D NEW MUSCLE
ag. YouR UNION
on
Vd N ia
Se iy tiett =e
N digs
VE N c
2 ~ N 6
© i>, oe
No) :=
GETTING IN SHAPE —— oe
FOR THE NEW YEAR (AMD 2eyono) ee
rE —A-—_aeeeee ek eh
: DIsTIN ’
in Nn fice nese cart
He did the right
| thing...... Bee concn page 13 |
TINGHIDEE |
MOVED?
If you've moved recently, or plan to move in the near future, it’s very
important, to you and CSEA, that you notify the union of your new address
immediately. Use this form for your convenience.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
______ Social Security No. _____
MY OLD ADDRESS WAS:
Street
City Dn State Zip
MY NEW ADDRESS IS:
‘Street
City Sh SIS eRe toe em)
My employer is: ___
My work location is: _
Iam a member of CSEA Local
MAIL TO: Civil Service Employees Association
Attn: Membership Department
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12210
Support the
United Fare
Workers ..
Don’t buy
California
table grapes!
Please do not buy California table grapes! Two or more of
our fellow CSEA members are fasting each day throughout
Yoa9 in support of a national boycott of California table
grapes. More than 450 CSEA members have volunteered to
carry on personal fasts to protest horrible working _
conditions in California vineyards, the delivery of poisoned
grapes to consumers and the refusal of grape growers to
negotiate collective bargaining agreements for
farmworkers.
CSEA members can show support for this campaign by
refusing to purchase or consume California table grapes.
Respect the sacrifices of your fellow union members who
are fasting each day and help bring justice to the vineyards
— boycott California table grapes!
7
‘The governor outlined a full
agenda without really ever
mentioning the ‘D’: word — deficit.
ef tQtetsenon .»\ Thereal test is whether or not he can
Ree produce a 1989 budget that has gain
OA 15 percent increase I"
without pain. And for CSEA, this
means preserving programs and
jobs without shifting the red ink to
localities.”’
—Reaction of CSEA President Joe McDermott to
Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State address Jan. 4, 1989.
“And you can quote me on that...”
SECTORIEY
Official publication of The Civil Service
Employees Association, Inc., Local 1000,
AFSCME, AFL-CIO, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, New York, 12210
ROGER A. COLE
KATHLEEN DALY
STANLEY HORNAK
\
Editor
Associate Editor
Asst. Dir. of Communications
The Public Sector (445010) is published every other Monday by The Civil Service
Employees Association, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Publication
Office: 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Second Class Postage paid at
Post Office, Albany, New York.
Address changes should be sent to: Civil Service Employees Association, Attn:
Membership Department, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATES
SHERYL CARLIN Region | RON WOFFORD Region VI
(516) 273-2280 (716) 886-0391
LILLY GIOIA Region Il STEPHEN MADARASZ Headquarters
(212) 514-9200 (518) 434-0191
ANITA MANLEY peace Ml
(914) 896-8180 a
DAN CAMPBELL Region IV. © GCC) oD 4
(518) 489-5424
Region V
(315) 451-6330
F
2
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
By Lilly Gioia
CSEA Communications Associate
NEW YORK — Victory is sweet for Lorraine Bottaro, Iris
Roman, Eldra Drew and Rosa Jackson, four of the newest CSEA
members who joined as employees of the National Employees
Benefit Fund (NEBF).
Leading the organizing committee in a hard-fought
representation election, the fearless foursome takes great pride in
winning, at long last, the rights and protection of a true union.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certified CSEA’s
representation of about 360 members of the benefit fund in mid
December.
“Tt was worth it all,” said Bottaro, a claims approver for 15
years. “It’s going to feel great to have CSEA behind you when you
have something to say to management.”
CSEA Region II President George Boncoraglio was one of the
first to congratulate the organizing committee on their success and
commended them for their hard work and for convincing their fellow
workers that together with CSEA they can make a real difference in
their workplace. Z
“Their teamwork and spirit to stand up for what they believed in
was the key to this victory,”’ Boncoraglio said. :
CSEA statewide President Joe McDermott said the NEBF fight
mae S avenas f es e
mm (
IT’S A GOOD DEAL — CSEA Region I President George Boncoraglio and
organizer John Labriel explain to National Employee Benefit Fund employees
the advantages of being a CSEA member. CSEA now represents the workers.
Birth of a
local
was an example of the power of will and the power of the union.
“The organizing committee truly believed that the union would
make them strong, and they were right,” he said. ‘The way they
worked together to win for themselves and all their fellow workers
shows that. Now they belong to a union a quarter of a million strong,
and that kind of unity is unbeatable.”
Echoing those sentiments, Jackson talked about her faith in the
union.
“We all feel wonderful about this because I
think CSEA will work if we work very hard
as a group with CSEA to make our local a
success,” she said.
The most significant issues in the
organizing campaign were job security and
justice on the job, said CSEA organizer John
Labriel. When the employer subcontracted
out work and 25 to 30 NEBF employees were
reassigned to other work areas with no
guarantees of continued employment, the
employees saw the handwriting on the wall,
he said.
“Tt is vitally important to have the
3 . protection of a union contract when you see
Robert E. Wright how vulnerable you are without one,” agreed
new CSEA member Robert E. Wright, a data entry operator
employed by NEBF for 13 years.
The NEBF management mounted a coercive campaign grounded
in fear once officials learned that a significant number of employees
were interested in electing CSEA their bargaining agent.
Management threatened to take away benefits if employees voted
for the union.
CSEA filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the NLRB in an
effort to retrieve thousands of dollars of employees’ money that
NEBF had wrongly collected since 1976.
“We are optimistic about winning the unfair labor practices and
not only regaining the money owed to these workers, but forcing
management to reinstate the jobs and work they have wrongly
contracted out,’’ Labriel said.
Tn an attempt to overturn the representation election after CSEA
had been declared the winner, the NEBF filed charges the union
intimidated employees into voting for CSEA. Soon after,
management withdrew the charges because they lacked evidence.
“T think this was a historic campaign in New York City,
considering that the workers had to be re-educated about their status
as employees ‘at will’ who could be let go at any time,” Labriel said.
“Although they did have good benefits, without a union contract to
protect these benefits, they lived at the boss’ whim.”
“Belonging to CSEA is something we wanted, but I didn’t think it
would materialize as quickly as it did,”” Rosa Jackson said. “‘It was
a group effort, all of us working together.”
