA
members from all over the Long Island Region
gave generously and the committee collected many
boxes full of toiletries, warm socks, sweats,
underwear and other items. Then the committee
members made a couple of trips to deliver them in
person.

“We wanted to show these modern American
heroes that their sacrifices and years of service are
greatly appreciated, even all these years after they
actually served,” said Committee Chair Maryann
Phelps. “Just because they aren't wearing a
uniform anymore, that doesn't mean they should
be forgotten.”

Committee members, with the help of Oyster
Bay Local Executive Vice President Bobby Rauff,
brought the first batch of donations to the Veterans
Administration Hospital in Northport. Phelps later
made another trip to bring more items to the Long

Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook.

“| just want to thank everyone who responded to
our call for donations,” said Phelps. “We had help
from so many people, and it really helped make the
program a success.”

Below right, pictured at the drop off point in the
Veterans Affairs Hospital are committee members
Ed Hussey, Barbara Maniscalco from the
Judiciary Local, Jill Mallon, executive vice
president of the state DOT local, Executive Vice
President of the Oyster Bay Local Bobby Rauff,
Committee Chair Maryann Phelps, and in front,
Pilgrim 2nd Vice President Herman Williams.

Above, committee members Ed Hussey from Smithtown Library,
Pilgrim 2nd Vice President Herman Williams and Chair Maryann

Phelps are assisted by Oyster Bay Local Executive Vice President
Bobby Rauff.

Tis the Season
Region Women’s Committee adopts a family

COMMACK — Members of the region Women’s
Committee have made the holidays a little
brighter for Clara, a young girl at Stony Brook
Hospital.

Last year, committee members exchanged
raffle gifts at their holiday party. Afterward, one
member suggested that instead of buying gifts
for a raffle, they “adopt” a needy child for the
holidays.

“We went through Maryann Phelps who is
part of the SUNY Stony Brook Local, which
includes the hospital,” said Bobbi Eisgrau,
committee chair. “That's the hospital closest to us
and many CSEA members work there.”

This year, members contributed $225 for the
child. Jill Mallon of the Department of
Transportation Local bought the gifts, which were
wrapped by committee members and were given
to Clara at Christmas.

“We got her dolls, winter coats, nightgowns,
jeans, a jacket, pants — whatever a little girl
needs,” said Eisgrau.

The committee plans to continue “adopting” a

Long Island Reporter

child for the holidays each year. “We're a very
giving committee,” said Eisgrau, “and as long as
we have it to give, we will.”

Below, members of the Long Island Region
Women's Committee display some of the gifts
they are donating to Clara, a young girl at Stony
Brook Hospital.

BREE

|
RL
eee

Calendar of Upcoming Events:
January 2007

4 — Region Office closed — Happy New Year
3 ~ Defensive Driving — 5:30-8:30 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

8 - Education and Training — 5:30 p.m.

8 - PEOPLE Committee meeting — 5 p.m

10 -Local 430 Executive Board meeting — 3:30-5:30
p.m.

4— Defensive Driving — 5:

10 Local 430 General Membership meeting — 6:30-
Tp.m.

15 Region Office closed — Martin Luther King Jr.
Day

LOLOL
ee

46 - Women's Committee meeting — 5:30 p.m.

47 -Region Executive Board meeting — 5:30 p.m.

24 Safety and Health Committee meeting — 5:30
pm,

25 -Local 430 Shop Steward meeting — 5-7 p.m.
21 ~ Defensive Driving — 9 a.m.-3 p.m

30 — Local Government/Private Sector Grievance
Workshop — 5:30-9 p.m.

31 — Local Government/Private Sector Grievance
Workshop — 5:30-9 p.m.

Information, please

LIDDSO local has information fair

MELVILLE — Several hundred members of the Long Island
Developmental Disabilities Service Office Local 430 attended the local’s
annual information fair, held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at LIDDSO
headquarters here.

