The Public Sector, 1990 June 25

THE
PUBLIC

Official Publication of The Civil Service Employees Association, Local 1000, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO

—

Ee

oe a

:

re
Z - eo

Sy caer ee cael snes ae "
rr
2 _ ee

eg Ss

es —r—res
se
a oe a

_Recreation and Rodio and Jackson are union members in

oe es
_ a ne

te

LEAP deadline reminder

Don't miss out on tuition-free courses offered
by CSEA’s Labor Education Action Program
(LEAP).

Applications for CSEA/LEAP'’s tuition-free
courses must be received in the LEAP office by
July 23, Copies of application forms and course
announcements are available from your
personnel/training office or your CSEA local
president.

Check Section 1 of the LEAP course
announcement for details about new workshops
also being offered.

If you have questions concerning
CSEA/LEAP, call the CSEA LEAPLINE on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays belween 9
a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The LEAPLINE number is
1-800-253-4332.

LEAP is available only to CSEA-represented
employees in the Operational Services,
Administrative Services and Institutional Services
units; the state Teachers Retirement System;
Health Research Inc.; SUNY Construction Fund;
and Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

Election results available
Complete results of the recent CSEA
regional elections are available to CSEA
members. Results for your local are available
from your local and/or regional office. The

“PELL,

Ze

A STATES
RETIREMENT
. PLAN . Zip

ae

results by local for your region are available
from your regional office. The results for all
regions by local may be obtained by
contacting Marcel Gardner at CSEA
headquarters, 1-800-342-4146 (toll free) or
(518) 434-0191.

Summary of actions taken by CSEA statewide Board of Directors

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Public Sector regularly
publishes a summary of actions taken by CSEA's
Board of Directors at the Board's official meetings.
The summary is prepared by CSEA Statewide
Secretary Irene Carr for the information of union
members.

ALBANY — CSEA's statewide Board of
Directors met here on May 24. In
official action, the board:

* Elected Richard Pankowski and
Marguerite Stanley members of the
Public Sector Committee representing,
respectively, Regions I and IV;

* Directed implementation of a
procedure to uphold CSEA against
future challenges by Agency Shop fee
payors;

* Condemned Northeastern New York
Chapter of the American Red Cross for
anti-labor activities;

* Expended $17,000 to equip the
newly constructed Region V office;

* Approved meal allowances for the
Statewide Board (excluding officers) and
Committee members of $8, breakfast;
$12, lunch and $22, dinner, effective
Oct. 1, 1990;

* Authorized funds to provide
additional terminals for Membership
Records and Finance departments;

* Authorized special mailing to
retirees promoting dues deductions from
pension checks;

* Granted local charters to Marcy
Correctional Facility, Cayuga
Correctional! Facility, Southport
Correctional Facililty and Greene
County Hospital and Nursing Home,
which will be known as Columbia-
Greene Medical Center Inc. Local;

* Transferred membership at Division
for Youth Group Home No. 24 to
Lansing/MacCormick Division for Youth
Local 561;

* Adopted election schedule to fill
Statewide Board vacancy from SUNY;

* Enacted policy that in future union
elections unopposed candidates’ name
be placed on ballot with notation
““anopposed/elected’’;

* Requested assurance that designated
election agency be financially liable for
re-running recent elections in either
Regions IV or VI;

* Retained accounting firm of Coopers
& Lybrand to conduct audit;

* Selected David Jiminez and Gordon
Duprey members of the Statewide
Political and Legislative Action
Committee representing, respectively,
Regions II and IV;

* Accepted recommendations made by
the Committee of the Board on
Organizing Waivers;

* Requested president's office
investigate and recommend solutions for
PERB delays;

* Recommended CSEA investigate
using recycled paper;

* Approved resolution stating
opposition to any legislation that
diminishes the rights of women as
defined by Roe vs. Wade; and

* Authorized erection of a monument
at CSEA Headquarters honoring
members killed in the line of duty.
Questions concerning this summary of actions
taken by CSEA's statewide Board of Directors
should be directed to CSEA Statewide Secretary
Irene Carr, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington
Avenue, Albany, NY 12210. 1-800-342-4146 or
(518) 434-0191.

~
¢ The Public Sector (445010) is published every other Monday by The Civil Service
THE Employees Association, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Publication
PUBLIC Office: 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Second Class Postage paid at
Post Office, Albany, New York.
Address changes should be sent to: Civil Service Employees Association, Attn:
Membership Department, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
Official publication of The Civil Service COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATES
Employees Association, Inc., Local 1000,
AFSCME, AFL-CIO, 143 Washington Avenue, SHER CAJENKS He cere BON OEFORS ES cer
Albany, New York, 12210 LILLY GIOIA Region II STEPHEN MADARASZ Headquarters
anita Mailer (21 2) 514-9200 ie able. (518) 434-0191
MICHAEL P, MORAN Publisher (a1) 896-8180 1 \3
ROGER A. COLE Editor DAN CAMPBELL Region IV
KATHLEEN DALY Associate Editor (518) 489-5424
OOO MARK M. KOTZIN Reaion V
\_ STANLEY HORNAK Asst. Dir. of Communications (315) 433-0050 1. we

2 June 25, 1990 Hare PEe ne Mn NOM re FORTE yo PMNTy HT Fares ESO p Ne sere ON MOM EPA F<

A NEW CONTRACT

Union’s largest local says ‘‘Yes!’’

Excellent salary hikes, no givebacks,
fully paid health insurance retained

By Sheryl C. Jenks
CSEA Communications Associate

Members of CSEA’s Nassau County
Local 830, the union's largest local, have
ratified a new three-year contract
retroactive to Jan. 1.

The union negotiating team stayed
tough throughout protracted and often
interrupted negotiations over 18 months
to win a contract with no givebacks and
which retains fully paid health
imsurance.

The new contract includes salary
increases of 5.25 percent retroactive to
Jan. 1, 5.5 percent the second year and
between 5 and 5.5 percent the third
year depending upon the Consumer
Price Index. About 14,600 Nassau
County employees are covered by the
contract.

What it's all about

“We fought long and hard for this
agreement,"' said Local 830 President
Rita Wallace. ‘Our membership was
unified and we deserved and got a good
package. The membership is happy and
that’s what it's all about.”

Negotiations stalled several times,
eventually went to impasse and was in
the mediation process when the
settlement was reached. Hundreds of
CSEA members turned out to protest

delaying tactics by the county in a
demonstration held shortly before the
agreement was reached.

CSEA Collective Bargaining Specialist
Irwin Scharfeld applauded the union's
18-member negotiating team for ‘'a job
well done under difficult
circumstances.”

CSEA statewide President Joe
McDermott, newly named president of
the labor/management New York State
Public Sector Coalition on Health
Benefits, congratulated negotiators for
working out retention of fully paid
health insurance.

“Escalating health care costs represent
one of the biggest threats to the welfare

of workers. Our objective is to provide
the maximum protection possible for
employees. They did a nice job of that
in Nassau County,'' McDermott said.

CSEA negotiating team members
included Scharfeld, Wallace, Diane
Calabritto, Lou Dramas, Tom Garguilo,
Jack Geraghty, Alice Groody, Dennis
Hesse, Frank ladevia, Alona Irby, Joan
Kleila, Bruce Kubart, Beth Luttinger,
James Mattei, Ralph Spagnolo, George
Walsh, Joel White and Jean Wichmann.

“We really worked together as a
team," Scharfeld said. “Unity, that’s
what unionism is all about."

Some contract highlights

The new contract includes:

* increased shift differential,

* increased longevity payments,

* dental and optical plan
improvements,

* increased uniform allowances,

* increased meal allowances,

* full pay for accrued sick leave up to
190 days upon leaving county
service,

* increased benefits for part-timers,

* improved leave entitlements, and

* increased protection against sub-
contracting.

Additionally, the labor/management
committees will recommend proposals
on child care, flex time, tax deferrals,
smoking policy, health care cost
containment and an Employee
Assistance Program.

Under terms of the contract,
employees in pediatric triage, social
service emergency service, psychiatric
wards and fire inspection will have their

~emergency and standby rates increased
by the same percentage as the base
wage increase for each year of the
contract.

EAST MEADOW — A lot of
employees at the Nassau County
Medical Center (NCMC) have
apparently made incorrect
assumptions about the identity of a
NCMC employee referred to in a
story in the previous edition of The
Public Sector.

Many employees apparently believe
the individual, whose name was
withheld and who was referred to
only as a supervisor in the story, is
supervisor Kevin Gleason. They are
wrong, Gleason is NOT the unnamed
supervisor referred to in the story.

Publication of the story created an
te uproar among many NCMC

Assumptions misguided over supervisor’s identify

employees because CSEA members at
the facility are involved in trying to
solicit donations and otherwise assist
Gleason, who is suffering from serious
complications from a back problem.

