Volume 7 No. 8 August 2004
LPRESIDENT
‘Vip
See story, photos on Pages 3, 12 and 13
Photo of the Month
I
Photo by Ed Molitor
AFSCME President Gerald McEntee swears in CSEA’s
statewide officers at their recent installation. From left
are President Danny Donohue, Executive Vice President
Mary E. Sullivan, Secretary Barbara Reeves and
Treasurer Maureen Malone.
Juanita Shine, 65, Metro Region activist
CSEA Metropolitan Region members recently mourned the loss of
longtime member and activist Juanita Shine. She was 65.
Shine, a mail room supervisor at the New York State Insurance Fund,
and a CSEA member for more than 30 years, was remembered for
always lending a hand to fellow workers and friends.
“She was always there for me, both professionally and personally,”
said Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio. “She had a
special way of reaching out to people and helping those in need.”
Active in her church and her Harlem community, Shine also held
numerous positions within the region and her local. In 1992 she was
elected 2"4 vice president of her local.
Shine was also a member of the local’s Women’s and Public Relations
committees and the Health and Safety Committee for the agency. She
also served on the region's PEOPLE, Women’s and Political Action
committees.
“She was truly dedicated to the union as far as her commitment and
involvement,” said Lester Crockett, Insurance Fund Local president and
a longtime friend.
“She was a good woman who will be missed by the State Insurance
family by our union family and, most of all, by her immediate family,”
said Crockett.
Shine is survived by her son, Bruce, and two daughters, Wendy and
Sabrina.
Ron Hill, 60, Capital Region activist
EPHRATAH — CSEA members in the Capital Region recently mourned
the loss of longtime activist Ronald C. Hill, 60, who died after a long
illness.
Hill was Ist vice president of CSEA state Department of Taxation and
Finance Local, and had also served as 2nd and 3rd vice president. Aside
from his position in the local, Hill also served on the Capital Region
Constitution and Bylaws Committee, and had also served on the
Convention Committee and Insurance Committee.
“Ronnie was someone you could always count on. He served his
community and the union well, and we'll sorely miss him,” said CSEA
President Danny Donohue.
‘A 1963 graduate of Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School, Hill served
20 years as Town of Ephratah justice, on the Ephratah Historical
Society, and was a 25-year secretary of the Fulton County Firefighters
Association and a 40-year member of the Rockwood Garoga Lassellsville
Volunteer Fire Department.
Hill also served and participated in numerous other civic
organizations.
Hill is survived by his wife, Elaine Starr Hill, and a son, James.
Nursing home battle
brews across state
LOCKPORT — Workers at Mt. View
Health Care Facility in Niagara County
have stepped up their campaign to
save the publicly operated nursing
home despite what CSEA officials
believe to be a well-orchestrated
campaign between county lawmakers
and a private business group.
At press time, Mt. View workers and
CSEA leaders were planning a news
conference in front of the home of
Majority Leader Malcolm Needler to
counter misleading statements he made
to the media about the county’s
willingness to keep Mt. View public.
CSEA plans to produce documents it
believes prove county officials decided
long ago to sell the facility.
“At the core of these fights across
the state is inadequate funding,” said
CSEA President Danny Donohue. “There
are a range of issues that CSEA has
been fighting for, but the bottom line is
we need critical changes to funding
formulas to relieve the financial burden
operating these facilities can put on
some communities. The formulas
reimburse public facilities unfairly
compared to other health care
facilities,” Donohue said.
Meanwhile workers who care for
residents at the facility are already
dealing with the fallout from the
proposed sale of the home. Unit
President Fran Faery said her members
face growing fear and anxiety among
residents who are worried they will
lose their home.
“We try our best to reassure them,”
Faery said. “You just have to keep
telling them everything's going to be all
right, but you can tell they see the
concern in our faces.”
The union leader predicted
admissions would drop sharply as a
result of the proposed sale.
“Families are hesitant to place their
loved ones at Mt. View because of the
uncertainty of the current situation,”
Faery said. “They no longer have any
assurance that their loved ones will
receive the quality care that we have
become known for.”
Uncertainty about the future of the
facility would also hinder the ability to
recruit talented new staff to work at the
nursing home.
“The inability to recruit and retain
qualified nursing staff is at a crisis
stage throughout New York state and
across the nation,” said Western Region
President Flo Tripi. “This action by the
legislature has only served to
exacerbate the problem here in Niagara
County.”
Arecent public poll showed more
than 80 percent of Niagara county
voters surveyed believe Mt. View
should be saved and that Mt. View
employees deserve competitive wages
and benefits.
Other battle fronts
CSEA recently won a major fight in
Ontario County to prevent that county
from contracting out its public nursing
home. But that victory was tempered
by a loss in Oswego County in a fight to
keep the Andrew Michaud Nursing
Home from being sold to the highest
bidder.
Oswego County CSEA members held
rallies, generated media interest and
swayed public opinion to their side, but
in the end, the county chose to sell the
home.
“It’s a shame for our members and
for the residents of the home, but the
greater shame is that we fought the
good fight and the county legislature
chose not to act in the best interest of
the public,” said Central Region
President Jim Moore. “We will continue
to work for our members and the
residents.”
Meanwhile, a similar fight is brewing
in Steuben County, where the county is
proposing to discontinue public
support of the county nursing home.
— Ed Molitor
CSEA President Danny Donohue to visit Western Region
CSEA President Danny Donohue will visit the CSEA Western Region office on
Thursday, Sept. 2, to meet with members.
The meetings will be held in the new region office at 120 Pineview Drive,
Amherst. Donohue will meet with union members from | to 7 p.m. Please call
the Western Region office at (716) 886-0391 for an appointment and directions.
The union expects to move to the new location in Amherst before the end of
August. Additional information about the relocation, including new telephone
numbers, will appear in the next Work Force.
Page 2 > THE WORK FORCE August 2004
Kerry_stands tall
Wows AFSCME delegates
ANAHEIM — Demonstrating that he is the
clear choice for all working Americans,
presidential candidate John Kerry wowed
delegates to AFSCME’s 36th International
Convention, including CSEA’s contingent.
In a rousing speech, full of style and
substance, Kerry touched on themes critical
to working people such as their right to
organize. He also committed himself to
opposing privatization of Social Security and
to securing a prescription drug benefit that
“puts seniors ahead of big drug companies.”
Members opinions
“People aren’t afraid to
voice their opinion at
the AFSCME convention.
They stand up and say
how they feel. It was
very informative. There
were people from all the
different states, Hawaii,
Alaska and all over and I
think that’s great,” said
CSEA Shenendehowa
Schools Unit activist
Judy Gardner. Gardner
was part of a group of delegates who shared
the stage with Kerry as a welcoming group.
“I think John Kerry will make a great
president. He seems very sincere when he
speaks. I was very glad when he announced
Edwards would run with him because I think
he’ll have a great chance of winning with
Edwards by his side.”
Kerry’s message to delegates and his
leadership ability was
given a ringing
endorsement the next
day by a man who
knows a whole lot
about what it takes to
lead America. Former
President Bill Clinton
praised Kerry's
character and
understanding of the
serious issues our
nation faces and urged
delegates to do all that
they can to ensure
Kerry is elected
president in November.
Gardner
Sap
Clinton
“A stronger America is also
one that’s respected in the
World. As Commander-In-
Chief, | will do whatever it
takes to keep our people and
our country safe and secure.”
“We’re not just Democrats
or Republicans. We are Americans. We have to end the
divisions in this country. We have to work together for the America we can
become.”
| a
Above, Rutha Bush, a delegate from
CSEA’s Long Island Region, shows her
support.
August 2004
“In America, a rising tide is supposed
to lift all boats. But today, the middle
class boat is taking on water. Like most
Americans, I believe we can do better
than 1.9 million lost private sector jobs,
rising costs and shrinking incomes. I
believe in the American economy and
American workers.”
More on AFSCME’s 36th International
Convention — Pages 12 and 13
On Page 1
CSEA members Charlie Peritore,
Retirees Division Chair, Casey
Walpole of the SUNY Oswego Local
and Judy Gardner of the
Shenendehowa Schools Unit join
presidential candidate John Kerry
at the podium during AFSCME’s
recent convention.
THE WORK FORCE Page 3
ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President
STEPHEN A. MADARASZ 7
Communications bitector & Publisher Put PEOPLE First
STANLEY HORNAK
Deputy Director of Communications
LOU HMIELESKI braham Lincoln once said “you may fool all
eee Ee people some of the time; you can even fool
Graphic Production Specialist some of the people all the time; but you can’t fool all of
JANICE M. KUCSKAR the people all the time.”
Graphic Production Specialist
donernaeane Dasistant As a working person, you can’t be fooled. You
know that the White House and Congress are
currently controlled by an alliance of big business and
The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is extremist conservatives.
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. ‘ , we
Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office, Their agenda is obvious: tax breaks for the
Albany, New York 12288. wealthy and big business; gut health and safety rules
Postmaster: Send address changes to: for working people so businesses can exploit
Bane Ann Membership Department. workers; and fight efforts by workers to organize
fashington Ave., any, . . +
CSEA online: The CSEA website unions so employers can have a free ride.
can be accessed at www.csealocal1000.org
If actions speak louder than words, efforts by the administration
Readers: to cut overtime pay and undermine unions says it all. It’s time to fight
‘Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to: 4 E
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue, back — put people first, take care of our children, and look after our
Albany, NY 12210-2303. elderly.
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES
RACHEL LANGERT Long Island Region Our pledge is secure jobs, affordable health care and protecting
. (631) 462-0030 our pensions and Social Security.
DAVID GALARZA. Metropolitan Region
(212) 406-2156 . . . ; oa
JANICE MARRA Southern Region The upcoming elections will be the most important in our lifetime.
(845) 831-1000 i
TREES ASAIN Capital Region As Sen. John Kerry recently told union members at our AFSCME
(618) 785-4400 Convention: “We’re not just Democrats or Republicans. We are
MARK M. KOTZIN Central Region Americans. We have to end the divisions in this country. We have to
RON WOFFORD oo Region work together for the America we can become.”
(716) 886-0391
ED MOLITOR aoe In that spirit, | am asking your support for PEOPLE — CSEA and
7 AFSCME’s federal political action committee which is dedicated to
The Publications Committee electing individuals who support the needs of working people. If you are
LONG ISLAND REGION Jane D'Amico not currently a member of the PEOPLE program I urge you to join today.
METROPOLITAN REGION Abraham Benjamin If you already support the program, please consider increasing your
BOUT TERN REGION) Rover 1 arene support or at least make a special, onetime contribution to PEOPLE. It’s
CaREh ee easy to do and urgently important. For an application or more
WESTERN REGION Mary Jo Tubbs information, contact the CSEA Political Action Department at
1-800-342-4146, ext. 1404.
_ga0R cOMMUNTC4y, EB ay
Ad Jaa
7 +AFLCIOICLS +
SSERNATIONA
ZLIDOSSN SN
cy
Page 4 THE WORKFORCE August 2004
TANF helps union members
achieve their nursing dreams
CSEA members across
the state recently
realized their dream of
becoming licensed
practical nurses.
The union members
were among the first
group of nursing
students to complete
their training under the
Temporary Assistance
to Needy Families
Health Worker Training
Initiative, which was
jointly developed by
CSEA and the County
Nursing Facilities of
New York to recruit and
retain health care
workers across the
state.
Six counties with
public nursing facilities
were given TANF grants.
Under the program,
participating employees
are given paid release
time from their jobs to
attend classes, while
the facilities are given
funding to cover
temporary replacement
workers. The grant also
covers the students’ full
tuition and related
expenses.
But finishing the
training wasn’t always
easy for the students,
CSEA members from Orange County take part ina
graduation ceremony recently, the culmination of
their training to become licensed practical nurses.
some of whom faced
academic, financial and
personal challenges
throughout the one-year
program.
Five CSEA members
employed at the Orange
County Residential
Health Care Facility
were among the 41
Orange County BOCES
students who
succeeded in the
program.
“It’s wonderful to be
finished,” said program
From left, Capital Region graduates Kathy Bondar,
Jody Shattuck, Leah Lloyd and Janet Rogers at
their graduation ceremony.
participant Diana
Torres, a CSEA member
and certified nursing
assistant at the Orange
County Residential
Health Care Facility. “If
it wasn’t for the CSEA
grant, I wouldn’t have
made it.”