The local gave a 2007 calendar and an insulated lunch bag to local
members who visited the fair, and served lunch and snacks.

Vendors included representatives from CSEA’s Member Benefits
Department, Employee Benefit Fund, Legal Services Program, PEOPLE,
the Health Insurance Plan (HIP), Suffolk Federal Credit Union, Pearl
Carroll & Associates, BJ's Wholesale Club, and Chase Union Mortgage.

Daryl Wilson is the local president.

) Left, CSEA member Nancy
lanson, left, is ready to answer
questions from LIDDSO Local
430 members about programs
offered by CSEA.

Long Beach Unit wins higher tier pay

schedule in 2008

LONG BEACH — A community-wide
campaign by the Long Beach Unit has won
members hired since 1998 an upgrade to the
higher tier pay schedule after 10 years of
service.

At its Dec. 12 meeting, the city council
voted unanimously to establish the
crossover. Previously, there had been no
way to move from Tier B to Tier A.

“In 2008, 13 members will cross over,”
said Colleen Silvia, president of the Long
Beach Unit of Nassau Municipal Local 882.
“Waiting a year allows the city to budget for
the crossover.”

In future years, as employees complete
10 years of service they will move to Tier A,
increasing their salary by thousands
annually.

“A lot of Tier B employees have to have
second jobs, so this will really help their
families,” said Silvia.

About 100 CSEA members are in Tier B.

She said the existence of two tiers had
created a lot of tension. “Most employees in
Tier B felt like second-class members,
working next to someone making a higher
salary,” she said. “It was important for them
and an important issue for the local.”

John Mooney, the unit's executive vice
president, and Bill McCarthy, chair of its
political action committee, spearheaded the
campaign.

A petition with more than 1,000
signatures supporting the union's drive from
city residents was presented to the city
council and 75 unit members were present
at the Dec. 12 meeting.

“Our own political action committee and
executive board coming together and
actively approaching all city council
members, whether Democrat or Republican,
enabled us to accomplish this,” said Silvia.
“It was a unanimous vote yes. All council
members supported it.”

Silvia also expressed the union's
appreciation to three city officials, City
Manager Ed Eaton, Comptroller Sandra
Clarson and Corporation Counsel Corey
Klein, for their efforts in getting the resolution
placed on the city council agenda.

Below, Hortense Rene takes a
business card from a Chase
Union Mortgage representative
at the fair.

Bottom photo, Mary Kittles, left,
receives an insulated lunch bag
from Mickie Jackson, right, the
local's 3rd vice president. At
center is Pete Marriott, the
local's 1st vice president.

Above, Rachel Bachrach, right,
signs in with Charlotte Cornell,
= left, and Gloria Cannon.

Above, after joining the union's PEOPLE
program, Robert Myers receives his PEOPLE
jacket from Millie Lucas.

7

Long Island Reporter

Mattituck-Cutchogue members step it up

CSEA members in the
Mattituck-Cutchogue School
District are launching their
campaign to fight for a new
contract.

The members have been
working without a contract since
the end of June.

ACSEA contract campaign is
a series of well-planned activities,
incorporating political action,
community outreach, increasing
levels of public pressure, and
direct member involvement in
things like demonstrations and
leafleting, all coordinated and
designed to break through a
contract logjam. Typically the
campaign uses the expertise and
skills of CSEA staff, as well as
elected officials from the unit,
local and region levels.

During his statement at a
recent school board meeting, Unit
President Sam Strickland told
everyone about the way his
people provide essential support
services to the district every day,
and help ensure the school day
Tuns smoothly. When he
mentioned the unit was without a
contract, the board president shut
him down. He told Strickland

“That's enough,” and would not
let him speak any more.

At the unit's holiday party,
Strickland urged members to
support the union’s efforts to
secure a fair and equitable
contract. “You are key to this
whole process. We need your
support to make this work,” he
said.

Editors note: Since the
Mattituck-Cutchogue School
Board refused to allow the unit's
elected union official to speak on
the workers’ behalf, we decided
to print what the board did not
want anyone to hear.

