The Work Force, 2000 January

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION @GIE Ae Local 1000, AFScME, AFL-CIO

anamMel show itin Albany San. 5!

See inside for more details on the protest for fairness and respect.

State workers deserve more
than scraps!

Nee

At a demonstration outside the Capitol
before Thanksgiving, several Capital
District state legislators joined CSEA
members to tell Gov. George Pataki
state workers shouldn’t be offered table
scraps. In the top photo, CSEA Statewide
Vice President Mary Sullivan, center,
with Statewide Treasurer Maureen
Malone, hold the union banner with

scores of other union activists. State Sen.

Neil Breslin carves the turkey for
Assembly members John McEneny and
Paul Tonko, as CSEA Capital Region
President Carmen Bagnoli, at right,
looks on. Assemblyman Ron Canestrari
also participated in the event.

Correction
The September Work Force incorrectly
identified Madaline Miranda as an
employee of Waterford-Halfmoon schools.
She is a Troy schools worker.

Internal Auditor

CSEA is seeking
resumes to fill the position
of internal auditor at union
headquarters in Albany.

Duties include reviewing
financial affairs at the
local/unit level.

Minimum qualifications:
BA/accounting or
acceptable combination of
education/training/
experience. Excellent
benefits.

Submit resume,
including salary history, to:
Director of Human
Resources
P.O. Box 7125
Capitol Station
Albany, NY 12224

Equal Opportunity Employer

CSEA blasts Pataki for veto
of hazard duty pay bill

CSEA President Danny Donohue has blasted Gov. George
Pataki for vetoing a bill that would have given hazardous
duty pay to state transportation department employees who
work in traffic.

“We're disappointed and frustrated by Pataki’s continuing
disinterest in the working conditions of state employees,”
Donohue said.

Pataki vetoed the CSEA-sponsored bill, claiming the issue
should be resolved at the contract table.

The bill would have given hazardous duty pay to workers
who are exposed to unavoidable, clear and direct risk to
their safety and health.

“Pataki’s unwillingness to negotiate this issue is what
makes the legislation necessary,” the president said.

Citing the employees’ role in maintaining roads and
bridges and protecting public safety, the union leader said,
“It’s unacceptable Pataki does not place a greater value on
their well-being and importance.”

Bark if you need Valium
Pooches become patients, pet
peeves, at Manhattan Psych

Standing on a busy Manhattan
street corner and barking is not
enough to get admitted to the
state-run Manhattan Psychiatric
Center (MPC) these days — unless
you're a dog.

With MPC drastically reducing
its population, new patients are
trickling in from the prison system.
Some, however, are real animals
and should be in the pound.

Three dogs, taken from a crack
house in Manhattan, were admitted
to the center when their owner was admitted for treatment.

The psyched-out pooches were housed on a ward for more
than a week before being relocated to a trailer on the facility
grounds.

Facility officials claimed no animal welfare agency could
accept them when their master was hospitalized. But three
weeks later, the dogs were still barking, eating and sleeping on
the state’s dime.

CSEA Local President Maxine Rice asked, “Is it the policy of
state mental health Commissioner (James) Stone to admit
animals for overnight stays to compensate for the radical
downsizing of human patient beds?”

Rice questioned how these pet practices will reconcile with
current admissions policy.

“Will these animals be admitted from the Borough of
Manhattan or must they be transfers from a prison-like kennel
setting?” she deadpanned.

— Ann Carroll

Page 2 Ea January 2000 :

HELP MAKE SURE CSEA’S VOICE IS HEARD

when the governor delivers his annual State of the State message on Jan. 5.

CSEA members speak out about participating in the Jan. 5 “We've Got the Power” rally and demonstration in Albany.

Members should
participate January
5 because this is
their livelihood. We
need a good contract
and the only way the
governor is going to
listen is if he sees
the power we have.
Frank Brady

If we don’t stand for
something, we'll fall
for anything. It’s time
for us to stand for
the common cause
of the CSEA family.
We're many
members in one
union.

Pamela Watson

Let’s turn up the heat on
Gov. Pataki and the

state Legislature.

Make plans now to participate.
Contact your CSEA Local President or
CSEA region office (listed on page 4)
for details and transportation.

Department of Tax
and Finance

It’s important to
show Gov, Pataki
that unionism is
not dead and we
are not going to
tolerate his
disrespect of state
workers.
Thomasina
Walsh
Department of
Labor

It’s a show of force,
solidarity, strength
to let the governor
and politicians
know we deserve
more than he’s
offering. A part of
being united in
strength is pressure,
protest, struggle.
Joe Melita

Tryon School

It’s to the
members’
benefit to
support their
union and
negotiating
team because
it’s the
members’
contract.
Doris Cota
Department of
Labor

WE'VE GOT THE

and me

—

We do the job - we should get
a good contract. The governor

should negotiate fairly and
show us some respect.

Members make up this union

and this is a union event to

help everyone. Everyone who

can participate should
participate.

Fred Gerloff
Department of
Transportation

UW show it io Mbany San.

"ll be
there,
will you?

Western New York
DDSO

The governor
thinks we're not
united. We have
to show him we

really care
about what he’s
doing to us.

Alex Couret

Bronx
Psychiatric
Center

S!

It’s not just about
the contract. The
governor needs to
Rnow we're united
and the only way
to show him is
member
participation.
Judy Watts-Devine
Hudson River
Psychiatric Center

As state employees, we
service the public and
we're doing the job. I
want to let the governor
and the politicians know
that CSEA is important
to me and the people |
represent and we're
fighting for a good
contract.

Lester Crockett

State Insurance Fund
January 2000

THE WORK FORCE [aeepecy

ISSN 1522-1091

Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President

STEPHEN A. MADARASZ
Communications Director & Publisher
STANLEY HORNAK
Asst. Director of Communications

RONALD S. KERMANI, Editor
LOU HMIELESKI, Assistant Editor
CATHLEEN HORTON
Graphic Design & Support Services
RALPH DISTIN, Graphic Artist

JANICE NUSBAUM
Communications Production Coordinator

BETH McINTYRE
Communications Secretary

The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York 12288.

Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
CSEA on-line: The CSEA web site
can be accessed at www.cseainc.org

Readers:
Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210-2303.

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES

SHERYL C. JENKS Long Island Region
(516) 462-0030
Metropolitan Region
(212) 406-2156
Southern Region
(914) 831-1000
Capital Region
(518) 785-4400
Central Region
(315) 433-0050

ANN CARROLL.
ANITA MANLEY
DAN CAMPBELL.
MARK M. KOTZIN

RON WOFFORD Western Region
(716) 886-0391
ED MOLITOR Headquarters

(518) 257-1272

The Publications Committee

LONG ISLAND REGION John C. Shepherd
METROPOLITAN REGION Lamont “Dutch” Wade
SOUTHERN REGION Diane Hewitt
CAPITAL REGION Marguerite Stanley
CENTRAL REGION Bruce Damalt, Chair
WESTERN REGION James V. Kurtz

\AB0R COMMUN cy, v b = SB a

T*AFL-CIOICLE *

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—

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Pee ae THE WORK FORCE

In Touch with the

CSEA President Dan ohue

SEA will start the New Year and the new
century in a big way. We will be heard loud
and clear when we demonstrate to the governor

and all the state’s politicians that We’ve Got the
Power on Jan. 5.

The momentum is building and the enthusiasm of CSEA members
is extraordinary. We will show the strength and solidarity of our union
publicly and proudly.

This event is not just about the governor’s disinterest in settling
the state contract negotiations fairly. This event is not just about the
governor’s disinterest in addressing the real needs of CS9EA members
and all working New Yorkers.

This event is about CSEA members standing up and demonstrating
what we are all about as a union.

We are New York’s leading union with good reason. In CSEA’s
90 years, our growth, influence and achievement have been unmatched.
We started out with a handful of members and today our ranks are
265,000 members strong. We won collective bargaining rights for public
employees. We secured safety and health protection for all our
members. And we set the standards for worker rights and benefits.

The work continues and on Jan. 5, | urge your participation as we
take a giant step toward a stronger CSEA for the 21st century.

7

Capital Region members: Many of your brothers and sisters will be
traveling long distances for the We’ve Got the Power demonstration.
CSEA is depending on those of you who work in downtown Albany to
lead the way. Be there. Make sure our voice is heard.

January 2000

Seasoned advice from Culinary Institute of America helps

Cooks at Helen

Hayes Hospital

dish up culinary delights

WEST HAVERSTRAW — When Helen Hayes
Hospital wanted to make its meals taste and
look better, it called a neighbor who often
cooks for kings, queens and presidents.

Hospital Food Services Director Peg Perry
had to go only as far as the nearby Culinary
Institute of America — the premiere cooking
school that produces some of the best chefs
in the world — for some savvy gastronomic
advice.

CSEA members in the hospital's food
service department prepare 500 to 600 meals
a day, including meals for the children who
attend the employees’ day care center,
patients who attend the day hospital and the
overnight patients.

Recipes vary to allow-for patient’s needs

Learning from the master — CIA Master Chef
Anton Flory, at right; shows Helen Hayes
Hospital staff how to prepare food. With him are
Head Cook Paula Schin, Food Service Workers
Cathy Dunn and Karen Richardson and Cook
Robert Reinig.

such as low-sodium and low-fat diets,
diabetics, and patients who are unable to
chew.

“We wanted to improve the quality of our
food,” said Perry. “The skill levels of our staff
vary. Some are more experienced than
others. We thought we could get them to a
happy medium.”