The story concerned CSEA's
successful arbitration win which
reinstated Rosetta Shepard, a patient
care assistant, to her job with 14
months back pay and her seniority
restored.

CSEA took the Shepard case to
arbitration after the county
improperly fired her on charges of
insubordination and fighting with
another employee. The county did not

discipline the other employee,
described as a supervisor. Shepard
claimed that the supervisor had struck
and knocked her to the floor during
an altercation between the two which
began with the supervisor shouting at
her and calling her names.

Kevin Gleason is the supervisor of
the area where Shepard worked at the
time of the incident, and many NCMC
employees assumed that the
unidentified supervisor in the story
was Gleason. The fact is, the
supervisor involved in the Shepard
incident is a male registered nurse and
is NOT Gleason. Sy

eR Se REISS RE SE SSE SO Co June 25, 1990 3

CSEA PRESIDENT JO

McDERMOTT tells members of the

New York State Public Sector Coalition on Health Benefits

that health care cos

maximum health
right is New York
addr

sed the conference. McDermot

s must be contained while providing

re protection for workers. Seated at

ty Mayor David Dinki who also
the new

president of the Coalition.

heads up NYS
Public Sector
Coalition on

i Health Benefits

(Health care costs threaten labor and management )

“Escalating health care costs
represents one of the greatest threats
today to the well-being of employees
and the budgets of employers. It’s not
always easy for labor and management
to cast off their traditional adversarial
roles and work cooperatively, but the
problem of increasing health care costs
requires it."

That was the message from CSEA
President Joe McDermott recently to
members attending a conference of the
New York State Public Sector Coalition
on Health Benefits.

McDermott is the newly-named

president of the labor/management
Coalition which represents more than

2 million employees, retirees and
dependents in New York state who
receive more than $2.5 billion in health
care benefits. CSEA has actively
participated in the coalition since it was
established by Gov. Mario Cuomo in his
1986 State of the State message to the
state legislature.

McDermott will lead the Coalition
during the next year in its capacity as a
clearinghouse for health benefits
information, provider of research data
on employee health care plans and

delivery systems and the voice for
public sector interests within the health
care delivery industry and the
legislature.

“Labor and management share the
same goal; we all want access to quality
health care at an affordable price,”
McDermott said to Coalition
representatives and guests attending the
conference. ‘‘Workers and their families
need the protection and security health
insurance provides. Employers know
that in terms of employee morale and
productivity, good health insurance is
vital."

A long, hot summer possible
as Albany County talks lag

ALBANY — With contract negotiations
affecting 1,000 CSEA members in Albany
County delayed and at impasse, and with
CSEA's sister union AFSCME engaged in
an uphill struggle in contract talks with
the City of Albany, the Albany County
Central Federation of Labor has added its
weight to the battles.

The Central Federation unanimously
adopted a resolution backing CSEA and
AFSCME and supporting agency shop at
the city and county level in Albany.

CSEA Capital Region President C.
Allen Mead said he was pleased with the
actions of the Central Federation of
Labor but predicted that more than
words may be necessary before the
seemingly disinterested city and county
politicians see the light.

“Unless a new political leader steps
forward in Albany County to resolve this
situation,'' Mead said, ‘‘I think all of our
members will have to stand together in
November and express their feelings to

4 June 25, 1990

the ‘let them eat cake’ attitude of the
politicians.

“CSEA has nearly 10,000 registered
voters living in Albany County, and with
the involvement of the Central Labor
Federation we have 100 more unions and
their members who support fair
treatment of workers and unions in this
area,’ Mead warned.

CSEA Albany County unit leaders have
been attending recent county legislative
meetings to remind elected officials that
the employees need and deserve a new
contract.

“We'll be there stronger than ever in
July if we don't have a contract by
then," said Marge Flynn, CSEA Social
Services Unit president.

“It looks like another long, hot summer
in Albany County; maybe the hottest in
a long time," Flynn said, hinting that full
scale protests might become a feature at
future county functions if the impasse is
not settled soon.

CSEA REGION IV President C. Allen
Mead said strong words help but warned
decisive action might be necessary to win
new contracts in Albany County.

ectot..

ast Meadow
School District employees who turned out to
protest plans to reduce hours for part-time
workers and eliminate their benefits are
shown in photo at left. Above, CSEA Labor
Relations Specialist Jim DellaRocca is flanked
by CSEA Custodial Unit President Doug
Green, left, and Clerical Unit President Lynn

Werle, right.

They’re expected to do same work

for less money with no benefits

By Sheryl C. Jenks
CSEA Communications Associate

EAST MEADOW — CSEA has filed
Improper Practice charges seeking to
prevent a Long Island school district
from arbitrarily eliminating benefits for
part-time employees by reducing their
working hours.

CSEA is also charging the school
district with violating the Taylor Law by
announcing plans to eliminate the
position of chief of security and
transferring those responsibilities to an
administrator.

The East Meadow School District
budget calls for a reduction in working
hours for part-time workers from four
hours to three and one-half hours. That
would mean part-time employees would
be stripped of their benefits. The
workers are represented by the East
Meadow Schoo! District Clerical and
Custodian Units of CSEA Nassau County
Local 830.

“The district would not have to
provide benefits to any employees who
work less than four hours,'’ CSEA Labor
Relations Specialist Jim DellaRocca said.
“They want to balance the budget on

the backs of part-time workers.

Reducing the workday for part-time
employees would be a change in the
terms and conditions of employment,
which the district would have to
negotiate with the union, DellaRocca
said.

20 now, many more later

About 20 part-time district employees
would be affected this year, and nearly
50 workers would lose their benefits as
the plan is phased in over the next few
years.

Nearly all the 225 district employees
represented by CSEA turned out for a
union-sponsored demonstration to
protest plans to reduce the part-timers’
hours and discontinue their benefits.

Solidarity among workers

“T don’t think the administrators
thought those part-time people meant
anything to the full-timers, but they
were wrong,'’ CSEA Unit President Doug
Green said. ‘We've worked with these
part-timers for years and we care about
them as union members and as friends.

“You just don't do this to people,”
Green said. ‘Some of these employees
have been here 15, 20 years. For a few
dollars the board sold out the morale of

the entire school district and they didn't
even look into other ways to find some
money.”

A despicable act

“T think this is a despicable act which
shows a total lack of concern for these
employees, who are also residents and
taxpayers here,’ said Lynn Werle,
president of the CSEA clerical unit.

“T have people crying to me every
day. They can't eat, they can't sleep.
they're so worried about losing their
benefits,’ Werle said. ‘'I have one
member who is getting cancer
treatments. What will happen when that
insurance runs out?"’

Is that fair?

“These people will be expected to do
the same work for less money and no
benefits. How can anyone see that as
fair and just treatment?’ asked CSEA’s
DellaRocca,

Werle and Green both said they do
not think the majority of district
residents want part-timers to lose their
benefits,

“These people are their neighbors,
their friends and their families,’ Werle
said.

@
Monroe-Woodbury members

upset over a long delay
in getting new contract

SMILING FOR THE CAMERA but
‘aching on the inside are these |
MonroeWoodbury School District
employees in Orange County. About
150 bus drivers and blue collar workers
there been without a contract since
last July and negotiations have been at
impasse since November.

=

4

Aoninistharoee§ They Ans

\CSEA-O% dae TWE

CSEss SEs:

% Take THE [Or] ae
bl Fhom THose “90

y Leas7 &

—

June 25, 1990 5

ALBANY — Despite the problems with
the 1990-91 state budget, the package
does include two important wins for
CSEA members.

PESH enforcement

The budget included a change that
allows the state Commissioner of Labor
to fine public employers who fail to
correct violations of the Public

Budget has gains for members

Employee Health and Safety (PESH) Act
in a timely manner.

For minor violations, fines can be as
high as $50 a day for every day that
corrections are not made once the
deadline set by the labor commissioner
has passed. For serious violations, the
fine can go as high as $200 a day.

This legislation puts teeth in the PESH
law. Without fear of fines and strong

Victory for
nurse aides

CSEA has won a legislative victory for
nurse aides across the state.

Under a new law passed this month,
nurse aides are not responsible for
paying for competency training and
testing.

To meet federal funding requirements,
the state last year passed regulations for
nurse aide competency that required
certain levels of training and
competency evaluations. However, the
legislation passed last year didn’t specify
who would pay for the training and
testing.

CSEA continued to pursue the issue
this legislative year to be sure that
nurse aides would not be burdened with
the training and testing fees.

Retiree insurances a priority

CSEA is continuing to lobby the state
Legislature on retiree health benefits.

Once retired, public employees count
on continuation of health benefits from
their former employer, but more and
more, employers are backing out on that
responsibility. School districts
particularly have been cutting some or
all of their contributions to retiree
health insurance,

That leaves retirees, already
struggling on fixed incomes, to foot the
steep costs of health insurance.