The following is the text of
Unit President Sam Strickland’s
remarks:

provide all kinds of critical
support services for this district.

We work directly with students
to help teachers maintain order
and a proper working
environment in the classroom.
We work behind the scenes to
make sure students’ transcripts
and records are properly
maintained. We drive the children
to and from school, making sure
they arrive safely at your door.
We help out in the library, in the
nurse's office and we guard the
school grounds. We all work
together to maintain our schools
as clean, presentable and most
of all, as safe and secure places
for our children in which to learn.

| travel with sports teams and |
have seen the schools in many
other districts, so | can tell you
that Mattituck-Cutchogue’s
schools are just as clean and well
maintained by my members as
the schools in any other district.
Any visitor can tell you that the
overwhelming majority of our
people in this district are doing a
great job.

But, our contract expired on
June 30, and despite our best
efforts this district has refused to

“My name is Sam Strickland
and | am the president of the
CSEA unit at the Mattituck-
Cutchogue School District. |
represent 83 members, most of
whom are residents of the
district.

We are teachers’ assistants,
clericals, groundskeepers,
custodians, bus drivers and
matrons. The CSEA members
here at Mattituck-Cutchogue

Oyster Bay Local reaches out

—

OYSTER BAY — Town of Oyster Bay Local
President Augie Buckhardt got his chance last
month to play Santa Claus — sort of.

Buckhardt, joined by other local officers
and shop stewards, visited the town’s work
sites during the second week of December,
giving members a copy of the new edition of
the local newsletter, Messenger, and a 2007
calendar.

The visits of the local’s Public Relations
Committee are not at Christmastime only. The
committee makes the rounds four times a
year, giving members the opportunity to meet
their local’s leaders and raise any concerns
with them face-to-face.

“We want our members to see their
president and shop stewards,” said Executive
Vice President Bobby Rauff.

Lori Kabelka, who works in the Town of Oyster Bay's
Engineering Department, gets a 2007 calendar and the
newsletter from Augie Buckhardt, center, and Sal
Cecere, Highway Department shop steward.

bargain in good faith, and make
even a reasonable attempt to
reach a fair contract with us. The
result is, we reached impasse in
September and we are
undergoing mediation, in the
hope that an independent, third
party might help us come to an
agreement.

This school district wants to
move us from our self-insured
plan, over to the Empire Plan,
which will more than double our
out-of-pocket costs, and for most
of my members, will also result in
higher premiums.

They want us to dig deeper
into our pockets without giving us
anything in return. That is not
negotiating. That is the equivalent
of ramming much higher costs
down our throats, without
allowing us to share in the
million-dollar windfall that we will
make possible.

Not only is this not fair to us,
the people who make this
school district work, but it is
also unacceptable.

It was not our poor planning
and shortsightedness that
resulted in a costly medical plan
that isn’t as efficient as it should
be. We are not the administrators
here, and we should not be made
to suffer for other people's
mistakes.

To the board, we say, we want
to cooperate with you. We have
tried. But we also need your
cooperation. This should be a
two-way street.

Instead, this district has
elected to waste thousands of
dollars in attorneys’ fees to
stonewall, and stall, and fight its
dedicated employees, and the
longer that fight goes on, the
more it will cost.

My members work hard every
day for this school and for this
community, but we have families
to feed, and mortgages to pay;
heating costs are going up, and
the holidays are coming.

Mattituck-Cutchogue School District
Unit President Sam Strickland shares
a lighter moment with Mattituck High
School Teachers’ Assistant Maureen
Deegan at the unit holiday party.

All we are asking for is to be
treated with respect.

As CSEA members we have
the backing of 50,000 members
in the Long Island Region and of
265,000 members around this
state. We are part of New York’s
Leading Union, and | can assure
you that in the course of a long
and protracted contract
campaign, that will all become
clear to you.

