The Work Force, 2006 January

Volume 9 No. 1

Special supplements included with this edition

THE WORK FORCE

January 2006
Photo of the Month

SE
ria

15-month-old Sarah Graham, daughter of Onondaga County
Local President Phil Graham, sits on Santa’s lap at the local’s
annual CSEA Night at Lights On The Lake. Each year the local
sponsors a discount night for union members to attend the
holiday lighting display, which is built and maintained by
CSEA members working for the Onondaga County Parks
Department.

Photo by Mark M. Kotzin

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on in your area?

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about
events,
sales,
trips

and other
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to your
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Sg

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Visit your region’s page on the CSEA web site
at www.csealocal1000.org, and click on the
‘regions’ link in the main menu.

Legislature set to
act on Erie County
crisis measure

ALBANY — The state legislature is
poised to take action on approval
of an Erie County sales tax
increase that will add much-
needed revenue to help ease dire
county finances.

The governor’s State of the
State message will be given Jan. 4
before the reconvened state
Assembly and Senate. It is
expected the sales tax approval
vote will be one of the legislature’s
first acts of business.

Erie County legislators had
approved a property tax hike and
increasing the sales tax a half-
penny Nov. 16. CSEA had been
advocating for the increases.

The added revenue would help
the county avoid another round of
deep cuts, but it does not provide

Peru school

sufficient funding in some areas.
The current budget contains only
$6 million of a $20 million subsidy
for the Erie County Medical
Center. CSEA is working with
county legislators to restore the
remaining funding for the hospital.

As this edition of The Work
Force went to press, a court
decision that would affect the
hospital’s funding was pending.
The county was due to provide
the hospital a certain amount of
funding this year but Erie County
Executive Joel Giambra balked at
budgeting the full amount.

The medical center went to
court over the issue and won.
Giambra appealed that decision,
and a decision in that appeal was
due at press time.

workers OK

contract after long fight

PERU — After nearly three years
of lengthy negotiations that
included impasse, fact-finding and
super-mediation, CSEA members
at Peru Central School District
have ratified a new contract by a
vote of 89-2.

The contract represents a clear
victory for members at Peru
Central School District who stuck
to their guns and refused to settle
for less than what they knew was
fair.

The campaign, like many
protracted negotiations, had its
ups and downs. But members
were firm in their resolve that
they had to do right by their
fellow union brothers and sisters
who in some titles were earning 52
percent below the county average.

This fact was discovered
through a salary comparison
compiled by CSEA’s Research
Department before the start of
negotiations and became a
sticking point throughout the
talks.

“After they saw the comparison

the team decided that this was
going to be the time to make these
adjustments,” said Labor Relations
Specialist Ken Lushia.

Salary and benefits were the
biggest hurdles to a deal that
came after both sides found
common ground and agreed to
apply savings from health
insurance changes toward support
staff salaries. The same night that
the school board came back with
the deal that would later be signed
about 100 CSEA members from
around the North Country joined
their fellow union members in a
strong showing of solidarity.

The new four-year pact which
includes retro pay back to 2003
was approved by the school board
on Dec. 13 by a vote of 7-0.

“Tam so happy to have this
over,” said Jeanette Cumber Peru
Central School District Unit
president. “The CSEA team
worked very hard and stuck it out
to come up with the contract.”

— Therese Assalian

Page 2 THE WORK FORCE January 2006
‘Our reputation? New York’s
leading union — we ‘ve earned it.’

CSEA is delivering an important message
to the public in the next few months as the
union launches a new statewide advertising
campaign.

The campaign features numerous CSEA
members (depicted on Page 1 and below)
who help to put a face on union membership
and explain how their dedication makes a
difference in people’s lives.

“For nearly 100 years, CSEA has been a
positive force across New York and we're
proud to let people know it,” said CSEA
President Danny Donohue. “CSEA has been
using advertising and other marketing tools
for decades to help create better
understanding about the value of our
members and the work you perform.”

“It’s more important than ever for us to
demonstrate the importance of the role CSEA
plays in ensuring workers have the support
they need in the workplace to deliver quality
services and products,” Donohue said.

Advertising is an important tool CSEA uses

CSEA members taking part in the new
advertising campaign are, (in no particular
order), Jeff Roberts, Dashamali Jennings,
Tawanna Wright, Mary Lutz, King Davis,
Tom Gabak, Dan Stone, Julie Wadams, Terri
Gilbough, Michelle Lang, Ed Figueroa,
Cindy Hoag, Douglas Drake, Donna Powell,
Virginia Jackson, Jamie Nick, Kerry
Mincher, Chrissy Manolakis, Doelle Harrell,
Rebecca Mills, Todd Smith, and Shirley
Johnson.

to get its message out and strengthen its
image. It has proven effective countless
times in helping CSEA produce positive
results for its members and all New Yorkers
in budget debates, contract fights and other
policy issues.

CSEA advertising also helps counter
negativity with facts and balance.

In recent times, elements of the business
community have been waging a relentless
campaign against unions, including CSEA in
both the public and private sectors.

“We're not going to apologize for who we are
and what we do,” Donohue said. “No matter
where people work, public or private sector,
CSEA believes it is in everyone’s best interest
to ensure that they are paid fairly and gain
decent benefits.”

CSEA-sponsored
announcements a
helpful reminder

As part of CSEA’s advertising campaign,
the union is once again sponsoring snow
closing announcements on radio and TV
stations across the state.

Snow closings and other emergencies
always help reinforce the importance of
having qualified and capable CSEA
members on the job.

While snow plow operators always come
to mind in these circumstances, it’s also
important to remember that thousands of
other CSEA members are on the job as well,
doing essential work in health care
facilities, group homes, on the 911 lines and
in numerous other public safety capacities.

January 2006

CSEA member Jeff
Roberts prepares to
record a segment
about how CSEA fights
for fairness and
respect as part of a
recent CSEA ad shoot.

“We want people to know that fairness and
respect pay dividends in so many ways
through stable, quality services.”

CSEA’s ads are now running on radio and
TV stations across the state.

— Visit CSEA’s web site at
www.csealocal1000.org
to view the new TV ad.

CSEA member Dashamali Jennings gathers
her thoughts during a break in production
on CSEA’s new ad campaign.

THE WORK FORCE Page 3
TENOR FI

ISSN 1522-1091

Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President

STEPHEN A. MADARASZ
Communications Director & Publisher

STANLEY HORNAK
Deputy Director of Communications
LOU HMIELESKI
Executive Editor
JANICE MARRA
Associate Editor
CATHLEEN FEBRAIO
Graphic Production Specialist
JANICE M. KUCSKAR
Graphic Production Specialist

BETH McINTYRE.
Communications Assistant

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

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

Readers:
Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210-2803.

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES

RACHEL LANGERT Long Island Region

(631) 462-0030

DAVID GALARZA Metropolitan Region
(212) 406-2156

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(845) 831-1000

‘THERESE ASSALIAN Capital Region

18) 785-4400
Central Region
(315) 433-0050

MARK M. KOTZIN

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

(S18) 257-1272

The Publications Committee

LONG ISLAND REGION Jane D'Amico
METROPOLITAN REGION Abraham Benjamin
SOUTHERN REGION Robert Lorenc
CAPITAL REGION Helen Fischedick
CENTRAL REGION Vacant
WESTERN REGION Mary Jo Tubbs

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Page 4 THE WORK FORCE

January 2006

CSEA President Danny Donohue

New year brings challenges and opportunity
for you to make a difference

he new year is upon us and 2006 promises to
be a watershed moment in our history.

We will elect a new governor this year. No
matter who your employer is, it makes a big
difference for you and all other New Yorkers who is
elected as our next governor. Much of CSEA’s 95-year
history centers on our relationship with New York’s
governors.

No one should take our support for granted.
We will consider the candidates and make
decisions based on who we believe will do the best job
for all C9EA members and New Yorkers. When we make our
endorsement, we will support our candidate with every effort we can
muster because the result will impact us all far beyond the election
season.

Even before we get to election time, CSEA still has enormous
challenges to face. Some of these challenges include reforming the
funding formulas that shortchange public health care; standing firm
against contracting out that undermines our pay and benefits, and
helping unorganized workers overcome threats and intimidation from
their employers as they try to join our union.

CSEA needs your help. You cannot afford to be indifferent to

any of these issues. Make your New Year’s resolution to care about
your CSEA membership and get involved.

“Denes

Westchester Medical Center
workers win contract battle

VALHALLA — Members
of the Westchester
Medical Center Unit
overwhelmingly ratified
a new contract that will
include a 3 percent
across-the-board raise
in 2006 anda

administ

hospital’

skilled professionals
such as pharmacists.
While hospital

insisted union
givebacks were
necessary for the

rators had

s financial

S NEWIXORKIS)
LEADING) UNION)
Represents 60,000 Workers in
IAEAGEM GARE

SELVLCES

“CSEA
members

retroactive increase in
longevity payments.
The two-year
contract, retroactive to
Jan. 1, 2005, comes
after more than seven
months of negotiations.
While the hospital’s
ongoing financial

recovery, their position
on the issue appears to
have changed as CSEA
members working at
Westchester Medical
Center proved to be a
potent lobbying force
for the hospital in
Albany and with county

are the
backbone

of
Westchester
Medical
Center.”

CSEA member and physician’s assistant Matt

problems complicated

contract talks, both Plains.
sides were able to CSEA member
negotiate an agreement activism also defeated

that will reward
longtime employees
with a raise and
include changes in the
salary scale made to
boost recruitment of

officials in White

a plan to outsource
approximately 200 jobs
last year.

“This new contract
affirms what we've
known all along,” said

backbone of

Unit President Artie
Alfreds. “CSEA
members are the

Westchester Medical
Center and keeping a

Cichon, shown here in this 2005 file photo, is
among the Westchester Medical Center workers
who treat the region’s worst trauma cases, some
from as far away as the Albany area.

quality work force on
the job requires a
contract fair to all.”

— Jessica Stone

Private sector care workers win
round in organizing fight

MANHATTAN — Workers at a
major private sector not-for-
profit developmental
disabilities care provider, whose
employees are fighting to gain
the benefits and security of
belonging to CSEA, have won a
card-check neutrality agreement
in their organizing campaign.
The campaign for Lifespire
workers has brought together
workers, elected officials, the
religious community, local
activists and union members.
Lifespire provides services to
individuals with developmental

disabilities. The neutrality
agreement will ultimately allow
about 1,200 workers to decide
whether they want to form a
union without being subjected
to harassment and intimidation
from their employer.

From Dec. 6 to Feb. 9,
Lifespire has agreed to remain
completely neutral while
Lifespire employees decide
whether they want to organize.

At the end of this period, if a
majority of workers sign union
authorization cards, verified by
an arbitrator, the company has

agreed to voluntarily recognize
CSEA and begin negotiating a
contract.

Since beginning this struggle
in May, members of the union
organizing committee,
Lifeline/CSEA, have worked with
parents, elected officials and
concerned citizens and
community groups to reach
their goal of improving working
conditions and the quality of
care Lifespire’s consumers
receive.

January 2006

CSER Voices

oe

“ P articipating in CSEA’s
ad campaign was fun
and a new experience. It
feels really good to represent
CSEA and my profession. 99

— Dashamali Jennings,
Developmental Aide,
Central New York
Developmental Disabilities
Services Office and12-year
member, speaking about
her involvement in CSEA’s
new advertising campaign
(See Page 3 for more on the
campaign.)

THE WORK FORCE Page 5
[EADING UNION
Represents 35,000 Workers in
COLLECTIONS etd
LAG ERECRCEMENT

“This is
something
that is long
overdue.”

66][f was a great experience
to represent CSEA in this
way. I felt very proud to be a
spokesman for all of the
members of CSEA and
express our pride and respect
for our jobs, communities,
families and union. 99

— Todd Smith, president,
Rensselaer County 911
Unit, speaking about his
involvement in CSEA’s new
advertising campaign
(More on Page 3.)