Organizing adds to CSEA’s strength |
During 1988, CSEA continued to grow, belief that ‘‘the union makes us strong.” Town of Patterson
adding 24 units and more than 1,000 “We cannot survive without new Town of Penfield
members. That growth is essential to the members, new ideas and even new University of Buffalo—FSA
union’s strength as a force within the criticisms,” he said. ‘By organizing both __ Village of Perry
state, in battling for contracts and new units and within existing units, we Elizabeth Cady Stanton Day Care Center
favorable legislation at all levels. make a statement that CSEA is striving Verona-Vernon-Sherill School District
“Organizing is the lifeblood of any union _ fr bigger and better things.” ¥ ges ae
and CSEA several years ago made a Following is a list of the CSEA 7 fyne s aos istrict
commitment to organizing by creating a bargaining units formed in 1988: Villes o f a bat
‘department specifically for meeting : Vitege a Ne ue A
organizing needs,” said Tom Mullen, Buffalo Place Inc. : 4 an ne eae the ay
CSEA’s acting deputy director for hata School District Nurses raed " Sch oa 3 RAEY.
organizing, “With that commitment, we've Edinburgh School a Ste eats im
increased membership both in bringing in Own © Fishkill Police | Bi sabe ny a Tay onto!
new units and in increasing the size of our sito a hig eso gpd ay jeer ater Pollution Control —
ny i Palak
psy bbe igs Royalton-Hartland School District Shenendahowa Central School District
CSEA President Joe McDermott’s Clericals Food Service Workers
\_ Commitment to organizing is tied to his South Orangetown School District Town of Maine 1
January 9, 1989
THE PUBLIC SECTOR 3
:
jose) ROG SERRA SSeS RRTAANO SS Cee era od
A very bad investment!
’ oe . ” .
ALBANY — CSEA President Joe McDermott has called for a
CSEA Ss Chem ical reaction “thorough review” of the New York State Retirement System’s
Sime, investment in Chemical Bank in light of the bank’s financing of a
THE CIVIL SERVICE ae hostile takeover bid by a South African company.
The company, Minorco, is based in Luxembourg, but is actually
South African-controlled through interlocking directorates and
cross-holdings of companies.
In letters to state Comptroller Edward V. Regan and
Chemical Bank Chairman Walter Shipley, McDermott objected to
Chemical’s involvement in Minorco’s hostile takeover attempt of
Consolidated Gold Fields.
“Chemical’s involvement in this venture can only serve to
exacerbate the ill-treatment of South African black people and
labor union members,”’ he said.
“Public employee pension funds should not be used for
corporate raiding — it’s bad for the economy and working
people,” McDermott continued. ‘It’s even worse when it involves
South African companies because it helps support the apartheid
status which this union has long been on record as opposing. The
social injustice in South Africa must end.”
McDermott pointed out that the New York State Retirement
System is the eleventh largest institutional investor in Chemical
Bank, holding 594,000 shares. He urged Regan to use the power of
his office to influence Chemical’s divestment from the venture.
“If the state comptroller stands up and says this kind of
activity will not be tolerated, Chemical Bank and the other large
financial institutions will have to take notice AND action.”
EMPLOYEES ASSOC inst
soexrn e ucounmort, PRENOENT
volvement a8 8,2
spseinee consot hd:
eracned for
ovey. chat
fehaceee a
went ce Mal
TRUp Eenceen tn se
SEht Cixeover ble.
a vee the
fo thie nacter ond use ENG,
Sie ene: ecreseennts 57.
(a
MBERED
mc A ery
The birthday of civil rights
activist Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. will be observed as a
state and federal holiday on
Monday, Jan. 16.
CSEA is proud to have been
in the forefront pushing for
legislation which led to the
creation of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Day as a state holiday
prior to becoming a federal
holiday.
CSEA encouages everyone to
participate in ceremonies to be
conducted at several localities
and worksites around the state
honoring the memory of Dr.
King.
4 THE PUBLIC SECTOR January 9, 1989
=
9
: , Keep pension funds out of takeovers
\ (EE Board protests risky
y (investments, seeks oversight
ALBANY — CSEA’s Board of Directors has approved a resolution
deploring the use of public employee pension funds in corporate takeovers
and mergers.
The resolution also restates the union’s long-standing call for public
employee union representation on a board of trustees to oversee pension
fund investments. The state comptroller is the sole trustee of the funds.
“Both aspects of this resolution are in the best interest of our
members, the stability of the pension system and the economy of New
York,” said CSEA President Joe McDermott.
“The increasing amount of takeover activity through leveraged buy-
outs and many corporations assuming large debts to protect themselves
against raiders creates a greater likelihood that pension funds will be
drawn into risky investments,’ McDermott explained.
He also pointed out that these same circumstances often lead to
consolidation of operations, facility closings and layoffs that have an
adverse affect on workers and local economies.
“We don’t want to be a party to any of that,”’ he said.
CSEA has long maintained that too much authority for pension
investments is held by one person.
“A board of trustees with public employee representation would
provide the necessary oversight and would give us greater confidence that
the best possible investments are being made,’’ McDermott said.
Gov. Mario Cuomo recently appointed a task force to review these
issues. A report from the task force is expected in about four months.
capone it ae -
3 ae , and the adoption of “poison hs prevent —
pees or takeovers. :
_ out proposals to allow shareholders, rather
uired, Regardless of their level of involvement in
experiencing increased levels of risk in these investments, _
and possible reductions in rates of returns.
RESOL!
osition that, public pension fan
ticipants and their beneficiaries ag
‘be invested for their exclusive benefit -
- that the assets should
with reasonable levels of risk and rates of return. Within
ae ee that framework, we deplore the use of public pension funds
WHEREAS: _ : in unproductive n.erger and takeover activity, especially
_ Public pension funds that hold the stocks of the targeted _ that which results in loss of jobs and undermines local
corporations are _ become involved in g) page ays oe economies.
abet to decide whether a company should merge or be BR IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
CSEA shal
shall seek to increase union representation on
“Jribatives th block mergers, the public pension funds are —_publie employee pension boards and investment boards.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
WHEREAS: : CSEA stats -hapoinad i ripe and pene tng
At the same time, many of the takeovers are bei ‘0 Panic further er rwise sta
structured as leveraged pay-out with small ls ae of compani ide in rg pane We rt me re ns
cash, and large percentages a debt oN ‘ations to shareholder resolutions the ce corporate control in these
partnerships created for The takeover activities in the Sane = shareholders rather than
partnerships pools of debt art bal Ln ce ae totally in corporate bo
ional investors, ich are ul
sates funds. While the funds ba have seca extr: fordinary BE IT ue RESOLVED
rates of return from some of their Ble tag Public pension funds: oe avoid the shifting of capital
takeover corporations are re a peal components in the pees markets to the deal tat ails and look to more
of the corporations and pee ner own | eo _ productive uses of their asse' ult in r ab!
Spekogernesta hove resilied ok ‘ane. vels of risk and ra
\_ arrangements have re | not onl yin massive loss of jobs
January 9, 1989
THE PUBLIC SECTOR 5
ALBANY — A long-sought CSEA goal is!
reality. A network of occupational health clinies b
established across the state by the state Department o
The clinics are ically geared toward the a
treatment of on-the-job illness and injury. ‘ :
“The establishment of this network is a giant giant step forward
for the well-being of all working people in this state,” said
CSEA President Joe McDermott.
