‘HELL NO, MARIO’
THOUSANDS PROTEST IN NYC
|CSEA REGION
II President
George Calou-
“meno, right, ad-
dresses thous-/*
ands of demon-
strators in New
York City. See
idetails on page
Thousands eligible = ‘select
early retirement incentives;
could reduce actual layoffs
ALBANY — While thousands of public
j employees across New York have reacted
| angrily to Gov. Mario Cuomo’s proposed
Executive Budget and its call for more than 7,500
| layoffs of state workers, there is one segment of
| the state work force waiting with anticipation for
| what could be some very good news about
| improved pension benefits.
| Most attention, including that of union
{| lobbyists, has focused on the governor’s plans to
| abolish some 14,000 state jobs during the next
| fiscal year, including actually laying off 7,500
active state employees. CSEA is continuing its
fight to avert those layoffs.
Yet in contrast to, the political warfare over
layoffs, the governor has also proposed special
legislation to implement an early retirement
incentive program designed to encourage
thousands of state employees who otherwise
might remain on the payroll to leave their jobs
early.
For the eligible state employees, the
legislation implementing the program could
mean three years of additional service credits
added to their existing service credits. That
means a higher pension benefit for anyone who
participates. And for those state employees
already at the maximum retirement credit level,
it. means a pension benefit higher than the
maximum presently allowed by law.
The only condition attached to the incentive is
that the employee retire between March 1, 1983
and May 31, 1983. CSEA points out, however, that
as a result of other regulations of the New York
State Employees Retirement System, an
application for retirment must be received by no
later than the close of business on May 2, 1983 in
order to be effective by May 31.
There are two elements of this program
worthy of close attention by state employees, the
union says. First, if the program is more
effective than originally anticipated, the net
result could be less state workers out on the
unemployment lines. Gov. Cuomo made a pledge
to that effect in a recent press interview. Second,
to be of value to anyone, its critical that as many
people as possible find out about the program as
soon as possible.
Like all other elements of the Cuomo budget,
(Continued on Page 10)
8 Public
-CTOR
Official Publication of The Civil
Service Employees Association
Local 1000, American
Federation of State, County and’
Municipal Employees “AFL-CIO
Vol. 5, No. li
Friday, March 11, 1983
CISSN 0164 9949)
CSEA Is fighting to prevent layoffs In
every way possible, Including direct con-
tact with the governor and legislative
leaders. This issue Is filled with ex-
amples of that effort. BUT WE NEED
YOUR HELP TO SUCCEED. We need
YOU writing letters, signing postcards
and petitions, making phone calls, help-
Ing with the lobby campaign and
protesting In the streets when called up-
on This Is one battle no one can afford to
jose.
ZETA P. ANDERSON: 54
years old... 22 yrs. with
state ... A LAYOFF VIC-
TIM!
(SEE PAGE 12)
ALBANY — The Clerical and Secretarial
Employee Advancement Program (CSEAP) has
published a detailed schedule of courses designed to
help state Administrative Services Unit employees
further their careers.
Courses listed are:
Preparing for the Job Interview — How to
develop a pre-interview strategy and so be better
prepared to overcome anxiety, field difficult
questions and make a good impression on the
interviewer.
Resume Preparation — How to write a more
effective resume and cover letter, with emphasis on
the types of information needed to be successful.
Goal Setting and Career Planning — How to
develop both a short-term and long-term career
strategy.
There is no fee to attend the courses and all
educational materials will be provided.
Registration is on a first-come first serve basis.
Collective Bargaining Specialist John Conoby has
made the following schedule available:
SUNY/FARMINGDALE
Preparing for the Job Interview — Room 115,
Whitman Hall, Farmingdale
Class begins Wednesday, May 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Every Wednesday until June 15, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Resume Preparation — Room 115, Whitman Hall
Class begins Thursday, May 19, 6:30-8:30 j).m.
Continues Thursdays May 26 and June 2, 6:00-8:30
p.m.
Goal Setting and Career Planning — Room 115,
Whitman Hall
Class begins Monday, May 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. |
Continues Mondays May 23, June 6, 13 and 20,
6:00-9:00 p.m.
INTERBORO INSTITUTE
Preparing for the Job Interview — 229 Park Ave.,
New York, New York
Class begins Monday, May 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Continues Thursday, May 19, Monday, May 23,
Thursday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 31, 5:30-8:30
p.m.
Resume Preparation — 229 Park Ave., New York,
New York
Class begins Thursday, June 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Continues Monday, June 6 and Thursday, June 9,
5:30-8:30 p.m.
CENTER FOR WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
Goal Setting and Career Planning — Staff Training
Academy, Room 3495, 2 World Trade Center, New
York, New York
Class begins Tuesday, May 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Continues every Tuesday until May 31, 5:30-8:30
p.m.
DUTCHESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Preparing for the Job Interview — Blodgett House,
Fishkill
Class begins Thursday, May 12, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Continues Thursdays on May 19 and 26, June 2 and
9, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Resume Preparation — Blodgett House, Fishkill
Class begins on Monday, May 9, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Continues on Mondays, May 16 and 23, 6:00-8:00
p.m.
Goal Setting and Career Planning — Blodgett
House, Fishkill
Class begins on Wednesday, May 11, 6:00-9:00
p.m. Continues on Wednesdays, May 18 and 25,
June 1 and 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Preparing for the Job Interview — Academic
Building No. 1
Class begins on Wednesday, May 11, 5:30-8:30
p.m. Continues on Monday, May 16, Wednesday,
May 18, Monday, May. 23 and Wednesday, May.25,__.
Bip abel PeMs301 11 AaapAh i 8OD32 9:
ep
Page 2
CSEAP offers free courses
on career advancement
Resume Preparation — Academic Building No. 1
Class begins on Monday, May 2, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Continues on Wednesday, May 4 and Monday, May
9, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
CENTER FOR WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
Goal Setting and Career Planning — Hutchings
Psychiatric Center, 620 Madison Ave., Syracuse
Class begins on Tuesday, May 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Continues Tuesdays, May 24 and 31, June 7 and 14,
5:30-8:30 p.m.
SUNY/BINGHAMTON
Preparing for the Job Interview — Career
Development Center, Library North Ground 500
Class begins on Tuesday, May 10, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Continues on Thursday, May 12, Tuesday, May 17,
Thursday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 24, 6:00-9:00.
p.m.
Resume Preparation — Career Development
Center, Library North Ground 500
Class begins Wednesday, May 4, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Continues Wednesdays, May 11 and 18, 6:00-8:00
p.m. and Wednesday, May 25, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Preparing for the Job Interview — Career
Development Center, Library North Ground 500
Class begins on Tuesday, May 10, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Continues on Thursday, May 12, Tuesday, May 17,
Thursday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 24, 6:00-9:00
p.m.
A last call has also been put out for the following
course:
New York State Merit System — How to make an
Local 102 confronts layoff threat
LOCAL 102 OFFICERS confer about threat of possible layoffs for parks p
president Arthur Loving, right, briefs, from left, Secretary Ethel Strachan, First Vice President
Claudette Gravel and Second Vice President Sal Buonom.
—_
informed career decision by learning how the
system works.
STATE CAMPUS
New York State Merit System — Civil Service
Building, Albany
Class begins Thursday, March 24, 5:15-8:15 p.m.
Continues Thursday, March 31, 5:15-8:15 p.m.
To register, fill out the following form and mail it
to: Betty Kurtik, CSEAP Coordinator, Suite 2008,
Twin Towers, 99 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y.
12210.
al
ersonnel. Local 102
LAYOFF THREATS DISCUSSED — Arthur Loving, right, president of Long Island Inter-County
State Park CSEA Local 102, discusses with Local members union plans to fight possible layoffs
caused by Gov. Cuomo’s executive budget proposals,
¥ D439 EU HE
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
Slate of candidates announced for
election of State Executive Committee
ALBANY — The Statewide Nominating Committee has announced the
nominees for this Spring’s election of CSEA State Executive Committee
members.
Members may also qualify for candidacy by petition. Nominating petitions
must be filed by April 15. Members may obtain further information and official
petitions by contacting their Regional Office.
Agriculture and Markets
John Weidman
Audit and Control
Beatrice McCoy
Jeanne Pratt
David Jacques
Barbara Skelly
Authorities
Walter John Francisco
Civil Service
Dolores Farrell
Commerce
Ruth Lovegrove
Environmental Conservation
Karen Murray
Department of Corrections
Susan Crawford
Helen Carter
James LeClaire
Education
June Robak
Claire McGrath
Richard Weeks
Executive
Earl Kilmartin
Cindy Egan
Jonn Lowery
Joseph Kowalski
Fitzgerald Taylor
Health
James Jayes
Brian Madden
Insurance
Betty Collins
Elliott Bernstein
Judicial
Thomas Jefferson
Patricia Nealon
Joseph Johnson, Jr.
Labor
Brian Ruff
Jeanne Lyons
Denis Tobin
Ronald Galinski
Rose Feverman (Sutro)
Law
Elisa Bursor
Grace Dennis
Motor Vehicles
Barbara Stack
Everton Phillips
Mental Hygiene — Region I
James Forsyth
Names of all candidates for the State Division seats of the union’s Board of
Directors will be published in The Public Sector in mid-May, when ballots will
be mailed to members eligible to vote in the elections.
The slate of candidates announced by the Nominating Committee is as
follows:
Bill Chacona
Jean Frazier
Carl Fennell
Alfred Henneborn
Caroline Guardiano
Mental Hygiene — Region 2
Brenda Nichols
George Boncoraglio
James Gripper, Jr.
Joel Schwartz
Mental Hygiene — Region 3
Robert Thompson
Harold Ryan
Eva Katz
Kenneth Klinko
Gary J. Eldridge
Alexander Hogg
Mental Hygiene — Region 4
Francis Wilusz
Michele Ring
Wanda Lubinski
Mental Hygiene — Region 5
Hugh McDonald
Sue Buerzinski
George McCarthy
Mental Hygiene — Region 6
Paul Christopher
Elaine Mootry
Public Corporation
JoAnn Lowe
Public Service
Dennis Haskins
Social Service
William McMahon
Alan Siegel
Jeraldine McMillan-Cherry
State
Donald Forchilli
Taxation and Finance
John Gully
Julie DeMartino
Adele Borakove
Transportation
Joan Tobin
John Cassidy
Gilbert Tatro
Reginald Savory, Sr.
University
Patricia Crandall
Sara Sievert
Marie Romanelli
Frances DuBose-Batiste
Charles Eynon
Jay Helfgott
Elizabeth Lennon
Kathleen Berchou
Vote
LAKE PLACID — Residents of the world-
famous Village of Lake Placid will be going to
the polls March 15 to decide whether to keep
their quaint Olympic village intact or dissolve
it into the neighboring Town of North Elba.
CSEA is strongly opposed to the dissolution
measure, and has launched a media
campaign entitled “Keep the Village THE
VILLAGE” at the request of the village unit
and Essex County Local 816.
At issue for the village’s 2,474 residents are
the potential loss of low-cost electrical power,
village police, fire protection and the village’s
highway services.
CSEA notes that special legislation would be
required to set up a special police district, a
lengthy process which could take months to
enact.
Capital Region Political Action Chairman
John Francisco stresses the importance of a
high voter turnout March 15,
“Tf each voter realizes just how important
his or her vote is, and just how much the area
has to lose, then village residents will take the
time to vote,” he said.
“NO”
15
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983 Page 3
; 3 LUT AT
Official publication of
The Civil Service Employees Association
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224
The Public Sector (445010) is published every
other Friday by the Civil Service Employees
Association, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York
12224.