CSEA President Joe McDermott has
spoken out often of his determination to
protect retiree health benefits. He is
now president of the state Public Sector
Coalition on Health Benefits (see page
17).

“Secure health care benefits for
retirees must be protected under law,”
McDermott said. ‘‘Any erosion of
benefits is not only unfair, but cruel. We
will continue to work for appropriate
legislation."

6 June 25, 1990 eRe

enforcement, public employers had no
real incentive to correct dangerous
conditions in the work place.

OCA incentive

While strongly opposed to the
retirement incentive offered to most
state employees, CSEA has praise for
the option offered to Office of Court
Administration employees.

OCA employees eligible to retire may
take one month's credit for every year
of service up to 36 months. No OCA
titles are targeted, which means all
eligible OCA employees can take
advantage of the incentive.

And positions left vacant by OCA
employees who take the incentive will
not be eliminated, as is happening in
executive branch agencies.

OCA employees can ignore the
complex and unfair delayed early
retirement program that “offers”
employees the chance to work full time
for only 60 percent of their pay.

Other victories

CSEA has successfully fought passage
of a bill which would have increased
opportunities for contracting out in the
state Office of General Services (OGS).

The bill would have allowed OGS to
avoid competitive bidding on contracts
for emergency construction up to
$100,000. The current limit is $40,000.

The bill has been set aside in
committee, which means it won't get to
the legislature floor for a vote.

“This was an obvious attempt to
increase contracting out without
sufficient oversight,’ said Larry Scanlon,
CSEA director of legislative and political
action. ‘We're happy to see that the it's
going nowhere."

Retiree income level

Public employee retirees can now earn
more money in addition to their
pensions,

CSEA succeeded in supporting a bill
which raises the income limit for
retirees who are still in public service
from $8,880 to $9,360. .

“Many retirees must have part-time
jobs just to get by,"’ said Fran Turner,
CSEA's legislative counsel. ‘'This
amount is more realistic and conforms
with federal regulations."

Legislature ;

se os

ALBANY — Improving child care opportunities in
New York state has long been a top CSEA priority.
Now the state Legislature is helping to create those
opportunities.

Two bills are awaiting the Governor's signature
which would increase grant and loan options for
day care centers and a third is moving through
both the Senate and Assembly.

One bill, once signed into law, will extend the
program that provides grants for intergenerational
day care programs. The grants will be used to
develop child day care programs at senior citizen
health care facilities.

“These grants do three things — provide
desparately-needed child day care, expose children
and older people to those of different generations
and allow us to make the most of a valued resource
— our senior citizens,"' said CSEA statewide
Secretary Irene Carr. ‘The children and senior
citizens have a lot to offer each other and we add
to the day care solution at the same time."

CSEA is also in favor of a second child-care bill
on the Governor's desk, which will provide for
start-up grants to all day care centers. Current law
allows grants only for centers for school-age
children.

CSEA is pushing for another child care bill which
is in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and
on third reading in the Senate. This bill would
allow public authorities to loan money to child care
facilities for start up, rehabilitiation or building.

“We need all the help we can get in getting
more day care centers started,'' Carr said. ‘'This is
just one more step to getting sufficient, quality
child care.”

seal

_ Caring for
our children

II ia a ile June 25, 1990 7

Union says county coerced employees

rc

Appellate Division
reinstates CSEA’s
lawsuit against

Schoharie County ©
over appointments

Did Schoharie County coerce the
top three scorers on an open
competitive examination to decline
appointments so the county could
then appoint two provisional
employees to vacant motor vehicle
positions?

CSEA thinks so, and the state's
second highest court has ordered a
hearing to look into the union's
charges,

The Appellate Division of State
Supreme Court reinstated a lawsuit
brought by CSEA against Schoharie
County over the hiring of the two
motor vehicle employees last year. On
an appeal by the union, the Appellate
Division reversed a previous decision
by State Supreme Court Justice
Harold J. Hughes that dismissed the
lawsuit.

A hearing ordered

The case was sent back to state
Supreme Court to hold a hearing to
determine whether the county
coerced CSEA members Jane Becker,

¥

Holly Vitola and Kay Yanson into
declining appointments to the grade
10 Motor Vehicle Representative I
positions.

CSEA charged Schoharie County
violated the merit and fitness
requirements of Civil Service Law by
convincing the top three scorers on
the open competitive examination to
decline appointments in order to name
two provisional employees in the
county's motor vehicle office to the
positions. Becker, Vitola and Yanson
are permanent employees in other
Schoharie County departments.

CSEA attorney Paul S. Bamberger
charged that interviews by the county
were unfair because they were
conducted in a way that coerced the
three into declining appointments to
the positions. The three also were not
given adequate opportunities to
consider whether to accept
appointments, Bamberger said.

The union attorney said the county
intended to appoint the provisional

ENJOYING THE VICTORY — Jane Becker, Holly Vitola and Kay Yanson stand
outside the Schoharie County government center and bask in the victory of
having a court decision overturned and a disputed civil service examination re-
instated.

employees all along and conducted
the interview process toward that end.

A pleased trio

“T feel good about the overturn of
the original decision,’ Becker said. ‘’I
have no idea about the county's
reaction, but I feel good.”

“T like it," Vitola said. ‘I don’t care
if they (the county administration)
don't like it. Now they feel like I did
when I did not get the job. They make
us obey the rules and regulations to
the letter. It's nice to see them made
to follow the law also.”

“I'm happy, it’s nice to see it
reversed,"’ Yanson said. ‘'It’s nice to
see something go the way of the
worker and not management."

County clerk faulted

Bamberger, who argued CSEA’s case
before the Appellate Division, said
Becker, Vitola and Yanson were also
coerced by threats made prior to the
interviews by Schoharie County Clerk
Forest Wollaber.

“County Clerk Wollaber acted like
he thought he was above the law,”’
Bamberger said. ‘'He threatened to
close the county's motor vehicle
office before he would comply with
the civil service law and choose
among the three individuals on the
top of the certified civil service list.
We argued that such arrogant
disregard for the law should not be
condoned by the courts."

Bamberger worked with CSEA
attorney Stephen Crain to write the
union's brief submitted to the
Appellate Division.

J

8 June 25, 1990 eae S Ci See ont sr eee ee,

nt HH mH HE Ee EE ee Ee ee ee eee eee ee Ue Ce

¥

CSEA appeal leads to
encouraging developments
for stationary engineers

When the state Civil Service Department said no
upgrading for stationary engineers last fall, CSEA was
shocked, then angered.

But the union didn't accept that answer and appealed to the
Civil Service Commission. As a result of CSEA's effort and a
strong presentation to the commission, there are now
encouraging developments,

The commission has sent the issue

dim ee

Senior Stationary Engineer
David Bauer, a member of Office
of General Services CSEA Local
660, on the job at the power
plant of the state office campus
in Albany.

back to the Civil Service Department's
Division of Classification and
Compensation and ordered them to take
a closer look at the situation. The
commission also urged that this be done
without delay.

“We know we have a strong case and
we're glad the commission recognized it
by taking this action,’’ said CSEA
President Joe McDermott. ‘But Class
and Comp stalled for three years before
saying no the last time and CSEA is not
going to stand for them dragging it out
again,

“All they have to do is look at the
facts and it's clear the upgradings are
merited,'’ McDermott said.

CSEA's presentation to the Civil

Service Commission stressed that
changes in technology and workplace
environmental controls have required
continuing increase in knowledge and
skills by the stationary engineers.

“The stationary engineers are
responsible for the safety, health and
comfort of thousands on people
everyday — in some places, 24 hours a
day,” said SUNY Stony Brook's Frank
Celentano a member of the CSEA
special committee on the stationary
engineer appeal.

“We have to know how the systems
are working at all times and be able to
fix any problem or there's hell to pay,”
he said.

“The changes in technology make the

job more complex, not easier,’’ said New
York Psychiatric Institute's Tony
Bailous, another member of the
committee. ‘Automation has given us a
whole new field. Now we have to
understand electronics and computers in
addition to mechanics.”

Stationary engineers must also receive
training in building and fire codes,
asbestos handling and emergency
response activities to name just few
areas,

CSEA's case for an upgrading for
stationary engineers received a boost
from the Office of General Services
(OGS). OGS representatives told the
commission that the agency agrees with
CSEA 100 percent on this issue.

CHANGING RESPONSIBILITIES — Computers now play an
integral role in the day to day activities of stationary
engineers as demonstrated by CSEA OGS Local 660
member Charles Larson, above. At leit Bruce Menia, John
Hannigan and Eric Van Zandt (left to right), repair an air
conditioning roof fan. Stationary engineers work wherever
the job takes them from the bowels of sub-basements to the
rooftops,

fe Es RSE GE cs eee June 25, 1990 A ]

1 0 June 25, 1990

When it comes to asbestos, you can't take the health risk |
seriously enough.

