The Public Sector, 1984 October 19

f &
“| want to thank all of the CSEA

members who supported me in this |
election. | promise you that all of my |

energy is being devoted to improving |~

the working conditions of all of our |
members."
WILLIAM L. McGOWAN |

Labor leading surge to
MONDALE/FERRARO

AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland, left, leads rally for the Democratic
ticket recently in Albany. See related stories on pages 18, 19 and 20.

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

Friday, October 19, 1984
Vol. 5, No. 53

Se.

(ISSN 0164 9949)

“While | am pleased with the
members support for the team, the
low turnout indicates to me. that
apathy is our greatest foe. | plan to
do all | can to try to overcome that
apathy."’

JOE MeDERMOTT |

“1 am happy with the victory. After
getting-on the ballot in 1982 by
circulating petitions and winning
them, | was very pleased with this
vote of membership support in the
rerun.”

BARBARA FAUSER

the duties of the
secretary are narrowly defined by the
Constitution, | have worked hard to be |

| involved in the day-to-day issues that |
| affect our members. ff believe this

vote shows that our members |
appreciate that effort.’’ |
IRENE CARR

=

ALBANY — CSEA President William L.
McGowan has led a slate of incumbent officers to
what wire service news reports describe as an
“overwhelming” victory in the court-ordered
rerun of the union’s 1982 statewide election.

The other winners are: Executive Vice-
President Joseph E. McDermott; Treasurer
Barbara Fauser and Secretary Irene Carr.

The results were announced on Oct. 13 by
Elections Procedure Committee Chairman
Gregory Szurnicki. The ballots were counted at
the offices of the Independent Election
Corporation of America, Lake Success, N.Y.
under the supervision of the U.S. Department of
Labor. -

_ The rerun election, under the supervision of
the Dept. of Labor, was ordered by Federal
District Judge Reger Miner in July based on a
complaint by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The judge
ruled that the ballot used in the 1982 election did
not conform with the secret ballot requirements
of the Labor Management Reporting and
Disclosure Act. Although there was no finding of
any impropriety on the part of the union in the

1982 election, the court ruled that the ballot could
have had a “chilling effect.”

The results show there was no validity to the
“chilling effect” theory. Nearly 14,000 more
members participated in the original election
than in the rerun supervised by the Dept. of
Labor.

“The higher voter turnout in the original
election indicates to me that our members. have
more confidence in their union than in an
election supervised by a Labor Secretary who is
facing criminal charges,” said President
McGowan. He was referring to Labor Secretary
Raymond Donovan who brought the complaint
but has since been indicted on a number of
criminal charges by a Bronx Grand Jury.
Donovan is the first sitting cabinet official in
U.S. history to be indicted.

McGowan’s margin of victory actually
increased over the original three-way race in
which he was opposed by Regional Presidents
James Moore and Robert Lattimer. In 1982,

McGowan received 57% of the votes cast, in the ~

rerun he received 63%.

PRESIDENT

William L. McGowan— 19,400
Raymond J. O'Connor— 10,739

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Joe McDermott— 15,644
Mrs. Thomas H. McDonough—9,032

* Jimmy Gripper—5,090

TREASURER
Barbara Fauser—15,599 ~
James C. Neely—9,176
H. A. (Tony) Bentivegna—4,949

_ SECRETARY

Irene Carr—20,188
Helen Carfer—9,498

EO

Committee finds charges against union unfounded

ALBANY — Concluding that allegations printed in The Free Press, a
publication circulated to a number of CSEA officers and members, are
“completely and totally void of any substantiation,” a committee of the union’s
statewide Board of Directors has issued a report resulting from its four-month
investigation.

In early April, the Board called for an ad hoc committee to investigate and
report on charges contained in the publication of a group called ‘Members
Committee for an Honest Union Inc.” Appointed to serve on the investigatory
committee were Chairman C. Allen Mead, Vice Chairman Michael Curtin,
James Gripper Jr., Frank Bosco, Richard Canniff, Patricia Crandall and
Brian Madden.

The final 22-page report of the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged
Internal Impropieties was presented to the Board at its Sept. 13 meeting.

Allegations made in The Free Press included charges against the law firm
of Roemer and Featherstonhaugh, the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund, conflicts
of interest regarding the union’s vendors, lobbying activities and other
matters. In each case, the Committee found no basis for the charges, refuted

them with some detail, or found them moot.

In its summary, the Committee stated: “The Free Press has chosen,
apparently, to either quite consistently ignore and/or distort pertinent factual
information or to speculate carelessly in the manner in which it purports to
offer information on the activities and representation of CSEA Inc.

__ “This publication, the vehicle of a committee which avows an intention to
‘insure that our members understand and enjoy their democratic rights,’ could
not conceivably venture further astray from a legitimate effort to provide such
a service.”

An allegation of The Free Press concerning “thousands of unanswered
grievances,” for example, was determined by the committee to be “‘totally
void of reality.” The report stated, ‘‘The suggestion that many of the thousands
of those grievances ever reach a Step 3 level goes way beyond the state of over-
exaggeration.” Further, the report stressed that The Free Press’ advice to
contact the Members Committee for an Honest Union for assistance in respect
to contract grievances “‘will not enhance, but will impede, the administration
of contract grievances.”

Special meeting is
called on status of
Binghamton building

BINGHAMTON — A special general
membership meeting has been called for
members of Binghamton State Employees Local
002 to discuss at length the status of the
Binghamton State Office Building, which has
been closed for months.

Local 002 President Tim Henehan has
scheduled the meeting to update members about
the facility for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at the
Sons of Italy Hall, Carroll and Hawley Streets,
Binghamton. Henehan is urging all members to
attend this special meeting.

Reinstated with back pay

MHTA found innocent of
patient abuse charges

NEW YORK CITY — A MHTA and longtime employee of the Bernard
Fineson Developmental Center had been reinstated with full back pay as the
result of an arbitrator’s recent decision finding her not guilty of charges of
patient abuse.

Audrey Worrell, a member of CSEA Local 406, was suspended from her job
July 11 on disciplinary charges that she verbally and physically abused a client
on Ward 922 of the Glen Oaks Unit. The charge was based on accusations of one
witness, a MHTA trainee at the facility. Arbitrator Joel Douglas termed that
testimony “not persuasive when examined in its totality.”

The male trainee alleged that on June 29 Worrell engaged in an argument
with a client who refused to enter the ward dining room at mealtime.
According to him, Worrell cursed at the patient, struck him with her ward
keys, then pushed him to the floor and threw his walker at him.

The trainee claimed to have been within arm’s reach of Worrell and the
client during the entire incident but took no action to intervene.

CSEA argued that the abuses ascribed to Worrell ‘‘never happened” and
that the entire incident described was “fictitious.”

Worrell, a 12-year employee and ward charge with a clean work record,
described an opposite version of the incident, saying that the client used foul
language toward her and then attacked her with his walker, causing injury to
her finger which required emergency treatment at a nearby hospital.

At the arbitration hearing, the union charged that the state — which relied
solely on the testimony of one MHTA trainee who had been on the ward for only
one month —- “clearly failed to meet the burden of proof-required.””

The state had in its “control and custody other witnesses who could have
been called to substantiate its position,” said CSEA in its position statement. It
noted especially the state’s failure to call as a witness the supervisor to whom
both Worrell and the trainee had reported the incident.

Arbitrator Douglas agreed with the union line, saying that ‘‘the testimony
of Worrell was clearly more convincing and credible.”

The decision pointed out that the state’s failure to produce other witnesses
was “difficult to understand.” Douglas was disturbedalso”by the trained’s
reaction in the incident.

“For an employee to watch four alleged acts of abuse without doing
anything whatsoever is difficult to accept.

“Rarely in those cases where an employee witnesses acts of abuse and
refuses to intercede does the employee then immediately report said acts to a
superior.”’

Of the two explanations of ‘what happened during the incident, Worrell’s

“‘was more credible,” Douglas concluded.
Offering an explanation for the trainee’s story, Worrell said in the position

malauett that he had “‘an attitude problem, and does not like to be told what to
0."

Said Kathy Gibson, first vice president of Local 406: ‘Audrey Worrell is a
competent, reliable worker and deserves her reinstatement. We're pleased
with Douglas’ decision.””

Page 2 THE. PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

Services showcased

108 represents more than 1,100 employees in 43 state agencies who work in
the Syracuse State Office Building and other locations throughout Central
New York.

Unionism brings
12-month ordeal
to happy ending

for 8 cleared
of charges at
Rome facility

‘the entire episode
served as a catalyst
for bonding members
closer to the union’

By Charles McGeary
CSEA Communications Associate

ROME — It was just about one year ago when ©
CSEA Local 422

Rome Developmental Center

President Jon Premo, returning from CSEA's an-
nual statewide delegates meeting, learned that
eight employees at his facility had been charged
with alleged patient abuse.

Today, all eight employees have been cleared
of the charges and are back at work. But “these
last 12 months have been a horreridous ex-
perience,” says Premo. ‘Not only for the eight
employees involved in the original charges, but
also for the officers of Local 422 who, in my opin-
ion, were subjected to intimidation from the state
management level.”

“Now that the cases have been concluded, in-
nocence established, and the eight employees
have returned to duty, I have given a lot of thought
to the year-long chain of events. I am convinced
that CSEA training and teamwork at every level
was the most important factor in the successful
outcome,’ Premo said. For starters, the full sup-
port of regional and statewide CSEA staff mem-
bers was pledged immediately by CSEA Région
V President Jim Moore.

Intensive legal work over the next 12 months
closed the cases. Four of the eight were resolved
last December, and three of the remaining four
employees were found innocent during arbitration
later. The last was disciplined for a minor, un-
related infraction. All eight were returned to duty.

“In my opinion, we have reached.a successful
conclusion,” Premo said. “And I want to take this

CSEA LOCAL 422 President Jon Premo, right, receives eaageatulations from Region V President

Jim Moore for Premo’s handling of a

effort to successfully defend eight members from

unfounded charges. All eight are back on duty at Rome Developmental Center.

opportunity to personally thank every person who

took part in helping us through the scores of meet-

ings, counseling and mountains of paperwork, as

well as the pressure and intimidation from the ad-
ion on the state level.”

Jn particular, Premo singled out Regional Presi-
dent Moore; Regional see John Scholl;
Regional Legal Representative Greene; CSEA
Field Representative Ted Modrzejewski; ‘and At-
torney Michael Smith of CSEA’s legal firm of
Roemer and Featherstonhaugh in Albany. He also
praised CSEA legal program staffers Tony Cam-
pione and Irene for their work in the
arbitration process, as well as the work-of Local
422 Vice President Jim Martin and Local 422
stewards John Douglas and Fred Yerman.

“One of the first things we did when we took
office,’ Premo noted, ‘‘was to emphasize the im-
portance of CSEA steward training and to in-
crease the number of stewards throughout the
facility. We have just witnessed the results of that
training and teamwork.”

“On the negative side I would say the year-long
ordeal brought out a sense of paranoia within the
institution and workforce. We got the feeling that
the state OMRDD administration ‘shot from the

-hip’ at the outset of the incident. They used the

‘buckshot approach’ and hoped to hit some-
thing.. anything.”