We aren't making any
outrageous demands, so let's
work together for the benefit of
everyone involved.

Thank you.”
— Rachel Langert

8

Long Island Reporter
YOUR UNION
NEWSLETTER

— |

‘ve been thinking lately about CSEA and

exactly what it is as an organization. When |

say organization, I'm speaking of the entire

association, starting with our statewide office
and ending with our individual units. To sum it up ina
word, CSEA is impressive.

Why am | using this month's article to write about
CSEA? | don’t think most of our members really
understand how our union works, how it is organized
and what makes it tick. It's important to you, as a
CSEA member, that you understand your union and
all the mechanisms and individuals of which it is
comprised. CSEA has a tremendous amount of
invaluable resources at its disposal because of the
size of its membership.

It was not until | decided to run for this office that |
realized how organized and vast our union was.
Since my election, | have made many trips to Albany
to speak with our statewide representatives about
the many difficult issues we face here in Nassau
Local 830. My first surprise was just how large our
statewide headquarters is. It's truly impressive with
four stories of work area. We have our own print
shop and nearly a dozen other departments to deal
with the complex day-to-day business of running
New York's leading union. The place is bustling and
it never stops. Imagine that every time you receive a
mailing from CSEA, more than 250,000 other pieces
of mail went out with it!

Our statewide president is extremely busy, as you
can imagine. The reason for hiring more than 200
staff members working in headquarters is because
that’s what it takes to effectively run this powerful
union. Statewide Treasurer Maureen Malone
administers a budget of nearly $100 million annually!
Our union is in the major leagues, and | am thankful
for that. I'm thankful because | know that when and if
we ever get to a point where we need the cavalry,
CSEA can come through for us like no other union in
the state. Our association with AFSCME is crucial

Message from CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta

What Exactly is CSEA?

( Thank you for being a
receptive audience and |
hope you all had a great
holiday and have a very
happy new year as we look
forward to a stronger, more
unified 2007! 3

because together we add another 1.4 million
members who are ready to stand behind us on
important global issues such as health insurance and
job security.

Along with the statewide officers, CSEA has
officers covering its geographical regions, including
the Long Island Region, led by President Nick
LaMorte. Nick presides over all CSEA members who
work throughout Long Island, or about 50,000
members. We are within the union’s Long Island
Region and | frequently meet and speak with
President LaMorte. You should know that Local 830
is the region's largest local, with nearly 10,000
members between the county and health care
corporation. Our region is there to make sure that we
are not hurt politically, that other aggressive unions
not affiliated with the AFL-CIO do not invade our
ranks, and to help us when needed by putting
pressure on government officials. Many times, Nick
works closely with CSEA’s Political Action Director,
Fran Turner. Together, they put forth a strategy that
is beneficial to all CSEA members. When we need
legislation passed in Albany for our members, Nick
and Fran will work with me to get it done. Without
them, we would be like so many other independent
unions who rarely succeed in getting statewide
legislation passed. It's a daunting task and getting

such legislation passed requires great teamwork
and, quite frankly, political power. We could never do
it alone and for that | am grateful to be part of this
union.

| know there are those of you who would like to
have their titles upgraded. We have successfully
achieved these upgrades in some of our units.
Additionally, without a strong union, many of our
hardworking members would have been unjustly
fired. You would never have the benefit packages
you have today, because | can tell you firsthand, the
county would have dropped these

Please see Message continued on Page 2

Mess. AGE continued From Page 1

benefits long ago if it could have. | can also tell you

WHAT'S INSIDE

January 2007 Express
re Page 3
* Tribute to a Great Union Activist
t= Pages 4 and 5
* Local “Idol” Helps out CSEA
* Busy Holiday Season for Local
830
re Page 6
* Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon
Form

2 EXPRESS

a: CSEA Nassau County Local 830
 LAPYE SS
January 2007 + Vol. 12 No. 4

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

Ryan Mulholland, Editor
(516) 571-2919 Ext. #13

www.csealocal830.07g

‘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, 1st Vice President
ROBERT CAULDWELL, 2nd Vice President
DEBRA IMPERATORE, 3rd 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, 8th 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 Shenifis

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, CountyiDistrict Attomey
NANCY IANSON, Drug & Alcohol

DEBRA IMPERATORE, Police Civilian

RON KAHL, AMTS

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

We welcome reader suggestions: Please address your
—] comments to Ryan Mulholland, Editor, Nassau County
EXPRESS at CSEA Nassau Co. Local 830, 400 County
Seat Dr., Mineola, NY 11501-4137.