Page 6 THE WORK FORCE January 2006

CSER Voices

Sullivan County Jail Unit wins
improvements in new contract

MONTICELLO — The
Sullivan County Jail Unit
recently ratified a four-
year contract that
includes significant
wage increases for the
majority of the
bargaining unit, an
improvement that is
expected to improve
morale at a work site
that has suffered from
high turnover due to
low starting wages.

The contract,
retroactive to Jan. 1,
2004, and expiring July
1, 2007, includes several
significant perks on top
of the regular salary
increases.

Shift differentials
were increased from 35
cents per hour to $1 per
hour, while hazardous
duty pay of 50 cents per
hour was added, a move
that will benefit food
service and clerical
workers who do not
have corrections duties
but are exposed to
inmates 50 percent or
more of their workday.

Changes in the policy
for longevity payments
for employees not on
step stand to benefit
newer employees, who
under the old contract
only began to collect
longevity payments
after 10 years with the
jail. Longevity payments
for these employees will
be an additional $100
per year after one year,
through 25 years.

Another contract
improvement is the
addition of three higher
steps. Employees who
have enough years of
service to reach the top

of their salary step
ladder will receive a 9
percent wage increase
on that step change
alone.

The Dec. 31, 2003,
sunset provision on the
salary schedule for
corrections and security
officers was eliminated
from the new contract.
Under the new
agreement, employees
on a salary step receive
an average step
increment of 5.3 percent
per year in addition to
the negotiated annual
raises.

“I want to
congratulate Unit
President Bob Brewster
and his members on
this fine contract,” said
Southern Region
President Diane Hewitt.

“Not only does it
include improvements
in so many areas that
have long been lacking,

health training. Working
in the state’s oldest jail,
with outdated
equipment, this is

such as shift
differentials, it also
includes language for
regular safety and

something that is long
overdue.”

— Jessica Stone

: A
CSE. eStore

Order in quantities ac small as 1 item
Special-Order Items
Imprint with local information - Minimum quantities apply

All Products are Union-Made in the USA

http://cseastore.sm-pm.com
or wwwcsealocall000.org and click

on eStore
powered by

Erie County Correctional Facility employees, from left, Kim Zydel,
Denise Clay and Christine Piniewski place their donations into a bin
during the Erie County Local’s holiday party. The local collected
donations for the Food Bank of Western New York. It is the second year
the local conducted the collection at its holiday party.

Onondaga County Unit declares
impasse in contract talks

SYRACUSE — CSEA is
turning up the heat in
Onondaga County after the
union recently declared an
impasse in contract
negotiations after county
officials failed to give the
union a formal response
since the last bargaining
session.

The union had waited a
month for the response.
More than 3,500 county
employees in 10 bargaining
units are covered under
the pact.

Onondaga County Local
President Phil Graham
called the county’s last
offer “shamefully
inadequate.”

“There are several
accepted ways to measure
average annual increases
in cost-of-living expenses
to workers,” he said. “The
county’s last offer doesn’t

come anywhere close to
meeting any of those
numbers.”

“They kept promising a
written response, but it
never came,” said Labor
Relations Specialist
Richard McCormack,
CSEA’s chief negotiator.
“Now, we've been forced to
take the process to the
next level by declaring
impasse.”

Graham said the
workers have stretched
their resources for years,
allowing Onondaga
County’s finances to
remain stable compared
with finances in many
other New York counties.

“We're simply asking for
a fair increase that allows
our county workers to
keep up with rising costs
for gas, heating their
homes, food and other

cost-of-living increases,” he
said. “They've already
gone for a whole year with
no increases. It’s time to
move this forward.”

Graham said county
officials showed no shame
in offering workers
substandard increases.

“By declaring impasse,
we wanted to send the
clear message to
Onondaga County that
we're completely ashamed
they apparently value their
workers so little that they
would even entertain such
a paltry contract offer,” he
said.

The union filed the
declaration of impasse
with the state Public
Employment Relations
Board in early December.
PERB is expected to assign
a mediator within the next
month and start

scheduling meetings with
both parties.

CSEA is hoping that
mobilizing members will
be enough to start making
progress at the bargaining
table.

Graham said the union
is launching a campaign to
educate the public about
the value of public
services provided by the
county work force and why
the workers deserve a fair
contract offer.

“We're going to do the
best we can to get our
issues heard by the
public,” Graham said. “A
fair contract will benefit
taxpayers too, so we're
hopeful we can gain their
support in our struggle.”

— Mark M. Kotzin

Social Services workers

MAYVILLE — CSEA
members helped make the
holidays a bit brighter for
some children and senior
citizens in Chautauqua
County.

CSEA members working
in the Department of Social
Services’ Third Party
Resources, Fiscal
Management and Managed
Care/CASA units raised
money throughout the year
to buy gifts for the people
they serve. The “Rainbow
Fund,” as it is called, is a
way for the employees to
reach out to those in need.

“We buy pop and water
on sale and keep our fridge
filled,” said Social Services
worker Bonnie Peters. “It’s
always 50 cents, and any of
the profits go into the fund.”

Caseworkers then submit
the first name, age and a
holiday wish for foster
children and others who are
less fortunate, Peters said.

“Our workers let us know

about the kids they have,”
Peters said. “They may have
wishes for something like a
new shirt, or a toy. We try
to get them something
nice.”

In 2004, the units
expanded the program to
include a segment of the
senior population. Proceeds
from the pop sale are now
also used to buy items for
homebound elderly.

“For the seniors we'll buy
things that we often take for
granted, like a nice brush
and comb set, slippers, tins
of cookies, stationery and
envelopes, stamps or treats
for their pets,” Peters said.
“For the homebound
elderly, it is a big deal. They
may not be able to go out
and get a new toothbrush.
They also like to have a
little something, like a tin of
cookies, to offer to the
people who come to their
home.”

The employees spent

nelk brighten holidays

CSEA members Pat Hooks and Sue Clawson sort through
items bought with proceeds from the Rainbow Fund.

CSEA members working in three Chautauqua County
Department of Social Services units raise money
annually so they can buy gifts for children and seniors

in need.

about $500 this year.
Volunteers purchased,
wrapped and distributed
the gifts within a week’s
time.

In addition to pop sale
profits, workers conduct
other activities, such as
bake sales, to promote the

Rainbow Fund. The fund is
usually larger, Peters said,
but the workers decided to
donate a portion to
Hurricane Katrina relief
efforts this year.

— Lynn Miller

NEW:

LEADING U
Represents 50,000 ae in
SOCIAL SELWICES end
ADIUNISTUSTIVE
SELWVLCES

“It’s time
to move
this
forward.”

CSER Voices

ee ‘hat I appreciated is

that CSEA actually
used union members to get
our voices out there as
opposed to a canned
commercial. I think that
people hearing it from the
union members themselves is
the best way to get the word
out. 99

— Kerry Mincher,
Saratoga County Unit
(Maplewood Manor),
speaking about her
involvement in CSEA’s new
advertising campaign
(More on Page 3.)

January 2006 THE WORKFORCE Page 7
CSEs

NEW YORK'S —
fl ON!
Represents 30,000 Workers in
WASTE WANACENENT,

NUSIN TENANCE end

INFEASTRUCTULES
CSEA members
helping in Hurricane
Wilma recovery
efforts so far have
worked at 148 signal
sites, installed or
hung more than 145
traffic signal heads,
72 pedestrian signal
heads, 65 flashing
school zone signs
and more than
4,000 feet of steel
span wire to hold up
the school zone
signs.

CSER Voices

66" Whe CSEA ad campaign
was a lot of work, but it
was a good experience. It
made me take pride in my
job, and pride in my union. I
felt honored to take part in

it 99

— Tawanna Wright,
Developmental Aide,
Central New York DDSO
and 12-year member,
speaking about her
involvement in CSEA’s new
advertising campaign (See
Page 3 for more about the
campaign.)

Page 8 THE WORKFORCE January 2006

DOT workers
help out in
Wilma’s wake

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla.
T-shirts and work under
swaying palms are only
a dream for most state
Department of
Transportation workers
making roadways safer
in frigid weather.

For a dedicated group
of mostly CSEA
members, it’s a weather
respite to help
Floridians recovering
from the catastrophic
wrath of Hurricane
Wilma.

Despite long hours
and time away from
home, it’s a rewarding
job for Bob
Walaszewski, John
Darramone, William
Smart, Henry Legas, Joe
Neer, Fran Tripicco,
Larry Tyler and Paul
Gregory. All but Gregory
are CSEA members
working for the DOT
traffic signal shops in

Utica, Rochester and
Binghamton. Gregory is
their traffic signal
engineer in charge, and
a Public Employees
Federation member.

The crew arrived in
November in a caravan
of three signal repair
trucks with elevated
towers, a support truck
with a trailer full of
supplies and one state
van and will be
returning soon.

“Tt was really
something to see. I’ve
never seen anything like
this — the damage that
was done. When
Hurricane Wilma blew
through, it took most of
the traffic signals down.
We'd find signals
twisted and blown
blocks away,” said
Walaszewski, a CSEA
activist and supervising
traffic signal mechanic

State DOT workers load a a road sign in preparation
of replacing one damaged by Hurricane Wilma.

ds SiS te
A state DOT worker from Utica helps repair traffic
signals in Broward County, Florida. Workers were

called in to help in the wake of Hurricane Wilma.

out of the Utica DOT
Region 2 Shop.

“When we got here,
we were just trying to
get the signals up and
working. Now we're
trying to get everything
operating correctly, like
it was before the
storm.”

The workers are
putting in 12-hour days,
six days a week. Prior to
the storm repair efforts,
most had never met.
Now, Walaszewski said,
they’re all good friends,
even celebrating
Thanksgiving together
in a Florida restaurant.

“We've all made
friends and we all work
together very well as a
team. I’ve never worked
with a better bunch of
guys than this. We miss
our families, but it’s a
small sacrifice we have
to make, and we’re glad
we're able to help out
here,” Walaszewski said.

Seeing the amount of

damage could have a
demoralizing effect, but
instead, Walaszewski
said it energizes the
workers and
encourages them to
persevere, adding that
the Broward County
supervisors and traffic
signal department have
been extremely friendly
and helpful.

The thanks seem to
go both ways. The
workers recently
received a call from the
Broward County
transportation
commissioner
commending the New
York crews for their
dedication, expertise,
and the amount of work
they’ve accomplished.

— Mark M. Kotzin
— Photos by
Daryl Henderson

Grounds crew is booster club
of its own to school teams

AMSTERDAM — CSEA
members working in
school districts across
the state are often the
biggest supporters of
their schools’ athletic
teams.

That's especially true
for custodial,
maintenance and
grounds crew employees
who keep fields, courts
and school grounds in
top condition to
maximize the teams’
ability to compete.

At the Greater
Amsterdam Central
School District, where
pride in the school’s
athletic teams is
legendary, CSEA
members maintain seven
different fields.

Unit President Robert
Minkler said CSEA
members’ tasks extend
far beyond minor
maintenance duties.

“These guys put
everything together
before a game,” he said.
“As soon as the game is
over, the workers are
getting things ready for
the next day’s practice.”

Minkler said keeping

the fields in the best
shape requires expertise
in many areas. “Our
members do everything,”
he said. “They are
electricians, carpenters,
masons; whatever it
takes.”

District employees are
also excited about the
school’s new AstroTurf
football field.

“It’s state of the art;
the best you can get,”
said Robert Szczepank, a
maintenance staff
member.

The AstroTurf and the
crew’s hard work has
already paid off for the
hardworking football
team, the Rams. Within a
year of getting the new
field, the Rams swept the
sectionals and recently
won the high school
football state
championship at the
Carrier Dome in
Syracuse.