Publication office, 1 Columbia Place, Albany,
New York 12207.
Second Class Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York.
GARY G. FRYER — Publisher
ROGER A. COLE — Editor
TINA LINCER FIRST — Associate Editor
GWENN M. BELLCOURT — Assistant Editor
Address changes should be sent to Civil Ser-
vice Employees Association, The Public Sector,
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224.
Region Ill schedules series of workshops
FISHKILL — Region III President Raymond
J. O’Connor is asking members in this seven-
county region to “make a date” for four
workshops to be held March through June.
“Internal Organizing” will be the topic of a
seminar running from Friday night, March 26
through Saturday afternoon, March 27 at the
Tappan Zee Towne House in Nyack, Rockland
County. Reservation forms are available from
the regional office in Fishkill, and must be
returned by March 18.
“Officers Training Workshops” will be held
April 27-28 at the Fishkill regional office. Flyers
for that workshop will be mailed out shortly.
A major program is scheduled for the
Americana Great Gorge Resort in McAfee, N.J.
May 13-15. There will be workshops on the
American labor movement, basic negotiations,
and OSHA. The deadline for reservations has
been extended. Forms are available from the
Fishkill office, and must be returned by March
25.
Finally, workshops on “Internal Organizing”
will again be offered in the region, this time at
the White Plains satellite office, 222
Mamaroneck Avenue, June 22-23.
President O’Connor says, “These workshops
will be very valuable learning experiences, andI
hope our members take advantage of these
opportunities. Our education and program
committees have done a fine job in presenting
educational programs for each workshop. The
Regional Executive Committee has mandated at
least two workshops to be held in this period. We
have four excellent ones scheduled, and I hope
our members support these efforts.”
Death of former
officer mourned
NEW YORK CITY — Bronx Psychiatric
Center Local 401 President Ernest Punter and
the local’s members and officers are mourning
the recent death of former Local 401 President
William Anderson.
“Mr. Anderson served as local president for
several terms and fought hard to protect the
rights of his membership,” Punter said.
“We, the executive board and membership of
Local 401, will always remember and cherish his
efforts and hard work.”
Punter urged CSEA members to send their
condolences to: The Anderson Family, 140 West
130th St., New York, NY 10027.
'Y — A promotional exam series which
should be of significant benefit to CSEA
OHM, OMRDD
promotional
exam series
deadline is
March 28
members in OMH and OMRDD has been
announced by the Civil Service Department.
Filing deadline for the exams is March 28.
"Written tests will be administered
’ For the first time, permanent ignene ina
variety of Grade 9 direct-care titles in OMR and
OMRDD' will be able to compete on a
promotional basis for such grade 11 para-
professional titles as Recreation Assistant,
Mental Hygiene Therapy Assistant I, and Mental
Hygiene Staff Development Specialist I.
Page 4
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
Dividend checks due
The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New
York has declared the ninth consecutive dividend
on the Supplemental Life Insurance Plan sponsored
by CSEA. Dividend checks are scheduled to be
mailed on or about March 15.
The amount of a dividend is based on the current
dividend rate for age groups, as follows:
Under Age 40... fue 25%
Age 40 to 59...
Age 60 and over..
premiums payable for that coverage which was in
effect for the entire policy year of November 1, 1981
to October 31, 1982. Premiums for any coverage
which became effective after October 31, 1981 do
not qualify for this dividend.
With this dividend, policy holders have received
over $2,390,000 since the Supplemental Life
Insurance Plan was installed in 1970. Continued
favorable claim experience makes this dividend
possible.
Please direct any questions concerning this
dividend to the Plan Administrator:
Jardine Ter Bush & Powell Inc.
P.O. Box 956
Schenectady, New York 12301
additional block of questions on supervision.
rit May 14, and
applicants must file by the March 28 deadline.
‘The examination numbers are as follows:
. OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH
38-705 Para-Professional Careers in Mental
Hygiene
37-810 Mental Hygiene Staff Development
Specialist I
37-047 Mental Hygiene Therapy Assistant I
OFFICE OF MENTAL RETARDATION
AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES
Para-Professional Careers in Mental
Hygiene
Mental ae! Staff Development
Menial Hygiene Therapy
30706
37-851
Legislators ‘shocked’ by poor conditions
during tour of Manhattan Psych.
Accreditation review
brings ‘cosmetic’
changes at facility,
Caloumeno charges
N EOWoY 0 Rew Co Lh yi —
Overcrowding, understaffing and
poor conditions for patients and staff
at Manhattan Psychiatrie Center
(MPC) were brought to the attention
of elected officials during a tour of the
facility by Congressman Charles
Rangel, State Sen. Olga Mendez and
Assemblyman Angelo Del Toro.
Metropolitan Region II President
George Caloumeno and MPC Local
413 President Floyd Payne
accompanied hospital administrators
and patient advocates on the tour as
the psychiatric center’s problems
were pointed out to the elected
officials.
After seeing first-hand the
deficiencies which led to MPC’s loss
of accreditation in 1980 by the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of
Hospitals (JCAH), Rangel, Mendez
and Del Toro each expressed shock at
what they witnessed on the wards and
promised to do their best to bring
MPC up to JCAH standards.
The loss of accreditation caused
MPC to lose between $6 and $8 million
a year in Medicaid and Medicare
funds. Another JCAH accreditation
review is scheduled for May.
At a round-table discussion
following the tour, Caloumeno
objected to the “temporary, cosmetic
moves’”’ planned by the Office of
Mental Health (OMH) simply to get
MPC to pass accreditation. He noted
that up to 80 temporary workers are
being hired at the facility.
“We (CSEA) will not tolerate the
hiring of temporary workers when
permanent additions to the staff are
needed,” he told the elected officials.
Caloumeno accused OMH of being
more concerned with getting
accreditation than with bringing
quality of care up to JCAH standards
permanently.
“Frankly,” he said, ‘I believe OMH
will hire staff to get through
accreditation and then lay these
newly hired people off, returning
Manhattan State to business as
usual.”
Rangel, Mendez and Del Toro were
equally outraged at what they see as
temporary moves to simply pass
accreditation, and pledged to work for
a permanent upgrading of the facility.
Center
TAKING A TOUR of Manhattan Psychiatric Center are, from left to right, Assemblyman Angelo Del Toro, Public
Employees Federation Representative Clarence Fitchett, State Senator Olga LSI Congressman Charles Rangel
and Metropolitan Region II President George Caloumeno.
AT A ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION following the tour, State Senator Olga Mendez makes a point to MPC Local 413
President Floyd Payne, left, Metropolitan Region President George Caloumeno and Local 413 First Vice President Fred
Daniels, right.
They also questioned the motivation
of OMH in budgeting $147,000 to paint
wards, purchase furniture and make
other physical improvements at MPC
before the May accreditation
inspection.
Following the tour and round-table
discussion, Mendez met with
Caloumeno and the MPC Local 413
officers to get the union’s perspective
on issue affecting the psychiatric
center.
West Seneca me
employees
protest ——
WEST SENECA dl
blue and white collar
employees of t
Hes Tene ie ee
push for an end to the in
The members of
“we want a contract” as the board
address the issue, which has left the
Pes Cabs menhend wie tes
of a contract ‘with town police boosts wages |
signing
ies Percent this year and 8 percent
984.
aining Specialist Danny Jinks : r
teen edie
eek of Feb. 21.
the cumple in tree weeks
the fact finder's fed should be
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
Page 5
The case of the cramped court quarters
Proposed renovation plan
at Middletown City Court
not suitable, says Local 332
MIDDLETOWN — “The proceedings of a city court should take place in
a dignified setting, not a closet-type atmosphere.”
So says Patricia Nealon, president of CSEA Court Employees Local 332,
in describing the current conditions at Middletown City Court.
Cramped facilities and other poor conditions have plagued the court for
several years now, but the city’s answer to the problems — a proposed
$30,000 worth of renovations — won’t help much, say Nealon and other Local
332 leaders, who have rejected the renovation plan.
“Tt will be a waste of taxpayers’ money,” says Nealon.
One of the major problems at the court is the courtroom itself, which
seats 23 people. On one recent inspection of the facilities with The Public
Sector, CSEA Shop Steward and City Court Marshall Frank Dendanto
counted 25 people standing in the courtroom because there were no seats,
while another 50 were standing in the small entranceway or outside in
15-degree weather.
Fortunately for those present, all who were supposed to appear before
City Judge Elaine Slobod did not show, or another 30 people would have been
jammed into the facilities. More than a dozen attorneys stood in the small
area before the judge’s bench.
Other problems cited include an improperly-functioning double door
which leads to overcrowded office space, where files are stacked on top of
another against the walls and in one bathroom, which must be used by both
male and female employees. A section of the office space is used as a
cashier’s window for paying fines.
“J left the door (from the outside) open all day it was so hot in here,”
said court employee Maria Hotaling on a day on which the temperature was
in the teens.
Mayor Richard Hutchings has pointed out that additional court space is
required because the state minimum is 65-80 square feet per person. The
court office is only 22 feet by 9 feet.
In an effort to confront some of the problems, the Middletown Common
Council passed a resolution to have the office placed in the basement of the
building, which also houses the police headquarters. The basement is used
by the police department as a lockerroom, gym and bathroom, and also
houses the jail generator and boilerroom.
“The city leaders said the basement was not fit for prisoners, yet they
want the staff to go down there,” says Shop Steward Dendanto.
Nealon points out the $30,000 renovation figure is now more than two
years old, and is not enough for the proper work to be done. She says, “Judge
Herbert Evans (in Albany) has the power to go to the state comptroller to
move our facilities to another building, then charge the city. Right now, that
would probably be the best thing to happen.”
In addition to inconveniences and hazards for employees, the cramped
court presents problems for the public. There are no bathrooms, and juries
must deliberate in the judge’s chambers, where law books are readily
accessible.
“Juries are not supposed to deliberate in those surroundings. “It shows a
total disregard for the law,” says Nealon.
She believes Mayor Hutchings should work more closely with the union
local, since its employees will be working in any renovated or new facility.
Ina letter to the mayor, she wrote, ‘The City of Middletown’s position may
have been in good faith in its feelings on the basement expansion, but
everyday operations suggest that the proposed expansion leaves much to be
desired. No one can deny that the atmosphere of a court must be one of
integrity and dignity; but unfortunately, the City Court of Middletown lacks
the space and facilities to provide this, even with the proposed expansion.”
Now that Local 332 has rejected the proposed renovation plan, the ball is
in the city’s court, so to speak, and the local will be waiting to see what, if
any, alternatives the city comes up with.
|
COURT WORKERS’ CRAMP — Middletown City Court employees Maria
i in top photo, work in the
numerous OSHA
other supplies ar
being stored because of lack of other s
7
The verdict:
Court must
correct problems
by March 15
MIDDLETOWN — The New York State
Department of Labor has notified Ninth Judicial
District Administrative Law Judge Joseph Gagliardi
that there are several violations in Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements at the
Middletown City Court facilities, and ordered that
improvements be made by Mar. 15.
The OSHA report says the near-cubicle in which the
court employees work is too crowded, which violates
the rule that there should be a minimum aisle width of
28 inches. Cardboard files which are currently stacked
one on top of another must be removed immediately.
Internally-illuminated exit signs must be properly
functioning. Employees are to be instructed how to
operate fire extinguishers, and records must be kept
showing the extinguishers are in proper working order.
Food cannot be stored in the bathroom. Caution \
signs must be placed on doors leading into the cramped
office to show there may be someone, or something (a
file cabinet) behind it.