This Month in
Labor History

Jan. 25, 1915

The Supreme Court upholds
“yellow dog” contracts, which forbid
membership in labor unions.

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

CSEA Local 830

Happy Holidays from

...and a happy and healthy

CSEA spends hundreds of
thousands of dollars fighting
grievances and disciplinary reviews.
That's very important, especially
since we win the majority of them.
Recently, this local won three
members hundreds of thousands of
dollars in back pay as a result of
illegal layoffs. One class action cost
the county $5 million through
payments to hundreds of our
members, and just recently we
added another $1.5 million to that
award! These types of awards and
wins do not happen by accident;
they happen because CSEA has the
knowledge, resources and will to
pursue them. These resources
include the very capable law offices

f&

x 0)

of Louis Stober Jr., without which we
would not have achieved these
successes and many other important
decisions.

We don't win them all, and we still
have many open issues that need to
be addressed, such as the lack of
promotions and out-of-title work. You
need to know we will never give up
on these issues and others that have
entrenched themselves in this
county for decades. Unions as a
whole are not what they were 20 or
30 years ago, but CSEA is still
powerful enough to keep the
pressure on management. As such,
I'm proud to be a part of it and so
should you. We can complain about
certain shortcomings, but in this

Log onto the

of the CSEA web site

Legal Assistance Program

MEMBERS-ONLY AREA

to access information about the

and the Legal Services Program (LSP)

(LAP)
with CSEA.”

new year!

} The CSEA team.

county | don’t see any other union
that could do it better than CSEA.
Hey, it's my opinion, and my column,
so I'll take the liberty of giving CSEA
some well-deserved ink.

Thank you for being a receptive
audience and | hope you all had a
great holiday and have a very happy
new year as we look forward to a
stronger, more unified 2007!

Yours in solidarity,

Yerry Lariechiuta

They Said It:

@uote of the »

“We are proud and happy to be partners

— Art Giannelli, CEO, Nassau Health Care Corporation,
Dec. 13 Press Conference, in regards to working with CSEA to
improve Nassau University Medical Center

and other CSEA Legal Dept. services.
www.csealocal1000.org

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

EXPRESS 3

Tribute to Terri Kopitsch, Health Department

We are sorry to inform the CSEA
community of an untimely death of one —_ general.
of our members and department “She just tried to be friends with
leaders. Terri Kopitsch, the Local 830 everyone, and saw goodness in
unit president for the Nassau County everyone,” her husband, Victor
Health Department, died on
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, at 52.

Kopitsch had worked for the Health
Department for 23 years and has held Everyone at CSEA would like to
various union leadership roles for send their heartfelt condolences to
nearly 20 years. She was known by her Victor and the rest of the Kopitsch
co-workers as the “mayor of 240 (Old family.
Country Road)” for her dedication to

had been married for 23 years and
resided in Hempstead.

her job, to the union and to people in

Kopitsch, said. Terri and Vic Kopitsch

“Terri's hard work and commitment

was always very much appreciated and
will be sorely missed,” said Local 830
President Jerry Laricchiuta. “She was
very passionate about her work and it
showed. | wish all her friends and
family the best during this difficult time.”

Condolences can be sent to:

Victor Kopitsch

104 Rutland Road

Hempstead, N.Y. 11550

yy
i 4 ie ee”
Terri Kopitsch and her husband
Victor during a 2006 trip to Las
Vegas.