CSEA supports
championship
tournaments and sports
programs in public
schools across the state
through sponsorship of
the New York State Public

Members of the grounds crew from Greater
Amsterdam Central School District, home of the
Rams, the 2005 New York state Class A football
champions, work hard at maintaining their schools’
athletic facilities. In back row, from left, are Dave
Szala, Wayne Satas, Charlie Hassfurter, Unit
President Robert Minkler, and Unit Vice President
Pete Tambasco. In the front row, from left, are Dave
Pakenas, Robert Szczepanik, Stan Posluszny, Rich
Somers and Vito Damico.

High School Athletic
Association, which
oversees 20 varsity
sports held across the
state each season. Just as
with Amsterdam sports,
CSEA members employed
at school districts play a
vital role in maintaining
the schools’ athletic

facilities.

“We're proud of the
vital role our members
play in public schools
and sports programs all
over New York,” CSEA
President Danny
Donohue said.

— Therese Assalian

Chuck Borowiec, a maintenance
employee at the Cleveland Hill
School District, sweeps the floor
in preparation for a game in the
Cleveland Hill High School gym.
CSEA members employed at
school districts across the state
are vital to running the schools
smoothly. “We pull the
bleachers, set up tables and
chairs for the scorekeepers,” he
said. “We make sure the floor is
clean and dry, especially in
winter so people don’t fall and
get hurt.”

(See more about CSEA’s
support of student athletes on
Pages 10-11.)

January 2006

; ORK'S
/LEAD UNIO
Represents 55,000 Workers in
EPUCALLOL SUELO
SELWVLCES

“Our members
do everything.
They are
electricians,
carpenters,
masons;
whatever it
takes.”

CSER Voices

66] t was very interesting to

see how they go about
something like this and all the
behind-the-scenes stuff. I had
no idea how these types of
things were put together and
all that goes on to make it
happen. The people on this
shoot were great. They made
me feel right at ease and the
crew was great. 99

— Ed Figueroa, Ist Vice
President, Finger Lakes
Developmental Disabilities
Services Office Local,
speaking about his
involvement in CSEA’s new
advertising campaign (more
on Page 3)

THE WORK FORCE Page 9
Building champions

Anes the state, CSEA members on and off the job help to
upport high school athletes in many ways.

Some members coach and many attend games. Members
working in school districts support athletes daily. Nutritious
meals, clean classrooms, and safe transportation are some of
the things that help foster a positive learning environment
that ultimately helps athletes succeed.

Maintenance of athletic fields and facilities is also key to a
sports team's success. Featured here is some of the work
CSEA members in the Levittown and Connetquot school
districts on Long Island perform to keep facilities in top
shape. Scheduling and transportation of students to and
from games are also important jobs CSEA members perform.

CSEA supports championship tournaments and sports
programs in public schools across the state through
sponsorship of the New York State Public High School
Athletic Association, which oversees 20 varsity sports held
across the state each season. (For more information visit
www.nysphsaa.org).

Levittown School District
member Scott Torrance fixes the
padding in the gym.

Connetquot school bus driver Barbara
Sakaris is ready to pick up some students.

Cleaner Nick Benischek siepects beneath the bleachers Connetquot School District Operations Unit President Bill Softy helps
to make sure they're safe and in good working order. custodian Joan Berini roll out a mat for the wrestling team.

THE WORK FORCE

Page 10 January 2006

Maintenance worker Scott Torrance makes
sure that the basketball net and
backboard are secure for play.

Sometimes it takes teamwork to set up for a function at school.
Here, custodians and maintenance workers install the diving board
for the Connetquot swim team.

Levittown Electrician Joe Carbonaro
checks the power source for the

4 i Ww remote bleachers in the gym.
Is t

Connetquot Chief High School Custodian and
Certified Pool Operator Joe Siciliano, front,
works with Richie Hargis and Kevin Fox to
put the swim lanes in the pool for a meet.

Nick Benischek and Scott Torrance setting up the bleachers
for a game.

January 2006 Page 1
State ignores potential safety
hazards at Bear Mountain Inn

BEAR MOUNTAIN — The Bear
Mountain Inn’s rustic setting
has long made it a favorite
spot for locals and tourists to
sit by its enormous fireplace, a
cup of hot cocoa in hand, after
skating at the state park’s ice
rink or visiting the bears in the
adjacent Trailside Museum.

The possibility of many
potential safety hazards inside
the walls of the historic inn,
built in 1915 and listed on the
National Register of Historic
Places, recently forced CSEA’s
Safety and Health Department
to bring park workers’
involvement in renovations to
a halt.

“It turns out there’s a chance
we've been handling asbestos,
lead and mold without any
safety protection for the last
few years we’ve been working
on the inn,” said Palisades

Interstate Park Local President
John VanWagner, an electrician
involved with renovations.

A visit from CSEA Safety and
Health Specialist Gary China
led to CSEA members being
pulled from the work site.
Private contractors hired to
work on the inn followed suit
after learning of CSEA’s
concerns.

China said management did
not complete a required
survey of the building’s
materials before starting
renovations. As the Bear
Mountain Inn was built long
before regulations on asbestos
and other toxic materials were
instituted during the early
1980s, China said there is good
reason for workers to be
worried.

VanWagner said his
members did not realize they

were working in
hazardous
conditions because

claim on behalf of
union members
involved in the

they weren't trained > renovations.
EADING v
to recognize ten a More importantly,
asbestos. The state Ch FED end the union is putting
requires workers to ines litt ae pressure on the state
Te Pe 1

attend annual
asbestos and right-
to-know training, but
VanWagner said he’s attended
only one such training session
during his eight years working
for the state.

“Not only have the workers
not received proper training,
they're also not supposed to
handle asbestos because New
York state requires a license to
handle asbestos,” China said.

For now, work at the inn has
stopped until an assessment of
the materials is conducted.
CSEA is investigating filing a
mass worker’s compensation

park’s management

to clean up their
safety and health practices.

“It’s appalling that New York

state seems to have such
trouble following its own
rules,” said Southern Region
President Diane Hewitt. “Their
laziness could not only have
possibly hurt their workers’
health, but also that of the
many thousands of tourists
who visit Bear Mountain each
year. It’s time that
management clean up their
act.”

— Jessica Stone

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and now available from Syracuse University Press

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Stay informed about what state government is doing through
CSEA is a longtime, major underwriter of this award-winning public television
program. See the times below for the 2006 broadcast schedule in your area.

Saturday
Binghamton  WSKG 2:30 p.m.
NYC WNET 1:30 p.m.
Rochester WXXI 5:00 p.m.
Sunday
Albany WMHT 12:30 p.m.
Buffalo WNED ‘
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NYC WNET
Plattsburgh WCFE
Syracuse WCNY
Watertown WPBS
Monday
Long Island WLIW 12:00 noon

Want the latest on safety and health in
the workplace? Visit the CSEA Occupational

Safety & Health page on CSEA’s web site
at www.csealocal1000.org!

Page 12 THE WORK FORCE January 2006
Un

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Make a New Year’s resolution
to buy union, buy American

Te CSEA-endorsed Buyer’s Edge is a buy-by-phone consumer
buying service designed to save you money on most major
purchases including cars/trucks, large appliances, TVs, furniture
and much more. Through the convenience of the toll-free numbers,
you can call our vendors direct and talk to a “live” specialist who has
product and service expertise, knows inventory availability, and, in
many cases, can arrange delivery direct to your door as soon as
possible.

For appropriate toll-free numbers, simply visit the Buyer’s Edge web
site* at www.buyersedgeinc.com.

*Important information: CSEA Username: 1811, and your Password:
member! available for access to the web site.

Here are some SPECIALS for CSEA members valid through Dec. 31,
2005. Call 1-800-377-3700 and give your CSEA group number, 1811,
for the following great deals and more!

AUDIOVOX 15” FLAT SCREEN LCD TV: MODEL #1505
15-inch 4:3 LCD TV with built-in speakers, table stand and NTSC Tuner
SUGG. RETAIL $439.00. B.E. PRICE $279.00*

EMERSON 3 CD SHELF STEREO: MODEL #MS3105,

3 CD changer system can be wall-mounted, set CDs for programmed
or random order, and color-changing digital tuner display

SUGG. RETAIL $129.00. B.E. PRICE $78.00*

HOOVER UPRIGHT BAGLESS VACUUM: MODEL #U5260

Bagless, 12.0 Amp Upright Vacuum, Hepa air filtration, on-board tools,
adjustable height, power boost button

SUGG. RETAIL $129.00. B.E. PRICE $75.00*

Left, CSEA members in the Capital Region,
including Region President Kathy
Garrison, joined other volunteers two days
before Thanksgiving to assist Equinox with
its annual Thanksgiving meal for Albany-
area people in need. Volunteers helped
with tasks that included cleaning, peeling
potatoes and prepping turkeys. From left
are Kim Wallace, Lori Jubic, Garrison, Jay
Ingoldsby and his daughter Lauren.

KELGLECKS

Right, Saratoga Springs
City Hall Unit member
Karen Whipple helps
Saratoga Economic
Opportunity Council
Community Services
Director Lillian
McCarthy collect canned
foods to benefit the
council’s programs,
including Head Start,
WIC and local food
pantries. CSEA members
teamed up with local
police and firefighters
for the drive during the
recent Saratoga Springs
Victorian Street Walk.

a

Community -
Cate oN

265,000 Members Strong
LYsLWLLY, LULLED S eid

Help rebuild lives
by building CSEA Street

The victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita greatly

and lives.

appreciate your help during the early relief effort, but they
continue to need your help in rebuilding their communities

CSEA is working with Habitat for Humanity to build “CSEA
Street” as part of Habitat’s Operation Home Delivery
rebuilding initiative. For as little as 25 cents a week over the
next year, you can help Gulf Coast residents rebuild their
homes.

For more information or to donate, visit CSEA’s web site at
www.csealocal1000.org. From CSEA’s home page, follow the
link to Habitat for Humanity’s CSEA donor pledge page.

Piv Habitat, Home
for Humanity®

Delivery

January 2006 THE WORKFORCE Page 13

ELERM Ng Me a)

pute

(i il

wa Ey, i
lies

GET INVOLVED I

19 years ago ...

Former Gov. Mario Cuomo proposed in the 1987-88
state budget to close seven state Office of Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities developmental
centers and replace them with community-based residences.
While CSEA and OMRDD had already been working
together for years to make this transition, the union fought
hard in 1987 to ensure the agency’s consumers continued to
receive the same level of services in their own communities.

Through CSEA members’ hard work and dedication, the
community residences proved successful. Not only did the
consumers continue to receive high levels of care, but their
quality of life improved. Today, highly trained CSEA members
provide quality, personalized care to thousands of
consumers in a home-like environment.

CSEA and OMRDD's ongoing partnership continues to
yield strong results. OMRDD Commissioner Thomas Maul,
during a recent labor-management summit with CSEA
activists, said not only is the state’s developmental disabilities
system a model for such care across the United States, but
the agency’s relationship with CSEA is a model for labor-
management working together for quality care.

ICSEA-OMRDD talks paeomeny)

in blood]

This article from the March
23, 1987, issue of The Public
Sector, CSEA’s predecessor to
The Work Force, detailed
CSEA’s fight to ensure the
state establish community
residences that would provide
high quality services and
improve consumers’ quality of
life.

Also in 1987 ...

2 Lt. Col. Oliver North testifies before Congress on
his role in the lran-contra weapons scandal. President
Ronald Reagan and various officials in his
administration come under fire by lawmakers and the
public over the issue.

*k British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wins a
third term.

2 U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr.
retires. The U.S. Senate rejects Robert H. Bork as his
replacement.

** The drug AZT wins U.S. Food & Drug
Administration approval for the treatment of AIDS.

2 “Platoon” wins the Academy Award for Best
Picture.

2% The New York Giants defeat the Denver Broncos in
the Super Bowl.

Page 14 THE WORKFORCE January 2006

Shoppers turning away from Wal-Mart

ALBANY — American consumers are
increasingly shunning Wal-Mart and
its “everyday low prices” because of
their increasing awareness of the
company’s anti-worker business
practices, according to a recent
Zogby International poll.