Torres is planning to
continue working for
Orange County, where
she has been a CNA for
eight years.
“T really wanted to
become a nurse
because I wanted to
make a better life for
myself,” she said. “This
program really helps
people. I wouldn’t be
here otherwise.”
Melinda Benedict, a
CSEA member
employed as a food
service worker at the
Orange County
Residential Health Care
Facility, also completed
her nursing training
through the TANF
program.
“At first, | wasn’t even
going to take the
admissions test,” she
said. “But, I was
encouraged to take it
and I passed. Two
months into the
program, I fell in love
with nursing.”
Benedict, who was
granted release from
her kitchen duties for
her studies, described
the academic rigor of
the program as “out of
control.”
“We had condensed
two years (of study)
into one,” she said. “We
were being tested
practically every day.”
Benedict is also
hoping to continue
working at the Orange
County Residential
Health Care Facility as a
nurse while preparing
to take her state
certification
examinations.
Two of the Capital
Region’s graduates also
praised the program.
“I had always wanted
to further my education
but couldn’t afford it.
This grant gave me a
once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity,” said
Kathryn Bondar.
“This is a great
program that I would
have done years ago if it
was available,” said
Janet Rogers, who has
worked at Maplewood
Manor in Saratoga
County for 17 years.
“I never pursued an
LPN degree because I
thought I couldn’t do it.
Money was also a big
issue. But everything
just came together. I am
very proud.”
— Janice Marra
and Therese Assalian
Represents 60,000 Workers in
LEAL TL CAKE
SELVICES
“I really wanted
to become a
nurse because I
wanted to make a
better life for
myself. This
program really
helps people. |
wouldn’t be here
otherwise.”
CSERS Voices
667 t was my first
convention and it was
an exciting convention. I
think we need to bring
some of that excitement
that we saw at the
convention back to our
own members to get them
to vote for John Kerry for
president.99
— CSEA AFSCME
Delegate Dawn Sweeney,
Saratoga Educational
Local
August 2004 THE WORK FORCE Page 5
Represents 35,000 Workers in
COLMECTIONS etd
LAM EXECRCEMENT
“Ensuring that
youths are treated
and cared for in
appropriate settings
and that such
services are located
in areas where
youths reside is
critical to the
success of the OCFS
mission.”
CSER Voices
66 I ‘ve been in favor of John
Kerry for a long time, and
listening to him speak just
backed that up. He came
across exactly how I pictured
that he would, for working
people.
— Robbie Ellis, CSEA
AFSCME Delegate,
Livingston County
Page 6 THE WORKFORCE August 2004
OCFS legislation shot down
ALBANY — Important legislation designed to
protect workers and communities in the event
of layoffs at or closure of state run youth
facilities was vetoed, leaving little recourse for
communities to give fair warning when closing
youth facilities.
number of psychiatric centers across the state.
The union introduced the legislation in
response to Gov. George Pataki’s announced
intentions to move from facility-based to
community-based services at the agency.
“Ensuring that
As The Work
Force went to
press, the union
learned Gov.
George Pataki
has vetoed the
youths are
treated and cared
for in appropriate
settings and that
such services are
located in areas
measure. where youths
The new law > reside is critical
would have New York oer on & Family Serv ices to the success of
required 12 iy Office of Childre ; the OCFS
months V4 L mission,”
notification to a . id : p Donohue said.
affected local coon 1. Patabi, Govern x aoe “This bill would
governments and i } help meet this
employee /t _E goal as well as set
organizations Legislation sought by CSEA would have forced the state to up a methodical
prior to the give one-year’s notice to communities that would be approach to
closure of or
significant
reduction in
affected by proposed closings of Office of Children and
Family Services facilities. Pictured here is the entrance to
the Brookwood facility, which the state has no plans of
closing state-
operated youth
facilities, as well
services at
secure or limited
secure facilities operated by the Office of
Children and Family Services.
“OCFS youth facilities play an important role
in the rehabilitation of troubled youths and
maintenance of public safety,” said CSEA
President Danny Donohue. “The process of
closing an OCFS facility should not be entered
into lightly or done sporadically, but should be
well planned and thought out.”
The new OCFS legislation was modeled after
an existing law that prohibits the closure of or
significant reduction in services at state Office
of Mental Health (OMH) facilities without 12-
month notification to affected communities
and employee organizations. CSEA has waged
a number of successful lawsuits against OMH
under that law, preventing the closure of a
closing.
as ensuring a
more smooth
transition for clients, affected communities
and employees.”
Another CSEA-sponsored bill prohibiting
privatization of secure and limited secure
facilities that house youths placed with or
committed to the custody of OCFS has passed
both houses of the legislature, which has until
the end of the year to deliver the bill to the
governor for his signature. That bill (A.10290 -
John / S.6213 - Robach) further requires that
employees of the state who are in the
classified civil service must perform the
custody and supervision of youths placed in
OCFS facilities.
— Ed Molitor
CSEA court workers approve contract
ALBANY — CSEA members
have decisively ratified a new
four-year agreement for more
than 5,000 state Unified Court
System employees. The
contract mirrors a pact
reached earlier with state leave.
Executive Branch employees.
The contract includes pay
increases and a signing bonus,
plus enhanced health care
coverage and the option to
reduce the cost of health
insurance premiums by
applying unused vacation
unit that includes attorneys,
court reporters, clerks, court
officers and support staff at
various locations throughout
New York state.
The ratification count was
1,981 to 154.
The agreement covers
employees in a wall-to-wall
Using lunch to lose weight
MANHATTAN — A
dollar a day wouldn’t
normally buy many
beverages in New York
City, much less lunch
or a gym membership.
But for CSEA
members employed by
the state Insurance
Fund, that daily dollar
is buying beverages,
nutritious lunches and
a new, healthy lifestyle
that is extending off the
job.
Jacqueline Stanford,
treasurer at the state
Insurance Fund Local
and a 27-year CSEA
member, recently
organized a “lunch
club” at her downtown
work site to help her
co-workers address
their health needs.
Stanford cooked up
the program after CSEA
member Zelda
Williams, a clerk at the
Insurance Fund, told
Stanford her doctor
was urging Williams to
lose weight.
“She was missing a
lot of work because of
her health problems, so
I told her that we
would have healthy
lunches and start
walking,” Stanford said.
Sharon Shepard, left, and Ayoku Sweeney, both
“That’s how it started.”
Williams, who suffers
from osteoarthritis in
her knee, said she was
willing to try the
program because none
of the methods her
doctor had
recommended to
relieve pain had been
successful. Because the
pain made it difficult to
walk, Williams often
didn’t leave her desk.
“I'm tired of
medications,” she said.
“I started out slowly,
but I’m working hard. I
also (eat lightly and
exercise) at home.”
Participating
employees, who
include management
and PEF members, pay
$10 to Stanford during
every two-week pay
period for food and
beverages. Stanford
prepares the meals at
her home and serves
them during lunch
hours.
Meals typically
include various meat,
seafood and vegetable-
based salads, deli
meats, hot entrees,
breads and fruits. In
addition to the healthy
meals, workers also
clerks at the state Insurance Fund, briskly walk
around the SIF building during their lunch hour
on an inclement day. Both are participating in
the lunch club organized by Jackie Stanford.
r is
Jackie Stanford, left, serves up a healthy lunch
to Angelina Hodges, right.
spend their lunch
breaks walking around
the building, or outside.
One popular walking
spot is the nearby
Brooklyn Bridge.
“I take this very
seriously,” Williams
said. “Jackie and
everyone else here
stays on my case to
make sure I keep
going.”
Angelina Hodges, an
investigator and 10-
year CSEA member, is
reaping from the
program both health
and financial benefits.
“T used to spend at
least $5 per day on
lunch,” she said. “Now,
I'm saving money and I
lost 22 pounds. I want
to lose some more
weight, and I’m on my
way.”
Hodges is not alone.
“We have several
people who have really
lost weight,” Stanford
said. “Other people
have toned up. They
are a lot more healthy
and they are able to
concentrate on work so
much better.”
Walter Anthony, a
keyboard specialist and
11-year CSEA member,
is happy with trimming
his waistline and
fattening his wallet.
“This food is
nutritious, delicious
and prepared with a lot
of love,” he said. “It’s
great that we sit down
and socialize with each
other for a few minutes
every day in an
environment that can
be stressful. This is
soul food in every
sense of the word, and
Jackie is the catalyst
that makes it happen.”
Williams is also
making progress. She
has lost 22 pounds and
she is now able to walk
around her building.
Her absences from
work and the pain in
her knee have both
decreased, and one of
her goals is to be able
to walk across the
Brooklyn Bridge.
“I'm wearing clothes
that I haven’t been able
to wear before,” she
said. “I just want to
watch my weight
continue to come
down. The greatest
feeling that I have had
is when Jackie started
this program for me,
and I am so grateful. No
one has offered to help
me like this before, and
I don’t want to let
anyone down.”
— Janice Marra
Represents 50,000 Workers in
SUCUAL SEKWWLCES end
FARIVIINTSS
SEL LCES
IVE
“Other people
have toned up.
They are a lot
more healthy
and they are
able to
concentrate on
work so much
better.”
CSER Voices
13 Fv more
impressive than
John Kerry's speech to
the delegates were the
things that Bill Clinton
had to say about John
Kerry.”
— Meg Shutka, AFSCME
Convention Delegate
Town of Brookhaven
August 2004 THE WORKFORCE Page 7
Represents 30,000 Workers in
Vu AST rE iN MANAGE HEN
IRERASTRU CLUES
“On a weekend,
there can be as
many as six shows;
11, 3 and 7:30,
Saturday and
Sunday. That leaves
only an hour and a
half, or as little as
45 minutes to
clean up after each
show.”
CSER Voices
“yen Kerry’s address to
the AFSCME delegates
was very interesting. He’s got
a lot of different views than
the president does now. With
Kerry, working families have
a lot to look forward to.99
— CSEA AFSCME
Delegate Harry Ader,
Longwood School
District
Page 8 THE WORK FORCE August 2004
When the lights go up, they go on
HEMPSTEAD — When Billy Joel
breaks into song; when the
Islanders bury the puck in the
net; when figure skating
champions or Cookie Monster
glide over the ice, thousands of
people pour into Nassau Veterans
Memorial Coliseum to witness
that magical moment.
It’s when the house lights
come back on that the clock
starts ticking loudly for the
nearly 100 CSEA members who
work the 16,000-seat arena.
“On a weekend, there can be as
many as six shows; 11, 3 and
7:30, Saturday and Sunday,” said
CSEA Nassau Coliseum Local
Treasurer Frank Benincasa.
“That leaves only an hour and
a half, or as little as 45 minutes to
clean up after each show.”
Under the gum
No matter what patrons leave
behind, the place has to be
spotless before the next show
goes on.
“After something like a
Rangers-Islanders hockey game,
there can be a lot of food
containers, beer spills and empty
cups lying around. After family
shows, there’s Snow Cones,
popcorn, drinks — it gets very
sticky on the floor and the seats.
Then gum gets all over the
place,” said Benincasa.
As someone who’s had to deal
with lots of chewed gum in his
time, former school custodian
and current Long Island Region
President Nick LaMorte said the
Coliseum workers deserve a lot
of credit. “They handle a high
volume, tough job in a very
professional manner,” he said.
“It’s backbreaking, thankless
work that never ends, and most
people never give it a second
thought,” said LaMorte.
Juan Polanco, who has 18
years of service, said there’s
never a dull moment at the
Coliseum. “There’s always
pressure. If the bosses find
anything wrong, they get on the
radio right away, especially for
hockey,” he said. “But it’s also
CSEA members from the Nassau Coliseum Local swing into action
following a circus performance at the arena. Workers sometimes
have to prepare the arena for multiple performances in a day.
interesting because of all the
different events.”
The quick pace rarely lets up.
Hockey is a constant from
September to April. There’s arena
football from February to May;
concerts and huge expos like the
Boat, Car or Home Show are
scheduled all year round.