“The chain of events probably had some ad-
verse effect on the clients we serve because of the
change in personnel assignments. It also affect-
ed the community relations image of the facility
and its employees. And I am not sure the state
wasn’t ai to harrass CSEA and Local 422

by intimidation and innuendoes.”

“Looking at the positive side,” Premo con-
tinued, ‘the entire episode served as a catalyst for
bonding the members closer to the union. We be-
came more knowledgeable. We became stronger.
And, more importantly, we realized how much we
needed the strength of CSHA from every level.”

“Tt is over. It’s finally over after one solid year
of working and waiting for the final result we knew
would come. At times there was some frustration
waiting for the legal process to run its course, but
we had no control over that and I trust those in-
volved understand.”

Premo concluded by saying, “If there is one
Piece of advice I would give to other CSEA locals

-it is to take advantage of all available training and

resources on the local, regional and statewide lev-
el. We did here at Local 422, and it really paid off.
TI can say with all sincerity, we were successful
because we had the full cooperation of CSEA on
the local, regional and Albany level. It was a great
team effort every step of the way!”

“| am convinced that CSEA training and teamwork
at every level was the most important factor in the

-successful outcome.”

Concerns resolved over ‘personal risk’ questionnaires

ALBANY — CSEA has given a green light to a
new health awareness program being conducted
by the State Department of Civil Service, but not
before an emergency meeting of the NYS/CSEA
Joint Committee on Health Benefits was called
to satisfy concerns the union had raised about
the program.

Civil Service is distributing “Personal Risk
Profile” questionnaires this month to state
workers as part of a ‘‘Stay Healthy — It Pays”
program. It is planned to combine family
medical history and personal health habits data
from the questionnaires with laboratory
measurements to project an individual’s
chances of becoming ill or remaining healthy.
Each employee who responds will receive a
confidential computer-generated report of

personal health risks?

CSEA President William L. McGowan had
initially raised some concerns about the project
when it was recently announced, but those
concerns were resolved at this week’s
emergency meeting of the Joint Committee on
Health Benefits. CSEA said that while some
questions may appear to be unrelated and
inappropriate to a health risk appraisal project,
legitimate reasons for using those questions
were proven. However, McGowan said,
individuals do not have to complete any
questions they do not wish to answer on the
questionnaires.

McGowan said also he was concerned that the
profile questionnaires were going to be
distributed without the union’s approval of the

program, even though the program is the direct
result of a CS9EA/NYS memorandum of under-
standing. With the satisfying of union concerns
at the emergency meeting, the union has now
given its approval of the project.

Both the questionnaire and the resulting report

are completely confidential. He noted that the
questionnaire processing and report production
will be done by General Health, Inc., an
independent Washington, D.C.-based firm.
- McGowan also noted that employees may call
a toll-free General Health, Inc. telephone
number to ask any questions they may have
concerning the questionnaire. That toll-free
number is 800-424-2775. If the question is medical
in nature, General Health will put one of their
doctors on the line to assist the caller.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

Page, 3

Official publication of
The Civil Service Employees Association
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224

The Public Sector (445010) is published every
other Friday by the Civil Service Employees
Association, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York
12224.

Publication office, 1 Columbia Place, Albany,
New York 12207.

Second Class Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York.

MICHAEL P. MORAN — Publisher

ROGER A. COLE — Editor
TINA LINCER FIRST — Associate Editor
BRIAN K. BAKER — Assistant Editor

Address changes should be sent to Civil Ser-
vice Employees Association, The Public Sector,
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224.

| AL

B APPLY Nays
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"YEAH! pero at
THOSE STATE EMPLOYEE LEAP COURSES!

Take a LEAP course next spring

ALBANY — CSEA’s Labor Education Action
Program (LEAP) expects to have its tuition-free
course announcements for the 1985 spring
semester distributed to state agencies
throughout New York by the end of October.

This semester, courses will be offered in a
variety of subjects including: science,
psychology, sociology, accounting, economics,

Registration ends
Nov. 28.

English and literature. Instruction also will be
given in such skills as carpentry, engine repair,
stationary engineering, electricity, computer
operations, word processing, shorthand and
office procedures.

This is just a small sample of the more than 140
courses offered each semester by LEAP. The
program, now in its second year of operation,

LOCAL 1000, AFECME, AFL-CIO

Lalor Education Action Program

(518) 434-8151

Nov. 10 women’s conference set
at Dutchess Community College

POUGHKEEPSIE — Marie Romanelli of
CSEA and Marilyn DePuy of AFSCME will be
featured speakers at a women’s conference to be
held at Dutchess Community College Nov. 10.
The daylong conference, entitled ‘Equality for
Women: Myth or Reality?” is being sponsored

by the Dutchess County Council of Women in
conjunction with Dutchess Community College.

Romanelli, chairwoman of the Committee on
Work Environment and Productivity for Region
II, will take part in a panel discussion on cor-
porate, government and labor union initiatives
pertaining to quality of worklife.

DePuy, who serves as AFSCME’s women’s
rights coordinator in Washington, D.C., will speak
on pay equity,

Titles of other workshops are: ‘Developing

Self-Sufficiency in Teen Mothers,’ ‘Child
Care,’’ ‘‘Influencing Creation and
Implementation of Legislation,” “Running for
Office,’’ ‘‘Patterns of Hiring Women,”
“Overcoming Computer Anxiety,” ‘‘Where the
Money Is — High-Tech Jobs for Women,” ““Job-
Finding Skills,’ ‘‘Financing Continuing
Education; ‘Opening Your Own Business,” and
“Single Women and Women Heads of
Households Overcoming Financial Blocks.”

Guest speakers will include Dutchess County
Executive Lucille Pattison, Secretary of State
Gail Shafer and Susan S. Egan, an attorney who
has handled a number of sex discrimination
suits.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact Rita
Banner at Dutchess Community College at (914)
471-4500.

“THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

has provided free courses to more than 11,000
state employees in the Administrative,
Institutional and Operational bargaining units.

The course announcements, along with LEAP
application forms and drop forms, will be
available from personnel offices and staff
development and training offices in state
agencies. A limited number will also be
available from local presidents.

Application forms must be completed and
returned by Nov. 28 to: LEAP, 488 Broadway,
Room 518, Albany, New York, 12207.

All state ASU, ISU and OSU members who
work half-time or more are eligible to apply.
Students are accepted based on their bargaining
unit membership and seniority.

According to LEAP Director Thomas Quimby,
feedback on the courses from CSEA members
has been most positive.

“Members have said that the courses have
satisfied important personal and professional
needs. They have been able to incease their
knowledge and skills, satisfy some college
degree requirements and get the promotions
they want in state service,” Quimby said.

Reservatioris open for
Region Il installation

Newly-elected officers of Metropolitan Region
TI will be installed at a ceremony scheduled to
take place Nov. 2.

The installation, which will be a semi-formal
dress affair, will honor the new slate of regional
officers: President George Boncoraglio, First
Vice President Floyd Payne, Second Vice
President Helen Boyd, Third Vice President
Denis Tobin, Treasurer Sharon Katz and
Secretary Ann Worthy.

The evening will include a smorgasbord
and dinner at La Mer Banquet House. Tickets

are $35 per person.

Reservations must be made by Oct. 26. Contact
local presidents for more information.

oe

f rare crippling disease
fights back in crusade to find cure

By Brian Baker
Assistant Editor

“NEW YORK CITY — Saundra
Bernstein first noticed the
toms when she was 23 years

old. Her right leg began to twist to

one side in a strange contortion. .

Occasionally, she felt muscle
spasms in it. And sometimes the
pain got so bad she could barely
stand it.

“Tt was as if someone had tied a
knot in my leg and was pulling both
ends at the same time. I can’t think
of any word to describe it except
‘hell,’ ” she recalls.

Saundra’s parents took her to a
host of different doctors in an effort
to find out what was causing the
problem.

‘Doctors kept telling my mother
that absolutely nothing was wrong
with me physically. They would
say it was psychosomatic. And I
would say, ‘If I’m doing this to
myself, I sure must hate myself
because it hurts an awful lot.’ ”

After three years of visiting one
doctor after another in vain, she
finally got a sound diagnosis. The
word was that she had dystonia, a
rare and enigmatic neurological
disease which manifests itself in
involuntary and very painful
muscle spasms. Though it is not
life-threatening, it can be
progressive, spreading to other
parts of the body. And it is
incurable.

Now 32, Bernstein has long since
accepted and learned to live with
her disease. For the past decade,
she’s held a job in the Office of
Disability Determinations, where
she is now a senior clerk and a
member of New York City Local
010. With the use of a robaxin, neu-
romuscular stimulating medicine,
she keeps the problem under con-
trol most of the time. She even goes
into long periods of complete re-
mission, the most recent one
lasting for more than a year.

But she still has relapses. :

“The minor ones last one day toa
week or more,’’ she says.
“Usually, I don’t have to stop
working. But sometimes the pain is
so bad that there’s nothing else I
can do,”

About three years ago, she had to
take a nine-month leave from
work. Sometimes it’s not easy, she
says.

“I try not to let it stop me. I work
as long as I can and come in even if
I have to leave during the day,
although that’s not too often,”
Bernstein noted.

While Bernstein tries to push the
pain of her crippling ailment out of
her life, she’s placed herself in the
front line of a crusade to find a cure

for the disease. She is chief —

fundraiser for, and a vocal
member of the board of di-
rectors of, the Dystonia
Medical Research

are misdiagnosed is that few
people are aware of it,” said
Bernstein.

Dystonia is a very mysterious

‘

G I try to keep the disease out of my way
as much as possible. I always know it’s
there. But I don’t anticipate it taking over
my life so completely ever again.

Saundra Bernstein _)

Foundation. Formed in 1977, the
organization tries to increase
awareness and understanding of
dystonia among doctors and to
spark exploratory research.
“We're trying hard to inform the
public as well as doctors of the
existence of the disease. ‘The
reason that dystonia victims often

neurosciences. The most prevalent
forms of the disease seem to be
either inherited through one or more
defective genes or arise spon-
taneously due to unknown
causes. The genetic transmission is
unclear, but ethnic groups — such
as those of northern Sweden and
Jews of Eastern European origin

— seem to be more prone than the
general population.

There are, in fact, many types of
neuromuscular ailments that fit
under the general heading of
dystonia. Doctors suspect that
many people have milder forms of
the disease without knowing it.
Writer’s cramp, for instance, is a
more common, much less disabling
form than that which affects
victims like Bernstein. A serious
case usually manifests itself by
acute pains in the arms, legs, face
or neck.

Often misdiagnosed by
physicians, dystonia is a tragic
disease usually misunderstood by
society. Because of their
involuntary muscle spasms and
other disabling symptoms,
dystonic patients often feel a sense
of alienation and isolation,
Bernstein said.

“Tt had a hard time at first
dealing with it, both because I
didn’t want to accept the fact that I
had an incurable disease and
because people around me didn’t
understand it. People generally
aren’t sure how to handle someone

ewith a physical disability of some
sort. They want to help but don’t
know if they should. Speaking from
personal experience, I know I have
to try doing something on my own
before I want help from someone
else. I think most people want to be
given that chance,” she said.

Bernstein also noted that
psychotherapy can help victims
adjust. While.dystonia does not
affect the intellect, its victims
sometimes require ‘“‘some sort of

- support in dealing with it.

