Your Private Eye
newsletter
is inside |
Vol. 21 No.7 JULY 1998
» Paul Gaspie, the
president of Mechanicville
PW CSEA Unit reports on
ornado damage.
Photo by Colleen Brescia
I
EFFECTIVE JULY 1 CSEA’S NEWEST MEMBER BENEFIT ...
The CSEA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
covering Workers’ Compensation
and Social Security Disability
If you are injured on the job or sustain a job-related Illness,
CSEA’s new Workers’ Compensation Legal Assistance
Program can help you navigate the maze known as Workers’
Compensation. If you become disabled, the program can
help you obtain Social Security Disability benefits.
The Program Services Are Absolutely Free, And So Is The Call
@ If you have a possible Workers’
Compensation or Social Security
Disability case, SIMPLY CALL
1-800-342-4146 TOLL-FREE and
select the proper menu options.
Your call will be answered by the
firm of Fine, Olin and Anderman,
RC., through its statewide
network of offices staffed by
attorneys who specialize in
Workers Compensation and Social
@ Brochures describing the
program in detail and intake
forms to assist you in compiling
correct and complete information
before making the initial call will
be available from CSEA Region
Offices, CSEA Local and Unit
Presidents and CSEA Labor
Relations Specialists.
@ All calls will be accepted, no
Summary of March 1998
Board of Directors meeting
Editor's note: The Public Sector publishes a summary of actions
taken by CSEA’s Board of Directors at the board's official meetings.
The summary is prepared by CSEA Statewide Secretary Barbara
Reeves for the information of union-members.
ALBANY — CSEA’s statewide Board of Directors met here on May
28. In official action, the board:
“Approved the CSEA Workers’ Compensation Legal Assistance
Program;
*Placed into administratorship Ossining Correctional Facility
Local 161, St. Lawrence University Local 630, Oneida County
Community Action Inc. Local 729, the Town of Andes Unit 6615 and
Middle Country School District Building and Grounds Unit 8777;
“Amended and restated the CSEA Inc. Pension Plan Resolution;
“Authorized CSEA’s participation in the 150th Anniversary
celebration of the Women’s Suffrage Movement at Seneca Falls;
“Approved various personnel matters affecting the legal
department and computer services;
“Dissolved Yank Waste Recycling Workers Local 730;
“Dissolved Pius XII Chester Campus Professional Unit Local 726
and transferred members to Pius XII Chester Campus Institutional
Local 725;
“Granted a local charter to Hamilton County Local 821;
“Designated American General Life of New
York as the union's universal life carrier; and
*Elected Rutha Bush to serve on the Region 1
cages will be turned down and Political Action Committee.
there is no cost to CSEA
members and their dependents
for the program services.
Security Disability Law.
Questions concerning this summary of actions
taken by CSEA’s statewide Board of Directors
should be directed to CSEA Statewide Secretary
Barbara Reeves,
CSEA Headquarters,
143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210,
1-800-342-4146 or
(518) 257-1253. | Barbara Reeves
1-800-342-4146
Follow the menu options
for instructions
to access the program
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Publication Office: 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office, Albany, New York 12288.
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‘he CSEA web site can be accessed at www.cseainc.org
THE
PUBLIC
"_ Readers: Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Official publication of Publisher, The Public Sector, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210-2303,
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148 Washington Avenue COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES
Albany, New York 12210-2303 RON WOFFORD
Danny Donohue, President
STEPHEN A. MADARASZ
Communications Director & Publisher
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Asst. Director of Communications
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\AWOR COMMUN cy
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The Public Sector Committee
LONG ISLAND REGION John C. Shepherd CAPITAL REGION Marguerite Stanley
METROPOLITAN REGION Jimmy Gripper CENTRAL REGION Bruce Damalt, Acting Chair
SOUTHERN REGION Diane Hewitt WESTERN REGION James V. Kurtz
Page 2 ¢ The Public Sector « July 1998
CSEA aids neighbors after
tornado rips through town
MECHANICVILLE — “It sounded
like an out of control railroad
train roaring by,” says CSEA
Region 4 President Carmen Bagnoli
describing the tornado that hit his
hometown on May 31. It hopped,
skipped and did millions of dollars
worth of damage. “I'll never, ever,
forget that sound.”
Early that Sunday evening, as
many as seven tornado funnels
were tracked in lower Saratoga and
upper Rensselaer counties.
Thanks to early warnings
beamed over local radio and TV,
© no serious injuries, but
al damage was
astounding.
Once again, public employees
came to the rescue and were on
the scene even before the funnels
disappeared, One worker, in fact,
reported that while he was opening
the door to the city’s ge, a
tornado funnel lurked just 20 feet
away.
The 12 employees of the city’s
Department of Public Works,
represented by CSEA, all have
different stories to tell about that
fateful day. Several workers who
took refuge in basements tell
stories of having to tunnel through
debris only to discover their
neighborhoods virtually
untouched, But just a turn around
the corner revealed streets which
looked war ravaged.
“We began working then and we
haven't stopped yet,” CSEA Unit
President Paul Gaspie says nearly
two weeks after the disaster.
“We've been swamped with help
coming from all over the state and
from every organization you can
think of,” he adds.
Volunteers included a contingent
of more than 40 CSEA staff
members who spent a day clearing
the rubble in secondary areas so
that the experienced DPW crews
could concentrate efforts on a
devastated area that was called
Ground Zero.
One of the CSEA volunteers,
Ann Plunkett, said “I have never
seen anything like this in my life.”
Now, people of the
Mechanicville-Stillwater-
Schaghticoke area are rebuilding
their lives warmed by the
outpouring of support they
received in their hour of need.
— Stanley P. Hornak/
Daniel X. Campbell
and CSEA Capital Region 4 President Carmen Bagnoli,
right, all pitched in to help out.
Pension reform high
among CSEA priorities
as legislative session ends
ALBANY — Significant CSEA legislative
priorities appeared close to becoming reality as
this edition of The Public Sector went to press.
State Lawmakers were working fast and furious
on a number of CSEA-backed bills with the
legislative session drawing to a close.
CSEA was cautiously optimistic that a package
of pension reform bills would gain final approval
in both houses of the Legislature. There were also
indications that Gov. George Pataki would sign
them if they reached his desk.
The pension reforms provide a two-step
pension supplementation but also include a
number of other reforms to benefit current and
future retirees. Among the reforms were boosts in
the base allowances for the benefit to help older
retirees; vesting in the system after five years
instead of the current 10 years; tier reform which
eliminates the social security offset in tier 3 and
allows tier 4 members to maximize final average
salary after 20 years of service rather than 25;
and a death benefit for survivors of vested
members who have left service.
There was no action on a permanent,
automatic Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
“COLA remains our priority,” CSEA President
Danny Donohue said. “But this package as a
whole is a very positive step forward and
represents significant reform.”
Another legislative bill of interest to CSEA
members, approved at press time, was SUNY U-
grade legislation that would require job
reclassifications to be subject to Civil Service
review.
The Public Sector will provide full wrap up of
the Legislative session's action on CSEA issues in
the August edition.
California voters defeat
Paycheck Deception Act
CSEA members and other working people were
the winners when California voters rejected an
extreme measure intended to silence the voices of
working people.
Proposition 226, nicknamed “The Paycheck
Deception Act,” was defeated in early June in a
California vote that was closely watched
nationwide. The proposition was aimed at gutting
political action by unions. It would have required
unions to obtain permission from individual
members before conducting any lobbying or other
political action activity on their behalf. There is
no similar prohibition on business or other
organizations.
Part of the strategy of the extremists who favor
the paycheck deception act, which has also been
introduced in Congress, is to force unions to
waste valuable money and resources fighting the
measure.
Unusually high turnout from union
households made the difference in the California
vote and demonstrates why CSEA places so much
priority on voter registration (see page 19).
COVER STORY
The Public. Sector? July-1998 ¢ Page 3
After three years Westchester County workers say...
FINALLY — AN AGREEMENT!
WHITE PLAINS — After three
ears of on and off and sometimes
icrimonious negotiations,
Vestchester County CSEA members
ave entered into a tentative
igreement with county officials.
The new agreement provides for 2
percent bonuses for 1996 and 1997
and 3.5 percent salary increases for
1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. It also
provides for health benefits for
domestic partners. In addition, leave
time has been restored to
Informational Services and Dietary
employees who were rehired after
being laid off last year during the
former county executive's efforts to
privatize those services.
“We look forward to approval of
this agreement,” said Westchester
County Unit President Jane Fiore,
“and we look forward to continuing
a cooperative relationship with
County Executive Andy Spano and
his staff.
“Although this agreement does
not contain all the changes that we
needed on behalf of our members,”
Fiore said, “it does show that when
two sides decide to communicate,
our goals can be achieved.”
“It was a long road,” said Labor
Relations Specialist and Chief
Negotiator Al Sundmark. “Union
solidarity paid off. We accomplished
our objectives and have a fair deal
that everyone can live with, I urge
approval of the agreement.”
“On behalf of the region, I'm
happy that this period has finally
come to an end,” said CSEA Region
3 President Carmine DiBattista. “It
has been a difficult three year
period under the former county
executive that included massive
efforts at privatization, layoffs and
demands for major givebacks of
contractual benefits.”
“The achievement of this contract
was a joint effort of CSEA,” said
DiBattista, “including the members,
the leadership and the staff.”
— Anita Manley
CSEA school district workers protest stalled contract talks
Left, Elba Schools Unit members of Genesee County Local 819,
seeking their first contract as a CSEA unit, took to the streets to
picket the school board meeting over their negotiations impasse.
Below, after two years without a contract, more than 150
members and supporters of West Seneca Schools Unit of Erie
Education Local 868 staged a massive picket line outside, then
went into the board meeting with their picket signs in protest.
Town of East Hampton members well prepared for fair pact
EAST HAMPTON — The CSEA
members in the wealthy Town of
East Hampton showed up at their
negotiations on time, armed with
sound proposals and research on
what their jobs are paying in area
towns.
The town showed up late, ill-
prepared and demanding givebacks.
And that's how the town has
shown up at most of the 12
negotiation sessions which have
been held since last October.
The union members have done an
excellent job of proving that of their
193 members, 32 people are living
Page 4'* July.1998 » The Public Sector
below poverty level and of those, 95
percent are women. The town closes
its ears.
The union tells the town that 64
percent of the members work two
jobs to get by and 11 percent work
three jobs. Management looks the
other way.