Machine operator Douglas
Casasayas uses equipment such
as scrubbers, blowers and
buffers to make sure that the
showplace shines at all times,
from the parking lot pavement to
the corridors around the
concession stands.
Frank Benincasa steers his
cleaning machine around circus
props.
Racing the ice
“The toughest part of the job is
picking up after a hockey game.
We have to take the white paint
off the ice before the melting ice
dries. Once the paint dries onto
the floor, then it’s even harder to
get it all up,” said Casasayas.
Shop Steward Lena Brody was
cleaning off the counters and
railings following a visit from the
Ringling Brothers-Barnum &
Bailey Circus.
“My main job is to clean the
locker rooms for the Islanders,
the home team. It’s stressful
work. It’s hard labor and it can be
difficult,” said Brody. But she was
anticipating the next day when
the circus would be pulling up
stakes and leaving town.
“After they leave here it’s a lot
of work. I mean, where the
animals are kept has to be
thoroughly cleaned and
sanitized.”
And CSEA members do it so
well, that the next time the Home
Show sets up in the Coliseum
expo center, no one would ever
know that circus animals once
set up house in that very same
spot.
— Rachel Langert
Lakeland demands respect
CORTLANDT MANOR — CSEA is
questioning the Lakeland School
District’s ability to prepare its
school buildings for the new
school year after
CSEA members recently attended
a district Board of Education
meeting to demand action and
respect from school officials.
“We were unhappy
the district laid off
12 CSEA custodians
under its adopted
budget.
The district also
made cuts to
teachers’ aides’ and
clerical employees’
“Lakeland works
because we work.
We have to work
together on finding
creative solutions to
these problems.”
with the cuts and
we have been
voicing our
objections,”
Lakeland School
District CSEA Unit
President Mary
Miguez said. “We
have serious
positions.
The unit has also been working
without a contract since June 30,
2003, and negotiations are now at
impasse, with a mediation
session tentatively scheduled
later this summer. Main issues
stalling negotiations include
those wages, health insurance
and clerical upgrades.
Between the layoffs and
reservations about the increased
workload for the employees who
remain and their ability to
accomplish them. But, of course,
we will do the work.”
Unit Treasurer Tom Connor
called CSEA district employees
“dedicated,” noting that workers
are willing to help accomplish
tasks to help serve the district’s
“Lakeland works because we
work,” he said.
Connor added that while CSEA
employees understand about the
district’s budget constraints, the
workers don’t condone the cuts.
“We have to work together on
finding creative solutions to these
problems,” he said.
“There’s a lot of work to be
done. We are now down
necessary employees in the
buildings, and how are we going
to get the schools open in
September?”
Miguez is also anxious to find a
solution that will benefit all
involved.
“We are essential employees of
this district, and we want and
demand respect,” she said. “We're
tired of just talking - we want
action.”
— Janice Marra
contract fight, more than 100 children.
Yonkers to fight cuts
YONKERS — CSEA has developed a campaign to
appeal to the Yonkers City Council to find a long-
term solution to a continuing school funding crisis.
The Yonkers Board of Education cut about $34
million from its 2004-05 budget, eliminating 536
district jobs, interscholastic sports and
extracurricular activities.
About 114 of the slashed jobs are CSEA positions,
with most of the elimination in the public safety
officer and teacher aide titles.
The board had made its cuts during a recent
emergency meeting, and still faces a $16 million
deficit.
The city schools once again face a budget
shortage, but in previous years, the district had
been bailed out by the state at the last minute.
Because of the state’s own fiscal problems and
statewide demand for already limited education
funding, the chances for a state bail out this year are
looking remote.
Kasime Rodriguez, who serves as the CSEA
Yonkers Public Schools Unit’s 2nd vice president,
called the latest round of fiscal crisis “horrible.”
“These last five years have been the worst for us,”
she said. “If we’re expected to go with the flow and
make cuts, then the city and the district should cut
all unnecessary spending. Many of us live paycheck
to paycheck, yet we’re the ones who suffer.”
CSEA is seeking additional education funding from
the city, which funnels state money into the district
of; >
CSEA member Melody Santiago, right, stands
before the Yonkers City Council at the city’s
recent budget hearing to appeal for increased
education funding for the Yonkers Public
Schools.
as one of the state’s “Big Five” districts. The union
has proposed several ways for city officials to
increase the district's funding. CSEA is reaching out
to members who live in Yonkers to urge them to
contact city officials to demand changes in the way
that the city funds the schools.
— Janice Marra
Represents 55,000 Workers in
EPUCATLOL SUELO
SELNVLCES
“We are
essential
employees of this
district, and we
want and
demand respect.
We’re tired of
just talking — we
want action.”
CSEi Voices
Wie I enjoyed about the
AFSCME convention
was being able to get together
as a group with the other
AFSCME members. The
convention itself was just so
great. I think John Kerry is
great and I’m 100 percent
behind him.
— Linda Schwab, CSEA
AFSCME Delegate,
state Higher Education
Services Corp. Local
August 2004 THE WORK FORCE Page 9
WANTAGH — If you ever rented a beach
umbrella and used it to claim a portion of
the clean, white sand at Jones Beach, or
wondered where the umbrella came from or
the miles of colorful awnings and flags
decorating the boardwalk, wonder no more.
The umbrellas, banners, flags, clean sand
and many other attributes that make Jones
Beach a prime New York summer haven are
made and cared for by CSEA members.
“Not just for Jones Beach, but for the
other Long Island state parks as well. | make
the flag lines and the lines attach to
hardware, and then I tack them. There’s a
lot of work involved,” said Chrisann Peters-
Atkins, a 14-year member of CSEA Long
Island Parks and Recreation Local.
The local’s members are a driving force
behind readying the beach and park for its
75th anniversary this month.
Peters-Atkins and Norma Sanchez, a
seasonal worker on her third summer at
Jones Beach, snip and sew then mount the
I AeA oe
= E¢ (A.
Zick Ue Marke
OZ
A post card from Jones Beach shows the
beach’s undulating dunes.
Keeping Jones Beach strong at 75
new umbrellas on their frames, to help
protect sun worshippers from getting too
many rays.
“Normally in winter there's 120
employees, but in summer the number
swells to 1,500 seasonal,” said Parks Local
President Paul D’Aleo. “They pick up
papers, wash bathrooms, and generally keep
the place in great shape. I think they're a
bunch of diligent, hard working, courteous
people, and their work has only increased
ten-fold over the years,” he said.
Beach combers
When the morning sun glints off the
waves, you can find Mike DiNonno and Don
Tirico prepping the sand for visitors with a
tractor-drawn surf rake.
“[ certainly wouldn't want to rake this by
hand!” said Tirico. “We use the rake to clean
the beach and fluff the sand, all six miles of
it. It picks up any cigarette butts, broken
glass, or anything that could possibly cause
patrons an injury,” he said.
Safety is also job one for the mechanics
working at Jones Beach. “From state police
cars to bulldozers and the surf rake, I work
on everything that moves, here,” said
mechanic Joe Rodriguez, as he used a little
heat to free up some nuts and bolts on a
wheel hub.
Mechanic John Clarke joined the crew
about a year ago, after working in the
private sector. He said he prefers public
employment.
“There’s a lot more concern in making the
vehicles run in a top notch fashion. We try
to be safe, work safe and keep everybody
else safe, too,” said Clarke.
“We work at our own pace, and get things
Norma Sanchez and Chrisann Peters-
Atkins sew and assemble umbrellas in the
off-season at Jones Beach.
done with quality,” said mechanic Jose
Roberto Garcia. “I'm working with good
people. What’s not to love?” he said.
Moses’ promised land
It’s hard to imagine right now, but this
gorgeous stretch of land once was a barren
sandbar, accessible only by boat. Robert
Moses changed all that 75 years ago this
summer. After falling in love with the South
Shore, Moses dreamed up this nautical-
themed haven of recreation, and Jones
Beach was born.
Moses’ vision was driven by then-Gov.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's need for a major
public works project during the Depression.
‘The undertaking became a model later on
for Roosevelt's federal Work Projects
Administration.
Moses designed the beach to be self-
sufficient. There's a water treatment plant,
water tower, and generators, should the
Page 10 August 2004
THE WORK FORCE
Early employees at Jones Beach
wore sailor suits. The beach
opened to the public 75 years
ago.
power go out. The underdeveloped West
End Area of the park is a haven for
migratory birds and plants, drawing
thousands of anglers and birdwatchers
throughout the year.
There are concession stands, (the
restaurant is being renovated), swimming
pools, a band shell, pitch and putt golf,
and you can even catch a world class live
show at the Jones Beach Theater.
Despite all of the accommodations that
have been made for the up to 6 million
patrons who visit Jones Beach each year,
it is still the sand and surf that gives the
Above right, mechanic Joe Rodriguez
uses heat to loosen nuts on a vehicle. In
middle, mechanic John Clarke works on
a parks vehicle. At bottom left, Don
Tirico clears debris from a tractor-drawn
beach rake.
park its special glitter, no matter what
time of year, no matter what the weather.
“Just being outside, enjoying the fresh
air and sunshine is great,” said Mike
DiNonno as he raked the beach. “Every
day is different. It’s like having your own
house by the water,” he said, an Endless
Summer House, carefully maintained by
CSEA members.
— Rachel Langert
Jones Beach timeline
1700: Maj. Thomas Jones establishes a
whaling station on what is now Jones
Beach.
Dec. 18, 1888: Robert Moses born in New
Haven, Conn.
1922: Robert Moses buys a summer home
at Gilgo Beach in Babylon.
1924: Robert Moses named chairman of
State Council of Parks and chairman of
Long Island State Parks Commission.
December 1926: First engineering survey
stake driven into sand at what would
become Jones Beach water tower.
1927: Construction begins at Jones Beach.
Aug. 4, 1929: Jones Beach opened to public
— Wantagh Causeway and Southern State
Parkway which connect to Jones Beach,
also open. 25,000 cars rode Wantagh
Parkway on first day.
1930: Gov. Franklin Roosevelt places
cornerstone for the West Bathhouse of
Jones Beach. In the fall, the Ocean Parkway
opens.
July 1931: West End Bathhouse dedicated.
1946: CSEA Parks and Recreation Local 102
chartered. (See Years of Progress, Page 14)
August 2004 Page 11
“It is time to take back
America. This union is
about building its
membership — building
its political power so we
can fight for better
wages, benefits and
working conditions.”
ANAHEIM — Thousands of
enthusiastic delegates, including
CSEA’s contingent, made it clear
they're ready to fight to take back
America at AFSCME's 36th
International Convention.
International President Gerald
McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer
William Lucy set the tone in their
speeches to the delegates.
“Sisters and Brothers, we are at
a truly historic moment,”
McEntee said. “Our union faces
unprecedented challenges —
dangers that threaten our very
existence. We are dealing with
people who score public services,
disrespect the workers who
provide them — and their unions.
CELEBRATING CSEA ORGANIZING
SUCCESS — Brooklyn DDSO CSEA Local
President Denise Berkley, right, emceed
a convention program that celebrated
AFSCME Organizing victories over the
past two years. Above, Bronx
Psychiatric CSEA President Abraham
Benjamin testifies to the solidarity that
led to recognition for QSAC employees
with the help of CSEA activists in New
York City. An enthusiastic group of
delegates including Finger Lakes DDSO
Local President Kathy Button, Western
Region President Flo Tripi and Nassau
County activist Rudy Bruce showed
their support.
People who don’t want to pay
taxes to support their country.
Day after day our values are
under attack.”
“It is time to take back
America,” Lucy said. “This union
is about building its membership
— building its political power so
we can fight for better wages,
benefits and working conditions.
But in the months and years to
come, let us commit ourselves to
building a better society.”
Delegates heard from numerous
guest speakers including
AFSCME's endorsed presidential
candidate John Kerry (see story
& photos pages 1 & 3); former
President Bill Clinton; AFL-CIO
Executive Vice President Linda
Chavez Thompson; Rev. Jesse
Jackson; Los Angeles Mayor
James Hahn; political strategist
Donna Brazile and New York
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.
Scores of AFSCME
Constitutional Amendments and
resolutions were debated and
acted upon, including an
amendment to adjust the
International's minimum dues
rate and the rate of the
International Union per capita tax
to ensure adequate resources for
organizing and approaching
fights.