Several new studies, including a detailed health examination of
New York City school custodians, show even more evidence, |
The New York City employees, who work in settings similar to

many CSEA members, were at greater risk of developing cancer and
other asbestos-related diseases than was expected. |
The study was conducted by the Mount Sinai Medical Center
Occupational Health Clinic. It backs up the results of similar studies
in Boston and San Fransisco.
Of the 660 custodians examined, 28 percent showed lung |
scarring consistent with asbestos exposure. Thirty-nine percent of
the custodians with 35 or more years of service showed lung
scarring. |
The scarring is an early signs of asbestos-related health
problems such as asbestosis, a serious lung disease; lung cancer; and
mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung or abdominal |

&

hee

cavity. These problems may take as long as 20 to 30 years after
exposure to develop.

Asbestos was widely used as building insulation and fireproofing
until it was recognized as a cancer-causing material in the early
1970s. Since then, there has been considerable regulation and public
debate over how to deal with the health threat it poses.

rE

A. “Even the slightest exposure increases your risk of serious
health problems."
| Two other recent studies back this point up. In one, researchers
nd a higher than normal incidence of cancer and lung damage in
wives and children of asbestos workers. In another, similar

ults were found for construction workers who don’t work directly
F asbestos but may have been exposed to it in their worksites,

Corcoran also explained that the new regulations on asbestos
abatement and handling primarily protect new and future workers.

I “The damage may already have been done for older workers
if have been exposed over the years,"’ he said.

There are, however, steps that these workers should take (see
‘ompanying checklist below).
“Asbestos problems are going to be with us for a long time,"’
slid Corcoran. ‘‘Since it takes years for the health problems to
develop, it's projected that asbestos-related disease will rise until
Will into the next century.”

All of CSEA's Occupational Safety and Health staffers are
certified asbestos handlers. If you have questions or concerns
ut asbestos in your worksite, contact your regional OSH
ialist.

in :
t New studies, new concerns

You can also file asbestos complaints directly with the state

Department of Labor Asbestos Control Bureaus, listed below.

NEW YORK CITY OFFICE
One Main Street, Room 811
Brooklyn 11201

(718) 797-7686

ALBANY OFFICE
State Office Campus
Building 12, Room 216

Albany, New York 12240

(518) 457-2072

SYRACUSE OFFICE
677 South Salina Street
Syracuse, New York 13202

(315) 479-3212

BUFFALO OFFICE
65 Court Street
Buffalo, New York 14202

(716) 847-7601

“Between the federal, state and even some local governments

such as New York City there are now a set of laws to protect |
workers and the general public,'’ CSEA Director of Occupational
Safety and Health James Corcoran said. ‘But unless the asbestos has
been removed from your worksite altogether by certified handlers,
there's still going to be some risk.

“Tf there's asbestos in your worksite, it may not be in violation
of any health and safety standards, but that doesn't necessarily
mean your worksite is safe,''’ Corcoran said.

“There's no such thing as a safe level of asbestos expsoure,” he

If you've been exposed to asbestos:

1. Prevent or reduce further exposures. The more you
are exposed to asbestos, the more likely you are to
develop asbestos-related disease and the sooner you are
likely to become sick. If you reduce future exposures,
your chances of developing asbestos-related disease will
be decreased.

2. Stop Smoking. Asbestos and cigarettes are a
particularly deadly combination. You can get lung cancer
from asbestos even if you don't smoke, but your chances
of getting cancer will be much higher if you continue to
smoke. The day you stop smoking is the day your risk
starts decreasing.

3. Starting 15 years after your first exposure to asbestos,
get a medical check-up once a year. Make sure you see a
doctor who knows about asbestos-related diseases. Your
examination should include the following:

* your medical history

* your work history

* chest X-rays

* breathing tests

* stool test for blood

4. Get yearly flu shots and take antibiotics for lung
infections. If your lungs already have been damaged by
asbestos, lung infections like flu and bronchitis can cause
serious health effects. Make sure you see a doctor if you
get a chest cold.

5. If you develop the following symptoms, see a doctor
right away

* persistent hoarseness

* marked worsening of shortness of breath

* coughing up blood

* pain in your chest or abdomen

* significant weight loss

* change in bowel habits

These may be symptoms of asbestos-related illness which

Accuracy at issue in
asbestos diagnosis

EDITOR'S NOTE — Many
occupational illnesses and disease may
go unreported because they are not
properly diagnosed. Uncovering a
direct link between an illness and on
the job activities is not always easy and
may require a skilled specialist who
knows what to look for in an
individual's symptoms, medical charts
and work history. The following story
demonstrates why that's so important.

WASSAIC — Walt Harrington's medical
documentation says he has a health
problem. But he’s still having a tough
time proving it to New York state
officials.

His physician says his X-ray shows
signs of asbestos disease. State officials
say the X-rays they've taken of him show
no problems.

Harrington, an 18-year plumber and
member of Wassaic Developmental
Center CSEA Local 426 said he and his
co-workers have repaired many pipes
over the years that were covered with
asbestos,

“Years ago we would just strip away
the asbestos with our hands,” said
Harrington. ‘No one knew this stuff was
dangerous,"' he said.

Harrington also recalled making repairs
in the tunnel system under the facility
where temperatures climb over 100
degrees.

“They had fans in there and didn't
realize they were blowing the asbestos
right back onto the workers,'’ Harrington
said.

But Harrington began to suspect
problems when the state sponsored an
X-ray screening in 1981.

“Somebody must have known there
was a danger back then but they still
didn't give us any protective equipment,”
he said.

The X-rays apparently showed nothing
in Harrington's lungs and he and others
went back to work — unprotected.

In 1985, the X-rays were repeated with
the same apparent results.

In February 1989, Harrington experi-
enced severe back pains and went to a
local hospital. X-rays were taken once
again, with no findings, But the next day,
Harrington experienced more pain and
had a friend call the hospital where he'd
gone the night before.

“The X-ray technician had written on
my report that the doctor should ask me
if | ever worked around asbestos,”
Harrington said.

Harrington went to another doctor for
a follow-up. The physician told him that
the latest X-rays showed definite signs of
asbestos disease,

After Harrington contacted the CSEA
Local 425 office, state officials sent him,
along with 95 other employees, to the
Employees Health Service clinic in
Albany where they repeated X-rays.
Again they informed Harrington that
there was no sign of asbestos disease.

Harrington contends the clinic did not
take proper X-rays. ‘They took one
view,’ he emphasized. ‘‘You have to take
more than one view to spot asbestos
disease.”

Harrington said that his physician
questioned the quality of the health
services X-ray and wrote on the report
that it was not “‘of optimal quality.”

Does this mean that since 1981 all the
asbestos screening X-rays have been

done wrong? Harrington asked in a letter
to Governor Mario Cuomo explaining his
situation.

But the answer he received from
another state official was even more
disturbing. ‘‘It's possible the person who
read your X-ray saw something that was
not there,” it stated.

Harrington intends to continue his
fight for better asbestos screening. His
determination was recently reinforced by
the diagnosis of two retired co-workers
with asbestosis. One of them has since
died.

“IT want to retire in two years he said.
“T want to know if I'm going to have
some time to enjoy life or if I'm going to
be sick.”

your doctor should evaluate further.

June 25, ro | 1
AFSCME, LOCAL 1000, AFL-CIO

CSE \WWANDELA

welcomes

Hundreds of CSEA members from New York
City, Long Island and the metropolitan suburbs
were scheduled to join with massive crowds
expected to welcome black nationalist leader
Nelson Mandela to New York City and the United
States.

Under a huge CSEA banner and wearing large
“CSEA welcomes Mandela” buttons, CSEA members
were poised to roar their approval as Nelson and
Winnie Mandela rode up Broadway in a ticker tape
parade as this issue of The Public Sector went to
press.

CSEA members were also expected to line the
route of a motorcade through Brooklyn and join
with tens of thousands of well-wishers at rallies in
Harlem and Yankee Stadium.

The Mandelas came to New York in the midst of
a tour of Europe and North America.

“The eyes of the world will be turned to New
York City, and I'm so proud of CSEA's role and the
support of our members in showing the world that
we believe so strongly that apartheid must end
now," said CSEA President Joe McDermott.

Many CSEA members will have another
opportunity to see the Mandelas later this month
when the anti-apartheid leaders make an appearance
at AFSCME's convention in Miami. More than 220
CSEA delegates will attend the AFSCME convention.

CSEA Region II Director Alan Jennings served
as a member of the New York Anti-Apartheid
Nelson Mandela Welcoming Committee. Willie
Terry, chair of CSEA's Statewide Anti-Apartheid
Committee, helped coordinate CSEA's involvement
in the New York City welcome.

a

“lm so proud of CSEA’s role and the
support of our members in showing the
world that we believe so strongly that

apartheid must end now.”
—CSEA President Joe McDermott

1 2 June 25, 1990

OCLO"L..