BECOME A MEMBER OF

Around the Local Office

Each month, the Express will feature several
Local 830 staff members, so you know who is
working for you every day!

From top to bottom: Jerry Laricchiuta with
Administrative Assistant Debra Buonagura,
left, and Secretary Susan Cohen, right; Jerry
Laricchiuta shows some love for his
secretary, Judy Smolen; Debbie O'Connell is
always working hard at Local 830
grievances, and the local Women’s and
Veterans committees.

quae

www.CSEA830.0RG!!!

New Website Includes:

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

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

+ Archives of all radio shows, video links
to the Local 830 commercial and
footage from CSEA meetings, pictures
and current Express newsletters;

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

AND MUCH MORE!
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_
(iii 5.

4 Express

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS:

Local “Idol” Helps CSEA Spread
Holiday Spirit
FMD sercnttsrsom ence

| Kevin Covais lent a helping
i} hand to CSEA Local 830 by
encouraging the community
to donate toys for needy
children this holiday season.

Covais finished 11th in

the 2006 season of the hit

television show and became a national icon for
his unique singing ability and personality. His
father is retired Capt. John Covais, a former
CSEA member at the Nassau County Correctional
Center.

CSEA Local 830 teamed up with the Economic
Opportunity Commission to collect the toys, which
were distributed Dec. 22 at 134 Jackson St. in
Hempstead during the EOC’s 2006 “Christmas on all \

Jackson Street.” Above, toys for needy families collected by

On Wednesday Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m. on the CSEA adopt-a-family program
WGBB AM 1240, Covais was a guest on Local
830’s radio show “Talkin Labor with Local 830,” to
discuss the need to be charitable not just during
the holiday season, but all year round. To top it
off, Covais performed holiday melodies at the
Local 830 holiday party Dec. 20 at the Crest
Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

Local 830 also is adopting members’ families
this year. Twenty local families were adopted by
different departments and unit presidents, who
were responsible for gathering toys, books,
toiletries and essentials for the families to make
their season more pleasurable.

CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta is
proud of CSEA members for their hard work in
this endeavor and is happy to have Covais aboard
to stress the significance of it.

“It's important to realize there are a lot of people
out there who aren't able to enjoy the holiday iis
season for various reasons,” Laricchiuta said. “I'm Former CSEA member John Covais, Kevin
just happy we have been able to step up as a Covais and Jerry Laricchiuta

team to try and make the season more enjoyable

Covais

for the community.”
Next month's Express will have plenty of
pictures from the CSEA Local 830 holiday party.

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

‘Tis the Busy Holiday Season for Local 830

This holiday season has certainly proved to be a
busy one for Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta
and members of his executive board. To go along
with his weekly meetings at Nassau University
Medical Center with Art Gianelli, weekly radio show
meetings with local government officials and
various holiday engagements all over the county,
Laricchiuta met with members in many county
departments.

Nov. 16 marked the police civilian unit
membership meeting at police headquarters. Nov.
22 was the drug & alcohol unit membership
meeting at 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd. On Nov. 27
and 30, Laricchiuta attended luncheons with small
groups of unit presidents to discuss issues in certain
departments.

In December, there was an important membership
meeting at the Juvenile Detention Center. After the CSEA
press conference there in March 2006, there has been a
‘strong emphasis on serving the members there and
alleviating all the problems and concerns.

Local staff also attended other holiday parties, including
NUMC at the Chateau Briand, Social Service Department
at the Sands at Lido Beach, County Attorney, Civil Service
Commission, CSEA Long Island Region and Local 880.

“| think it’s important to be active during the holiday
season,” Laricchiuta said. “It's a time that you want to
‘spend with people close to you and here in CSEA, | want

us all to be close and have a pleasurable holiday season
together.”

Above, Laricchiuta and Local Vice President Ron
Gurrieri meet with unit presidents.