Top-shelf help nearby

Perry said she, CSEA member and Head
Cook Paula Schin and hospital administrators
met with a master chef from the CIA and
discussed the hospital's food service
situation — the need to standardize foods,
increase recipes and make the food more
attractive.

They also wanted on-site training. CIA
specialists developed a program to put more
pizazz in the menu.

“We started with a 10-day session where
we would do hands-on work for the morning,
preparing lunch,” said Perry.

“Then in the afternoon, we would have a
lecture and a debriefing session with
suggestions. By the end of the first session,
we had put together a set of recipes that

4 everyone! had contributed to,” Perry said.

Slice it, dice it

After the 10-day program, the food service
workers planned additional shorter sessions
where they learned how to chop foods, use
garnishes, make interesting plate
presentations and organize ingredients to
make the work easier.

Perry said the group also spent time

SEA REPRESENTS
gsi. he

0, ™ = ant
700 WORKERS i THIS WO

studying seasonings since most hospital
recipes call for no butter or salt.

“He also taught us to use different kinds of
greens for our salads,” Perry said.

Meanwhile, the hospital also bought some
state-of-the-art equipment which is enhancing
food preparation: an oven that moisturizes
while it bakes, a safe food slicer and chopper,
a new tray delivery system, a blast chiller
which insures the safety of food, breakfast
carts and a sink that scrubs pots and pans.

Head Cook Schin, a 25-year employee, said
this was the first time she had worked with
the Culinary Institute.

Pretty plates

She described the class on plate
presentation.

“We would take pictures of our plates and
would critique them and talked about ways
to change them,” Schin said.

“Sometimes just adding some color or the
shape of the plate made a difference,” she
added.

“The administration here has been so
helpful,” Schin said. “They support us and
when you feel you've been recognized, it
helps.”

Perry said the cost of the training was well
worth it; employee morale is up and a recent
patient satisfaction survey showed good
results.

“Our food service usually scored in the
70s,” she said. “In our last survey, we scored
in the mid-80s.”

— Anita Manley

BS of the Work Force )

nw,

vue | ‘m a baker by trade and I love to feed people and present food to them. I feed 276 people
all different diets every day.99

— Gilda Blair, dietary aide — Maplewood Manor, the Saratoga County nursing home

January 2000 THE WORK FORCE Woretes)

Jack Rohl, at right, Albany County Local
president, reviews the agreement saving
county jail jobs with CSEA Political Action
Coordinator Adam Aquario.

CSEA infirmary jobs saved
at Albany County Jail

ALBANY — CSEA pressure has saved the
jobs of four members who work in the
Albany County Jail infirmary, although the
county plans to allow an out-of-state firm to
run that operation.

The four workers will continue on the
county payroll and have all union
protections and benefits.

“CSEA wasn’t supposed to be a factor in
this battle,” CSEA Capital Region President
Carmen Bagnoli said. “We were supposed
to be steam rolled by the jail
administration.

“But CSEA and Albany County Local
President Jack Rohl worked long and hard

behind the scenes to see that union
members were protected no matter what
the final determination of the legislature
was to the sheriff's manufactured health
care crisis,” Bagnoli said.

At various committee meetings, local
CSEA leaders lobbied county lawmakers
several times, stressing medical care for
the inmates would suffer if the private
Prison Health Services assumed
operations.

CSEA will keep close tabs on the
company and respond if they try to cut
corners and undermine employees.

— Daniel X. Campbell

CSEA-sponsored corrections disability bill signed by Pataki

Members who work in county law
enforcement may now be eligible for a
better disability retirement package as a
result of intensive lobbying
by CSEA.

Gov. George Pataki
recently signed a CSEA-
drafted bill which allows
counties to adopt a three-
quarters performance of
duty disability retirement.

The law, which took effect
in December, covers
sheriffs, undersheriffs, deputy sheriffs and
corrections officers who are hurt on the

OW: get about 10,000 calls a year, and we’re locked into eight hours in front of the console.
Our biggest issue is understaffing.
We've gone to where we're just getting two people on a shift, which on some shifts aren't
going to be enough. It used to be just one person per shift until recently.
If you go by the (federal) recommendations, we should have more staffing than we do for
the call volume that we handle. 99

[SEA REPRESENTS

job or by an inmate.

Counties must first adopt the measure,
which would allow eligible corrections
employees to take a disability
retirement at three quarters of
final average salary.

“The men and women in the
corrections field work in some
of the most dangerous jobs,”
said Don Larock, vice
president of the Essex County
Sheriffs Department unit.

The 30 deputies in Larock’s
outfit face the daily threats of assault,
transmissible diseases and other

life-threatening situations, he said.

“It’s a good benefit,” Larock said, “and
I’m glad CSEA pushed hard for this law.

“Given our salaries, it’s hard to support
your family if you’re out on disability
retirement at half-pay,” he added.

The CSEA-sponsored law mirrors a
measure passed in 1996 which gives similar
disability retirement benefits to state
corrections officers and security hospital
assistants working in the state Office of
Mental Health.

Union members and leaders lobbied
state lawmakers the last several years for
this law.

Jim Tallman, 9-1-1 dispatcher — Otsego County Communications Department

Pe THE WORK FORCE

January 2000

Lessons from the ’97 ice
storm have North Country
ready for anything in Y2K

As New York shudders with the
anticipation of Y2K-related computer
glitches, CSEA members across the state
are ready to handle any public
emergency or need.

Some members will be working
around the clock Jan. 1, making sure
the vital public services they provide
are uninterrupted by computer snafus.

CANTON — If the new year brings a
Y2K nightmare, they’re ready for the
worst in rural St. Lawrence
County.

Months of careful

CSEA REPRESENTS

préparation. afid hard work
by CSEA members and

es

county administrators have

everyone confident 2000
will arrive without a glitch.

But they’re taking no
unnecessary chances.

“The county is setting up a command
center to be ready for anything that
comes our way,” said CSEA St.
Lawrence County Local President Betty
Thomas.

A complete emergency response plan
is in place and ready to go into effect at
the hint of any problem.

supervision.

BALSALL EE

400 WoRKens wn THs WS

“We went through a
devastating ice storm two
years ago and that really
helped with our planning
for Y2K,” Thomas said.

“We developed
contingency plans for all
kinds of things that we
might not have even
thought about if we hadn’t |
already experienced that
kind of emergency,” she
added:

If there’s a
massive
power outage,
Thomas and
her
co-workers
are ready to create
shelters, coordinate
volunteer efforts and help
maintain public safety.

Local officials also conducted a
public meeting to inform residents
about emergency plans, lessen fears
and offer some advice how individuals
might prepare, just in case, by stocking
up on non-perishable food and bottled
water and taking other steps to protect
themselves. Similar information was

the minds of many North Country officials. Officials and
CSEA members will apply the lessons they learned
through power outages, temporary shelters, and food and
water distribution to prepare for any potential Y2K bugs.

provided to all county employees, who
can put it to good use under any
circumstance in a part of New York
where even average winters can be
fierce.

“Personally, I’m not worried at all
about problems from Y2K,” Thomas
said.

“IT also know that we can make it
through just about anything up here
because we've done it before,” she said.

aS of the Work Force »)

ws

January 2000 THE WORK FORCE Page 7

al FS one person who supports about 25 case workers. I try to do the things they don’t have
the time for, but there’s not enough hours in the day for what they need you to do, to do it
properly. I'm tired. There needs to be more support. We need more staff and more cooperative

Linda Comstock, case aide — Herkimer County Department of Social Services

City workers discover
a fountain of history

GLENS FALLS — The discovery of a long-lost water fountain
base, the generosity and hard work of CSEA members and an
outrageous act of vandalism have galvanized citizens to honor their
past and plan for a brighter future.

City public works crews sprucing up the entrance to a city
park discovered an abandoned 126-year-old water fountain base
which had gone unseen by several generations of park users and
city workers.

Intrigued by the ornate base, CSEA members Walter Newton,
Steve Berkowitz, Tim Culligan, Bill Cofaro, Richard Elmer and Dave
Wood dreamed up the idea of the union donating a new top to the
fountain.

The resourceful union members approached a local business,
which provided an appropriate fountain top at a deep discount.

During their free time, the contingent of CSEA public works
members converged on the city park to restore the antique base
and install the new top.

Fountain of history

City records revealed the original fountain, called the Bank
Square Fountain, was first located in downtown Glens Falls but was
moved near the park entrance in the late 1890s to make way for a
new type of mass transit — the trolley car.

The original fountain top was metal. When World War II broke
out, city fathers sent the ornate decorative piece to the scrap heap
to help with the war effort.

The fountain base was moved to a never-used section of the
park, and was quickly covered with undergrowth and hidden the
last several decades.

After countless hours of hard work clearing the area and
refurbishing the monument, CSEA members dedicated the
monument to the city.

However, 45 minutes after the ceremony ended, vandals
struck.

The Glens Falls community was outraged. Money was donated
as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals and
to restore the fountain top.

(g9EA REPRESENTS

20,006 yn. ous
700 Wonxens mn THIS WOO

City of Glens Falls

Public Works

member Walter

Newton, Labor

Relations Specialist

William Lochner,

members Steve

Berkowitz, Tim

Culligan and Bill

Cofaro proudly
display the restored antique
fountain base with its new top, which was
dedicated to the city.

Generates good will, civic pride

City Councilman Harold Taylor called the impressive CSEA
effort “fantastic,” especially in light of the union’s ongoing bitter
contract negotiations in which the mayor is trying to subcontract
the city’s money-making water and sewer operations.