Another CSEA member benefit
that will save you money!

- UNITED BUYING
SERVICE INTL.

The following money-saving consumer tips are from United
Buying Service (UBS) International, CSEA's official
discount shopping service. Approximately every other
month, UBS will provide, in The Public Sector, tips on how

“Smart shopper .
consumer tips
from UBS”’

will also be published.

Remember — UBS offers the best prices on a wide variety
of consumer items. As a CSEA member you can use UBS to
do your shopping and buying right over the phone:

to shop for various categories of products and services.
Whenever possible, a list of “best buys” in that category

toll-free!

A Camcorder combines a video camera &
a cassette recorder in one unit. This allows
you to capture live action on tape &
immediately replay it on your TV screen,

You can spend between $800 & $2,500
on a Camcorder depending upon the
format & operating features which are
currently available.

CAMCORDER FORMATS: VHS Cam-
corder — full size VHS models allow you to
record up to 2 hours & 40 minutes in the
SP (standard play) mode with a T-160
cassette. To play the tape back just slip it
into a standard VHS VCR. These units are
a bit bulky, weighing between 5 & 8
pounds, requiring you to rest the unit on
your shoulder while shooting. VHS offers
decent picture clarity - 240 lines of
horizontal resolution.

SUPER VHS — they are more expensive
than VHS models (approximately $1,800
cost) but offer better picture clarity, using
a special cassette with 400 lines of
horizontal resolution.

VHS-C — designed for people who want
to use a lighter Camcorder - weight 2% to
4 pounds, This Camcorder can be held
comfortably in the palm of your hand.
They use cassettes that are about the size
of a pack of cigarettes. These tapes offer
the same picture quality as the regular
VHS cassettes & can be played back via
standard VHS VCR — although you have
to place the cassette in an inexpensive
adapter.

SUPER-VHS-C — for superior picture
quality (like the bulkier Super-VHS) there
are several makes to choose from
however, the cost is $2,000 or more. One
drawback to the VHS-C format is its
20-minute record time in the SP (standard
play) mode, You can tape up to an hour in
EP (extended play) mode, but you will
sacrifice picture clarity.

8mm Camcorder — like VHS-C models,
most 8mm format Camcorders are light
enough to hold in the palm of your hand,
weighing between 2 & 4 pounds. The 8mm
tape offers 270 lines of horizontal
resolution (versus the VHS 240) & the Hi
Band 8mm (Hi8) offer 400 lines of
horizontal resolution, which is comparable

a

This month UBS features

BUYING A CAMCORDER

to the Super VHS. However, to play back
on 8mm cassette, you need an 8mm VCR
hooked up to a TV. Another playback
option: Most Camcorders can simply be
connected to your TV (if it has audio &
video inputs) allowing you to playback
your 8mm video — or you can make a VHS
dub by connecting the 8mm Camcorder to
a VHS deck. The drawback for this last
option is a loss in picture quality.
Important Operating Features:

HIGH SHUTTER SPEED — allows you to
capture more detail during fast moving
action.

AUTO FOCUS — which should be a
standard feature.

WHITE BALANCE — keeps the color of
images true to life.

POWER ZOOM — a 6 to 1 zoom is
standard, higher priced models offer 8 to 1
& 10 to 1 zoom capability.

DO NOT BUY A MODEL THAT DOES
NOT HAVE THE BASIC FEATURES MEN-
TIONED ABOVE!

Additional Operating Features:

Auto Fade In/Out for smooth opening &
closing of scenes.

Back Lighting Compensation insures
proper lighting when light source is behind
subject.

Character Generator for adding titles &
credits,

Digital Superimpose for adding color
graphics.

Electronic-Image Stabilizer a VHS fea-
ture that reduces picture jitter caused by
user's movement.

Flying-Erase Head for smooth editing
from scene to scene,

Image Mix allows the combining of a still
frame with live action.

MIC/Mixing for inserting narrative after
you have finished recording.

Retake Button for quick return to the be-
ginning of a scene.

SYNCRO-Edit Switch enables Camcorder
to control VCR when dubbing a tape.

SHOPPING TIPS:

1. Never decide on a model without
trying it out to discover whether it is
awkward to handle or difficult to operate,

2. When you have a definite Camcorder
model in mind call UBS — your Discount
Shopping Service — to get the best price
on your new Camcorder as well as
thousands of brand name items!

1-800-336-4UBS

While inventory lasts,
THIS MONTH’S
“BEST BUYS’? FROM
UBS ARE:

SHARP CAMCORDER —

$799 + tax and shipping

12 to 1 power zoom, HQ picture
system, Flying erase head, High
shutter speed, Auto focus, White
balance, Fade in/out.

EMERSON AIR CONDITIONER —
$319 + tax and shipping

Energy rating 9.5 EER, 7300 BTU.
RCA-VCR —

$274 + tax and shipping

4 tape heads, 155 channels, on-
screen display,

==== UNITED BUYING
_ SERVICE INTL.

CALL 1-800-336-4UBS

VISA and MasterCard accepted

UBS is CSEA's official discount
shopping service, offering the lowest
prices on automobiles, major appliances,
video, stereo, furniture, carpeting,
jewelry, china, crystal, flatware, luggage
and a host of consumer electronic
around on any oi the above iten
then call UBS for their price. You'll be

1

glad you did,
June 25, roo fl 3

een een eee eee |
IRVING FLAUMENBAUM SCHOLARSHIPS

' Eighteen $500 college grants
| awarded to members’ children

Eighteen sons and daughters of CSEA
members have been named winners of

$500 Irving Flaumenbaum Scholarship
Awards for 1990.
The scholarships are awarded annually

to three graduating high schoo! seniors
in each of the union's six regions.
Children of CSEA members are eligible
for the scholarships.

CSEA Special Memorial Scholarship
Committee Chair Diane Lucchesi said
winners have been notified and

Region | scholarship winners

JENNIFER AVITABILE of Coram is a
graduate of Longwood Senior High
School. She is the daughter of Phyllis
Avitabile, a clerk typist at Longwood
Central School and a member of CSEA
Local 870.

ROBERT MILAZZO of Mattituck is a
graduate of Mattituck High School. He is
the son of Marie Milazzo, a secretary in
the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free
School District and a member of CSEA
Local 870.

TRICIA D. GREENE of Levittown is a
graduate of Island Trees High School,
She is the daughter of Patricia A.
Greene, a clerk-stenographer at SUNY
Farmingdale and a member of CSEA
Local 606.

Region II scholarship winners

EDWARD O'BRIEN of the Bronx, is a
graduate of Cardinal Spellman High
School. He is the son of Marguerite L.
O'Brien, a principal clerk at SUNY
etn and a member of CSEA Local

10.

JENNIFER HIKELIN of Brooklyn is a
graduate of Edward R. Murrow High
School. She is the daughter of Laura
Hikelin, a clerk with the state Insurance
Fund and a member of CSEA Local 351.

MICHELLE J. LIEBERMAN of
Rockaway Park is a graduate of
Midwood High School. She is the
daughter of Harvey R. Lieberman, a
pharmacist aide at Creedmoor Hospital
and a member of CSEA Local 406.

arrangements are being made for CSEA
regional presidents to present awards to
winners in their regions.

Following are the 1990 winners of the
Irving Flaumenbaum scholarships:

Region II) scholarship winners

STEPHEN MURPHY of Blauvelt is a
graduate of Tappan Zee High School. He
is the son of Bridget Murphy, a food
service worker at Rockland Psychiatric
 venter and a member of CSEA Local
421, and of Thomas Murphy, a
maintenance mechanic at South
Orangetown Central School District and
a member of CSEA Local 844.

ANNIE CHANG of Wappingers Falls is
a graduate of John Jay High School. She
is the daughter of Lichen H. Chang, an
account clerk 1 at Dutchess County
Department of Social Services and a
member of CSEA Local 814,

MICHAEL MALARSKI of Slate Hill is a
graduate of Minisink Valley High
School. He is the son of Mamie Malarski,
a teacher aide at Minisink Valley Center
School District and a member of CSEA
Local 836.

Region IV scholarship winners

JULIE GIBBS of Newcomb is a
graduate of Newcomb Central High
School. She is the daughter of Sharie L.
Gibbs, a keyboard specialist with the
Department of Environmental
Conservation and a member of CSEA
Local 116.

CHRISTINE JAROSZ of Cohoes is a
graduate of Cohoes High School. She is
the daughter of Louise Jarosz, a
secretary with the Cohoes City School
District and a member of CSEA Local
801.

SRIDHAR M. DURBHAKULA of
Latham is a graduate of Shaker High
School. He is the son of Geetha D.
Muralidhar, a clerk with the state
Deparment of Environmental
Conservation and a member of CSEA
Local 655.