Local 332 President Pat Nealon says, ‘“These
violations are of long standing. We’ve made numerous
complaints, and nobody ever did anything about them.
We'll be checking Mar. 15 to make sure all the
regulations are being complied with.””
Mayor Richard Hutchings has been notified of the
OSHA violations, and workers have moved the copy
machine to another part of the room and taken some
temporary files out of the office. But the court
employees are hoping for better, more permanent
changes.
Pagers}
THE PUBLIC SEQTOR) Friday, | March 4al, 1983
LOCAL 415 PRESIDENT ALEX HOGG fields questions for State
Senator Richard Schermerhorn (R-41) at informational meeting at
Middletown Psychiatric Center Feb. 18. There are 61 layoffs
scheduled there under Goy. Cuomo’s proposed budget. Looking on is A
PEF Rep. Harry Black.
‘aaa &
FIELD REP. FELICE AMODIO, left, talks with Assemblyman Bill Larkin
(R-95) to get update on State Legislature’s schedule for budget review.
PREVENT
LAYOFFS
Differential pay
awarded for doing
job of vacationing
supervisor
POTSDAM — Carl Sova will be getting out-of-title
pay for work he did last summer while his
supervisor was on vacation. But, it took a
grievance, CSEA’s legal assistance program, and
an arbitrator to do so.
Sova, a member of CSEA Local 845 and an
employee of this St. Lawrence County village since
1971, traditionally assumed the duties of his
supervisor whenever he was absent. Indeed, he
At Middletown Psychiatric Center:
Legislators, members
confront issue of (>>°
tentative layoffs —\'
MIDDLETOWN — A trio of state
legislators recently toured the Middletown
Psychiatric Center for a first-hand look at
the facility, one of several slated to suffer
employee layoffs under a state budget
proposed by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo. Later
they participated in an employee
information program conducted by CSEA
Local 415 at the center.
State Senator Richard Schermerhorn,
ssemblyman Bill Larkin and
Assemblywoman Mary McPhillips were
hosted by Local 415 President Alex Hogg,
CSEA Field Representative Felice Amodio
and various union officials. The
Middletown Psychiatric Center is
tentatively scheduled to lose 61 positions
through layoffs, but CSEA and other public
employee unions are mounting massive
campaigns designed to offer alternate
budget proposals that would eliminate the
need for mass layoffs.
}
U
ASSEMBLYWOMAN MARY McPHILLIPS (D-94) speaks with Hogg, Amodio,
layoffs at the Center.
and an unidentified Center employee, who asked McPhillips not to support any
Letters and calls can
save thousands of jobs
For Carl Sova, more duties means more pay
routinely did so in his position of working foreman
in the Building and Preventative Maintenance
Program.
On June 1, 1982, a new contract was negotiated
which provided that, ‘“‘an employee who performs
out-of-title work is to be compensated for the
difference between his wage and the higher paying
position, beginning on the third day of such
functioning.” Accordingly, Sova was paid extra
money when he temporarily assumed duties last
June. But, when he did the same a month later, out-
of-title pay was denied.
Village officials argued that the new contract
language implied that such work cannot be
assumed without prior authorization from
management. Moreover, it held that the June
payment was, ‘the payroll clerk’s error.”
CSEA argued that the contract clause is silent on
the question of authorization. And, it is
management’s duty to inform the union and the
employee if they intend to change a practice which
has been mutually understood and followed.
Arbitrator Mona Miller found merit in the union’s
position, saying, ‘“‘The employee does not bear the
responsibility for discovering management’s
discontinuance of a practice. The notification of a
work force’s change is as much a management
responsibility as the opportunity to initiate such
changes is a management's rights. The village
owes Carl Sova the out-of-title differential pay.”
THE PUBLIC SECTOR), Fridny,| March 03), 1983
Poge 7
Contact your legislators today!
worker in the state is urged to immediately
write to his or her adsemblyman and
senator relibeteel | opposition to a state
budget that would cause mass layoffs,
severe public service cuts, and place
financial strain primarily on public
employees and average income families.
State legislators command a strong
influence over your career as a public
employee in New York State. It is the state
legislators, for instance, who will
determine the composition of the next
state budget. They can alter the Executive
Budget as submitted by Gov. Mario
Cuomo, and they can adopt alternate
measures that would make mass layoffs
and severe public service cuts
unnecessary. And as the current
legislative session continues, these same
lawmakers will be passing judgment on
scores of proposed bills that directly
affect you as a taxpayer, a citizen and a
public employee. Our first priority is to
achieve a new state budaet that is
substantially different from the one
A TELEPHONE CALL
IS EVEN QUICKER:
ASSEMBLY
Switchboard ‘
(518) 455-4100
SENATE
proposed by the governor. Every public
i it
(518) 455-2800
Keep your Assembly representative informed
MEMBERS OF THE NEW 27 Nattie Mayersohn 68 Angelo DelToro 110 Andrew W. Ryan, Jr.
YORK STATE ASSEMBLY 28 Alan G. Hevesi 69 Edward C. Sullivan 111 John W. McCann
ARE LISTED BELOW. ‘29 Cynthia Jenkins 70 Geraldine L. Daniels 112. JohnG. A. O'Neil
CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD 30 Ralph Goldstein 71 Herman D. Farrell 113. Anthony J. Casale
BE SENT TO THE AP- 31 Anthony S. Seminerio 72 John Brian Murtaugh 114 HH. Robert Nortz
PROPRIATE ASSEMBLYMAN 32 Edward Abramson 73 Jose E. Serrano 115 William R. Sears
clo STATE CAPITOL, AL- 33 #=©Alton R. Waldon, Jr. 74 Louis Nine 116 Richard S. Ruggiero
BANY, NEW YORK 12248. 34 ~=Ivan C. Lafayette 75 John C. Dearie 117 Raymond T. Chesbro
35 Helen M. Marshall 76 + # Aurelia Greene 118 Michael J. Bragman
36 = Denis J. Butler 77 ~— Jose Rivera 119 William E. Bush
37 Clifford E. Wilson 78 Gloria Davis 120 Melvin N. Zimmer
DIST. ASSEMBLYMAN 38 ~#Frederick D. Schmidt 79 George Friedman 121 Hyman M. Miller
39 = Stanley Fink 80 = G. Oliver Koppell 122 Clarence D.
40 Edward Griffith 81 Eliot L. Engel Rappleyea
1 Joseph Sawicki, Jr. 41 Helene E. Weinstein 82 ~=—~Vincent A. Marchiselli 123. James W. McCabe
2 John L. Behan 42 Rhoda S. Jacobs 83 ~#8Nicholas A. Spano 124 James R. Tallon, Jr.
3 (1. William Bianchi 43 Clarence Norman, Jr. 84 Gordon W. Burrows 125 Hugh S. MacNeil
4 George J. 44 Melvin H. Miller 85 John M. Perone 126 George H. Winner, Jr.
Hochbruckner 45 Daniel L. Feldman 86 ~=Richard L. Brodsky 127 John R. Kuhl
5 Paul E. Harenberg 46 Howard L. Lasher 87 ‘Peter M. Sullivan 128 Michael F. Nozzolio
6 Robert C. Wertz 47 Frank J. Barbaro 88 John R. Branca 129 Frank G. Talomie, Sr.
7 Thomas F, Barraga 48 Dov Hikind 89 Henry W. Barnett 130 Louise M. Slaughter
8 John C. Cochrane 49 Louis Fredo 90 Vincent L. Leibell, 1! 131 Gary Proud
9 John J. Flanagan 50 Joseph R. Lentol 91 William J. Ryan 132 Audre T. Cooke
10 Antonia P. Rettaliata 51 Joseph Ferris 92 Robert J. Connor 133 David F. Gantt
11 Patrick G. Halpin 52 Eileen C. Dugan 93 Eugene Levy 134 Roger J. Robach
H 12 Philip B. Healey 53 Victor L. Robles 94 Mary M. McPhillips 135 James F. Nagle
13 Lewis J. Yevoli 54 Thomas F. Catapano 95 William J. Larkin, Jr. 136 Richard C. Wesley
i 14‘ Frederick E. Parola, 55 William S. Boyland 96 Lawrence E. Bennett 137 R. Stephen Hawley
H Jr. 56 Albert Vann 97 Stephen M. Saland 138 . Joseph T. Pillittere
15 Angelo F. Orazio 57 Roger L. Green 98 Richard I. Coombe 139 Matthew J. Murphy
16 May W. Newburger 58 ~=Elizabeth A. Connelly 99 Glenn E. Warren 140 Robin L. Schimminger
17 Kemp Hannon 59__—s Eric NV. Vitaliano 100 Neil W. Kelleher 141 Arthur O. Eve
18 Barbara A. Patton 60 Robert A. Straniere 101 Maurice D. Hinchey 142 John B. Sheffer, It
19 Armand P. D’Amato 61 ~=William F. 102 Clarence D. Lane 143. Dennis T. Gorski
20 = 3=Arthur J. Kremer Passannante 103 Michael J. Hoblock 144 ~=William B. Hoyt
| 21 Gregory R. Becker 62 Sheldon Silver 104 Richard J. Conners 145 Richard J. Keane
} 22 George H. Madison 63 Steven Sanders 105 (Vacant) 146. Francis J. Pordum
\ 23 = Gerdi L. Lipschutz 64 ~=Richard N. Gottfried 106 Michael R. McNulty 147 L. William Paxon
H 24 Saul Weprin 65 Alexander B. Grannis 107 James Tedisco 148 Vincent J. Graber, Sr.
} 25 John F. Duane 66 Mark Alan Siegel 108 Robert A. D’Andrea 149 Daniel B. Walsh
] 26 Leonard P. Stavisky 67 Jerrold Nadler 109 = Glenn H. Harris 150 William L. Parment
how fo contact your state senator
|
|
|
! MEMBERS OF THE NEW 8 Norman Levy 26 Roy Goodman
i YORK STATE SENATE ARE 9 Carol Berman 27 Manfred Ohrenstein mt Honea Statford
LISTED BELOW. CORRE- 10 Andrew Jenkins 28 Franz Leichter 46 Douglas Barcla
| SPONDENCE SHOULD BE 11 Frank Padavan 29 Leon Bogues 47 cena Donovan
\ SENT TO THE APPROPRIATE 12 Gary Ackerman 30 Olga Mendez 48 Martin Auer
SENATOR, clo STATE CAP- 13. Emanuel Gold 31 = Joseph Galiber 49 Tarky Lombardi
ITOL, ALBANY NEW YORK 14 Anthony Gazzara 32 Israel Ruiz Jr. 50 Lloyd Riford Jr.
12224. 15 Martin Knorr 33 Abraham Bernstein 51 Warren ‘Anderson
16 Jeremy Weinstein 34 John Calandra 52 William Smith
| DIST. SENATOR 17 Howard Babbush 35 John Flynn 53. ~—sCL.. Paul Kehoe
1 Kenneth LaVall 18 Donald Halperin 36 Joseph Pisani 54 John Perry
pans a fn alle 19 Martin Solomon 37 Mary Goodhue 55 William Steinfeldt
5 ounes 7 iC 20 Thomas Bartosiewicz 38 ~= Linda Winikow 56 Jess Present
SS rigieeen nantes 21 Martin Markowitz 39 Richard Schermerhorn w i
wen Johnson 22 Anna Jefferson 40 Charles Cook Sa ees eeane |
5 Ralph Marino aries Coo! 58 Anthony Masiello
6 dekp Gunne 23 Joseph Montalto 41 Jay Rolison Jr. 59 Dale Volker
7 Michael Tully 24 John Marchi 42 Howard Nolan Jr. 60 Walter Floss
25 Martin Connor 43 Joseph Bruno 61 John Daly
Page 8
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
“JOBS AND JUSTICE’
We're fighting for both
A trank appraisal of the controversial state budget
dilemma by CSEA President William L. McGowan
Whoever it was that sald, “The only
pines you can depend upon are death and
headed for the unemployment
They supported a candidate for go
nor who promised, “Jobs and Just! Ns
Three months later he proposed
eliminating some 14,000 state jobs. To make
matters worse. he proposed doing this by
laying off more than 8,500 active state
workers and eliminating the rest through
normal attrition and an early retirement in-
centive program. He later reduced the
proposed layoffs to 7,500.