In a town which boasts shops
where a blouse is an easy $100, it's
hard to understand why the town
refuses to take better care of its
employees,
Employees in the town earn 32 to
52 percent less than neighboring
employees in the same titles.
“The town wants increased health
insurance contributions from a work
force who can't afford to pay it and
shouldn't be asked,” said CSEA
Labor Relations Specialist Pat
Curtin.
“We are determined to stay
unified. And with CSEA leading the
way we will not settle until we have
a fair contract,” said unit First Vice
President and negotiating team
member Joan Ford.
The East Hampton Unit is part of
CSEA Suffolk Local 852.
— Sheryl C. Jenks
locat BRIEFS
Long Island locals
hold annual school
worker conference
MELVILLE — For the third
consecutive year, CSEA Nassau
Education Local 865 and CSEA
Suffolk Education Local 870
presented a Support Staff Career
Development Conference
specifically devoted to school
district employees.
Local 865 President Denis
Midnet and Local 870 President
Diane Klement said the
conference drew more than 300
school district members with a
series of workshops offering
opportunities to learn, explore
and share practical information,
resources, ideas and strategies
for use in the workplace.
The conference was held in
conjunction with a CSEA
Information Fair, allowing
members to meet representatives
and gather information on the
benefits available to them as
CSEA members.
Conference topics included:
Privacy In The Workplace,
Communication Issues and
Human Resource Issues.
“I think this conference is a
real model. These two local
presidents and their boards
brought their membership a
tremendous program, at no cost.
It's really gre: id CSEA Long
Island Region President Nick
LaMorte. — Sheryl C. Jenks
CSEA mourns loss of
Nyack School District
Unit President
NYACK — Members of
Rockland County Local 844 are
mourning the death of Farrar
Martin who was president of the
Nyack School District Unit.
Martin, 57, suffered a fatal
heart attack on June 4 while he
was in a meeting with school
district officials. He is survived by
his wife, Barbara, a daughter, a
stepson and a sister.
Martin, a six-year school
district employee, was a head
custodian.
Memorial services were held on
June 8. Memorial donations can
be made to the Disabled
American Veterans, PO Box
14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250,
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: NEWS -
Park workers keep the play in Playland
CSEA members staff 70-year-old amusement eset eas in } Fiye
RYE — Rye Playland Park, a
jewel in Westchester County's
crown, thrives thanks to the
CSEA members who maintain it.
Now 70 years old, the park
retains its flair, with giant wooden
soldiers guarding the gates, the
exquisite art deco buildings
lending an air of a time long past.
Beyond the buildings, Long Island
Sound s the scene for
relaxation and fun.
And what better way to spend a
summer day than picnicking and
enjoying the sights and rides at
Playland Park where Westchester
Carpenters Frank Gordiski, left, and
Rafael Ramos repair one of the pillars
in front of the concession stands.
County workers get to see their
“clients” smile and have fun.
“I love working here or I
wouldn't have stayed so long,”
said Operating
Superintendent Adam
Harvey who started
working at Playland 17
years ago while he was
still in school. “I have
fun. If I can’t get
someone to smile, I'm
not getting the job done.”
The park has 45 rides,
so park employees’ first
concern is safety;
workers make
daily safety
checks including
an inspection
walk on the
Dragon Coaster
track. Many rides
have been
restored, like the carousel
which dates back to 1915,
The new Playland
Boardwalk Museum has
displays on the park’s
colorful history since it
opened in 1928.
Playland’s Ice Casino
hosts the New York
Rangers Hockey team
when they practice at
home. The Rangers hold
two or three open
practices each season
Games
Frances
Assistant
Manager
Tartaglia
when the public is invited
to watch, said Frances
Tartaglia, an assistant
games manager. During the
rest of the year, the
ice rink is open to
the public for
skating.
Tartaglia has
worked for five park
superintendents and
has seen many
changes over 15
years.
“We've got a lot of
different rides now
and a lot of new
personnel,” she said.
“It's an interesting
job and the
customers are nice.”
— Anita Manley All Aboard! Adam Harvey invites
park guests to ride on the Dragon
Coaster.
CSEA member!
How to get there and what you'll find
Playland is located in Rye, just off Route 95 at Playland Parkway
Exit 19, The park is open Tuesday through Thursday and
Sundays from 12 noon to 11 p.m, and Fridays and Saturdays
until midnight. It is closed on Mondays except holidays.
Admission and entertainment are free. Playland contains picnic
areas, a pool, a 1,200-foot beach, a lake where you can rent
rowboats and paddle boats and a 40-acre amusement park. For
more information, call 914-967-2040. Be sure and say hello to a
CSEA Yonkers schools unit urges taxpayers to protest contractor’s agenge
YONKERS — A contractor's
faulty recommendations to
contract out services and lay off
employees of the Yonkers School
District are unacceptable.
's the message CSEA.
3 School District Unit
members want taxpayers to send
to school board members.They
want taxpayers and the board to
see that the contractor is merely
promoting a self-serving agenda.
The recommendations came
from Educational Alternatives
Inc., also known as Tesseract.
The board hired the company last
year at a cost of $110,000 to
make recommendations to
improve the district's efficiency.
The company’s self-serving
recommendations include:
reducing the cost of benefits,
LOGAL, GOVERNMENT NEWS,.2==:
replacing bus monitors with video
cameras and sub-contracting the
work of some departments.
“Many of Tesseract's
recommendations were based on
inaccurate information,” said Unit
President Mae Tyropolis. “How
can you rely on the credibility of
this company when their facts
and figures are incorrect?”
For example, Tesseract claimed
the food service program was
losing money and recommended
outsourcing the operation,
Tyropolis said.
“The fact is,” she said, “the
program has had surpluses which
are used from year to year to
maintain the low prices for the
food offered to the students.”
The district has had efficiency
surveys done in the past, she
said, but always by
educational experts such as
the state Education
Department.
Tyropolis said she was not
surprised that Tesseract’s
recommendations.
“This is the way they
operate,” she said. “They just
don’t understand that
support staff is an integral
part of the operation of every
school district. Now it’s up to
the taxpayers to let the school
board know that many of
their recommendations will
do irreparable harm to this
district.”
— Anita Manley
Yonkers School District Unit
President Mae Tyropolis with CSEA
Labor Relations Associate John
Phillips, the union's liaison to
school districts, who has been
helping the Yonkers School District
Unit battle EAI.
~The, Ruble, Sector * July. 1998,» Page,s;,
Helping avoid potential lawsuits...
SUNY mechanic solves slippery problem
WELLSVILLE — The ingenuity of Ben Palmer, a
refrigeration mechanic at SUNY Alfred College
has, in a very economical way, solved a nagging
humidity problem in a raquetball court, while at
the same time saving the college big money from
potential lawsuits.
“We have two raquetball courts here in the
student activity center,” said Joyce Weimer, Local
600 president and as program aide, manager of
the center.” There was no ventilation in the
rooms, except for a small observation window
near the ceiling of each court.
“When used, the walls and floors became
covered with condensation and very slippery. One
SUNY Alfred Local 600 member Ben Palmer
shows off the air handler and duct work he
designed and installed to correct ventilation
problems in the student activity center.
lawsuit was threatened when a student broke an
ankle, sliding on the damp, slick surface.”
Enter Ben Palmer to the rescue.
“After I was told about the problem, | figured I
could use some soon-to-be discarded equipment
to help with the problem,” said Palmer, an 8-year
employee and member of Local 600. “I knew the
truck and diesel lab was scheduled to have their
electric furnace changed over to a gas furnace to
save energy. This made the air handler from their
old system scrap, ready to be discarded. I knew
proper air circulation would solve the raquetball
court condensation problem, so I hooked some
duct work up to the scrap air handler creating
good circulation and it worked great. No more
slippery floors and sticky humidity.”
Palmer estimates the material costs at about
$289, a tremendous savings in itself, and he did
the installation work over two days, whenever he
could get to it from his regular duti
“And we're submitting it to the state Civil
Service department’s Suggestion Program,” said
Weimer. “Because the state should be very happy
that someone took the initiative and handled a
problem that could have been very expensive,
had someone been hurt, and sued the state.
Ben’s a fine example of the great workers we
have, and he deserves recognition.”
Palmer also believes in doing his civic duty off
the job. Some don’t know it, but he is the mayor
of Almond, the town where he lives, now serving
his third two-year term.
— Ron Wofford
DMV workers driven toward better service
Editor's Note: The following is CSEA
Communications Associate Daniel X. Campbell's
first-hand account of improved customer service at
a Saratoga County DMV office.
CLIFTON PARK — At 4:05 p.m. Friday I have
to get four separate DMV transactions done
before the weekend, and the line of customers
snakes almost out of the Clifton Country Mall
Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicles
Office.
I stand in line hoping for a miracle. A voice
from behind the counter asks, “Any plates to
surrender?” A hand flies up, and the DMV
employee hurries out from behind the crowded
counter to help the customers move along.
Again and again the DMV staffers do double
duty. I surrender two sets of plates from my late
uncle.
I'm taken to a side counter where the DMV
clerk quickly evaluates my situation and divides
my transactions. Suddenly I'm put back at the
head of the line, and a counter spot opens up
quickly. The clerk is courteous and very helpful.
“It's Friday, and it always happens so we just
adjust to the customers’ needs,” the worker says.
It's 4:25 p.m. I'm done. I have surrendered two
sets of plates, returned my own car's rear plate
because the front one was lost during the winter
and I need a new set, and I renewed my driver's
license including a new color photo. The line is
melting as the office door is locked to late
arrivals. All customers inside the glass doors are
taken care of in a quick, professional manner.
On Monday morning a new upgraded computer
system is installed to help reduce the time
needed to renew a driver's license or register a
vehicle. I check in with the workers the following
Tuesday.
John Lansburg is busy helping two new
Saratoga County residents from New Jersey
register their cars. Sally Picinich is helping a
person get a replacement for her lost conviction
record and Jackie McDonough is taking care of a
serviceman who has questions about his
California registration.
Within minutes, using both the new WISE-
Windows Information Systems Environment and
their public service skills, all of their customers
needs are taken care of with a smile.
The New Jersey couple say that the service is
“faster than in New Jersey.” The customer who
needs a conviction record is taken care of, and
the time frame of a minor traffic conviction is
carefully explained. The soldier from California
relaxes. His status allows him 30 days to re-
register his car upon his quickly approaching
discharge.