“Tt lets you accept the fact that
you have it and then get on with
your life,” she said.

Bernstein pulled through the
period -after first discovering she
had the disease — a time when, she
says, “I was impossible to live
with” — and has got on with her
life. She was promoted to her job as.
senior clerk and now is taking
courses for a degree in civil and
public service.

“T try to keep the disease out of
my way as much as possible. I
always know it’s there. But I don’t
anticipate it taking over my life so.
completely ever again,” she says. |

(Editor’s note:Bernstein, who
chairs her foundation’s fund-rais-
ing committee, requests that dona-
tions to wipe out this disease be
mailed to: Dystonia Medical
Research Foundation, P.O. Box,
814, Oakland Gardens, N.Y, 11364.)

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

Page 5

LOCAL 1000
CME, AFL-CIO

LOOKING OVER the
region’s new newslet-
ter are, from left,
Carol Larpenteur,
Rensselaer County
unit president, June
Robak, state Educa-
tion Department
local president, and
Marianne
Herkenham,
Rensselaer County
local president.

ADDRESSING THE CROWD is
Betty Nichols of the Troy School
District, CSEA Rensselaer

County Educational Employees
local president.

PRESENTING
PRESIDENT’S
AWARDS to Jane
Perry, center, and
Norma Paige is
Capital Region Presi-
dent C. Allen Mead.

REVIEWING BROCHURES are Jase McGraw,
left, director of marketing and communications for
the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund, and EBF Re-
search Aide Tim Petersen.

CAPITAL REGION MEETING:

Reviewing the past,

COOPERSTOWN — “CSEA has become a lean, mean fighting
machine,” said C. Allen Mead, addressing the Capital Region IV Annual
Meeting, held at the Otesaga Hotel here Sept. 28-30. i

Mead made his comments after talking about the region’s activities
over the past year. “Each year we have taken the time to review the past
“year’s successes and to plan for the challenges of the future,” he said. “This
time, we see the leadership is well prepared for the challenges facing our
union and members over the next 12 months.

More than 250 CSEA activists attended the meeting, which featured
everything from the premiere printing of the Capital Region Leadership
News to several awards ceremonies and the election of a new Region
Executive Committee.

According to Mead, the new newsletter will be published on an as-
needed basis, and is aimed at keeping the leadership informed of various
union issues.

At a hands-on newsletter workshop, participants interviewed CSEA
leaders on assigned topics, wrote news stories based on the interviews and
watched their stories transformed into copy. The first edition of the
newsletter was printed overnight and distributed to participants for their
critique the next morning.

Anew slide show featuring members in their local government jobs was
also premiered at the meeting. The show is for use’by county, city, town and
school district units seeking to develop their membership or organize new
units.

For the first time in the Capital Region, two members — Jane Perry

Page 6 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

and Norma Paige — won the President’s Award for outstanding dedication
and service to the region. In other ceremonies, Capital Region Director John
D. Corcoran Jr. was honored for his 25 years with CSEA, and Gerald
Toomey, former region treasurer, was honored for his service to the region.

Nine members — John Francisco, Jeanne Lyons, William Zippiere,
Douglas Persons, Sue Crawford, Dann Wood, Elizabeth Lennon, Carmen
Bagnoli and Fran Wilusz — were elected to the Capital Region Executive
Committee for the coming year.

Featured speaker at the banquet was area television newsman Ed
Dague, former co-anchor for WRGB-TV, Channel 6 in Schenectady, who was
the subject of many headlines when he quit his job after a bitter 30-day
strike at the station.

CSEA was one of the first unions to publicly support the striking
workers, members of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and
Technicians (NABET).

The CSEA meeting, in turn, marked the first time Dague gave an in-
depth picture of the strike situation, in a passionate talk which earned him a
standing ovation from the audience.

Discussing CSEA’s image in the press, Dague, who is now managing
editor of news at WNYT-TV, Channel 13 in Albany, had this to say to the
CSEA unionists: ‘You should never apologize to anyone for doing your job
of enforcing the contract.

“Don’t worry about your image with the public or the media. You
simply have to keep doing your job. The nation needs unions like CSEA and
AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and
NABET to keep management from going mad with power.”

ey E
‘SEA members at DOT’s Nassau South yard were recently recognized for

C
having the lowest injury rate among DOT employees on Long Island in 1983.

Each worker was given a plaque and a coffee mug marking the
achievement.

SIGNED — Washingtonville School District CSEA employees are all smiles
as Assistant School Superintendent James Rathbun signs a new three-yar
contract. Seated with Rathbun are unit President Doug Jeffries and Lillian
Ballard. Standing are negotiating team members Steve Bardin, Susan
Morgan, Maryann Gillespie and Thad Dolson.

Washingtonville schools sign pact

WASHINGTONVILLE — Washingtonville School District employees
have a new optical plan and 19 percent in salary increases as a result.of a
three-year contract recently ratified by the CSEA unit.

According to Steve Bardin, a member of the union’s negotiating team,
the 135 custodial, clerical, cafeteria, mechanical and maintenance
employees will receive a 7 percent pay increase retroactive to July 1, 6
percent effective July 1, 1985 and 6 percent as of July 1, 1986.

In addition, the contract provides for a new optical plan, increased
contributions by the school district to the dental insurance plan and a new
20-year longevity step.

Employees with at least 150 unused sick days will also be paid $10 for
each day upon retirement as part of the new agreement.

Members of the negotiating team included Bardin, Bruce Gillespie,
Warren Sanders, Lillian Ballard, Unit President Doug Jeffries, Susan
Morgan, Maryann Gillespie and Thad Dolson. Collective Bargaining
Specialist Joseph O’Connor headed the team.

Region IV endorses candidates

ALBANY — The Political Action Committee of the Capital Region of
CSEA announces the endorsement of the following local government
candidates for election to county office in November:

In Rensselaer County: John Buono for county clerk,

Eugene Eaton for county sheriff;
Merritt Willey for county clerk;
Forest Wallaber, Jr. for county clerk,
Harvey Stoddard for county sheriff;

e In Montgomery County: Norma Palmer for county treasurer.

All of the CSEA-endorsed candidates will be eligible to receive various
services from the union through its regional offices. These services range
from volunteer workers to phone banks and financial contributions.

« In Schenectady County:
¢ In Schoharie County:

Two new board members named

ALBANY — Two new members will be serving on CSEA’s statewide Board
of Directors. Election Procedures Committee Chairman Greg Szurnicki an-
nounced the results of two special elections to fill board vacancies following
vote counts Oct. 11,

V. Norma Condon is the new Dutchess County educational representative
to the Local Government Executive Committee, and Robert Gripper will serve
as Region II mental hygiene representative to the State Executive Committee.

Staff opening

Communications associate

CSEA is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of communications
associate in its New York City regional office.

Duties include maintaining media contacts, writing news releases, writing
articles for the union newspaper and developing fliers, posters, brochures and
other printed materials.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with two years experience in
writing or editing. Five years such experience may be substituted for a degree,
or some combination of both is also acceptable.

Those interested in the position should submit a resume and salary history
by Nov. 2: Personnel Office, P.O. Box 125, Capital Station, Albany, N.Y. 12224.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

Page 7
islature undercuts labor/management agreement

IT WAS ONCE THOUGHT ERADICATED, BUT
CALENDAR CREEP SURVIVES IN ONONDAGA

Onondaga County employees
have long suffered under a
“‘calendar creep’’ payroll
system. Workers are paid in 26
equal paychecks during the
year. But because the final
check each year “creeps” earlier
and earlier each December, they
must wait longer each year for
their first paycheck the next
year. This year, for instance, the
last 1984 paycheck will be
issued Dec. 14, and they will
have to wait until mid-January,
1985, for their next check.

By Charles McGeary
CSEA Communications Associate

SYRACUSE — CSEA and county management
both thought they had eradicated “calendar
creep” recently after years of discussions and ef-
forts to resolve the problems associated with the
system. But the county Legislature’s ways and
means committee recently undercut those ef-
forts when the committee voted to shelve the
modernized payment plan agreed to by county
management and the union.

That riled up union officials, who immediately
called for Onondaga County CSEA Local 834 mem-
bers to contact their county legislators to protest
the committee’s action. Local 834 President
Patricia Callahan implored legislators to “support
the agreement made between county officials and
CSEA because it justly compensates (us) for past
wages owed.” And Callahan ordered an emergen-
cy meeting of Local 834 unit officers to plan a mas-
sive membership rally in downtown Syracuse
preceeding the legislative public hearing set to dis-
cuss the county’s 1985 budget.

More than 600 CSEA members and their fami-
lies turned out in a rain and hail storm to protest
the committee’s rejection of the agreement, and

Buc i
FOR Tees

di

RALLYING POINT — CSEA Collective Bargaining Specialist Tom Pomidoro explains the CSEA po-
sition to Onondaga County employees gathered to protest a legislative vote to “shelve” the un-
ion/management agreement that would resolve the county payroll dispute.

to urge legislators to adopt the agreement. Union
and county officials had originally agreed that the
money was due the employees and the issue could
best be resolved through modernizing the system
and paying workers past due wages via a $2.9 mil-
lion allocation in the 1985 budget.

An overflow crowd of more than 300 CSEA
members and other concerned citizens later filed
into the legislative chambers to hear Local 834
officers Pat Callahan, Dale King, Sue Smith and
James Craver address the Legislature and again
explain the mutually agreed upon plan for resolv-
ing the issue.

But the rally and public hearing produced no ac-
ceptable solution from county officials. The con-
tinuing stalemate prompted Local 834 President
Callahan to issue the following statement:

“Since 1981, CSEA and county officials have
together researched, studied and discussed all
avenues existing to reach an equitable and prac-
tical solution for both sides. We sincerely believe
our tentative agreement is the only and least ex-
pensive equitable solution there is for the county
to pay its employees the back wages they are
owed. We also agreed to a new payroll system to
prevent this from happening in the future.”

Meanwhile, union officials are watching to see
if the county finds a way to abide by its own agree-

‘Calendar creep’ contributes
fo an impasse in negotiations

SYRACUSE — The chief negotiator for CSEA Onondaga County Local 834 has declared an
impasse in contract, negotiations with the county, citing the administration's “refusal to negotiate
any type of monetary items until the ongoing payroll dispute has been resolved.”

Tom Pomidoro, CSEA Collective Bargaining Specialist, and chief negotiator for nearly 4,000
county employees, said, ‘‘The county negotiators leave us no recourse but to declare meaningful
bargaining at an impasse. The so called ‘calendar creep’ payroll issue was resolved, so we
understood, with an agreement by both sides. It took nearly two years to reach that agreement.
The county Ways & Means Committee then chose to igriore the agreement, and the full legislative
body passed the budget without allocating the funds that would have settled the issue once and for
all. Now, in their infinite wisdom, the county negotiators want to negotiate the payroll issue again.
Hopefully, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) will get things back on track,”

Pomidoro explained.

Page 8

"THE PUBLIC SEGTOR, Friday, October 19.1984 +

ment with the union. Otherwise, “calendar creep”
will rear its ugly head this December just as it has
done for too many years.

NO SITTER PROBLEM for Signe Nelson, an
Onondaga County Social Services employee. While
she gives a statement to reporter, daughter Amy
displays her graphic message “a la cart” to Onon-
daga County legislators.

