President’s Message
Our endorsement is worthless
without votes on election day
At a recent meeting I attended,
one of our members approached
me and said, ‘‘McGowan, where
does this. union get off, telling me
who to vote for. I’ve been voting on
my own for the last 40 years and I
don’t need any advice.”
Circumstances at the meeting
didn’t lend themselves to a
thoughtful answer of that lady’s
question, so I would like to try to
answer it in this column.
First of all, I firmly believe that
the union has an absolute.duty to
advise its members as to how to
vote. As public employees, we are
the only employees across the
country who elect our bosses. Who
those bosses are and how they view
public employees plays a critical
role in each of our working lives
every day.
Iam proud of the fact that unlike
many unions, CSEA has an open
process which actively seeks to in-
volve as many members as possi-
ble in formulating our en-
dorsements of political candidates.
Candidates for the New York State
Senate and Assembly, for example,
attend Candidates Nights, or other
screening functions where they can
be asked questions by local
members and by members of our
Regional Legislative and Political
Action Committees. In addition to
encouraging our locals and regions
to actually interview candidates,
CSEA’s Legislative and Political
Action Office provides our regional
committees with voting records
and synoposes of candidates for
legislative seats. These voting
records allow our members to
know how candidates have voted on
CSEA legislation in the past.
The primary consideration in ob-
taining the CSEA endorsement is
how a candidate has voted or in-
tends to vote on union issues. These
issues could be as wide-ranging as
Occupational Safety and Health for
public employees. Agency Shop,
Snow Days for certain groups of
affected workers, our Cover-In bill
for Judiciary employees, or
retirement system membership for
our Sheriff's units. In addition to
screening candidates’ views on
public employee issues, we also try
to look at the general competency
and quality of the legislative can-
didates involved.
One thing that is not important in
obtaining the CSHA endorsement is
party affiliation. It is our belief
that party affiliation is much less
important than how a candidate
stands on the issues and whether or
net he or she can be expected to be
a friend of CSEA, public employees
and other workers. We firmly
believe that what your legislator
does is much more important than
which party that legislator belongs
to
During the legislative session,
many different groups of our
membership come to CSEA and
ask us to petition the legislature to
take favorable action on bills which
affect that portion of the
membership. We do this through
the work of our lobbyists and
through the grass-roots lobbying
which is done by our members.
When legislators react favorably to
our requests on legislation, they ex-
pect that CSEA will act favorably
towards them when they seek elec-
tion. I believe that they have every
right to expect this kind of support
from CSEA just as we have every
right to expect that those
legislators who receive that sup-
port will in turn support us.
Once a candidate is endorsed,
CSEA is prepared to go all out to
secure his or her election. We put
both.our money and our manpower
where our mouth is. The union
- makes campaign contributions to
candidates who need those con-
tributions. But I believe, more im-
portantly, we try to provide rank
and file volunteer help for can-
didates either for phone banks,
literature distribution, by inviting
the candidates to address union
meetings and publicizing our en-
dorsements in the local press and
The Public Sector. This kind of ef-
fort has allowed CSEA to achieve
enormous legislative gains in the
past four years, gains that we have
been unable to achieve in the prior
66 years of our existence before our
active entry into the political
process.
In the last four years, we have
secured the passage of legislation
Providing for Occupational Safety
and Health for all public
employees, the Agency Shop, the
PERB Powers bill, which finally,
for the first time since the in-
ception of the Taylor Law, allows
the Public Employment Relations
Board the authority to enforce
orders against employers who
bargain in bad faith, the Cover-In
bill for our judicial employees,
pension supplementation, the
repeal of the probationary penalty
of the Taylor Law, which used to
subject employees to summary dis-
missal in the event of a strike, a
bill that prevented public em-
ployers from withdrawing from
the Social Security system (this
bill was passed after 11 public
employers in New York State had
notified the Federal Government
of their intention to withdraw from
the Social Security System) the bill
to extend ‘‘preferred lists” so that
those public employees who were
laid off in 1974 and 1975 will have a
chance to regain employment, the
Deputy Sheriff's Re-opener bill
which will allow our sheriffs,
under-sheriffs and deputies to elect
participation in §89-a or 89-b, a bill
to insure that individuals
transferred from the Division For
Youth to Youth Support, Inc.,
would not lose the benefits of State
service, etc.
The passage of these and other
important member legislation was
achieved because CSEA has an ac-
tive, modern, sophisticated
political action program that is
able to demonstrate the clear
benefits of supporting legislation
which is supported by CSEA. The
most important single aspect of
that program is the ability of the
union to convince its members to
support the union endorsed can-
didates. We understand that this is
a difficult job, that most of our
members were Republicans or
Democrats before the were Union
members. Nevertheless, I believe
that our members are becoming
more and more aware of their
ability to influence their own work-
ing conditions, wages, and benefits
through the use of effective
political action and the support of
union endorsed candidates.
Does the union have the right to
urge you to vote for its endorsed
candidates? More than a right; it
has a duty.
(FONT Re DP owen
William L. McGowan
President
Union opens campaign to restore pension hike
ALBANY — Vowing to override Governor Carey’s veto of modest pension
increases the union won for retirees in the state legislature this year, CSEA
has fired its first salvo in the veto override battle.
An initial mailing to all members of the Legislature asking for their sup-
port when the body reconvenes this fall, points out, ‘‘At a time when our
nation’s economy is reeling from the effects of recession and inflation, it is in-
cumbent upon the leaders of government to aid those who are least able to aid
themselves.”
The pension supplementation bill passed by the legislature in the closing
weeks of the session would have provided a three percent increase in the pen-
sions of public employees who retired since 1976; a seven percent increase for
those who retired between 1976 and 1970; and a three percent increase for those
who retired prior to 1970. It would have been the very first supplementation for
New York State Retirement System members who retired since March 1970.
“Those people have had their purchasing power cut in half by inflation,”
President William L. McGowan pointed out. ‘‘The veto of this bill was a cruel
denial of basic economic dignity to a group of people who served our state for
many years.”
Faise “nepotism” charge
brings job loss, anguish
head in disbelief and tosses her sun-bleached blonde
hair when she recalls being fired from her CETA-
funded job at the Lindenhurst Youth Center for
“nepotism” because her father was an unpaid
volunteer at the same Center that employed his
daughter. Her blue eyes flash and light up her tann-
ed face when she tells how the Suffolk County
Department of Labor tried to force her to pay back
$5,000 in wages she earned as a youth worker.
Nepotism, from the Italian word, nepotismo, for
nephew, describes the practice by Popes and other
ecclesiastics of showing special favor to nephews in
the past. Today, it means the practice of giving un-
fair preferment to relatives and is prohibited by
CETA regulations.
Her firing was a shock when it happened, Ms.
Kienle said, She holds a college degree in
recreation and exceeds the qualifications for her
position as a youth counselor. Her record was ex-
cellent and no one had challenged her about
nepotism before, she said. Another shock came
when the Suffolk County Department of Labor,
which administers the Youth Employment Training
Program that employed Ms. Kienle, ordered her to
pay back the wages she had earned.