Wake-Up Wal-Mart, formed by the
United Food and Commercial
Workers union, which has been
trying to form a union with Wal-Mart
workers, sponsored national
telephone surveys with 1,000
respondents each in January and
November. The polls gauged the
public’s opinions about Wal-Mart and
other discount retailers.

In January, a poll conducted by
Lake, Snell & Perry found that 76
percent of the respondents viewed

Wal-Mart favorably, while 20 percent
viewed the company unfavorably.

By November, in the wake of
publicity about continuing Wal-Mart
attacks on its workers, suppliers and
communities, the Zogby poll found
that only 58 percent of respondents
viewed the company favorably and
38 percent of those surveyed now
view Wal-Mart unfavorably. In both
cases, the poll showed an 18
percentage point change from the
January poll.

The Zogby results also seem to
point toward a shift in Americans’
shopping trends. Fewer respondents
are shopping at Wal-Mart frequently,
and more shoppers are turning away
despite the low prices.

Wal-Mart, the United States’

CSEA calling all veterans for new
veterans committee newsletter

The CSEA Veterans Committee is
launching a statewide newsletter for
members who are veterans of all U.S.
military branches.

The newsletter will address issues
that are important to you as a public
employee who proudly served your
country.

If you are interested in being on
the newsletter’s mailing list,
complete the newsletter sign-up
form on this page and mail it to the
Veterans Committee at CSEA

CSEA lea

HIGHWAY

ds drive to rename highway

bad 3 ERIE COUNTY

Headquarters at 143 Washington
Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210.

1

pm 2
+ ¥ VETERANS MEMORIAL
: an
ys
Be nal

largest employer with
1.3 million workers,
has a record of
violating fair labor
practices and
employee rights,
including gender
discrimination,
substandard pay and
health benefits and
union-busting activity.

The company has a “union-free
toolbox” available to store officials,
who are encouraged to call a hotline
at the first sign of any employee
interest in a union. Wal-Mart also
threatens, intimidates and fires any
workers management suspects of
favoring forming a union.

In the few cases when Wal-Mart

265,000 Members Strong

EABOR EINK

employees successfully
formed a union, the
company has responded
through phasing out
departments and closing
stores. Wal-Mart
eliminated in-store meat-
cutting departments
across the United States
in 2000, shortly after
meat cutters organized at one Texas
Wal-Mart. The company closed a
store in Canada after workers there
formed a union.

For more information, visit Wake
Up Wal-Mart's web site at
www.wakeupwalmart.com.

— Janice Marra

CSEA Veterans Committee newsletter sign-up form

(Please print clearly)

CSEA Member’s Local or Unit Name:

CSEA Member’s Name:

CSEA Member’s Address:

Phone Number: Work: (

Home: (

Branch of military served/dates:

Last four digits of Social Security number:

Please mail this form to the following address:

CSEA Veterans Committee

From left, State Sen. Dale Volker, CSEA members Jeanne Kreavy, Ron
Kreavy, representatives of the color guard, Assemblyman Jack Quinn II,
CSEA member Neil Hodgson and Bob Lennartz celebrate the recent
renaming of an Erie County highway as the “Erie County Veterans
Memorial Highway.” The Western Region Veterans Committee collected
more than 800 petition signatures from the community to rename the
section of Route 219 stretching from West Seneca to the Hamburg/Boston
exit.

Attn: Membership Department
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, N.Y. 12210

You can also fax this form to (518) 465-2382.

January 2006 THE WORK FORCE Page 15
Fight national origin discrimination at work

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth ina
series of discrimination articles
appearing regularly to provide
valuable information regarding
important areas of protection
available through the CSEA Legal
Assistance Program. The Legal
Assistance Program covers
employment and labor issues
involving disciplinaries, contract
grievances and arbitrations, court
litigation and agency proceedings.
Get more information about legal
services in the Legal Assistance
Program by calling CSEA
headquarters at (800) 342-4146,
extension 1443, or by visiting
www.csealocall000.org, and
clicking on the legal programs and
services menu item.

This article provides an
overview of “national origin”
discrimination in the work place.
In future articles, other areas of
discrimination will also be dealt
with in more detail.

Both federal and state law
prohibit discrimination against an
employee because of his or her
national origin, i.e., the country
where the employee was born or
the country where the
employee’s ancestors came from,

or because of the employee’s
physical, cultural or linguistic
characteristics stemming from a
particular national origin group.

The prohibition against
national origin discrimination
addresses discrimination based
on: a) marriage to or association
with persons of a particular
national origin group; b)
membership in, or association
with an organization identified
with or seeking to promote the
interests of national origin
groups; c) attendance or
participation in schools,
churches and temples generally
used by persons of a particular
national origin group; and d)
name or spouse’s name which is
associated with a particular
national origin group.

The U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission will
presume a work rule requiring
employees to speak only English
at all times at work constitutes
national origin discrimination.
However, when the employer can
show that an “English-only” rule
is justified by business necessity,
the employer can require
employees to speak only English
at certain times.

Break in membership affects eligibility for union office,

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

* seeking or holding union office;

* signing nominating petitions for
potential candidates;

* voting in union elections, and;

* voting on collective bargaining
contracts.

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

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

becoming disabled by 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

Like racial and sexual
harassment, workplace
harassment on the basis of
national origin constitutes a form
of illegal discrimination. Ethnic
slurs and other verbal or physical
conduct relating to national
origin may constitute illegal
harassment when it is found to
create a hostile work
environment that interferes with
an employee’s work performance.

An employer can be held
responsible for the existence of a
hostile work environment when
an employee’s work place is filled
with national origin based
intimidation, ridicule or insult
that creates a hostile or abusive
work environment. To prove
national origin-based harassment,
an employee must show many
incidents of discriminatory
comments or conduct. One or
two, or even a handful of
infrequent, unrelated such events
most probably will not rise to the
standard necessary to be
actionable.

As part of CSEA’s commitment
to inclusiveness and building a
stronger union, all activists,
representatives and staff are
expected to conduct themselves

in a manner that respects the
ethnic diversity of CSEA’s entire
membership.

To read more about the services
offered by the Legal Assistance
program, visit the members-only
area at CSEA’s web site at
www.csealocall000.org/
legal/laparticles. php.

This members-only benefit
program provides

attorney representation for
WORKERS? COMPENSATION;
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY;
PERSONAL INJURY and
PERSONAL LEGAL MATTERS

for members AND their dependents.

uality legal reresentaion at little or no
out-of-pocket cost for injury/illness related matters.
Also, representation is available at pre-negotiated,
Pre-published fees for other personal matters.

cau 1-800-342-4146
and Follow Prompts Jor
CSEA Legal Services Program

Your Insurance Service Team
at JLT Services Corporation is now...

PEARL:CARROLL
& ASSOCIATES

1-800-697-2732

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

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

January 2006

Protecting Your Benefits

Prescription drug reminders for Empire Plan

The CSEA Health Benefits
Department would like to remind
State Empire Plan enrollees of the
following change to their
prescription drug benefit:

Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, Empire
Blue Cross and Blue Shield will
insure and jointly administer The
Empire Plan prescription drug
program with Caremark, its
pharmacy benefits manager.

It is important to note, while
your prescription drug benefits are
not changing, there will be some
differences.

Enrollees are encouraged to
review the Empire Plan’s 2006
preferred drug list as the benefit is
based on whether a drug is
generic, preferred brand name or
non-preferred brand name drug.
Enrollees are also advised to check
with their local pharmacies to see
if they will participate in the
Caremark/Empire Plan network
beginning in January.

If members are currently using
the Express Scripts mail service
pharmacy and have refills
remaining, prescriptions (except
for compound drugs and controlled
substances) will be automatically
transferred to the Caremark mail
service pharmacy as of Jan. 1,
2006. Prescriptions for compound

drugs and

will be responsible

controlled Health for the difference in
substances cannot Benefits cost between the
be transferred Depa rtmMmenit generic drug and the

between retail or

mail order pharmacies. In those
instances, enrollees will need a new
prescription from their doctor.

Co-payment amounts stay the
same in 2006

In accordance with the CSEA—
New York state contract, the
Empire Plan prescription drug co-
payment amounts will remain the
same for 2006:

¢ Up to a 30-day supply from
retail pharmacy or mail order:
generic $5, preferred brand name
$15, non-preferred brand name $30

¢ Up to a 90-day supply from
retail pharmacy: generic $10,
preferred brand name $30, non-
preferred brand name $60

© Up to 90-day supply through
mail order: generic $5, preferred
brand name $20, non-preferred
brand name $55

When a brand-name prescription
drug is dispensed and a U.S. Food
and Drug Administration generic
equivalent is available, the member
continues to have the right to
request a generic appeal, or they

non-preferred brand-
name drug, plus the non-preferred
brand name co-payment.

A list of the most commonly
prescribed generic and brand-name
drugs included on the 2006 Empire
Plan preferred drug list is available
on the state Department of Civil
Service’s web site at
www.cs.state.ny.us. On the site,
click on the “employee benefits”

enrollees

link, and then click on the “you
should know” button. The list is
not a complete list of all
prescription drugs covered under
the Empire Plan. For specific
questions about how much your
prescription will cost or
information about the mail service
program, please contact the
Empire Plan prescription drug
program toll-free at 1-877-7-NYSHIP
(1-877-769-7447).

Empire Plan hearing aid benefit to increase
for state employees in 2006

The following information is
intended for CSEA-represented state
Executive Branch enrollees covered
by one of the following CSEA
collective bargaining agreements;
Administrative Services Unit,
Institutional Services Unit,
Operational Services Unit or the
Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

In accordance with the CSEA-New
York state contract, the following
health insurance change affects
active, CSEA state division members
enrolled in the Empire Plan.

Effective Jan. 1, 2006, the hearing
aid reimbursement increases to
$1,500, per hearing aid, per ear, once
every four years, not subject to

deductible or co-insurance.

For children 12 years old and
under, the same benefits can be
available after 24 months when it is
demonstrated that a covered child’s
hearing has changed significantly
and the existing hearing aid(s) can
no longer compensate for the child’s
hearing impairment.

If you have any questions
regarding your health benefits,
please contact your agency’s health
benefits administrator, usually
located in the personnel office, or
the CSEA Health Benefits
Department at (518) 785-4774, (800)
286-5242 (JCHB) or by e-mail to
healthben@cseainc.org.

March 31 is Empire Plan claims deadline for 2005 expenses

Empire Plan enrollees have until
March 31, 2006, (90 days after the
end of the calendar year) to submit
medical expenses incurred during
the 2005 plan year to the addresses
listed below.

United Health Care Service Corp.
P.O. Box 1600
Kingston, N.Y. 12402-1600
For the Empire Plan basic

medical program, the Home Care
Advocacy Program (HCAP) and for
non-network physical therapy or
chiropractic services.

Empire Blue Cross and Blue
Shield
For help with the claim filing
process of inpatient or outpatient
hospital services, contact Empire
Blue Cross and Blue Shield at 1-877-
TNYSHIP (1-877-769-7447).

ValueOptions
P.O. Box 778
Troy, N.Y. 12181-0778
For non-network mental health
and substance abuse services
received in 2005.

Express Scripts
P.O. Box 1180
Troy, N.Y. 12181-1180
For prescriptions filled at non-
participating pharmacies or at
participating pharmacies without
using your New York government
employee benefit card.

As a reminder: Beginning Jan. 1,
2006, Empire Blue Cross and Blue
Shield will insure and jointly
administer the Empire Plan
prescription drug program with
Caremark, its pharmacy benefits
manager.

Enrollees can call the Empire Plan

at 1-877-7NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447)
with questions or to get claim forms.
As a reminder, when using the
Empire Plan’s toll-free telephone
number, pay extra attention to the
choices offered by the automated
system.

Network providers and
pharmacies will submit claims on
your behalf directly to the
appropriate insurance carrier. If you
have a non-network claim
submission, make sure you complete
the requested subscriber information
on the claim forms, include the
original billing or receipt, if
requested, and sign the claim form.