The governor points to a $1.8 bililon
budget gap as justification for it all. He
didn’t know It was that bad, he tells
everyone now, and he really doesn’t want
to cut anything. He simply doesn’t have any
choice, he says.
In some respects, of course, Mario
Cuomo Is absolutely correct. He didn’t
Like It or
ply isn’t correct.
jaying (and he has ac-
any times) Is
Justify squeezing he budget every where
I
employees don’t account for the |!
share of the state operating budget. This
after all, a state government that serves
people. Machines can’t do that, only people
can. But no one Is arguing that state
operations should be exempt from the
budget problems. Reducing 14,000 state
Jobs seems to me like more than enough
sacrifice for state workers who
making sacrifice acrifice f
Gente:
idate Cuomo recognized that
inded state workers dur-
IP: » Governor Cuomo ap-
ly a different point of view when
he drew up his budget.
So now CSEA Is giving It everything
we've got in the legislature to thwart the
pl. to in ot 14,000 state
sacrifice and d
re Isn't a great deal bett
le. A critical part of tl
argument that he must ha’
fiyorte deals with limited state revenues. If
he only had the money, he
wouldn’t have to resort to layo!
“spin-ups”. Yet it draws
urces from all New Yorkers
Imcom ability to pay. The
$5,000 a year pensioner and the $50,000 a
year executive contribute equally. So much
for “Justice.”
The governor says he made a
Judgement that to ralse any of the state’s
“broad based” taxes would be “counter-
Productive’. It would encourage
businesses to move out of the state, he
says, and would send a bad signal to
business that when the chips are down, the
state will resort to ralsing taxes despite its
long standing policy to control or reduce
taxes.
Marlo Cuomo Isn’t alone elther. There
Is evident among
the handicapped,
that sudden cuts In state servic
going to hi
ct Is the state Is Increasing taxes
anyway, the only question Is are they being
Increased enough and are they being In-
ed fairly? The
questions Is, of course, “no”.
Info Center on
preferred lists
opened to help
layoff victims
So now what? CSEA members across
New York State are demonstrating thelr
discontent with the Cuomo budget, fre-
quently when the governor mai public
appearances and that Is how It uld be.
He must know that this union and its
members will not stand silently by while he
proposes laying off CSEA membe:
The governor has already spo!
has stated his position publicly and
likely to change It. The only
the layoffs now Is |
ons, and lobbying efforts
stricts of Individual legis!
making I
strong. There is general
that Gov. Cuomo’s budget
s tax revenues. [t also un-
the effects of an early
‘ement Incentive program In reducing
the work force through attrition. And It
overestimates the Impact of layoffs as
cost-saving devices without projecting the
Impact of those layoffs on other expen-
ditures, such as unemployment benefits.
Only a fool would predict at this point
that all layoffs can be averted, but only a
pessimist would say that there Is nothing
that _can be done about the threat.
The legisiature Is being deluged with
the antl-layoff post cards we asked you to
mall. Individual lawmak« beginning
to complain about the
d
vote. That is
our only hope of having a meaningful effect
on the outcome.
| urge you to continue your efforts by
signing anti-layoff petitions, mailing In your
post cards or encouraging your fellow
‘s to do so, and contacting your own
ors Individually. These are the tools
we have to work with now. What we make
them depends on how much effort we
wiiling to spend to achieve the goal
that all of us want: “Jobs. and Justice.”
ALBANY — The Department of Civil Ser-
vice has ferred List Information
Center for state
layoffs. Counselors
6 p.m. to answer telephone qu
The phone number Is (518) 457-2973.
The Center, In Room 119 In Bullding 1 of
the State Office Bullding Campus In Albany,
will also provide info mon a walk-in
basis from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. dally.
457-2978
(S18)
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11,1983.
~ Page ©
ALBANY — Nearly 360 Political
Action Liaisons (PALS), union
members and statewide officers
gathered here at the State’s Capitol
recently for the Sixth Annual
Legislative Seminar, a day-long
program which focused on grassroots
lobbying.
“This seminar stressed the
importance of lobbying through the
PALS in the home districts, where the
members vote for their legislators,
where a legislator realizes who
b his/her constituents really are,”
CSEA PRESIDENT William L. "oted Bernie Ryan, director of
McGowan addresses the projected CSEA’s legislative and political
layoffs slated for April 1 at the action department.
Legislative Seminar held in Albany
last month.
After a series of morning
workshops, CSEA Statewide
President William L. McGowan took
the podium and addressed the
sensitive issue of the projected state
layoffs. The union president declared
members will not tolerate any layoffs,
and the union will do everything in its
power to avert the thousands of
layoffs called for in Gov. Cuomo’s
1983 fiscal budget.
Lt. Gov. Alfred DelBello, the
seminar’s keynote speaker,
recounted his experience as the
former Westchester County
Executive — more specifically, his
involvement in collective bargaining
on the county level.
Yet the main thrust of the program,
according to Ryan, was an afternoon
panel discussion entitled “Lobbying
from the Other Side of the Desk.”
Here, members had the opportunity @
to hear legislators comments on the
age-old practice of lobbying for
passage or defeat of a particular
piece of legislation.
Senator Richard Schermerhorn
(39th Dist.) was the first
representative to address the group.
In what was described as a ‘“‘candid
discussion,” Schermerhorn admitted
he may have made a mistake by
letting Tier II legislation out of his @
ittee (Senate Civil Service and
sions). The senator promised
isions on the controversial
jirement system this year.
tressing the importance of well-
prn@d PALS was Senator Olga
tndez (30th Dist), who said she
fies heavily on these lobbyists for
prmation on how a bill affects her
stituents.
ssemblywoman Toni Rettaliata
Dist.) praised the effectiveness
CSEA’s liaisons in her district,
lich includes a major portion of
Ffolk County.
e last legislator to speak was
senmlyman Arthur Eve (41st
Dist). Eve emphasized the need to
lobby a legislator in his/her home
district 12 months a year, and not just
around election or budget time.
As a result of this seminar and as
the Public Sector was going to press,
PALS were asked to conduct a three-
day lobbying effort (March 10, 11, 12)
in their home districts. Layoffs, the
repeal of Tier III and the permanent
Agency Shop bill topped their agenda.
PALS are expected to follow up the
district lobbying effort by visiting
their representatives during the
legislative session in Albany on
March 15.
STATE PAC CHAIRMAN Joseph KEYNOTE SPEAKER Lt. Gov.
Conway welcomes an audience of Alfred DelBello highlighted the lunch
more than 360 union members, of- program at the CESA Legislative
ficers and PALS. Seminar.
LITICAL TRIO — Participants in the Legislative Seminar stop to pose for a
ture inbetween workshops.
CSEA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Joseph McDermott, right, greets Lt.
SHOP TALK — Members discuss the legislative program with CSEA Political
Gov. Alfred DelBello at the Legislative Seminar held last month in Albany.
Action Training Specialist Ramona Gallagher, right.
Thousands
may find
retiring early
is more
attractive
under new
incentive
| program
(Continued from Page 1)
the early retirement incentive program is
subject to legislative review prior to becoming
effective. Lawmakers were given the necessary
legislation to implement the program on
February 23. It’s taken some time to review its
implications and at Public Sector press time, it
still was not certain when the legislature might
act on the bill.
To participate in the program, an employee
must be currently eligible to retire from the New
York State Employees Retirement System;
must be on the payroll as of January 31, 1983;
must be at least 55 years old; and must retire
within the ‘‘window period” of March 1 to May
31, 1983.
Should an employee participate in the
program but later reenter public service and the
Employees Retirement System, the three extra
credit years would be forfeited.
Like all programs providing enriched benefits,
this one is not without cost. The Actuary of the
State Employees Retirement System estimated
the program would cost an average of $16,200 for
each employee who participates. But the cost
will be paid by the state over a five year period
beginning in the next fiscal year, thus the
advantage to averting current budget expense.
In a meeting with the governor, CSEA
President William L. McGowan questioned the
administration’s target of 3,400 retirements
under the program. McGowan pressed the gover-
nor for a commitment that additional
retirements in excess of the goal would be
credited toward a reduction in Cuomo’s program
to layoff more than 7,500 state workers, a
program that the union is still vigorously oppos-
ing with the state’s legislative leaders.
The answer came during a television interview
in New York City a few days later. Responding@>
a question about layoffs, the governor referred to
his discussion with Mr. McGowan and the union
president’s estimate that as many as 10,000 state
employees might elect to take advantage of an
enriched early retirement plan. The governor
said if the state could get ‘‘10,000 people to
voluntarily retire . . . that would solve a lot of the
problems and you wouldn’t have to force
anybody out.”’
A Budget Division official, Peter Lynch, later
told the New York Times that if 10,000 st
employees did take advantage of the program
the state would be able to hire back 6,600 of the
7,500 people to be laid off.
“There still are questions to be answered and
commitments to be made,” commented
President McGowan, “‘but every eligible state
employee should seriously consider the once ina
lifetime opportunity offered by the early
retirement plan now pending before the
legislature. If it’s enacted as is, thousands
state workers may find that this is an
opportunity they should not let escape.”
McGowan said the union is not actively en-
couraging all eligible employees to participate
since each retirement decision must be made
individually based on personal circumstances
and goals, but since this program provides
additional benefits without additional service
and in some caes even provides benefits that
couldn’t be obtained regardless of additional
service, it is something every state employ@e
ould take a hard look at.
In view of the uncertainty of legislative action
h the proposal and the tight time constraints
vol@ed for people electing to participate, CSEA
asking all state employees to advise
ptentially eligible co-workers of the program so
hey can consider it. By giving an employee a
bpy of this article, for example, or telling them
b keep watching each edition of the Public
ector for additional information, those who may
ecide to take advantage of the program will be
ple to take advantage of it.
Meanwhile CSEA officials were scheduling
eetings with lawmakers to discuss the
ae and to urge that its potential benefits to
igible state employees could mean higher than
Inticipated participation that should be
sidered in analyzing the need for state
hyoffs.
While the program was just announced, CSEA
las learned that higher than normal demands
re already being made on the State Employees
‘etirement System for official estimates of
ension benefits by people apparently already
jonsgering the plan. This demand has created a
bg jam, however, and the system says longer
Ind longer delays must be anticipated in
eceiving estimates.
CSEA advises that if an individual calculates
is or her retirement benefits and feels he or she
ould participate in the early retirement
rogram, they should be certain to file for
lotirement within the participation period while
Further details of the program will appear in
e @xt edition of the Public Sector.
EARLY RETIREMENT
ATA GLANCE
by the legislature but so far it's not clear how or when
the legislature will act on this proposal.
Q. Who can participate?
and eligible for retirement from the New York State
Employees Retirement System, "4 ey
_@. Why should someone retire now?