7 October 21 - 26, 1984

A Officers

Traditionally
regional officers

.. through page 15.

LAKE PLACID — The 74th Annual
Delegates Meeting «
Oct. 21 and continues through Oct. 26 at the
Lake Placid Olympic Center.

the union’s statewide

issue reports
‘of CSEA kicks off here

‘and
issue reports to the

delegates during the annual meeting. Those
reports are reproduced in this issue of The
Public Sector. They begin here and continue

On October 24, 1985, CSEA will celebrate its
seventy-fifth anniversary. As we approach that
landmark, we can look with pride at years of
progress and achievement. We can also look
ahead to a future that contains both promise and
challenge.

From our founding in 1910, CSEA has worked
to improve the lives of our members and their fa-
milies. Let’s look back at some of those accom-
plishments.

In 1930, CSEA began working to abolish the
72-hour work week for the state’s institutional em-
ployees. It took six years, but the union succeed-
ed in ending this intolerable schedule.

In 1933, CSEA succeeded in establishing sick
leave for state workers.

In 1946, CSEA began organizing local govern-
ment workers. Also, in that yéar, the union won
the five-day work week for state employees.

In 1955, CSEA lobbied successfully for the pas-
sage of a law closing county offices on Saturdays,
securing a five-day workweek for thousands of lo-
cal government workers.

In 1967, the Taylor Law became effective
guaranteeing collective bargaining rights for New
York’s public employees. Although there is ineq-
uity in the law, which we are fighting, this was a
major victory for CSEA and a protection that pub-
lic employees in many states still do not enjoy.

In 1979, the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund went
into operation. In its five years of existence, thé
EBF has provided greater benefits to CCEA mem-

William L. McGowan

We face the future
with pride in our past
accomplishments

bers, while reducing their out-of-pocket expenses
for dental work, vision care, prescription drugs,
and now personal legal services.

In 1980, CSEA secured an OSHA law for public
employees. In the years since, we have worked
hard to improve and_enforce the law to guaran-
tee our members a safe workplace. We have suc-
ceeded in many areas saving lives and preventing
injury. But we will continue to work in this area
so that we can one day eliminate the tragic deaths
and injuries that occur on the job.

We have a proud heritage — seventy-five years
of progress — making life better for our members.

But, as we move forward, we will face new
challenges. 1985 could be a very difficult year for
all working Americans. With an unpredictable
economy, we will again be facing cutbacks in
government services. We will again have to take
our case to the people and demonstrate the serv-
ice we provide.

1985 could be a tough year. With huge federal
budget deficits and high interest rates, the econ-
omy is unpredictable.

In state contract negotiations, we face a
management that has already set three and a half
percent as its target for a salary increase. We
have already begun the work of putting together
our demands, based on your input. These negoti-
ations will be difficult but, working together, we
will secure a fair settlement.

‘In 1985 we will celebrate 75 years of progress. Let's work hard, together,
so that when another generation celebrates a century of CSEA progress
they will be able to look back at these years with pride.’

In localities and school districts, the climate at
the bargaining table will be just as tough. Again,
it will take active membership involvement and
perseverance to negotiate good contracts.

There is also promise in the future. CSEA’s Em-
ployee Assistance Program is already a model for
other states. This program has helped thousands
of our members with alcohol, drug, and family
problems. We are now working hard to make this
help available to every local government and
school district member.

CSEA has pioneered in the area of day care. We
have accomplished a great deal in this area, but
there is more to do. We will continue to work to
make day care available to working parents, both
in state and local governments.

Tn 1985, we will celebrate 75 years of progress.
Let’s work hard, together, so that when another
generation celebrates a century of CSEA progress
they will be able to look back at these years with
pride.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984!

Page.

STATEWIDE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT

LAKE PLACID — The traditional Board of Directors
meeting Sunday afternoon, Oct. 21, will open the 74th
Annual Delegates Meeting of the Civil Service Employees
Association at the Lake Placid Olympic Center.

By the time the gavel falls on Friday, Oct. 26, some
1,500 delegates from around the state will have voted ona
number of changes to the CSEA Constitution and By-Laws,
and attended a large variety of seminars, workshops,
forums and other informational meetings.

Some 30 groups and union programs will be
represented at the information tables set up in the
Olympic Center, and delegates will also have a chance to
participate in the PEOPLE Run around scenic Mirror Lake
to help raise funds for AFSCME’s political action
organization. : .

The educational seminars will cover a wide range of
interesting topics, ranging from how to organize your local
office to dealing with anti-union tactics.

A session called ‘‘Civil Service Law: Issues for Local

Joseph E. McDermott

THE BIG LIE. ..It’s a technique politicians
use when they don’t have any real issues. It can
be very convincing, but also very destructive.

The NAZI’s used it to convince millions of peo-
ple that their horror was really acceptable public
policy.

Senator Joe McCarthy used it to convince most
of America that there were red agents hiding
under every desk in government during the
1950’s. McCarthy became so effective with THE
BIG LIE that even the President was afraid to
speak out against him.

How does THE BIG LIE work? First, you tell a
lie that is so far from the truth that there is no ef-
fective answer to it. Then you add a few
misrepresentations of the facts, a few facts that
are completely out of context and throw in a little
innuendo. ‘

Most important, make sure your BIG LIE
trades on people’s fear, frustration and
prejudice.

In recent months our Union has been the target
of a BIG LIE campaign. Ever since CSEA Presi-
dent Bill McGowan charged Ray O’Connor’s
buddy George Caloumeno with stealing union
funds and the Union’s Judicial Board found him
guilty, Ray has been perfecting THE BIG LIE
against CSEA. a

First, it wasn’t stealing, then the Judicial pro-
cess was imperfect, then fixed, then controlled,
Ray never mentioned that the majority of the
Judicial Board is appointed by the Regional
Presidents, not McGowan. Nor did he mention
that the charges against Caloumeno were upheld
by the Board of Directors, more than 100
representatives elected directly by the

membership.
Next came a newsletter called The Free Press.

The first edition carrying screaming headlines
and a host of inaccuracies about CSEA, was
anonymous. None of the people putting out this
hie had the courage to identify themselves. On-

‘Power hungry individuals
attack union with false claims

ly after the other statewide officers had proof
that Ray was the driving force behind The Free
Press did he admit to it and begin putting his
name on the publication.

Let’s look at how THE BIG LIE works. Ray
repeatedly makes allegations of corruption in
the awarding of the prescription drug contract
by the Employee Benefit Fund. He lists Trustees
who voted for the contract, including Trustees
who missed that meeting and never voted on the
issue. Interestingly, he also omits the fact that as
a Trustee he voted for awarding the contract.

Ray also omits the fact that this contract has
produced considerable cost-savings and better
service. He also neglects to point out that his
allegations have been investigated by two inter-
nal committees and outside authorities and no
one has found any evidence of wrongdoing. But
that’s how THE BIG LIE works, keep making
charges, even though they have no basis in fact.

Another interesting coincidence. Although
Ray’s. scandal sheet solicits money from
members saying that the committee will not en-
dorse candidates for union office, it appeared at
the start of his unsuccessful campaign for re-
election as Regional President. Perhaps Ray,
who rarely found his way to the regional office,
wanted people te focus on issues other than his
record. Ray’s paper was silent after the regional
elections until he started campaigning against
Bill McGowan for President.

You might ask, why doesn’t the Union refute
every charge? CSEA attempted to publish the
report of a committee of the Board of Directors
that was formed in April to investigate Ray’s
charges. The U.S. Department of Labor refused
to allow your union newspaper, The Public Sec-
tor, to publish this report because Ray was a can-
didate for union office. We were prohibited from
telling you that his statements, ‘“‘were found to be
totally without basis in fact” by a non-partisan
committee.

Department is the scheduled speaker.

‘*Local Government Workers and the Federal Budget’’
will include a discussion of the national economy and the
effects of budget changes and tax policies on jobs and
wages at the local level. Mitchell Horowitz, AFSCME public
policy specialist, and Kathy Albowicz, CSEA budget

examiner, are the presenters.

Thomas F. Cuite of the state Employees Retirement
System will lead the session of ‘‘Early Retirement

Incentive — Impact on Local Government Members.”

CSEA Assistant Director of Communications Melinda
Carr will team up with Marsha Anderson, assistant director
for community services of AFSCME, in ‘Improving the Im-
age of the Union in Your Community: Good Neigh-
bors/Good News.” They will look at how community action

At the same time Ronald Reagan’s Labor
Department told McGowan he couldn’t personal-
ly talk to members during the election cam-
paign! So much for. government fairness!

The real story behind this BIG LIE campaign
is complicated and interesting. It involves N.Y.
City’s Victor Gotbaum and his frustrated at-
tempts to take over control of AFSCME.

THE BIG LIE campaign will probably con-
tinue because it provides fodder for newspapers
like the N.Y. Post and Village Voicelt helps some
power-seekers in their attempts to decertify
CSEA. And management enjoys and takes ad-
vantage of the Union focused on internal
dissension.

When Henny Penny ran around crying “The
sky is falling, the sky is falling” most of the
animals rushed for cover instead of looking up to
see the truth. That is the reaction needed to
make THE BIG LIE work.

If nothing else has transpired from this long
unfolding saga, it has caused me and others to
become more vigilant in guarding our Union
from the grasping hands of power hungry in-
dividuals who would use the Union to destroy its
true purpose, the representation of public
employees. Individuals who hope to grasp power
through blatant misrepresentation of the facts,
purveyors of THE BIG LIE, are not what you or I

Government’’ will focus on the law as it applies tb local
government, what should be done in the event of violations
and issues which affect CSEA’s local government
members.’ Thomas Pilisworth of the Civil Service

want or need for Union leadership.

io

Page 10

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

can benefit a local, how members can get involved and
how to work with the media to enhance the image of the
union and public employees.

Humphrey Donohue of the AFL-CIO will lead a seminar

entitled ‘‘Anti-Union Tactics: What They Are, What We
Can Do,”’ an exploration of tactics used to undermine,

@iiscredit and break unions around the country today, and
how unions can counter these tactics.

In ‘Health Care Cost Containment,”’ CSEA Director of

Insurance Timothy Mullens will discuss recent
developments in measures to contain rising health costs,
and focus on strategies for health insurance negotiations.

Attorney Richard L. Burstein and statewide Treasurer

Barbara Fauser will present the:seminar on “‘Getting Your
Constitution to Work for You: Creating Effective By-Laws.’’

CSEA Education and Training Specialist Sean Turley

will address the topic, ‘‘Making the Difference: Strategies
@or Successful Change.’ He will focus on why most efforts
at change fail and develop strategies to better ensure the

STATEWIDE SECRETARY'S REPORT

irene Carr

success of change efforts.

In “Private Sector Labor Law — How It Affects Us As
Officers,’’ Attorney William M. Wallens will look at the
Labor/Management Reporting and Disclosure Act and
other private sector laws which affect the operation of

CSEA.

CSEA Education and Training Specialist Anne E.
Rokeach will talk on ‘“‘Making Committee Meetings Work.’’