Promoting Good Health

January 2006

THE WORK FORCE Page 17

The more than 1,250 CSEA members
employed at Taconic Developmental
Disabilities Services Office provide quality
care every day, but it’s during the holiday
season that the workers truly shine.
Strong labor-management cooperation
results in a bevy of festivities that provide
merriment for developmentally disabled
consumers. Aside from smaller group
activities at their community residences,
Taconic DDSO consumers enjoy the
chance to get dressed up for a holiday
dance and do some Christmas shopping.
In addition, the workers enjoy some well-
deserved quality time with their families
during an annual party thrown for
workers’ children.

The Work Force’s Jessica Stone recently
spoke with CSEA Taconic DDSO Local
President Debbie Downey and Treasurer
Nancy Welsh, who are both involved in
some of Taconic DDSO’s holiday events.

WF: How much does Taconic DDSO do to help
consumers celebrate the holidays?

DD: Not a day goes by in December that there isn’t
something going on here in Wassaic (Taconic
DDSO’s headquarters) or at one of the community
residences. Our members do Christmas crafts with
the consumers, take them to the mall, or to holiday
events in the community. Walk into any of the houses
this time of year and they are decorated for the
holidays. There is always something going on.

WF: How does the staff ensure the consumers have
as normal a holiday season as anyone else?

DD: The things Taconic DDSO plans for its
consumers are just like any other event you and |
would go to. The workers help the consumers get
dressed up for the Christmas luncheon at the
Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. They even do hair and
nails for some of the women. They also held a

Page 18 THE WORK FORCE

January 2006

Taconic DDSO:
Making the holiday
season happy

Christmas dance at a country club nearby. The
focus is just on fun, not on disabilities.

WF: Is there anything unique you do for the
consumers?

NW: We have a sidewalk sale here where the
consumers can do their Christmas shopping. A lot
of workers bring in items they no longer need so
the consumers can shop for themselves and their
families. The gym is decorated like the department
stores from years ago. It's something the
consumers look forward to every year.

WF: What does your local do for the members? .
Good labor-management relations allow the CSEA

Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office
Local to pull off successful activities for consumers
and workers. Members of the Employee Assistance
Program board organize an annual holiday party for
workers’ families. They are, from left to right, Taconic
DDSO Local Treasurer Nancy Welsh (also EAP
Chair); Jan Mattern, an incident review coordinator
and PEF member; Taconic DDSO Local President
Debbie Downey; Dan Palmer, a treatment team
leader; and Kevin King, personnel administrator.

NW: Instead of holding a party for the members
themselves, we hold a party for the children of
members. We start planning in the summer. We plan
on what toys we're going to buy for the kids and what
we're going to have to eat. Each child gets to have
their photo take on Santa’s lap and then gets a toy.
We have crafts and face painting. It's a way of saying
thank you to our members.

WF: Of all the holiday events Taconic DDSO holds
each year for the consumers, which is the favorite?

DD: Probably the sidewalk sale, because the
consumers can come in and pick out gifts for
themselves, their family members, and the other
consumers they live with. It's a real big deal for the
consumers because most wouldn't be able to afford
to exchange gifts otherwise.

WF: Why do your members go above and beyond to
make sure the consumers have a happy holiday?

DD: Because we care about them. The consumers
are like our family. We're with them constantly, as
much as we are with our own families. It takes a very
special person to do direct care and we have many
talented people in our local.

The deadline to apply for the
AFSCME Family Scholarship
program is Dec. 31. All
applications must be
postmarked by that date.
AFSCME will award 13
scholarships of $2,000 each to
eligible high school seniors,
which are renewable annually
for a maximum of four years.

A generous donation from
the American Education
Services/Pennsylvania Higher
Education Assistance Agency
has allowed AFSCME to increase
the number of scholarships
from 10 to 13 awards.

Graduating high school
seniors who are the children of
AFSCME members or whose
legal guardians are AFSCME

AFSCME Family Scholarship
deadline is Dec. 31

members are eligible.
Applicants must intend to enroll
in a full-time, four-year degree
program at an accredited
college or university. To get an
application, write the following
address:

AFSCME Family Scholarship
Program
Attention: Education
Department
1625 L St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

Members can also get an
application by e-mail at
education@afscme.org,
download from the AFSCME web
site at www.afscme.org or by
phone at (202) 429-1250.

What’s

Submit
prescription
drug
co-payment
claims

until March 31

It is that time of year once again.

State, Unified Court System and
Local Government units that have
the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
prescription drug co-payment plan
have until March 31, 2006 to submit
your claims.

Local government

Local government units that
have successfully negotiated the
CSEA EBF prescription drug co-
payment plan in their agreements
have until March 31, 2006, to
submit all prescription drug co-
payment receipts or a print-out, for
a maximum reimbursement of $125
for calendar year 2005. Any claims
received at EBF after March 31,
2006 are ineligible for
reimbursement.

Town of Babylon employees who.
have the physician co-payment

n Ever Better Future

AFSCME Locat 1000, AFL-CIO

EMP YEE
BENEFIT FUND

For You?

benefit can submit your
medical co-payments
during 2005 for a
maximum
reimbursement of $120.
Claims must be received
by March 31,2006.

State agencies

CSEA members employed at
state agencies can submit for
reimbursement by March 31, 2006,
prescription drug receipts or a
print-out for drug co-payments. The
member must have paid at least
$300 in co-payments in 2005 to be
eligible for a reimbursement up to a
maximum of $100.

Unified Court System

CSEA members employed by the
Unified Court System can submit a
voucher for a maximum
reimbursement of $100 for
prescription co-payments.
Vouchers must be received no later
than March 31, 2006.

If you need a voucher to submit
your receipts please call CSEA EBF
at (800) EBF-CSEA, or log onto our
web site at www.cseaebf.com and
download a voucher.

PEOPLE PERSON —
The PEOPLE
recruiter of the

more information on
MTA's holiday bonus
program, visit the

month of November NEW YORK’S MTA web site at
is Candace Noel of a hTS UNO) 9 www.mta.nyc.ny.us...
the State University 265,000 Members Strong © CONTRACT

of New York at
Plattsburgh Local in
the Capital Region.
She recruited 21 new
PEOPLE members. PEOPLE is
CSEA and AFSCME’s political
action program. It is responsible
for raising money and collecting
voluntary contributions from the
membership so CSEA can
effectively promote our interests
at the state and federal level ...
ULSTER COUNTY OKS PACT —
The Ulster County Unit ratified a
recent memorandum of
agreement by a vote of 501-296.
There were no invalid ballots in
the on-site balloting. The two-
year agreement includes raises
Jan. 1, 2006 and Jan. 1, 2007.
There are no other changes. At
press time, the county
Legislature was expected to vote
on the contract at its December
meeting ... MTA BONUS FOR
METRO MEMBERS — CSEA
members participating in the
NYS-Ride program are eligible to
take advantage of the
Metropolitan Transportation
Authority's holiday bonus
program, which runs from
Thanksgiving to Jan. 2, 2006. The
NYS-Ride program helps state
employees based in New York
City save money on commuting
expenses to and from work. For

CSEA
TODAY

VICTORY — The
Williamsville Central
Schools
Transportation Unit
recently voted to approve a
tentative agreement that will
expire in 2010. The agreement
includes a change to a single
health care provider with a
percentage of the cost to be paid
by the employee. It also includes
pay increases in each of the five
years, including retroactive pay
to July 1, 2005. Changes were
also made in language regarding
longevity, a tool allowance, an
attendance stipend, a training
allowance and a job security
clause. Unit members previously
defeated two other tentative
agreements ... SCHOLARSHIP
WINNERS — The Chautauqua
County Local recently awarded
its annual local scholarships to
three children of CSEA members.
Winners are Robert Greenman,
son of CSEA Chautauqua County
Unit member Sandra Greenman;
Elizabeth Panfil, daughter of Carl
and Maryanne Panfil, both CSEA
members; and Wendy Paddock,
daughter of Chautauqua County
Unit member Brenda Paddock.

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 2006 Annual
Delegates Meeting must be submitted by May 15, 2006.

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 2006 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting will be held Sept. 18-22 in New

York City.

January 2006

THE WORK FORCE Page 19

Our Reputation:

New York’s
Leading Union.

We've Earned It!

We're CSEA — a positive force throughout

New York state for nearly a century.

We're 265,000 members strong. Dedicated. Keeping our skills
sharp and our knowledge current. Doing the vital work all New

Yorkers depend on, and doing it right.

We fight for fair pay, decent benefits,
fairness and respect. It's not just the

right thing to do — it's a great investment.

Quality. Effectiveness.

A better community for all.

CSE

New York’s
Leading Union
Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
Danny Donohue, President
www.csealocal1000.org

2005 Legislative Summary
~ i i | [

£ & rs ig |

: — ee
Clout. Got it? Get It. SS

LOCAL 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
NEW YORK STATE

BUDGET

The state budget is the spending and
taxation plan for the coming year. Funding
for programs CSEA members administer and
operate are determined in the state budget
process.

The budget allocates state aid for state
government, local government and school
districts, directly impacting the number of
employees and what services these
employers will provide.

The governor introduces a proposed
budget each January. The state legislature
must act on the governor’s proposal and, by
April 1, the governor and legislature are
supposed to reach a spending agreement.
This year, for the first time in nearly 20
years, the legislature and governor did
reach an on-time budget agreement.

As it stands, the legislature must pass the
governor’s budget “as is” or it can make
reductions to the governor's spending plan.
However, unless the governor agrees, the
legislature does not have the power to add
to the governor’s budget. In other words, if
the governor decides to cut funding to
various programs, the legislature cannot
restore the programs on its own.

CSEA’s Involvement

CSEA represents public and private sector
workers across the state. CSEA members
perform essential services that keep our
state, local governments and school
districts running. As union members, we
have to be concerned with how the state
collects and spends the money to keep
services going.

Even small cuts in health care, education
or transportation funding can mean
hundreds of job losses and drastic cuts in
services. The state budget is extremely
important for county and local
governments, where a state spending cut
means property tax increases or shifting of
funds from one program to another.

CSEA begins lobbying the governor and
legislature the day the budget is released.
CSEA testifies at public hearings, uses staff
and members to lobby legislators in Albany
and through our grassroots political action,
CSEA members across the state lobby in
their districts, write letters and make phone
calls on the issues that affect them. CSEA’s
involvement in political lobbying is one of
this union’s most vital functions.

The following budget summary highlights
the issues in the 2005 budget, including
health care, education, transportation and
many other issues affecting CSEA members.

Page 2

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HEALTH CARE BUDGET ISSUES

This year, health care funding was the
centerpiece of the budget negotiations.
County executives across the state
complained loudly about high Medicaid
costs and demanded reform. The Health
Care Reform Act (HCRA), which funds the
vast majority of health care facilities in the
state, was set to expire.

Because thousands of state, county and
private sector jobs that CSEA members.
occupy are directly funded by nursing home
aid, Medicaid and HCRA, CSEA was at the
forefront of the health care issue.

MEDICAID REFORM
The legislature and governor agreed to
cap county Medicaid increases as shown
below. The state will be responsible for
increases over the amount of the cap.

Year County Cap Total County
Pays Adjustment Share
2006 2005 rate 35% 2005 rate + 3.5%
increase
2007 2005 rate +3.5% 3.25% 2005 rate + 6.75%

2008 2005 rate + 6.75% 3% 2005 rate + 9.75%

Each year thereafter, counties pay the
2005 base rate plus 9.75 percent, plus 3
percent yearly increases. In 2008, counties
will have the option of continuing their
contribution in this fashion or opting for a
partial state Medicaid takeover in exchange
for a portion of county sales taxes.

The state takeover of Medicaid increases

Special supplement to The Work Force

will help to protect other county services
from cutbacks when Medicaid costs rise and
will also help ease the burden on county
property taxpayers. Local implementation of
the Medicaid program will continue as it
always has and all employees will maintain
their current employment status.