. If the program is enacted as pronates: Wes eter
cI
A. Any current state employee, 55 years of age or older, S
- @. Gan | think abe
about
A. No one should ever make a decision about anything as
hag ale as ue
gram requires t
Jalen ewe the e
i
irate
for a while?
‘serious consideration.
be done now, not
nh t retiring oa ns
period” an
He thereafter. If
S
rage 10
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
waiting a confirmation on pension estimates.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
Page 11
Career comes apart at the seams
for Zeta Anderson, a victim of job cuts
By Tim Massie
CSEA Communications Associate
MIDDLETOWN — Zeta P. Anderson has become a symbol, a person
whose plight has become a rallying cry for state workers in CSEA Region
Il.
Zeta, 54, would have marked her 22nd year of state employment in
April. However, on Saturday night, Feb. 19, as she and her daughter were
hanging pictures in their living room, Zeta got a phone call from her
supervisor at Middletown Psychiatric Center, Fannie Williams.
“Mrs. Williams told me, ‘Come on over, we have something to tell you.’
I asked her what was wrong, and she said, ‘You’re one of the people to be
laid off.’ . . . I felt like someone hit me in the stomach.”’
A seamstress at Middletown, Zeta could retire in August, when she’ll
reach her 55th birthday. She made the last payment on her house in
January. But she says, “I can’t keep my house. I’ve got to sell it. I’ll need the
money to live.”
Zeta is supervising garment worker at the Middletown facility. She
pointed with pride recently to the drapes that hung in the employee lounge.
“J made all of them,” she said, showing a visitor the long drapes with
splashes of blue, green, white and purple in a floral print.
She says even though her job is not directly related to patient care, her
position has a great impact on the residents at Middletown. “I repair the
patients’ clothing, make alterations on new clothing from the boutique, and
keep pretty busy with my sewing machine,” she notes. She also makes
safety jackets for the patients.
Zeta lives alone. Her daughter has now moved to the nearby community
of Winnerton. Yet, she says she doesn’t feel alone in the fight to keep her job.
She says confidently, ‘I have a lot of people fighting for me. (Local
President) Alex Hogg is really going to bat for me. I’m looking for a positive
outcome to all this.”
Zeta says she is a little hard of hearing, which is a handicap when
looking for a job. So is the fact that she is 54 years old, and a woman. She
faces all these barriers, despite the fact that all of her evaluations at
Middletown have said the same thing: she is an outstanding employee.
Zeta P. Anderson may lose her job, a job which has given her a bi-
weekly take-home pay of $351, after 22 years with the State of New York.
When Cuomo met with CSEA leaders in Hyde Park on Mar. 4, Regional
President Raymond J. O’Connor used Zeta’s example when he told the
governor, ‘Thanks to you, she faces a dismal future without her job. While
Albany’s offices are filled with advisors making well over $50,000 a year, the
governor wants to lay off someone with wages barely above the poverty
level.”
Says O’Connor: “It’s people like Zeta P. Anderson, and the problems
she now faces, that are being brought to the attention of Gov. Cuomo and
state legislators who have been looking at numbers, not persons.”
Zeta has written dozens of letters to Albany, as have her co-workers at
Middletown. They are all hoping that no layoffs will be necessary, so that
Zeta can work just five more months, then enjoy her retirement, instead of
worrying about her forced departure.
Sia: Biss
‘a
L.I. region layoff protest March 18
HAUPPAUGE — A massive show of resistance to
proposed state layoffs is scheduled for March 18 by
Long Island Region I civil service workers.
CSEA will picket at the State Office Building here
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. State locals, with the support
of county division locals, have been arranging car-
pool and bus transportation.
The idea, according to Region I President Danny
Donohue, is to concentrate CSEA protest at the
most visible state installation in the area. Many
thousands of members of the public use state
services there every day.
Local legislators were scheduled to appear,
Donohue said, after giving CSEA assurances of
their support in the fight to change the governor’s
proposals.
Donohue had earlier called on CSEA rank-and-
file members to turn their fears into action by
writing, telephoning and calling on their local
legislators. The grass-roots campaign was
designed to turn CSEA lobbying into a one-two
punch that legislators would not be able to duck.
“CSEA has shown its power, and these legislators
will listen,’ Donohue asserted. “We have got to
give them plenty to listen to.
“If we are silent,” he warned, ‘‘the legislators
may not feel it is necessary to support us.”
Intensive formal lobbying was under way at the
regional level to supplement contacts at the Albany
level, he declared.
With a successful campaign of formal and rank-
and-file protest, Donohue said, the layoff threat
would be severely curtailed or eliminated during
negotiations with the Legislature.
Meanwhile, Donohue was scheduled to present
the CSEA protest at a special hearing on the state
budget scheduled by Assemblyman Pat Halpin, a
Democrat, on March 11 at the Suffolk County
Legislative building in Hauppauge. Donohue is also
expected to attend a similar hearing scheduled by
Assemblywoman Toni Rettaliata, a Republican,
and other Republicans at the Islip Town Hall on the
same day.
CSEA locals were promoting the letter-writing by
members phase of the campaign.
Page 12),
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11,1983
Legal
Briefs
“Legal Briefs” is a periodic column about
Civil Service Law and legal matters of interest to
public employees. Material is compiled and
edited by the Albany law firm of Roemer and
Featherstonhaugh, counsel to CSEA.
EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE
A Supreme Court judge has ordered the removal
of the chairperson from a disciplinary panel due to
the professional relationship between the
chairperson and the expert witness to be called by
the charging party (Matter of D.W., M.D. State of.
“New York).
In the matter, the petitioner was the respondent
in an administrative disciplinary proceeding being
conducted by the New York State Department of
Health State Board for Professional Medical
Conduct. The petitioner contended that the
chairperson of the disciplinary panel, the only
psychiatrist on the panel, had a lengthy, close
professional relationship with the expert witness
for the state and that such a relationship prevented
a fair and impartial hearing.
The court noted that while insignificant or
fleeting professional or social contacts between a
party and an administrative panel member is
insufficient proof of bias, certain contacts that
include both casual or limited social relationships
and a business relationship can preclude an
impartial verdict.
The proper inquiry of the court is to consider the
nature and quality of the relationship between the
panel member and the witness.
At a hearing on the matter, it appeared that the
expert witness knew the chairperson for 25 years,
and both had been members of the New York State
University Medical School Faculty, but there had
been no social contact between them.
Based upon the professional relationship between
the two, the court ordered that the chairperson be
removed. In so ordering, it held that:
“... the impartiality of a panel member must be
above implied bias suspicion ... Thus, in the
interests of fairness, equity and justice, the
professional relationship between ... (the
chairperson and the expert witness) requires
removal of ... (the chairperson) from the panel.
The serious nature of the charges and subsequent
consequences to petitioner warrant judicial
intervention when even a suspect prejudicial
relationship exists.”
Dutehesstoomld , a,
CSEG By R ‘ Be THIS
sue i "Bm ACTION!
pull
ACTION?
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS of the Dutchess County Unit show their solidarity with striking nurses
at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie by demonstrating nightly in front of the hospital. Just
two days after CSEA announced its support of the nurses, a settlement was reached between the
nurses’ union and hospital administrators.
Dutchess members back nurses
in bid for better benefits, pay
POUGHKEEPSIE — Two days after members
of Dutchess County Local 814 and the Dutchess
County Unit threw their support behind striking
nurses at Vassar Brothers Hospital here,
administrators announced that a settlement had
been reached.
Nurses were demanding better pay and
benefits as well as changes in disciplinary
procedures. After months of slow-moving talks,
the RN’s walked off their jobs and onto picket
lines. The nurses were experiencing their first
contract pains, as they had recently joined the
New York State Nurses Association.
CSEA showed its solidarity with the Vassar
nurses by joining them on the picket lines Feb.
15, the 11th day of the strike. Unit President
Mary Rich pointed out the similarity between the
two groups when she said, “Like public
employees, nurses have long been underpaid and
unrewarded for careers dedicated to public
service.”
The officers, shop stewards and members of
the local and unit told passersby that as
professionals, the Vassar nurses ‘deserve the
dignity of a fair contract which provides an
equitable process to resolve disputes. The
inadequate pay scale offered has worsened the
problems at the hospital. Without adequate pay
and a fair contract, this hospital cannot attract
and keep qualified nursing professionals.”
CSEA members marched on their free time,
including nights, when some members stayed
past midnight, and their efforts have apparently
paid off. On Feb. 17, two days after CSEA
presented its statement of support to the
hospital’s Board of Trustees and administrators,
it was announced that an agreement had been
reached — an agreement close to the terms
demanded by the striking nurses. ,
The unit and local members who walked on the
lines those cold and snowy days and nights
received one big thank you from the nurses, who
now know they can count on the support from
their brothers and sisters in CSEA when a crisis
erupts.
LAYOFFS STRATEGY DETAILED — Region I
President Danny Donohue, left, gestures as he ex-
plains CSEA’s game plan to avert projected state
layoffs at a meeting of the Region I Executive
Board. Stony Brook Local 614 President Charles
Sclafani, right, stresses the fact that his facility
would be one of the facilities to be hit the hardest by |
e Gov. Cuomo’s budget balancing measures. b
oT
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983 Page 13
LAYOFFS:
HYDE PARK — If Gov. Mario Cuomo
expected a peaceful trip to the hometown of
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, he was in
for a big surprise.
Cuomo was the keynote speaker at the
presentation of the Four Freedoms Medals at St.
James Church here earlier this month. While the
250 invited guests listened to political rhetoric
inside, the speeches were interrupted by the
chants of 600 CSEA demonstrators outside.
CSEA members were joined by representatives
from the Public Employees Federation at a
demonstration opposing the governor’s plans to
lay off thousands of state workers to close the
state budget gap.
‘Jn less than a week, we were able to rally
together this many people to go to the governor
and tell him directly that he has let us down,”
said Region III Field Representative John Deyo,
one of the organizers of the demonstration.
The drizzle that fell that morning did not
dampen the spirits of the demonstrators who
came from each of the region’s seven counties.
Buses pulled up to a grassy, muddy field near the
church at 9:30 a.m. Deyo had joined Regional
Director Thomas J. Luposello and Regional
President Raymond J. O’Connor in seeking a
temporary restraining order to allow the
informational picketing in front of the church,
after the State Police moved it about 100 yards
north on Route 9. That move was turned down by
State Supreme Court Justice James Benson in
Poughkeepsie.
Still, the turnout was so impressive, that Gov.
Cuomo stopped his car and came out to meet
‘Give ~ frovdons from want and fear’
with O’Connor and the rank-and-file.
Pointing to a sign carried by a number of
CSEA members, O’Connor asked Cuomo, “We
supported you governor, so why don’t you
support us? You said you didn’t want to balance
the budget on the backs of state employees, yet
that is what you are trying to do!”
Cuomo’s only reply was, “I have no choice.”
The governor answered questions from upset
members for about 20 minutes, but lost his
composure at one point,
Cuomo refused to back CSEA’s proposals of
allowing attrition to take its natural course and
supporting the state income tax surcharge for
individuals with salaries above $30,000 annually.
But he did say he wanted to meet with CSEA
officials in Albany soon to discuss the matter.
In a rousing speech after the governor left,
O’Connor told the crowd, ‘It is rather
hypocritical for Gov. Cuomo to be here for the
presentation of FDR’s Four Freedoms Medals.
Our Hyde Park neighbor outlined those four
freedoms in his 1941 inaugural address. They are
freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom
from want, and freedom from fear.
“CSEA is here today to exercise our freedom
of speech. CSEA is here today to ask Gov. Cuomo
why he is willing to violate President Roosevelt’s
call for freedom from want and freedom from
fear.””