The good will and community pride the union effort inspired
has prompted many citizens to discover or rediscover the beauty
of the city’s Crandall Park.

City plans for a band shell for summer entertainment have
been expanded to include a water line for the now twice-restored
fountain, lights for 24-hour security and a picnic area.

The good news doesn’t stop there, however.

CSEA member Newton and his co-workers have formed a
loosely knit group called the “Commitments” and vow to help city
residents learn the history of their hometown and participate in its
future.

“We’re committed to making Glens Falls the best home town it
can be,” Newton said. “After all, it’s our home town, too.”

— Daniel X. Campbell

; of the Work Force )

66 hen I first started, I was the first female custodian in the district. | was apprehensive but I
wanted the guys to feel comfortable with me and they in turn did the same. Now, they are
all like brothers — part of one big family. 99

Linda Ploss, custodian — Saratoga Springs School District

Page & THE WORK FORCE January 2000

CSEA to lawmakers: SUNY + plan to
abandon public hospitals = gimmick

ALBANY — CSEA has warned state
lawmakers the State University of New York
(SUNY) is using a “budget gimmick” as an
excuse to trash essential public resources.

SUNY claims the cost of running three
state-operated hospitals in Syracuse,
Brooklyn and Stony Brook has left a $77
million hole in its budget.

But CSEA
charged that
SUNY is
using an
antiquated
budget
formula to
concoct the
shortfall.

Bogus
numbers?
“Is this

shortfall
real, or has it
been created
by the’
sleight of
hand of
some budget
analyst?”

CSEA,Local,,

SUNY CSEA members Barbara

President Devlin, left, and Lisa Gaeta
John Harbin, at work at SUNY Stony
who testified Brook Hospital, one of three
on behalf of _ state-operated facilities
CSEA, asked being undermined by
mene of ' bookkeeping gimmickry.
he

Assembly ways and means and higher
education committees.

Harbin, who works at the SUNY Health

ES

wg

Science Center in Syracuse, said a budget
formula started years ago when the hospitals
were making money required them to share
the profits with SUNY Central.

By continuing that requirement, even
though hospital revenues have dropped,
SUNY essentially created its own deficit, he
said.

Harbin said SUNY has no interest in
making the hospitals succeed as public
institutions and manufactured the deficit to
try to justify selling them off to private
companies.

“The current SUNY administration seems
to have written off the hospitals as three
large headaches which can be cured only by
getting rid of them,” Harbin told lawmakers.

SEA REPRESENTS

CSEA President
Danny Donohue
said the push to
privatize the
hospitals is baffling since the union recently
helped pass legislation giving SUNY the
flexibility it asked for to help the hospitals
compete in the current health care market
without abandoning their public purpose and
employees.

“Let the administration detail for the
Legislature — and the unions — what actions
they have taken as a result of the flexibility
legislation and why there is a proposed
shortfall even after it has been
implemented,” the union leader said.

— Ed Molitor

Pi A
200 Worwens mw THis WO

CSEA battles Peru schools with labor charges

PERU — CSEA is refusing to be bullied by
school district officials in northern New York
and has counter punched by filing improper
practice charges for coercion, intimidation
and refusing to let health and safety experts
investigate a complaint of sewer stench.

The union’s battle with school officials in
the Peru school district began in August,
when CSEA Peru Unit President Wanda
Mason filed a contract grievance,

She wanted the district to print the
number of hours worked on the paychecks
so employees could see if there were any
errors in their pay.

Just weeks after Mason’s grievance,
Superintendent Joseph Colistra threatened to
lay off workers, subcontract work normally
done by CSEA members and fire CSEA
members if Mason pursued the grievance
against the district.

At a recent informal conference at the state

Public Employment Relations Board (PERB),
the district’s attorney said it does follow the
state Taylor Law. and it does not use
intimidation, coercion or interference to
settle the CSEA claims.

The issue is going to a formal hearing. The
second improper practice charge involves
the district’s refusal to allow CSEA safety and
health experts access to CSEA leaders and
members to investigate a complaint about
the stench coming from a broken sewer line
running under the school cafeteria’s kitchen.

CSEA also filed a complaint about the odor
with the state Department of Labor.

“We will not be bullied by any school
district official when we want to investigate
our members’ health and safety concerns or
represent them in any way,” said CSEA
Capital Region President Carmen Bagnoli.

— Daniel X. Campbell

66 | Bae the stairways in the library as a form of exercise during the workday. And I’m beginning
to see a slow deterioration in the cleanliness of the building. It’s not that the cleaners aren't

cleaning. It’s that they're being pulled and tugged in every direction at one time. They need

more help. And then they can reinstill the pride they have always had in the great job they once

were able to do.??

Linda Mitchell, library clerk — SUNY Plattsburgh, 30 years of service

January 2000 THE WORK FORCE

Page 9
eS GGL ILA AIA AL LAL AANA EEE EEL ERA A EDA ABER OM PERI ANI SA AIA RAINING AD he Bl . a, . san

Across the state, the CSEA Education and Training Department is offering a new series of activist
workshops to teach members how to organize around work-related issues and build union power in

‘heir workplaces and communities.

“These new union activist workshops help members generate the enthusiasm, commitment and skills
necessary to represent the current and future members of CSEA,” said union President Danny Donohue.
Another series of workshops starts this month. Call the Education and Training Department at

1-800-342-4146 ext. 1294.

The workshops focus on building membership participation and enthusiasm by developing creative
solutions to workplace problems. Workshop participants strengthen their Locals and Units by
developing member awareness of the possibilities of union power in their workplaces.

These CSEA members shared their workshop training experiences.

Laurel Rasmussen

“I want to keep the women here
as informed as possible,” said
CSEA Bethpage Cafeteria Workers
Local President Laurel
Rasmussen.

“I think the
workshop
training is
wonderful. It’s
so important to
be educated on
the union and all
it has to offer.

“The training
helps us to be
aware of our
rights and we
really need all
the help we can
get because we
have only been
in the private
sector since
1993, when the cafeteria service
went private.

“| have worked here for 16
years and we used to be part of
the custodial unit. When we went

Rasmussen

POI THE WORK FORCE

private it was a whole
new world for us and
we had to get involved
with CSEA and get that
union protection.

“We all lost money,
hours and
benefits when
we went private
and some of the |
ladies left for
other jobs. It’s
been extremely
hard.

“Through the

John Andersen
CSEA town of

Oyster Bay Local
Executive Vice
President John
Andersen has
been on the job

for 30 years.
|| “The training
was very
informative. Many
of the
participants were
only in the union
for a short time

training | have
learned how to
better approach
some of the women and
how to get them more
involved. I have learned
how important it is for us
to be united.

“During the training
you learn that you are not alone
in your problems. Others face the
same challenges as you and
things can get better with
everyone's participation.

Andersen

January 2000

but there was so
much to learn for
everyone who attended.

“We hand deliver our
newsletter each time it comes out
and that communication with the
members has been extremely
important. “The more educated
we are, the more power we have
and the town knows it.”

Sarah Ric|

lhardson

Sarah Richards

specialist with thq

of Parole in New
skills she learned
workshop each d.

“The seminars /
really got me md
more people invi
they showed exa
union really wor

“They taught
recognize what t
issues are, how tq
everybody is, ho
network of memb|
workplace, and hq
them.

“Within parole
different sections
person in each ai
contact person a
network.

“That is how we

bn, a keyboard
p state Division
ork City, uses
at the activist
y.

ere great. They
vated to get
ived because
tly how the

5 for us.

how to

e members’
know where
to set upa
ers in the

w to organize

there are many
. We've got one
eato bea

id formed a

got so many

people to come out for the rally.
It is easier for people to
participate when it’s personal.
“With someone you know and
have camaraderie with, people
feel more comfortable. It helps
me get more members involved.”

Rice

Maxine Rice

A newly elected Local president
at Manhattan Psychiatric Center,
Rice has discovered a wealth of
knowledge with the activist
courses.

“I found the classes very
helpful. I’m still new at all this, so
all that I do learn is helpful.

“The classes helped to focus on
who to contact to build coalitions
with community groups and how
to put it all together. The
methods were very effective.

“We found that the churches
were very receptive to our plight,
offering to assist in any way we
needed help, and reaching out to

other churches. The same with
the community groups.

“The workshops also helped us
organize our mobilizers. To send
them out to where the people
are. Now we go to the members,
in all areas and on all shifts.”

Deborah Osuch

Deborah Osuch, a 14-year CSEA
member and president of the
Hudson City School District Unit,
darts up three flights of stairs to
her classroom to offer her view of
the CSEA activists workshops she
participated in recently.

“Women often take a job to
help make ends meet. They don’t
know about their rights, their
protections.

“In the workshop on worker
rights, I learned about the Taylor
Law and the Fair Labor Standards
Act. I gained some knowledge.

“That
=| workshop and
if] the one on
organizing in
the workplaces
has taught me
not to jump to
a conclusion on
what has to be
done to solve a
problem. Now
when we have a
problem, | try
to see the big
picture.”

January 2000

Cecily Lieberman

A 21-year Rockland County
employee, Lieberman can see the
difference the activist training
has made in her work with her
union colleagues.

“I go to these trainings to pick
up information.
I want to get
people more
enthused. The
leadership has
really tried to
get people
more involved.

“The one
thing we have
to work on is
how to reach
more people. In
Rockland
County, the
union asked
someone to be a shop steward
for the (late) shift.

“Having a shop steward in that
group is a benefit. You can see
the payoff. Our last meeting had a
bigger turnout. Folks respond to
personal attention.