POUNDING THE PAVEMENT
FOR PEt
;OPLE — CSEA had a healthy
contingent of participants in the PEOPLE Run/Walk for Power. From
left Yvonne Brown, Gerry Prince, Nancy Hart, Marie Prince, Lester
Crockett (who finished first among the CSEA activists), Bernadette
Giambra, Christine Covell, Nancy Ianson and George Kalamaras.
PEOPLE is CSEA and AFSCME’s federal Political Action Committee
which raises funding to support candidates friendly to working
families.
Page 12 THE WORK FORCE August 2004
to take back America
CSEA INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS RE-ELECTED — CSEA President Danny Donohue,
Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan, and Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio
were all re-elected as International Vice Presidents of AFSCME.
NORM — Actor George Wendt, best know for his
portrayal of Norm on the sitcom “Cheers” served as
master of ceremonies for AFSCME’s Star of Excellence
awards program. The CSEA Metropolitan Region
Member Organizing Committee was among those
recognized. They were feted for their efforts in helping
the employees of QSAC, a not-for-profit program serving
the autism community, to organize.
“Every CSEA
member should
have a chance to
see what goes on
at the AFSCME
Convention. It’s
exciting to be a
part of it and to
hear people say
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE — Standing
beneath a giant screen emblazoned with the
names of nearly 1,000 AFSCME members who
are or have been on active duty in the armed what they think
forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, former about the
prisoner of war Shoshana Johnson, right, issues.”
presented a tribute to military personnel. — First time
Johnson was among 17 members of the convention
Army’s 507th Maintenance Company ambushed in Iraq in March delegate Fritz
2003. Eleven of her unit were killed. She was wounded in both Ernst, Rockland
legs and spent 22 days in captivity. CSEA’s Charles Peritore, a ent
WW II veteran, above left, and Len Beaulieu, third from left, a County Highway
Vietnam War veteran, were part of the tribute’s Honor Guard. Department, right.
Photo by Tom Rogalski
SPITZER WARMLY WELCOMED —
New York Attorney General Eliot
Spitzer received a warm welcome
from the New York delegation in
particular as a featured speaker.
Spitzer spoke about his efforts to
curtail Wall Street and other
corporate excesses while protecting
investor and consumer interests.
August 2004 THE WORKFORCE Page 13
No
EXCUSES...
58 years ago ...
In the aftermath of World War Il, 1946 was a
watershed year for CSEA. The Association changed its
name to become the Civil Service Employees
Association (it had previously been named the
Association of State Civil Service Employees since its
inception in 1910) and changed its constitution to
enable local government employees to join.
Under the leadership of then-President Dr. Frank
Tolman, the organization set the stage for a period of
enormous growth which was soon to follow. The
association’s Southern Regional Conference of
Chapters was established and a wide range of rights
and benefits were secured for the state work force
including the establishment of leave rules for
institutional employees and improvements in state
emergency pay.
CSEA also expanded its legal representation and
increased its field work force to two representatives.
Page 14 THE WORKFORCE August 2004
Also in 1946...
+ President Harry S. Truman officially
declares an end of hostilities in World
War Il.
: The first meeting of the United
Nations is held on Long Island.
% The Chinese civil war intensifies.
% Ho Chi Minh is elected president of
North Vietnam.
+ Top films include: “The Best Years of
Our Lives,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The
Big Sleep” and “Notorious.”
% George Orwell's “Animal Farm” is
book of the year in the United States.
*# Color television is demonstrated.
# The St. Louis Cardinals defeat the
Boston Red Sox in baseball’s World
Series.
CBTU conference sparks
union activism for Nov. 2
ATLANTA — The 33rd
annual conference of the
Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists (CBTU) was a
rock-bed foundation for,
and inspirational
crusade kickoff, toward
electing a U.S. president
who will
listen to and
address the
CSE
register voters.
In addition to the
conference workshops
on various worker rights
and protections issues,
a focus on building
voter registration drives
and mobilizing
registered
voters to go
that final step
concerns of artanfreet to the ballot
: EW VORK'S,
working LEADING UNION box, was
OS on 265,000 Me Strong ee
e FOR "r e
delegation, FPABORIEIN November
led by election was
President prominently
Danny Donohue, was
one of the largest at this
year’s event, themed
“On the Road to the
Ballot Box: Building a
Coalition for Victory.”
The “Effective Voter
Mobilization,” workshop
offered the how-to's of
voter registration,
mobilization and get-out-
the-vote efforts. As part
of the conference
activities, CBTU
delegates boarded a
bus, and traveled into
several Atlanta
neighborhoods to
addressed in two
parallel, sub-
conferences: the CBTU
National Youth
Conference, “Why is the
Ballot Box Important to
Me?” and the CBTU
Retirees Conference,
“The Senior Vote —
Making It Count!”
“The CBTU
conference is a great
illustration and example
of the unity within the
family of labor,” said
CSEA President Danny
Donohue. “And we will
need a great, unified
Al we
CBTU Long Island Chapter President Rudy Bruce,
center, proudly holds the CBTU award, surrounded
by several chapter members.
effort to defeat the foes
of labor in this year’s
elections.”
Active every year at
the CBTU national
conference, Donohue
was a panelist ina
special policy forum
that focused on “The
Economic Meltdown in
America: Winners and
Losers.”
Many CSEA members
and staff, from CBTU
chapters in Buffalo,
Rochester, Syracuse,
Albany, New York City
and Long Island served
the conference in a
voluntary capacity.
CSEA Long Island
member Les Eason took
attendees’ blood
pressure at the nurses
station while other CSEA
members assisted with
registration, sergeant-at-
arms duties, committee
work, photography, and
conducting workshops.
CBTU President and
AFSCME International
Secretary-Treasurer Bill
Lucy, and his entire
incumbent slate of
officers, were re-elected
From left, Danny Barton, CSEA Erie County Local,
Sandria Banks, Troop A State Police Local, and
Ruby Means of the Erie County Local at the CBTU
national conference. CSEA members attending the
conference worked to develop plans to increase
voter turnout in this fall’s elections.
for two years without
opposition. CSEA
Metropolitan Region
President George
Boncoraglio co-chaired
the elections committee.
Among the many
powerful speakers,
AFSCME President
Gerald McEntee and
Rev. Jesse Jackson
challenged the delegates
to take their energized
spirit back to their
communities and get to
work to elect a new
president.
— Ron Wofford
For more information
about the conference
and the Coalition of
Black Trade Unionists,
visit www.cbtu.org.
LI CBTU chapter receives award
Members of the Long
Island chapter of the
Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists received
national recognition for
their dedication to the
trade unionist
movement at the CBTU
annual conference in
Atlanta.
The LI chapter, which
was chartered in 2001,
was named best chapter
in the country due to
their exemplary activism
and service to the
community.
“We’ve come a long
way, but there are so
many more things we
still need to do,” said
Chapter President Rudy
Bruce upon receiving
the award. “So we’re
gratified, but we will not
relent. We will continue
to ‘keep the hammer
down’ and keep
agitating to achieve
better conditions for all
working people.”
— Rachel Langert
August 2004. THE WORK FORCE Page 15
at’s In It For You?
When
please contact the
EBF at 1-800-323-2732
should a for the appropriate
CSEA EBF ss Arscwé tocel 1000, arco ste to W the bag '
EMPLOYEE ne of the bigges:
enrollment BENEFIT FUND Misconceptions is
card be that when you notify
filled out?
There are only a few times
when a CSEA member will have
to complete an Employee
Benefit Fund (EBF) enrollment
form.
The first is when the member
initially comes on board with
the Employee Benefit Fund.
This enrollment form is sent to
the member automatically in
their “Welcome Aboard”
package.
This lets the EBF know which
dependents are to receive
dental and/or vision benefits. It
also asks for pertinent
information such as dates of
birth, member/spouse’s social
security number and date of
marriage.
This information helps the
EBF determine if additional
information needs to be
requested from the member
such as student proof for a
child, or a “Proof of
Dependency” form to
determine if a dependent is a
stepchild and where he/she
resides.
If both parents are CSEA EBF
members, then coverage for
the children is determined by
the “birthday rule.”
This means that the children
will be covered under
whichever parent’s birthday
falls first in the calendar year.
Anew enrollment form is
required if there is an addition
to the family such as a
marriage, birth or adoption. In
the event that a legal
separation/divorce occurs, or a
dependent needs to be
removed for any other reason,
your personnel
department of a change on
your health insurance it will be
reported to the Employee
Benefit Fund. This is not the
case!
Please remember that a
separate enrollment form will
be needed for the Employee
Benefit Fund. Please note that
due to EBF regulations, the
enrollment form must be
completed and signed by the
member.
The personnel/human
resources department cannot
complete forms on your behalf.
Additionally, in the event of
an address change, the
Employee Benefit Fund must be
notified to keep our records up
to date.
It is also important to
remember to contact the
membership records
department at CSEA
headquarters at 1-800-342-4146.
As always please contact the
EBF if any question arises
regarding the enrollment card
or any of your CSEA EBF
benefits.
Protecting Your Benefits
Visit the CSEA
Employee Benefit
Fund online to
access a wealth of
information about
various benefit plans
and download forms.
Go to
www.cseaebf.com
today!
Health
Benefits:
Department
Planning For
2005 Health
Care Expenses
(Don’t forget to
include Over-
the-Counter
Drugs)
The Health Care Spending
Account (HCSAccount) is a
negotiated employee benefit that
helps state employees pay for
health-related expenses with tax-
free dollars.
This includes medical,
hospital, laboratory, prescription
drug, dental, vision and hearing
expenses that are not
reimbursed by your insurance or
other benefit plans.
Effective July 1, 2004, as a
result of new collective
bargaining agreements, over-the-
counter (OTC) drug expenses
will become reimbursable for
CSEA state enrollees under the
HCSAccount.
Reimbursable expenses under
this new benefit include OTC
drugs or supplies used to treat a
medical condition or illness,
including allergy remedies,
antacids, cold medicines and
pain relievers.
Products that are intended for
cosmetic use are not eligible for
reimbursement.
Before participating in the
HCSAccount program, you
should carefully consider what
your eligible expenses might be.
Reviewing your expenses from
previous years can help.
Once you have estimated the
amount of your expenses, you
may then determine how much
to contribute to your
HCSAccount.
Under federal law, any money
that you put into your
HCSAccount must be used for
expenses incurred during the
plan year in which it was
contributed.
For the 2005 plan year, the
maximum annual contribution
allowed by the program is $3,000
and the minimum annual
contribution is $150.
The Health Care Spending
Account open enrollment period
for the 2005 plan year begins on
Sept. 27, 2004, and continues
through Nov. 10, 2004.
The program's plan year will
operate from Jan. 1 through Dec.
31, 2005.
If you would like to know more
about the Health Care Spending
Account program or would like
an enrollment kit sent to you,
you may contact the programs
administrator, Fringe Benefits
Management Co., at:
1-800-358-7202 or enroll online
at: www.flexspend.state.ny.us
Promoting Good Health
An Ever Better Future
Page 16 THE WORK FORCE August 2004
A break in union membership status can have
long-term future implications. Your membership
status affects your eligibility with respect to:
+ seeking or holding union office;
‘+ signing nominating petitions for potential
candidates;
+ voting in union elections, and;
+ voting on collective bargaining contracts.
Only members “in good standing” can
participate in these activities. To be in “good
standing,” your dues cannot be delinquent.
If you go on unpaid leave or for any other
reason have a break in your employment status,
your dues will not continue to be paid through
payroll deductions. You must make arrangements
to pay your dues directly to CSEA to continue your
membership status. If you are either laid off or
placed on leave without pay status due to
Break in membership affects eligibility for union office,
voting privileges
becoming disabled by accident, illness, maternity
or paternity, you may be eligible for dues-free
membership status for a period not to exceed one
year. If you are called up for active military duty
you may also apply for dues-free status.
Note, however, you must continue to pay dues
to run for office. Dues-free or gratuitous
membership allows members to continue their
insurance coverage while out of work. It does not
protect your right to run for or hold office. This
does not apply to members who are on leave due
to being called up for military duty. Members on
active military duty, upon return, are considered to
have had continuous membership status for all
CSEA election purposes.