“More and more we’re discové | that foc pe inj i
and sickness are job-related, but tra: Nacges 1 facilities _
aren’t oriented toward making that M
ex]
cutting
» ead he pegs
which is why it’s : ag
available to
cence cl '
; New York City Lee
ities are ie in the works.
to confront occupational illness, —
so important that these services are now
ood diagn
josis and the right treatment,” _
to encourage our members to
efit from ;
When emergencies struck at two CSEA
Region V locations recently responsible
action prevented disaster.
One CSEA member was hospitalized
overnight for observation after toxic
chlorine gas was released at Sunmount
Emergencies
under
control
But the situation could have been much
worse.
According to CSEA Local 431 President
Don Hesseltine, two members were
mixing chemicals for the facility’s new
swimming pool, but the chemicals were
mismarked, leading to the release of the
potentially deadly gas.
As soon as the danger was apparent,
the employees took immediate steps to
contain it and to evacuate the area.
“Tt was unbelievable,” said Hessaltine.
“There were about 190 staff and clients in
the area and they had the place
evacuated in five minutes!”
Developmental Center in early December.
Hesseltine pointed out that many of the
clients are multiply disabled, making the
swift evacuation even more impressive.
The Sunmount administration then
called in all of the appropriate authorities
to handle the situation. Steps have been
taken to prevent similar occurances in the
future.
Another incident involving a fire in the
North Syracuse School district was
handled in similar fashion.
When a fire broke out in an area
containing cleaning products at the North
Syracuse Junior High School, it was
quickly extinguished. But just to be on the
safe side, management sent the 15
employees who were in the area to the
hospital for examinations. No one suffered
any injury and each was released.
“Everything was handled properly,”’
said Unit President Fred Farrance. ‘‘They
took good care of the people.”
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
January 9, 1989
-
mmm HE EH EE
a ——.
GRIEVANCES, ARBITRATIONS ETC.
CSEA wins MHTA’s
By Anita Manley
CSEA Communications Associate
POUGHKEEPSIE — Michael Lucas’
employment record at the Hudson River
Psychiatric Center was spotless. His
evaluations were excellent, the equivalent of
rave reviews.
So it came as a shock to Lucas, a mental
health therapy aide (MHTA), when, after
filing a grievance because he had been
denied four hours of overtime pay, Lucas
found himself served with two notices of
discipline (NODs) alleging patient abuse.
Soon, even though management later
withdrew all the charges, Lucas was
transferred to another unit.
CSEA went to bat for Lucas, filing a
grievance seeking his transfer back to his
original transition unit at the facility. CSEA
Deputy Counsel Jerome Lefkowitz argued
that management's withdrawal of charges
was the equivalent of dismissing them and
Lucas should be restored to his former
position.
“Tf not,”’ Lefkowitz said, ‘‘then the state
would be able to escape its obligation to
restore an employee to his former position
by merely withdrawing charges it knows to
be without merit.”’
An arbitrator agreed, and ruled that
Lucas should go back to his former position
and unit.
The arbitrator didn’t buy management’s
claim that Lucas was involved in six
disciplinary incidents over the past five
years because his employment records
showed only excellent evaluations and no
mention of problems.
“At no time was the grievant ever
counseled for such incidents, and no
documentation of any kind exists to confirm
such incidents,”’ said Arbitrator Jeffrey
Selchick. ‘While the evaluations may
contain some subtle and veiled messages
about the grievant’s strict supervisory
Syne Ly
CONGRATULATIONS — CSEA Local 409 President Marge Harrison, left, and Vice President Judy
Watt, right, congratulate member Michael Lucas on his recent victory reinstating him to his former
position after management transferred him to another job.
manner in dealing with residents, they
certainly do not begin to address ‘the
problems now alleged to have existed.”
Lucas should not have been consistently
rated “highly effective” if there were
problems, Selchick said.
“An employee is entitled to rely upon
evaluations received and should not have to
worry years later that his performance will
be questioned by a Supervisor who claims
that ‘she didn’t really mean’ the rating that
was given,” he said.
Hudson River Psychiatric Center CSEA
Local 409 President Marge Harrison noted
that during the more than two years in
which the grievance was pending, Lucas
received and turned down a number of
settlement offers.
“He stuck to his guns,’’ Harrison said.
“He didn’t back down.”
Lucas emphasized that he persevered
thanks to the support of his wife, his family
and his co-workers.
“They believed in my innocence,”
“Perseverance pays off.””
Local First Vice President Judy Watt
called Lucas’ victory and inspiration for
other members.
“Tf you’re supportive of each other,
problems can be rectified,” she said. ‘“You
can’t drop grievances. You have to stick
with it.”
he said.
Ve
=
Where
safety
counts
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Hamburg sign shop employees, members of
Otsego County State Transportation CSEA
Local 517, were recently commended for
their long and unblemished safety record.
They proudly point to the sign marking 2,072
workdays without a lost-time accident. With
them is Local 517 President Ron Dockery,
front, second from left.
A
January 9, 1989
7
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Soe ee ON enc een
~
CSEA‘members
#
By Lilly Gioia
CSEA Communications Associate
|
|
;
|
NEW YORK — Braced against
sub-freezing late December temperatures,
CSEA Metropolitan Region II members
joined marchers from 175 other labor
unions, religious and community groups to
demand affordable housing in New York and
an end to homelessness.
By the thousands they came, bundled up
against the frigid cold, walking with
candles. Some came in wheelchairs. But all
declared, ‘It’s Christmas in New York City
and there’s no room at the inn for the
homeless.”
“Too many are trapped between a
minimum wage that is too low to live on and
the complete lack of affordable housing,”
said CSEA Metropolitan Region II President
George Boncoraglio.
“Why is there partying in Washington
while we are down here watching a
thousand points of light go out?” he asked,
“ISN’T IT TIME we admitted that whatever
government claims to be doing, it just isn’t
enough?” asked CSEA Region I President
George Boncoraglio.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
alluding to the thousands of poor, powerless;
former mental patients, many once cared
for by CSEA members before being
heartlessly dumped onto the streets by the
state Department of Mental Health.
CSEA members joined the thousands of
demonstrators in the huge Housing Justice
Rally and marched along West 58th Street,
blocking traffic for more than an hour. In an
impassioned plea for housing justice, the
Rev. Jesse Jackson told rally participants
the fight for housing as a right must be
fought on a national scale, much like the
fight for civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s.
“This march is just an early stage of a
more gigantic march,” Jackson said. “It is
not enough to just confront local officials
who have a partial remedy or state officials
who have a partial remedy. We must go to
Washington.”
“The homeless problem in our city is far
beyond the crisis point when night after
night we hear of people freezing to death in
our streets,” said Region II First Vice
President Denise Berkley, who organized
CSEA’s participation in the rally.