Region V scholarship winners

SHELLY ROSS of Endwell is a graduate
of Maine-Endwell Senior High School.
She is the daughter of Beverly Ross, a
stenographer at Maine-Endwell Central
School District and a member of CSEA
Local 866,

ISHI E. BUFFAM of Moravia is a
graduate of Southern Cayuga High
School. He is the son of Laura Buffam, a
caseworker with Cayuga County
Department of Social Services and a
member of CSEA Local 806.

REBECCA STILLWELL of Tully is a
graduate of Tully Central High School.
She is the daughter of Barbara Stillwell,
an account clerk with Cortland County
and a member of CSEA Local 812.

Region VI scholarship winners

WILLIAM B. SCHMITT of
Cheektowaga is a graduate of Maryvale
High School. He is the son of Genevieve
A. Schmitt, a food service helper at
Maryvale School District and a member
of CSEA Local 868.

KEVIN J. WISE of Niagara Falls is a
graduate of LaSalle Senior High School.
He is the son of Betty Wise, an office
aide at the Board of Education and a
member of CSEA Local 872,

BRIAN J. HORVATH of West Seneca
is a graduate of The Park School. He is
the son of Sharon M. Horvath, a clerk
typist at the Town of West Seneca and a
member of Local 815,

The next edition of The Public Sector will be dated July 23. The July 9 and August 6 editions are being
deleted and The Public Sector will be published monthly during July and August. Bi-weekly publication

will resume with the August 20 edition.

1 4 June 25, nS Gatadtn od 0 OPS re ane en omen

JERRY CLARK
MEMORIAL ~
SCHOLARSHIP

Children of CSEA members eligible to apply

AFSCME, CSEA's international union, is offering a new Candidates must also be the child of an AFSCME
scholarship in memory of Jerry Clark, the late director of member.
political action, as a tribute to his outstanding contribution Completed applications must be postmarked no later
to AFSCME’s political program and to his deep and abiding than July 15, 1990. The winner will be announced Aug. 1.
commitment to the labor movement and civil rights. To get a copy of the application form, contact:

The Jerry Clark Memorial Scholarship Program will Jerry Clark Memorial Scholarship Program
award a scholarship of $10,000 per year for the junior and ATTN: Education Department
senior years of study to one student majoring in political AFSCME
science. The award also includes an internship at AFSCME 1625 L Street, N.W.
International headquarters. Washington, D.C. 20036

|. The scholarship will be awarded to one student majoring in political science for their jun-
ior and senior years of study.

2. The amount of the scholarship will be $10,000 per year for the junior and senior years and
will be applicable to whatever university/college the student chooses.

3. The chosen student will be given an opportunity to intern at the International Union head-
quarters in the Political Action department during the summer between their junior and sen-
ior year or for one semester during their junior or senior year.

4. The criteria for selection will be the following:

“a. The student must be a child of an AFSCME member.
b. The student must have a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above.
c, The student must be a political science major.

5. All students who apply by the deadline and who meet the minimum requirements stated
above will be eligible for the scholarship. The names of each qualifying student will be
placed in a blank, sealed envelope and placed in a box. The winner will be selected by
lottery at a specially called meeting of the AFSCME Scholarship Committee on or before
June 15th.

6. The deadline for application for the first scholarship award will be July 15, 1990. The first
award will be made on August I, 1990. Thereafter the deadline for applications will be July Ist
of each succeeding year.

7. Contributions to the fund are welcome and should be made out to the “Jerry Clark Memo-
tial Scholarship Fund” and sent to AFSCME International Headquarters.

Gerald W, McEntee ® William Lucy
International President in the public service International Secretary Treasurer
e Cet )
'Orange County Unit awards scholarshi
| GOSHEN — Three college-bound high Bortz, a graduate of Highland High High School, is the daugher of Diane
school seniors in Orange County have School, is the son of Julia Bortz, a Stevens, another DSS employee.
$500 toward their college tuition thanks Department of Social Services (DSS) Unit Scholarship Committee Chair
| to the CSEA Orange County Unit of employee. Vera Green said the applicants were
CSEA Local 836, Green, a graduate of Washingtonville chosen based on their academic standing
Eric Bortz, Tara Green and Stephanie High School, is the daughter of Arlene and their personal efforts. This is the
Stevens are the 1990 recipients of the Vandermeulen, a DSS employee. second year the unit has awarded
| unit’s awards, Stevens, a graduate of Valley Central scholarships,

| 1 Re apr aeir e e TRSA Riera June 25, | 5

Linda Lucca

We're

ALBANY — After an attempt to reach
a settlement in CSEA’s lawsuit against
the state over the Secretary 1 and 2
civil service examination, the case is
now back in court.

“Tt would have been in the state's best
interest to reach a fair settlement on
this issue,"’ said CSEA President Joe
McDermott. ‘‘The whole reclassification
has been a nightmare and thousands of
employees are demoralized. Reaching a
settlement would have been a way to
repair some of the damage."

Instead, the issue will be decided in
state Supreme Court.

CSEA's legal action initially sought to
block the civil service exams for the
newly created secretarial titles because
thousands of CSEA members already
qualify for the positions without needing
the exam. Most of those members are
bogged down in the state's complicated
and confusing reclassification process.

When the judge refused to grant an
injunction to stop the test, CSEA pressed
on with the case to stop the test results
from being used until the reclassification
of all eligible workers is completed.

While CSEA continue: legal action,
members can also act. CSEA suggests
that its members who are doing
secretarial work without the title file an
out-of-title grievance.

Here's what you should keep in mind:
*Let your reclassification application
take its course, but file for the out-
of-title pay in the meantime. The
two procedures are separate and

distinct.

*To qualify for out-of-title pay, you
must be performing the duties of the
higher paying job at least 40 percent
of the time. Compare your job duties
to the Secretary 1 and Secretary 2

1 6 June 25, i i ce

going
back to court

‘The process is terrible’

“It's not fair that the state keeps us
waiting,'’ said Aimee Kea, a senior
stenographer with the state Depart-
ment of Enviromental Conservation
(DEC) in Albany and member of CSEA
Local 655. ‘‘After the state budget was
settled we assumed that we'd hear
something but they keep dragging it
out longer and longer. It makes you
mad; it’s as if they're saying we're not
good enough, not important enough to
be recognized."

While the state Division of the Budg-
et has finally begun reviewing the
reclassificaton applications for some of
the larger state agencies, the process is
still moving at a snail's pace. Several of
the major state agencies such as
Environmental Conservation, Education,
Health and Labor have still not yet
seen any upgradings.

That makes no sense to CSEA or its
members,

“It would help to know where we
stand," said Linda Lucca, a principal
stenographer and CSEA member at
DEC. “But we've been kept in the dark

throughout the process."

According to Lucca, she and her co-
workers initially filed their justification
for the reclassification with their agen-
cy in May 1988. The final paperwork
was filed with the state after the
Division of the Budget lifted its
moratorium on the reclassifications last
October.

“Tt seems like every month the state
throws a new wrinkle into the
process,'’ she said. ‘First the pay was
going to be retroactive if you filed by
October; then there wasn't going to be
any retroactivity.

“Then they made us take the exams
even though they weren't required,”
she said. ‘Now we keep waiting for the
other shoe to drop and have them say
there won't be any reclassification,

“The state has us over a barrel —
people don't know whether to leave or
stay on in the hope of getting the up-
grading," Lucca added,

“It's as if the state just won't admit
the process is terrible and they're
sticking with it even though it doesn't
make any sense."

job specifications.

*You probably stand a better chance
of qualifying for the out-of-title pay
if your agency supported your
reclassification application.

*In filing your out-of-title grievance
DO NOT list “reclassification” as
the remedy sought. It's a different

procedure. In the out-of-title
grievance you are seeking to have
the state end the out-of-title work or
pay you accordingly.

* Out-of-title pay is only retroactive
for 15 calendar days prior to the
filing of your grievance, so the
sooner you file, the better.

63,000 CSEA members receiving
$2 million in group life refunds

Refund checks totalling $2 million,
issued by the CSEA Basic Group Life
Insurance Plan, have been mailed to
more than 63,000 eligible CSEA
members.

Refund checks were mailed the week
of June 18 directly to the insured
member’s home address on file with
CSEA. To be eligible for the refund,
CSEA members must have participated
in the Basic Group Life Plan from Nov.
1, 1988, through Nov. 1, 1989.

This year's total raises to $19,600,000
the contributions refunded to members
since 1980. The current coverage in
force for the enrolled CSEA members is

a staggering $1,141,000,000. The CSEA
Basic Group Life Insurance Plan has paid
out $200,383,000 in death claims since
1939,

Again this year CSEA is conducting a
special increase offer to qualified
insured members to increase their Basic
Group Life Insurance coverage to
$25,000, the maximum benefit available
under the program, CSEA members
under age 70 may apply for the increase
by completing the application which was
included with the refund of contribution
checks,

Questions concerning the refund or

the special increase offer should be
directed to the CSEA Insurance
Department, Capitol Station Box 7125,
Albany, New York 12224. Include your
name, Social Security number and
current address. Name or address

changes during the past year should also

be noted.