The shock soon turned to anger. “I signed those
time sheets; I did a hell of a job and they aren’t go-
ing to take it away from me,” Ms. Kienle said in an
interview in the Suffolk County Local 852 offices
recently.
Ms. Kienle contacted Frank Kost, grievance
representative of Local 852, who secured the help of
CSEA staff attorney Marge Karowe, an expert on
CETA regulations. Both Mr. Kost and Ms. Karowe
accompanied Ms. Kienle to a hearing at the
Department of Labor on Aug. 4 and are awaiting a
decision from the Department.
“There is no nepotism,”’ Mr. Kost said. In her job
application, Ms. Kienle had answered ‘‘no’’ to a
question on a nepotism affidavit which asked if she
had any relatives ‘‘working” for the agency.
Edward Kienle, Ms. Kienle’s father, is a coor-
dinator of physical education and recreation and a
Brockport, some two-hun
represented our state.
40,000 Special Olympians here in
need your support.
LINDENHURST — Karla Kienle still shakes her ,
The Special Olympics Is truly Special.
During the International Special Olympics held last year at
td pes New York Special Olympians
CSEA is proud to have been a continuing sponsor for the
Special Olympics —’for the interriatenal eee
ial O1
alone, we raised over $12,000. But now the Special Oh
pics need you to become personally involved. are over
lew York who continue to
HER FATHER’S VOLUNTEER WORK at the Lindenhurst Youth Center cost CETA youth counselor
Karla Kienle her job. Last May, she faced orders from the Suffolk Dept. of Labor to pay back $5,000 in
wages. But with the help of Frank Kost, (right), a local 852 grievance representative, the charges were
dropped. Action is pending concerning Ms. Kienle’s CETA job.
member of the Board at the Youth Center. He
helped set the facility up several years ago. He has
worked for the past seven years without pay at the
center during his free time and during summers
when he is not working as a physical education
teacher at Lindenhurst High School.
“His interest in in youth. He works with them at
school and wants to help kids out after school. Suf-
folk County selected him to start the program in
1974,”’ Ms. Kienle said. She followed in her father’s
profession and has an Associate Degree from
SUNY at Farmingdale in Recreation.
After she joined the Suffolk County Youth Train-
ing Program everything went well for almost a
year until a CETA monitor came to check payroll
records. ‘‘He saw an annual report. My photo and
name was in it next to the program I ran. My
father’s name was in the book as a member of the
Board of Directors. He told me that it was through
screening that he detected the relationship but it
— Sponsor an Athlete———
New York Special Olympics, Inc. that you'll be proud to
Piease help. For your convenience, use the attached
coupon. Send your tax-deductible contribution to:
would ticipate CSEA “:
Athlete” program for the New Yorn Special Olympics. "|
was only after he saw the Annual Report that the
trouble started,’”’ Ms. Kienle said.
A second monitor came to the center on April 3.
“He told me not to worry, he had to check it out.
The next day I got a mailgram saying I was fired,”
she said.
“Then I got a call. Don’t you know you violated
the nepotism rule, I was asked. Don’t you know you
will have to pay back the money you earned,” Ms.
Kienle recalled. The demand for the return of
money has never been put in writing and was
dropped from the charges against Ms. Kienle at the
Aug. 4th hearing.
“Since I lost my job I have been unemployed. It
was too late to get a job at a camp and most of the
other jobs in my field were taken for the summer
by then,” she said.
Ms. Kienle decided to take her case to her union.
“I’m glad I pursued it. CETA officials discouraged
me from fighting them.”
You can personally sponsor a Special Olympian in the 1980
program of training and competition for only $19.50! Think
of it... for roughly the pice of dinner out for two, you can
make a very real contribution to those who need it most.
CO Bronze Medal Club ($55)
(C2 President's Club ($380)
CO Individual Sponsors ($19.50)
(2 Gold Medal Club ($185)
0 Sliver Medal Club ($95)
Whoever said you can’t buy joy has never looked into the
faces of Special Olympians as they run their races, jump
their jumps, do their pushups and win their medals. And the
joy won't stop there. Because everyone who helped — from
the volunteers to each financial contributor — shares a
special joy quite unlike anything else
|
|
|
I
Even If oes) can't afford the $19.50 by yourself, you can |
|
|
|
I
@
LOCAL NAME and/or NUMBER
SPONSOR AN ATHLETE with several co-workers or
For Sab ey It would cost only $9.75 aplece for two people; ‘DORESS
only $3.90 each for five people. Of course, you can con-
tribute more. |
her athiets ard information on whwn and where tearm | o Wek 4
her athlete information on when a -
plan will compete. And so you'll have somethi to ‘Make checks payable to: “New York Special Olympics, ino, |
temind you of your help, you'll receive a corona from SA
e
Page 2 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980
0 epe Daa gator GOT IIe QMO Ja
School units ratify new contracts
Peekskill has
a 2-year pact
PEEKSKILL — The new CSEA con-
tract for the 40-member Peekskill
School District Custodial and
Maintenance Employees Unit calls
for several improvements in benefits
and working conditions, as well as a
substantial pay hike.
CSEA Collective Bargaining
Specialist Emanuele Vitale, who
assisted the unit’s negotiating team,
said the two-year pact,
overwhelmingly ratified by both
sides, call for across-the-board pay
raises of $1,125, plus increments, in
each year.
It gives employees a full 10%
differential for working the night
shift. It also calls for out-of-title pay
for all out-of-title work, no matter
how long the work is performed. we salute you
Under the new contract, accrued »
vacation time will be credited on the America’s working
employee's anniversary date. Also, force!
the employer’s contribution to the
welfare fund increased from $150 to
$200 in the first year of the pact, and
to $250 in the second.
Finally, pay for up to 165 days of un-
used sick leave will go towards each
employee’s pension, and any unused
sick leave beyond that will be paid to
the employee in cash, upon
retirement.
“The negotiating committee did a
. good job,” Mr. Vitale said. ‘They
won a fair and equitable settlement,
which was recognized by the
membership.”’
Committee members were Frank
You're what makes
us strong and
prosperous. You
keep us going
Miozzi, President of the unit, who cere
chaired the committee; Florence Siac
Sanea; John Batts; and Joseph Ur- et
banowicz.
Delegate meeting notice
ALBANY — In preparation for the annual delegates convention in Niagara
Falls next month, the CSEA Office of Member Services is trying to head off
any misunderstandings about employee organization leave for the meeting.
Jack Carey, CSEA Director of Collective Bargaining, urged that Local
presidents and delegates acquaint themselves with contract provisions which
apply to leave for the annual meeting.
Contracts between CSEA and the political subdivisions differ in regard to
this issue, while Article 4.7(a) of the Administrative, Institutional and
Operational units’ contracts cover procedures for delegates from the State
Division.
Basically, the state contracts grant employee organization leave for one
delegate meeting ‘per year, not to exceed five days. Also provided for is
reasonable travel time.
This time off is extended to delegates based upon the voting strength of the
local. That formula provides for one delegate for each 100 members or fraction
thereof.