“We're not used to the new computer system,”
Lansburg said. “It’s something we have to get
used to and master so that we can serve our
UP ON THE ROOF — About 15 CSEA
members working all over Central New
York for the Division of Military and Naval
Affairs (DMNA), CSEA DMNA Locals 255
and 256, recently gathered on the roof of
the Oneida Armory for a specialized
training program on Roofing Repair
Technology, made possible by a grant from
the CSEA/NYS Joint Labor-Management
Committees. Instructor Walter Nelson from
SUNY Maritime College conducted the one-
day hands-on workshop, which involved
actual roofing repairs to the armory roof.
Jeffrey and Jennifer Cox, formerly of New
Jersey, found CSEA Saratoga County DMV
member John Lansburg's service “personal
and faster than expected.”
customers better.”
As I exit I see a worried customer approach the
end of the growing line. “Don't worry,” another
customer says. “They've got their act together
here. You'll be out in no time.”
— Daniel X. Campbell
Page 6 ° July 1998 * The Public Sector
STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
CSEA officials make case to lawmakers...
improvements needed for OMH, OMRDD
ALBANY — Gov. George E. Pataki’s budget veto
of legislative appropriations for additional staffing
at state Office of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation facilities will put terrific stress on a
system that is already stretched to the limits.
That was the message delivered by CSEA
Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan and local
CSEA leaders at a recent hearing before the
Assembly Standing Committee on Mental Health,
Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities. The CSEA leaders told lawmakers that
there is simply not enough staff to do the job.
Sullivan said that while OMRDD is a model for
the rest of the nation of the right way to
deinstitutionalize mentally retarded and
developmentally disabled people into the
community, years of budget cuts are starting to
take their toll on the system to the point where
there is not always enough staff to safely care for
clients.
“As the client population moves to small,
residential settings, staff often face the possibility
of working alone,” Sullivan said. “This can put
both staff and clients in danger.”
Sullivan said staffing problems are even more
severe at OMH facilities which have been
downsized to the point where only the sickest and
most dangerous patients remain. She pointed to a
recent meeting held by CSEA where CSEA leaders
from OMH facilities throughout the state told
OMH Commissioner James Stone and other top
level agency officials about the horrendous
conditions in the state’s psychiatric centers
Workers at that meeting testified about eroding
patient care, dangerously inadequate staffing
patterns, safety and health concerns and lack of
OMH support.
‘The staffing is so bad that OMH no longer will
even release their staff-to-patient ratios in any
recognizable format consistent with prior years. So
no one can tell how bad it really is,” she said.
Sullivan also asked lawmakers to investigate a
situation at the Manhattan Psychiatric Center,
where OMH officials have mismanaged a major
building renovation project, spending tens of
millions of dollars with little to show for it, and are
now using this as a reason to significantly
downsize the facility.
“In essence, OMH is asking the patients, staff
and community to pay the price for its own
irresponsibility,” she told lawmakers. “This is
symptomatic of OMH policies that have abandoned
the mentally ill.”
Sullivan was joined by CSEA Central New York
DDSO Local 414 President Sheila Thorpe and
CSEA Kingsboro Local 402 President Lou Smith
who gave first hand accounts of how understaffing
at their facilities has hindered the ability of their
members to perform their jobs.
— Ed Molitor
From left, CSEA Central New York DDSO Local
414 President Sheila Thorpe, CSEA Executive
Vice President Mary Sullivan and CSEA
Kingsboro Local 402 President Lou Smith
testify about problems caused by understaffing
in OMH and OMRDD facilities.
DMV worker awarded reinstatement, back pay
STATEN ISLAND — Staten Island CSEA
Local 010 member Susan Bryant's smile showed
her relief as she learned of her reinstatement as a
motor vehicle representative I with full back pay
and benefits.
After nearly a year of accusations and worry
hanging over her head, she
said, “I didn’t do anything
wrong, and I didn't think I
should be treated like
somebody that did do
something wrong. I was
totally innocent.”
In June 1997, Bryant was
called to the Staten Island
DMV District Manager's
office where a New York City
police detective was waiting
Susan Bryant to arrest her, and she was
railroaded into resigning from her job.
After a court dismissed all criminal charges
against her last December, Arbitrator Jeffrey
Selchick still questioned the DMV’s motives for
failing to have a union representative present
when management demanded the 11-year veteran
employee resign on the spot.
“Perhaps the DMV was concerned that by
allowing grievant (Bryant) a union representative,
they would be stymied in their desire to secure
(her) immediate resignation,” Selchick wrote in his
decision reinstating Bryant.
On her first day back at the job, Bryant said, “I
can try to put this behind me, but it’s going to be
a big sear for a very long time.”
She thanked CSEA Labor Relations Specialist
John Labriel for his hard work on her behalf.
— Lilly Gioia
Stare GovT, Briers.
New DMV uniforms win award
CSEA/DMV Statewide
Labor-Management Chair
Barbara Stack recently
accepted, on behalf of DMV
Commissioner Richard E.
Jackson Jr. and the
Department of Motor Vehicles,
the National Association of
Uniform Manufacturers and
Distributors Career Attire award.
Stack was a member of DMV's Quality
QIRF Career Attire Project Team which
selected and obtained improved career attire
for the DMV Statewide Testing and
Investigation staff and also revised the Career
Attire Policy and Procedure Manual.
Brooklyn members seeing stars
BROOKLYN — Kingsboro Psychiatric
Center and Marcy Avenue Armory CSEA
members found themselves surrounded by
film crews and movie stars like Susan
Sarandon and Julia Roberts this spring.
Walt Disney Pictures and < r/director
Tim Robbins shot two days of pre-production
film for a motion picture about the young
Orson Welles and a 1937 WPA Theatre
Project, “The Cradle Will Rock,” starring
Sarandon, said CSEA Kingsboro Local 402
President Lou Smith.
CSEA Armory Local 254 member Orlando
Pinnock said the 150-year-old Marcy Avenue
Armory housed two sets for Roberts and
Sarandon for six months. With its 81-foot
ceiling and 60,000 square feet of floor space,
the film crews built a replica of a Nyack, NY,
mansion inside the armory, as well as a
second set for a psychiatrist's office.
“It was fabulous how they constructed the
whole house,” CSEA Labor Relations
Specialist Phyllis Babb said after she and the
CSEA armory staff joined the film crew party
at the end of filming.
The Dependent Care Advantage Account
A PRE-TAX BENEFIT FOR STATE EMPLOYEES
Sponsored by the New York State
Labor/Management Child Care Advisory
Committee
Did You Miss Out?
The open enrollment period to save on your
child and elder care expenses ... is over.
It May Not Be Too Late for 1998.
(You can still enroll if you had a family status change
within the last 60 days)
DCAAccount Hotline
1-800-358-7202
STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS.
The Public Sector» July, 1998 ¢ Page.7..,
In touch with you
On the 150th anniversary of the Women’s Rights Convention...
Let's celebrate the achievement
of working women and men
In 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B.
Anthony organized the first Women’s Rights
Convention in the Finger Lakes town of Seneca
Falls, New York.
Their proclamation which began “We hold
these truths to be self evident, that all men and
women are created equal...” was a bold statement
in its time. Women have made great strides since
then but, sadly, many issues of fairness and
respect for men and women are still with us
today.
The men and women of CSEA have
accomplished much to improve working
conditions and promote equality by working
together. In the past 20 years alone we have had
breakthrough achievements in areas of pay
equity, negotiated day care benefits; dependent
care accounts; career mobility programs; non-
discrimination protections; and health insurance
flexibility that have benefitted working families.
There is still much to be done to provide a
better life for our members and other workers.
This summer provides an opportunity to re-
dedicate ourselves to that task as we celebrate
the 150th anniversary of the Women's Rights
Convention. Week-long festivities will take place
in Seneca Falls July 13-19th. A CSEA booth will
ensure our presence throughout the celebration;
th ;
wall
Kicct zy mare HY Y
il
ON THE ROAD TO RECOMMITMENT
additionally, the CSEA Women’s Committee is
coordinating our participation in a Working
Women’s rally scheduled for Friday, July 17th.
For more information, contact the CSEA
communications associate in your region office.
aces
P.S. See our survey on the 10 most
influential women in American history on
page 12.
Coming in October
—
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION of CGEM Loca! 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
——_—_—
Extra! Extra! Read all about it...
CSEA is proud to report that
effective with the October edition,
our official publication will be
renamed The Work Force.
The Public Sector has served
CSEA members well for nearly 21
years. But as part of our ongoing
commitment to become an even
stronger and more effective union,
it was decided we need a new name
to better reflect what we are all
about.
In addition to the name change a
number of other ideas are under
consideration to improve the
publication and make it even more
relevant to you. We welcome your
thoughts and suggestions on this
exciting opportunity now before us!
Send your suggestions to:
CSEA Communications Dept.
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12210
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
~Page 8 July 1998 » The Public Sector
SEA members
maintain ball yards
across the state
See pages 10 and 11
Photo by Mark M. Kotzin
Ssdadalenetivuthacts
jumped at it.
Chemung County Parks
Supervisor Dale Storch
strikes a pose in the batter's
box at Dunn Field in Elmira.
$
David Hildenbrandt, Bill Conlen and David Berry
put lines down at Heritage Park, home of the
Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs.
sd
ELMIRA — Chemung County
Park Supervisor Dale Storch has
always loved baseball and played
in high school. So when a job
opened up for the head
groundskeeper at the municipal
ballfield five years ago, he
“It’s something I always wanted
to do,” Storch said.
Storch, a member of Chemung
County Local 808, has been with
the county for 28 years, but has
really enjoyed the past five years,
said.
Enthusiastic workers
maintain fields in
Glens Falls, Colonie
COLONIE — Maintaining playing fields in
Glens Falls and Colonie requires precision
and knowledge, as shown by the CSEA
members who do the job.
Sean Marshall and Kevin Aratare
recently cut back the pitcher's mound at
,” Marshall said. “We have to see
the right distance from the
batter's box."
At Heritage Park in Colonie, David
Hildenbrandt, Bill Conlen and David
Berry recently put down chalk lines.
“If the lines are off, the calls — fair and
foul — could be off too. So we're careful,”
Hildenbrandt explained.
It’s a great job, the workers say, and
both crews are enthusiastic supporters of
their home teams — the Albany-Colonie
Diamond Dogs and the Adirondack
Lumberjacks of the independent
Northeast League.