Special features of the CSEA Max 25
Basic Group Life Insurance Plan include
low group premiums; up to $25,000 of
coverage; convenient payroll deduction
double benefit for accidental death;
triple benefit for accidental death on a
common carrier; and waiver of premium
for qualified disability.

EMPLOYEE

One of the most innovative
RLegrae offered by the CSEA

mployee Benefit Fund (CSEA EBF) —
PACKAGE 7 — recently marked its
fifth anniversary.

PACKAGE ? includes seven benefits
plans and covers several CSEA local
government bargaining units
throughout CSEA's Long Island
Region. The deluxe benefit package is
now being offered to all CSEA
political subdivision units across the
state. PACKAGE 7 can be obtained by
CSEA units through negotiations at
the bargaining table.

PACKAGE ? includes benefits for
Dental, Vision, Prescription Drugs,
Legal Services, Annual Physical
Examination, Hearing Aid and
Maternity Allowance.

Employees and CSEA bargaining
unit officers interested in information
about PACKAGE 7 and assistance in
negotiating for it should call CSEA
EBF at 1-800-EBF-CSEA (toll free) or
(518) 463-4555.

THE DENTAL PLAN was updated
recently by increasing allowances for
more than 130 dental procedures. The

annual maximum of allowances was

CSEiz

BENEFIT FUND PRESCRIPTION

_——— Se =, san

Tr 386 Zh EE >. Ae
Saal COE Ee! 0 6
ee ii US OE Aeav.
Oa ON a /

DRUG

also increased to $1,800 for each
eligible family member.

HE VISION PLAN was updated so
eligible employees and their
dependents can use the. benefit once
every calendar year instead of once
every two years. The allowance for
the contact lenses option was
increased from $50 to $75, and the

lan continues to provide an exam,
enses and frames at no cost to the
employee.

THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
pays reimbursements for co-pays and
out-of-pocket expenses for
prescription medicines not covered by
ie employee's regular prescription
plan.

THE LEGAL SERVICES benefit
provides assistance with meeting

ersonal legal expenses.

eimbursement for these services is
made directly to the employee, who
can use ay attorney he or she
chooses. Many of the services also
cover dependents. Allowances include
general legal consultations, real estate
closings, wills, landlord disputes,
adoptions, non-business contracts,
personal bankruptcy, traffic violations
and domestic relations, among others.

DENTAL
CARE

The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (CSEA EBF) is a negotiated program providing drug prescription, dental and vision care
benefits for more than 125,000 CSEA-represented employees in six statewide and more than 260 local government bargaining
units. For the benefit of the membership, The Public Sector will periodically publish information concerning the CSEA EBF.

-800-EBF-CSEA

VISION
CARE

THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
benefit provides a once-a-year
examination at a designated diagnostic
center for the employee and spouse,
and covers the portion of the exam
not already covered by other health
plans, up to $95.

THE HEARING AID benefit covers
eligible employees and their
dependents once every three calendar

ears. The allowance was upgraded

rom $300 to $450, which includes the

cost and fitting of a hearing aid
recommended by a physician or
otologist.

THE MATERNITY CARE benefit
Pas $200 upon the birth of a child. If

oth parents are members of the
Fund, the payment is $400,

Family health care has always been
the primary concern of CSEA EBF.In
these days of rising health care costs,
CSEA EBF continues to helj
employees meet the financial
responsibilities of health care for
themselves and their families.
PACKAGE 7 is one of the ways that is
being accomplished, and is a prime
example of what can be accomplished
through effective bargaining.

J

Gi ie ei ee a June 25, | 7

ial eeritek Sores

Retiree Connie Besio
fights for consumers

By Anita Manley
CSEA Communications Associate

DOVER PLAINS — If you've ever been
stuck with a lemon, then you ought to
talk to CSEA retiree member Connie
Besio.

After battling food companies, hotel
chains, airlines and company presidents,
she wants to share her experience with
anyone who gets poor service or a bad
product. She's proved she get results.

Besio was inspired to become a
staunch consumer advocate by a can of
beans.

“Tt was full of beanstocks!"’ she said. ‘I
sent the company the label along with a
letter about the problems and they sent
me a coupon for a case of beans."

Another time, Besio purchased an
expensive can of crabmeat.

“T opened it and it was gray! It was
four years old!"’ Again, Besio wrote to
the company and received a coupon for
more crabmeat.

Besio, a therapy aide at Wassaic
Developmental Center for 19 years, was
a member of CSEA Local 426 until she
retired on disability in 1985. Now a
member of the CSEA Dutchess-Putnam
County Retiree Local 909, Besio has
more horror stories — and more
victories — than seems possible.

$150 for a horsefly

The discovery of a horsefly in a can of
soda led to a battle with a company that

finally sent her a ¢heck for $150.
“They tried to tell me the fly came
from my house,” she said.
Then there was the trip Besio and her
husband, Clarence, took.

The trip included a stay at a hotel
before they were to leave on an early
bus trip for Canada to celebrate the New
Year.

“We got to the hotel and there was no
heat," she recalled. ‘‘We were freezing.
We complained and they told us they
were having problems with the heating
system. They said they had some rooms
that had heat, but it would cost us more
to stay in them!’

Besio and her husband refused to pay
more and spent the night in the freezing
room,

When she returned from her trip, she
wrote to the hotel chain and they sent
her a gift certificate for a free night in
one.of their hotels. The Besios later
used the certificate in one of the chain's
best hotels and spent the night in a
deluxe room at no charge.

Then there was the saga of the shirts.
Besio purchased three shirts for her
husband, and all were defective. She
called the store, which had no more in
stock. She called the company and was
told to mail the shirts. The company

“Tf I feel I'm
being hurt
with a
defective
product or
poor :
performance,
I'll walk

all over
them.”

CONSUMER ADVOCATE Connie Besio and her

husband, Clarence.

offered'to replace them and pay the
postage. She mailed the shirts, but never
got the replacements.

“I wrote letters. They gave me a
delivery date and the shirts never
came,”’ Besio said. ‘I wrote again, they
promised delivery and they still didn't
come.”

Taking it to the top

Besio went to the top and wrote the
company president. He called her and
promised results.

He came through. Besio received the
three shirts and four others as a gift.

Her determination is remarkable. She
has pursued cases as far as small claims
court. Like the time she purchased a
ring that was supposed to be sterling
silver. It wasn't. The merchant refused
to refund her money, so she took him to
court.

“He could have saved himself a lot of
money if he had just refunded my $30,"
she said.

Helping her friends

Besio now is handling a court case for
a friend who purchased a $1,700 chair
that broke.

She helped another friend who had
ordered a set of pots and pans from a
company that never sent the
merchandise. After dealing with Besio,
the company not only sent her friend's
cookware, it sent her a set, too.

“The trouble is, most people don't
pursue these things. I never let anything
go," she said. “If I feel I'm being hurt
with a defective product or poor
performance, I'll walk all over them.”

It's also important to know what to do.
She learned the importance of
documenting facts while a CSEA
grievance representative.

“You have to document everything,”
she said. ‘‘Get the name of every person
you speak to, Start with the salesperson,
and then the manager. If you get no
where, go right to the company
president. Be concise. Tell them what
you want but no more than you are
entitled to. Give them a certain length
of time to respond, about seven to 14
working days is about right."

Most important, Besio said, is to ‘‘tell
them you'll seek third party assistance if
necessary."

Besio is willing to advise people on
how to handle consumer problems.

“T wouldn't charge,’’ she emphasized. |
“IT just want the satisfaction of helping
someone,

“Don't underestimate your case,'' she
said. ‘Go for it.”” |

1 8 June 25, pe) ASIST ye CINE Oe a rem =) |

AT YOUR

SERVICE

your UNION [i REFERENCE

Be

&

IDE TO CSEA MEMBER SERVICES AND BENEFITS

BENEFITS
DS RAE

CSEA Toll-Free

The union's toll-free telephone number —
1-800-342-4146 — is your direct link to CSEA
Headquarters

When you call the toll-free number, a
recorded message describes the choices to
put you through to the right place for the help
you need.

You need a touch-tone telephone to
complete your call without operator
assistance. If you aren't calling from a touch-
tone telephone, an operator will pick up and
complete your call at the end of the message.

If you know the extension number of the
individual that you're trying to reach, you can
press “O” plus the extension number on your
touch-tone telephone at any point during the
recorded message and be connected.