Increased State Aid for Public & Private
Nursing Homes

The legislature initially agreed to spend
$80 million for upstate private sector
nursing homes only. CSEA’s activists and
staff lobbied the governor, Senate and
Assembly to withdraw the plan and to
include public sector facilities that have
also been financially strapped.

By the end of session, the governor and
legislature could not agree on overall aid for
public and private nursing homes. The
legislature is expected to return later this
year and lawmakers are still working on the
issue.

Thanks to CSEA activism, the issue of
helping public nursing homes is at the
forefront of health care spending talks. CSEA.
remains at the bargaining table with elected
officials and other affected unions and
groups.

Nursing Home Cuts

The governor’s proposed budget included
cuts of $221 million for the state’s nursing
homes. CSEA was successful in lobbying our
elected officials to restore the governor’s
cuts to nursing homes and protect these
services, jobs and other county programs
from budget cuts.
Preferred Drug List (PDL)

CSEA supported and initiated a drive to
establish a preferred drug list in Medicaid
more than three years ago and this year the
governor and legislature agreed to a
preferred drug list. The list for Medicaid
recipients will save the state and counties
millions each year without reducing
benefits, slowing the growth of Medicaid
costs and easing the burden on county
budgets.

Health Care Bonding

CSEA supported passage of $750 million
in bonding authority between the state
Department of Health and the Dormitory
Authority to update and improve health
care facilities and upgrade health care
technology. This money will help health
care facilities upgrade and modernize
technology to increase their revenues and
improve their billing systems to reduce cuts
in services, jobs and benefits.

Commission on Health Care Facilities in
the 21st Century

In this budget, the legislature and
governor created a commission to study the
state’s health care industry on a regional
basis. The commission will make
recommendations by the end of 2006 about
“right-sizing” the state’s hospitals and
nursing homes, including possible closures,
consolidations or other actions to improve
the efficiency and quality of health care. The
commission was created to address issues
of over-bedding and under funding of many
of our hospitals and nursing homes.

Closure of Middletown Psychiatric Center
- Office of Mental Health

CSEA reached an agreement to close
Middletown Psychiatric Center on April 1,
2006, and to use all of the savings from the
closure to develop new, state-operated
community services. All CSEA-represented
employees of the facility will be transitioned
into new community services. This closure
will result in no layoffs, ensures that the
employees will have a job in their industry,
that the state will continue to provide
mental health services and that those
services will be provided in Orange and
Sullivan counties. This sets a precedent for
the future closure of state facilities that
CSEA will ensure is followed and affords our
members a more secure career in providing
mental health services.

EDUCATION BUDGET ISSUES

State Education Aid for School Districts
The legislature and governor agreed to an

increase in education aid of $848 million
over last year. The increased aid will be
allocated across the state on a regional
basis with New York City receiving $327
million more than last year. There was no
agreement on a solution to address the
Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) lawsuit,
which requires massive operational aid and
capital construction aid increases for New
York City.

Defeated: Privatization of SUNY Hospitals
CSEA opposed the governor's proposal to
give the State University of New York the
ability sell the three SUNY hospitals in
Syracuse, Brooklyn and Stony Brook, to a
not-for-profit owner. CSEA strongly opposed
and defeated this shortsighted proposal.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BUDGET ISSUES

Defeated: $300 Million in State Money for
West Side Stadium

The governor proposed and CSEA.
opposed giving $300 million in state
funding and $300 million in New York City
funding to construct a West Side Stadium.
The state faced a $4 billion budget deficit
this year and with a public health care crisis
looming as public hospitals and nursing
homes have been closing, cutting services
and laying off workers, CSEA opposed using
state money for a risky stadium plan that
would not generate revenue for the state.

Defeated: Attempt to Contract Out Road
Maintenance

CSEA defeated a proposal to allow the
Department of Transportation and the
Thruway Authority to enter into
public/private partnership agreements for
the financing, operation and maintenance of
roadways, highways and bridges.

TRANSPORTATION BOND ACT

The legislature and governor agreed to
and CSEA supported a $2.9 billion
transportation bond act, which voters
approved in the November election. The
overall package evenly divides the money
between upstate highway, bridge, canal, rail
and aviation projects and downstate mass
transportation projects. The agreement
protects existing prevailing wage and other
labor protections and will mean
improvements to our infrastructure and
more jobs.

LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

After the budget is concluded the
legislature and governor focus on passing
bills that determine state policy on many

Special supplement to The Work Force

“100 AESHE, AFL-CIO

Keen __-
Ninsine=\
Bonnie Peters and Rose Conti of
Chautauqua County stand in
solidarity with their Erie County
brothers and sisters.

issues like pension rights, civil service
rights, workplace safety and labor laws.

To become law, a bill must pass both
houses of the legislature and be approved
by the governor. The governor can veto a
bill he opposes. The legislature can override
a governor’s veto with a two-thirds majority
in each house and the bill will become law
despite the veto.

In 2005, more than 9,000 bills were
introduced in the Assembly and close to
6,000 in the Senate. Nearly 900 bills passed
both houses of the legislature for approval
or veto by the governor. Bills that pass both
houses of the legislature can be delivered to
the governor at any time up until the end of
the year.

The governor has 10 days to sign or veto
a bill, excluding Sundays and legal holidays,
from the day that it is delivered to him by
the legislature. If the governor takes no
action in those 10 days, the bill
automatically becomes law.

The governor has 30 days to act if it is
delivered within a week of Dec. 31. If the
governor does not sign the bill within the
30-day period it is automatically vetoed,
known as a “pocket veto.”

CSEA’s Involvement ——_—_—_
It is essential for CSEA to review each

bill that is introduced in the legislature to
determine whether our members are
affected. For example, bills that infringe on
members rights, roll back pension benefits
or encourage contracting out are singled out
and staunchly opposed by CSEA.

CSEA also drafts its own legislative
proposals to improve the benefits of our

Page 3
members. CSEA will ask legislators to
introduce these proposals and work on our
behalf to pass them into law. Many of CSEA’s
proposals are the direct result of requests
from CSEA’s local, region and statewide
political action committees and individual
members.

In 2005, CSEA took a position on nearly
3,000 bills in the state legislature. Starting in
early January, CSEA staff issues memos in
support or opposition to these bills and
visits legislators in Albany to make the
union’s position known. CSEA members are
also asked to lobby, write and call their
legislators on bills to ask for their support
or opposition depending on the issue.

While it is impossible to include every
issue that CSEA was involved with this year,
the following summary contains many of the
legislative highlights for CSEA during 2005.

HEALTH CARE BILLS

Hospital Infection Reporting
Chapters 284 & 239 of the Laws of 2005 -
Signed Into Law 7/20/05
S.5086A - Hannon / A.8698A - Gottfried &
$.5855 - Rules / A.8950 - Rules

CSEA supported this law that requires
hospitals to report on the number, types
and causes of infections contracted by
patients after they are admitted to the
hospital. The Department of Health will set
up a reporting system by July 1, 2006, and
hospitals will need to begin submitting
reports no later than Jan. 1, 2007.

Safe Patient Handling Demonstration
Program
§.4929A - Maziarz / A.7641A - Gottfried
Chapter 738 of the Laws of 2005 - Effective
10/18/05

CSEA supported this law that creates a
pilot project to encourage hospitals and

nursing homes to establish a safe-patient
handling program, including education and
training on proper lifting and care of
patients, use of equipment and education
about risk factors to reduce worker injuries
and improve care. This will encourage
hospitals and nursing homes to promote
safe policies for their employees, help to
prevent injuries and improve patient care.

EDUCATION BILLS

Health Insurance for Retirees Extender —
School Districts
Chapter 16 of the Laws of 2005 - Effective
May 15, 2005
S.1711 Farley — A.3328 - Weinstein

CSEA supported this law that extends for
one year provisions that prohibit school
districts from reducing their contributions
or the benefits of retiree health insurance
unless a corresponding reduction is
negotiated for current employees.

State Sen. Dale Volker, second from
left, meets with, from left, Erie
County Retiree Local members
Marie Prince, and Gerry Prince,
and Buffalo State Employees Local
Treasurer Kathy Atwood. Volker has
been a strong ally for CSEA in the
ongoing Erie County budget crisis.

meets with Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver.

CSEA/AFSCME

Defeated: Expansion of Charter Schools
A.8319 - Benjamin / No Senate Bill
(Killed in Committee)

Although rumors persist about this topic,
CSEA defeated this bill before the legislature
adjourned. The bill would have allowed an
unlimited number of charter schools to be
authorized for operation in the state
(currently there is a cap of 100 charter
schools).

Charter schools across the state are
funded by taking money away from public
schools and have mixed results in terms of
quality. Until a fairer funding stream that
does not penalize public schools is
developed and until it is proven that charter
schools increase the quality of education,
CSEA will oppose expanding this
experiment.

Lobby Day 2005

CSEA Westchester
Local members,
including
Westchester Medical
Center employees,
arrive for Lobby
Day.

CSEA Erie County Educational Local
President John Stading, left, meets with
Assemblyman Paul Tokasz. Tokasz is
fighting alongside CSEA in the ongoing
Erie County budget crisis.

Page 4

Special supplement to The Work Force
WORKPLACE SAFETY & HEALTH BILLS

CSEA Worksite Violence Prevention
§.5773 — Spano / A.8940 - Rules John)
Veto # 92 of 2005 - 8/30/05

CSEA initiated this bill as the result of
continuing violence against public
employees in the workplace. The bill would
require employers to assess their work sites
for potential areas of violence, notify
employees of potential threats and work
with employees and employee organizations
to develop corrective actions. This CSEA bill
applied to public employers, including state
and local governments, public authorities
and public benefit corporations that have 20
or more employees.

The bill also created a complaint
procedure for employees to follow if they
believed situations of potential violence
existed, as well as a follow up procedure
with the Department of Labor if employers
did not comply with this law. Language
protecting employees from retaliatory
action in the event a complaint is filed was
included.

The governor vetoed this bill claiming
that it needs to be negotiated between
management and labor and that the costs of
the bill were too great.

Employee Safety in Highway Work Zones
Chapter 223 of the Laws of 2005
Signed Into Law, July 14, 2005 -
Effective November 1, 2005
S.4885B - Libous / A.1691A - Gantt

CSEA supported this new law that creates
anew, mandatory $50 surcharge for
violating speed limits in highway
construction or maintenance work areas.
The surcharges will be deposited in the
Highway Construction and Maintenance
Safety Education Fund to be used for public
service announcements, education and

awareness about safe driving in work areas.
The bill also requires a 60-day license
suspension for repeat offenders.

RESPONSIBILITY IN CONTRACTING OUT
BILLS

Disclosure of State Contracting Out
Information

$.1920 - Robach / A.6542 - Lupardo
Veto #114 of 2005 - 10/21/05

This CSEA bill required the Department of
Civil Service to keep records on contracts to
outside vendors including the impact on the
state work force, types of services
contracted out and whether the contracts
are for services similar to existing state
jobs.

The governor vetoed this bill claiming
that this information can already be
obtained though the Freedom of Information
Law and this bill would complicate the
contracting process and jeopardizes the
privacy of private employers.

Contracting Out - Closing Third Party
Loopholes
§.3251A - Maziarz / A.6485A - John
Passed Both Houses - Awaiting Delivery to
Governor

This CSEA bill clarifies that prevailing
wages are to be paid for public works
projects and building maintenance services
that are contracted out by the government
employers who use subcontractors and
quasi-public agencies to conduct
operations. This bill will take away the
incentive to privatize public work solely to
avoid paying a decent salary and benefits to
employees on public works projects and
close a loophole that lets employers use
other agencies as a front to contract out.

At left, State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno
helped fire up CSEA during the annual
CSEA/AFSCME Lobby Day in Albany.

Below right, Cohoes Department of Public Works
Unit Secretary George Hebert, left, and Unit
President Bob —
Pierre present a
plaque to
Assemblyman Ron
Canestrari, center,
during Lobby Day,
for his service and
dedication to New
York residents.