For those looking for new ways to better organize their
local’s office to handle increasing ‘paperwork and other
union business, CSEA Education and Training Specialist
Peg Wilson will present ‘‘Out of Chaos ... Establishing ©

the Local Union Office.’’ f

And for delegates who would like to participate more

fully and effectively in the weeklong meeting, there will be

_ two training sessions on “Parliamentary Procedure,”’ one
led by Celeste Rosenkranz, certified parliamentarian, and
the other by Shirley Reeder, New York State education #

coordinator for AFSCME. a wi

s Ey)

This is a report to you on my second year as a
full-time Officer, and a review of my activities in
representing you the membership on a day by day
basis. My philosophy over the years has been that
Iam not elected by you on a Statewide basis just
to take minutes and be the ‘“‘custodian of the offi-
cial papers” as defined in the Constitution and
By-Laws.

I continue to function as advisor to the Creden-
tials Committee and the Convention Motions Com-
mittee. With the advent of expansion of our
computer services, credentials will be processed
more quickly. This will put as little burden as pos-
sible on the Local Presidents since I am well
aware of their many responsibilities.

Thanks to the efficiency of Mrs. Bernie Rouse,
the Supervisor of the Stenographic Services,
microfilming of the records is ongoing in a very
organized manner.

The union continues forward on the issue of pay
equity; progress is now being made in the train-
ing of a CSEA staff task force to address, when
requested by the membership, pay equity evalu-
ations in Local Government.

The moving force of technology and how it af-
fects CCEA members continues to be of concern
tome. We failed in passage of VDT legislation this
year but CSEA is addresing the concerns of the
workers through other methods. I attended an
AFL-CIO conference on technology and was able
to provide the Research Department with materi-
al that can be used in negotiations and for semi-
nars. The Word Processing Training Center;
opened with contractual funds, is a progressive
step. Hopefully such a training center can be ex-
panded to other areas of the State.

In my continuing efforts to keep the member-
ship informed as to what is happening within the

A e
We continue to move forward
on a vast array of issues

union, the highlights of the actions of the Board
of Directors are published in The Public Sector.

Recommendations have been made by-me to the
Constitution & By-Laws Committee concerning
resolutions which are brought to the Annual
Delegates Meeting under ‘‘new business.” There
is a need for such resolutions to be reviewed by
the delegates prior to the convention; I ask for
your support when these are brought out by the
Constitution & By-Laws Committee.

For your information following is a record of at-
tendance at the Annual Delegates meeting in 1983:

Region I .
Region II .
Region III
Region IV
Region V .
Region VI ..

The Local Government membership introduced
a motion which was carried by the Board of Direc-
tors mandating that a policy manual be provided
for Local Presidents. Two excellent interns, Ms.
Kelly Condron and Mr. Patrick Higgins, worked
with me during the summer months on this task,
and we have for review the first draft of such a
manual. It is recognized that although Local
Presidents have many guidelines, there are cer-
tain policies put into place by the President of the
union, and by the Board of Directors which are not
included in the basic handbooks provided to the
local officers.

One year after local and unit elections we are
still attempting to obtain more complete informa-
tion on unit election results.

By the date of the Delegates Meeting the new
expanded CSEA computer system should be in
place and I look forward to utilizing the system

y

to provide more efficient processing of motions,
and our methods of record keeping.

It is always most gratifying to me to be asked
to speak of the accomplishments of CSEA. I con-
tinue to serve in many capacities as a Statewide
Officer to best serve membership. Most recently
I was appointed by President McGowan to the
Daycare Advisory Committee.

The next few weeks will tell much about the fu-
ture of our country. There is no better place than
your union to learn the truth about the political
system and what it means to the future of you and
your family.

READ REGISTER REMIND
Your To Your
Union Vote Friends
Publications And.
Co-Workers

I can never complete a report from CSEA

* without commending the staff of this union. A

most special person is my Assistant, Mrs. Sheryl

Bolton, who is also Secretary to the Judicial
Board.

Labor’s strength is special. Let us not forget
that and always strive wherever we can to over-
come the anti-union prejudices.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

J

"Page 11

STATEWIDE TREASURER’S REPORT

Barbara M. Fauser

This report provides me with the opportunity to
bring you up-to-date on a wide variety of topics
that relate to the administration of our union.

The first item is a report on income and expen-
ditures compared to budget for the month of Au-
gust and the eleven months then ended. This
report is attached for your reference. The state-
ment reflects a year-to-date deficit. of $126,811.
This is considerably under original estimates.
Note that the revised budget projected a deficit
of $1,600,000. Expenditures did not rise to the lev-
el originally anticipated and income remained
constant, thus, we closed the fiscal year at Sep-
tember 30 in much better shape than originally
projected. The independent accountants are cur-
rently reviewing our records and the financial
statements will be published in The Public Sector
when this work and the work of our Audit Com-
mittee is completed.

My efforts in assisting locals and units with
financial administration have been fruitful. Treas-
urers’ training has continued through the year
and, since the last local elections, the number of
individuals trained by my office is over 600. This
training includes a complete review of the ‘“Finan-
cial Standards Code,” including the new section
on audit committees added at my insistence. The
results of the efforts in this area are becoming evi-
dent. For the past fiscal year, over 280 locals out
of 331 have filed the required annual financial
statement and accompanying report of the Audit
Committee. I have pursued all outstanding reports
through the Regional Offices. I will continue to
strive for 100 percent compliance with constitu-
tional mandates.

The audit section has also provided assistance
in the area of local reporting. Approximately 10
percent of all locals were audited on a random ba-
sis in the past year. Constructive reports were pre-
pared in all cases to provide local officials with
instruction on fulfilling their fiduciary responsi-
bility. I cannot stress enough the importance of
good record keeping at the local level. The annu-
al rebates to locals now exceeds $4 million. Proper
controls must be in place to protect your dues.

Another area of concern at the local level was
insurance coverage. Changes have been made in
the past year to include locals in the personal in-
jury coverage carried by CSEA, Inc. In addition,
a very attractive general liability plan was provid-
ed to locals at a minimal premium. This has
produced considerable savings over premiums
paid by locals for separate policies and provided
coyeraige to many locals who had no coverage at
all,

The staff in the Treasurer’s Office has been in-
volved in many other administrative projects. A
new separations system to properly reflect the col-
lection of dues and insurance premiums from
members in the political subdivisions has been in-
stalled. Refinements have been made to the rebate
system for political action fund contributions. A
purchasing department has been created and we
anticipate savings in the areas of supplies and
services. All of these have been accomplished in
an atmosphere of ever increasing reporting
responsibilities. We must now file a detailed report
with the U.S, Department of Labor and, in the past
year, filed four years’ reports retroactively. A
report to the New York Temporary State Commis-
sion on Lobbying is another recently mandated fil-
A ing obligation.

(Year's administrative efforts
range from training to audits

We have also begun the process of acquiring a
new building for our headquarters. This will al-
low the consolidation of several offices that are
presently leased. Our current headquarters build-
ing, as ] am sure many of you know, is extremely
overcrowded and no longer an efficient at-
mosphere in which to work. The new building, lo-
cated on Washington Ave., will provide necessary
space, has the right location and adequate park-
ing. We anticipate a move early next year. I for
one am looking forward to relocating from my
present 10’ by 10’ office.

Another interesting project, that is being pur-
sued is the upgrading of our in-house computer
capabilities. A new system is being acquired that
will provide the latest enhancements in the indus-
try. Word processing capabilities will be upgrad-
ed. New projects in the area of research, such as
wage survey and budget analysis, will be accom-
plished on the new equipment.

I will also take this opportunity to inform you
of the dues increase that will be effective Janu-
ary 1, 1985. As you know, we are mandated to
adopt the AFSCME minimum dues structure
which changes every year as a result of a survey
in wage increases in the public sector. The mini-
mum dues will increase to an annual rate of

e

$143.40 from the current $136.20. The per capita
payment to AFSCME will increase to $49.20 from
the current $46.80. This will mean a bi-weekly dues
deduction incréase of $.28, or 5.45% over the cur-
rent rate. In conclusion, I wish to thank the staff
in the offices of the Treasurer, Comptroller, Mem-
bership Records, Data Processing and the Print
Shop for their valuable assistance and dedication
during the past year in carrying out their various
assignments, sharing the workload due to vacan-
cies, and meeting deadlines. I also wish to thank
the personnel in the Steno Pool for furnishing us
with the updated Local President and Treasurer’s
listing more frequently as well as providing steno-
graphic services.

GENERAL FUND STATEMENT OF INCOME & EXPENSES
FOR THE MONTH ENDING AUGUST 31, 1984

$_(133,376)

AUGUST BUDGET
ACTUAL ‘BUDGET 1984
INCOME
Membership Dues $1,549 5969 $2,107,083 $23,853,398 $25,285,000 $1,431,602
Agency Shop Fees 246,295 202,000 2,060,966 2,424,000 363,034
AFSCME Grant 58,333 70,833 791,663 850,000 58,337
. Group Life 31,250 31,250 343,750 375,000 31,250
Investment 159,348 125,000 1,600,461 1,500,000 (100,461)
Miscellaneous 8,372 5,417 64,786 65,000 214
TOTAL $2,053,567 $2,541,583 $28,715,024 $30,499,000 $1,783,976
EXPENSES
Political action $ 71,167 $ 65,117 $ 736,958 $ 781,400 $ 44,442
Per Capita Tax 830,269 805,592 8,854,477 9,667,100 812,623
Dues Rebate 242,145 379,375 4,241,435 4,552,500 311,065
Personal ‘Services Sal. 430,836 474,740 5,048,480 5,696,875 648 , 395
Personal Services Ben. 153,816 173,713 1,778,704 2,084,551" 305,847
Region & Sat. Offices 70,431 67,214 660,010 806, 568 146,558
legal 167,475 180,167 2,023,633 2,162,000 148, 367
Professional Services 20,213 8,675 92,868 104,100 11,232
Travel 98,258 81,517 826,627 978,200 151,573
General Operating 15,002 16,817 189,843 201,800 11,957
Data Processing 23,754 34,583 352,049 415,000 62,951
Printing 3,082 9,225 65,121 110,700 45,579
Telephone & Postage 32,074 34,425 347,590 413,100 65,510
Equipment 850 2,917 36,439 35,000 (1,439)
Building Maintenance 13,934 17,867 181,779 214,400 32,621
Officers, Dir., Com. 189, 906 103,858 1,096,393 1,246,300 149,907
Publication 67,583 727,589 811,000 83,411
Delegate Meetings 15,000 171,966 180,000 8,034
Workshops 8,846 125,818 106,150 (9,668)
Region Rebates 4,479 49,269 53,750 4,481
Region Education 2,500 19,421 30,000 10,579
Communications 39,167 420,421 470,000 49,579
hip Campaign 2,500 3,557 30,000 26,443
20,833 91,549 250,000 158,451
2,083 49,230 25,000 (24,230)
* 12,833 154,000
10,417 125,000
8,333 100,000
4,583 40,852 5
3,750 42,250
16;250
TOTAL 874,959.

$_ (226

TTT

Page 12

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, | Friday, October 19, 1984 ;

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

LONG ISLAND REGION l / Danny Donohue

Every CSEA member on Long Island saw the
importance of standing together during the past
year. Repeatedly, individual members were faced
with unfair working conditions, safety and health
problems, layoffs and tough negotiations. The an-
swer for every member was to stand together with
fellow members against management.