— Daniel X. Campbell
supervising several part-time
workers and maintaining and
manicuring the field at Dunn
Field, home of the Elmira
Pioneers, an affiliate of the
Northeast Independent League. It
was previously home to the
Florida Marlins farm team.
In order to do his job well, he
works closely with the team’s
coaches and managers, Storch
“It's very friendly. It’s an open
relationship,” he said. “If they
want something, they come to me
and ask.”
Obviously, the teams feel the
same way. In 1994 Storch was
honored to be voted
Groundskeeper of the Year by the
managers and umpires of the
Florida Marlins farm team.
Many of the players and
coaches compliment him on a
regular basis, he said. “They say
it’s one of the best facilities in the
league.”
— Mark M. Kotzin
Sean Marshall and Kevin Aratare
maintain East Field for the Adirondack
Lumberjacks in Glens Falls.
Page 10 * July 1998 * The Public Sector
THE CSEA i
be
Modesto Sanchez, Mike Negron and Binor
Faison repair bleachers at Delano-Hitch
stadium in Newburgh.
. Riverside Park workers
naintain park for the kids.
IMANHATTAN — Spring training started in May at
erbank State Park for Spanish Harlem's only officially
Inctioned Negro Baseball Little League.
As eight- to 12-year-olds from across New York City
epped up to the plate with big dreams of making it onto a
fam, CSEA New York City Local 010 Riverbank members
ok great pride in how they've kept that special ball field in
ip notch condition since the park opened five years ago.
During July and August six teams named for ones in the
id Negro Baseball League play for the championship. On
turdays and Sundays some 100 kids and 25 coaches
ear the authentic hats and uniforms worn by such Negro
eball League teams as the Kansas City Monarchs,
bnoring the black athletes who played long before Jackie
bbinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball.
Of the thousands who flock to Riverbank State Park each
‘ar, CSEA members look forward to welcoming the young
ds of summer arriving at their field of dreams overlooking
e Hudson River.
— Lilly Gioia
DRK FORCE
NEWBURGH — City of Newburgh
residents have their own
professional ball team, and CSEA
members are making sure the
stadium is ready for them.
The Black Diamonds, a minor
league ball team affiliated with the
newly organized Atlantic League, will
summer in the city's refurbished
Delano-Hitch Stadium.
Thanks to city workers and CSEA
City of Newburgh Unit members
Modesto Sanchez, Mike Negron and
Binor Faison, the stadium will be
ready for the players and the fans.
Modesto Sanchez, top, and Binor
maintain
ball yards in
Newburgh
playing to crowds throughout the
City of Newburgh Unit members
Faison work on stadium seats.
ee
Riverbank Park member Rachelle Olivo, center, a park worker II, with
neighborhood kids who play ball at Riverbank State Park.
The Public Sector + July 1998 * Page 11
American Labor Link
BUFFALO — The arrest of the released. CSEA Western Region 6
president of the United Farm President Robert Lattimer, Region
Workers did more than interrupt Vice President Florence Tripi and
the 20th anniversary dinner of Erie County Local 815 President
the Western New York Council on Michael Bogulski joined those
Occupational Safety and Health. who rushed to the police station.
It galvanized 200 unionists to Rodriguez, scheduled to speak
activists were released. Arrested
and released with Rodriguez were
Roger Cook, WNYCOSH director;
Alan Davidoff, AFL-CIO New York
state liaison; and students,
Jeanna Chebat and Rebekah
Williams.
harvested by Driscoll Strawberry
Association growers.
When Rodriguez and several
activists asked to speak to the
manager, hoping to explain the
UFW position regarding growers
like Driscoll who have not signed
march on the police station,
demanding that UFW President
Arturo Rodriguez and several
others arrested with him be
at the WNYCOSH dinner, was
arrested when he stopped by a
local Wegman’s supermarket,
which carries strawberries
a pledge against farm worker
abuses, they were arrested for
trespassing.
After about two hours, the
CSEA OSH specialist John
Bieger was among those to be
honored at the WNYCOSH dinner.
— Ron Wofford
Q Abigail Adams
QO Althea Gibson
QO Amelia Earhart
QO Ann Lee
QO Ann Morrow Lindbergh
Q Annie Oakley
Q Barbara Bush
Q Barbara Jordan
Q Barbara Walters
Barbra Streisand
Q Bess Truman
QO Betsy Ross
Q Betty Ford
Q Betty Friedan
Q Beverly Sills
Q Billie Holliday
O Billie Jean King
Q Claire Booth Luce
Q Clara Barton
Coretta Scott King
O Dorothea Dix
Q Dorothea Lange
Q Dorothy Day
Q Edith Wharton
Q Edith Wilson
Cast your vote for the Top Ten Women in American History
CSEA is observing the 150th Anniversary of the Women’s Rights Movement by putting together a list of
the top ten most influential women in American History.
The choice will be made popular vote. Ballots will be available at the CSEA booth in Seneca Falls, but for
those of you who will not be there, this is your chance to vote.
Check of the names of your 10 most influential women and/or add your own and send this form to:
CSEA Standing Women’s Committee,
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210.
Results will be announced at the end of the Seneca Falls celebration.
Field of candidates
Pick someone below or add a name.
Q Eleanor Roosevelt
O Elizabeth Blackwell
O Elizabeth Cady Stanton
O Elizabeth Dole
O Elizabeth Seton
Q Elizabeth Taylor
QO Ella Grasso
Q Emily Dickinson
O Emma Lazarus
Q Esther Peterson
Q Ethel Barrymore
QO Fannie Bryce
Q Florence Nightengale
QO Frances Perkins
O Georgia O'Keeffe
Q Geraldine Ferraro
Q Gertrude Stein
O Gloria Johnson
O Gloria Steinem
i Grandma Moses
O Harriet Beecher Stowe
Q Harriet Tubman
Q Helen Gurley Brown
O Helen Hayes
O Helen Keller
Q Hillary Clinton
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
O Jane Addams
QO Jane Bryant Quinn
O Jane Fonda
O Jane Roe
OQ Joan Baez
OQ Judy Garland
O Katherine Graham
O Ladybird Johnson
Q Lena Horn
Q Lillian Hellman
Linda Chavez-Thompson
Q Lindy Boggs
OQ Louisa May Alcott
O Lucille Ball
( Madeline Albright
O Madonna
O Mae West
O Margaret Chase Smith
OQ Margaret Mead
(4 Marilyn Monroe
Marian Anderson
Q Marion Wright Edelman
Q Martha Washington
Mary Baker Eddy
Q Mary Cassatt
Q Mary Harris (Mother) Jones
Q Mary McLeod Bethune
QO Mary Todd Lincoln
QO Maya Angelou
Q Mildred “Babe” Dedrickson
Q Mother Hale
Q Nancy Reagan
O Nellie Blye
Q Oprah Winfrey
Q Pat Nixon
Q Rosa Parks
Q Rosalynn Carter
QO Rose Kennedy
Q Ruth Bader Ginsberg
O Sally Ride
Q Sandra Day O'Connor
Q Sarah Brady
Q Sojourner Truth
Q Susan B. Anthony
Q Toni Morrison
Willa Cather
Q Wilma Mankiller
( Other:
Page 12.¢ July 1998 * The Public Sector
GENERAL NEWS
The Private Eyes
A
Workshop
emphasizes
industries
See pages 2 & 3
is one |
and the same
Photo by Ed Molitor
* July 1998
A Message from Private Sector
Division Chair Dan Vallee
Working together
A little over a year ago, in the first
edition of The Private Eye, \
mentioned that
communication is
where it starts.
Now our first
Spanish language
edition of The
Private Eye for our
Spanish-speaking
brothers and sisters
is in the works and will be
distributed soon. I welcome the
readers of Westchester
Housekeeping and Laundry Local
731 and Nassau Coliseum Local
737.1 hope you find this
publication informative. We
welcome your feedback on the
articles, and I urge you to take
advantage of the many benefits
your union has to offer you.
On May 8-10, the Private
Sector Division representatives
from your locals attended the first
joint conference/workshop with
our Local Government activists.
Your union leaders had the
opportunity to interact with other
leaders who work in similar
industries in which we work. This
joint venture promotes the sharing
of ideas on how to best represent
the members we serve.
We were given the chance to
learn together about the common
problems that confront the
industries in which we work. It
was as though we had to reinvent
the wheel to seek solutions to the
issues we face every day in our
work lives. The programs were
well received by your
representatives and the feedback
was excellent (see pages 2 and 3).
Tt doesn’t matter what industry
or sector you work in, when
CSEA members join together it
truly makes a difference. There is
strength in numbers, and we will
continue to grow.
In Solidarity,
|
Workers share common concerns in joint workshop
BOLTON LANDING — Representatives of
CSEA’s private sector locals got a new
perspective on the union as they met with local
government representatives in the Irving
Flaumenbaum Memorial Workshop in May.
The sectors met together to help emphasize
and understand CSEA’s new focus on industrial
groups. Instead of private sector members
meeting only with private sector members,
people who work in similar industries met
together, no matter who their employers are.
The industrial groupings — health care;
corrections and law enforcement; school
districts/food services; human services;
Joe Rodriguez of CSEA Pius XII Local 725 makes
a comment during the workshop.
administrative support services; and public
works — met in special workshops to discuss
common issues and how to continue to
represent and recruit members in those fields.
It gave members the chance to discover what
they have in common.
“(The local government members) started to
see privatization is coming, and our problems
are the same as theirs,” said Diane Hunt,
president of CSEA Nioga Library System Local
717. “We did a lot more networking after the
workshops than during them. I think with a
little fine tuning this is a great thing to do. We
are one great big union.”
For Edwin Pinnot, vice president of
CSEA Westchester Housekeeping and
Laundry Local 731, the workshop was an
opportunity to listen and to speak.
“It was very interesting. I was able to
s. I was able to
going on in my region,”
lot of people while I was
ft gave me their views. I
e other workshops to
pn.
speak, raise my opinio
comment on what wag
he said. “I spoke to a
there. Some people ju:
sat in on a couple of
learn what was going
CSEA SUNY Potsdfiflam College Food Service
Local 625 President edfthoed Hunt.
“We were with othdfifr food service people,
with other colleges.
ideas,” Bond said. “
don’t know why we di
when we're all really af
Schenectady Famil
728 President Jim Re
workshop should be r
“T thought it was re@ffilly good. I got to meet a
lot of people I didn't ow, and a lot of
brothers and sisters wire really helpful with
le were able to compare
E are all in one union. I
ide ourselyes like that
er the same thing.”