“People have to feel the union
is there and is responsive. They
have to know the leaders and
shop stewards are aware of their
problems and their questions. It’s
our duty to reach out to
members.

“If somebody could only give
me the magic words to get the
point across that we can’t do this
without them; if we could band
together, nothing could stop us.”

Lieberman

THE WORK FORCE Emel

In safety and health,
inaction breeds injury

CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Conference attracted
600 activists to Lake Placid recently, tapping AFSCME’s expertise
and arming members with vital
safety and health information.

CSEA has built a network of
exceptional safety and health
activists, union leaders said.

But CSEA activists said they need
to hear from members when
something goes wrong so they can
help remedy an unsafe workplace.

Thin ice isn’t the danger here
The recent case of ice skate sharpeners in

soe 1000 peg “Ag

255.000 wempens 1°"

Nassau County, which operates three ice
rinks in county parks, highlights the need
for workers to share their problems.

A four-year seasonal CSEA member who
sharpened ice skates came down with metal
bronchitis, parks and recreation Unit
President Tim Corr said.

CSEA called in an industrial hygienist,
who suggested changing the skate
sharpening area to prevent workers from
breathing the airborne metal particles.

When workers at one ice rink heard about
the metal bronchitis case at the other rink,
they too complained of health problems.

“Their problems were more extensive
because they were sharpening in a public
area,” Corr said, adding the county immediately moved the
sharpening area.

Corr suggested members go directly to their safety and health
specialist and also to management when they suspect a
problem, which will help determine whether a complaint should
be made.

“They should file a complaint right away, if it’s recommended,”
Corr said.

Corr

It stinks

Another case in Poughkeepsie shows how far union action can
be taken.

The city built a police and court building on top of an old
dump, said Pat Brown, Town of Poughkeepsie Unit president.

Three-quarters of the building is leased to a company that
makes plastic lights. Brown said fumes from the plastic
operation were making members in the police and court offices
sick.

CSEA called in health and safety staff, who helped steer Brown
in the right direction.

The subsequent investigation uncovered 43 building code
violations.

But it didn’t stop there. CSEA got the public involved through
political action and voted out all incumbents on the town board.

“We have new people coming in to address the remaining
issues,” Brown said.

— Lou Hmieleski

CSEA occupational safety and health activists take part in a
workshop aimed at identifying musculo-skeletal disorders in the
work place during a recent conference in Lake Placid.

CSEA, AFSCME lobbying:

Federal ergonomics standard
on track to become law

News of OSHA's proposed workplace rules to protect millions of
American workers from repetitive-stress injuries and musculoskeletal
disorders shows CSEA and American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees (AFSCME), lobbying efforts are paying off.

The news came'one day after CSEA concluded its three-day
statewide Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Lake Placid.

CSEA and AFSCME have pushed for years for stronger federal
standards to protect.workers and prevent injuries. The proposed
standard shows big business may have the bark, but unions have the
bite.

Much of the safety conference focused on steps activists can take
to keep CSEA members from suffering repetitive stress injuries —
whether they drive a bus or a snowplow, work in confined spaces or
on construction or type at a keyboard.

The new federal rules would require employers to adopt full-scale
ergonomics programs to minimize hazards if even a few workers
suffered such injuries.

“The news is promising. We need to keep fighting for this, keep up
the pressure to get these vitally needed rules passed,” CSE.
statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves said.

“It’s just absolutely clear that this is the No. 1 task of OSHA if
they’re really going to fulfill their mandate of protecting workers,”
said Jim August, who directs AFSCME’s Health and Safety
Department.

OSHA wants to hear from you!
Find out more about participating in public hearings in Washington.
Tell the nation about injuries you've suffered on the job. CSEA has
agreed to take part in the hearings. More information will be
provided soon on sending members to Washington.
To make sure the new ergonomics standard is put into place, CSEA
and AFSCME need members to testify at federal hearings. If you’ve
suffered a repetitive stress injury and want to tell your story,
contact Janet Foley at 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1465.

page 12 THE WORK FORCE January 2000

er:

tahun

PM

PO OELEELEELL ELLE SS

Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
Donny

Denshum, recent

i Wovens | 4
When the governor delivers his State of the State message on
Jan. 5, union members will be in Albany reminding him “We’ve
Got the Power.” Make plans now to participate. For details,
contact your Local president or CSEA region office.
See directions on Page 4 of this insert.

We're takin’ it to the streets

Forecast for Jan.

CSEA’s negotiating team has made on a fair and respactable deal has
progress on key issues in contract been hampered by the governor’s

Peta es : talks, but unfortunately Gov. George disinterest. Despite} his nonchalant
and well show it in Albany, Jam $! Pataki has turned a deaf ear. Progress attitude, CSEA menbbers across the

5: Hot and fumin'!

state are getting their message to the
governor and legislators loud and
clear. And come Jan. 5, the roar will

Momentum building for Albany

rally

The state contract fight gathers steam |
as plans move ahead for the Jan. 5 rally
and demonstration in Albany.

Jan. 5 is the day Gov. Pataki delivers
his annual State of the State speech. The
goal is to make it our day and not the
governor's. —

“The governor,” said President Danny
Donohue, “doesn’t understand that
complimenting state workers about how
great they are doesn’t pay our bills or
feed our families. We have to make him
and the members of the state
Legislature realize the only way to show
the state work force some respect is to
put it in our checks.”

Left, Assemblyman Ronald
Canestrari, at podium, joins,
from left, Assemblymen Paul
Tonko and John McEneny and
state Sen. Neil Breslin, Public
Employees Federation Region 8
Coordinator Jeff Satz and CSEA
Capital Region President
Carmen Bagnoli at the state
Capitol, calling on the governor
to show some respect to New
York’s state workers.

CSEA Executive Vice President
Mary Sullivan and Treasurer
Maureen Malone, holding CSEA
banner, and Capital Region
activists joined the lawmakers,
who carved a turkey to show
how Gov. Pataki is able to feast
on his $49,000 raise while
union members make do with
scraps.

AFLCIO solidarity

The contraget fight also has the power of
hundreds of #thousands of other AFL-CIO
members.

Regional lafbor council have passed
resolutions demanding Gov. George Pataki pay
union workdffs “in a fair and equitable manner”
consistent Vth the pay raises he gave himself,
his non-uni¢fh staff and agency commissioners.

Central lalffor councils throughout New York
have adoptefi the resolution and sent copies to
Pataki.

The resoluffion highlights Pataki’s $49,000
annual raise fhe gave himself and the 38 percent
pay hike state lawmakers received this year.

“There is afflarge state budget surplus that
unionized st/fite workers helped to create,” the
resolution s|fittes.

CSEA members in Gov. George Pataki’s hometown of Peekskill let the
public know the governor has no home field advantage.

Putting
pressure on
legislators

Before Jan. 5, lobby state
legislators and seek their
support for a fair contract. They
got theirs; we want ours.

Follow this easy two-step plan:

Step 1 — Start a letter-writing
campaign to your legislators.
Hand-written letters, in your own
words, get the most attention.

Step 2 — Visit your state
senator and Assembly mémber
in their district offices.

*Explain what you do.

*Let them know you take
pride in the work you do.

*Ask outright for their
support. deal.

oe ee . and mel shaw it in Albany, Jan. &!

CAPITAL REGION
MEMBERS:

Join your
brothers and
sisters, some of
whom are
traveling
hundreds of
miles, to fight
for fairness and
respect on

Jan. 5.

iF THEY CAN DO
IT, SO CAN YOU! |

Clockwise from
left, a CSEA

| member in
Binghamton spells
it out in holiday
fashion; CSEA
DMV member
Timara Imperiale
with her daughter
Giana, 7, tells the
| public about her

" job during a
Speakout on Long
Island; and a
protest at SUNY
Buffalo.

CSEA takes on state

At the end of November, CSEA kicked off a new series ads targeting the governor.
The ad hits the governor with his own words. He repeatedly says that state workers
| are “...the best employees in America...”
| Our response: Talk is cheap, governor. Actions speak louder than words. Where's
the fair contract for “the best employees in America?” |

The advertising is bolstering rallies and Speakouts continuing statewide.

These grassroots efforts are vitally important, according to contract team members.
The Governor's Office of Employee Relations knows there is an energized CSEA.

Team members used their Thanksgiving break to go on the road. They took part in
more than 50 local meetings around the state in a special effort to hear from the
membership.

UnSeasonal
Greetings,

from the CSEA
Work Force

CSEA’s “UnSeasonal Greetings”
cards have been making the rounds
and sent Gov. George Pataki the
message that “We’ve Got The
Power.”

The governor no doubt enjoyed his
holiday, thanks to the $49,000 raise
he gave himself in 1999.

But come Jan. 5, the visions of
sugarplums dancing in his head will
give way to the very real sight of
thousands of CSEA members letting
him know just how much he ruined
their holidays with his miserly
ways.

Be there, be loud and be proud!

Be there Jan. 5!
Contact your region office now!

Long Island Region : (616) 462-0039
Metropolitan Region: (212) 406-2156
Southern Region: (914) 831-1000
Capital Region: (618) 785-4400
Central Region: (315) 433-0050
Western Region (716) 886-0391

Events start at 11:30 a.m. in the Pepsi
Arena, downtown Albany, followed by a
march to the state Capitol. Remember to
dress warmly and be prepared for
outdoor activity.

Reaching out to businesses

Stickers that say “Support CSEA members, Fighting
for a contract” are being distributed to our members.