Carey stressed that Local presidents should carefully follow procedures
for notifying the state agency involved. The president is required to submit to
the agency in writing the names and work locations of the selected delegates,
as well as the date, time and location of the delegate meeting.
He reminded delegates that the granting of this leave is subject to the
reasonable operating needs of the state. In other words, where good and suf-
ficient reason exists, the employer is under no obligation to allow employees to
attend a delegate meeting.
Although Carey noted that there have been very few denials over the years,
he urged anyone denied leave to attend the delegate meeting to appeal the
_ denial to him immediately.
Meanwhile, union officials are preparing the convention schedule, which
will include nearly a dozen departmental meeting chaired by departmental
representatives. The full convention agenda will appear in a future edition of
The Public Sector prior to the September 28-October 3 annual meeting.
In conjunction with the upcoming delegates meeting, CSEA Statewide
Secretary Irene Carr has issued a reminder to delegates to prefile, if possible,
motions which delegates intend to present during the convention. While
motions may be made from the floor at the meeting, it is easier and more con-
venient if the wording of intended motions are pre-filed. Prefiling of motions
may be made by sending the wording of the intended motions to Irene Carr,
Civil Service Employees Assn., 33 Elk Street, Albany, N.Y. 12224.
m= Valley Central pact
ups mileage payment
ORANGE COUNTY — A new,
three-year contract has been ratified
by custodial employees of the Valley
Central School District, according to
Unit President Robert Aidala.
The pact includes an annual salary
hike of seven percent plus an increase
in mileage allotments.
Collective Bargaining Specialist
John Naughter assisted in the
negotiations, and noted that most of
the custodians are already at the top
step of their salary schedule.
ON HAND FOR THE SIGNING OF THE contract between CSEA and the
Village of Hempstead are, from left, Village of Hempstead Unit President Ed
Plummer, CSEA Field Representative Harold Krangle, Hempstead Mayor
Dalton R. Miller, Unit Negotiating Committee member Bobby Clark, Nassau
County Local 830 President Nicholas Abbatiello, Unit Negotiating Committee
member Joseph Simone and Village Clerk Frank De Setto. The unit is part of
Local 830.
Calendar
of EVENTS
September
5—CSEA Tax Local 690 will host its 22nd annual clam steam with Insurance Department
Local 66 at Krauss Halfmoon beach, Cresent, 12:00 p.m.
11—Saratoga County, 846 Shop Stewards Meeting, Solar Building, High Street, Ballston
Spa 5:00.
13—Saratoga County 846 Annual Clambake 12:00 noon Eagles Club, Lake Lonely.
13—Metropolitan Region Il annual meeting, 9-11 a.m., Playboy Resort, McAfee, N.Y.
13—Long Island Region | legislative and political action seminar, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Holi-
day Inn, Hauppauge.
15—Saratoga County 846 Executive Board Meeting, Solar Building, High Street, Ballston
Spa 7:00 p.m.
17—Buffalo Local 003, general membership meeting, 5:30 p.m., new Buffalo Hilton on
the waterfront.
19—Local 335 all-holiday dinner dance, Town and Country Restaurant, Walden and
Union Road, Cheektowaga. Cocktails 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m.
19-20—Region VI meeting, Sheraton Inn East, Walden Avenue, Buffalo.
20—Hudson Valley Armory Employees Local 252, Annual Banquet and Awards Dinner,
Capri II restaurant, 152 Washington Street, Peekskill, New York 8:00 p.m,
October
4—"Run for your Health” road race, 10 a.m., Central Islip Psychiatric Center, Central
Islip.
16—Saratoga County Local 846 Shop Stewards meeting, Solor Building, Ballston Spa, 5
p.m.
17—Nassav County Local 830 annual dinner dance, Salisbury Inn, Eisenhower Park, East
Meadow,
20—Saratoga County Local 846 Executive Board meeting, Solor Building, Ballston Spa, 7
p.m.
23—Saratoga County Local 846 general membership meeting, Solor Building, Ballston
Spa, 7:30 p.m.
24—Westchester County Local 860 annual dinner-dance, 8 p.m., Colony Club, New
Rochelle,
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980
Page 3
® Public
SSECTO
Official publication of
The Civil Service Employees Association
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224
The Public Sector (445010) is published every Wednesday
weekly except for Wednesdays after New Years, Memorial
Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day for #5 by the Civil Service
Employees Association, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York
12224,
Second Class Postage paid at Post Office, Albany, New York.
Send address changes to The Public Sector, 33 Elk Street,
Albany, New York 12224.
Publication office, 75 Champlain Street, Albany, New York
12204, Single copy Price 25¢
Thomas A. Clemente—Publisher
Roger A. Cole—Executive Editor
Dr. Gerald Alperstein—Associate Editor
Gwenn M. Belicourt — Associate Editor
Deborah Cassidy—Staff Writer
Dawn LePore—Staff Writer
John L. Murphy—Staff Writer
Arden D. Lawand—Graphic Design
Dennis C. Mullahy—Production Coordinator
Published every Wednesday by Clarity Publishing, Inc. Publication
Office, 75 Champlain Street, Albany, N.Y. 12204 (518) 485-4591
HAVING A GOOD TIME AT THE Orange County Local 836 picnic in Goshen
are Local 836 members from left, Joanne Golden and Vera Green.
I THINK
THE TAYLOR MADE
THE PANTS
TOO SHORT.
iwi ;
57
ana 344
nawAO1
aw.
3a, 0TW3 2"
OL
* ae kSS a 4
KEEP CSEA INFORMED ON MAILING ADDRESS
In the event that you change your mailing address, please fill out the below form
and send it to:
_CSEA, Inc., P.O. Box 125, Capitol Station, Albany, New York 12224.
This form is also available from local presidents for CSEA members, but is
reproduced here for convenience.
Change of Address for ‘The Public Sector’
Please allow 3-4 weeks for change to take effect.
MY NEW ADDRESS IS:
Street —oreenrorencoemnrersaitsietsierinanneretuiedinieosienentsags
Cy ee te I tt ine
Agency where employed = ee Sh
My social security no. —__ ____ Agency No.
ORANGE COUNTY LOCAL 836 Picnic Committee Chairman Arthur Tuthill,
left, is joined by Southern Region III President James Lennon and Local 836
member Sophie Kwiakowski at the Local 836 picnic recently held in Goshen.
SUFFOLK COUNTY LOCAL 852 President Ben Boczkowski, second left,
installs the officers of the logal’s Data Processing Unit in Hauppauge,
recently, From right are Harold Schoppman, vice president; Roni Stanford,
secretary; Ruth McLaughlin, treasurer; and Leah Besserman, president. Also
Page 4 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980
at the installation was Local 852 First Vice President Frank Kost, left.
Rensselaer Sheriffs:
A dark profile
Confidential interviews
reveal frustrations with
anti-union sheriff, poor pay
By Gwenn Bellcourt
Associate Editor
and Deborah Cassidy
Staff Writer
TROY — Over the past few years, the employees of the Rensselaer County
Sheriff's Department have come to regard County Sheriff Eugene Eaton — a
man they helped get elected to office — as a feudal lord. That is the best term,
they feel, to describe the total power and control he holds over their jobs.