Health Services Local
dy said the combined
Epeated.
Hunt at work in Lockport.
CSEA Nioga Library System Local 717 President Diane
Northern Hudson Valley
July 26-31 Westchester area
September 13-16 Long Island area
September 17-22 Staten Island & Southern &
Help organize the unorganized
CSEA is leafletting worksites across the state to let unorganized workers
know the advantages of belonging to CSEA. You can help by joining the
effort and telling people what CSEA membership means to you.
Check the schedule below, and if you can help, call the CSEA Organizing
Department at 1-200-342-4146 ext. 1500
September 27-29 Albany area
September 30-October 2 Central New York areas
October 4-7 Western New York areas
19 employees of the
by a 15-0 vote.
2000.
The contract was
+ July 1998 «
he Private Eye is published three times
; an insert in 7)
ublic Sector.
|
The. te vate Eye
n
Irwin Scharfeld, special assistant for membership to
CSEA President Danny Donohue, left, talks wit
CSEA Executive Vice President Mi
Long Island Region 1 President Nick LaMorte, right.
Amsterdam Head Start gets first contract
AMSTERDAM — The
Amsterdam Head Start
CSEA Bargaining unit have
ratified their first contract
The contract runs from
April 1, 1997, to March 31,
negotiated by CSEA Head
Start Local 733 President
Harry Shaffer and Secretary
what CSEA has to offer,” he said. “I found it
very informative.”
This was CSEA Suffolk Cooperative Library
Local 701 President JoAnne Cuccia’s first
CSEA workshop, and she said she was happy to
have the opportunity to meet with other CSEA
members to discuss common concerns.
“T think the word private is a little
disillusioning sometimes. I think in general
people work well together,” she said. The
workshop gives her the chance to report to her
members “that everyone up in Albany is
working for everyone whether in Suffolk or
upstate, to support the fact that there's strength
in the union, and if they have problems in the
workplace, there’s a place to go, and usually
there's a way to work it out.”
— Kathleen Daly
~
CSEA Suffolk Cooperative Library System
Local 701 President JoAnne Cuccia files
books in special collections.
CSEA Westchester Housekeeping and Laundry Local 713 Vice
President Edwin Pinnott, left, talks with Irwin Scharfeld,
special assistant for membership to CSEA President Danny
onohue, center, and CSEA Private Sector Division Chair
Dan Vallee, right.
Sullivan and
ivate Sector Brie
St. Joseph’s Nursing Home re-starts talks
OGDENSBURG —
CSEA St. Josephs Nursing
Home Local 727 workers
are hoping that the second
time will be the charm.
Negotiations recently
started a second time for the
workers, whose contract
expired in June, CSEA Local
727 President Richard
Chevrier said. He’s hoping
for a quick settlement.
“The administration has
done a total turnaround
since we started the union
here,” he said. “They're
more cooperative than they
used to be.”
CSEA represents about
61 support staff at the
nursing home and about 16
LPNs in CSEA Local 736,
who will soon be facing a
wage re-opener in their
contract.
— Mark M. Kotzin
Dawn Garti, assisted by
CSEA Labor Relations
Specialist Art Fleischner.
It includes binding
arbitration, seniority, layoff
and recall rights, an agency
fee clause and a retroactive
wage increase of 2.9 percent
plus $123. The increases in
1998 and 1999 will reflect
the federal pass through
salary increases.
— Daniel X. Campbell
° July 1998 «
A Message from CSEA
President Danny Donohue
We are one union
We began
another chapter in
the history of this
great union when
members of CSEA’s
private sector
division joined
forces with their
brothers and sisters
in the local
government division at the 1998
Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial
Workshop. That's because our
issues are not about public vs.
private sectors, they're about
union vs. non-union.
All across the country, union
membership is dwindling and
workers’ wages, benefits and rights
have stagnated. As long as
employers can get cheaper labor
they will take it, undercutting
unionized workers leading to a
downward spiral of wages and
benefits. So we have to organize
those non-union workers, bring
up their wages, and build our
power to represent our members.
But organizing new members is
only part of the challenge we face.
We must also reinvigorate and
empower the members we already
have, and make ourselves more
relevant to each and every one of
them and their families. It’s a
difficult road ahead but it’s a road
CSEA is prepared to travel.
CSEA is the best union in New
York, if not the country, because
we are ONE UNION from
Montauk Point to Niagara Falls.
And we know there is nothing we
can’t accomplish as working
people when we work together, as
we've proven time and time again
throughout our proud, 87-year
history.
o) _F Pyles
Page 3
MEMBER BEMEFITS
It pays to belong
Just carrying a CSEA membership card entitles you to a wide variety of
special deals and advantages beyond those protections negotiated in
your contract. Here’s a list of membership benefits available to all CSEA
members.
AFSCME Advantage
Mastercard
Features one of the lowest interest rates -
5 percent above the prime lending rate. No
annual fee. For an application, call your
CSEA region office or the Membership
Benefits Department at Headquarters,
1-800-342-4146, ext. 1307 or 1224. To apply
by phone, call 1-800-522-4000.
AFSCME Union Driver and
Traveler Program Discounts
The AFSCME Union Driver and Traveler
Program saves you money whether you’re
traveling by car, bus, train or plane. It’s a
motor club, travel service and auto repair
service all in one. Annual cost: $49.95.
Call 1-800-547-4663.
CSEA Headquarters
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
Toll-free
1-800-342-4146
Use this number to reach all CSEA
departments and services. With a
touchtone telephone, you can
directly contact departments
including:
Occupational Safety and Health
Education and Training
Research
Communications
Finance
Member Benefits
Labor Relations
Organizing
Retirees
AFSCME Advantage
Loan Program
Unsecured personal loans from $2,500 to
$15,000 with affordable monthly payments
are available to credit-qualified applicants.
Call toll-free 1-888-235-2759 for
applications and information.
AFSCME Advantage
Mortgage Program
Makes buying a home or refinancing
your mortgage easier and more affordable.
Savings for buyers and sellers. Special help
for first-time buyers, Call toll free:
1-800-848-6466.
AFSCME Advantage Legal
Services
You can obtain high quality, affordable
legal services for many personal legal
matters through the AFSCME Advantage
Union Privilege Legal Services Program.
For details and a list of participating
lawyers in your area, call your CSEA region
office or the Membership Benefits
Department at Headquarters,
1-800-342-4146, ext. 1307 or 1224.
AFSCME Advantage
Dental Program
A discount dental program (not dental
insurance) that allows you and your family
to choose your dentist from a lengthy list of
qualified professionals and receive instant
discounts on a wide variety of dental
services on every visit. May help lower
your out-of-pocket expenses even more if
you are already covered by dental
insurance, Membership fee $29.95
annually. For more information call toll-
free 1-800-257-8352.
¢ July 1998 +
Disney World, Theme Parks
Discounts
Discount admission to Disney World in
Florida, Disney Land in California, Six Flags
Amusement Parks and Anheuser Busch
Theme Parks Clubs (i.e. Sea World and
Busch Gardens). To receive discounts, call
1-800-238-2539 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Monday-Friday. Identify yourself as a
CSEA/AFSCME Local 1000 member and
provide your Social Security number.
The Buyer’s Edge
It’s your buy-by-phone service designed
to save you money on major purchases. The
Buyer’s Edge negotiates extra discounts and
lowest price guarantees individual buyers
don’t get. The appropriate information and
toll-free numbers are in your Buyer’s Edge
brochure. To receive a brochure contact
your CSEA region office or call the
Membership Benefits Department at
Headquarters, 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1307 or
1224.
Insurance
CSEA offers several insurance programs
at low group rates with the convenience of
payroll deductio:
For details on CSEA Security Life Plan,
Disability Income Protection Program,
Hospital Income Insurance Plan and
Family Protection Plan, call Jardine Group
Services Corp. toll free: 1-800-929-6656
For details on Auto Insurance and
Homeowners/Renters insurance, call toll
free: 1-800-833-4657.
For details on the CSEA Long Term Care
Program, call toll free: 1-800-366-5273.
The CSEA Workers’ Compensation
Legal Assistance Program
If you are injured on the job or sustain a
job-related illness, CSEA’s new Workers’
Compensation Legal Assistance Program
can help you navigate the maze known as
Workers’ Compensation. If you become
isabled, the program can help you obtain
Security Disability benefits.
The program services are absolutely free,
and so is the call 1-800-342-4146 and follow
the menu options for instructions to access
the program.
The Private Eye
Long Island Region 1 celebrates
A day of cultural diversity and union solidarity
COMMACK — CSEA in Long Island Region 1 merged a
celebration of unionism and diversity recently.
Along with the fourth annual International Festival, the
region celebrated Solidarity Day as a way to introduce CSEA
members to the benefits of membership and non-members to
the benefits of unionism.
The Long Island Region 1 office in Commack was
transformed into a league of nations as flags from scores of
countries were hung from the ceiling and a wide variety of
ethnic foods were available.
CSEA officers, members and staff enjoyed a beautiful day,
a barbecue and entertainment.
Human Rights Committee Chairperson Barbara Jones and
Director of Organizing Diane Campion worked with two
committees to make the event a success.
CSEA Statewide President Danny Donohue, Executive Vice
President Mary Sullivan, Secretary Barbara Reeves and
Treasurer Maureen Malone all attended.
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy gave members a
gregarious welcome.
“I am always proud of my relationship with the unions,
especially with CSEA,” she said.
“The Human Rights Committee and the Solidarity Day
Committee worked extremely hard on this event,” said CSEA
Long Island Region I President Nick LaMorte. “It was a
celebration of what CSEA is all about.”
Above, CSEA Stony Brook
Local 614 President Alfredo
Carlo listens as Human
Rights Committee
Chairwoman Barbara Jones
talks about the day’s events.
CSEA Statewide President Danny Donohue and CSEA
Long Island Region 1 President Nick LaMorte
welcome Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy to the
CSEA International Festival and Solidarity Day event.
At left are Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves and
Treasurer Maureen Malone.
At left, CSEA State
Employees Local 016 First
Vice President Liz Pearsall
and Nick LaMorte talk to a
member and her son. At
right, Congresswoman
Carolyn McCarthy, left,
talks to CSEA Nassau Local
830 County Clerk Unit
President Bobbi Eisgrau,
center, and Local 830
Executive Vice President
Jane D'Amico, right.