Please notify the CSEA Membership Records
Department at 1-800-342-4146, Ext. 1327, of any
change in your status and what arrangements you
are making to continue your membership in CSEA.
Taking care of business: you, your
family, and your life
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles by CSEA’s expert attorneys
appearing every other month to provide valuable information to you and your
family members regarding the important areas of protection available to you
through the CSEA Legal Services Program [LSP]. The LSP covers many areas of law
that affect us every day. Get more information about legal plans in the LSP by
calling CSEA Headquarters at 1-800-342-4146, extension 1454, or by visiting
www.csealocall000.org, and clicking on the legal services menu item.
Protecting the Family Home
How do you protect the family home when its owner
gets sick and requires long-term care? There is a
difference in how Medicaid treats the home, depending
upon what type of care the owner needs.
If a homeowner applies for Medicaid to pay for home
health care, Medicaid will consider the home to be an
“exempt” asset, because the person needing the care is
living there.
But if that person gets Medicaid benefits and dies,
Medicaid may attempt to recoup its costs from the
value of the property the person leaves behind,
meaning less of an estate for survivors.
There are several strategies you can use to prevent
yourself or a family member from losing their home if they become too sick to
care for themselves:
Living estates
¢ Trusts
¢ Property transfers
The home as an asset is treated differently when the
homeowner is applying for Medicaid nursing home
benefits. How the home as an asset is treated can depend
on whether its owner is placed in a health-care facility and
whether they intend to come back home.
Joint ownership can also present issues in how
Medicaid treats the property as an asset.
You'll have more options if you plan before care is
needed. The homeowner can transfer the home to their children while retaining
a life estate on the home.
There are many ways to protect the family home.
Seek advice and guidance of a knowledgeable elder
law attorney and plan in advance for potential long-
term health care needs. Failure to do so can make
the difference between protecting the home for heirs
or selling the home and using the proceeds for
health care costs.
To learn more details about protecting the home
of someone who needs assistance through Medicaid,
visit www.csealocal1000.org and click on the legal services menu item. Once in
the legal area, follow the prompts for “Elder Law.”
Elder Law
— The CSEA ELDER LAW PANEL includes Ron Fatoullah, who provided this
column. Fatoullah offers elder law representation to CSEA members in the
Metropolitan Region. He can be reached through the CSEA Legal Services Plan
extension listed above [ext. 1454].
Tuition Benefits
Are Back!
Educational opportunities have resumed for
New York State CSEA-represented employees to
obtain a college degree, qualify for career
advancement, or improve skills for a current or
future job through the Tuition Benefit Program.
The new Tuition Benefits catalog outlines the
tuition benefits available to members in the ASU,
OSU, ISU and DMNA bargaining units. The
catalog
was
mailed in
June to
eligible
members
who used
the
program
in 2002-
2003.
Copies
were also
mailed to
local
presidents pa
and i
human
resources
and
training 7
directors. The catalog and application forms are
also available on the NYS & CSEA Partnership for
Education and Training web site at
www.nyscseapartnership.org. Program
components include:
ad
Tuition Benefits
For €SEA-Represonted Nov York tate Employees
¢ Tuition vouchers
¢ Tuition reimbursement
© Credit-by-examination fee reimbursement
Employees can apply for vouchers that pay for
tuition at more than 140 participating schools
listed in the catalog or tuition reimbursement
upon successful completion of course work at
accredited schools that do not accept vouchers.
Credit-By-Examination fee reimbursement
provides reimbursement for any number of
CLEP, DANTES, TECEP, and Excelsior College
exams in addition to the other tuition benefits.
For more information, visit the Partnership’s
web site at www.nyscseapartnership.org or call
1-800-253-4332, Option 2.
August 2004 THE WORK FORCE Page 17
RYE — Ever since he was a child, Lawrence McGowan
has been entranced with the historic beauty and organ
music at Rye's Playland Amusement Park.
As a sign painter at the Westchester County-owned
park for the past 18 years, McGowan now plays a major
role in preserving the park's Art Deco, 1920s-era theme.
He honed his craft through studying Art Deco and historic
carousels and takes great pride in maintaining the historic
character of Playland, which became a National Historic
Landmark in 1987.
One of McGowan's biggest projects is restoring the 66
horses and related decor on the Historic Carousel, one of
the remaining original rides from the park's opening in
1928. He has completed restoration on 22 horses and
hopes to have the entire project completed in 2005.
McGowan, also a musician, is inspired in his work
largely by the carousel's organ. As a child, he would
listen to the organ’s music and later learn to play the
song on piano simply by remembering the tune. He later
mastered classical piano, popular standards, Broadway
show tunes, religious music and rock ‘n’ roll. McGowan
studied at the Westchester Conservatory from 1981 to
1984, learning piano composition, orchestration,
arranging, film scoring, ear training and voice. He has
played music throughout the Westchester County area for
years, where he continues to be a familiar face.
McGowan, who is single and describes himself as
“very old-fashioned,” is equally dedicated to his art and
his music. He had never imagined, as a child, that his
adult career would involve painting and restoring the
Playland carousel that he cherished.
“| never thought that | could be so involved with such
a piece of entertainment history,” he said. “It's wonderful
to decide on all of the aspects that go into restoring it. It's
a wonderful thing to be able to give that beauty and
music to people at this park.”
The Work Force recently caught up with McGowan to
learn more about his work in restoring and preserving
Playland’s carousel.
WF: What do your job duties involve?
LM: | am a historic preservationist for Playland. | fit
signage to fit the 1920s time period and the park's Art
Deco theme. | also paint and restore the Carousel, as
well as other rides and attractions as needed.
WF: What made you want to work at Playland?
Page 18 THE WORKFORCE August 2004
LM: | was in a rock band and my mother had
become ill with pancreatic cancer in 1979. After she
passed away, | decided to make a switch. | had
worked summers at Playland in the past, and | decided to
apply to work there year-round. | also loved the Carousel
organ. | started out in basic painting (walls, etc.), but |
found that boring. | eventually became the sign painter
here. | first learned about carousel restoration in 1989
when Bill Finkenstein, who was at the time with the New
England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Conn., began
restoring the Derby Racer. | watched him and learned the
techniques of restoration, and | began doing it myself in
1992.
WF: What goes into restoring the carousel horses?
LM: There are small, medium and large-size horses and
three Griffin Dragon Chariots on the carousel, and each
horse takes about three weeks to completely restore. |
start by stripping the horses down to find the original
colors, if any remain. In many cases, | am not lucky
because the horses had been sandblasted over the
years. All of the horses are the Coney Island-style horses
that were carved during the 1920s, so there is a special
way to strip and paint them. These horses have special,
intricate carvings on their manes, their heads are turned
upwards, they have glass eyes, and have tails made of
real horse hair. They all have saddle blankets, and are
decorated more on one side than on the other, usually
with Borelli (glass) jewels and feathers. To paint the
horses, | mix paints such as latex, acrylics and Japan oil
and paint them completely by hand. All of the horses also
have burgundy pinstriping, which was popular during the
Art Deco era. The pinstripes set it off and make it look
extra special.
WF: What inspires you to create and restore the
carousel?
LM: In addition to music, interior design inspires me to
create. | have designed and decorated other people's
homes, including some New York City brownstones. |
have recently restored aging architecture in some homes
in Harlem.
WF: What satisfies you the most about restoring the
carousel?
LM: There's an old-fashioned glamour to the park, and
‘Rye carousel preservatio
no child’s play
Lawrence McGowan restores a carousel horse at Rye
Playland, where his detailed work can be seen
throughout the park.
sometimes, there’s pressure to modernize Playland.
People should not take this park for granted, as it's not
meant to be a modern park. Playland is a 1920s-period
park and a real jewel of Westchester County, and you
have to appreciate this place as a working antique.
People of all ages come here, and many people now take
their children here. | want one of my biggest life
accomplishments to be that | completely restore the
carousel. People come from near and far to see this
carousel, and | try to make it perfect for everyone. | love
to give to others, and this work conjures up art, beauty
and music. I'm really bent on making Playland a
wonderful place for us all to enjoy.
— Janice Marra
Fight f ions! March!
ig t for unions! March!
—_ - - CSEA is
{ ; | encouraging
members across
the state to take
part in Labor Day-
related events in
their areas.
Working families
are facing
challenges that
haven’t been seen
in decades, and
need to stand up
and fight.
Thursday, Aug. 26
* Binghamton — Broome-Tioga Federation of Labor/Central New York Area
Labor Federation (CNYALF) will hold its Labor Day celebration at the Ross
Park Zoo in Binghamton. For more information, call Ken Smith at 607-763-3662.
Wednesday, Sept. 1
* New York City — The city’s early labor day rally has been confirmed for
Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. on Eighth Avenue and 30th Street. This will be a
massive demonstration just a few short blocks away from Madison Square
Garden, the site of the Republican Convention. Call Communications Associate
David Galarza at 212-406-2156 for additional information.
Monday, Sept. 6
* Albany — Capital District Area Labor Federation (CDALF) is planning a Hip
Hop for Labor Festival at an area park, For more information and to volunteer
to help, contact Prairie Wells of the CDALF at 518-785-4672 or at
prairie@cdalf.org.
* Ithaca — Midstate Central Labor Council/Central New York Area Labor
Federation (CNYALF) will hold its annual picnic at Stewart Park in Ithaca. For
more information, call Linda Smith at 607-756-5582.
* Massena — CSEA members should arrive for formation at 10 a.m., at the
corner of Willow Street & Liberty Avenue. Parade begins at 11 a.m. CSEAT-
shirts will be provided to members who march. There will be a free picnic at
Springs Park immediately following the parade.
* Rochester — Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation (RGALF)
will hold the annual Labor Day Parade at 11 a.m. Unions will begin to assemble
at 9 a.m. off of East Ave. in Rochester, between Alexander and Goodman
Streets. A picnic will be held after the parade. Check the RGALF Web site,
www.ochesterlabor.org, for details or call the CSEA Monroe County Local
office at 585-328-5250.
* Syracuse — Parade begins at 11 a.m., with a rally to follow at 11:30. A casual
luncheon and awards ceremony will be held at 12:30. CSEA members should
assemble by fair gate 6 at 10:30a.m. (look for the CSEA banner) and free CSEA
T-shirts will be available for the first 250 members who participate. Local/Unit
presidents can get supplies of free admission tickets and parking passes by
calling Communications Associate Mark Kotzin at the Central Region office.
Tickets for the luncheon are $15 and can be purchased from the Syracuse
Labor Federation at 315-422-3363.
Tuesday, Sept. 7
* Newburgh — Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation (HVALF will sponsor a
Labor for Kerry and voter registration rally from 4 to 7:30 p.m. in Newburgh.
Union members will be treated to speakers, important messages, and food. For
more information, call Jen Fuentes of the HVALF at 845-567-7760 or e-mail her
at hvalf@hve.rr.com.
Saturday, Sept. 18
¢ East Meadow — Long Island Federation of Labor will hold Long Island’s
Second Annual Labor Picnic from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine) at
Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. The event will feature picnic fare, games,
clowns, softball, volleyball, music and more. Tickets are $12 per person, with
no charge for children up to age 12. Call the Long Island Federation of Labor at
631-396-1170 for more information.
¢ Albany — Capital Region Labor Parade. More details will be available soon.
PEOPLE PERSON
— The PEOPLE
Recruiter of the
Month for June is
Walter Hollings III
of the Oxford
Veterans Home in
the Central Region.
He recruited 32
new members to
the PEOPLE program. (See item
below.) PEOPLE is CSEA and
AFSCME'’s political action
program. It is responsible for
raising money and collecting
voluntary contributions from the
membership so that CSEA can
effectively promote our interests
at the state and federal level ...
OXFORD VETS’ HOME
STRENGTHENS PEOPLE POWER
— CSEA’s federal political power
recently got a big boost when 40
CSEA members at the New York
State Veterans’ Home in Oxford
decided to either sign up as new
members or increase their
membership contributions to the
CSEA/AFSCME PEOPLE Program.