Part of the reason one man has so much power is because the Rensselaer
deputies and corrections officers do not have civil service status and are
therefore not afforded the protection it provides other public employees.
The Civil Service Employees Assn. has been struggling for several years
now to convince the county legislature of the need for this protection. Until the
measure is approved, Eaton’s power cannot be limited.
“He’s overwhelmed by his own power,” one employee said, referring to
Eaton’s ‘‘gross misuse’ of authority such as threatening to eliminate the jobs
of the highway patrol division. f
It is Eaton who hires and fires. It is he with whom the employees must
negotiate a contract. It is in his power to grant tenure or job security rights to
the employees. Sheriff Eaton has even told the workers that they must have his
approval to hold a part time job; and due to low wages, most of those with
families must work extra jobs to make ends meet.
When he assumed his new role as sheriff four years ago, as one employee
tells it, Eaton promised the men he would make the Rensselaer county Sheriffs
Department, ‘‘the best law enforcement agency in the country.’’ He assured
the employees he would boost their wages to the highest possible amount.
Eaton soon forgot about these promises. And has since broken many others.
When asked if the sheriff is known for keeping his word, one employee
said, ‘‘Definitely not.’’ Another claimed, ‘‘He makes several statements, but
he seems to change his mind at a moment's notice.”
This accusation is grounded in fact. During his last election, Eaton publicly
supported the need for civil service protection in his department. Yet when it
came time to sign the contract, Eaton sent a letter to the county legislature
stating that he was opposed to the union effort. Consequently, an Improper
Practice charge was filed and Eaton was found guilty of bad faith bargaining.
Members of The Public Sector staff recently conducted confidential inter-
views with a deputy sheriff and a corrections officer from the Rensselaer
County Sheriff's Department. The interviews were confidential for a very im-
portant reason — the two said they fear retaliation by the sheriff if their iden-
tities were revealed. In the interview, which follows, they tell what it’s like to
work for Sheriff Eugene Eaton. The answers are excerpted direct quotes of
their responses to the questions asked.
Recently, CSEA Capital Region received complaints from unit
members that Sheriff Eaton threatened to fire his employees if they
dared to touch a picket sign or take part in any activity that would
attract attention to the labor problem in the department. Is this true?
“He initially said that if anybody went out on strike they would be fired or
if they went out for any reason or picked up any sign they would be terminated
immediately.”’ ‘It’s technically illegal for Eaton to fire us on an informational
picket.’
Yet when the media tried to verify these complaints, the members
would not come forward. Why?
“The members are afraid to come forward, afraid of their jobs.”’ ‘If he
(Eaton) found out what their names were, they would be fired."’
The sheriff keeps saying that by law he does not have to provide
road patrol coverage to Rensselaer County. Is this true?
“By law, Sheriff Eaton only has to provide a jail and a civilian-deputy ad-
ministration.” ‘His statement is that the highway patrol is a luxury and it
could easily be disregarded. I’m sure the people in the county don’t think its a
luxury. They think its a necessity.”’
Did your wife get a job because you
couldn't live on your salary?
“That's the truth if | ever heard it.”
—Deputy Sheriff
“If my wife didn’t work, we would have
to apply for welfare.”
—Corrections officer
FOR FEAR OF LOSING HIS JOB, this man asked to remain anonymous. If
any of the 77 employees of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department were
discovered speaking out against the sheriff, he said, they would have to pay the
consequences. Without civil service status, these men are subject to
harrassment, threats of job loss and welfare-level pay. ‘
What would happen if the patrols were cut? Would Rensselaer
county residents be left unprotected?
“Absolutely, they would have no protection at all.’’ ‘It would be a gross
disservice to the people of the county . . . residents know a sheriff patrol car
would be on the scene in 5 or 10 minutes, whereas they would be lucky to get a
state trooper in an hour.” ‘The people of the county would be up in arms if the
highway patrol were terminated.”
Just what power does the sheriff hold over the department
employees?
“Basically all powers. The power of job security, the power of hiring and
firing.” ‘‘He is the supreme power in the county as far as law enforcement
goes.” Editors Note: The employee’s contract now has a tenure clause,
covered by Article 75 of the Civil Service Law, whereby an employee is granted
a hearing before disciplinary action can be taken.
Is the sheriff known for keeping his word?
“Definitely not.’’ He makes several statements, but he seems to change
his mind at a moment's notice.’’ ‘‘He made the statements to the papers that
he would have no problem with job action or picket lines unless it interferred
with the function of the department. When something was organized, he got
quite irate...”
How much do corrections officers and deputy sheriffs earn a year
compared to the sheriff?
Editor’s Note: Both men confirmed the factfinders report which
states that corrections officers take home approx. $6400 after taxes. Deputy
sheriffs take home a little more, $6800 after taxes. In contrast, the sheriff has
an established income of $24,000. Yet the deputy questioned this figure
Despite your low salary, it has been stated that Sheriff Eaton
refuses to allow his men to work part time. Is this true?
2 “That's correct. This means no part-time jobs in the security field, which
is the easiest for the officers.” ‘‘He says the men are officers 24 hours a day
Any part-time service would be a conflict of interest.”’
In your opinion, why did the sheriff want a three-year contract and
only a three-year contract?
“I believe he wanted a three-year contract to guarantee labor peace over
the upcoming election.’ ‘‘He doesn’t want trouble during his election year.
(1981) He wants to be re-elected. And he knows he is going to get trouble.”
What is the turnover rate in the department? Also, if working con-
ditions are so poor, why don’t you resign?
“Probably close to half the department has applications in for jobs
elsewhere.” ‘‘Rather than just give up the ship and get out, I’d rather fight to
make it a reasonable job for the next guy.” ‘‘His (Eaton’s) answer to me and
everyone else down there is, ‘you know what the salary was when you came
here . . . if you don’t like it, there’s the door. Leave your badge on the desk and
get going.’ ””
In light of Eaton's attitude towards his employees and the ‘‘bad deal’’ they
feel they got in recent contract negotiations, the 77 deputies and corrections of-
ficers of the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department are strongly united in
their struggle to improve working conditions.
A crisis committee of employee representatives and CSEA staff members
has been formed to investigate allegations against the sheriff and to take
action against his dictator-like rule. The committee, says one employee, ‘‘is
going to show the public and the legislature how Eaton has fallen down in his
promise to the people of the county as well as to the employee.”
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980
“Pag
cS ENTERED ASA GANE ALTE ASD So CHAAR 2 OR NU TRE TOC IRGLTS
OYSTER BAY
Cleaning up the
nitation mess ~
Refuse plant
walls cracking,
floor sinking;
town reacting
... finally
BETHPAGE — ‘‘The Refuse Compactor Plant in Oyster Bay is a glar-
ing example of why we needed an OSHA law in New York State. That no one
was killed so far is pure luck. Now that we've put on some pressure, the
town is finally cooperating,” Nicholas Abbatiello said after a meeting with
Oyster Bay Town officials where the union leader presented the Town with
an engineering report detailing the deteriorating and dangerous conditions
of the compactor.