Placards carried by some CSEA members
reminded the governor, “We gave you your
job!,”’ and asked the question, ‘“‘Why do you want
mine?”
Said O’Connor: ‘These workers have given of
themselves for years, and now the governor
wants to throw them to the wayside, and to the
mercy of their creditors.”
During the presentation and luncheon at the
church, the cries of the state workers worried
over the loss of their jobs crept into the
ceremonies to remind those inside that those left
out of that celebration don’t want to be left
without employment, and money for food,
shelter, and clothing.
As for the fourth freedom, freedom of religion,
O’Connor said, ‘The recipient of that award,
Mrs. Coretta Scott King, would be out here with
us if she knew of the issues involved. Our late
international union president, Jerry Wurf,
marched with her husband, the late Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. in Birmingham, Ala. in the
1960’s. Together they called for ‘dignity and
decency’ for the sanitation workers there.”
O’Connor ended his speech by saying, “‘That’s
all we want . . . dignity and decency for our state
workers. It’s up to the governor and state
Legislature. Please show us your support.”
While those 600 CSEA members may not have
gotten any satisfaction from the governor, they
were satisfied they were able to bring their
complaints directly to him. As one member said,
“We have a long memory, governor. You haven’t
beaten us yet.”
Plans are now being made for CSEA’s political
action liasons (PALs) to meet in Albany on
March 15 to lobby for the union’s proposals to
avert any state employee layoffs.
o ie
Pink slips @ @ © (Continued from Page 1)
taxes to legal and other non-medical professional fees, a move that would
generate $550 million to help avert layoffs and restore some trimmed
programs.
After speaking personally with Speaker Fink and Senate Minority
Leader Manfred Ohrenstein, CSEA President William L. McGowan an-
nounced to the press that CSEA would put all of its support behind the
Fink plan. Later in the day, the union president sent a personal message
to Gov. Cuomo urging his support of the proposal as a reasonable alter-
native to the disaster layoffs would create.
The development was the latest, and most optimistic, in a see saw
battle over the future of the State’s operations. Previously, CSEA has
proposed an ‘‘If/Only’’ tax measure to generate revenues and help avert
layoffs. The proposal was that if state revenues fell short of predicted
levels, a temporary and modest personal income tax increase would be
implemented but only affecting taxpayers with gross incomes in excess
of $35,000 per year.
The plan, SA argued, would save jobs and require higher income
New Yorkers to make some modest sacrifices to avert layoffs, While the
Fink proposal relies upon the sales tax expansion for professional fees
rather than the income tax, it has roughly the same impact by generating
at\ditional revenues without affecting lower and middle income New
Yorkers.
Speaker Fink and Senator Ohrenstein said the proposal would
generate sufficient state revenues to avert most layoffs, restore some
programs and fund some adjustments in Cuomo’s proposed school aid
formulas.
“This union has said since the budget was proposed that layoffs on
such a massive scale would devastate public services and hurt the least
priviledged in our society,’’ Mr. McGowan said. ‘‘We have also said it is
unfair to expand taxes for low and moderate income New Yorkers
without taxing higher income areas. This proposal appears to address
that concern as well.”
“This union will use every ounce of leverage we have to enact what
appears to be the most intelligent and innovative approach to this
problem that has been offered to date,’’ he continued.
Moving quickly, Mr. McGowan notified CSEA’s Regional Offices and
union lobbyists to immediately throw CSEA support behind the
Fink/Ohrenstein proposal.
While the union would still propose the ‘‘If/Only’’ tax as an alter-
native to layoffs, with major legislative support already in place for the
Fink proposal and the clock running out on budget negotiations, the latter
plan seemed at Sector press time to be clearly the best hope of averting,
or at least limiting, the layoffs.
Yet to be heard from, of course, is Governor Cuomo and Senator
Anderson. Their views will be a major factor in the final outcome.
CSEA members are still being urged to contact their own individual
lawmakers to push for no layoffs of state workers. Now, however, in view
of the newest development, members are urged to encourage their
lawmakers to support the Fink/Ohrenstein proposal for expanded sales
taxes on professional fees as a realistic alternative to layoffs,
*Paye 14
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday) Match Vi, 1983
OUD YOu
© SACRIFICE
Be Bia "<8 15,000 stage
protest in
New York City
e
e
e
e
e
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS — Metropolitan Region II members were in
full force at the recent demonstration to protest layoffs, as evidenced in
the top photo, Above, Region II Political Action Chairman and Kingsboro
Psychiatric Center Local 402 President Robert Nurse, left, and Local 402
Treasurer Robert Sage are shown on the demonstration line. At right,
Region II President George Caloumeno gives CSEA’s position on the
e proposed job cuts to ABC-TV correspondent Roger Sharp.
LTHE RUBUG SECTOR, Friday; Marehy Wi, 1983 Page, 15
ALBANY —- After nearly a year of lengthy
research, regular meetings and consultations,
CSEA’s Local Government Contract Task Force
has issued a comprehensive series of
recommendations for improving the negotiating
process affecting more than 100,000 CSEA
members.
“Many people mistakenly think of CSEA as
representing state employees and local
government workers. That hardly tells the tale
because while there are only three state
bargaining units covering our 107,000 state
division members, in local government we have
hundreds and hundreds of bargaining units.
Some have as many as 10,000 members, others
as few as 10, “commented CSEA President
William L. McGowan, who appointed the Task
Force last year.
“CSEA goes all-out for state negotiations and I
am determined to bring that same all-out
approach to local government negotiations,” he
continued. ‘‘But with so many bargaining units
of such diversity, we need to begin by
standardizing our approach and making sure
that all of this union’s considerable resources are
brought to bear on all contract negotiations, not
just in the major bargaining units.”
The Task Force report is now being reviewed
for comment and or action by President
McGowan’s office.
Basically, it recommends several major
actions to improve local government negotiating
resources. A comprehensive educational effort
would ensure that all CSEA officials involved in
local negotiations are as prepared as possible for
what they will meet at the bargaining table. A
sophisticated automation of research data would
make up-to-date bargaining statistics and
analysis immediately available to negotiators. A
step-by-step procedure would help ensure
equitable representation of all aspects of the
union’s membership in negotiations and
ratification.
Noting that in a union as diverse as CSEA no
es approach can be devised for complex
Task F ce calls for coordinated negotiations
Major innovations recommended |
to unify local contract talks
negotiations, the Task Force recommended a
comprehensive educational effort involving a
negotiating manual, training of CSEA officials
directly involved in bargaining and increased
utilization of the resources of the union’s
Department of Education and Training. :
Collective bargaining is the end product of
numerous processes, the Task Force concluded,
and an active bargaining unit structure with
effective membership recruitment, internal
organizing efforts, active contract enforcement
and effective political action — must be
encouraged through comprehensive education
and training.
Another major area of action targeted by the
Task Force is the automation of the union’s
extensive research operation. This function
involves various analyses of contract provisions,
salary and benefit proposals, public employer
budgets and other activities.
“Information and research pertaining to
contract benefits and wage surveys, as well as
budget analyses, is essential to developing a
strong position to support union proposals,”’ the
Task Force’s report states, “CSEA should
develop a data processing capability to assist the
Research Department in providing service to all
CSEA bargaining units with accurate and timely
material.”
While the CSEA Research Department
presently employs many bargaining services,
the process is manual, and particularly at major
bargaining cycles, the work load increases
dramatically commented Bruce Wyngaard,
Associate Research Director and a staff advisor
on the Task Force. ;
The groups recommendation is to automate as
much of the research information as possible.
This would minimize manual efforts and speed
analysis. The system would require enough
flexibility, however, to adapt to the ever
changing demands of negotiations and be
compatible with CSEA’s other data processing
needs,
Examples of the services of such a system _
include comparison of salaries of selected job
titles among various employers, comparisons of
benefits among similar types of employers,
bargaining unit census data, salary
“seattergrams’’ and other computation formats
to “cost out’? bargaining proposals. The Task
Force also recommended automating the
department’s budget analysis service to improve
efficiency so it may serve more units.
A third major finding of the Task Force was
the need for ‘‘clear, well-defined policy
concerning the preparation and conduct of
negotiations’. Included in this recommendation
were 26 separate areas for policy action
identified by the Task Force as requiring
attention.
Noting that CSEA currently has no written
policy on the conduct of negotiations in local
government, school districts and public
authorities, the Task Force concluded, “Without
certain basic and sometimes very simple rules,
the negotiation process can break down and be
the source of fragmentation and dissent rather
than the focus of a positive process that should
cause all the union’s resources to be pointed
toward the same goal.”
Included in the policy recommendations were:
clarification of assignment criteria for
professional staff involved in_ negotiations;
identification of the appropriate roles of
bargaining unit leadership, negotiating
committees and negotiating teams in the
bargaining process; training for negotiating
team members; negotiating committee
composition reflecting the various elements of
the unit’s membership; guidelines on the
demand preparation process, record keeping,
advance planning, etc.; development of “model
contract language” to be made available for all
unit negotiations; participation by professional
staff negotiators in all negotiations; and
ratification procedure guidelines.
President McGowan said he is carefully
reviewing the Task Force report in its entirety
and will respond to its findings in the near future.)
Suffolk County Educational Local President.
“We have looked at the problems of local
government contract negotiations from every
angle and there is obviously a need for change,”
Curtin commented. ‘‘The members of this Task
Force and their staff advisors have put a lot into
this report. We hope that CSEA will put its
recommendations to good use.””
The 15-member panel conducted regular
meetings, interviewed and sought input from
CSEA’s professional staff negotiators and union
\_ officials at all levels, conducted a workshop to
aT
Raymond O’Connor, Region Three President, as
pAb acl hi of the union’s statewide
officers,
CSEA staff advisors to the Task Force.
included: Bruce Wyngaard, Associate Research
Director; CSEA Attorney William Wallens.
Thomas Quimby, Education and Training
Director; Gary Fryer, Communications
Director; David Sparks, Computer Services
Manager; and John Naughter, Collective
Bargaining Specialist.
MICHAEL CURTIN ... he headed up Local
Government Contract Task Force.
Page 16
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
Sick leave
without strings
for clerk
NEW ROCHELLE — “Benefits
granted under an agreement are
meant to be meaningful promises, not
illusory ones.”’
With those few words, Arbitrator
Stanley L. Aignes upheld the
collective bargaining agreement
between this Westchester County city
and its CSEA unit, and ordered four
days of Dorothy Segal’s vacation
leave, and two days of compensatory
time, restored.
Segal, a principal clerk at the
municipal marina, filed the grievance
when the city ordered her to exhaust
the leave credits before receiving
extended sick leave. But the
arbitrator ruled that once the city
freely agreed to grant the extended
time, it could not unilaterally attach
strings to it.
“There can be no question,” said
Aignes, ‘but that the city has no
absolute obligation to grant extended
sick leave to employees. Such grants,
both parties agreed, are discretionary
. But once such a request is
granted, it seems to me the city must
be held to have assumed an
obligation.”
Union wins
Seneca Falls
school challenge
by 2-1 margin
SUPPORT GROWING—State legislators, county, city and
town officials, and a score of representatives from
concerned citizens groups recently met in Utica to add
support to the growing opposition to the co-location of a
prison on the grounds of the Marcy Psychiatric Center.