Berkley pointed to the urgent need for an
increased minimum wage, saying the
current minimum wage has lost 22 percent
of its purchasing power since 1981. The
homeless who hold part-time or full-time
jobs ‘‘are caught in an economic squeeze
that could be remedied if the minimum
wage was raised,”’ she said.
The New York City Coalition for the
Homeless estimates that 10,000 mentally ill
people are roaming the streets of the city.
Well over 10,000 homeless sleep in noisy,
disease- and crime-ridden shelters and
thousands of other homeless choose to do
without private or government aid, seeking
refuge in subways and transportation
terminals around the city. Nearly 3,000 of
> these are thought to be Vietnam veterans.
“While the state stubbornly refuses to
_ 7 increase the number of long-term care beds,
CSEA can only deplore a governmental
policy that plays musical beds and provides
inadequate revolving-door therapy because
of hospital gridlock,” an angry Boncoraglio
said.
year ending June 30, 1988, of all people
join in
a
New York City officials admit that in the |”
ies i
seeking
for the
ete
PLCSS
|
— admitted to psychiatric emergency
rooms, at least 16,500 were homeless. |
“I am proud that CSEA is getting involved
in efforts to find solutions to the housing
shortage and especially demanding that the
government take on its rightful |
responsibility toward the homeless mentally |
ill,” Boncoraglio said.
He alluded to CSEA members being | |
panhandled daily by homeless camped
outside state buildings, outside their
apartments, their banks, supermarkets,
restaurants and on subway platforms. |
“Here we are terrorized by homeless |
mental patients who slash ferry passengers
to death by sword or run naked through St.
Patrick’s Cathedral murdering worshippers.
Homelessness is a crime against humanity,”
Boncoraglio said.
“Deinstitutionalization failed miserably.
Isn’t it time we admitted that whatever
government claims to be doing, it just isn’t
enough?”
:
In years to come historians will probably
look back upon 1988 as a vintage year for
CSEA, an exciting 12 months during which
the union dominated headlines and
newscasts and carried a string of successes
from January through December for public
employees.
CSEA opened the new year by warning of
a forthcoming solid waste management
crisis — we produce too much garbage and
have too few safe places to put it. CSEA
represents many landfill employees
throughout the state.
The union grabbed headlines again in
January by releasing results of a survey
showing understaffing and unsafe working
conditions combined to make public
employment far more dangerous than
private sector jobs overall. Efforts by CSEA
to increase staff ratios and improve health
and safety standards in the workplace
continued unabated throughout 1988.
In February Bill McGowan announced his
pending retirment after 11 years as
statewide president of CSEA. Following an
intensive, months-long campaign, Joe
McDermott was elected CSEA’s 22nd
artsn legally fired
Floyd A. Martin Wegally fired
fathe Laviker case
On BROOK — The inneratie wo a idee Pg SEA
eae frevance for eee SUNT a Sem
‘members a
SEA Laval 614 Pr 3
January 9, 1989
SEA charged that Lewis County Sherif
| Video helps win grievance
TW'clasiicauon
(GOER ordered
Treasurer Mary E. Sullivan.
4
@
president and took the oath of office at mid-
year. Danny Donohue was elected statewide
executive vice president, Irene Carr was re-
elected statewide secretary and Mary E.
Sullivan was elected statewide treasurer.
In March CSEA was successful in gaining
pension supplementations for nearly a
quarter of a million former CSEA members
who retired prior to 1983,
A rally to protest understaffing at state
mental health facilities drew more than
1,500 members to Albany the following
month.
A major achievement during 1988 came
when the Internal Revenue Service dropped
plans to tax public employees’ unused
benefits after a CSEA petition drive
collected more than 100,000 signatures in
opposition to the tax and a CSEA delegation
lobbied federal lawmakers in Washington.
County deputy
that ruling but earlier ths year the state
‘Appellate Division unaniznously upheld the
tower court ruling, leading tothe arbitration
Dearing this month,
doing specialised work and should be given grade
the university Lo pay the ce
eB
A NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM took the reins of CSEA during 1988 with the election of, from left,
President Joe McDermott, Executive Vice President Danny Donohue, Secretary Irene Carr and
The year
review
New, highly-enriched three-year contracts
were negotiated for more than 107,000 CSEA-
represented state workers in 1988. And
CSEA joined with PEF in a successful
lawsuit eliminating on-street parking
restrictions that affected thousands of
workers in Albany.
The union demonstrated the effectiveness
of its legislative and political action
program when 16 CSEA members were
elected delegates to the Democratic national
convention. During the general elections in
November the union effort helped elect
nearly 100 percent of its endorsed
candidates.
As the year began to wind down, a special
CSEA task force investigated possible
solutions and offered suggestions on how
best to deal with a looming state budget
deficit. CSEA offered alternatives while
rejecting layoffs, reduced public services
and less aid to schools and localities.
Another CSEA task force was grappling
with the problem of convincing the state to
reform the formula for reimbursement to
county-operated nursing homes. Revising
the reimbursement system continues into
1989 as a top union priority. A massive
petition drive in support of the project will
be launched in early 1989.
The union sponsored its first statewide
food drive for the hungry, poor and
homeless during the holiday season. And
1988 ended with CSEA President McDermott
conducting a personal four-day fast to lead
off a year-long fast during 1989 by nearly 500
CSEA members in support of the United
Farm Workers union. Please, don’t buy or
use California table grapes.
THE YEAR IN HEADLINE
..» PAGES 10 AND 11
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
i
‘the essence o
la great year
captured in
—
headlines
WE WIN!
IRS axes tax
THE PUBLIC
SECTOR.
SS
past’ SECTOR ||
oui’ SECTOR || nut’ SECTOR
rusuc SECTOR
HELP
WANTED
THE
PUBLIC
SECTO
putt’ SECTOR.
3 i
CONVENTION
SPIRIT!
THE PUBLIC
SECTOR |i
CHAUTAUQUA
COUNTY
HOME
~~ Pounded i \832
See page 3
THE PUBLIC
puntic 91 SECTOR
SE! Net
GFE -
EMPTY ” MPTY
CHAMBER}, OCKETS
See page
THE PUBLIC
SECT‘
HUNGER
HURTS!
1 0 THE PUBLIC SECTOR
\afSECTOR
parent)
The Civil Service Employees Associat
pgerit SECTOR,
THE
PUBLIC
Trying to keep the
Pieces together wer:
y,
, Janual 4g 989
THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 1
Trio shares
$3.7 million
PURCHASE — Remember the $45-million
state lottery drawing in December? Three
maintenance workers from SUNY Purchase
will never forget it.
CSEA members Ramon Lafont, Miguel
Cuyatti and Vincente Gonzalez shared one of
12 winning tickets that day, splitting one-
third of the $3.7 million awarded to each
winning ticket.