Mr. Abbatiello acted after a member of the CSEA Oyster Bay unit had
complained to Oyster Bay officials for months to no avail about: walls
cracking, floors sinking and electrical installations which were hazardous to
employees.
Ralph Spagnolo, chairman of the Nassau Local Safety and Health Com-
mittee and Mr. Abbatiello toured the facility with Domenico Crachi, Jr., a
consulting engineer retained by the CSEA. Mr. Crachi prepared a detailed
report for the union. ;
In the upper level of the two-year-old Refuse Compactor Plant located
in Bethpage, garbage is pushed into a compactor by a payloader 200 feet
above an area where other town employees work. A four-foot barrier wall to
prevent equipment, people and refuse from falling through to lower levels
was found by Mr. Crachi to appear to be ‘‘cracking at its column supports.
This type of cracking generates a serious hazard for workmen at lower
- levels where even the smallest chunk of concrete could cause serious in-
jury.”
“It must be noted that, in addition to the wall apparently cracking at
column intersections by expansion in hot weather, payloaders and trucks
operating at this level could conceivably accidentally strike the barrier wall
perhaps causing it to rupture from its floor anchorage or even splitting off a
section endangering workmen at a lower level,’’ the report states.
In addition, Mr. Cranchi found settlement of the floor slabs and cracking
in the intersections and walls surrounding the bailing chute.”
Mr. Abbatiello sent a copy of Mr. Crachi’s findings and recommen-
dations to correct the situation to Joseph Colby, Oyster Bay Supervisor
which lead to a meeting between the CSEA and Oyster Bay officials. The
Town responded to the CSEA initiative with results that didn’t surprise Mr.
Abbatiello because, he felt, ‘‘the CSEA had them cold. We had documented
proof that dangerous conditions existed.”’
The Town agreed to CSEA demands and issued orders for the removal of
electrical hazards, a completion of drawings and specifications of the
repairs with the work bid out by the end of September. In addition, CSEA
representatives and town engineering personnel would jointly monitor the
cracks and sinking to detect if it was continuing as suspected.
~ NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 is worried about the retaining wall at the Town of
Oyster Bay compactor where cracks have developed in the wall. Should the wall
collapse, it would fall to the ground floor of the structure where employees most
likely would be killed.
NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830
President Nicholas Abbatiello,
standing on bench, speaks to
members of the Town of Oyster
Bay Unit sanitationmen at a
recent 6 a.m. meeting about
problems the sanitation men
have been having with
management. Among those at
the meeting is Unit President
Pat D'Alessio, right.
LISTENING INTENTLY TO?
INASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830
President Nicholas Abbatiello are
‘Town of Oyster Bay sanitationmen.
OYSTER BAY — A year-long campaign by CSEA
to improve working conditions of the Town of
Oyster Bay sanitationmen is starting to pay
dividends as the town appears to be moving to make
major improvements in those conditions, according
to@SEA Field Representative Rigo Predonzan.
“The Town of Oyster Bay is in the process of ac-
quiring new and better garbage trucks, improving
their truck maintenance procedures and will be
paving the sanitation lot.
“These and other changes should go a long way
towards eliminating most of the labor-management
problems CSEA has been working to correct,”
Predonzan said.
He said the specific changes, which are now or
will be in effect shortly, include:
Eleven new deisel trucks are on order. Those
diesel trucks will vastly improve the overall quality
of the town’s fleet of garbage trucks which should
lead to fewer breakdowns.
* The sanitation lot will be paved. Funds for the
paving are in the next budget.
¢ Management agreed to start the workday at 5
a.m. so the men would avoid working in the hottest
part of the summer day.
¢ Management agreed to allow Shop Steward Abe
Schneider to inspect all trucks after the trucks are
ired to insure that the vehicles are safe.
Town garbage trucks will be given priority
dumping at the incinerator over private carters
when possible instead of being sent to the landfill.
¢ During summer months, additional personnel
will be assigned to foremen who will be able to
utilize the men where needed, such as on heavier
routes.
¢ As part of the paving of the lot, a service isle
with an attendant will be established for checking
gas, oil, fluid levels, etc., when the trucks come in
irae their routes.
ie sanitationmen, members of the Town of
Oyster Bay Unit of Nassau County Local 830, went
public with their problems with a demonstration in
the sanitation lot on Aug. 14, 1979.
Unit President Pat D’Alessio, after he had been
unable to get management to move on the
problems, went to Local 830 President Nicholas Ab-
batiello and CSEA President William L. McGowan.
D'Alessio, Abbatiello and McGowan joined the
sanitationmen at that demonstration and helped
negotiate a number of consessions by management.
e chief reason for the demonstration was the
unsafe and deteriorated conditions of the trucks
were causing many breakdowns and were forcing
the men to be on the job for many additional hours.
When management appeared to be dragging its
feet, D’Alessio again called on Abbatiello and
McGowan for assistance, Predonzan said.
Abbatiello, McGowan and CSEA Attorney James
Featherstonhaugh early this year attended a
special meeting of the Unit Executive Committee
to inform the CSEA officials of what was believed
t@be the lack of progresses on the part of
management.
McGowan put together a task force of Collective
Bargaining Specialist Nels Carlson, Legislative and
Political Action Assistant Director Thomas Haley,
Region I Communications Specialist Hugh O’Haire
and Predonzan to provide Abbatiello with the full
strength of CSEA to help resolve the Oyster Bay
sanitation problems with management, Predonzan
said.
le said the task force worked in Oyster Bay in
February, gathering information on the problems
and setting in motion the groundwork for what
appears to be a resolution of most of.the problems.
Predonzan said Abbatiello continued the work of
the task force, meeting many times with
management and with the unit to forge a
settlement.
Abbatiello’s bargaining position was aided great-
ly by the record keeping of Shop Steward Schneider
“ye charted the repair record of the truck fleet
NAO RANE ATs LANL A
eR ea
yster Bay improvements achieved
as direct result of union efforts
TASK FORCE MEMBERS, from left, CSEA Field Representative Rigo Predonzan, Long Island Region I
Communications Specialist Hugh O’Haire and Collective Bargaining Specialist Nels Carlson meet in
February 1980 to plan strategy to help solve the labor-management problems of the Town of Oyster Bay
Sanitationmen.
over several months, including the reasons for the
breakdowns, Predonzan said.
He said Schneider was able to prove that many of
the muffler and clutch problems were caused by the
trucks having to drive deep into the landfill while
private trucks were directed to the incinerator.
Because of Schneider’s record keeping, Robert
THE UNPAVED TOWN
OF OYSTER BAY
Sanitation Department lot
has been a sore point with
the sanitationmen. The
town is in the process of ie
providing money in its a A
budget to pay for the pav- jm
ing of the lot.
ELEVEN NEW DIESEL
GARBAGE TRUCKS, on
order for the Town of
Oyster Bay, could go a long
way to preventing broken
garbage-filled trucks such
as this one from taking up
“permanent residence’ in
the sanitation lot.