Some, like certified nurse aide
Michelle Frederick, said they felt
it was money well spent. “When I
get older I want all the benefits
I'm entitled to,” said Frederick. “I
want to help protect our rights
and preserve what we’re working
for. What goes on in Washington
is important for our benefits, so I
don’t mind paying, because it’s
going to benefit us in the long
run,” she said after signing up as
one of the newest PEOPLE
members ... MADISON COUNTY
LOCAL PRESENTS
SCHOLARSHIP — The CSEA
Madison County Local has
presented its first annual college
scholarship award. Angela Tainter,
daughter of the late Greg Tainter,
a former county highway
department worker and CSEA
member who passed away in
April, was recently presented the
$500 award from the Madison
County Second Vice President Jeff
Colburn. Tainter, a Cazenovia High
School senior, will attend SUNY
Morrisville in the fall to pursue a
career in nursing ... MY-OH-
MYANMAR — A group of
enterprising reporters from
Newsday recently ordered
campaign merchandise from the
Bush and Kerry camps and found
fleece pullovers for the Bush folks
‘August 2004
265,000 Members Strong
CSEA
TODAY
were made in Burma (now
Myanmar), shirts made in
Mexico and hats with no
country-of-origin labels.
Last year, Congress
enacted a ban on Burmese
goods and Bush signed it
into law in reaction to
human rights violations
by the military
dictatorship there. Newsday
ordered a similar package from
the Kerry campaign, which was
handled by Financial Innovations,
a company whose employees are
represented by the
Communications Workers of
American ... CLINTON HEARS
NURSING HOME IDEAS —
Western Region President Flo
Tripi, Niagara County Local
President Elaine Timm, Niagara
County Unit President Fran Faery,
PAC Coordinator Kathleen Lewis
and Region Director Roger Sherrie
spoke with Sen. Hillary Clinton
recently while she was attending a
Democratic Party luncheon in
Niagara Falls. They used the
occasion to promote two ideas
that would help publicly operated
nursing homes: a moratorium on
eliminating inter-governmental
transfer funding and changing the
Medicaid formula as it relates to
pharmaceutical drugs. CSEA is
fighting battles across the state to
keep public nursing homes from
being sold to private interests ...
NEW CONTRACT FOR FOOD
WORKERS — More than 120
CSEA-represented food service
workers employed by the
Auxiliary Service Corp. have a
new contract in place. The
workers voted overwhelmingly to
approve the new five-year deal
which replaces their former four-
year contract that expired on
June 30. The tentative contract
was reached after a 10-hour
marathon session on May 24.
Auxiliary Service workers are
employed at several SUNY
campuses ... HRI BALLOTS
MAILED — Ballots have been
mailed to CSEA members in
Health Research Institute (HRI) to
vote on a tentative contract.
Results will be posted on
www.csealocal1000.org. The new
agreement mirrors the pacts
recently ratified by state
employees.
THE WORK FORCE Page 19
HALF-PRICE ADMISSION for CSEA members on Sept. 4 and 5, 2004 during CSEA Weekend.
vers > (\)\SAVESAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE/ = ({\SAVESAVESAVESAVESAVE SAVESAVESAVE 9) —2UY)E
EXP Lone PLANET Fair \) CSEA member admission $5.00* AY
Rugust 26-September 6° 00 ee
1
Half
Price
‘one admission for half-price when purchased at
CSEA members and family members each get ]
any gate with coupon. One coupon per person.
ted! *Adult admission.
Expect the Unexpe' Children under 13 admitted free.
NAME
Local 1000 AFSCME, AFLCX ADDRESS
Coupon is valid for CSEA weekend only ~
Saturday and Sunday Sept. 4 and 5, 2004. rae
CSEA LOCAL
9) HALF PRICE (CO savesave \
(\ SAVE SAVESAVE SAVESAVE SAVE-SAVESAVE//)
v7 CSEA member admission $5.00* vv
r
S
CSEA members and family members each get
‘one admission for half-price when purchased at
any gate with coupon. One coupon per person.
*Adult admission.
Children under 13 admitted free.
Clip one coupon at right
for each CSEA member and family member
and bring coupon(s) to any fair gate for a
half-price admission on
Saturday and Sunday,
Sept. 4 and 5, 2004, only.
Lox
(O00 AFSCME, AFL-CIO. ADDRESS
Coupon is valid for CSEA weekend only ~
PHONE
Saturday and Sunday Sept. 4 and 5, 2004
The New York State Fair
is at the Empire Expo poche
Center located off not be
Exit 7 of 1-690, accepted,
3 miles west of Additional
Syracuse. coupons will be -
Hours of operation are J] avaiable at Serres OY Half
10 ante your CSEA aay gate with coupon. ‘One coupon per person. Price
region office.
10 p.m. daily.
Saturday, Sept. 4 and Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, is CSEA
WEEKEND at the New York State Fair in Syracuse.
CSEA members and their family members will receive
half-price admission that weekend, compliments of
CSEA and the New York State Fair.
CSEA will maintain a booth in the Center of Progress
Building on the fairgrounds throughout the entire fair,
so stop by and visit the CSEA booth at any time.
The half-price coupons above, however, are only good
during CSEA Weekend,
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4 and 5, 2004.
Lonot 1000 AFSCME, ABLCK
Children under 13 admitted free.
NAME
ADDRESS
Coupon is valid for CSEA weekend only ~
Saturday and Sunday Sept. 4 and 5, 2004.
PHONE
CSEA LOCAL
(SAVE SAVE'SAVE SAVE-SAVE SAVESAVESAVE (1)
v7 CSEA member admission $5.00* \
>
Half
Price
‘one admission for half-price when purchased at
any gate with coupon. One coupon per person.
*Adult admission.
Children under 13 admitted free.
CSEA members and family members each get J
NAME
Lonel 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO, ADDRESS
Coupon is valid for CSEA weekend only ~ PHONE
Saturday and Sunday Sept. 4 and 5, 2004.
CSEA LOCAL
Volume 7 No. 8 August 2004
é.
RRESIDENT
See story, photos on Pages 3, 12 an
Your Nassau County Local 830 Newsletter, The Nassau Express, is enclosed
YOUR UNION
NEWSLETTER
ON THE NHCC SIDE
We are not yet fully
acquainted with Daniel Kane, the
newly appointed president and
CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corp. He comes to
Nassau from Englewood Hospital in New Jersey,
where the nurses’ union recently won a new contract
establishing a patient/nurse ratio of 6:1.
The current ratio at NUMC is 12:1. | don’t want
to pick one thing out of the Englewood contract and
become wildly optimistic about the future of our own
negotiations, but maybe it is an indication that Kane
understands the health care industry better than his
predecessor did.
Grasping at straws? Maybe. But with
negotiations progressing at a painfully slow pace,
any positive signs are welcome.
Speaking of negotiations, Mediator Martin
Sheinman is now actively involved in trying to bring
both sides together. A settlement, however, is still an
elusive goal and will remain so as long as
management continues to demand the host of major
givebacks that has served as a roadblock to any real
progress, including employee contributions to health
insurance.
On the positive side, we have been working with
Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs and the majority in the
Nassau County Legislature to restore former CSEA
President Rita Wallace to the labor seat on the
NHCC Board of Directors. We're also working on
obtaining a 2nd seat for a labor-oriented
representative.
ON THE COUNTY SIDE
Many pressing issues have been successfully
resolved over the past month but the fight continues
on others.
Following are some settlements that will benefit
our members:
+An agreement to compensate county workers
who were mandated to work on the day of last year’s
Message fi
SEN PRES, S
CSEA Local 830 President Jan
NHCC Appoints New President; Agreement Reached on Blackout Day
Amico
I have scheduled several worksite meetings called President's Forums over the next
few months to listen to your concerns firsthand and to answer any questions you
may have about your union and its activities. ... Please look for a flier announcing
the meeting at your department.
blackout, Aug. 15, 2003.
+A major grievance victory regarding promotions
during 2001 that were improperly graded.
A negotiated agreement to allot compensatory
time in 15-minute segments instead of quarter day
minimums.
Also on the positive side, contract books are at
Printing & Graphics and should be printed and ready
for distribution shortly. We will also have the contract
available in its entirety on the Local 830 website as
soon as an overhaul and facelift for the site are
completed.
The real estate consolidation story continues to
be one of keeping a watchful eye on the process as
it proceeds toward completion. CSEA continues to
closely monitor all proposals and decisions made by
the county in an effort to protect the employees who
will move to the new worksite.
| have scheduled several worksite meetings
called President's Forums over the next few months
in order to listen to your concerns first hand and to
answer any questions you may have about the
newly-negotiated contract, your union and its
activities. | hope eventually to get to every
department. Please look for a flier announcing the
meeting at your department. | look forward to seeing
you in the near future.
Yours in solidarity,
Jane M. D'Amico, President
CSEA Lota 830
/
President’s Forum
Local 830 President Jane D’Amico addresses
CSEA members at the Social Services
auditorium in Mineola. D’Amico is conducting
a series of worksite meetings called
“President's Forums” in order to meet
members personally and to listen firsthand to
their suggestions and concerns. At the Social
Services forum, D’Amico discussed such
issues as real estate consolidation and recent
grievance victories. D’Amico hopes to visit
every department over the next several
months.
2 EXPRESS
The
Work Force
Nassau County Local 830
LAFFESS
August 2004 + Vol. 9 No. 8
‘A Monthly Publication of CSEA Nassau County Local 830
JANE D'AMICO, President
Tony Panzarella, Editor
(616) 571-2019 Ext #13
Ronald G. Gurren, Chai, Communications Committee
CSEA Long [stand Region Communications Associate Rachel
Langert (631) 462-0030
NASSAU LOCAL 830
Executive Officers:
JANE D'AMICO, President
LES EASON, Executive Vice President
GEORGE WALSH, 1st Vice President
ROBERT CAULDWELL, 2nd Vice President
RAYMOND CANNELLA, 3rd Vice President
JEWEL WEINSTEIN, th Vice President
RON GURRIERI, Sth Vice President
MARY DELMARE, 6th Vice President
TIM CORR, 7th Vice President
NANCY IANSON, 8th Vice President
RUDY BRUCE, 9th Vice President
BOBBI EISGRAU, Secretary
KATHLEEN VITAN, Treasurer
Unit Presidents/Executive Board:
CHARLES ALBERS, Fire & Rescue Services
JOHN ALOISIO Il, Treasurer's Office
ROB ARCIELLO, Deputy Sherif
STANLEY BERGMAN, Comptroller's Office
RICHARD BREUSCH, Public Safety
RUDY BRUCE, Department of Public Works
RAY CANNELLA, Civil Service Commission
TIM CARTER, Health Department
TIM CORR, Recreation & Parks
VIVIAN CROWLEY, General Services
KENNETH DASH, SR, Administrative Unit
MARY DELMARE, Schoo! Crossing Guards
LES EASON, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility
BOBBI EISGRAU, County Clerk
RAYMOND FLAMMER, Assessment Department
SUSAN GRAHAM, County/Distit Attomey
NANCY IANSON, Drug & Alcohol
DEBRA IMPERATORE, Police Civilans
RON KAHL, AMTS
JERRY LARICCHIUTA, Shenifs Support Unit
DIANE RUSS, Consumer Affairs
MICHAEL TIMMONS, Social Services
GEORGE WALSH, Nassau University Medical Center
JEWEL WEINSTEIN, Nassau Community College
PETER WRBA, Probation
JOSEPH WHITTAKER, Fire Marshal
We welcome reader suggestions: Please address your
comments to Tony Panzarella, Editor, Nassau County
EXPRESS at CSEA Nassau Co. Local 830, 400 County
Seat Dr., Mineola, NY 11501-4137. LI
August is
National
Immunization
Month
— ]
ul
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
CSEA Victories Highlight the Need to Know the CBA
Louis D. Stober, Jr., Esq.
CSEA Regional Attorney
www.I|stoberesg.com
This month, let's take a look at a
recent arbitration decision that once
again emphasizes the protections that
CSEA members have under the Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA). In this particular case, a long-term,
part-time employee of the Sheriff's Department was
called into the deputy undersheriff's office and told that
he was terminated. At the meeting the employee was
given a letter clearly stating that he was terminated. In
fact, every communication prepared by the county
stated that the employee was terminated.