It’s part of a campaign to turn up the heat on the
business community.

We're asking members to use the special stickers on

: checks you write or bills you pay. We want to remind

_ | businesses they depend on the money union members
_| spend. The more money we have, the more money they
,| make.

Each sheet has 24 stickers. If every state employee
uses one full sheet during the holidays, our message of
support will go out nearly 2 million times.

Members should contact local presidents for supplies.

To record leave
used, enter
these letters for
the appropriate
date:

V = (Vacation)

$ = (Sick Leave)
H = (Holiday)

M = (Miltary
Leave)

P = (Personal
Leave)

SPEC = (Special)

C=
(Compensatory)

LWOP = (Leave
Without Pay)

W = (Workers:
Comp)

EXAMPLES:

If you are sick 4 hours, enter S-4 under the appropriate day.
If you take 2 hours of personal, enter P-2, etc.

Balance from last record:

Balance from last record:

Balance from last record:

THU FRI

SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI

SAT SUN MON TUE WED

Earned Used Balance

Earned Used Balance

Earned Used Balance

DEC 23 - JAN 5

JAN 6 - JAN 19

JAN 20 - FEB 2

FEB 3 - FEB 16

FEB 17-MAR1

MAR 2- MAR 15

MAR 16 - MAR 29

MAR 30 - APR 12

APR 13 - APR 26

APR 27 - MAY 10

MAY 11 - MAY 24

MAY 25 - JUN 7

JUN 8 - JUN 21

JUN 22 - JUL 5

JUL 6~-JUL 19

JUL 20 - AUG 2

AUG 3 - AUG 16

AUG 17 - AUG 30

AUG 31- SEP 13

SEP 14 - SEP 27

SEPT 28 - OCT 11

OCT 12 - OCT 25

OCT 26 - NOV8

NOV 9 - NOV 22

NOV 23 - DEC 6

DEC 7 - DEC 20

Leave accruals are an important contractual benefit negotiated for you by CSEA, You
can help guarantee the accuracy of your individual accruals by tracking your leave

| CONSULT YOUR UNION CONTRACT, YOUR

CSEA REPRESENTATIVE OR YOUR

PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR HOLIDAY
OBSERVANCE SCHEDULE

| activities throughout the year. If a discrepancy should arise, it might be easier
| document your claim by producing your personal leave record form

——_ a if
SR 2000

EXAMPLES: ANNUAL LEAVE \
PAY
If you are sick 4 hours, enter S-4 under the appropriate day. Balance from last record: Balance from last record: Balance from last record:
PE RIOD If you take 2 hours of personal, enter P-2, etc.

THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED] Earned Used Balance | Earned Used Balance} Earned Used Balance

To record leave
used, enter
these letters
for the
appropriate
date;

V = (Vacation)

P = (Personal

Leave)

SPEC =

(Special

C=
(Compensatory)

W = (Workers’
Comp)

~ CONSULT YOUR UNION CONTRACT, Your | Leave accruals are an important contractual benefit negotiated for you by CSEA. You al

CSEA REPRESENTATIVE OR YOUR | can help guarantee the accuracy of your individual accruals by tracking your leave |

PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR HOLIDAY activities throughout the year. If a discrepancy should arise, it might be easier to
OBSERVANCE SCHEDULE document your claim by producing your personal leave record form.

FUTONS ASN

*

kK

CSE.
AFSCME

To record leave
used, enter
these letters for
the appropriate
date:

V = (Vacation)

$ = (Sick Leave)
H = (Holiday)

M = (Military
Leave)

P = (Personal

(Compensatory)

LWOP = (Leave
Without Pay)

W = (Workers
Comp)

EXAMPLES:

If you are sick 4 hours, enter S-4 under the appropriate day.
If you take 2 hours of personal, enter P-2, etc.

Balance from last record:

Balance from last record:

Balance from last record:

THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI

SAT SUN MON TUE WED

Earned Used Balance

Earned Used Balance

Earned Used Balance

DEC 30 - JAN 12

JAN 13 - JAN 26

JAN 27 - FEB9

FEB 10 - FEB 23

FEB 24-MAR8

MAR 9 - MAR 22

MAR 23- APR 5

APR 6- APR 19

APR 20 - MAY 3

MAY 4 - MAY 17

MAY 18 - MAY 31

JUN 1 - JUN 14

JUN 15 - JUN 28

JUN 29 - JUL 12

JUL 13 - JUL 26

JUL 27 - AUG 9

AUG 10 - AUG 23

AUG 24 - SEP 6

SEP 7 - SEP 20

SEP 21-OCT4

OCT 5- OCT 18

OCT 19-NOV1

NOV 2-NOV 15

NOV 16 - NOV 29

NOV 30 - DEC 13

DEC 14 - DEC 27

Leave accruals are an important contractual benefit negotiated for you by CSEA. You
can help guarantee the accuracy of your individual accruals by tracking your leave
activities throughout the year. If a discrepancy shouid arise, it might be easier to
document your claim by producing your personal leave record form,

CONSULT YOUR UNION CONTRACT, YOUR
CSEA REPRESENTATIVE OR YOUR
PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR HOLIDAY

OBSERVANCE SCHEDULE

CSE

2000 LEAVERECORDfor
EE Ny, NEW YORK STATE COURT EMPLOYEES

om Your leave benefits t

PAY EXAMPLES: ANNUAL LEAVE :
PERIOD If you are sick 4 hours, enter S-4 under the appropriate day. Balance from last record: Balance from last record:
If you take 2 hours of personal, enter P-2, etc.

THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED] Earned Used Balance | Earned Used Balance

To record leave | DEC 23. JAN'S.
used, enter JAN 6 - JAN 19
these letters for

the appropriate | JAN 20 - FEB 2
FEB 3 - FEB 16
FEB 17-MAR1
MAR 2- MAR 15
MAR 16 - MAR 29
MAR 30 - APR 12

APR 13 - APR 26

APR 27 - MAY 10
MAY 11 - MAY 24
MAY 25 - JUN 7
JUN 8 - JUN 21
Without Pay) | JUN 22 - JUL 5
Weweann | ules dUldo
OE JUL 20 - AUG 2
AUG 3 - AUG 16
AUG 17 - AUG 30
AUG 31- SEP 13
SEP 14- SEP 27
SEPT 28 - OCT 11
OCT 12- OCT 25
OCT 26 - NOV8
NOV 9 - NOV 22
NOV 23 - DEC 6
DEC 7 - DEC 20

| CONSULT YOUR UNION CONTRACT, -YOUR ] Leave accruals are an important contractual benefit negotiated for you by CSEA. You

| CSEA REPRESENTATIVE OR YOUR... Can help guarantee the accuracy of your individual accruals by tracking your leave i oe “,
| PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR HOLIDAY activities throughout the year. If a discrepancy should arise, it might be easier to fg,

OBSERVANCE SCHEDULE document your claim by producing your personal leave record form.

Member in epic documentary

10 hours on the hoof
for 30 seconds of fame

Joe Purcell rode back into history once again, but this time
his 10 hours of time travel generated 30 seconds of footage
used in a documentary about New York State.

Purcell, a CSEA member in Albany, hitched his two huge work
horses to an expensive carriage and helped set the scene for
New York City in the 1820s for the Public Broadcasting Service’s
documentary “New York: A Documentary Film.”

CSEA was a local underwriter of the 10-hour program, which
features Purcell driving his horses down a street in Troy to
simulate New York City 170 years ago.

“The hardest part was keeping the horses quiet and relaxed,”
said Purcell, who had no speaking part in the film.

Ten hours of continuous shooting from different angles, with
different film and light, and with the streets hosed down by the
local fire department, gave the production crew enough raw
material for 30 sterling seconds of usable tape.

“It was a long and busy day,” said Purcell, who works as an
auto body painter for the Albany County
Highway Department.

Sitting high atop a vintage carriage -
that is worth $40,000, Purcell cut a
dashing period fashion statement in a
black wool topcoat and top hat.

The only break in the day of action
came when Purcell was sipping coffee
from a white plastic cup as the director
yelled “Action!”

Purcell tossed the cup from the carriage as he coaxed 2 tons
of horseflesh toward the camera.

“Cut!” fumed the director,

The camera never blinked, and caught the cup fluttering to
the sidewalk, ruining the shot.

Dozens of other similar shots generated thousands of feet of
usable film, however, and Purcell said he was pleased to be part
of the New York documentary.

“It was exciting and a real pleasant time,” Purcell said.

When he’s not tending to horses under the hood at his day
job or horses on the

y
“05,000 mempens s1ROX®

Working the holidays
rs

KINGSTON —

“VOCAL 1000 AFSCME «
gn 7 VOOR Aon,

Marlene Shaver didn’t
mind working
Thanksgiving.

Shaver, a licensed
practical nurse working
at the Ulster County
Infirmary, is among
thousands of CSEA
members statewide who
worked the holiday and
may be working
Hanukkah, Christmas
and New Year's Day.

Shaver said her
facility has a holiday
policy. ;

“We work two on and
one off,” she explained.
“So this year, I’ll have
Christmas off.”

Shaver said she likes
working holidays.

“You develop a
kinship with the
patients,” she said.

“The ones who don’t
go out with their
families, you try to
make it special for them.
You give them extra
attention and try to
make them happy. It makes it easier for them,” Shaver said.

Shaver said patients are often fearful when they first come to
the infirmary.

“They're afraid of not being taken care of,” she said.
“Continuity of care is so important. It makes the residents feel
comfortable.”