Schmidt, assistant to the Town Supervisor; and
Frank Antetomasso, Public Works Commissioner;
both personally guaranteed the priority dumping at
the incinerator for the town trucks, he said.
Abbatiello said he and D'Alessio ‘‘are pleased
with what appears to be a constructive response to
the problems in sanitation.”’
Sea 9 3g ERR RE SO 0M SSO EST
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980
Page 7
Sen lll
Dy With the presidential nominating conventions of both major parties concluded
and Labor Day, the traditional start of serious politicking for the Fall elections,
just around the corner, the unique American electorial process is beginning to
gather steam. ied:
CSEA has injected itself into the election process very early this year,
already interviewing candidates for state Assembly and Senate seats and
awarding some early endorsements. More endorsements are.anticipated during
September, providing the union-supported candidates with ‘the benefit of en-
dorsement by the largest public employee union in New York State.
Later this fall CSEA will be active in congressional races in New York State,
and will be a factor in the important presidential race in the state and, indirectly,
nationwide as part of AFSCME’s nationwide effort. Scores of ‘‘meet the can-
didates night”’ programs will be conducted across the state this fall, and CSEA’s
legislative and political action department will be concentrating on getting out the
potentially huge vote of public workers on election day to back up the union’s en-
dorsements.
The article and photos on these pages are the first in a planned series of
features concerning CSEA’s very active and influential political action program
« as we move into and through the campaign period leading up to the November
general elections. Over the next several weeks we will be featuring such activities
in all six CSEA regions. We begin with this report on political action activities in
CSEA’s Long Island Region I.
EXCHANGING IDEAS at the meet the candidates night are
Danny Donohue of Central Islip Psychiatric Center Local 404
and Brightwater Assemblyman John C. Cochrane, Republican @
of the Sixth Assembly District.
Long Island Region a political factor
in nine Senate, 21 Assembly districts
HAUPPAUGE/EAST MEADOW —
With the entire State Legislature up
for re-election in November, that
means CSEA’s regional legislative
and political action committees
already are involved in the process of
selecting political candidates for the
union’s endorsement and support.
The Long Island Region I
Legislative and Political Action Com-
mittee (LPAC), which has respon-
sibility for nine senatorial districts
and 21 assembly districts, in August
completed its process of screening
candidates and recommending en-
dorsements to the statewide CSEA
Legislative and Political Action Com-
mittee.
The process started in Region I on
July 30 and 31 with ‘‘meet the can-
didates’” nights for Republican and
Democratic party candidates, respec-
tively. The two meetings were, in
Hauppauge
Attending the two candidates nights
were members of the regional LPAC
of local LPACs and of Region I locals.
Political candidates were inter-
viewed on Aug. 7 in Hauppauge and on
Aug. 8 in East Meadow.
Members of the Region I LPAC tak-
ing part in the interviews were Co-
Chairmen Nicholas Abbatiello and
Michael Curtin, Louis Mannellino,
Arthur Loving, Laura Fortner,
Raymond Magliulo, Charles Novo,
Danny Donohue, Kenneth Cadieux
and Gregory Szurnicki.
At the interviews in East Meadow,
members of the Nassau County Local
830 LPAC took part, including
Thomas Stapleton, Alex Bozza, John
Geraghty, Ralph Spagnolo, Ruth
Braverman and Dudley Kinsley.
Most of the political candidates
from both major political parties
attended the candidates nights and
the interviews
“At the candidates nights, we get a
chance to chat with the candidates in
a relaxed give-and-take atmosphere,”
Abbatiello said.
Curtin said: ‘‘We use the interviews
to get specific information on where
the candidates stand on CSRA-related
issues. Incumbents get a chance to ex-
plain their votes from the last
legislative session.”
Many of the questions asked of the
candidates were from a questionnaire
LONG ISLAND REGION I Legislative and Political Action Committee Co-
Chairmen Michael Curtin, left, of Suffolk Education Local 870; and Nicholas
Abbatiello, right, of Nassau County Local 830; speak with Long Beach
Assemblyman Arthur J. Kremer, Democrat of the 20th Assembly District.
‘Page’8 _ KHE PUBLIG SECTOR, Wednesday; Avgust..27, 1980
developed by the CSEA Legislative
and Political Action Department. ,
A number of candidates informed
the Region I LPAC of the pressure by
the Conservative Party against a
renewal of Agency Shop in 1981.
The Conservative Party position
was expressed by the loss of that par-
ty’s line to Senator John Caemmerer
who voted for Agency Shop in 1979.
Caemmerer received an ovation
from the LPAC when he arrived for
his interview.
IN THE MIDST OF AN
INTERESTING DISCUSSION
(above) with Nassau County Local
830 members Nicholas Dellisanti,
left, and John Geraghty, right, is
Wantaugh Assemblyman
Frederick E. Parola Jr.,
Republican of the 12th Assembly
District.
ST. JAMES ASSEMBLYMAN
Robert C. Wertz, left, Republican
of the Fourth Assembly District,
speaks with Louis Mannellino of
State Department of Transpor-
tation Local 508 in photo at right.
Most of the incumbents who were
interviewed gave high grades to the
CSEA Political Action Liaison (PAL)
Program in the 1980 legislative
session.
Curtin said: ‘‘The legislators in-
dicated that the individuals assigned
to each legislator were most effective
and impressive in helping achieve the
highly successful 1980 legislative
session for CSEA.
“As far as Region I is concerned,
the PAL Program is here to stay.”
@
* eS
2 seg a aa
WILLISTON SENATOR John Caemmerer, center, Republican of the Seventh pISCUSSING LEGISLATION are, from left, Huntington Assemblyman An- }
Senatorial District, is flanked by Kenneth Cadieux, left of Nassau County Local tonia P. Rettaliata, Republican of the Eighth Assembly District; Michael
830; and Charles Novo of Suffolk County Local 852. Curtin of Suffolk Education Local 870; Arthur Loving of Long Island State
e Parks Local 102; and Amityville Assemblyman Lou Howard, Republican of
the Ninth Assembly District.
@
@
NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 members Thomas Stapleton, left, and Dudley
Kinsley flank Lawrence Senator Carol Berman, Democrat of the Ninth Senatorial
District.
GLEN COVE ASSEMBLYMAN Joseph M. Reilly, second left, Republican of
the 14th Assembly District; is joined by, from left, William Drudy of Long
Island Retirees Local 919, and Long Island Region I President Irving
e |Flaumenbaum.
e
OLD BETHPAGE ASSEMBLYMAN Lewis J. Yevoli,
left, Democrat of the 10th Assembly District, speaks
with Alex Bozza of Nassau County Local 830.
NORTHPORT SENATOR James J. Lack, x 1 i
right, Republican of the Second Senatorial PILGRIM PSYCHIATRIC CENTER LOCAL 418
District, discusses the CSEA questionnaire ™embers Raymond Magliulo, right, and Jean Frazier
with Gregory Szurnicki of Kings Park sreet Brentwood Senator Caesar Trunzo, Republican
Psychiatric Center Local 411. of the Third Senatorial District.