CSEA Convention Committee members, from left,
Statewide Treasurer Maureen Malone, Grace Ann
Aloisi, Clay Colefield, Claudette Sullivan, Tim Gerard,
Committee Chair Paulette Barbera, Bob Timpano and
Cheryl Melton show Heart Power Kits purchased with
money raised for the American Heart Association
being donated to CSEA-represented schcol districts
in Western Region 6.
Answers to frequently asked
questions about the New York State
Civil Service System
I am ranked number one on an eligible list but others with lower scores have
been appointed instead of me. How can this happen?
Section 61 of the Civil Service Law requires that appointments to positions in the
competitive class shall be made by the selection of a person on the appropriate
eligible list whose final rating is equal to or higher than the rating of the third highest
ranking eligible on the list who is willing to accept appointment. This is sometimes
referred to as the Rule of Three.
One mistaken notion that some people have is that if you are number one on the
list you must receive the appointment. This is untrue. The appointing officer may
select one of three and may continually reject the number one ranking eligible.
Sometimes, due to tie scores, an appointing officer has more than three names
from which to make an appointment. Tie breaking on eligible lists can be made by
selecting any eligible whose final exam rating is equal to or higher than the rating of
the third highest eligible. For example, if three people score 100, two people score 95
and one person scores 90, the three people with scores of 100 will be certified as
eligible for appointment. However, if one person scores 100, one person scores 95 and
ten people score 90, the appointing officer may choose from all twelve certified
eligibles.
GENERAL NEWS -
-The Public Sector July 1998 « Page 13.
Nassau Local 830 members help prepare for
world class, international athletic competition
The Goodwill Games began 10 years ago and since for pedestrian traffic during the games.
then have been held in such venues as Moscow,
Seattle, Washington and St. Petersburg Russia,
CSEA members of Nassau County Local 830
are already world class — now they get to show
off their skills to world-class athletes.
Nassau County and New York City are the
proud co-sponsors of the 1998 Goodwill Games,
a 15-day, world-class, international athletic
competition which will be held July 19 through
Aug. 2.
Together, they will play host to the greatest
athletes in the world, including two-time gold
medal Olympian Michael Johnson, Olympic and
World Champion Jackie Joyner Kersee and
recent Olympic silver medalist Michelle Kwan.
CSEA Nassau Local 830 members have been
actively involved in preparing for the games and
will continue working on the event throughout
the games.
The best athletes in the world will be using
this facility for the Goodwill Games and many
different people will use it for years to come.
said CSEA member Leroy Hampton, resident
engineer on the Mitchel Athletic Complex. “I take
pride in knowing they will enjoy it because
quality work.”
Ks workers are
it’s all
running the new, state
funded swimm ility. The I rtment of
hways and General
The Goodwill ngineering monitored
Games. a novations of the Mitchel
Alictan ta ihletic Complex, whi
new track stadium. Parks
Turner Sports, employees are working with
has a new officials to ensure the track and
field are ready for competition,
tmiggion to parks security will be called out
benefit children in futt force, the Fire Marshals
around the Department will be heavily
world through utilized to enforce all fire safety
h Gi | d rules and regulations, and the
the Girlé and Department of Public Works will
Boys Club. put up temporary traffic signals
Iso has
Technical Services will be called on to handle
any repairs, the Planning Department will
provide transportation, and the Emergency
Management Department will be on call to
handle emergencies such as an electrical storm.
“In addition to working on the Games as part
of their county duties, CSEA members are
volunteering their own time to
make the Goodwill Games a
success,” said CSEA Nassau
Local 830 President Tony
Giustino.
“Lam extremely proud of all selection
the hard work provided by our
CSEA work force in peeeee
preparation of the Goodwill Games and of the
large role they will play throughout the events.”
For more information, visit their website at
www.goodwillgames98.com. To volunteer, call
212-484-7665. — Sheryl Jenks
New York was
chosen after a
two-year site
CSEA member Leroy Hampton looks out over
the new Mitchel Athletic Complex.
The games will feature
15 sporting events:
athletics, basketball,
boxing, cycling, diving,
figure skating,
gymnastics, rhythmic
gymnastics, soccer,
swimming, synchronized
swimming, triathlon,
beach volleyball,
wrestling and water
polo.
CSEA laborer Dennis Kaut keeps the grounds
at the entrance to Eisenhower Park in great
shape.
Chief Stationary Engineer Dean LaBella and
Vitalino Estrada show the height of the
highest diving board at the new aquatic
center. The pool is pictured at left.
Page 14 July 1998 » The Public Sector
GENERAL NEWS
Parks workers going buggy
CSEA members across the state are facing an insect explosion because of the warm winter and wet spring
brought on by El Nino. Here are some of their stories.
Niagara Parks workers bring on natural exterminators
GRAND ISLAND— When the
heavier-than-usual bug invasion
that’s forecast for the summer of
1998 hits Western New York,
there’s an aerial armada of the
winged type awaiting, at least
at Beaver Island State Park.
Members of CSEA Niagara
Parks Local 104 have constructed
a series of birdhouses and bat
houses that could be a line of
defense against the hordes of
mosquitoes and other bugs said
to be on the way, due toa
warmer and wetter
Ion Meyer and Brian Carrier of Niagara
State Parks Local 104 check a bluebird
house at Beaver Island State Park.
than normal winter
and spring.
“We've built eight
birdhouses for
purple martins and
bluebirds,” said Ion
Meyers. eneral
mechanic. “They
both eat a lot of bugs
on the fly.”
Another winged
creature is available
for the battle — bats.
“We have at least
four bat hous:
said Brian Carrier, a
talented carpenter
and woodworker.
“But at one plat
salt tent, they
gone from the bat
house to under the
Worker is buggy for insects
tent’s tar paper, I guess because
it’s even darker and warmer
there. But it doesn’t matter where
they sleep, because when they
are awake they're feasting on
plenty of bugs.”
The purple martin houses were
Insects are swarming Long Island
LONG ISLAND — The bugs are here; just
ask park workers on Long Island.
“I've seen some mosquitoes that are
huge,” Hecksher State Park employee Chris
Teter said. “When you get the big machines
running in the morning near the water
areas the bugs literally swarm out.”
Bob “Bullet” Maury agreed.
“I spray my clothing and my body,” he
said. “Sometimes, no matter what you do
they get you.”
At Jones Beach State Park, workers cut
drainage ditches and filled in low lying
areas to cut down on the bugs, especially
mosquitoes, said CSEA Parks and
Recreation Local 102 President Paul D’Aleo.
“Employees who were cutting the high
grass around these areas had to be
outfitted with full mosquito netting
coveralls because they were just getting
swarmed,” he said.
Covering up is one way employees
protect themselves from bug attacks, but
put up last year, and the parks
workers are hoping to see birds
return this year.
And if the bug invasion does
occur, our winged friends will be
ready for them.
— Ron Wofford
STATEN ISLAND — In
the lush green foliage of
Clay Pit Ponds State Park
and Preserve, Laura
Meyer teaches visiting
children about all the
creepy, crawly and flying
insects that call Staten
Island home.
“I pick them up and
help the children identify
what we have caught in
the woods,” Meyer said.
“Then we release them.”
A CSEA NYC Local 010
member and park recreation
activities specialist, Meyer is
bracing for bumper crops of ticks
and other insects courtesy of a
very rainy spring.
Meyer warns park visitors to
stay clear of grassy areas where
ticks lurk. Always wear long
sleeves and light-colored clothing
so you can spot any ticks, she
advises, tuck pants into socks,
put your hair up and wear a hat.
Laura Meyer
Because several park
staffers have contracted
Lyme Disease, which
comes from tick bites,
Meyer follows strict
precautions when coming
in from nature walks.
She always checks her
clothes carefully for ticks,
shakes them out well,
never drops them on a
bed where ticks could
jump out and checks her
body and hair for ticks. She
advises using insect repellents
with deet only be used on
clothing, not directly on skin.
Meyer expects some positives to
the insect invasion.
“First, there will be more
butterflies. Second, because of
the greater supply of bugs, wild
life could increase in numbers
because there is more to eat,” she
said, smacking a passing
mosquito.
— Lilly Gioia
that’s tough when it gets hot.
“We need to protect ourselves from the
bugs and the heat at the same time,”
Local 102 Shop Steward Bob Dorsey.
“That's not always easy to do.”
— Sheryl C. Jenks
said
CSEA Local 102 Shop
Steward Bob Dorsey
DOT worker ready to take on bugs in Sullivan County _
KENOZA LAKE — Sullivan
County with its miles of forests,
trails, lakes and swamps is ripe
for a “buggy” summer season,
thanks to a relatively warm
winter and an early spring.
Thousands of tourists will
surely be slathering on bug
repellent with a vengeance as
they face an overload of
mosquitoes, ticks and May flies.
DOT Local 521 President Jeff
Sayers has unpleasant
memories of spraying for tent
caterpillars some years ago
because the ravenous creatures
were eating leaves off the trees.
“We all had to wear coveralls,
respirators, boots
and hats to
protect ourselves
from the
chemicals,”
said.
While he has no
orders to spray
yet, Sayers said
he’s ready to
tackle the
Sayers
Local 521
President
assignment if Jeff Sayers
necessary.
“We usually don’t spray for
bugs too much,” he said, “but
there could be a problem this
year.”
— Anita Manley
GENERAL NEWS
The Public Sector * July 1998 Page 15
Workers at risk push for broader TB protections |
MANHATTAN — Three front-line CSEA
members urged the federal government to
broaden and toughen its standards for protection
against tuberculosis infection at US Labor
Department hearings held by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Assisted by CSEA Occupational Safety and
Health Project Developer Janet Foley, Nassau
County CSEA Local 830 Supervising Probation
Officer Maria Rowe testified about poorly
ventilated areas and home visits where many
probationers, often from developing countries,
must be interviewed.
“The people we have to deal with are at a
high risk of having contagious tuberculosi:
‘SEA New York Psychiatric Institute Local
419 President Tony Bailous, left, and Dutchess
County Local 814 public health nurse Judy
Lyons testify at OSHA's tuberculosis hearing.
CSEA and CBTU —
When the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
(CBTU) held its 27th annual conference in
Minneapolis last month, a 100-delegate-strong
contingent of CSEA members was actively
involved, marking a partnership that is growing
at the grassroots and leadership levels.
The conference addressed many concerns of
CSEA/AFSCME activists: welfare reform, the year
2000 census, preparing for the November
elections and jobs with a living wage.