Often, said Shaver, the workers have a closer
relationship with the residents than the residents’

CSEA member Marlene Shaver
shares a moment with infirmary
resident Isabel Baum.

hoof after hours,
Purcell donates his
carriage services to
local charities for
fund-raising.

“It’s important to
give back to the
community,” Purcell
said.

CSEA member Joe
Purcell guides his
horses down a
Troy city street.

families.

“We're with them more,” she said, “and some of the
residents don’t have families.”

Shaver said her family still had a traditional
Thanksgiving feast together, only later in the day.

“My daughter put the turkey in the oven,” she said.
“I was off work by 3 p.m., picked up my mother and
we had our dinner later in the afternoon. It all worked
out.”

— Anita Manley

“Continuity of care is so
important. It makes the
residents feel comfortable.”

January 2000 THE WORK FORCE [oerm Bd

Somebody finally listened

ERK] ADMWistein Self [Zac AD Mtn sro SS
JT ISOLATNON BOCTH |

FREEZE CATH
ME A Nenana NC

————

CSEA cartoons, cel design win awards

CSEA’s communications department continued its winning streak — Distin received two ILCA awards for
garnering several international awards for his cartoons which were published in
graphic design, editorial excellence and fit sail a The Work Force last year.
cartooning. | Hi {i : Among a handful of labor cartoonists

A four-color brochure the i in the nation, Distin distinguished

communications department produced for
the statewide “CSEA Cares” campaign to
save beds for the developmentally
disabled took first place for the best use

himself again this year by winning
second and third-place awards.

Distin received the second-place
honor for the cartoon he drew of CSEA

of graphics. Masser’ ee og members pitching in to help North
The union also received an honorable e Country communities during a crippling
mention for editorial excellence in that ice storm.
piece. 0.0 ARM HEARTS. “Cartoons that show workers
The awards were given by the International : as heroes, not victims, are too
labor Communications Association (ILCA). i “=. rare in the labor press,” the judges wrote about Distin’s
The brochure was the cornerstone of an on creative work.
effective public relations campaign which . i “It’s a powerful message that reinforces the image of
prompted state officials to preserve beds in the - government workers as allies, not adversaries, of the
public sector for developmentally disabled : oi R general public,” the judges continued.
clients. 3 * Distin’s pen scored more big points with the judges,
tes <4 with his third-place cartoon showing state legislators
Artist continues winning streak Gas > reveling on the deck of the Titanic — the ship of state — as it
Ralph Distin, CSEA’s in-house graphic designer # - z headed toward an iceberg.
and cartoonist, also added two more prestigious & io " P “The message is immediately apparent,” the judges
awards to his collection, eas a ti said, lauding Distin’s clarity and style. ‘

Pee ee THE WORK FORCE Yanuary 2000

Fats te Sah’ fmol LILI LLL IL LL tS? SANS nas IPED ILERLL LSS

Union joins others in
bid to stamp out
sweatshop labor

How can you tell if the products you buy were made
by a child, by a teenage girl forced to work from 7 a.m. to
11 p.m. seven days a week, or by an exploited worker
paid 12 cents an hour who can be fired for even
discussing factory conditions?

As things stand now, you can’t. And CSEA wants that
to change.

In response to a resolution passed by the delegates at
CSEA’s Annual Delegates Meeting, the union has joined
religious, student and service groups around the country
to fight sweatshops.

The union is conducting a coordinated campaign to
end the use of child labor, worker abuse,
unlivable wages and abhorrent working
conditions in factories that make the
products New Yorkers buy.

Part of the problem is corporations
refuse to disclose the list of factories they
use around the world, claiming this is
proprietary information, union officials
said.

Many companies want to keep this information secret,
leaders of the sweatshop campaign said, because
consumers may discover ‘Made in USA’ may not mean
what they think it means.

Some U.S. companies, including Wal-Mart, Gap, J. Crew
and The Limited share a factory in Saipan, a U.S.
commonwealth in the South Pacific, union leaders said.

Since Saipan is not covered by U.S. minimum wage or
immigration laws, companies can pay $3 an hour to
workers who are brought in from China and still use the
‘Made in USA’ label.

These and other companies roam the world searching
for low wages and benefits, no taxes, no regulations, no
labor law enforcement and no accountability, campaign
organizers said.

LOCAL 1000 AFSCME “AL ey,

abor %

765,000 mempens STROM

Scheduled AFSCME dues adjustment

Annual earnings _ Bi-weekly

rate
Under $5,000 $3.86
$5,000-$ 9,999 5.80

The scheduled adjustment in
p dues and agency
effective Jan. 1, 2000
ME’s minimum
dues structure approved by
delegates at the 1998 AFSCME
convention and reported to the
membership last year.

The change applies to
annualized salaries, not including
overtime or location pay, based
on salary at Jan, 1, 2000, No
adjustments will be made during
the year for raises or increments.

New hourly and per diem
employees have dues deducted
at the “Under $5,000” category of
$3.86 bi-weekly.

A’s membership dues and
agency shop fee structure
effective Jan. 1, 2000:

36,000-37,999
38,000-39,999 16.40
40,000 and higher 16,81

PEOPLE hits the ground

running in 2000

CSEA’s PEOPLE
training for region
PEOPLE committees
wrapped up this past
fall and PEOPLE
recruiters are working

POLITICAL
ACTION

ne

to bring more
members to the
political action
program.

PEOPLE (Public
Employees Organized
to Promote Legislative
Equality) is AFSCME’s
political,
legislative

14,055

uw CSEA PEOPLE members as of Oct. 31, 1999:

vw PEOPLE members recruited in 1999: 1,553

v Money raised by PEOPLE members: $478,680
v Percentage of CSEA involved in PEOPLE: 5%
Vv Membership goal for 2000: 10%

and fund-raising program.

Federal law prohibits union
dues or treasury money to be
used to support candidates for
public office.

Contributions from AFSCME
must come from voluntary contributions from
members.

While a limited amount of PEOPLE funding
goes directly to'‘candidates, much of PEOPLE’s
energy is directed at fighting for programs and
legislation that benefit working families.

For instance, the recently approved federal
ergonomics standard faced tough lobbying
from business interests, but mobilization on
PEOPLE's behalf helped get the rules enacted.

PEOPLE also successfully fought two
attempts by Congress and Texas Gov. George
W. Bush to allow states to privatize social
services.

Finally PEOPLE fought for and won the
Family Medical Leave Act.

Through lobbying, voter registration and
education, PEOPLE’s energy flows from many
small tributaries of union members into a
powerful flood of action.

As a result, CSEA members are more
educated about issues that affect them and
are empowered to make a difference come
election time.

The hard work and generosity of AFSCME
members across the country has made
AFSCME a major political player in almost
every state as well as nationally.

In addition to direct contributions to
candidates at all levels, AFSCME PEOPLE
provides may in-kind operations to candidates
that include CSEA activist involvement.

Break in membership
affects eligibility for union
office, voting privileges

A break in union membership
status can have long-term future
implications. Your membership status
affects your eligibility with respect to:

¢ seeking or holding union office;

* signing nominating petitions for
potential candidates;

* voting in union elections, and;

* voting on collective bargaining
contracts.

Only members “in good standing”
can participate in these activities. To
be in “good standing,” your dues
cannot be delinquent.

If you go on unpaid leave or for any
other reason have a break in your
employment status, your dues will
not continue to be paid through
payroll deductions. You must make
arrangements to pay your dues
directly to CSEA to continue your
membership status. If you are either
laid off or placed on leave without pay
status due to becoming disabled by
accident, illness, maternity or
paternity, you may be eligible for
dues-free membership status for a
period not to exceed one year.

Note, however, you must continue
to pay dues to run for office. Dues-free
or gratuitous membership allows
members to continue their insurance
coverage while out of work. It does
not protect your right to run for or
hold office.

You must notify the CSEA
Membership Records Department at
1-800-342-4146, Ext, 1327, of any
change in your status and what
arrangements you are making to
continue your membership in CSEA

January 2000 THE WORK FORCE Marthe

Voters elect to toss anti-union

town supervisor,

EAST SYRACUSE — More than a year
ago, the rally cry echoed across the
Syracuse suburb of DeWitt against a town
supervisor and the majority of the town
board who were determined to fight a
CSEA organizing drive by town workers.

“We'll remember in November,” shouted
union activists and DeWitt workers at an
AFL-CIO “Right to Organize Day” rally held
next to town hall.

Months later, the members remembered
— and the politicians haven't forgotten a

harsh lesson: CSEA delivers on its promise.

CSEA members were the biggest winners
in the November elections when voters
elected all of the union’s endorsed
candidates, ousting the town supervisor
and the board members who opposed the
union from day one.

Can’t ignore the power

CSEA Central Region President Jim
Moore said the victory proved the union
wields strong political power.

“If anyone had any doubts about our
political clout, they need only look as far
as the Town of DeWitt,” Moore said.

“Town Supervisor Kelly Dellas now
knows how powerful workers and their
union can
be when

board in DeWitt

we're going to be there for you. We will
work with you and hopefully get you a
contract soon,” DiStefano said on behalf of
himself and the other CSEA-endorsed
candidates.

Flexing political muscle

Also pleased with the outcome were
Blue Collar Unit President Dan Schantz and
White Collar Unit President Jim Conlon.

“We weren't surprised, but we were
relieved. We definitely needed a change,”
said Schantz.

“Political action had a huge impact. I
guess it shows what can happen when you
get a group of people that stick together,”
he added.