Special supplement to The Work Force

Residential Facility Employers - Check-Off
/ No strike Agreements

S.3008 - Spano / A.3292 - John

Veto #100 of 2005 - 10/4/05

CSEA supported this bill that authorizes
employee organizations and employers that
operate residential facilities licensed by the
Office of Mental Health or Office of Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities,
to voluntarily enter into agreements to
confer jurisdiction to the State Employment
Relations Board, rather than the National
Labor Relations Board, to provide for a card
check agreement and impose a no strike or
lockout provision.

The governor vetoed this bill claiming
that management and labor can already
enter into these types of arrangements and
that the bill supersedes the National Labor
Relations Act.

Defeated: “Energy Performance
Contracts” — i.e. Privatization
A.4243 - Tonko / No Senate Bill
(Killed in Committee)

This legislation, which CSEA opposed,
expands the type of work that
private contractors could provide for
schools and local governments to allow for
the “installation, maintenance or
management of other systems or
equipment." Further, this bill would infringe
on existing collective bargaining agreements
that stipulate the work rules, terms and
conditions of current public employees.
This bill encouraged the privatization of
school and local government maintenance
and janitorial services under the guise of
“conserving energy."

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN MILITARY
SERVICE/RELATED ISSUES

Patriot Plan If - Death and Disability
Benefit Improvements - Military Service
Chapters 105 & 150 of the Laws of 2005
Signed Into Law - Effective 6/14/05
A.8291 - Abbate / S.5436 - Marcellino

This CSEA supported law:

* Provides that the survivors of New York
public employees killed in active military
duty be eligible for the same death and
health insurance benefits as if the public
employee was killed while still in public
service.

e Extends for three years the delay of
repayment requirements of pension system
loans while members are on active duty.

Page 5
Retirement Credit for Public Employees
Called into Post 9/11 MilitaryService
Chapter 326 of the Laws of 2006
Signed Into Law 7/26/05 —- Effective
7/26/05 and deemed to have been in
effect since 9/11/01.
A.5969 - Nesbitt / $.3519 - Wright

CSEA supported this law that allows
retirement system members who have been
called into active military service from Sept.
11, 2001 to Jan. 1, 2006 to receive retirement
credit for that length of service without
being required to make their normal
contributions.

Make-up Civil Service Exams / Military
Personnel
Chapter 425 of the Laws of 2005
Signed Into Law 8/2/05 - Effective 8/2/05
A.8476B - Towns / S.5587A - Leibell
CSEA supported this law that allows
military personnel who missed the
application deadline for a civil service exam
due to a call to active duty the opportunity
to take a special military make-up exam as
deemed appropriate by the Department of
Civil Service.

PENSION REFORM / RETIREE ISSUES

Defeated: Rolling Back Retirement Benefits
or Creating a New Tier

With the national trend of privatizing
pensions, including the current Social
Security battle and California’s attempt to
move public employees from a defined
benefit pension plan to a 401K (defined
contribution), the calls for doing the same
in New York have already begun.

Many mayors and county executives are
blaming property tax increases on their
pension costs and business groups are
demanding that retirement benefits of
public employees be more in line with the
private sector. The mayor of New York City
even called for creating a new Tier 5.

Early in the year, CSEA made it known to
both houses of the legislature that any
attempts to roll back retirement benefits or
create a new tier would be met with staunch
opposition. Thanks to CSEA’s clout, none of
these proposals were ever introduced or
even saw daylight. However, this issue will
remain in the public debate and CSEA
members need to keep vigilant about
protecting our retirement benefits.

Purchase of Retirement Credit / Pre-Tax
Payment Plan
S.5153A - Golden / A.8890 - Rules
Veto #107 of 2005 - 10/11/05

CSEA supported this bill that allows
retirement system members who purchase

Page 6

past service credit or military service credit
to make their contributions through pre-tax
paycheck deductions. This will allow
employees to avoid paying taxes twice on
their pension contributions.

The governor vetoed this bill claiming the
cost is too high.

Health Insurance for Retirees - All
Employers
VETO #45 of 2005
§.5758 - Farley / A.3216B - Abbate

CSEA initiated this bill that would have
prohibited all public employers from
reducing their contributions or the benefits
of retiree health insurance unless a
corresponding reduction is negotiated for
current employees. The bill did not
supersede contracts that provided greater
protection. The governor has vetoed this
many times claiming that there is no
evidence that public employers
systematically reduce benefits of retirees
and that the bill strips management of its
ability to effectively manage its benefit
programs.

Geriatric Mental Health Act
S.4742B - Spano / A.7672B - Rivera, P.
Chapter 568 of the Laws of 2005 - Effective
4/1/06

This CSEA supported law directs the
Department of Mental Health to
create a geriatric services demonstration
program to provide mental health care to
the elderly. Grants will be awarded to
providers of services for programs for the
elderly, improvement of treatment,
coordinating alcohol drug and rehabilitative
services and creating more efficient and
effective use of the work force and family
support programs.

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM

Bump and Retreat Rights for State &
Local, Labor and Non-Competitive Class
Employees

$.3184A - Robach / A.7057B - Abbate
Veto #82 of 2005 - 8/30/05

CSEA initiated this bill to amend the Civil
Service Law to ensure that non-competitive
and labor class employees have the same
bump and retreat rights as employees in the
competitive class if budget cutbacks result
in layoffs.

The governor vetoed this bill claiming
that it circumvents the collective bargaining
process and inhibits the ability of
management to effectively manage its work
force.

Probationary Leave for Promotions -
Right to Return

Special supplement to The Work Force

CSEA Executive Vice President
and AFSCME International Vice
President Mary Sullivan listens
during a town hall meeting in
Washington, D.C., during a recent
AFSCME conference. Sullivan
chairs the 21st Century
Committee’s politics
subcommittee.

S.3185 - Robach / A.6384 - Abbate
VETO #72 8/23/05

CSEA initiated this legislation that
amends Section 63 of the Civil Service Law
to require that during the probationary
period of a public employee who is
appointed or promoted to a position in the
classified service, the previous position held
by that employee shall be kept open or
filled only on a temporary basis. During the
probationary period and upon reasonable
notice, the employee shall have the right,
upon his or her own election, to return to
that previous position. Currently, this
protection only applies to competitive class
employees who accept a promotion.

The governor vetoed this bill claiming
that it would hinder the ability of
management to efficiently administer the
work force.

PERB Reform - Authority to make
Employees Whole for Employer Violations
$.5379A - Robach / A.7265A - Abbate
Passed Both Houses - awaiting delivery to
governor

CSEA supported this bill to clarify that
the Public Employment Relations Board has
the authority to make employees whole for
any loss in pay or benefits as deemed by the
board as the result of an employer violating
a cease and desist order.

Section 75 - Independent Hearing Officer
VETO #12 of 2005
A.6343 - Lentol / S.3487 - Spano

CSEA initiated this bill which amends
Section 75 of the Civil Service Law to provide
that an independent hearing officer be used in
disciplinary cases where the penalty is dismissal
from service. The governor has vetoed this bill
many times on the grounds that it strips
employers of their authority to maintain
discipline in the most serious cases and
threatens the ability of employers to apply
discipline in a uniform manner.

GENERAL LEGISLATION

Reform of Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
Chapter 22 of the Laws of 2005 - Effective
5/3/05
A.6714 — Destito / S.3460 - Spano

This law requires agencies that receive a FOIL
request, but cannot disclose such information
within 20 business days of receiving the request,
to disclose in writing the reason for the inability
to respond and a date within a reasonable period
when the request will be granted.

Public Authorities Accountability Act
S.5927 - Leibell / A.9007 - Rules
Passed Both Houses - Awaiting Delivery to
Governor

This CSEA supported bill includes several
reforms and strengthens legislative oversight on
the operations of public authorities and public
benefit corporations that operate in this state.
The bill requires the following:

1. Requires these entities to submit their
budgets to the governor and legislature and to
the appropriate local government officials.

2. Requires independent and more
comprehensive budget and operational reporting.

3. Restructures boards of various authorities
and requires financial disclosure of board
members.

4, Establishes a new Public Authorities Office
in the executive branch to review budgets and
operations of existing entities.

Washington watch

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi,
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid,
and U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., at
far right, form a united front.

Capitol Hill rally

TAKING THE MESSAGE TO
CAPITOL HILL — Southern
Region President Diane Hewitt,
second from left, Hudson Valley
DDSO Local President Sara
Bogart, Westchester County Unit
President Jack McPhillips, and
Monroe County Unit President
Jim Volpone in Washington, D.C.,
to protest against the Bush
administration proposed Social
Security reforms. CSEA leaders
and activists joined hundreds of
AFSCME brothers and sisters for a|
Capitol Hill rally agains the Bush
administrations’s ill-conceived
scheme to privatize Social

CSEA President Danny Donohue
introduces Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Sen. Chuck
Schumer
addresses
CSEA
activists
along with
those from
AFSCME
District
Councils 37
and 1707.

Special supplement to The Work Force

Page 7
CSEA Members Need Political Clout

Many members think that their union should stay out of politics and ONLY negotiate contracts ... but, negotiating contracts does not
happen by itself. CSEA’s clout at the bargaining table is directly related to securing budget funds to pay for your salary, health insurance
and other benefits. Your voice on these issues is through PEOPLE and political action.

The contracting out of services, how your pension is calculated, Social Security, your seniority and civil service rights, worksite
protections, PESH and OSHA are all decided in the legislative and budget process, not in contract negotiations! Cuts to these programs
mean cuts in your benefits and rights! Your voice on these issues is through PEOPLE and political action.

The vital services government provides and how those services will be provided is determined in the budget process of every school,
village, town, city, county and for the state as well. If not for political action, CSEA cannot represent you when these decisions are made!
Your voice on these issues is through PEOPLE and political action.

How Can CSEA & PEOPLE Increase Your Clout?

CSEA’s PEOPLE program protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and your community. Your
participation in PEOPLE strengthens CSEA’s clout in the workplace, in the legislature, in your community and in the labor movement.

BUDGETS & BILLS: CSEA’S LOBBYING CLOUT

¢ Research, analysis and breakdowns on what government budgets,
bills and other proposals mean to you and how they affect your job,
benefits and pensions.

¢ Lobbying for funds to better your contracts and to make sure our
elected officials know when their position helps ... or hurts you

¢ Testimony at public hearings to educate elected officials about how
their decisions affect you.

MEMBER EDUCATION & INVOLVEMENT

¢ Lobby Days, Phone banks, letter writing campaigns, fliers and other important resources
to make sure YOU have the tools to fight back when harmful proposals are introduced.

¢ Member education and information about where candidates stand on the issues that affect your work-life and pension ... so you
can be informed when you vote.

ISSUE ACTI

POLITICAL CLOUT is important in passing laws that improve the lives of CSEA members but it is also important in making your
voice heard when problems like privatizing services or closing facilities arise. Political Clout can be used to back up stalled contract
battles and to back up organizing new members. Whether it’s a school, village, town, city, the state or the national government, every
CSEA members will need political clout at some time in their career.

ELE!
POLITICAL ACTION provides education materials for CSEA members about where politicians stand on issues that affect your

work-lives so you can make informed decisions on Election Day. CSEA members also volunteer through political action to provide
grassroots, phone bank and financial help for candidates who will fight for you in elected office.

CSEs= Make Your Voice Heard

A message from
CSEA President
Danny Donohue

This year marked CSEA’s
95th anniversary and a time to
reflect on nearly a century of
unparalleled achievement.
Despite our success, there was
no chance to rest on our laurels
because we had many more
issues and fights across the state
in 2005. We had to prove why we
have earned our reputation as
New York's leading union and we
did!