“T’ll believe it when I get my first check,”
said Cuyatti, who in late December was still
working two jobs to support his wife and
child. “I still think it’s a dream.”
Gonzalez said his wife quit her job and he
quit his second job after the drawing. He
said he hopes to retire in the near future
and plans to pay for his house with his share
of the prize money. He has twin daughters,
one of whom is planning to marry soon, he
said.
Lafont, who has three children, also
recently quit a second job. He said he plans
to buy a house for his family, and noted his
wife ‘‘still can’t believe it really happened.”
The trio said they used a combination of
birthdays to select the winning numbers.
Local 637 President Ann Guido said
Lafont, Cuyatti and Gonzalez are hard-
working, cooperative employees and she’s
happy for their good fortune.
“God was so good to them,’’ she said. ‘“‘T
always thought the lottery was fixed
somehow. Now I know differently.”
AGTHIaLSe FF L
rT
§.0209 32 42 4
AGTHSS1 38 43e
4,03 08 12 25 28 42
See
1. be
LOCAL 637 President Ann Guido poses with three co-workers who shared a $3.7 million winning ticket
in the state lottery in December. From left are Miguel Cuyatti, Ramon Lafont and Vincente Gonzalez.
Feb. 13
regular
workday
for
state
State selects Abe’s birthday
for floating holiday status
Lincoln’s birthday is one of a dozen paid
holidays negotiated for state workers by
CSEA.
But it’s a holiday with a difference; it’s
designated by the Governor’s Office of
Employee Relations as a floating holiday,
the only one in 1989. Lincoln’s birthday
also served as a floating holiday in 1988.
Lincoln’s birthday is Sunday, Feb. 12,
and will be observed as a holiday on
Monday, Feb. 13. But because it’s
designated as a floating holiday, state
offices will be open on Feb. 13 and the
day will be treated as a regular workday.
Employees who otherwise meet
S
eligibility requirements will receive credit
on Feb. 13 for one holiday that may be
used on a date of the employee’s choice,
subject to agency procedures for
requesting time off. The floating holiday
credit must be used in a full-day unit and
taken between Feb. 13, 1989, and Feb. 11,
1990.
The floating holiday applies to CSEA
members in the Administrative,
Institutional and Operational Services
Units as well as state workers in the
PS&T Unit, managerial/confidential
employees and certain other state
workers.
12
THE PUBLIC:SECTO
January 9,1989 °°)
‘Losers,
weepers
(CSEA member turns in money, drugs |
PEEKSKILL — No one has to tell John
Love what life is like at Bohlmann Towers,
a Peekskill housing project. He grew up
there, and he has seen drug deals,
prostitution and crimes of every description.
So when you hear that Love recently found
a bag full of money and drugs near one of
the project buildings, you might expect he
would keep it and say nothing.
Wrong. Love, now a CSEA member who
immediately turned the package
over to police.
“T give John a lot of credit,’”’ said CSEA
Unit President Bob Blaich. ‘“The
maintenance crew gets criticized a lot, but
he did the right thing.”
out the window and saw a package with
money and vials of crack,” Love recalled.
Police were in the building at the time, and
works in maintenance for the Peekskill he believes the suspects they were looking
Housing Authority at the project, for dropped the package out of a window.
“T was sweeping the hallways and I looked
A a a aa me
oe eae Ree, RAR AONE
‘te 7 a a
A JOB WELL DONE — Unit President Bob Blaich, left, has nothing but praise for John Love, a CSEA
member who found a bag of crack and money while on the job and turned it over to the police.
“I looked out the window
and saw a package with
money and vials of crack.”
The package contained about 2,000 crack
vials.
Drug problems at Bohlmann Towers are
nothing new, Blaich said.
“The dealers come up here from New
York City on the train or bus. There’s one
that comes up here in a big Cadillac,” he
said. ““Many times our men will go into an
empty apartment to clean and there will be
two or three people sleeping off drugs after
a night of partying.”
The most frustrating thing, Love said, is
that the dealers seem to get away with their
antics.
“The police will come here and make a
big arrest,” he said. ‘“‘You’ll see them take
these guys away in handcuffs. But an hour
later, they’re out on the street again, back
in business.”
Blaich can remember John Love ‘‘when he
was just a little guy. He came on board as a
temporary employee in 1982 and he’s been
here ever since.”
Love remembers some of the boys he
grew up with in the same projects.
“A lot of them are in jail now,” he said.
What kept him out of trouble? ‘‘My parents
stayed on my back.”
ie cua
Many Eastern Correctional Facility employees have invested
their own time and skills toward the construction of a recreation
building on the grounds of the facility. The building is expected to
be completed this year and will be used by employees.
Funds for the building have been donated by AFSCME Council
82 and CSEA is expected to help finance the furnishing of the
will be the newest day care facility serving public employees when it
opens in early 1989. Checking on progress of the “Ready, Set, Grow
Center” facility recently were CSEA statewide Secretary Irene Carr,
\ building. Ay
CSEA Local 426 President Tom LeJeune and Local 426 Vice President
ACI Cy Holden.
January 9, 1989.
ee ee eee ee ee ee ee
‘Cll eTHE RUBLIC SECTOR, 13.
CAMERA CLOSE-UPS
What are your
expectations
for
President-elect
George Bush?
ay 3
LINDA LEVINE
SUNY Stony Brook
Local 614
“T guess for a man
who’s been in
government as long as
he has we can expect
something. I hope he
won’t follow in
Reagan’s footsteps and
is more sensitive to the
people’s needs.”’
aS eS
LINDA SLAUGHTER
Tax & Finance
Local 460
“I think Bush is
Reagan’s clone who
won’t do anything for
New York. If he was
going to do anything,
he could have had
some input when he
was vice president.”
BARBARA IGO
Broome County
Educational Employees
Local 866
“While he was not
my choice for
President, my big
concern now is that he
works to restore the
public’s faith and trust
in government.”
PATRICK BRADY
Capital Region Armory
Local 250
“He has to do
something about
terrorism. He has to
get the budget in the
black and hopefully he
can do something to
improve world peace.”
1 4 THE PUBLIC SECTOR
rr.
GERRY ZIMMERMAN
Cattaraugus County
Local 805
“T think it was a sad
day when he got
elected, and we’re all
going to have to work
twice as hard to
consolidate and protect
the gains we’ve
already made. I don’t
think he’s a friend of
labor. I’m sorry Jesse
Jackson didn’t win.”