The employee then immediately filed a grievance
alleging that the county had violated his rights under
Section 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in
that he was never served with disciplinary charges and
that he could only be terminated for misconduct or
incompetence, neither of which occurred in his case.
At the step two hearing the Director of Labor
Relations claimed, for the very first time, that the
employee had been laid off instead of terminated. The
employee then amended his grievance to allege the
county violated Section 14, the layoff section as well in
that the county did not follow the procedures called for
prior to a layoff.
The case then went to arbitration. At the arbitration
the county could not offer any evidence to show that
the employee's termination was a layoff. It was also
uncontroverted that the employee was never served
with disciplinary charges.
The arbitrator held: “The county admitted that it did
not follow the provisions of Section 10 because it
claimed that doing so was unnecessary since the
grievant had not been disciplined but had been laid off
and, therefore, there were no charges to serve him
with... There is no evidence to support the county's
contention that the grievant was laid off
and not terminated. In fact, if the
county had intended to lay off the
grievant, it has failed to comply
with the contractual
requirements for the layoff of
an employee as outlined in Section
14 of the parties’ CBA ... The county
violated the terms of the parties’ CBA,
This decision once again confirmed
what should have been obvious, that
is, that employees covered by the
CSEA contract who have disciplinary
protection cannot be terminated
without following the procedures of
the CBA.
specifically, Section
10, when it
terminated the part-
time employment of
the grievant ... The
grievant shall be
reinstated and
reimbursed all back
pay and any
benefits lost from the date of the termination of his part-
time employment ... to the date of his reinstatement.
This decision once again confirmed what should
have been obvious, that is, that employees covered by
the CSEA contract who have disciplinary protection
cannot be terminated without following the procedures
of the CBA.
In this case, the county is going to owe the
employee over a year’s worth of back pay because
they failed or refused to follow the procedures in the
Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Therefore, an employee who should not have been
terminated and did not deserve to be terminated has
been reinstated by an arbitrator on the panel and the
county now faces a substantial back pay obligation.
The point to remember is that anyone who is notified
that they are being terminated needs to immediately
contact CSEA because if, as in this case, the county
violates your rights, vindication will be had.
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
EXPRESS 3
Fleet Services Asked to Perform Miracles With Aging Vehicles
What would you do if you owned a car that had long since passed its useful
life (say 13 years old) and had already turned over nearly 200,000 miles? And
suppose some of the repairs actually cost more money than you would spend
to replace the car with a new one? Oh yes, one more thing. Suppose when you
took the car for repairs, your mechanic told you he'd have it back to you in
about a year?
It's a simple question that one would think should elicit a logical and simple
answer, such as: “I'D GET RID OF IT!” One would think!
Not if you're Nassau County government!
Here are some examples:
+All 20 Public Safety vehicles need repair. Every one of them is beyond the
life cycle formula and needs replacement. Fleet Services personnel report the
county spent $15,000 repairing a 13-year-old GMC Jimmy with 189,000 miles.
Repairs entailed hundreds of work hours. A new vehicle would cost about
$13,400! Why the fiscal recklessness? The county had funding in the “parts”
budget but not in the “new vehicle” budget.
+94 percent of Nassau County's police fleet is beyond its life cycle. Fleet
Service calculates life cycle by years. Not mileage.
«Acar manufacturer is required to make parts for only 10 years. After that,
it becomes increasingly difficult to find parts for older cars. To acquire these
parts, Fleet puts an order into the Police Department and forwards that order up
the chain of command. Eventually, this order goes outside the department and
joins the other parts orders. The process could take several months.
* To put a new police car on the road requires a minimum of 45 work hours.
Before the car arrives at Fleet, two contractors work on the cars, doing work
that does not cut back the time needed by Fleet.
+ Needless to say, vehicles beyond their life cycle break down continually
and are often back for repairs within a few weeks. The extra workload cuts back
the amount of time available to set up new vehicles. Thus, a maximum of two
new cars a week can enter the patrol force.
+ Fleet has 72 mechanics, with 19 of them assigned to the precinct
garages. Fleet Services is operating with 39 fewer people than it did 20 years
ago with 300 more vehicles to maintain. In addition, some mechanics have
been assigned to other duties, such as issuing parts. The county has not been
replacing mechanics who retire.
Because of many of the factors listed above, cars that are brought in for
repair may not be back on the road for as long as eight months to a year.
“The situation has become intolerable,” said CSEA Local 830 President
Jane D'Amico. “The county has to remember that these men are mechanics,
not magicians.”
“The county must do two things to save money and increase efficiencies. It
must hire enough new mechanics to handle the workload and it must replace
older cars with new ones as they approach the end of their usable life cycle,”
D'Amico said. “Leaving old cars in the fleet is costing hundreds of thousands of
dollars in repair bills and, at the same time, allowing vehicles to sit for months
awaiting a mechanic,” she added.
“Meanwhile, the police unions are outraged that new vehicles are sitting in
the lot and there are not enough mechanics to prep them for the road. The
bottom line is more Fleet Services mechanics must be hired,” D’Amico said.
Public Safety vehicles parked in the Fleet Services lot awaiting repair.
Based on a negotiated contractual
provision that ties raises for county workers
to the Consumer Price Index, the annual
salary increase for next year will be 3.5
percent.
According to the salary provisions
outlined in the current CSEA bargaining
agreement, annual raises are based on the
CPI (NY Metropolitan area) for the 12-month
period of July through June of the previous
year — with a maximum increase of 3.5
percent and a minimum of 2.5 percent. The
maximum figure will be triggered next year
as a result of the recent CPI announcement
2005 County Pay Raise Will Be 3.5 Percent
for the period of July 2003 to June 2004.
According to CSEA Local 830 President
Jane D'Amico, re
the raises for Find” Se
CSEA members ‘
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4 Express
SEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS:
‘Twenty-two years ago, Tim Corr spoke
out against a workplace injustice involving a
fellow worker at their job with the Nassau
County Department of Recreation and
Parks. As a result of his courageous action,
Corr was subjected to disgraceful personal
and professional abuse by his supervisor in
the ensuing months. The bad experience
drew him to CSEA, where he became an
activist and officer, and ultimately a vice
president of Local 830 and chair of its
Grievance Committee.
According to Corr, he wasn’t bitter about
the treatment he received in 1982, but he
did learn from it.
“Employees are sometimes fearful to
‘stand up for their rights. | realized back then
how important our union was and | decided
to become involved and to help them with
John Rinaldo, standing, pays a visit
to Tim Corr at the Local 830 office in
Mineola to discuss issues of concern
to the employees of the Nassau
County Parks Department. Rinaldo
was recently sworn in as Parks
Department Unit President, taking
over from Corr, who spent 13 years
in the position.
their problems,” Corr said.
Corr stepped down recently as president
of the CSEA Parks and Recreation Unit, a
position he held for 13 years, to devote more
time and energy to his daunting and time-
consuming job as the head of the Grievance
Committee. Long-time Vice President John
Rinaldo, a historical museum crafter at the
county's Sands Point Preserve, took over
the top job. Rinaldo became the first unit
president from the department's Museum
Division
“I'm still a CSEA vice president and with
your support will remain a local officer,” Corr
told his Parks Department colleagues when
he stepped down.
Corr noted that his greater responsibilities
at the local made it difficult for him to devote
the necessary time to the Parks and
Recreation Unit.
“But my heart and soul are with parks. |
am and always will be a ‘parky.’ | will
continue to advocate for parks and for all
employees on all levels,” Corr said.
Corr's continued involvement with the
union stems from his deep commitment to
his fellow employees. “It's satisfying to know
I'm helping people. That's the number one
thing we do,” said Corr. “We give a voice to
regular people trying to earn an honest
living.”
CSEA President Jane D'Amico said of
Corr: “CSEA is indeed fortunate to have
someone of Tim Corr's caliber working on
our behalf. His dedication and work ethic
have been a source of inspiration to many.
We look forward to Tim’s continued valuable
participation at CSEA headquarters. | am
certain that John Rinaldo will thoughtfully
and skillfully take over the CSEA leadership
at the Parks Department.”
Corr Steps Down At Parks; Rinaldo Takes Reins
Tim Corr made round of parks to tell
his members he was stepping down
as Unit President after 13 years. Here
he greets a groundskeeper at
Cantiague Park.
Corr talks to a laborer at Cantiague
Park, where he served for several
years as a groundskeeper.
CSEA Answers Back
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
express 5
Administration is Responsible for Deplorable Condition of Parks
The following letter was written to reporter Joann
Brady of the Herald Newspapers by CSEA Vice
President and former Recreation & Parks Unit
President Tim Corr in response to a Herald article
dated June 24, 2004. Most of Corr’s letter was
published as written. The contents of Corr’s letter
demonstrates his deep insight into the problems of
the department both as a union activist and Parks
employee of more than three decades.
Dear Joann,
Hurray for the Herald! As those who use the parks
and the employees of Nassau County Parks have been
saying for the last year — enough is enough, put some
money back into parks.
The maintenance of N.C. Parks is just not a priority
for Nassau County anymore. Mr. Magwood, 4st Deputy
Commissioner of N.C. Parks and Deputy County
Executive Mike Kline don’t have a clue.
In the Herald article, Magwood said the county needs
to do a better job of deploying and scheduling its
workers and that we need to use our resources better
and that the residents will see a drastic change in a
month or so.
The Parks Department was whittled down to 215 full-
time workers, from 1,200. These workers maintain,
organize and schedule all events, take care of all the
pools, ball fields, soccer-football fields, playgrounds,
museums, preserves, set up all events like the LI
Marathon, Concerts in the Park, Nassau Beach, Senior
Citizens and Veterans Memorial for thousands of acres
of park lands with more than 40 facilities throughout
Nassau County.
Crews of maintenance workers have been stretched
so that you don’t even see them. Approximately 20
percent (35 to 40) of the 215 full-time employees
maintain the parks throughout Nassau County.
‘So what is Mr. Magwood talking about when he says
we have to do a better job of deploying and scheduling
its workers?
In the Herald article Mr. Magwood said “we need to
utilize our resources better.” What resources is he
talking about? There aren't any resources to use better.
Supplies are low. Equipment is poor and there aren't
enough workers.
The last thing | heard was that Mr. Magwood wanted
to use “all” history museum crafters to scrape and paint
buildings and pools to get them ready for openings.
Many of these crafters are elderly employees who
dress up in turn of the century costumes and do re-
enactments of 18th Century farming at Old Bethpage
Village Restoration. They certainly aren't suited to
scrape and paint buildings.
There are some crafters whose “craft is restoring
historic buildings to their original status, but when they
stop restoring these buildings (which are in need of
testoration) won't the museums be in further disarray?
Just last year the Parks Department pledged to
restore Old Bethpage Village Restoration. It was in
terrible shape.
In the Herald article Mr. Magwood states “the
residents will see a drastic change in the next month or
so.” It's the end of June already, summer is a third over,
Halls Pond Park should be in good shape now, not ina
month or two.
Lastly, Mr. Magwood states in the Herald article, that
Parks will be reaching out to local schools and
community groups to be part of a park adoption
program.
Give me a break. The Parks Department has reached
out to every civic group, school, volunteer and senior
you can think of. Many of these groups have had it with
Parks.
At the Legislature's Public Hearing in May 2004, a
large group of volunteer groups spoke out and were
critical of how the Parks Administration is going in circles
and don't have any realistic solutions to maintaining our
parks.
The Parks Department is in deep, deep trouble. Most
of the Parks knowledge left the Parks system when the
Gulotta administration left and Suozzi came in. There
isn't enough money in the Parks budget to hire
employees, supplies or material. The new administration
has grandiose ideas to raise money by asking the rich to
donate money, contract out our golf courses, give our
museums away, break Civil Service rules and guidelines,
try to entice private groups to come into Parks with
sweetheart deals. They choose not to listen to the
knowledge of the old parkies who stayed around. Parks
deputies are constantly managing crisis after crisis by
moving any employee — no matter what trade that
employee has — to work on the crisis of the day. This
might sound OK, but at Parks, everything is a crisis, so
which one do you do first?