Below left, from left, former Local 830 President Tony
Giustino, Local 830 Executive Vice President, Diane
Russ and President Jerry Laricchiuta

Below right, Jerry Laricchiuta addresses the attendees
at the NUMC party.

Retiree Recognition

The administrators and staff of A. Holly
Patterson Extended Care Facility congratulate
Frances Hubbs.

In recognition and grateful appreciation of her
25 years (1981-2006) of professionalism,
dedication and caring of our patients, a plaque
was presented to Hubbs. Her leaving is a great
loss to the facility but it is a well-deserved
retirement for her. She has been an ultimate
professional.

EXPRESS 5

Photo Montage of CSEA in 2006!

CSEA Local 830 presented a special photo montage of the year that
was at their holiday party Dec. 20. Find more great photos like this
one, in a special link to that presentation at www.csea830.org.

RETIREMENT
PLANS
AHEAD

Frances Hubbs

6 EXPRESS CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS.

©] A. Holly Patterson December
~| Employee of the Month

Ata reception hosted for the employees of the
A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility, Rene
Flores, a food service worker, was honored as

‘| the December Employee of the Month for the

-| nursing home. Flores, a resident of Uniondale, is
a dedicated employee who is much loved by the
residents of the nursing home for his friendly
and caring attitude when he provides them their
meals.

Nassau University Medical Center
December Employee of the Month

At a reception hosted by the employees of Nassau
University Medical Center, Lori Coughlin, a health aide
for the ambulatory pediatric care department, was
recognized as the December Employee of the Month.
Coughlin, a resident of Massapequa, spends her days
running errands and supporting the needs of the
hospital's pediatric clinic. Her work ethic is respected
by all the clinic's staff and, most importantly, by her
young patients. She is trustworthy, dedicated and her
attitude is upbeat and caring.

Rene Flores

is, Nassau County's largest public service union
10,000 MEMBERS STRONG

NASSAU LOCAL 830, Jerry Laricchiuta, president * Carol Croston and Kelvin Lewis, Unity Committee co-chairs

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

Lori Coughlin i

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 * 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Coral House « 70 Milburn Ave., Baldwin

Limited Seating. Tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADVANCE SALE ONLY — NO TICKETS AT DOOR
$35 Adults; $20 Children 12 and Under

Guest Speaker: Jose Lopez, Commissioner of Nassau County Parks, Recreation & Museums
Achievement Awardees: Pat Cautheria and Don Ryan
Entertainment: Carolyn Harding, Vocalist; Concetta Walker, DSS Gospel Group; James Seabrooks, Vocalist
* ALSO RAFFLES AND DOOR PRIZES*

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.

o< RESERVATION FORM
Name Agency Employed By
Home Phone Check amount

Work Phone Please seat me with

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

Veteran’s Corner

By Debbie O’Connell

This past WrrRovpm
month, CSEA EE Toss
Local 830 ‘SERVE

invited Nassau

County Legislator and former Director of the
Nassau County Veterans Agency, Dennis Dunne,
on “Talkin’ Labor with Local 830” to discuss various
issues, including serving and respecting our
nation’s veterans.

he

We would like to thank everyone who helped
donate gifts this holiday season, and all who
supported our troops overseas in 2006.

This year, we requested help in donating food,
clothing and essentials to our veterans, asked for
contributions of DVD movies to send overseas for
the enjoyment of our troops and created a
deployed support program to support members
and families of those serving abroad. Also, we
collected many items for the annual Stand Down at
the Freeport Armory to help our veterans. In all of
these instances, CSEA members and the
community stepped up to the plate to help out our
current troops and our veterans in need and we
thank you for that!

Looking ahead to 2007, we ask for your
continued support. Any questions on any of our
veterans programs, please call Debbie O'Connell
at 571-2919, ext. 22.

This month from

ExPREsS 1

Talkin’ Labor With Local 830

“Talkin’ Labor with Local 830” ventured into
many different areas for show &
guests this past month. Magy

Guests included statewide CSE,
President Danny Donohue, and Na
County legislators Dennis Dunne, f
Mangano and Dave Denenberg.