January 9, 1989
What message, exactly, were voters of a college education now, even with higher “The message in this poll is that the
collectively sending to politicians from the taxes. public’s answer to deficit reduction is not
voting booths on election day, Nov. 8? *Forty-eight percent said the government —_Jess government action on the domestic
AFSCME, CSEA’s international union should help young families and first-time agenda,” said Hart, whose survey results
affiliate, recently sponsored a national poll buyers with housing and mortgage costs are generally supported by Linda DiVall, a
of voters to get a clearer understanding of now, even if it means raising taxes. prominent Republican pollster who aided the
that message. The union is sharing the *More than a third said they would pay Bush campaign.
answers with those whose decisions are higher taxes for a program that would help “A plurality of Republicans and a
determining the nation’s economic future. working parents with the cost of child care majority of all other groups solidly oppose
The post-election poll of the attitudes of now. cutting domestic social programs,” DiVall
1,010 voters was conducted for ASFCME by confirmed.
Peter D. Hart Research Associates.
The poll showed that American voters
want Congress and the White House to get
their fiscal act together and reduce the
federal deficit with fair taxes and defense
spending cuts. But they’re also willing to
pay more taxes for long-term health care,
child care, housing and college education.
“The survey signals a strong voter
demand for a fresh approach to fair taxes
for deficit reduction and new investments in
our people,” said AFSCME President
Gerald W. McEntee. goodies — the wealthy and the big
For example, while 51 percent of those corporations — should pay higher taxes to
polled said the top priority of Congress over pick up the tab,’ McEntee said.
the next two years should be reducing the ( More than 75 percent of those polled
federal budget deficit, 74 percent also said favored increased taxes for large
they favored an approach different than the > corporations and 80 percent favored higher
“no new taxes,’’ domestic spending cuts and taxes for individuals with incomes over
defense build-up of the Reagan-Bush $240,000.
administration. ae “The 101st Congress and the new
“In terms of dealing with the deficit,” administration will have a formidable fiscal
said Hart, ‘“‘voters appear to be significantly task,” said McEntee. “But this poll makes it
more concerned about avoiding cuts in clear that Americans don’t want programs
domestic programs and investing in key that constitute an investment in America’s
domestic needs than in protecting the future to be put on hold any longer.
defense budget and avoiding new taxes.” Consequently, AFSCME will use the results
In fact, voters in the AFSCME poll of this poll to launch a full-court press to get
expressed a sense of urgency about congressional and White House support for
domestic priorities that need to be human investments in long-term health
addressed now in tandem with the deficit. care, child care, education assistance,
For instance:
“Indeed, the only budget proposals that
voters clearly reject,” according to Hart,
“are additional cuts in domestic programs
and further taxation of Social Security
benefits.”
The AFSCME survey also found that the
chief targets favored by voters for helping
to reduce the federal deficit are the
beneficiaries of Reaganomics.
“A significant majority believe that
defense spending can be and should be
reduced and that the people who got the
affordable housing and equitable tax reform.
*An overwhelming majority of voters (65 Voters want Congress to address | “To make sure the voters are heard, we
percent) said a program that would provide domestic Eran es now that will | are sending the findings of the poll to
long-term health care for the elderly and hel; young families buy homes, President-elect Bush, the leadership of the
disabled is an important investment that heli vith the cost of child cae : 101st Congress, and the co-chairs of the
should be started now, even at the cost of ip Ww cs National Economic Commission,’’ McEntee
higher taxes. help make higher education said. “It will be their charge to transform
*Half of the voters surveyed said they affordable and provide long-term the idea of ‘a kinder, gentler America’ from
would support a program to help students health care for the sero and campaign sound bite into legislative
from middle-income families afford the cost | disabled. reality.
January 9, 1989 THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 5
-No small change
CSEA member publishes coin book |
By Anita Manley
CSEA Communications Associate
YONKERS — Got a penny? Don’t spend it
until you check the date on it. It could be
worth a lot more than a cent.
That’s according to Joseph LaMagna, a
probation investigator with Westchester
County and co-author of a recently published
book, ‘‘Coins, Coins, Coins: A Collector’s
Guide.”
“Coins” is LaMagna’s second book. A man
of many talents, he published ‘‘The Wild
Game Cookbook for Beginners and Experts”
about five years ago. An avid outdoorsman,
LaMagna enjoys hunting, fishing, camping
and boating.
He has been collecting coins for about 15
years. He collaborated with Carmen Pisano,
a friend and coin expert, for the new book.
“Mhe most reasonably priced coins that
bring the best return are pennies,”’
LaMagna said. Wheat pennies dated before
1958 bring a good return, he advised, and
those dated before 1934 are even better.
He had a collection of about 50 pennies
dating from 1909 through 1958 that he sold
for $1,000. A month later, he got an offer of
$1,500 for the same collection.
Double-die pennies, which are stamped
twice by accident, are worth hundreds of
dollars.
Coins are worth more if fewer were
minted in any given year, LaMagna
coins - COINS - COINS
THE COLLECTOR’S GUIDE
The Newest & Most Exciting Coin Book!
Easy to read — LARGE SIZE PRINT
Contains Valuable Data on:
| What & why to collect;
| Where to look for coins; How to grade coins;
| Mint Marks;
| Altered & counterfeit coins;
Cleaning, handling & storing;
Best coins to collect
By
Joseph LaMagna and Carmen T. Pisano
16
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Joseph
LaMagna
explained. In his book he tells how Pisano
was given a silver dollar dated 1889C in the
1950s.
“At the time he was given the dollar, it
was worth about $90,” LaMagna said. “That
dollar is now worth about $35,000.”
Coins are not his only interest. LaMagna
about $35,000.”
“At the time he was
given the dollar, it was
worth about $90. That
dollar is now worth
is a freelance writer and has had articles
published in “‘Kaatskill Life,” a magazine
published in Delhi. In the next edition, he
will have an article on wolves and mountain
lions.
He has also written for the ‘‘New York
State Recreation Guide,” “Southern New
York Sportsman,” “Entertainer Magazine,”
“The Mountain Eagle,’’ ‘‘Mirror Recorder,”
“Westchester Life Notes,” ‘“The Autograph
Collectors’ Magazine,” ‘‘Bob Zwirz’s Fishing
and Boating Guide,” ‘Delaware County —
Catskill County Magazine,” and the
“Yonkers Home News and Times.”
LaMagna also has photos on display at the
National Soccer Hall of Fame and the
Recreation Vehicles International
Association. He has also developed training
manuals for government law enforcement
agencies.
A 30-year Westchester County employee,
LaMagna will retire in June. He plans to
devote his time to writing, fishing, hunting,
traveling and relaxing.
“T deserve it,” he said.
Anyone interested in a copy of LaMagna’s
coin book should write to:
Joseph LaMagna
P.O. Box 882
Yonkers, New York 10702
January 9, 1989
|
Carol Guardiano
SS
PEOPLE — Public Employees Organized to
Promote Legislative Equality — really flexed its
muscle in the 1988 elections. The money raised
through PEOPLE programs went directly to help
elect officials who will support public employees
when they take office. It is the federal political
action committee (PAC) of CSEA and its interna-
tional affiliate, AFSCME.