“It'll probably be a better place to work
again with the contract in place, and now
we'll have a voice at work. It’s a win-win
situation, for our members and for the
town,” Schantz said.

Members can feel the power

Conlon said the employees. now
recognize the power they have as a group.

“The employees realize how.much. the
union has the.ability te make an impact,”
he said.

“They're just

glad we decided to

they unite
behind a
cause, and
that it
doesn’t pay
to fight the
union. Now
she’s out
looking for a
job and we
couldn’t be
more
pleased,”
Moore
added.

Town Supervisor-elect Jim DiStefano
recently thanked the union’s regional
political action committee for their hard
work helping him get elected, and said he’s
looking to quickly settle the negotiations
that have left workers without a contract
for nearly a year.

“We appreciated all the little things that
were done. You were there for us, and

unionize,” Conlon
said. “It’s been a
long and hard
process, and we're
looking forward to
a fair contract. The
day after the

. election the
workers were
smiling and saying
‘Oh my God, the
union pulled it off!”

— Mark M. Kotzin

CSEA Blue Collar Unit President Dan
Schantz, at left, and White Collar
Unit President Jim Conlon, at right,
share congratulations with Town of
DeWitt Supervisor-elect Jim
DiStefano. CSEA members ousted
anti-union members of the town
board in November.

The CSEA
WORKERS’
COMPENSATION
LEGAL
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM

covering Workers’
Compensation and Social
Security Disability

If you are injured onthe job or sustain a
job-related illness, CSEA’s Workers’
Compensation Legal Assistance Frogram
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 Contain no
Out-of-Pocket Expenses

@ |f you have a possible Workers’
Compensation or Social Security Disability
case, SIMPLY CALL, 1-600-342-4146
TOLL-FREE and select the properimanu
options. Your call will:be answered by thé
firm of Fine, Olin and Anderman, FC., through
its statewide nétwork of offices staffed by
attorneys who specialize in Workers’
Compensation and Social Security Digability
Law.
@ Brochures describing the program in
detail and intake forms to assist you in
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 cases will be
turned down and there is no out-of-pocket
cost to A members and their
dependents for the program services.
The CSEA
WORKERS’ COMIN '
{EGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
| 1-800-342-4146

Follow the menu options
for instructions
to access the program

page LO GA aa ee)

Pataki ignores members,
health plan rates to rise

Against CSEA’s urging, the state has allowed New York
State Health Insurance Plan rate hikes for the coming year.

Union leaders denounced the rate hikes for the new year,
saying Gov. George Pataki has again ignored the needs of
77,000 state employees who have been working without a

contract.

At the urging of CSEA, thousands of union members have
called Pataki the last few months to tell him they don’t
want an increase in health insurance premiums.

1999 Option Transfer Period Extended Until Dec. 31

Members who want to
change health insurance
options must submit a signed
Health Insurance Transaction
Form PS-404 to their agency’s health
benefits administrator by Dec. 31.

The Health Insurance Rates &
Deadlines publication for 2000 was
mailed to enrollees’ homes in early
December.

Members who are considering
changing their health insurance option
for 2000, and/or wish to review the
benefits available, should contact their
agency's health benefit administrator,
who is usually located in the agency's
personnel office.

Members should also request a copy
of the Health Insurance Choices guide
which contains information on the
Empire Plan and the health maintenance
organizations (HMOs) which may be
available to you under the New York
State Health Insurance Plan (NYSHIP).

Several changes may affect health
plan choices for 2000.

Enrollees and their families who
currently participate in Kaiser
Permanente/CHP and Healthsource HMO.
of New York will need to review the
Choices publication and choose a
different health carrier because these
two HMOs are no longer offered to state
employees effective Jan. 1, 2000.

Additionally, Aetna U.S. Healthcare
will not be accepting new enrollments
for 2000,

Members and their dependents who
are currently enrolled in and wish to
remain covered by Aetna U.S. Healthcare
do not need to take any action.

New York State pays most of the
premiums for members who are enrolled
in the Empire Plan or an HMO.

For Empire Plan/HMO enrollees, the
state pays 90 percent of the premium for
individual coverage. For family coverage,
the state pays 90 percent of the
premium as the enrollee, plus 75 percent

of the cost for dependent

Jomt COMMITTEE ON

gz vy, coverage.
ened This percent of payment

applies to both the
non-prescription drug and prescription
drug component premiums.

However, the state’s contribution for
non-prescription/prescription drug
components of the HMO premiums will
not exceed 100 percent of its dollar
contribution for those components of
the Empire Plan.

The 2000 biweekly health insurance
premium deductions for employees are
listed in the box at right.

If you change health insurance
options, the effective date of your new
health insurance option for employees
under the administration lag-exempt
payroll is Dec. 23, 1999.

The earliest paycheck in which a
premium adjustment will be made is the
check of Dec. 22, 1999.

Because of processing time, most
paycheck changes will be made in
January and will include retroactive
deductions for coverage beginning on
Dec. 23, 1999.

The effective date of the new health
insurance option for employees under
the institutional payroll is Dec. 30,
1999.

The earliest paycheck in which a
premium adjustment will be made is the
check of Dec. 30, 1999. Because of
processing time, most paycheck changes
will be made retroactively in January.

The effective date of the new health
insurance option for employees under
the administrative lag payroll is Jan. 6.

The earliest paycheck in which an
adjustment will be made is the check of
Jan. 5, Because of processing time, most
paycheck changes will be made in
January and will include retroactive
deductions for coverage beginning on
Jan. 6.

...For more information, consult your
health benefits administrator.

Empire Plan participating provider
directories in the mail

The new 1999 Empire Plan participating provider directories have been mailed to
plan enrollees and to agency health benefit administrators.

The directories list Empire Plan medical/surgical, managed physical medicine
program and mental health/substance abuse providers. They also include ambulatory
surgical centers, cardiac rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and laboratories.

The directory appears on the state Department of Civil Service Employee Benefits
Division Web page and can be reached at http://www.cs.state.ny.us. Click on Employee
Benefits and Services and then click on Empire Plan providers.

Members should ask their physicians if they participate in the Empire Plan before
receiving services. This will avoid costly out-of-network reimbursements.

2000 Insurance Renewal Rates for
Plans Covering State Employees

HMO Name (Option Code) 2000 2000
Individual Family
Premium Premium

$11.40
21.27
9.38
9.35
8.96
71.29
8.81
10.54
16.31
9.11
28.94
6.76
14.42
10.58

$ 46.28
80.60
51.40
62.37
55.26
39.60
54.06
52.46
75.02
63.75
116.15
37.14
83.10
68.50

The Empire Plan (001)

Aetna US Healthcare (210)
Blue Choice (066)

Blue Choice HMO (280)
CDPHP (063)

Community Blue (067)

GHI HMO (220) (formerly Wellcare)
HIP (050)

HMO Blue (160)

HMO-CNY (072)

Independent Health HV (120)
Independent Health WNY (059)
MVP Capital District (060)
MVP Central (100)

PHP Univera Healthcare (055)
(formerly PHP)

Preferred Care (058)

United HealthCare (260)
Univera Healthcare (057)
(formerly Health Care Plan)
Vytra Healthcare (070)

21.34
8.96
19.41

100.84
43.40
90.54

19)
18.98

38.98
90.48

May 15 is deadline for submitting proposed
resolutions, changes
to CSEA’s Constitution
& Bylaws

Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the
CSEA Constitution & Bylaws for consideration by CSEA
delegates to the union’s 2000 Annual Delegates Meeting must
be submitted by May 15, 2000.

Proposed resolutions may be submitted only by a delegate
and must be submitted on the proper forms. Forms for
submitting resolutions are available from CSEA headquarters
and region offices.

Proposed resolutions and proposed-amendments to the
Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted no later than
May 15 to Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves, CSEA
Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y., 12210-2303.

The 2000 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting will be held Sept.
25-29 in New York City.

January 2000 THE WORK FORGE (gree UA

CSEA’s notice of election

Elections for statewide officers, region
Officers, statewide Board of Directors, as well
as for AFSCME delegates, will be held at the
same time. CSEA members are urged to
carefully read the election information on this
page and related stories in future issues of
The Work Force.

Ballots will be mailed Jan. 18, 2000.

Each member will be sent one paper
ballot containing only the voter choices for
each election in which that member is
entitled to vote.

All voters will receive a ballot containing
candidate choices for the statewide election.
Ballots sent to voters in Regions 1, 2, 3 4
and 6 will also include candidate choices for

their region election.

There will be no region election for voters
in Region 5, as all of the current Region 5
officers were duly nominated and none have
any opposition.

Statewide Officers:

President, Executive Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer

*Unopposed/Elected

Region Officers:

Region 1: *President, Executive VP, *1st VP,
2nd VP, 3rd VP, Secretary, Treasurer
Region 2: *President, Executive Vice
President, *lst VP, 2nd VP, *Secretary,
*Treasurer

Region 3: President, *Executive VP, *1st VP,
*2nd VP, *3rd VP, *Secretary, *Treasurer
Region 4; President, Executive Vice
President, 1st VP, 2nd VP, 3rd VP, Secretary,
Treasurer

Region 5: *President, *Executive VP, *1st
VP, *2nd VP, *3rd VP, *Recording Secretary,
*Treasurer

Region 6: President, 1st VP, 2nd VP, 3rd VP,
Secretary, Treasurer

Statewide Board of Directors:

Twenty-nine representatives of the State
Executive Committee and 45 representatives
of the Local Government Executive
Committee ran unopposed and were elected.