CBTU consists of members from 77 national
and international unions, with 40 chapters with
members from across the country. Most CSEA
CBTU members belong to the New York City or
Buffalo chapters.
AFSCME secretary-treasurer Bill Lucy is one of
the seven CBTU founders and was re-elected
CBTU national president at the Minneapolis
conference. CSEA President Danny Donohue, a
CBTU member and AFSCME international vice
president, praised Lucy for his leadership role in
the vital and growing organization.
Donohue is encouraging more CSEA members
to join the CBTU.
“We believe the CBTU is an excellent way of
building bridges with communities that share our
interests and needs,” Donohue said. “We
encourage our members to become active
because the CBTU is a catalyst for change.”
The CBTU mission statement says its
Page 16 * July 1998 * The Public Sector
Rowe, stressing the need for Probation and Parole
employees to be protected by the new OSHA TB
regulations.
CSEA Local 814 Dutchess County Public
Health Nurse Judy Lyons who coordinates a TB
Control Program, told of noncompliant infected
patients not wearing required masks and coming
in contact with public employees. She told of
patients with active TB she later learned had
been jailed overnight or gone to a court
appearance without wearing a required mask.
Lyons urged officials not to curtail TB controls
as active cases decline. She reminded them that
when US tuberculosis funding and personnel
were mistakenly cut back in the 1980s,
epidemics broke out in the 1990s in New York
and other states with high immigrant
populations. Earlier this year the United Nations
World Health Organization reported that
worldwide tuberculosis cases are increasing.
New York Psychiatric Institute CSEA Local 419
President Tony Bailous credited the high degree
of TB screening at his upper Manhattan facility
with protecting all workers’ health.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of
including the Mental Health field in the new
testing standards for TB,” he said. “We are on the
front line in assisting the (high risk) mentally ill.”
Bailous told OSHA that the health of workers
and their families “depends” on testing for TB.
“Anything less than this is, to put it bluntly,
insane.”
CSEA President Danny Donohue, in a letter to
OSHA, drove home the need to broaden the scope
of TB standards. He cautioned that current
proposals to limit protection to a few workplaces
will leave public employees exposed to too many
high risk populations.
“As always, the grim reality of America’s
workplaces is that the vast majority of employers |
will not voluntarily protect workers from hazards
unless a law tells them to do so, especially the
hazard of disease transmission,” Donohue said.
CSEA supports expansion of OSHA TB.
protections to include probation, mental health,
mental retardation, parole, social services and
courts workers. These public employees are most
often exposed to high risk populations including
foreign-born individuals, the homeless, alcoholics
and drug addicts or HIV infected persons. Poor
people living in homeless shelters or in crowded
housing with poor nutrition and inadequate
medical care often dwell in environments
conducive to breeding and contracting
tuberculosis.
Foley told OSHA that New York state public
employees have had TB protections since 1992
when outbreaks of multiple drug resistant TB
strains killed a corrections officer and exposed
CSEA hospital and mortuary workers.
“At one time TB was the number one killer in
New York State,” Foley said. “In 1996, the NYS
Health Department Bureau of Tuberculosis
Control reported TB cases in all but 13 of the 62
counties,” she added. Far too many people will be
put at risk of contracting this dangerous but
preventable disease unless the proposed new TB
standard covers all those who may be reasonably
exposed to high risk populations, she concluded.
— Lilly Gioia
a growing partnership in unionism
objectives include: to put forth greater and more
creative efforts to improve the image of labor;
working within the framework of the trade union
movement to provide a voice and vehicle for
greater black and minority participation;
extensive and increased involvement in voter
registration and voter education; campaigns and
programs to improve poor workers; organizing the
unorganized; providing active support for civil
rights, civic and related groups to improve
working conditions in the black community.
Rev. Wayne A. Johnson, chaplain of Erie
County Correctional Facility and Home and
Infirmary, a member of CSEA Local 815 and the
Buffalo Chapter, delivered the sermon at the
Sunday morning worship service.
Among CSEA staff and activists serving in
CBTU leadership positions are: Portia Given of
CSEA’s human resources department and a
member of the credentials committee; Robert
Bradshaw, organizer, involved in conference
registration; Terry Melvin, executive assistant to
President Donohue, on the constitution and by-
laws committee and CBTU Region 1 director; and
Herman Dorsey of CSEA Western New York DDSO
Local 425 and a sergeant-at-arms.
CSEA members who want more information
about CBTU should call Portia Glven at 1-800-
342-4146, ext. 1209.
— Ron Wofford
United States Secretary of Labor Alexis
Herman, left, extends a hand to CSEA
President Danny Donohue, right, and AFSCME
Secretary-Treasurer Bill Lucy at the Coalition
of Black Trade Unionists 27th annual
conference in Minneapolis last month.
er ae era tga
GENERAL NEWS
Scholarships award achievements of
CSEA union members’ sons, daughters
CSEA has announced the 1998
winners of the Irving Flaumenbaum
and Jardine/MetLife Scholarship
Awards.
The Flaumenbaum Scholarship
awards 18 $500 scholarships
annually to high school seniors.
Three awards are granted in each of
CSEA's six regions.
Two additional scholarships
sponsored by the Jardine Group
Services Corp. and the
Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company are being awarded. These
awards are $2,500 each.
Members of the CSEA Scholarship
Committee are Diane Lucchesi, chair;
Kathy Martinez-Walsh, Lamont
“Dutch” Wade, Lorraine Johnson,
Helen Fischedick, Sandra Delia,
Jeanette Newman and Bruce Nofton,
IRVING FLAUMENBAUM
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Irving Flaumenbaum
scholarships are named in memory of
the former longtime CSEA Long
Island Region and Nassau County
Local president who died in 1980
The awards go to graduating high
school seniors planning to attend
college and are given on the basis of
academic and personal
achievements. Ne 1,000.
applications were considered
The 1998 winners of $500
Flaumenbaum scholarships
LONG ISLAND REGION 1
Jamie Tebaldi of Seaford, a
graduate of Seaford High School,
whose mother, Melanie Tebaldi, is
computer aide with the Seaford U.F.
School District and a member of
Local 865.
Edward J. Scali Jr. of
Massapequa Park, a graduate of
Massapequa High School, whose
mother, Denise Scali, is
aide with Nassau BOCE
member of Local 865.
Lisa M. Giusto of Medford, a
graduate of Patchogue-Medford High
School, whose mother, Susan Giusto,
is a secretary with Patchogue-
Medford Schools and a member of
Local 870.
METROPOLITAN REGION 2
LaWanda Shakeeba Stewart of
the Bronx, a graduate of Frederick
Douglass Academy, whose mother,
Connie Denise Stewart, is a keyboard
specialist with Washington Heights
Community Service and a member of
‘Local 419.
Ouriana Walker of the Bronx, a
graduate of Notre Dame High School,
whose mother Dorrick Walker, is a
developmental aide with Metro NY
GENERAL NEWS
DDSO and a member of Local 443.
Donza Knight of the Bronx, a
graduate of Health Opportunities
High School, whose mother, Gloria
Knight, is a keyboard specialist with
State Insurance Fund and a member
of Local 351.
SOUTHERN REGION 3
Albena Moshkovich of
Wappingers Falls, a graduate of
Arlington High School, whose father,
Roman Moshkovich, is a highway
maintenance worker and a member
of DOT Local 507.
Robert Latteri of Peekskill, a
graduate of Peekskill High School,
whose mother, Irene Latteri, is a
keyboard specialist with Letchworth
DDSO and a member of Local 412.
Gabrielle Rizzuto of Croton-on-
Hudson, a graduate of Croton-
Harmon High School, whose mother,
Rosemary Rizzuto, is a secretary with
Croton-Harmon School District and a
member of Local 860.
CAPITAL REGION 4
Heather M. Lord of Johnstown, a
graduate of Johnstown High School,
whose mother, Meredith Lord, is an
aging services specialist with Fulton
County Office for the Aging and a
member of Local 818.
Ellen Marie O'Clair of Waterford,
a graduate of Waterford-Halfmoon
High School, whose mother, There:
O'Clair, is a bus driver/food service
worker with Waterford-Halfmoon
School District and a member of
Local 864.
Jeff Alan Hoffman of
Petersburgh, a graduate of Berlin
Jr./Sr. High School, whose mother
June Hoffman, is an information
proc. specialist with Berlin Central
Schools and a member of Local 871.
CENTRAL REGION 5
Christina Spangler of Rome, a
graduate of Rome Free Academy,
whose mother, Patricia Spangler, is
teacher assistant with Rome City
School District and a member of
Local 869.
Ann Marie czyszyn of Syracuse,
a graduate of Bishop Ludden Jr./Sr.
High School, whose mother, Danuta
zyszyn, a duplicating machine
‘ator and whose father, Wasyl
llezyszyn, a custodian, both with the
Syracuse City School District, are
members of Local 834.
Jennifer L. Radley of Cape
Vincent, a graduate of Thousand
Islands High School, whose mother,
Jolene A, Radley, is a keyboard
specialist with NYS DOCS, Cape
Vincent Correctional Facility and a
member of Local 187.
WESTERN REGION 6
Tamara J. Coffey of Shortsville, a
graduate of Manchester-Shortsville
High School, whose mother, Cynthia
Coffey, is a bus driver with
Manchester-Shortsville CS and
whose father, Richard Coffey, a
deputy sheriff with Ontario County
Sheriff Dept. are members of Local
835.
Kendra Lee Weis of Macedon, a
graduate of Gananda High School,
whose mother, Sandra Lee Weis, is a
registrar/typist at Wayne High
School and a member of Local 859.
Holly Fodge of Avoca, a graduate
of Avoca Central School, whose
mother, June Fodge, is a teacher aide
at Avoca Central School and a
member of Local 851.
JARDINE GROUP SERVICES
AWARD
The Jardine Group Services Award
00 is named in memory of
Charles Foster, a longtime CSEA
activist who began his career with
CSEA in the 1930s and was also the
first business officer of the SUNY
system. The recipient must attend a
SUNY school.
The 1998 winner is Alan M.
Frydrychowski of West Seneca. His
mother, Virginia Frydrychowski, i
secretary for the state Labor
Department and a member of Local
352.
METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
AWARD
The MetLife Award of $2,500 is
being provided for the first time by
MetLife Insurance Company and was
previously awarded by Travelers. It is
given in memory of the late Joseph
D, Lochner, CSEA‘s first employee
and former executive director who
was a CSEA employee for more than
40 years.