If you don’t know the extension, the
message will give you the following choices:

* For Field Operations or the Empire
Plan/Health Benefits Committee, press number
1

* For disciplinaries, grievances and other
legal matters, press number 2

* For Communications, the Executive
Offices or Political Action, press number 3

* If you have a question concerning dues,
membership or agency shop, CSEA group
insurance other than health or need to talk to
the Finance Department, press number 4.

The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund is a
CSEA-administered trust fund which provides
certain supplemental negotiated benefits for
state employees and participating local
government employees. It currently
administers Dental Care, Vision Care,
Prescription Drug, and Package 7 Benefits
Plans.

For questions regarding any of the benefits
or for assistance with negotiations, call:

1-800-323-2732 or (518) 463-4555 or write:
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
14 Corporate Woods Boulevard
Albany, NY 12211

CSEA can help you prepare for civil service
exams with low-cost study booklets and free-
to-borrow video tapes. A small selection of
audio tapes are available to the visually
impaired.

CSEA also provides educational workshops
for union activists eager to learn more about
their union responsibilities.

To request booklet order forms or to obtain
information on union workshops, call CSEA
headquarters at 1-800-342-4146. For
information on videotapes, contact your CSEA
regional office.

To report unsafe or unhealthy working
conditions or serious accidents, call your
CSEA labor relations specialist. For
occupational safety and health information, call
CSEA headquarters at 1-800-342-4146.

AFSCME Advantage Credit Card

THE AFSCME MasterCard has one of the
lowest interest rates around — 5 percent
above the prime lending rate. There is no
annual fee.

To obtain an application form, call your
CSEA regional office.

The card is issued by the Bank of New
York. If you apply for a card and there is no
response within four weeks, call the bank toll-
free at 1-800-942-1977.

The AFSCME Advantage Union Privilege
Legal Service Program makes it possible for
you to easily obtain high quality, affordable
legal services for many personal legal matters.
For more details and a list of the participating
lawyers in your area, call the CSEA office in
your region.

CSEA offers several insurance programs at
low group rates and provides the convenience
of automatic payroll deduction.

These voluntary group plans include: Basic
Group Life, Supplemental Life, Income
Protection Program, Hospital Indemnity Plan,
Family Protection Plan, Auto Insurance and
Homeowners Insurance. For more details,
call 1-800-366-5273 or (518) 381-1600.

For health insurance questions concerning
Empire Plan coverage, call the appropriate
following telephone number:

EMPIRE PLAN
Blue Cross Claims 1-800-342-9815
or (518) 465-0171
Metropolitan Claims 1-800-942-4640
Participating Providers 1-800-537-0010
Empire Plan Health Call 1-800-992-1213

(Hospital admission approval/surgical review)

Retirement

If you are retiring soon, it's important that
you select the proper option from the
Employees’ Retirement system.

By using the services of a CSEA-provided
retirement counselor, you'll be able to plan for
a lifestyle in your retirement years that takes
into account your anticipated expenses.

For more information, call 1-800-366-5273.

General retirement information and retiree
membership information are available by
contacting CSEA’s Retiree Department at
CSEA Headquarters 1-800-342-4146 or (518)
434-0191.

Technical retirement benefit questions (i.e.,
eligibility for service buy-back, transfer of
membership), requests for retirement
allowance applications, and requests for
retirement estimate applications should be
directed to the New York State and Local
Retirement Systems at (518) 474-7736.

Get big savings on consumer products
through the union’s official discount buying
service. UBS combines the power of millions
of members to negotiate discounts on a whole
range of major name discount products.
Everything from automobiles to major
appliances, video to home furnishings and
more. The program is free to CSEA members
and carries no service charges. To place an
order or for pricing information, call
1-800-336-4UBS or 1-800-877-4UBS. UBS has
also set up a hotline for information on limited
special monthly offers available only to CSEA
members. For a listing of specials, call the
hotline at 1-203-967-2980.

If you believe you have a grievance,
immediately contact your local grievance
representative or shop steward. If they are
unavailable, contact your CSEA Unit or Local
President, or your CSEA Labor Relations
Specialist at the appropriate regional office. Do
not delay if you believe you have a problem;
grievances must be filed on a timely basis.

CSEA REGIONAL OFFICES

LONG ISLAND REGION 1 OFFICE
Hauppauge Atrium Building

300 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy.
Hauppauge, NY 11788

(516) 273-2280

(516) 435-0962

METROPOLITAN REGION 2 OFFICE
Suite 1500

11 Broadway

New York, NY 10004

(212) 514-9200

Rural Route 1

(914) 896-8180

Suite 402

(518) 489-5424

SOUTHERN REGION 3 OFFICE

Box 34, Old Route 9
Fishkill, NY 12524

CAPITAL REGION 4 OFFICE

1215 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203

CENTRAL REGION 5 OFFICE
6595 Kirkville Road

East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 433-0050

WESTERN REGION 6 OFFICE
482 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202

(716) 886-0391

CSEA STATEWIDE HEADQUARTERS
143 Washington Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12210
1-800-342-4146 (toll-free)

(518) 434-0191

S%

_

June 25, sooo 9

' 20

Were You Counted?

There's Still Time —

Here's How To Make Yourself Count:

@ cut out and complete the form below;
@ place in an envelope, affix postage; and mail form to:
@ drop it in the mail.

US Bureau of the Census, Albany Processing Office

Cohoes, NY 00231-1922

US BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
ALBANY PROCESSING OFFICE
COHOES, N.Y. 00231-1922

If you believe that you (or anyone else in your household)

were NOT counted, please fill out the form below and mail

it IMMEDIATELY to:

OR CALL 1-800-999-1990

(Name of person who filled out this form)

(Telephone number)

* | have checked with the members of my household, and I believe
that one (or more) of us was NOT counted in the 1990 census.

© On April 1, 1990, I lived at (PLEASE PRINT)

(House number) (Street or road/Rural route and box number)

(Apartment number or location)

(City) (State)

(County or foreign country) (ZIP Code)

° This address is located between
(Street, road, etc.)

and

(Street, road, etc.)

PLEASE INCLUDE

All family members and other relatives living here, including foster children
and babies.

Alllodgers, boarders, roommates, and other persons living here.

All persons who usually live here but are temporarily away on a business
trip, on vacation, or in a general hospital.

All persons with a home elsewhere but who stay here most of the week while
working or attending college.

Anyone staying or visiting here who had no other home.

All persons in the Armed Forces who live here.

All children in boarding schools below the college level.

DO NOT INCLUDE

Any college student who lives somewhere else while attending college.

Any person away from here in the Armed Forces or in an institution such as
anursing home, mental hospital, or prison.

Any person who usually stays somewhere else most of the week while working there.
Any person visiting here who has a usual home elsewhere.

How is this
person

Tam listing all persons living in this telated to the
household on April 1, 1990, and those person
staying or visiting here who had NO other online 1?

home.
Husband/wife
Son/daughter
Father/mother
Grandchild
Mother-in-law
Roomer/boarder
Housemate/
roommate
Unmarried partner
Other nonrelative

Please list on line 1 the household
member who owns, is buying, or rents the
home. (PLEASE PRINT)

Last name

Female} born?

For example: MorF

What is the race of this When was | Is this Is this person of
person? (Printname of race goup)| this person | person ~ | Spanish/Hispanic

ee Now origin?

married? | No - not
Widowed ?| Spanish/Hispankc
Divorced ? | Yes ~ Print one of the
Separated?| following groups:
Never Mexican, Mexican-Am.,

Chicano
Puerto Rican
ann ote

jan Indian Other Spanish /Hispanic

Hawaiian Samoan Tiviecan eo
Korei Guamanian ‘example: Argentinean,
Vietnamese Other API Colombian, Dominican,

Nicaraguan, Salvadoran,
Other race (Print race) Spaniard, and so on.)

Black or African American

Indian (Amer. (Also print the name
of the enrolled ot principal tribe.)

Eskimo

Aleut martied?
Asian ot Pacific Islander (API)

Chinese

Filipino

--4---
Month | Year
4

1
more than 6 persons, list the additional persons on a blank sheet of paper and attach it to this form.

FOR CENSUS USE |?° ARE Bleek

Map spot 1D Results code(s)

NOTICE ~ For the next 72 years, or until Apri 2062, only swom Census Bureau workers~-and no one else--will have accesso your individual census questionnaire. The collection of census information is authored bya law
(Tite 13, United States Code) that protects the confidentiality of your answers. This law also requires that you furnish the information requested. The Census Bureau estimates that, for the average household, this form wall
take 3 minutes to complete, including the time for reviewing the instructions and answers. Comments about this estimate should be directed to the Associate Director for Management Services, Bureau of the Census,
Washington, DC 20233, Attn; CEN-90 and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project CEN-90, Washington, DC 20503.

ForM D-25,

OMB No. 0607-0628; Approval Expires 07/31/91

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

June 25, PPro dey oe oN RSs an, ie nee em PP