Among the 29 officials who gathered for the progress
report at a Feb. 25 breakfast session were, left to right
State Assemblyman William Sears (115th Dist.); Local
Ne President and Task Force Chairman Bud Mulchy;
7 Opposed to prison plan————__.
CSEA Region V Political Action Chairwoman Dorothy
Penner; Region V President Jim Moore; Sue Bucrzinski,
Region V Mental Health board representative; and
Oneida County Executive John D. Plumley. Mulchy
announced that more than 40 public officials, public and
private sector unions, business organizations, and other
concerned citizens groups, representing nearly 40,000
Mohawk Valley residents, are now supporting the drive
opposed to the state prison plan. yy
SENECA FALLS — Non-instructional school
employees of the Seneca Falls Central School District
have voted overwhelmingly to retain CSEA as their
official bargaining representative after a concerted
challenge by NYEA/NEA, a teachers’ union. :
Results of the recent voting conducted by officials of
the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
showed CSEA with 48 votes and NYEA/NEA with 23
votes, a margin of better than 2 to 1 for CSEA.
Chris Jamison, CSEA field representative and
coordinator of the CSEA effort during the challenge, said
all that remains is for PERB to oficialy dismiss the
NYEA/NEA challenge petition. :
- “I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the
dedication and hard work of Dave Christopher and
_Jannette Monterville, both newly elected officers of
CSEA Local 850 Seneca County. As a Seneca Falls School
employee, Dave worked internally with his fellow
employees, while Jannette Monterville added full
support from her post eal aa cai of Local 850,” said
Jamison. “It was certainly a total team effort and a
convincing victory.”
COMPETITIVE PROMOTIONAL EXAMS state employees only)
FILING ENDS MARCH 21, 1983 Thruway Stores Assistant, $5.41-$7.32 . - THRUWAY........ .37-909
Senior Thruway Storekeeper, $5.68-$7.69.. . AUTHORITY....... 37-908
Title and Salary Grade Department Exam. NO.
Associate Computer Erogrommed A nalyat (cli «. mange IpP . 37-853 is
Data Base Programmer Analyst | G-23. Reve . open competitive
Data Communications Specialist | G-: 23.
Senior File Clerk G-7. STATE JOB CALENDAR
Senior Mail and Supply Clerk G-7.
Senior Mechanical Stores Clerk G-9. QUES aie
Senior Stores Clee Shae FILING ENDS MARCH 28, 1983
Food Service Worker hs “| j
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Title : Beginning Salary Exam. No.
Central Medical Supply Technician $10,881 25-834
Elevator Starter 11,500 25-916
Food Service Worker Il 11,500 25-898
EXECUTIVE Standards Compliance Analyst! 22,132 25-903
Elevator Starter G-7..... : .OGS. wee os 187926 Standards Compliance Analyst | (Alcholism) 22,132 25-904
Lieutenant, Park Patrol G- 18... -Pks/Rec... 2... 1 89-705 + Standards Compliance Analyst |
Principal Real Estate Appraiser (Mass Appraisal Systems) G-27.. . Div. of (intermediate Care Facility) 22,132 25-627
Equalization... .. 39-706 + Standards Compliance Analyst Il 28,772 25-905
Principal Real Property Information n Systems Specialist G-27.. ‘Assessment Standards Compliance Analyst Il (Alcoholism) 28,772 25-906
ee ++. 99-706 + Standards Compliance Analyst I!
Food Service Worker li G-7.. HEALTH, 37-904 (Intermediate Care Facility) 28,772 25-628
Food Service Worker Il G-7. . . 87-905 Standards Compliance Analyst Ill 34,537 25-907
Focd Service Worker lllG-9...... nese . 37-880 Standards Compliance Analyst Ill
Senior Central Medical Supply Technician G Oe Sangeet aie nig 37-951 (Intermediate Care Facility) 34,537 25-629
Standards Compliance Analyst Il G-23...... AN ‘ . 37-915 Thruway Stores Assistant $5.51-$7.42/hr. 25-900
Standards Compliance Analyst Ill G-27. nee 39-726 + Chief of Utility Financing 47,221 28-479
Food Service Worker Il G-7..... OMRDD 37-906 Chief Utility Financial Analyst 43,775 28-495
Food Service Worker Ill G-9..... .. 87-907 Consultant on Small Business Enterprises
Senior Central Medical Supply Technician G8. . 37-825 for the Blind 19,789 80-068
Standards Compliance Analyst Il G-23 37-914 Environmental Specialist (Air Analysis), Senior 28,772 28-457
Standards Compliance Analyst Ill G-27.... . aN 39-725+ Environmental Specialist
Standards Compliance Analyst Ill (Alcoholism) IGQaoNee. wats og ROS. (Ecological Analysis), Associate 35,576 28-454
OASIS — Div. of Alcoholism & Alcohol Abuse 39-708 + Environmental Specialist (Noise Analysis), Senior 28,772 28-456
Oftice Services Manager G-23. Shy 37-903 Medical Consultant Il 48,802 28-496
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11,-1983 Page 17 a
TV stations across state take lead in
airing popular civil service exam series
ALBANY — The new four-part television series
designed to help individuals improve their Civil
Service promotional examination scores should
rate high with CSEA members throughout the
state. :
The four half-hour TV programs were produced
by CSEA and the Governor's Office of Employee
Relations, funded through the joint Committee on
the Work Environment and Productivity (CWEP).
Designed to supplement instructional booklets
now available to CSEA members, the videotape
presentation was developed by the New York
Network and written by Cornell’s School of
Industrial and Labor Relations. The topics of the
programs are: Part I, How to Prepare for a Civil
Service Examination; Parts II and III, How to
Prepare for an Oral Examination; and Part IV,
How to Prepare for the Math Portion of Civil
Service Examinations.
Most public television stations in the state are
scheduled to broadcast the series 11:30 a.m. to
noon, April 5-8. These stations are:
WMHT, Channel 17 in Scheneciady
WCFE, Channel 57 in Plattsburgh
WNPE, Channel 18 in Watertown
WSKG, Channel 46 in Binghamton
WCNY, Channel 24 in Syracuse
WXXI, Channel 21 in Rochester
WNED, Channel 17 in Buffalo
“Check your local television listings for these
public TV stations,’’ advised CSEA Com-
munications Director Gary Fryer, ‘‘especially in
those areas of the state where these stations are
carried by cable outlets.”
“Realizing that most of our members will be at
work when these network-fed broadcasts are
going on, we’re still working with the stations to
confirm additional broadcasts at more convenient
time slots,” Fryer explained.
“We're particularly pleased that Albany’s
Government Access Channel 8 has gone out of its
way to line up early morning and evening hours for
this programming,” Fryer said. ‘They have
arranged to broadcast the entire series four times
between now and the Senior Clerical Exam series
later this month. This means that many of our
members in the Capital area will be able to take
advantage of these broadcasts.”’
The broadcasts are scheduled for 7:30-8 a.m. and
9-9:30 p.m., March 15-18 and again March 22-25.
This means Part I will be shown Tuesday mornings
and evenings, Part II on Wednesday, etc.
Government Access Channel 8 is carried on TV
monitors in State office buildings in Albany, and is
also carried by four cable tv outlets in the area:
Capitol Cable, Troy New Channels, Bethlehem
Delmar Video and Rensselaer Cablevision.
Members in the North Country will also get a
second opportunity to view the series when WCFE
in Plattsburgh repeats the series. Parts I and II will
be shown 9-10 a.m., Saturday, April 30, and Parts
III and IV will be broadcast in the same time slot
the following Saturday, May 7. The four segments
will also be repeated 66:30 p.m., May 2, 3, 9 and 10.
WCFE is also carried by Cable Channel 7 in
Plattsburgh; Channel 8 in Malone, Chateaugay and
Brushton; Channel 7 in Lake Placid and Tupper
Lake; Channel 13 in Long Lake, Channel 60 in Port
Henry and Moriah; and Channel 67 in Willsboro and
Ticonderoga.
“We've also received indications from Channel 17
in Schenectady, Channel 21 in Rochester and
Channel 17 in Buffalo that they’re trying to schedule
additional airings of the series,’ Fryer added.
The three public stations serving Downstate
viewers — WLIW on Long Island and WNET and
WNYC in New York City — have not yet confirmed
they will carry the series. Channel 42 in
Albany's Channel 8 airs series
Albany's Government Access Channel 8
will be the next station to air the four-part
television series designed to help individuals
improve their performance on Civil Service
examinations.
The four half-hour programs will be broad-
cast at 7:30 a.m. and again at 9 p.m. on the
following dates:
Part | — Tuesday, March 15 and March 22
Part Il — Wednesday, March 16 and 23
Part I1l — Thursday, March 17 and 24
Part VI — Friday, March 18 and 25
Channel 8 is carried on TV monitors in
State office buildings in Albany, as well as by
Capitol Cable, Troy New Channels,
‘Bethlehem-Delmar Video and Rensselaer
Cablevision.
See adjacent story for information ad-
ditional broadcasts of the CSEA-produced
series in other areas of the state.
Poughkeepsie was the first New York station to use
the programs when they broadcast the series Feb.
14-19.
Fryer also said that copies of the videotape
presentations will soon be available through the
Regional Offices for showings to Locals,
workshops, and other CSEA gatherings.
“The public television stations have been very
helpful, and in some cases have gone out of their
way to find good times in their broadcast
schedules,’ Fryer commented. “‘Still, we realize
there are some gaps, and in some areas members
may have to find a friend with a cable hook-up,
juggle their schedules, or whatever.”
“But between the scheduled television
broadcasts and the availability of videotapes in the
Regions, we hope that every member who really
wants to take advantage of this educational
opportunity will be able to do so.”
CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION
Date.
ATTN: CSEA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
33 ELK STREET,
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207
send me the booklet(s) indic:
the price is $1.50 (includ
EACH booklet ordered, and I hi
check or money order for $
cost of this order.
enclosed a
to cover the
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! O #1 BASIC MATH
| © #2 ARITHMETIC REASONING
| © #3 UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING
| TABULAR MATERIAL
| © #4 UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING
| WRITTEN MATERIAL
| © #5 PREPARING WRITTEN MATERIAL
| 1 #6 SUPERVISION
} | #7 PURCHASING AND PAYROLL
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PRACTICES
| #8 BASIC ALGEBRA
Send to:
Name
Address E
City _State/ZIP = Shae
Social Security Number. CSEA Local
Employer
State workshop
ALBANY
- Delegates to the State Workshop at Grossinger’s April 13-15
Local, unit elections timetable
ALBANY — CSEA Locals and Units throughout the state are electing
their officers and delegates this year. With few exceptions, they are follow-
will have an array of interesting and new workshops from which to choose.
Workshop topics will include: Utilizing Regional Labor-Management
Facilitators,’ ‘‘Using Affirmative Action to Your Benefit,’ ‘‘Local Union
Finances — Problem Areas,”’ ‘Solving the Problems of Misuse in Time and
Attendance,”’ ‘‘New Innovations at the Employee Benefit Fund,”’ ‘‘Defensive
Driving Lowers Your Insurance Cost,” and ‘‘Labor’s Political Clout in the
1980s.""
“Details of this year’s workshop have been mailed out, and we're ex-
pecting about 500-600 participants,” said Jack Carey, administrative director
of collective bargaining, who's spearheading the three-day conference.,
Hotel reservations should be made directly with Grossinger’s, and
delegate certification forms must be returned to CSEA Headquarters no later
than March 25.
ing an election timetable calling for nominations to be open this month, in-
dependent nominating petitions to be filed in mid-April, and balloting to get
under way in May.
In most cases, this means that CSEA members wishing to run for office
have only a short time left in which to file Candidate Request Forms.