The winner is Stephen T. Erwin of
Elbridge. His mother, Lorraine Erwin,
is a calculations clerk with SUNY
Health Science and a member of
Local 615.
Patchogue-Medford Unit
announces recipient of
1998 $1,000 scholarship
The members of the Patchogue-
Medford Full-Time Unit are proud to
announce the recipient of this year's
$1,000 scholarship. Joey Cossack of
Medford currently attends Patchogue-
Medford High School and will be
attending both St. Joseph's College
and Suffolk County Community
College in the fall.
Mental Hygiene Region 5
statewide Board of
Directors seats filled
Two members have been elected to the
CSEA statewide Board of Directors in a
special election to fill the Mental Hygiene
Region 5 seats.
Lori Nilsson and Steve Connis were
elected in the mail ballot, which was
counted June 4.
Five board seats were filled by
candidates who were elected unopposed
and were announced in the May edition.
Local 657 member is top
PEOPLE recruiter for May
Cheryl Abbott, vice chair of CSEA
Capital Region 4, recruited 10
new members for PEOPLE to
earn recruiter of the month
honors for May.
Abbott is a member of
CSEA state Education
Department Local 657.
PEOPLE (Public
Employees Organized to
Promote Legislative
Equality) is CSEA’s federal
political action program.
More than 13,000 CSEA
members and staff are now
members of PEOPLE, helping to promote
the interests of CSEA members in the
federal elective and legislative process.
To become a member of PEOPLE,
contact a PEOPLE activist in your CSEA
local or contact CSEA/PEOPLE, CSEA.
Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave.,
Albany, NY 12210, 1-800-342-4146, ext.
1404.
’
Attention all veterans
The president has recently signed into
law a bill that affects all veterans. This
law states that if a veteran has not
registered at a veterans hospital since
Oct. 1, 1996, then on Oct. 1, 1998 he or
she will lose all medical benefits for life.
To make it worse, the V.A. cannot notify
veterans about it. That information must
be disseminated via word of mouth or by
letter. The Veteran Administration
recommends that everyone eligible for
benefits come by their office and sign up
prior to the Oct. 1, 1998 deadline
regardless of whether they have received
treatment at a V.A. hospital since Oct. 1,
1996. You will need to bring your DD-
214 (discharge papers) to your local
office, and it will take about 5 minutes to
complete the form.
The Public Sector * July 1998 * Page 17
+
Always protect your membership status
Break in membership affects eligibility for union office, voting privileges
A break in union membership status can If you go on unpaid leave or for any other Note, however, you must continue to pay
have long-term future implications. Your reason have a break in your employment dues to run for office. Dues-free or
membership status affects your eligibility status, your dues will not continue to be gratuitous membership allows members to
with respect to: paid through payroll deductions. You must continue their insurance coverage while out
© seeking or holding union office; make arrangements to pay your dues directly _ of work. It does not protect your right to run
© signing nominating petitions for to CSEA to continue your membership for or hold office.
potential candidates; : : status. If you are either laid off or placed on You must notify the CSEA Membership
© voting in union elections, and; leave-without-pay status due to becoming
© voting on collective bargaining contracts. disabled by accident, illness, maternity or Records Department my 1800;342-4146, Ext
Only members “in good standing” can paternity, you may be eligible for dues-free 1327, of any change in your status and what
participate in these activities. To be in “good membership status for a period not to exceed arrangements you are making to continue
standing,” your dues cannot be delinquent. one year. your membership in CSEA.
What Do You
Know About
Insurance?
As a service to our members,
CSEA, along with Jardine
Group Services Corporation,
presents the second in a series of
Clip-N-Save Insurance Facts.
Clip this out and save for your future reference.
/ Disability Insurance Q & A
Disability Insurance protects your single most valuable asset: your ability to earn an
income. This plan provides monthly benefits to you if you suffer a disabling illness or
injury that leaves you unable to work and without a paycheck.
Q. Do I need disability insurance?
A. Although many people own life insurance because they're aware of the risk of
dying, most people ignore the risk of disability. But it’s a fact that disability is a
greater risk for younger people: between the ages of 25 and 55 you're more than
twice as likely to become disabled as you are to die. Think about the ncial
impact on your lifestyle if you were unable to work. Could you live without your
salary for six months, a year — perhaps longer? If not, you need disability income
insurance.
Q. What are the most important coverage features | should look for?
A. 1. The plan should not require you to be hospitalized in order to
receive benefits.
. The plan should include benefits for sickness and pregnancy as
well as accidents.
. Coverage for accidents should include both on-the-job and
off-the-job accidents.
you receive. Make sure you understand any and all limitations to your
monthly benefit.
Your CSEA insurance broker, Jardine
Group Services Corporation, can help
with all your insurance needs. Jardines
works with CSEA to provide a wide range
of insurance programs available exclusively
to CSEA members. To set up an appointment
Q. What are the differences between short-term and long-term
disability plans?
A. Short-term plans pay for disabilities that last from a few months to longer, with
some covering you for up to two years. Long-term coverage often lasts until
retirement, or perhaps even for life.
Q. What factors will affect my rates?
A. 1. Benefit Period: A plan that pays lifetime benefits will be more expensive than
one that provides benefits for a limited period of time (e.g., to age 65, or for
five years).
. Amount of Benefit: The greater the benefit amount, the higher your premium
will be,
. Waiting Period: You can reduce the cost of your policy by increasing the
length of the waiting period. The waiting period is how long you must be
disabled before you can start collecting your disability benefits.
. Cheaper is not always better. Compare benefits, offsets and waiting periods
to make sure you get the plan that’s right for you.
for a personal insurance review, please
contact your local Jardines insurance
representative. To find out who
your Jardines agent is, please call
1-800-697-CSEA (2732).
!
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pene.) 18° mae 1998 « oe Public Sector GENERAL NEWS
aie Se wt AW sees - s3e5e paverests oREtRS ne Se ee Pe oe ST pO RAY
CSEA’s 1998 Voter Registratio ive
Make Your Vote Count
“Make Your Vote Count” is the theme of to vote and a special contest for
CSEA's 1998 Voter Registration members who sign up their co-
Drive, and CSEA President got Th le workers.
Danny Donohue has set a RA\ 2 Brochures and fliers
simple goal: 100 percent of ° REGISTER %, about the campaign,
our members registered to a “* including contest rules, are
vote. “ available from CSEA local
The campaign, which and unit presidents, as well
kicked off July 1, is being as region political action
coordinated by CSEA region coordinators.
political action coordinators. Our power is in the vote.
There is a contest with exciting Make it happen in ‘98.
prizes for CSEA members who register
ONCLE sam
MiIVANTS YOU
QO VOT,
=.
il. | Capital Region 4 drive already underway
te
Reiites| = ALBANY — With the sounds of the Marshall Tucker Band playing in the
background, CSEA Capital Region 4 members got a headstart on CSEA’s
1998 voter registration drive last month at one of many CSEA-sponsored
outdoor music events. CSEA is sponsoring the events to register voters and
build stronger ties with the community.
Top left: CSEA Health
Department Local 664 Treasurer Top right: CSEA Department |.)
Carol Bruno counts registration of Social Services Local 688
forms as CSEA Higher Education Secretary Ken Koopman, a five- |
Services Corporation Local 667 year volunteer for the City of
First Vice President Bill VanGuilder Albany Office of Special Events,
ties a CSEA ballon. Bottom left: heads up security for the crowd
Department of Motor Vehicles Local of thousands. Bottom right:
674 President and Region 4 PAC CSEA Political Action
Chair Mike Febraio signs up CSEA Coordinator Adam Acquario and
Rensselaer County Educational daughter Stephanie get a
Employees Local 871 President and balloon from CSEA Department
Troy City School Unit President of Motor Vehicles Local 674
Linda Hillje who had to re-register Grievance Representative Bill
due to an address change. Rosenberger. fj
GENERAL NEWS The Public Sector July 1998 * Page 19
YOU'VE GOT THE CSEA ADVANTA\
(NE CSEA MEMBER OF FAMILY MEMBER {/
One coupon for $3.50 off
admission for one CSEA
Regular sfeal member or family member.
‘Admission Children under 12 free.
Regular
Admission
NAME (2 abe rive laMNs
JNODREGS eS eS Se
on Saturday
Sept. 5, 1998 |
PHONE
Half-price admission for Danny Dodelite I MPMI. cscatocn, =
CSEA members and
families on Sept. 5 Cpe of OSE nd Me Nom Bork Sits Fat
Saturday Sept. 5 is CSEA Day Tye a VC
at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. \¢ YOU'VE GOT THE CSEA ADVANTAGE
CSEA members and their families (y
will be admitted to the fair for half-price 4] ADMIT ONE CSEA MEMBER OR FAMILY MEMBER
i One coupon for $3.50 off
that day, compliments of CSEA One coupon for $3 30 cf
and The New York State Fair. Regular member or family member. Regular
AC ISEIOn u Children under 12 free. Admission.
CSEA wi pve . = | “ NAME
will maintain a booth in the "J ctcbrate CSEA Day at |
Center of Progress Building on the the New York State Fair | :
fairgrounds throughout the entire fair, so on Saturday
stop by and visit the _Sept. 5, 1998 |
CSEA booth any 4] the New York - E Me ok PHONE
time. The half-price 7] State Fair is at the Danny Donohue j
coupons at right, © Binnie Epo. ae CSEA President CSEA LOCAL
however, are good || oxit 7 of interstate IT PAYS TO BE A CSEA MEMBER
only on CSEA Day 690, 3 miles west a aa nr a De
i f Syracuse. Clip one coupon above for each CSEA member and family member and bring coupon(s) to any fair gate to save
at the Fair, Saturday jours of operation F None halt off the fopalar adinisba fice ca Secafay Spe’ s oul Each min ee resent
Sept. 5. re 10 a.m. to a coupon to receive the one-half off admission discount (one person admitted per coupon only).
0 p.m. daily. Reproduced coupons will not be accepted. Coupons will be reprinted in the August edition of The Public Sector. They will also
be available at your CSEA region office.
ADDRESS
Official publication of
The Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12210-2303
INSIDE THIS EDITION
vx CSEA AND THE TORNADO CLEANUP - Page 3
vs LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS - Pages 4 and 5
vs STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS - Pages 6 and 7
vx TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME - Pages 9, 10 and 11
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