It seems like the new Park administration has no idea
of how to routinely do maintenance. They should listen
to the old timers, the few that are left. There are good
feasons why you maintain certain items first. It seems
like they are reinventing the wheel.
The solution is that the county executive has to put
some money back into Parks. He has to stop hiring
deputy commissioners (Parks has between six to 10
deputies and assistant deputies) and hire full-time
workers to get the work done.
It's easy for a deputy to give an order to employees to
stop working on the present crisis and move employees
to the next crisis.
Maybe these deputies should take off their suits, put
‘on some work clothes and clean up Halls Pond.
The Parks administration is talking about rebuilding
parks with capital projects money. Dumping money into
a parks system without proper maintenance is a waste
of Nassau County residents’ money. If you learned to
change the oil on your car, you wouldn't have to replace
the engine. Parks should learn to maintain the present
parks system before they rebuild parks. Sprucing up
parks for next year without sufficient maintenance seems
like an election year ploy.
Nassau County needs to stop hiring deputy
commissioners to say what's wrong with parks and hire
full time laborers, equipment operators and maintenance
workers who can get in there and maintain our parks!
Nassau County used to have a parks system that was
in the top 10 across the U.S.A. Many Nassau County
residents moved to Nassau County because of the life
that parks were a big part of. A well maintained “event”
driven parks system is a big part of the quality of life in
Nassau County. Open space is sparse on Long Island.
Each and every Nassau County resident should be
wondering: Will there be a Nassau County Park System
to hand down to my children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren?
Nassau County residents should take a close look at
what is happening to their parks and demand from the
county executive, legislators and parks administration
that money be put into the Parks budget so that their
parks can be properly maintained and preserved for
generation and generations.
Sincerely,
Tim Corr
6 express
October Classes Scheduled
Defensive Driving Course
Returns This Fall
The Defensive Driving Course that saved CSEA
members a significant amount of money on their
automobile insurance over the years will begin again
this fall. The six-hour course will be held in three-hour
periods on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 13 & 14,
from 6 to 9 p.m. each night and straight through on
Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-
hour lunch break (bring your own lunch).
Once the program is completed, participants are eligible for an immediate 10
percent discount on their auto liability and collision
insurance for a three-year period on all vehicles for which
they are the principal operator. Those who have had
moving violations will receive a four-point reduction on
their driving record.
The location for all sessions is Nassau CSEA offices at 400 County Seat Drive,
Mineola, in the basement of the south wing. Family and friends of CSEA members
are also welcome to participate, but no children are allowed in the class. Since
class size is limited, early registration is suggested.
The cost of the course is $25 per person for CSEA members and $35 for non-
members. Checks will be accepted up to three weeks before the course date and
should be made payable to “CSEA Local 830.” Cash will be accepted at any time.
Payment should be returned along with the completed form below to: CSEA
Nassau Local 830, 400 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, Attn: Judy. (Please
do not put cash in the Interdepartmental Mail.) For more information call 571-2919,
Ext. 10. There will be no refunds and no rescheduling of classes once the
application is received.
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CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
Event Set for Oct. 2
Tickets Now On Sale
For CSEA Annual Picnic
Tickets are now available for the CSEA Local 830
Annual Picnic and Information Fair, set for Saturday,
Oct. 2, 2004. The Social Committee has once again
held the ticket price for bargaining unit members to
$6. Family members and friends pay just $10. The
price is $5 per person for children ages 6 to 12.
Children 5 and under are admitted free.
This year's picnic will be held again at Eisenhower
Park near Parking Field No. 5. It will run — rain or
shine — from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As always, the day promises to be a memorable
one, with games for adults and children; dancing to
the music of DJ Joey; information booths, and raffles,
prizes and giveaways. Food will include hamburgers,
hot dogs, corn on the cob, barbecued chicken, potato
salad, watermelon, soda and punch.
Tickets may be purchased at the CSEA Local 830
(Office, 400 County Seat Drive, Mineola, or through
your unit president. Persons wishing additional
eo information may call 571-2919 during regular
Call for Volunteers!
Special Raffle Drawing
For CSEA Picnic Volunteers
CSEA members who volunteer this year to help out at the Annual Local
830 Picnic and Information Fair will be entered into a special free raffle
drawing that could win them a valuable prize. Volunteers will also receive
free admission to the event and a free breakfast on the day of the picnic.
According to Nassau CSEA President Jane D'Amico, the special drawing
is CSEA's way of thanking the volunteers for helping to make the annual
event a success.
“Each volunteer will receive a free raffle ticket for a drawing open only to
volunteers,” D'Amico said. “Although we don't know yet exactly what the
prize will be, we do know that it will be a valuable and worthwhile item, such
as a color TV or DVD player,” D'Amico said.
The picnic is set for Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004. Volunteers will be asked to
assist at such jobs as ticket takers and games and will be asked to help set
up the site on the morning of the event.
This year’s picnic will be held again at Eisenhower Park near Parking
Field No. 5. It will run — rain or shine — from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
CSEA members wishing to volunteer can call the Local 830 office at 571-
2919 and leave their names and phone numbers with the receptionist, Judy.
CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
Veterans Corner
Express 7
“Salute To Veterans” Set for Aug. 7 at Eisenhower Park
By Edward G. Aulman
Nassau County Veterans Service Agency
The Drifters, the classic group from the '50s, ’60s and '70s will headline a
Salute to Veterans at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on Saturday
Aug. 7. The concert follows a ceremony honoring Long Island's active duty,
reserve and National Guard. Also honored will be five individuals receiving the
County Executive’s Service To Veterans Award. The ceremony starts at 6:45 p.m.
and the free concert immediately follows. For information call 516-572-0200.
Improved benefit for Guard and Reserve Expected
According to a release from U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Senate is
backing in a bipartisan fashion an amendment to this year’s Defense
Authorization bill giving the National Guard and Reserve veterans easier access
to TRICARE. Many families of activated guard and reserve face losing employer-
sponsored health insurance when the husband or wife is activated. Readers
should keep an eye on this — some great proposals die in committee.
Veterans News Now on Television
Veterans News is now a weekly television program on Cablevision’s Public
Access Channel 20. Produced by the United Veterans Organization of Nassau
County and hosted by Nassau County Director of Veterans Services Edward G.
Aulman, the program covers items not reported in any other television news
show. Two veteran leaders discuss their organization and issues that are
important to their members. Taped monthly at Cablevision studios, the show is
broadcast every Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Diabetes and Prostrate Cancer Claims Increasing
Service in Vietnam after Jan. 9, 1962, means a veteran was likely exposed
to Agent Orange or other chemical herbicides. In the last several months there
has been an increased number of veterans coming to the Veterans Service
Agency in Plainview applying for compensation now that they have been
diagnosed with prostrate cancer or type II diabetes. Frequently a common remark
is “I did not know | was entitled to anything.”
Eleven diseases are associated with service in Vietnam and the VAis ready
to treat the condition and/or pay compensation. Other diseases are chronic
lymphocytic leukemia, respiratory cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea and
bronchus, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma
(other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, ormesothelioma),
Walking to Save Babies
NUMC.
The “Working Together ... Walking Together” committee in formation has begun plans for the
second annual walk to benefit the March of Dimes and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the
Nassau University Medical Center. This year’s walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 23 on the
grounds of the NUMC, with a fund-raising goal of $50,000. As in last year’s event, the
proceeds will be divided evenly between the March of Dimes, in support of its mission to
reduce the rate of premature birth, and NUMC, which provides critical care to the community’s
tiniest patients, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. Pictured are (L-R standing) Linda
Walsh, Kathleen McKeever, Karen Deasy, Claire Paola, Dr. Harriet Boxer, (Chair of NUMC’s
Neonatal Unit), and Debra Benson. (L-R seated) Laura Praissman, Barbara Walsh, and event — :
Chair Jackie Baggott. Missing from photo are Noreen Pickford, Shelley Lotenberg, Barbara DeGrace and Michael Ade, Director of Development for
multiple myeloma, chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda and acute and subacute
transient peripheral neuropathy. Veterans who have a diagnosis for any one of
these diseases should call the Veterans Service Agency at 516-572-8452. For
information about Agent Orange call
800-749-8387 or on the web at www.va.gov/agentorange.
Go Ahead, Get Married
Public Law 108-183 signed on Dec. 16, 2003, allows survivors of veterans
receiving dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to remarry after the age
of 57 without losing the $967 monthly DIC payment. The law also allows those
who did remarry before the age of 57 to reapply for the benefit. Dec. 16, 2004, is
the deadline for reapplying. VA Form
21-686c must be completed. Call the Veterans Service Agency at
516-572-8452.
Forgotten Program
Veterans returning from Iraq are eligible for the Gl Bill. Most contributed
$1,200 to the Montgomery GI Bill and can attend college with the government
paying most of the expenses. Many veterans however will never take advantage
of this benefit. Going to work, getting married or other distractions may postpone
higher education. On-the-Job Training in an approved apprenticeship program
can be substituted for the traditional use of the Gl Bill. In such a program the
veteran receives a monthly payment from the VA while he learns a business that
will pay more later.
For information call John Scarimbolo at 212-564-8414.
Attorney General Wants to Assist Returning Veterans
Returning Iraq veterans who were called to active duty should expect to
return to their civilian jobs without any problems if: they have a certificate of
completion of service; make a timely application for re-employment (90 days);
and are still qualified to perform the duties of their job. Any veteran experiencing
any difficulty should contact Assistant Attorney General Devin Rice at 212-416-
8700.
8 EWwRESS
(CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS
A Message From Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte
Greetings Brothers and
Sisters,
What's hot, happening and
75 years old?
Jones Beach, of course!
It's a little hard to believe
that this well-used jewel in
the state park system was once a barren sandbar
accessible almost exclusively by boat. Master
Builder Robert Moses advanceded this recreation
destination for area families, along with the roads
and bridges that feed into it. It really was quite a
feat, and 75 years later we're still benefiting from
Moses’ vision.
Since 1947, generations of CSEA members
have been stewards of this great state park facility.
Although we no longer wear the sailor suits Moses
demanded, and we no longer follow patrons around
with duster pans, our brothers and sisters in the
State Parks and Recreation Local are still primarily
responsible for maintaining this world-class facility
in Nassau County.
We create the bunting that adorns the
boardwalk. We clean the comfort stations. We paint,
treat and refinish all the woodwork. We maintain
and drive the vehicles that rake the sand of debris.
Jones Beach may be all about having a good time,
but it takes a lot of work to keep up with the
ravages of time and the elements.
So the next time you go to Jones Beach, rent
an umbrella, stroll down the boardwalk, or lounge in
the clean white sand, remember that CSEA
members helped to make your stay enjoyable.
See more Jones Beach photos
and story on pages 10 and 11 of
this month’s edition of The Work
Force.
Speaking of enjoyable, if you were one of the many
members enjoying the entertainment, ethnic food,
and getting the information about women’s health,
then you were also sampling the efforts of CSEA
members.
The Region Human Rights and Women's
Committees joined forces once again to pull off
another flawless combined festival. | know you don’t
hear it often enough, but on behalf of our brothers
and sisters, | would like to thank the hard working
members of both committees, as well as the staff,
for a job well done.
Yours in unionism,
Nick LaMorte, president
mania
Local 830 President Jane D’Amico
holds Recognition Award presented to
Long Island Chapter of the Coalition of
Black Trade Unionists at CBTU’s
recent International Convention in
Atlanta. Accepting the award was
Chapter President Rudy Bruce, who
also serves as a Local 830 vice
president and president of the Nassau
CSEA Public Works Department Unit.
CSEA Negotiates Change
In Granting of CT
CSEA members who work for Nassau County will no longer
have to use a quarter day of compensatory time (CT) when only
15 minutes is needed.
According to Local 830 President Jane D'Amico, CSEA has
successfully negotiated positive changes with Nassau County
regarding the manner in which requests for compensatory time
are handled.
Effective immediately, CT will be granted in
15-minute allotments instead of quarter-day increments.
Although prior approval by a supervisor is required, such a
request may not be unreasonably withheld.
“This is a nice victory for CSEA, one that will help our members
avoid the unnecessary loss of their time and allow them to use
entitlements in a more rational manner,” D'Amico said.