Our strength is the power of numbers. People
linked together to solve problems and overcome
difficulty. The problems we face grow constant-
ly. The answers to those problems are always
based on standing together.

We have pitted the combined strength of CSEA
and AFSCME against Nassau County in the bat-
tle over pay equity. CSEA/AFSCME charged Nas-
sau County with discriminating against workers
in traditionally female jobs by paying them less
than workers in traditionally male jobs requiring
equal skill, effort and responsibility.

In Suffolk County and Nassau County, we suc-
cessfully lobbied for the early retirement option.

Stonding together gives us strength

It will be implemented in the last three months of
1984 in Suffolk, allowing workers 55 years old to
retire with three additional years of service credit.
CSEA was the driving force getting the state legis-
lature to create the option so it could be im-
plemented in Suffolk County and other local
governments. The early retirement incentive
helps fight layoffs in Suffolk. Every worker who
retires saves another worker from being laid off.

CSEA members in Smithtown and Suffolk
County’s Department of Social Services’ Babylon
Center closed ranks to fight safety and health
problems.

LPN’s from the mental hygiene facilities on
Long Island have gathered to provide input for
CSEA demands in negotiations with the state.

CSEA members in towns, villages and school
districts have been successful in dealing with take-
back minded managements. Drawing on the un-
ion’s research and budget analysis capability, we
have been able to back up our demands.

Iam proud to say membership on Long Island

has been eager to take advantage of CSEA’s ef-
fective training. Programs on CSEA resources,
new officer and treasurer training can only make
CSEA a stronger union. Shop steward training has
become the key in building a strong union that
stands up to management and enforces contracts.
The interest and active participation of members
means we will be ready to face the demands on
organized labor in the future.

CSEA gets stronger every time a member gets
active and works in the interest of other members.
CSEA members are the union. The strength of the
rank and file insures the future of our union. I will
be happy when every member takes responsibili-
ty for his or her union and becomes active in shap-

ing it. y

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

METROPOLITAN REGION Il/ °°’

Boncoraglio

For years, politically involved rank and file work-
ers have wondered if there is any hope for the
public sector. Many tend to feel overcome by a
tremendous bureaucratic system and organiza-
tion that often leaves them feeling hopeless and
unnoticed. Decisions that affect our members are
made 600 miles away in tall skyscrapers. Pro-
grams are designed and evaluated by administra-
tors who are physically divorced from the
workplace. Written policies come down in the
form of impressive memos and policy statements.
So it is that many wonder if there is any hope for
a system that has become so bureaucratic and in-
efficient.

Other governments have encountered similar
problems and feelings many years before Ameri-
cans began to do so. In fact, many European and
Japanese companies have concluded that such im-
personal systems of organization led to low
productivity and poor staff morale. For this rea-
son they have attempted to change from a rather
bureaucratic approach to a new approach in
which workers’ participation is an important
element.

For example, in Japan, workers, supervisors
and fement meet in “Quality Control Cir-
cles” in order to discuss ways of improving
productivity and eliminating waste. Problems of
productivity and performance are discussed in de-
tail. The result is more communication between
labor and management and in most cases, a bet-
ter understanding of each other’s goals and in-
terests.

In West Germany, supervisors and workers
meet in “‘Worker’s Councils” in order to discuss
the production process and organizing of the work-
place, corporate policies and job performance and
A norkerte investment opportunities.

(We must re-examine the system

Many contract issues are dealt with before phys-
ical contract negotiations begin. Supervisors are
encouraged to speak openly with the workers in
order to better understand the problems confront-
ing line staff workers. The flow of information be-
tween workers and management tends to reduce
the tension between the two, as well as lead to pro-
gram designs that are realistic and more efficient.

Another modern feature is that of co-
determination. This is when Union officials are
chosen to sit on management and supervisory
boards. Union officials become better educated in
management policies and planning and in many
instances, can influence it or change it. In the long
run, this helps to solve minor problems when they
arise, and leads to a better working relationship
between the Union and management.

In these countries assessment sheets have

-proven that this style of management leads to im-

proved productivity and worker morale.

In the past few years the State of New York and
CSEA have implemented similar programs en-
titled ‘‘Quality of Work Life.”’ The conclusive evi-
dence on the success of these programs has yet
to be published. At the same time during these last
few years, State workers have been confronted
with layoffs, cutbacks and concessions. An unsta-
ble American economy brings reduction in State
services. In fact, many have begun to discuss
reducing the role of the public sector in this
economy. —

We, in Region II, feel that this is a wrong ap-
proach to our problems. We think that if the pub-
lic sector is going to survive the present crisis and
possibly flourish, then a serious look must be
taken at the present decision-making process, or-
ganization of the workplace, and labor/manage-
ment relations.

A better relationship between labor and

management will have to be formed. Both must
come to realize that the present system of manag-
ing has failed and that new approaches must be
implemented. A lesson can be learned from our
brothers and sisters in other countries. Some of
the features of their systems can be incorporated
into ours. With proper reorganization, the public
sector can provide effective and reliable services
for the millions of citizens who rely upon it.

After all, why shouldn’t we provide the best pos-
sible services for the citizens of the State of New
York? Don’t we deserve it?

The 1980’s and 1990’s will be characterized by
the impact of state of the art technology on every
workplace. Well thought-out preparation and
training must be provided to avoid layoffs. Fur-
thermore, the problems of our State and every
other, will be compounded by the aging of the
baby-boom population who will be placing heavy
additional demands upon the public sector for
services. In realistic terms, we don’t have a long
period of time to develop practical and workable
solutions to these challenges facing the public sec-
tor and its employees. They are happening right
now!

More than ever before, we need to be unified in
order to work through the problems we face. We,
in Region II, being unified by a common bond, and
working closely with our sisters and brothers
across the State, can and must organize to make
this system work. y

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

Page 13

FERS ee ee ee Te ae dt wy

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

SOUTHERN REGION Ill | Parmasciot

We can fight ‘spiritual poverty’
with education and training 3

During the daily life of a public employee,
whether it be in state or local government, he or
she tolerates a special kind of violence — it is
called “Poverty of Survival” and it is constant
within our daily workday and structure. Our mem-
bers who serve communities on every level endure
the pressures of continually justifying their en-
titlements as employees. They fight to protect the
benefits that are rightfully theirs, won through
years of negotiations. These were received in lieu
of financial compensation.

Although we are sometimes classified as second
class citizens, we maintain our dignity by the
knowledge of our contribution to society. Contri-
butions such as the operation and nursing care
given to the many within our hospitals and insti-
tutions, maintenance and operation of our network
of roads and canals, of our schools and universi-
ties, of our parks and forests, of our water and
sanitary systems. We are responsible for the con-
tinuing flow of services and correspondence in our
state and county agencies, the operation of our
correctional facilities and on and on.
ee Even while we are doing all the preceding, we

must continue to justify our reasonable requests
for a decent pay level. We are questioned when
asking for a safe and decent work site. What
should be clear cut promotional opportunities
within our Civil Service system is too often coupled
with discrimination and political interference.
These are but a few aspects of the ‘spiritual
poverty”’ that our members must tolerate within
our civil service structure.

Knowing the problems, we can set goals to cor-
rect them. I plan through region participation,
utilizing the knowledge of our union and leader-
ship to chart a course we must take during the
coming year. Then, training programs will be on-
going and will educate our members and leader-
ship. This education process will allow us to know
the needs of our members. Seminars will be held
on:
@ The art and skills of negotiations. Together
with CSEA’s and AFSCMB’s research depart-
ments, give us the tools for leverage at the bar-
gaining tables.

© Continuing our education with our leadership,
shop stewards and members on the contracts

negotiated and enforcement of same.

@ Grievance training is a must, for it is here our
membership is most vulnerable and unprotected.

@ Knowing our OSHA laws and requirements
enables us to police our work site.

@ Education in the Political Arena. We realize
more and more that politics control our destinies
and we need to be sophisticated in the voting
process and elect those who know our true worth
to society.

e Programs and Committees, together, can ap-
ply pressure for comparable worth within our
structure.

This is the poverty that our union continually
struggles against. It is violent and seeks to des-
troy us. The will of the membership, its
knowledgeable leaders and the resources of our
union can defeat it. With the assistance from the
staff and elected officers, I am prepared to obtain
the necessary training for Region III.

With your involvement, I promise a course of
dedication in education. When all is accomplished,
we can put to rest this violence which plagues ee

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

CAPITAL REGION Iv / ee

ys
Commitment and determination

are the keys to our success

Welcome, officers, delegates, guests and friends
to one of the best known areas of the Capital
Region, Lake Placid. The officers and members
of our Region extend our sincere wishes for an en-
joyable experience during your attendance at the
74th Annual Delegate Meeting.

This Village, Lake Placid, while known through-
out the world for hosting the Olympic Games, may
also be viewed as a microcosm of CSEA. In our
report to the last Delegate Meeting, our message
was to assure our members that CSEA does not
and will not run from the most difficult of
challenges. The Capital Region, during this past
year, has continued to convey this message
through the tenacity of many. After months of deli-
cate negotiations, frustrations, disappointments
and doubts, CSEA succeeded in securing a fair
and equitable collective bargaining agreement for
our members in Lake Placid. Our representatives
withstood the doubts and frustrations because
they believed, and ultimately succeeded, in hav-

Recently, our members in the Saratoga County
Sheriff’s Department also successfully secured an
agreement. A contract settlement is, of course, not
unique. The point I believe that is worth convey-
ing to you is that we believe we have witnessed a
strengthening of our members’ commitment. Our
Sheriff’s Unit leaders and members, likewise,
withstood months of procrastination by an ad-
ministration attempting to exhaust every adminis-
trative and judicial process in an effort to conduct
these negotiations in an ‘open forum.” Through
the determination of our members, CSEA ultimate-
ly succeeded in bringing the negotiations back to
the respective parties. Once productive negotia-
tions were commenced, the patience and support
of our members resulted in their concerns being
resolved.

This commitment cannot be exhausted reveling
in having overcome yesterday’s challenges. Our
energies must now be directed to the challenges
in many new arenas. Just as a certain spirit has,

*ble resolution of comparable worth-pay equity is-

perhaps, carried underestimated, but not undeter-.
mined groups to success in this very village, this
tenacity must be renewed still again. We can no
longer stoically mire as a labor movement in
defending our members’ jobs from cutbacks,
layoffs and contracting out. Let us accept the
challenge to much more aggressively propose and
secure meaningful opportunities for our members.
Our future cannot be fulfilled simply by the equita-

sues. We should look further than securing
economic recognition. We must prevail in argu-
ing that the public benefit, which we do indeed
serve, will be enhanced by the provision of career
opportunities with growing participatory respon-
sibilities for our members. If we apply the ingenui-
ty and commitment of our own membership, we
will not sacrifice the legacy of our sisters and
brothers before us and allow for the creation of
a computer age labor dilemma “the electronic
sweatshop.”’

Ve their concerns resolved.

ve

Page 14 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, Qctober.19 1984

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

CENTRAL REGION V | Jim Moore

Ng

( Become involved in the Union =

you can make a difference

"CSEA began as an organization whose chief pur-

pose was to sell low-cost group life insurance to

state employees, most of whom wanted no af-
filiation with a labor union.”