For the Board of Directors election, there
are only 14 contested elections, There also

Check the CSEA bulletin boards at your
workplace for more election details.

were 11 board seats for which no candidates
qualified.

If your board seat was not contested or
there was no eligible candidates, your ballot
will not reflect a board election.

There will be a special board election for
the seats for which there were no eligible
candidates.

The schedule for the special board
election will be published shortly.

AFSCME Delegates

e LONG ISLAND REGION 1 — 40 delegates
¢ METROPOLITAN REGION 2 — 14
delegates
*e SOUTHERN REGION 3 — 39 delegates
*e CAPITAL REGION 4 — 38 delegates
*e CENTRAL REGION 5 — 40 delegates
¢ WESTERN REGION 6 — 40 delegates

For Regions 3, 4 and 5, the AFSCME
delegate nominations were uncontested. For
voters in these regions, there will be no
AFSCME election reflected on your ballot.

Elected delegates will attend the AFSCME
Convention scheduled June 26-30, 2000 in
Philadelphia, PA.

CSEA Election Schedule for
Statewide Officers, Region Officers,
Statewide Board of Directors,
AFSCME Delegates

Jan. 18: Ballots mailed

Jan. 25: Replacement ballots available (If

original ballot was not received, contact the i

True Ballot Agency at 1-800-571-6865.)

Feb. 8: Deadline for receipt of ballots

(8 a.m.). Ballots should be mailed to CSEA,
Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO, c/o Trustco
Bank, P.O. Box 1226, Schenectady, NY
12301-9958. Ballots counted.

Election results will be announced after
the ballot count. Candidates will be notified
by mail of the results. Election results will
be published in the March 2000 edition of
The Work Force.

Any CSEA member may obtain
information about the election
process by calling the Election
Committee at CSEA headquarters
1-800-342-4146 ext. 1477

Voting Eligibility Date

Only CSEA members in good standing as
of Dec. 1, 1999 will be eligible to vote in the
election.

Terms for
CSEA Statewide President, Executive Vice
President, Secretary, Treasurer

The statewide president, executive vice
president, secretary and treasurer terms will
start July 1, 2000 and shall be for a single
term of three and three-quarter years,
ending March 1, 2004.

Officers for CSEA’s Six Regions

With the election year 2000, region
officers will serve four-year terms,
commencing March 1, 2000.

Statewide Board of Directors

The board of directors terms will begin
July 1, 2000 and will run for a single term of
three and three-quarter years, ending March
1, 2004.

Election Oversight

The election process will be overseen by
the union’s Statewide Election Committee.
The balloting will be conducted by the True
Ballot Agency at the Desmond,

660 Albany-Shaker Road, Colonie.

| Long Island

| Plattsburgh

} Syracuse

| Watertown

2000 Inside Albany
(www. insidealbany.com)

INSIDE ALBANY
broadcast schedule

y

INSIDE
ALBANY

Albany Area =WMHT Saturday

Monday

6:30 p.m.
5:30 a.m.

WSKG
WNED
WLIW

Binghamton
Buffalo

Saturday 4 p.m.

Sunday 10:30 a.m.

ll am.
12 p.m.

1:30 p.m.
6:30 a.m.

Sunday
Monday

New York City WNET Saturday

Sunday
9am.

5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.

WCFE Sunday
WXXI
WCNY

WPBS

Rochester Saturday
Saturday

Saturday 6 p.m.

Pree tem THE WORK FORCE January 2000

A local model of contract success
This holiday season is brighter for
Chenango Co. workers

NORWICH — This holiday season is decidedly brighter than a
year ago for hundreds of Chenango County workers who hung
tough during negotiations to produce a solid contract.

The CSEA members showed determination, hard work and the
grit to get the job done at the contract table.

Their effort is a model of union activism and public pressure
which CSEA members across the state should copy during contract
fights, union leaders said.

Mad as hell

Chenango County’s workers knew they were underpaid — CSEA
had done comparisons to prove it? They also knew they were being
offered a raw deal — small raises and increases in health insurance
premiums while the county enjoyed a huge budget surplus.

They nixcd management's contract offer two to one and
immediately started pressuring management to produce a better
package.

Large, vocal pickets were held. Thousands of brochures
highlighting the vital jobs county workers perform were printed
and distributed across the county. Even a billboard was erected by
CSEA.

CSEA Chenango County Unit President Anna Stark said her
members sticking together to get their message out and standing
tough against the county made all the difference in the world.

— Mark M. Kotzin

Summary of the November 1999 CSEA
board of directors meeting

Editor's note: The Work Force publishes a
summary of actions taken by CSEA’s board of
directors. The summary is prepared by CSEA
Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves for union
members,

ALBANY — CSEA's statewide board of
directors met Nov. 17. In official business, the
board:

¢ Changed the name of Local 412 from
Letchworth Village DDSO to Hudson Valley DDSO;

e Added Ellen Witte, JoAnn Jenkins and Cecily Lieberman to the
Region 3 Political Action Committee;

¢ Authorized Local 447 to enter into a 60-month lease for a
copier;

¢ Adjusted CSEA Pension Plan to be in compliance with new IRS
regulations;

¢ Approved additional capital funds for the Human Resources
Department; and

¢ Put into administratorship Green Haven Correctional Facility
Local 158, Rensselaer County DOT Residency Unit 0683-31/Local
676; Oneida County CA Inc. Local 729; East Williston School District
Cafeteria Local 793, and
Frankfort-Schuyler School Unit 7107-00/Local 822.

Questions concerning the summary should be directed to CSEA
Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves, C Headquarters, 143
Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210, 1-800-342-4146 or
(518) 257-1253.

Reeves

Ae LOCAL 1000 AFSCmE AR,

“SENIOR

MOST
QUALIFIED”

— Three
arbitration cases
in favor of CSEA
members who work for

Ulster County have resulted in
two promotions and a cash
settlement for one employee and
the overturning of a 20-year
practice. The promotions were
denied by management on the
grounds that the three were not
the senior most qualified
persons for the promotions they
were seeking. CSEA Labor
Relations Specialist Shayne Gallo
explained that for 20 years,
“senior most qualified” had been
limited in its application and
that until the decision, it was not
applicable to temporary or
provisional appointments. Unit
President Kevin Dumond
thanked Gallo and CSEA
Attorney Paul Bamberger for
their work on this issue... RELAY
FOR LIFE — A team of 10
members from the Schenectady
County Probation Department
recently participated in the
American Cancer Society’s Relay
For Life. Each team member
raised at least $100 and the
team held a bake sale at the
event which raised an additional
$250. Members of the Fight
Cancer Silver Club for 1999 are:
Judy Sogouan, Captain, Beth
Hathaway, co-captain, Dan
Frazier, Andrea Forst, Susan
Heigel, Robin Smith, Valerie
Boyle, Barbara Cervasio, Peter
Bojarezuk, Kevin Paisley and
Fran Ricci...PERU PETITION
HITS ROADBLOCK — A
petition by the National
Education Association to
represent 163 Peru Central
School District employees has
hit a roadblock. Apparently the
“Peru Support Staff
Association/National Education
Association of New York” does
not formally exist...

265,000 memBERS StRON™

“ly

+ WESTCHESTER
COUNTY PREZ
THANKS
COMMITTEE —
Nearly 300
Westchester County

employees and former
employees have received checks
from a committee of activists
who oversaw their distribution
after CSEA won a class action
suit on their behalf. The lawsuit,
dating back to layoffs in 1995,
resulted in checks ranging from
$200 to $20,000. Unit President
Jane Fiore thanked Juneo
Alvarado and Jim Cohen who
assisted her with notarizing the
extensive paperwork that was
required. She also credited the
following CSEA members with
helping to distribute the checks:
Lois Morgan, Jerry Irizarry, Jack
McPhillips, Richard Blackburn,
Karen Pecora, Patricia Kinnerly-
Effort, Cheryl Renee Phillips,
Ylsa Abrams, Noel De La Cruz,
Iris Rivera and Prince Andrew
Swain. “They all worked very
hard,” said Fiore, “and they
deserve all the credit we can
give them.”...PEOPLE’S BUDGET
RELEASED — A coalition of
taxpayer watchdog groups,
including the union-supported
Fiscal Policy Institute, is asking
state lawmakers to invest in
“human infrastructure” this year.
The groups want legislators to
allocate more money for
education, housing, job creation,
environmental protection and
expand health care coverage.
Increasing personal income
taxes for the wealthy and
reducing corporate tax breaks,
expanding prescription drug
coverage for seniors, among
other items, are also on the
agenda...PUBLIC TELEVISION
SUPPORT - CSEA members and
headquarters staff volunteered
recently to take phone pledges
at WMHT-TV during a telethon
broadcast of the documentary
New York.

January 2000 THE WORK FORCE Page LO

Governor Pataki /4 4 Proving
has great praise 2 @.¥%, once again
melee Me ge «that talk is

_ Work Force. ~<a ' cheap.

‘| Where’s the
fair contract for

« the best employees in America...”

Why does the Governor say such great things

about the men and women c ?

Maybe bec: when the state budget was in the RED.
CSEA members were right there, LOYAL

Working harder. Getting the job done
With fewer people, less support

Now the state budget is in the black by billions,
State officials gave themselves big raises last January.

But the Governor has turned his back on the very people he’s praising - &>.
the CSEA Work Force -- refusing to negotiate a fair contract and
ignoring the real on-the-job needs of the Work Force f=

The Work Force

CSEA actions will speak louder

and well show it in Albany Jan. $Y

ee bie ‘— ee