“PACS are the only way CSEA can legally
influence Congress, through lobbying and cash
contributions,” said Joseph Conway, CSEA’s first
federal legislative coordinator. ‘PEOPLE
enhances CSEA’s ability to communicate with
elected officials.”
(How to join PEOPLE
The good your contribution does is its own
reward. But when you sign up to authorize a
PEOPLE payroll deduction, you get more than
that sense of well-being — you get something
tangible in return.
Sign up to have $1.50 deducted from your
paycheck bi-weekly and you are enrolled in
the Presidents Club, You'll receive:
*A Presidents Club membership card
entitling you to attend special events at union
meetings and conventions;
*A Presidents Club lapel pin;
*A subscription to The Activist, AFSCME’s
legislative and political action newsletter; and
“The AFSCME Voter Guide.
Sign up to have $2 deducted from your
paycheck bi-weekly and you are enrolled in the
VIP Presidents Club. You’ll receive all of the
above items PLUS these VIP premiums:
*A VIP windbreaker for the first year of
membership;
*A goldtone pen and pencil set for the second
year;
“A VIP sweatshirt for the third year; and
*a VIP flight bag for the fourth yeer.
Sign up for a $3 deduction and receive all the
benefits of the Presidents Club, the
appropriate VIP Club premiums PLUS:
“Become a member of the CSEA Local 1000
PEOPLE Club, entitling you to attend special
programs hosted by CSEA statewide President
Joe McDermott at the union’s annual
Delegate’s Meeting;
*A PEOPLE key ring; and
“A CSEA Local 1000 PEOPLE Club
membership card.
Local government members whose contracts
do not provide for PEOPLE deduction
privileges may make cash contributions of $35
to join the Presidents Club, $50 to join the VIP
Presidents Club and $75 to join the Local 1000
PEOPLE Club and receive the appropriate
PEOPLE
STARS
People Stars are the special CSEA members
who make the PEOPLE program strong and
effective — they sign up 50 or more eligible
CSEA members to the PEOPLE payroll
deduction program.
This year’s PEOPLE Stars are both on the
CSEA Statewide PEOPLE Committee. Carol
Guardiano, a member of Pilgrim Psychiatric
Center CSEA Local 418, and Marie Prince, a
member of Erie County CSEA Local 815, each
signed up more than 50 people to the payroll
deduction program.
‘S PEOPLE powers CSEA at federal level _
Federal legislation affects public employees at
all levels. Federal budget cuts often mean cuts to
state and local governments, hitting CSEA
members.
“Public employees historically have been the
first target in budget reductions and conservative
trends,” he said. Success comes to ‘‘whoever has
the horses, whoever has the loudest voice and
whoever has the lobbiest with the most clout.
That’s what this program provides.”
The PEOPLE Record in 1988
In 1988, the second full year of payroll
deductions for PEOPLE, 2,514 CSEA members
were in the PEOPLE Club; another 100 members
belong through direct contributions.
Between membership applications and fund-
raising programs, CSEA members have
contributed $100,138.85 to the International
PEOPLE treasury, more than doubling last
year’s contribution. CSEA Local 1000 now ranks
third nationally in fund-raising for PEOPLE.
CSEA won on a variety of issues at the federal
level, including: the Water Resources Bill, which
brought $5 million to the state Barge Canal
system; the defeat of the Internal Revenue
Service rule that would have taxed public
employee leave accruals; preserving New York’s
fair share of the federal budget; and the banning
of lie detectors in employment.
Marie p, Tince
1989 — The next step
“Our goal is to make CSEA number one, and
the way we plan to do this is to ask our members
to become involved and sign up other members,”
said Cheryl Sheller, CSEA PEOPLE coordinator.
“The success of the program is going to depend
on membership involvement.’
The statewide PEOPLE Committee is targeting
locals throughout the state. If you would like your
local to participate in a check-off drive, contact
your Regional PEOPLE chair: Region I, Carol
Guardiano; Region II, Asturia Torres; Region
Tl, Colleen Manning; Region IV, Sue Waltz;
Region V, Doris Pratz; Region VI, Marie Prince;
and Statewide PEOPLE Chair Paulette Barbera.
During the check-off drives, members will be
eligible for additional incentives for signing up
members.
What PEOPLE can do
In 1989, PEOPLE will help support the passage
or continuation of many programs of vital
interest to New Yorkers.
Your PEOPLE dollars this year will be used to
fight for: legislation to support the IRS ruling
preventing taxing of employer-provided benefits;
child care legislation; more money for the canal
system; protection for public employees in view
of budget problems; medical and family leave
legislation; pay equity; and minimum wage
legislation, to name a few.
To join PEOPLE, mail this coupon to PEOPLE, CSEA, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York
12210
incentives. gy
January 9, 1989
Name sue Sees
[Please print)
Address he? ee eee: See eee ts cee eZ |p
Social Security Number ______ Home Phone ____. Work Phone ___
CSEA Local Number _ ___ Region Number Ne Wate SU Date tina ske ek Si
STATE DIVISION MEMBERS (And members whose contracts provide for PEOPLE deduction):
PLEASE CHECK: Deduction per pay period $1.50 7 $2.000 $3,000)
X-Small 0 Small 0 Medium U Large OO X-Large 0 XX-Large LF
(Signature) es
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEMBERS
Enclosed is my personal check, money order or credit card contribution in the amount of $8
If $50.00 or more is contributed, please indicate jacket size
X-Small 9 Small 0 Medium ()
MASTERCARD ()
Account Number__
Large 1) X-Large 0 XX-Large 1]
VISA 0 Expiration date __
me
|
|
1
I
I
|
I
I
I
I
I
I
|
} \f $2.00 or more is checked, please indicate jacket size
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
I
!
|
(Signature)
(In accordance with federal law, the PEOPLE Committee will accept contributions only from
members of AFSCME and their families)
THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 7
An important reminder to all CSEA local, unit executive boards
Locals, units must appoint election committees
immediately; training sessions scheduled to
CSEA locais and units which have not yet appointed election
committee members are being urged to do so immediately.
“Dozens of locals and units have failed to notify CSEA
headquarters of the names of their election committee members,”
said CSEA statewide Secretary Irene Carr. ‘‘Training for local and
unit election committee members will be conducted during January
and #ebruary by CSEA’s Education and Training Department.
Failure to provide those names in time for the appointees to attend
the required training classes could jeopardize the election process.”
Local and unit executive boards were directed to select their
election committees and the local or unit presidents were expected
to submit the committee names on forms provided to CSEA
headquarters by early November.
The local and unit election committee members will conduct
local and unit officer elections for a three-year period beginning July
1, Elections must take place in all locals and units.
“It’s important to the election process that every CSEA local
and unit have properly appointed and trained election committee
people to oversee the upcoming elections,” Carr said. “I urge any
local or unit president who has not done so to immediately send the
committee listing to the membership records department at CSEA
headquarters. It’s imperative that these people receive proper
begin
training.”