J. Goulden

LABORS LAST ANGRY MAN

I am sure that description accurately por-
trays the feelings of those who first gathered
together to initiate our Union.

Today, as we near our 75th anniversary, our
goals and the services we provide our members
have changed a great deal.

© Our staff and elected leadership in Onon-
daga County are nearing agreement on a pay
dispute that will provide members with sever-
al million dollars of back pay.

e@ Our lawyers are actively representing
members and officers in disputes from im-
proper practices to Article 78 and Section 33
Disciplinary cases.

e Over 300 union activists recently attended
a statewide women’s conference where discus-
sions took place on issues such as the ERA and
comparable worth.

e Aunion organizer is meeting with new em-
ployees, attempting to convince them of the
strength there is to be found in unity through
union membership.

e A truck loaded with aged and dangerous
asbestos is pulling away from an elementary
school, largely through the efforts of a union
steward who attended a safety workshop.

e Achild sits playing in a CSEA/State spon-
sored Day Care Center while the parent works
nearby, confident that all efforts have been
taken to create a safe and stimulating en-
vironment.

 Aretired public employee is reading about
the new increase recently passed in pension

benefits as a result of a productive legislative
year for CSEA.

@ Local government negotiating teams are-
meeting with management representatives to
secure a new contract for local members.

@ A CSEA trained steward is sitting confi-
dently across from a management employee,
arguing the merits of a grievance brought by
a frustrated and angry employee.

@ A regional political action committee is
meeting to consider making candidate endorse-
ments, not on partisan politics, but on the
merits of what each individual had done, or will
do, for CSEA members.

@ A paid staff member, or a local officer, is
answering a phone in over 2,000 locations, as-
sisting our members with questions ranging
from worker’s compensation to insurance
problems.

© A group of members are attending a CSEA
sponsored training program on negotiations, or
on labor-management principles, or, perhaps,
on retirement counseling.

e A CSEA Officer is addressing a public
hearing regarding the implementation of an im-
posed contract affecting 14 Village employees.

e A regional membership committee is
meeting to discuss how best to get the word out
to employees we represent that our ability to
secure a better contract is directly related to
the percent of members in any given Local.

© Trustees of our statewide benefit fund are
discussing how we can offer better prescription,
dental, vision or legal benefits to more mem-
bers throughout the state.

e And on, and on, and on ....

I, for one, am so sick and tired of the gloom
and doom crowd who continually knock CSEA
and everything we try to do. I am not referring
to those who have or would make constructive

criticism. I, perhaps more than many others,
have been very verbal about changes that I
would like to see within our Union. I have tried,
however, to bring about these changes internal-
ly at meetings and conventions, as opposed to
through the Village Voice, or other external ve-
hicles that only use us to their own ends.

I arn appealing to any member throughout
the state to become involved within your Unit
or Local or Region. YOU really can make a
difference. CSEA offers so much to people that
is underutilized.

There is so much we can accomplish if only
we took our Union more seriously.

e City councilmen and legislative leaders
who hear no opposition are more prone to
contract-out work and propose inadequate
wage increases.

e Employees die or are injured due to unsafe
working conditions when employees do not
learn of the laws that exist to protect them.

@ Contract language remains unread where
no one comes forth to be trained as a union
steward.

© Contracting-out of our jobs occurs when
employees fail to support their elected union
representative.

Take time to thank your local officers for ef-
forts they give on your behalf. Speaking from
personal experience, all the missed meals on
holidays, and the thousand of hours spent on the
phone can, at least, be justified if YOU were to
really care about yourself and your fellow
workers.

Don’t make the mistake of asking ‘‘What did
you do for me today?” Instead, try, “What can
WE accomplish together tomorrow?

S

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

WESTERN REGION VI | Roe oi anince:

Get out and cast your vote!

On November 6th vote as if
your job depends on the
outcome of the election because

it well may! Vote Mondale- Ferraro.

eA

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

Page-15

By Anita Manley
CSEA’ Communications Associate

NEW CITY — Alex Gromack, the Majority
Leader of the Rockland County Legislature, has
this advice for CSEA members: Get involved in
politics.

Gromack speaks with a broad perspective on
the matter. A senior recreation leader for the town
of Clarkstown, he’s been a CSEA member since
1976, as well as a shop steward for the Clarkstown
unit of Rockland County Local 844. He says that
union members can have a positive effect in lo-
cal politics.

“Many of these people have good ideas on how
to improve government. There’s no better way to
be heard,”’ he says.

Alex Gromack

CSEA's Alex Gromack finds politics
and unionism a potent mixture

A Rockland County resident for most of his life,
the young legislator began his political career by
helping his parents, who were actively involved
in local Democratic. politics, on various cam-
paigns. Later he joined the Clarkstown Democrat-
ic Committee, serving on the Executive Board and
working on a number of campaigns before decid-
ing “it was time”’ to run for the Legislature.

“T had a lot of support,” he said, “but I had no
illusions about changing the system overnight. I
consider myself hard working and honest and I
knew I’d have to spend a tremendous amount of
time as a legislator.”

Although Gromack is a newcomer to the Rock-
land Legislature, the highly respected freshman
politician was elected majority leader by his peers
this year.

He says his membership in CSEA has helped his
political career.

“T’m aware of how the relationship between
government and its employees should be. The
governing body has to listen to employees and give
them the respect they deserve. You have to be
able to communicate with unions. If you have the
rapport, you- can more easily resolve your
differences.”

Political support by CSEA last year was very
important to his election. ‘‘The endorsement by
CSEA was a big morale boost to my campaign,”
Gromack said. “It gave me a tremendous amount
of credibility. In addition, there are the votes —
it’s nice to have that extra push.” Gromack also
noted that CSEA members’ help in mailings and
on phone banks “was nice to have. I’m very ap-
preciative.” .

Asked if he has advice for anyone interested in
running for a political office, Gromack cautions
that politics is a full-time job. ‘‘If you’re not pre-
pared to give a lot of yourself, don’t run,” he

the community. If you have these ingredients, you

pendable and an asset to the union.”

i'm aware of how the relation-
ship between government and
its employees should be. The
governing body has to listen to
employees and give them the
respect they deserve. You have
to be able to communicate with
unions. If you have the rapport,
you can more easily resolve
your differences. , |

says. “You have to commit yourself to spending
a lot of time away from home.”

Gromack also advises aspiring politicians to get
involved in local campaigns, work with local com-
mittees and attend meetings. Most important, he
says, ‘‘be realistic about your base of support in

can seriously consider running for office.”’

Commenting on Gromack’s 1983 election, Rock-
land County Local President Frank Bosco said,
“This campaign was a perfect example of the po-
litical action process of CSEA at a local level. The
election was close and Alex defeated an incum-
bent. The impact of CSEA’s endorsement is
evident.”

Clarkstown Unit President Lee Pound said,
“Alex has been very supportive in union matters.
Asa shop steward, I find him to be interested, de-

‘We are a political and economic force’

Letchworth voter registration drive begun

THIELLS — Letchworth Local 412 CSHA and
PEF members joined together recently to kick off
a voter registration drive in the facility.

“This is the first time the two unions have come
together for this type of effort,” says Sarah Jack-
son, chairwoman of the facility’s Human Rela-
tions Committee, who also serves on the CSEA
Local 412 Political Action Committee.

Addressing the Letchworth employees earlier
this month, Sen. Linda Winikow of Rockland
County emphasized that political clout can only
be achieved by voting. ‘“‘You, as state employees,
have to have an open channel, a voice,’’ she said.
‘You can be more influential if you vote. The peo-
ple power in this institution is terrific.

“Leave no stone unturned,” she urged the com-
mittee members, ‘‘Get out into the community
and meet everyone face to face.”

“Tt is essential to register to vote,” added Letch-
worth Associate Director Norman Szymanski. ‘‘A
singular vote can be a deciding factor in an elec-
tion. I applaud your efforts. With over 3,000 peo-
ple employed here, we are a political and
economical force in this community.”

Facility Director Albert Robidoux, lauding the
committee for their efforts, commented, “If you
want to see change, you must be politically
active.”

According to those involved, the objective of the
drive is to register everyone, and registration
forms will be made available to all employees.

de

YOU CAN BE INFLUENTIAL — State Sen. Linda Winikow, second from left, holds up “Vote” sign
after helping to kick off a voter registration drive at Letchworth Village Developmental Center re-
cently. With Winikow are, from left, Ron Roberts of PEF, Letchworth Director Albert Robidoux, As-
sociate Director Norman Szymanski and Linda Jackson, a member of the CSEA Local 412 Political
Action Committee and chairwoman of the Letchworth Human Relations Committee.

Page 16

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

The following CSEA- endorsed candidates
deserve your vote November

Vote for these candidates for state Assembly

CSEA ASSEMBLY

CSEA ASSEMBLY

REGION

}

CSEA
REGION

1

DISTRICT

1

SSESSERESLSSSSRSRERBBESBRNESRSE

SENATE
DISTRICT

NAME
Joseph Sawicki. Jr.
John L. Behan
I, William Bianchi Jr.
No Endorsement
Paul Harenberg
Robert C. Wertz

Thomas F’, Barraga R-C-RTL
R

John C. Cochrane
John J. Flanagan
Toni Rettaliata
No Endorsement
Philip B. Healey
Lewis J. Yevoli

Frederick E. Parola Jr.

Angelo F. Orazio
May W. Newburger
Kemp Hannon
Barbara Patton
Armand P. D’Amato
Arthur J. Kremer
Gregory R. Becker
George H. Madison
Gerdi E. Lipschutz
Saul Weprin

John F. Duane

Julia Harrison
Nettie Mayersohn
Alan G. Hevesi
Cynthia Jenkins
Ralph Goldstein
Anthony S. Seminerio
Edward Abramson
Alton R. Waldon Jr.
Ivan C. Lafayette
Helen M. Marshall
Denis J. Butler
Kathy Nolan
Frederick D. Schmidt
Stanley Fink
Edward Griffith
Helene Weinstein
Rhoda S. Jacobs
Clarence Norman Jr.
Melvin H. Miller
Daniel L. Feldman
Howard L. Lasher
Frank J. Barbaro
Dov Hikind

Louis Freda

Joseph Lentol

PARTY
R : 51

RC : 52
D :

D
R-C

R
RC

D

SSSSSRESSSSSS4SELS

DL
DL
RC
DL
RC
DL
RC
R-C
D
DL
D
DL
D
DL
D
D
DC
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
DL
D-L
D
DL
D
DL
D
DL
DL
D
p

SSSLSERLSSSSSERSSLRSES

REGION DISTRICT

NAME
No Endorsement
Eileen C. Dugan
No Endorsement
Thomas F. Catapano
William F’. Boyland
Albert Vann
Roger L. Green
Elizabeth A. Connelly
Eric N.,Vitaliano
Robert A. Straniere
William F’. Passannante
Sheldon Silver
Steven Sanders
Richard N. Gottfried
Alexander B. Grannis
Mark Alan Siegel
Jerrold Nadler
Angelo DelToro
Edward C. Sullivan
No Endorsement
Herman D. Farrell Jr.
John Brian Murtaugh
Jose E. Serrano
Hector L. Diaz
John C. Dearie
Aurelia Greene
Jose Rivera
No Endorsement
-George Friedman
G. Oliver Koppell
Eliot L. Exel
No Endorsement
Nicholas A. Spano
Gordon W. Burrows
Ron Tocchi
Richard L. Brodsky
Peter M. Sullivan
Gregory P. Young
No Endorsement
Vincent L. Leibell IT
No Endorsement
Robert J. Connor
No Endorsement
Mary M. McPhillips
William J. Larkin Jr.
Lawrence E. Bennett
Stephen M. Saland
Richard I. Coombe
No Endorsement
Neil W. Kelleher

PARTY

CSEA ASSEMBLY

REGION DISTRICT

101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
il
112
113

147
148
i

NAME

Maurice D. Hinchey Jr.
Clarence D. Lane

Arnold Proskin

Richard J. Conners

No Endorsement

Michael R. McNulty

James Tedisco

No Endorsement

Glenn H. Harris

Andrew W. Ryan Jr.