Hl
THE PUBLIC. SECTOR;. Wednesday; August 27, 1980 Page 9
Union wins election
PHILIPSTOWN — Employees of the town’s highway department have
voted to keep the Civil Service Employees Association as their bargaining
agent.
The Public Employment Relations Board held a special election here
August 14 in response to a challenge filed by the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters. CSEA won approximately 65 percent of the vote, and Regional
Director Thomas J. Luposello described it as a, “clear, decisive mandate
which strengthens our hand as we go into negotiations.””
He also attributed the victory to, ‘‘efforts by staff.”
b.
NEW OFFICERS for the Town of Philipstown unit were recently sworn in by
Putnam County Local President Millicent DeRosa. Taking their oath of office
were Vice President Wayne Van Tassel and President William Rigney. Look-
ing on is Regional President James J. Lennon.
Certificates earned
MARCY — The first in a series of courses entitled Maintenance Fun-
damentals and Electrical Maintenance was recently completed by employees
at Marcy Psychiatric Center, according to Joseph Vrooman, Vice-President of
Local 414 at Marcy Psychiatric Center.
The program, funded by an AEP (Agency Experimental Program) grant
of $3,490, was made possible by language in the most recent state contract
negotiated by CSEA.
Employees of Marcy and Utica Psychiatric Centers who completed the
first 100-hour series of classes were awarded certificates. The program includ-
ed Basic Blueprint Reading, Reading Schematics and Symbols, and Plant
Safety.
The next series of classes is scheduled for September and is open to
employees of the Electrical Shop and Powerhouse from Utica/Marcy
Psychiatric Centers.
According to John Welter, Electrical Shop Supervisor and Training Ac-
tivity Coordinator at the Center, ‘‘the courses are designed to meet the grow-
ing need for better trained maintenance craftsmen and to assist them and new-
ly hired employees to acquire additional technical skills. In addition, the
courses aid in preparation for promotion and provide a training program that
is closely related to the jobs a craftsman uses in his work,” Welter said.
AN AEP CLASS at Marcy Psychiatric Center includes, from left to right, Ber-
nie Gerren, Johnnie White, Ken Gibbs, John Welter (standing), Training Coor-
dinator; Gerald Roach, Tom Mulchy, Charles Williams, Thomas McMahon,
Harry Clapper, John Furmanski.
Page 10 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980
OPEN CONTINUOUS
STATE JOB CALENDAR
Senior Medical Records Technician ...
Pharmacist (salary varies with location)
Assistant Sanitary Engineer
Senior Sanitary Engineer .
Clinical Physician I .
Clinical Physician II.
Assistant Clinical Physician
Attorney
Assistant Attorney .
Attorney Trainee
Junior Engineer. .
(Bachelor’s Degree)
Junior Engineer .
(Master’s Degree
Dental Hygienist ....
Licensed Practical Nurse .
Nutrition Services Consultant.
Stationary Engineer -
Senior Stationary Engineer .
Occupational Therapy Assistant I
Occupational Therapy Assistant I
(Spanish Speaking)
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor ............
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee
Medical Record Technician .
Histology Technician
Professional Positions in Auditing and Accounting
Computer Programmer .
Computer Programmer (Scientific) .
Senior Programmer .
Senior Computer Programmer. (Scien ific)
Mobility Instructor
Instructor of the Blind .
Health Services Nurse
.(salary varies-with location)
‘Seniér Heating and Ventilating Engineer
Senior Sanitary Engineer (Design) .
Senior Building Electrical Engineer
Senior Building Structural Engineer :
Senior Mechanical Construction Engineer .
Senior Plumbing Engineer ....
Assistant Stationary Engineer
Electroencephalograph Technician ........
Radiologic Technologist . ‘ ‘ my 454-$10,369
(salary varies with location)
Medical Record Administrator . : . $11,904
Food Service Worker I... .
Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide Trainee
Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide Trainee ..
(Spanish Speaking)
Associate Actuary (Casualty)
Principal Actuary (Casualty) .
Supervising Actuary (Casualty)
Assistant Actuary .
Nurse I.
Nurse II
Nurse II (Psychiatric)
Nurse II (Rehabilitation)
Medical Specialist II
Medical Specialist I .
Psychiatrist I.
Psychiatrist II . 4
Social Services Management Trainee
Social Services Management Specialis'
Social Services Management Trainee .
(Spanish Speaking)
Social Services Management Specialist
(Spanish Speaking)
Industrial Training Supervisor . $10,624-$12,583
(salary varies depending on specialty)
Physical Therapist .. - $11,337
Physical Therapist (Spanish Speaking) ( - $11,337
Senior Physical Therapist - $12,670
Senior Physical Therapist (Spanish Speaking) . - $12,670
Speech Pathologist . $12,670
Audiologist $12,670
Assistant Speec! ‘ . $11,337
Assistant Audiologist ‘ $11,337
Dietician Trainee $10,624
Dieticiai $11,550
Supervising Dietician : $13,304
Stenographer (NYC only).
Typist (NYC only) .
Senior Occupational Therapist
Senior Occupational Therapist
(Spanish Speaking)
Occupational Therapist .. @
Occupational Therapist (Spanish ‘Speaking)
State Office Bi irs i
2 World Trade Center, 53th Floor, New York City 10047 (212) 488-4248.
Suite 750, Genesee Building, West Genesee Street, Bulfalo, New York 14204 (716) 842-4260.
The New York State Employees’ Retirement System provides a
regular schedule of visitations by counseling representatives of the
Retirement System to various areas of the state.
The service is intended for personal visits on a ‘‘first come-first
served” basis, and no appointments are necessary. Telephone calls,
however, cannot be accepted. Persons who wish to call for certain infor-
mation should call the Albany office of the State Employees’
Retirement System at (518) 474-7736.
The following is the monthly visiting day schedule for the counseling
service at the various locations around the state:
Monthly
City or Address Visiting Days
Millage.
Gov. Smith Every Business
Albany State Office Bidg. Day
State Office Bidg. i
Binghamton 2 Weanedere:
Gen. William ” First, Second;
Buffalo Donovan Toi Fourth,
State Office Bldg. Wed. and Fri.
(125 Main Street)
County Courthouse First Thurs.
Canton County Center Third Thurs.
Goshen State Office Bidg First and
Hauppauge Fourth Wed
Village Hall
Horseheads x annie
* County Office Second and
Little Valley Building Fourth Mon.
Municipal Bid i
Lockport Set eae
Chautauqua
Ge cae a First Tuesday
Health and Social
Service Bldg
oe ‘ 222 Willis Ave First and
ineola Fourth Mon.
County Center Third Thurs,
Plattsburgh County Health First and Third
Porhgna Complex Bldg. A Friday
DOT Headquarters First Thurs.
Poughkeepsie County Center Third Wed.
Riverhead Rochester City Hall Second and
Rochester (Room 302) Fourth Thurs
County Courthouse Second and
Syracuse Fourth Fri.
i State Office Bldg. First, Second,
ica Third and Fourth
Tuesday
State Office Bldg. First Fri,
Watertown Westchester Second and
White Plains County Center Third Mon.