Public health care

Public health care reform
Our intensive, months-long campaign for the
future of public health care made a difference in
the final state budget. All across the state,
CSEA members raised awaren bout the
value of public hospitals and nursing homes.
CSEA took to the airwaves, the streets and
statehouses to make sure these facilities got the
urgent care they needed to survive. For
example, we were able to save world-class
medicine at Westchester Medical
Center by getting lawmakers
to extend a one-quarter cent
sales tax, which was set to
expire, and use it to help
secure the
facility's
inances.
There is still
work to be
~ done to save
. ‘ facilities like
Sos Golden Hill
Health Care Center in Ulster County and Van
Duyn Home and Hospital in Onondaga County,
but our efforts have allowed CSEA members to
continue delivering quality care at public
hospitals and nursing facilities across the state.
Public health care reform is an ongoing area of
concern, We must continue to ensure that all
New Yorkers and their families will have
quality health care in the communities in which
they live.

Erie-sponsible budget fight
There are some hopeful signs for CSEA
members in Erie County following a yearlong
budget crisis. After a year of massive layoffs
and an unprecedented meltdown of community

services, lawmakers in Erie County have taken
steps to add much-needed revenue to the
county's coffers for 2006. County legislators

recently took responsible action to restore fiscal
sanity to Erie County. CSEA has been relentless

in its criticism of the recklessly irresponsible
county executive and self-serving business
groups advocating a dismantling of county
government. CSEA mounted an intense

campaign for fairness and balance, including an
ing blitz and a spirited rally outside the

adverti
county office building during CSEA’s 95th
Annual Delegates Meeting.

Keeping Social Security secure
Working with AFSCME, we

fought off attempts to

dismantle and destroy Social

Security, the one federal social

program that has helped

millions of hardworking

Americans live with

dignity and respect in

their retirement. CSEA

leaders and activists

were front and center

Erie County

Democratic House and Senate members to say
‘no way’ to the Bush administration’s ill-
conceived scheme to privatize the program and
take the security out of Social Security.

Organizing for strength

CSEA stood by hundreds of workers who are
now able to stand up for themselves because of

our help. This year, we are proud to welcome
into the CSEA family new members from the

towns of Stillwater and Shelter Island, part-time

Monroe County employees, food service
workers at SUNY Purchase and SUNY
Cobleskill and support magistrates in the
Unified Court System. In addition, we

congratulate the recently organized maintenance

workers at Clarkson University in Potsdam,
direct care workers at Quality Services for the

Autism Community in Queens and food service

workers at SUNY Purchase and Westchester
Medical Center who stood together to win
important first contracts this year.
With our VOICE (the Voice of Organized
Independent Childcare Educators) campaign,
CSEA has also been working with hundreds
of family child care providers

throughout the state to help improve
ata Capitol Hill rally their profession and the quality of care

this spring, where

hundreds of union 6u
members were joined §

IAL Saw Rights Board, made up of elected

by an impressive
united front of

for the children they serve. CSEA
Grecently hosted a two-day child care

advocacy summit where VOICE

members testified before a Workers’

Page 2

State of our Union

officials and community and religious leaders,
about the challenges they face in their efforts to
deliver high quality day care to children. VOICE
now has more than 750 associate members and is
growing.

In the months ahead, CSEA will continue its
efforts to support and organize workers employed
by human service agencies across the state.
Bringing the benefits of a union to these workers
will help improve quality of care for the people
they serve and ultimately bring better working
conditions to all CSEA direct care workers, who
will better serve all New Yorkers.

Sweet Success

Throughout the year, CSEA successfully fought
to protect workers’ rights and benefits and won
scores of contracts across the state. These
everyday victories, while important, are just too
numerous to mention, but a couple of our wins
stand out.

Congratulations to our Nassau County Local,

which stood together through a decade of struggle,

negotiation and grievances to win a landmark pay
equity victory for the county’s mostly female 911

operators that will ultimately benefit not just these

employees, but all public sector workers.

Also, political patience paid off for Village of
Suffern workers seeking to organize with CSEA
when they worked to oust their anti-union mayor
from office in the recent elections. The former
mayor, who rebuffed the workers’ union forming
efforts, changed work rules and ignored a Public
Employment Relations Board decision ordering
him to restore the work rules, was defeated by a
nearly 2-1 ratio thanks to the efforts of village
workers and CSEA.

Taking the LEAD
CSEA has been a leading force in the labor
movement for nearly a century and we intend to
carry that legacy forward. I'm very proud of the

32 CSEA activists from across the state who
recently completed the first-ever CSEA
Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)
Program. LEAD is an intensive, months-long
program to help emerging activists gain the skills
and knowledge necessary to better address the
challenges facing our union at every level.
Developed by the CSEA Education and Training
Department with help from AFSCME, AFL-CIO
and the Cornell Labor Studies program, LEAD
prepares CSEA activists for the future challenges
our union will face. Our LEAD graduates deserve
our congratulations and our thanks.

Heart of the union
Despite the many challenges we faced, CSEA
members demonstrated extraordinary kindness and
generosity in responding to the natural disasters

eS
Nassau County 911
operators

“Village of Suffern

that bracketed the
past year. Your
response to the South
Asia tsunami of last
December and the
ongoing recovery
from Hurricane
Katrina has been
inspiring. The desire
to help others is a
true reflection of the
best in all of us and what CSEA is all about.

Challenges ahead

Whether it’s a lesson from our history or
something we’ ve achieved during the past year,
none of our accomplishments come easy. Our
future success will depend on individual effort and
collective action on the part of every CSEA
member. I thank you for all that you do and
challenge you to get involved and help make our
union even better in the new year.

ae

State of our Union

Page 3
Working together...

sé ii

Developmental Aide Tawanna Wright, a CSEA
Central New York Developmental Disabilities

Services Office Local member, makes a pitcher of
iced tea with Snow Hill Individualized Residential
Alternative resident Carlton Sessoms.

for
Quality
Care

hroughout its 95-

year history, CSEA
has worked long and
hard to improve the
quality of care for
developmentally
disabled individuals
while improving the pay,
benefits and working
conditions of the people
who work with them.

CSEA has worked hard
over many years to help
make New York’s system
of care a model for the
nation. Office of Mental
Retardation and
Developmental
Disabilities
Commissioner Thomas
Maul recently said the
agency’s relationship
with CSEA is a model
for labor-management
working together for
quality care.

(continued)

NEW YORK’S LEADING UNION
CSEA Labor-Management relations

the model in developmental disabilities

SEA has a long, proud

history. CSEA’s
representation of workers in the
developmental disabilities field
is a big part of it.

It was CSEA that ended the 72-
hour workweek for institutional
employees in the 1930s while
seeking fair salaries. It was CSEA
that helped support state efforts
to improve the facilities that
cared for the state’s most
vulnerable citizens in the 1940s,
‘50s and ‘60s. It was CSEA that
worked in close cooperation
with New York state to fully
realize the vision of a
community-based system of care
to provide a better quality of life
for the consumers.

Throughout the 1980s and

CSEA members, like this one
pictured in a 1980s photo, have
dedicated themselves to taking
care of and improving care for
developmentally disabled
individuals for decades.

CSE

early 1990s CSEA played a
critical role in coordination with
the Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities
(OMRDD) to close the
institutional developmental
centers across the state and
transition the consumers into
community based group homes
to improve their quality of life.
The community transition also
provided for a dramatic growth
in the development of both
public and not-for-profit
programs and facilities to better
meet the needs of consumers in
the most appropriate settings.

CSEA OMRDD workers today

Today, about 16,000 CSEA
members provide life skills,
medical services and healthy
community connections for
nearly 10,000 group home
residents of all ages and ability
levels around the clock. CSEA
OMRDD staff deliver care at
about 1,200 homes statewide.

Residents at the OMRDD
network of group homes have a
variety of needs and disabilities,
from autism and deafness to
behavior and eating disorders.
CSEA members receive regular
training to best meet the needs
of the consumers and share their
expertise throughout numerous
specialized programs and
facilities. CSEA members are
rightfully proud of who they are
and what they do.

Not-for profit worker turnover
affects CSEA members
One of the greatest threats to
the overall quality of care in the
developmental disabilities
system is the high turnover rate

among employees of not-for-
profit agencies. These 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 funds.

Many of these operations have
promised to deliver services
cheaper than state operations.
They do this largely by hiring
employees at low wages and
usually few benefits and prevent
the employees from unionizing
through fear and misinformation.

Many of these not-for-profit
operators have long
misrepresented to their
employees what unions in
general, and CSEA in particular,
are all about.

Workers should not be
threatened and intimated

CSEA succeeded two years
ago in passing the union
neutrality law, which was an
attempt to stop the misuse of
the public's money — your tax
dollars - while setting some limit
on employers’ ability to
intimidate and coerce employees
during organizing campaigns.
The law was necessary because
in reality, many not-for-profit
operations use public funding to
hire law firms whose sole
purpose is to prevent union
activities.

Tactics include lying, captive
audience meetings to control
and indoctrinate, intimidating
one-on-one counseling and
outright firings intended to send
a chilling message to other

Brian Brazee, a direct care
assistant at the Hudson Local
Intensive Treatment Unit, part
of Taconic DDSO, helps one of
his consumers, Carl, take a turn
on the drums during Taconic’s
holiday luncheon.

workers. As hard as it might be
to believe, this law was
overturned by a federal judge
earlier this year ina
controversial decision.

Many employees of these not-
for-profit operations are
frequently told by their
managers that they can't be paid
more because “the greedy public
employee unions” siphon away
the funding for state operations.

CSEA stands for
fairness and respect
The truth is CSEA believes

strongly that the workers at
these not-for profit operations
deserve to be paid better. CSEA
also believes that these workers
should have the right to choose

THE WORK FORCE

DDSO Local activist, puts consumer Paula Checkosky to bed at the
Snow Hill Individualized Residential Alternative, operated by the

DDSO.

a union without being threatened
by management. CSEA also
knows there would be a lot more
money available to pay the
workers and help improve
quality of care through reduced
turnover, if the people running
these “not-for-profit” agencies
weren't taking such good care of

i
Developmental Aide Tawanna Wright, a CSEA
Central New York DDSO Local member, gets a
hug from Snow Hill Individualized Residential
Alternative resident Gerry Sobles.

themselves first.

There are numerous examples
these not-for-profit executives
are being paid far more than the
OMRDD commissioner who
oversees the entire system!
That's just wrong, especially
when it’s at the expense of the
workers and the quality of care.

More than 500 workers at the Quality Services for the Autism

Community, a not-for profit service provider that helps autistic
and developmentally challenged individuals in Queens, gained
the advantage of CSEA membership last year.

CSEA also believes greater
funding priority should be given
to provide resources that ensure
quality care.

CSEA — New York’s
leading union
CSEA has earned its reputation
as New York's leading union by

advocating for our members and
the services we deliver. We know
securing balance and fairness are
essential for the future of quality
services for the developmentally
disabled. We will not back away
from that challenge.

OMRDD Commissioner Thomas Maul, center, and CSEA President Danny
Donohue, second from left, congratulate Finger Lakes DDSO CSEA officers on
their innovative and cost-saving labor-management expedited resolution process.
The CSEA initiative, which was recognized as one of New York Gov. George E.
Pataki’s 2005 Workforce Champions, has saved an estimated $300,000.

NEW YORK’S LEADING UNION
OMRpg4 6/13/08 3:26 PM Page 1

Our Consumers
Get The Best Care

They Deserve It!

Every day, thousands of CSEA members help develop-
mentally challenged New Yorkers live with dignity, right in
their own communities.

We don't compromise on quality of care, because of how
much we care.

We're the CSEA Workforce. We keep our skills sharp and
our knowledge current, to help us do the job right for our
consumers.

And to ensure quality care - to keep qualified workers
doing this vital job - means decent benefits, fair pay and
respect.

We're CSEA - where fairness and respect aren't just right
— they make a difference
in people's lives.

Our reputation:

New York’s
leading union.

We've earned it.

CSEs

Ne we Yor k "s
Leading Union
Local1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
Danny Dannhue, President
www.csealocal1000.org