John McCann

John G.A. O’Neill

Anthony J. Casale

H. Robert Nortz

William R. Sears

Richard S. Ruggiero

Ray T. Chesbro

Michael J. Bragman

William E. Bush RC
Melvin N. Zimmer D
Hyman M. Miller RC
Clarence D. Rappleyea, Jr. R
No Endorsement

James R. Tallon Jr.

Hugh S. MacNeil

George H. Winner Jr.

John R. Kuhl Jr.

Michael F. Nozzolio

Frank G. Talomie Sr. R-C
Louise McIntosh Slaughter D
Gary Proud D-L
A. Pinny Cooke

David F. Gantt

Roger J. Robach

James Nagle RC
Richard C. Wesley R
R. Stephen Hawley R
Joseph T. Pillittere D-RTL
Matthew J. Murphy Jr. D-C
Robin Schimminger D
Arthur 0, Eve DL
John B. Sheffer II R
Dennis T. Gorski DC
William B. Hoyt DL
Richard J. Keane DC
Francis J. Pordum D
L. William Paxon RC
Vincent J. Graber Sr.

Daniel B. Walsh

William L. Parment

Vote for these cundidates for state ‘Genuitec

Kenneth Pp TaValle
James J. Lack
Caesar Trunzo

No Endorsement
Ralph J. Marino

No Endorsement
Michael J. Tully Jr.
Norman J. Levy
Carol Berman
Andrew Jenkins
Frank Padavan
Leonard P. Stavisky
Emanuel R. Gold
George Onorato
Martin J. Knorr
Jeremy S. Weinstein
Howard E. Babbush
Donald M. Halperin
Martin M. Solomon
Thomas Bartosiewicz

CSEA SENATE
PARTY REGION DISTRICT

RC : 21
RC :
RC

RC

RC
RC
DL
DL
R
DL
DL
D
RC
DL
D
D
D
D

SSSESREERSESSSNSSESR

Marty eine
Anna V. Jefferson
Joseph G. Montalto
John J. Marchi

Franz S. Leichter

Leon Bogues

Olga A. Mendez

Joseph L. Galiber

Israel Ruiz Jr.

Abraham Bernstein

John D. Calandra

John E. Flynn

John M. Perone

Mary B. Goodhue

Eugene Levy

Richard E. Schermerhorn Re
Charles D. Cook RC
Jay P. Rolison Jr, RC

(SEA SENATE

REGION DISTRICT

42
43

SSSSSSSLESLSSESSSE

Howard C. ‘Nolan Jr.
Joseph L. Bruno
Hugh T. Farley
Ronald B. Stafford
* John McHugh

James H. Donovan
Martin S. Auer

Tarky Lombardi Sr..
LS. Riford Jr.
Warren M. Anderson
Thomas Schwartz

No Endorsement
John D. Perry
William Steinfeldt
Jess J. Present
William T. Stachowski
Anthony M. Masiello
Dale M. Volker

No Endorsement
John B. Daly

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

"page 17

st

More reasons why
DANGER \_ labor must defeat
President Reagan

Reagan is
hazardous

to American THE REAGAN THE MONDALE
workers’ RECORD: PROGRAM:

health

The Reagan Record has been one of favoring Waiter Mondale, a co-sponsor of the Occupa-
voluntary compliance instead of strong enforce- tional Safety and Health Act of 1970, supports a
ment; putting corporate profits ahead of worker strong OSHA program to protect worker safety
protection; of weakening standards for safety and health, through sound administration and
and health hazards and of ignoring legal require- vigorous enforcement of the law.

ments and responsibilities to protect workers on
the job.

Mondale’s commitment includes pledging:

In 1970 this country made a promise to
American workers that their lives and health
would be protected on the job. Congress
passed the Occupational Safety and Health
Act assuring safe and healthful working
conditions for all working men and women.
OSHA guaranteed that workers would no
longer be required to risk life, limb or health
in order to work. For 10 years the federal
government kept its promise—making steady
progress in the research and control of toxic
chemical exposures, training and education,
and guaranteeing worker and union rights
under the law.

Reagan’s actions to weaken OSHA include:

© To appoint dedicated professionals to adminis-
ter the nation’s safety and health programs,
with the concerns of the worker being the
highest priority.

¢ Appointment of Reagan campaign business
executives with no background in worker
safety and health to head OSHA.

* Failure to enforce the OSHA law and stripping
14 million workers of the right to full coverage
of OSHA inspections.

Full and effective enforcement of the OSHA
law and.all environmental health and safety
laws. As Vice President, Mondale opposed
Congressional amendments which would have
excluded 43 million workers from the full
coverage of OSHA inspections.

© Proposing a weakening of existing standards
for the toxic substances lead and cotton dust
and failing to issue necessary worker health
standards for cancer-causing agentslike
asbestos and EDB.

Strong standards for cotton dust, lead and
other toxic exposures and the vigorous enforce-
ment of these standards.

© Proposing requirements for workers to wear
respirators instead of requiring employers to
reduce toxic substances exposures.

Since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980,
the national promise to protect workers on
the job has been broken. Reagan has launched
an all-out assault on OSHA protections:
weakening standards, gutting enforcement,
and revoking worker and union rights under
the law.

OSHA action to eradicate the causes of
occupational disease and legislation to assure
just compensation and adequate health care
for victims of occupational disease.

e Endorsed human experimentation of textile
workers—allowing hazardous exposures to
cotton dust to determine if the 1978 OSHA
cotton dust standard is really needed to

protect from brown lung.

© Exclusion of 60 million workers in construc-
tion, service trades, transportation, and public
employment from federal right-to-know protec-
tions on workplace chemical hazards, and sup-
port of business efforts to eliminate existing

state and local right-to-know protections for

these workers.

The right of all Americans to know the hazard-
ous materials and chemicals they may have
been exposed to in their workplaces and
communities.

This year workers can stop the Reagan
assault on OSHA and recommit the nation to
protect worker’s safety and health... . The
choice is clear.

Reversal of Reagan OSHA budget cuts and
support of funding and staffing levels that will
allow OSHA to do its job,

REAGAN vs. WORKERS

A look at Reagan's track record on unions

@ Opposes reform of labor laws to protect workers’ right to organize, speed up union representation elections,
prevent employers from stalling and from discriminating against union activists.

@ Only President ever to break a union, PATCO, the air traffic controllers. Threw 11,000 persons out of work.
(None of complaints that drove PATCO to strike has been addressed adequately since Reagan broke the union
As a result, present controllers now make exactly same complaints, are moving toward unionization.)

@ First President of either party to stack NLRB with management attorneys, throwing board into turmoil. It can
not keep up with caseload, and findings tilt heavily against unions, for managements.

VOTE for Worker Safety
and Health

VOTE for the Future
VOTE Mondale-Ferraro,
Tuesday, November 6.

@ First administration ever to permit hospitals to charge government through Medicare for use of professional union-
busting consultants to break organizing efforts, strikes. Result: Taxpayers foot bill for union-busting,

e First President singe 1972 enactment of OSHA to retreat from its purposes, weaken its enforcement. Fewer
inspectors, fewer inspections add up to /ess safety/health on the job.

@ First President in decades to create economic atmosphere of “give*backs” by or “take-aways'’ from workers.

@ First administration to encourage right-wing union-busters in Congress in their drive to'fam through Hobbs Act
amendments to punish strikers with 20-year jail-terms for picket line incidents.

Page 18 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984

MONDALE |
FERRARO |

‘America is a future each generation must enlarge,
a promuse each generation must keep.’ —WALTER MONDALE
They’re fighting for your future, _
and America’s future is the issue

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, October 19, 1984 Page 19 |

Al

AFL-CIO PR!
Lane Kirkland:
Reagan.”

for President y,

ALBANY — A caravan of some of organized labor’s most powerful
leaders rolled into Albany last weekend as part of a nationwide effort by
labor to elect Walter Mondale President of the United States in November:

AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland, AFSCME International President
Gerald McEntee, and National Letter Carriers Union President Vincent
Sombrotto exhorted hundreds of union leaders and members who turned out
for the whistle-stop type rally here to bring an end to the Ronald Reagan
administration ‘‘of the rich, by the rich and for the rich,’ and replace him
with “a man who cares about people, treats labor fairly and who listens —
Walter Mondale.”

Kirkland said labor can help win for Mondale by informing working
people ‘that a vote for Reagan is a vote against the struggling workers of
this nation. That it’s a vote against lower interest and mortgages rates. That

‘A vote for Reagan is a vote against
the struggling workers of the nation.’
a

it’s a vote against giving young people, our own sons, daughters and
grandchildren, the chance to own their own home and have a job that can
provide them with dignity.”

AFSCME President McEntee told the audience that during the final
weeks of the campaign no one individual can win alone. “Mondale can’t do it
alone, Ferraro can’t do it alone, Lane Kirkland and the whole AFL-CIO
executive committee can’t do it alone. But together, with each person doing
his or her best, we can all pull together and overcome the challenge.”

McEntee urged the union audience to remind voters that “the
unemployment rate is still higher today than when Ronald Reagan first took
office. We have 2.5 million people who, because of his leadership, have given
up looking for a job, and we have 2.5 million more people who work in
parttime jobs because they can not find an fulltime positions ... and we
have 250,000 public sector workers throughout this nation that have been laid
off from their service oriented jobs because of cutbacks caused by Ronald
Reagan’s leadership.”

Sombrotto noted strongly that Reagan’s administration ‘thas caused the

Page 20

vil PRESIDEN

Gerald McEntee:
ean pull together and
overcome the chal-
lenge.”

“we

CSEA PRESIDENT
William L. McGowan
with U.S. Represen-
tative Sam Stratton,
left, on hand for the
rally.

The largest contingent at the rally consisted of members of CSEA. Among
unionists who took part was Capital Region IV President C. Allen Mead.

largest deficit in the history of this nation, larger than all the deficits of the
previous administrations of this nation since George Washington.”

Said Kirkland: “The choice boils down to one issue. Do we, the people,
want to continue being governed by an administration that doesn’t care
about the people or do we, the people, want to elect a government that will
care?”

Applause and chants of “Mondale and Ferraro” boiled up from the
audience, a majority of which appeared to be CSEA members and officials,
CSEA Local 1000 is the largest local within the million-member strong
AFSCME headed by McEntee.