Donohue was in town for the Cé
Long Island Region holiday party
Dec. 13, and found time to stop by
Dec. 14 for an intriguing interview with Jerry
Laricchiuta on various CSEA issues across the
state.

Normally “Talkin’ Labor” guests come from the
world of unions and government, but Local 830
delved into the world of entertainment for its Dec.
13 guest, “American Idol” star Kevin Covais.

Covais, who is from Long Island, discussed the

Hosted by CSES "1p prc =
Jerry.
AIRING,

J Ani240

Guests on Talkin’ Labor With Local 830 this

month included, clockwise from above left, Ed
Mangano, Dave Denenberg, Dennis Dunne and
CSEA President Danny Donohue.

need to be charitable and donate toys, gifts,

and other items during the holiday season.
7, expected guests include the long-

d interview with County Executive Tom
uozzi, PBA President Gary Delaraba and
Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes
Donald Clavin Jr.

missed any of these shows, please log
urn ww W.c8ea830.0rg and click on the “Talkin’
Labor with Local 830” icon to listen to any show of
your choice. To listen to new shows as they air,
tune into WGBB AM 1240 on Wednesday nights
between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

by €SEA Local 830
Jerry Lariechiuta

RING ON WaBE.AM12

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. on WGBB AM 1240
8 ExPRESS

CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS

A Message From Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte

Greetings Brothers and
Sisters,

There are so many
things | want to say to
you as we begin this New Year. | have been
fighting for the betterment of CSEA members
for about 30 years now, first, as a member in
the Farmingdale School District, then as a
unit officer, president of the Nassau
Educational Local, and finally as a region
Officer.

Through it all, | have been by your side,
speaking on behalf of the membership,
participating in some difficult contract fights
and taking action in many campaigns to beat
back either a federal, state or local effort to
restrict our rights.

One of the things | learned very early on
was that it really doesn’t make a
difference if the contract campaign, the
issue or the problem doesn't affect me
directly. The reason is, as a CSEA member,
as a union member, whatever affects one
union person directly, affects every other
member indirectly. Just because
management or some elected official has got
it out for your co-worker today, that doesn’t
mean he won't be coming for you — or me
tomorrow. The point of being in a union is to
fight these attacks as a group, in unison.

That's why many CSEA activists come out
in support of each other at rallies,
demonstrations, school board or government
meetings. | was so glad to see members and
officers from many of the other locals signing
petitions and making phone calls to lobby
against the state plan to privatize the Stony
Brook University Medical Center. Some even
came out to demonstrate with them. That is
the true union spirit. It's something we can
always use more of. There will always be
another fight tomorrow and it is up to all of us
individually to stick together and watch each
other's backs.

Stand Strong, Keep Fightin

Remember: If they come for your co-
worker or neighbor today, they'll be coming
for you tomorrow.

My motto for this year will be: Stand strong
and keep fighting!

Wherever you work, whether there are
nine of you or 9,000, CSEA will be fighting by
your side.

In solidarity,

wld
Long Island Region

=
|

g!

«... as aCSEA member, as a
union member, whatever
affects one union person
directly, affects every other
member indirectly. 9

= ES a,

Important Message to all
Nassau County Residents

MINEOLA — “If you get a letter suggesting that you can obtain
a copy of your deed for a fee from any agency other than the
Nassau County Clerk’s Office, don’t call them, call us,” said
Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell. The clerk was
recently alerted to a mailing sent to homeowners urging them
to obtain certified copies of their deeds that are recorded in the
County Clerk's Office.

Regrettably, the solicitation letter homeowners are receiving
indicates they can obtain a “Certified” copy of their deed for
$85 plus $4.50 for postage and handling, when it only costs
$5.20 from the clerk’s office. O'Connell said, “Please don’t
order any of your records from any other agency other than the
County Clerk's office or you will be paying too much!”