(except July)
State Office Bldg. First and
270 Broadway Third Tues.
i (23rd Floor)
New York City ll World Trade Ctr. Second and
(44th Floor) Fourth Tues.
AT A RECENT RETIREMENT DINNER, Village of Floral Park Unit
President Phil Berlingieri, second left, was honored. Among those at the
dinner were from left, CSEA Field Representative Michael Aiello, Nassau
County Local 830 President Nicholas Abbatiello and Floral Park Mayor Henry
Griedman. The Floral Park Unit is part of Local 830. The dinner was in New
Hyde Park.
TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN WHITE COLLAR UNIT honored George
Harrington on his retirement at a dinner in Patchogue. Harrington, right,
receives plaques from Anthony Bienvuto and Ruth Kempf. The unit is part of
Suffolk County Local 852.
Western Region sets candidates night
Co-chairman Florence Tripi and Dominic Savarino of the Political Action
Committee of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) have announc-
ed dates, sites and formats for ‘‘Candidates Nights, 1980” for Western Region 6
of the statewide public employees union.
The formats, focusing primarily on state assembly and senatorial can-
didates, ‘‘will allow rank and file union members to hear prepared statements
from the aspirants, ask questions from the floor and mix informally for face to
face discussion of issues vital to the membership,” Savarino said.
The dates, sites and districts concerned are as follows:
Erie and Genesee Counties, September 3, 7-11 p.m. at the Executive Inn,
4243 Genesee St., Buffalo, New York 14225 — covering Assembly Districts, 137,
140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148 and Senate Districts 55, 56,.58, 59.
Southern Tier (East) September 3, 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall,
Hornell, New York — covering Assembly Districts 127, 129 and Senate
Districts 51, 52.
Rochester and Monroe County, September 10, 7:30 p.m. at the Arenas
Party House, 1338 Ridge Road E., Rochester, New York — Assembly Districts
130, 131, 182, 138, 134, 185, 186 and Senate Districts 53 and 54.
Southern Tier (West) Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties September 4,
7:30 p.m. at the White Inn, East Main Street, Route 20 — Assembly Districts
149, 150 and Senate District 57.
Niagara County, September 8, 8:00 p.m. at the Town of Niagara Fire Hall
No. 1, 6010 Lockport Road, (Just East of Military Road) — Assembly Districts
138, 139 and Senate District 60.
There will be no issue of The Public Sector published next week. Labor
Day week is one of four during the year when issues are not published.
The next issue will be dated September 10.
Check your retirement system status
Are you a participating member of the New York State Employees
Retirement System? Are you sure?
As hard as it may be to believe, some public employees find out too late
that their employer has neglected to enroll them as members of the Employees
Retirement System.
CSEA has recently won retroactive retirement payments on behalf of
members who thought they had a pension coming but found out when they were
ready to retire that they were never enrolled in the System by their employers.
Usually the problem can be resolved, but there is no need to take the risk of
starting off your retirement with that type of hassle.
The New York State Employees Retirement System can provide you with
specific information on your status as a Retirement System member. To check
on your status as a member of the Employees Retirement System, complete
and mail the coupon below. Please print clearly.
To: The New York State Retirement System
Governor Smith Office Building
Albany, New York 12244
1am requesting information on my status as a member of the New
York State Employees Retirement System.
Name oe Date of Birth
City one
State uns Zip.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980 Page 11
Creedmoor Local intensifies effort
to eliminate facility forensic unit
QUEENS — Creedmoor
Psychiatric Center Local 406 has
launched a three-pronged attack
aimed at convincing the State Men-
tal Health Department to move its
Forensic Unit — which houses
patients acquitted of violent
crimes by reason of insanity — to
another location.
During the past few days, union
officials conducted a series of
meetings with Mental Health
Department officials, legislators,
and the media in which a single
message was conveyed: a forensic
unit is inappropriate at a facility
located in a heavily populated
residential area such as Queens.
Local President Dorothy King,
Metropolitan Region II Director
George Bispham, and Field
Representative Bart Brier met
with Mental Health Department of-
ficials at Creedmoor and presented
a plan to relocate the unit to
Manhattan Psychiatric Center, on
more isolated Wards Island, under
New York City’s Triborough
Bridge.
Joined by Regional President
James Gripper Jr., they then met
with legislators from the Creed-
moor area, including State Senator
Frank Padavan (R, C-Jamaica
Estates) and Assemblyman John
Esposito (R-Queens Village);
Creedmoor officials, and members
of the press.
The CSEA members urged the
legislators to use their influence in
Albany to have the Forensic Unit
moved and additional funding
appropriated for the facility. There
have reportedly been eight forensic
escapes this year.
They were joined in their plea by
Creedmoor Director Dr. Yoosuf
Haveliwala, who has made
headlines in New York daily papers
when he called staffing conditions
at Creedmoor ‘‘a disgrace.”
COMMUNITY RESIDENTS living near Creedmoor
Psychiatric Center, Queens, demonstrate for increas-
ed security at the facility, while CSEA officials dis-
cuss the need for additional State funding with
He said that his institution did
not have enough staff members to
provide patients with quality care.
“I do feel that it is a disgrace,” he
said. ‘‘I would not send my child to
Creedmoor.”
Haveliwala openly endorsed the
CSEA calls for increased security
and state funding at Creedmoor.
“This is the issue,’ he said.
“How much of our tax dollars are
we willing to spend to do this.”
A number of community
residents seem to agree with the
PLANNING STRATEGY to increase State funding for Creedmoor are, from
left, Local 406 President Dorothy King, Assemblyman John Esposito,
Metropolitan Region President James Gripper Jr., and State Senator Frank
Padavan. They met recently as part of ‘a campaign by the Creedmoor local
to have the forensic unit at the facility moved to a more secure location.
Page 12 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Wednesday, August 27, 1980
CSEA position. They organized a
demonstration outside of one of
Creedmoor’s main gates, and con-
tinued to picket until they were
addressed by Local President King.
Minimal security at Creedmoor
was the topic of alive report aired
on New York’s channel 7
“Eyewitness News’’ last week.
Reporter Vince Lipari, testing
security at a number of entrances,
was not stopped or questioned as he
entered and left the grounds at
will. His report featured Mrs. King
/
demonstration organizer John LeBoutiller, left. He is
speaking with Field Representative Bart Brier,
second from left, Local President Dorothy Rag and
Local Board Member Joseph Healey.
pointing out openings in the
facility’s steel fence, and
Haveliwala saying: ‘‘it wouldn’t be
hard for any patient to escape into
the community, including forensic
patients.”
Creedmoor, which houses 50
forensic patients among its 1500
patient population, is located on 340
acres bounded by private homes
and several apartment complexes.
According to Haveliwala, no more
than 10 security guards are on duty
at any one time.
STRESSING CREEDMOOR NEEDS for increased security to Clair
Shulman, Deputy Queens Borough President, center, are Local President
Dorothy King and Field Representative Bart Brier.