“These forms are made available through members of local nominating
committee or at the Local or Unit office,” explained Greg Szurnicki,
chairman of the union’s statewide Election lures Committee.
“By now, a notice of election of officers should be posted on CSEA
bull f in each cation of Locals or Units es conductini
sche n “And additiona
Overwhelming majority prefers gov’t-sponsored jobs program
AFSCME poll reveals nation
strongly favors massive jobs bill
A national opinion poll released by
the million-member American
Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees indicates
overwhelming public support for a $25
billion jobs creation program by the
federal government to rebuild the
country’s infrastructure. The poll also
assesses attitudes towards
Reaganomics, unemployment, and
presidential politics.
“Our poll indicates that wealth and
social status are becoming reliable
indicators in predicting attitudes
towards the Reagan Administration,”
said Gerald W. McEntee, President of
AFSCME. ‘‘After two years in which
to judge the policies and initiatives of
the Reagan presidency, the AFSCME
poll results show that American
voters have much less confidence that
the nation is moving in the right
direction.”
Among the major poll findings are:
¢ By a 55% to 33% margin,
Americans support a massive,
$25 billion jobs program aimed
at rebuilding the nation’s
infrastructure.
«By a 71% to 20% margin,
Americans would prefer
Representatives from the Employee
p.m. at the following locations for
Poughkeepsie
*consultations every other month
Insurance consultation schedule
State Department of Civil Service will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00
Insurance Program. You need not make an appointment.
City Address Visiting Days
Binghamton County Office Building Third Wednesday
Buffalo* Buffalo State Office Building (65
Court Street) Second Wednesday
Hauppauge State Office Building First and Fourth
Wednesday
Mineola 222 Willis Avenue Fourth Monday
New York City World Trade Center (55th Floor) Second Tuesday
Plattsburgh* County Center (137 Margaret St.) Third Thursday
NYS Dept. of Transportation (4
Burnett Blvd.) First Thursday
Rochester* 155 West Main St., Rm. 513 Second Thursday
Syracuse County Courthouse Second Friday
Utica State Office Building Third Tuesday
Watertown" Watertown State Office Building
(317 Washington St.) First Friday
White Plains Westchester County Center Third Monday
Insurance Section of the New York
consultations on the States Health
Monthly
Seneca County
elects new
set of officers
WATERLOO — Members of
Seneca County CSEA Local 890
have elected anew slate of officers.
Elected to serve two-year terms —
government sponsored jobs
creation programs to reducing
the federal deficit.
* 28% of the poll respondents say
that they or a member of their
family has lost a job in the past
year. This is an increase from
18% who made the same
comment in a May 1982,
AFSCME poll.
¢ 66% of the survey respondents
indicate that they are very
concerned or somewhat
concerned that they or a
member of their family might
lose a job in the next year. This is
_an increase from 43% who made
the same comment in a May,
1982 AFSCME poll. Union
members and those in the middle
and lower income brackets were
the most concerned about job
loss.
“Our poll confirms that a
consumer-led recovery won’t occur
unless the government takes
meaningful steps to create jobs,”
McEntee declared. “The fear of
unemployment is still pervasive, and
it could stifle recovery.”
Among the other poll results are:
eFewer than one of four
‘Our poll confirms that a
Americans reveal a clear
intention to vote for Ronald
Reagan’s re-election.
* 61% of all Democratic primary
voters don’t have a strong
preference for a party candidate
yet. Among those who express a
strong preference, Mondale and
Glenn are leading.
« By a ten-to-one margin, union
members who are Democratic
primary voters would be inclined
to support a particular
Democratic presidential
candidate who was supported by
their own union.
“Those who say that labor unions
have no influence over their rank-and-
file members in presidential elections
are dead wrong,’’ McEntee
concluded. ‘In fact, union members
surveyed in our poll overwhelmingly
indicate they will support the
candidates of their own union in the
presidential primaries.”
The poll was conducted by the
Boston-based firm of Marttila and
Kiley in mid-January and is the fourth
in a series of polls commissioned by
AFSCME since the Reagan
Administration took office.
consumer led recovery won’t
occur unless the government
takes meaningful steps
to create jobs...’
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SPECIALIST MANNY VITALE, left, goes over
v/s 4
last minute contract details with, seated left, Westchester County Local 860
President Pat Mascioli, Unit President Ray Moniz and Field Representative
Joe O'Connor. Members of Yonkers Non-Teaching Unit later overwhelmingly
ratified the settlement.
are President Jannette
Monterville, First Vice President
Jean, Hortona of nd Vice
President Fran icDonald,
Secretary Julie Crough, and
Treasurer Doris Durso. David
Christopher was elected a
representative to the Board of
Directors, and Ed Callahan was —
elected as Local delegate. :
2 eee
‘CSEA’S REALISTIC PLAN
TO HALT STATE LAYOFFS
ALBANY — eee its battle last week to stop the layoffs of
more than 7,500 state employees proposed in Gov. Mario M. Cuomo’s
Executive Budget.
William L. McGowan, CSEA’s president, met personally with the
governor to discuss the layoff threat and the potential for alternatives.
Following the meeting McGowan said that the governor indicated he was
open to ‘‘any reasonable alternatives’’ but still insisted that layoffs of state
employees were necessary.
McGowan said the union would increase its legislative activity to thwart
the Cuomo layoff plan.
A comprehensive union proposal to avoid layoffs was hand delivered to
state lawmakers late in the week. Titled, “Saving Jobs And Justice”, the
20-page report, prepared by a Washington economic consultant under the
direction of CSEA’s Chief Lobbyist James D. Featherstonhaugh, outlines
the union’s “reasonable alternative” to the Cuomo plan.
Basically, the report cites two possible avenues to avert displacing state
employees. It sided with state legislative | committees, the Congressional
This table shows that the vast malonity of taxpayers will
receive relatively small savings as a result of the 1984
average tax cuts. However, taxpayers in the upper income
brackets realize very substantial tax breaks. In fact,
60% of the tax cut will benefit the wealthiest 20% of all
taxpayers, those with incomes greater than $30,000.
Impact of Federal Income Tax Cut
Average Tax
Cut (1984)
Percent of
Taxpayers
34.2
Income Class
($000)
less than 10
10-15
15-20
20-30
30 - 50
50 - 100
100 - 200
greater than 200
Average
Source: Citizen's for Tax Justi on data su
Commies 2 on Taxation, February
Budget Office aad. the President's Council of Beoapnl Advisors, in
concluding that the Cuomo budget underestimates economic activity in the
coming fiscal year and, therefore, uses unrealistically conservative revenue
projections.
“When the Executive Budget of 1983-84 was prepared,” the report
states, “it based revenue projections on a real Gross National Product
(GNP) growth of only 1.6% (for the coming fiscal year). This forecast was
significantly lower than the estimates used by the Council of Economic
Advisors, the Congressional Budget Office, the City of New York and the
Nova Institute.””
Noting that one of the economic forecasting services used in preparing
the state’s budget has already upgraded its projected revenues, the CSEA
study reported that recent dramatic increases in national economic
indicators clearly establish that the Cuomo revenue projections are far
lower than the state will actually receive.
The state also ‘‘over-borrowed” funds to pay off last year’s budget
deficit, adding to enriched revenue leading the consultants to conclude, ‘‘In
fact, if the Governor's budget is enacted unchanged, there is no question but
that a significant budget surplus will be produced by fiscal years 1985-86 and
1986-87, perhaps in the same or greater magnitude than the deficit which
faces us now.”
Adding to the revenue weaknesses in the Executive Budget, the CSEA
report states, is the over-estimation of what the state would actually save as
a result of the proposed layoffs.
While the Cuomo budget claims the layoffs would produce a savings of
$149 million in the fiscal year commencing April 1, 1983, CSEA says the
budget does not properly deduct from that projected savings the costs of
unemployment insurance that must be paid to those laid off, continuing
payments to the State Retirement Fund necessitated by a two year “lag” in
payments, continuation of health insurance payments for those on preferred
lists, payback of ‘‘lag”’ paychecks and vacation accruals, and other related
costs.
The union also argues that the budget did not account for reductions in
income and sales tax revenues as a result of layoffs or the substantial loss of
productivity in a work force plagued with personnel disruptions, rumors and
fear as a result of the imminent loss of employment for such massive
numbers of employees,
Page 20. THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, March 11, 1983
“The alleged savings of $146 million are quickly dissipated when the
actual costs of the layoffs are calculated. It is clear that the entire net
savings involved in laying off over 7,500 workers is only $27 million,’’ the
document states.
In view of the actual net savings to be realized by the layoffs and the
virtual certainty that Cuomo’s staff underestimated state revenues for the
coming fiscal year, the report notes that the apparent underestimation of
revenues alone would more than offset the total net savings that the state
would actually realize as a result of the layoffs.
Yet as a concession to the governor’s fear of optimistic revenue
projection, the CSEA report provides yet another alternative. Dubbed the
“If/Only Tax Program’’, this proposal would provide a fiscal safety valve
for the state.
Tf the state’s economic recovery does fot take place as most economists
expect it will, an increase in the maximum income tax rates only effecting
gross incomes over $30,000 a year, would take effect.
New Yorkers in the $30,000 to $40,000 | bracket would pay an additional
one percent and those in the $40,000 and above bracket would pay an
| additional two percent:
Full imposition of such a tax could ieee $300 million in additional
_ state.revenues in the coming fiscal year to eliminate layoffs and restore
| education aid and other funding restricted in the Cuomo budget plan.
The tax would only take effect, Ep a a if the governor’s pessimistic
notes that even ue the tax
notes, ‘and the fede: tax Fey ahh :
the tax : in an equit
impact a
| family with a gross income of $35,000 a year would only
implemented,
realize a $21 net tax increase. A gross income of $50,000 would yield a net tax
increase of $153 and a gross income of $100,000 would yield a net tax increase
} of $554.
After calculating the effects of the federal tax cuts over the past three
years,the $35,000 gross income taxpayer would have retained 98 percent of
the federal tax cut even after paying the“If/Only” tax; the $50,000 gross
income taxpayer would retain 91 percent of the federal tax cut; and the
$100,000 gross income taxpayer would retain 88% of their tax cut.
“When more than 7,500 public employees — and the services they
provide — are about to be terminated,’ President McGowan commented,
“even if our tax proposal were needed, it still would be far more fair in
terms of shared sacrifice then is the Cuomo plan.”
In addition to the legislature the union is sending copies of its proposals
to CSEA political activists for use in lobbying state lawmakers.
This table presents examples of the tax increase, at
various income levels, that would occur under the
“IFIONLY TAX PROGRAM?” if the program was implemented
for a full year. A family of four with income of $35,000
would incur a tax increase of $21, while the same family at
an income level of $100,000 would ur a tax increase of
$554 (after accounting for deductibility of state taxes on
federal tax returns).
Impact of “IF/ONLY TAX PROGRAM”
STATE FEDERAL NET
TAX OFFSET DUE TO, STATE TAX
INCREASE DEDUCTIBILITY INCREASE.
$29 $21
$50,000 $38,300 $236 $83 $153
$100,000 $79,800 $1,066 $512 $554
Note: Figures for a family of four, deductions assumed to be 17% of
gross income, four personal exemptions. All income is assumed to
be personal service (earned) income.
SAVINGS DUE
TO FEDERAL TAX
REDUCTION
$876
$1,722
$4,804
GROSS TAXABLE
INCOME INCOME
$35,000 $25,850
NET PERCENT OF
STATE TAX FEDERAL CUT
INCREASE PRESERVED
$21
$153
$554
GROSS
* INCOME
$50,000
$100,000
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