Following is the revised tentative schedule for election commit-
tee training classes being conducted by CSEA’s Education and
Training Department:
DATE LOCATION REGION
January 12 New York City Region Office 2
January 18 Suffolk County, Sheraton, Smithtown 1
January 19 Nassau County, Salisbury Inn,
E. Meadow 1
January 18 Liberty, DaysIm ~ 3
January 28 Westport, Westport Hotel 4
January 30 Syracuse, Sheraton 5
January 31 Utica, Sheraton 5
February 1 Binghamton, Sheraton 5
February 1 Buffalo, TBA 6
February 2 Rochester, TBA 6
February 2 White Plains, White Plains Hotel 3
February 7 Albany, Howard Johnson’s 4
February 8 Fishkill, Holiday Inn 3
February 9 Middletown, Howard Johnson’s 3
February 15 Watertown, TBA 5
February 15 Amsterdam, Amsterdam Inn 4
February 16 Potsdam, TBA 5
February 16 Saratoga, Holiday Inn 4
February 21 Nassau County, Salisbury Inn,
E. Meadow 1
February 21 Jamestown, TBA 6
February 22 Suffolk County, Sheraton, Smithtown 1
February 22 Bath, TBA 6
February 23 New Paltz, SUNY-Student Union 3
February 28 Albany, Holiday Inn, Latham 4
By Ron Wofford
CSEA Communications Associate
OLEAN — Cattaraugus County
employees received an unexpected but
welcome Christmas present when an
initial fact-finder meeting led to an
agreement the 600 members in two units
of Local 805 can live with.
“T think you can say this is a group of
surprised and happy people,” said
Michelle Hoffman, president of the County
Employee General Unit of Local 805,
following overwhelming member
ratification of the settlement offer.
The agreement calls for 14 percent wage
increases over three years. A union-
management study committee will
recommend a health insurance plan by
April 30.
The unexpected development ended a
15-month negotiating stalemate that saw
county workers endure nearly all of 1988
without a contract.
The health insurance issue, a major
stumbling block during the long
negotiations, will be settled by binding
arbitration if union and management
cannot agree on a mutually acceptable
lan.
F The unit members had earlier rejected a
oe county offer, by a vote of 331-8,
At long last, a contract for
Cattaraugus County employees
>»
that proffered 3 percent and 2 percent,
with a wage re-opener clause for the third
year.
“As we met with the fact finder, we only
expected to review the issues and submit
briefs,” recalled Hoffman.
“When we got to the stumbling block of
the health insurance problem, the
fact finder quickly assessed it as the only
issue separating us.”
A few short caucuses later, an
agreement had been reached that also
gave the general unit full agency shop and
the supervisory unit a modified hourly
shop.
“We're very happy to have achieved
agency shop, which should see our
membership rolls increase and the free-
loading decrease,” said Hoffman.
The unit president praised the skills of
Collective Bargaining Specialist Tom
Pomidoro, chief CSEA negotiator, and the
unit’s committee that included John
Ostergard, Kathy Hower, Marge Askey,
Ginnie Cooley, Joyce Lucco, Mary Zinic,
Ray Paladino, Gary Zimmerman, Adrian
Ciolek and Bob Bender.
The supervisory unit’s committee
included President Jerry Helfer, Local 805
AID TO ARMENIA — A check for $500 has been
given by CSEA to the Armenian earthquake relief
fund. The donation was approved recently by
CSEA’s statewide Board of Directors, which also
encouraged locals to make efforts of their own to
assist victims of the disaster. In the photo above,
Cindy Egan, state Executive Department
representative on CSEA’s Board of Directors,
presents a check for $500 to Father Khatchig
President Tim Anderson, Charles
Coolidge, Ta Cook and Doug Prey. y
18
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Megerdichian of the Holy Cross Armenian
Apostolic Church in Troy.
January 9, 1989
ee
THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER TH
NG
A perfect group
These Rockland Psychiatric Center employees were
recipients of certificates and a gift-from RPC Executive
Director Hal Margosian recently, in recognition of their
perfect attendance at work in 1987. CSEA Local 421
President Glenda Davis also presented her co-workers
with a U.S. Savings Bond. Standing from left, are: Jean
Barthelmy, Alfred ee i Pica
‘Brightman, Jose Reyna, ice Green and Jean Lynce.
Seated are: Davis, Alice Schiano, Halestine Phillips,
Eileen Holahan and Anita Peeples.
December 23, 10
“Joe Delaney
SEA Local 1503
ci doe Nevermore, cst
3 CSHA Re!
When Keith Zulko of the CSEA Region V
Political Action Committee learned that fellow
Binghamton Psychiatric Center member Rose
Marie Odorico didn’t receive an-American flag
‘as she should have when she became a U.S. .
citizen four years ago, he did something about it.
Zulko contacted U.S. Rep. Matt McHugh,
who had one flown over the Capitol before
presenting it to Odorico.
Pictured with McHugh, right, Odorico and
Zulko during the presentation, is Odorico’s
daughter Angela and granddaughter.
Many thanks!
The cards and
letters are
We treat ’em right
At a dinner meeting that included
in, thanking CSEA many new members from City Court,
for its efforts in
the recent CSEA
CARES food drive.
Your efforts
helped feed
thousands of
hungry New
Yorkers this
holiday season and
you can take a lot
of pride in that.
formerly represented by AFSCME,
CSEA Judicial Local 335 President Ralph
Hesson told them the local’s phone
number is easy to remember.
“Just dial TLC-CSEA,” said Hesson.
“The initials CSEA are natural, and the
TLC stands for the ‘tender loving care’
we give our members.”
Sometimes they contain
complaints, sometimes
compliments. And some’
impossible to do.
Patsy Blevins of Staten
“I'm writing to ask if
in the paper. Thanks so
A co-worker’s
appreciation
When we open our mailbag at
The Publie Sector we never
know what to expect inside those
envelopes from members.
people request things that are
But we liked the thought
behind the request contained in
the letter printed below, which
arrived between Christmas and
New Year’s. It was written by
could please publish something
in The Public Sector which I feel
should be put in. I work at South
Who comes along in
a suit that’s red?
times
Island.
you
Beach iecioere Center on :
Staten Island and a lady who
works with me, Ms. Marie Any ideas about who this bearded
Burnside, has been working with man is, spreading cheer throughout
the staté for 20 years as of Oct. CSEA during the holidays? And don’t
1, 1988, I would like to see her answer Santa Claus.
picture or at least her name put Give up? Here’s a hint: You can find
much.” him clean-shaven on page 9.
January 9, 1989
THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1 ey
deterioration oO
rm its yeimbursement system to
20;
ne <TH OU RNG SRETOR
nh ‘ ; January 9, 1989..
=
==
