The Public Sector, 1984 December 14

as the officers and staff of the Civil Service eee Association

Pulte.

_ Official Publication of The Civil Service Employees. Acconlaiion Local:1000,
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

AFL-CIO.

ye

> 4 Vol. 5, No. 57
0164 9949) Friday, December 14, 1984

ig specialists

pared demands to improve the contract language

ach unit. taff and the neg ig teams
° 7" :

A 1985 CSEA CALENDAR IS INSERTED
WITHIN THIS ISSUE OF THE PUBLIC SEC-
TOR. IT IS ATTRACTIVE AND VERY
SUITABLE FOR USE AT HOME OR IN THE
WORKPLACE. THIS CALENDAR COVERS

ANOTHER. CALENDAR COVERING THE
SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WILL BE

THE FIRST HALF OF 1985, AND .

AFTER 22 YEARS BEHIND A
DESK, BARBARA GRANT
MOVES BEHIND THE WHEEL

OBO Mu Nae, IN A FUTURE ISSUE.

Longtime employee honored at recognition dinner

j

By Anita Manley
CSEA Gommunications Associate

MIDDLETOWN — “A good job is like a good marriage,”’ says Joanne
Gaillie. “You compromise, compromise and compromise.”

Gaillie, a 36-year employee of Middletown Psychiatric Center, was
recently honored for her service at an Employee Recognition Dinner at the
facility.

Joanne was recruited for her job by a local priest when she was just 17
years old. “I told him I was too young and he told me that they needed me, so
I applied for the job and was hired,” she said. i‘

A young, inexperienced farmgirl frém Warwick, (about 20 miles from
Middletown), Gaillie recalls that she was assigned as one of three therapy
aides in a ward of 132 patients. ‘ g

: Patient care has come a long way since then, she says. There was no
medication in those days, she emphasizes, and each day was an adventure.

|

“My first day on the job, I saw a supervisor shielding herself from a pa-
|| tient with a mattress. Another worker hid under a bed when a patient tried
| to scratch her eyes out. You called for help by banging on the pipe and you
| hoped someone heard you and would come.”

i Gaillie also recalls the day a patient threw herself down a laundry chute

! and all the employees had to remain on the job until she was found.

i Survival was uppermost in the employees’ minds in those days. Gaillie
says she remembers buying cigarettes (out of her $32 bi-weekly pay check)
and using them to reward well-behaved patients. They, in turn, would pro-
tect the young workers,

Joanne Gaillie says she'd do it all over after 36
years of service at Middletown

Lt

JOANNE GAILLIE chats with Middletown Psychiatric Center CSEA Local i
415 President Alex Hogg recently. Gaillie was honored for 36 years of ser- |
vice at the facility during a recent employee recognition dinner program. |

Would she do it again if she had the chance to start over? “Yes, I f
would,” she replied. “After I was here about five months, I took my vacation
and looked into another job in.a shirt factory in Manhattan. I even worked
Here through my vacation, but I came back here because I loved the job

ere.”
+ The job has its rewards also. Gaillie says she always took the time to put
new patients at ease. “It was frightening for them to come here for the first
time,” she commented. One elderly patient kept in touch for years and to

“We were like family.
There was-no turnover in
those days. You always
felt like you were coming
home to your family when
you came to work.’’

Board of
Directors

this day, Gaillie receives Christmas cards from the woman’s son.

Gaillie says staff members were very supportive of each other. “We
worked together,” she remarked. “We were like family. There was no.
turnover in those days. You always felt like you were coming home to your:
family when you came to work.”

“It’s who you work with, too,” she emphasized. “Some employees really

love their work and their attitude affects those people they work with.”

A long time CSEA member, Gaillie says the union gives the employees |
the Support they need with its many programs and insurance plans. “Best of |
all,” she says, ‘attending meetings means you get to meet co-workers that |
you don’t get to see when you’re at work.”

AE AEE SSS MNT A RB TS CE ET RM CE IEREN ESERNE ES

' “Meeting highlights.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Public Sector regularly

- publishes a summary of actions taken by CSEA’s
statewide Board of Directors at the board’s official
meetings. The summary is prepared by statewide
Secretary Irene Carr for the information of union
members.

By Irene Carr
CSEA Statewide Secretary

CSEA’s statewide Board of Directors met twice
during November. At a special meeting Nov. 17, the
Board approved the union’s budget for FY 1984-85,
and the regular meeting Nov. 29 dealt with a varie-
ty of agenda items.

Acting on the report of the Directors’. Charter Com-
mittee, the Board denied the petition from Social
Services employees in New York City to separate
from Local 010 and made changes in the language
of the membership clauses relating to Judiciary
Locals.

, The Office Sites Committee reported that the clos-
ing was held Nov. 21 for CSEA’s purchase of a new
headquarters building at 143 Washington Ave. in Al-
bany. The Board also authorized renewal of a three-
year lease for the Mayville Satellite office.

Region VI submitted names of members who will
serve on its Politicdt-Action Committees; the com-
mittee covering the eastern portion of Region VI will

be chaired by Flo Tripi, and Barbara Gradzewicz
will: chair the committee covering eight western
counties.

Approving a committee recommendation, Board
members voted to raise the honoraria of the four
fulltime statewide officers. Under CSEA’s constitu-
tion, any change in an honorarium must be approved
before the election process begins for the next term
of office for the position affected, and changes do not
take effect until after the intervening election has oc-
curred. (see story, page 19).

Board members voted on the roll call as follows.
Yeas: W. McGowan, D. Donohue, G. Boncoraglio, P.
Mascioli, C. Mead, J. Moore, I. Carr, B. Fauser, J.
Weidman, J. Francis¢o, D. Farrell, R. DeSorbo, S,
Crawford, C. Egan, J. Lowery, B. Madden, B.
Collins, T. Jefferson, J. Lyons, R. Galinski, P. Hahn,
C. Guardiano, J. Gripper, R. Gripper, J. Schwartz,
R. Watkins, E. Mootry, M. Cartwright, J. Lowe, E.
Kurtik, J. Gully, J. Tobin, J. Cassidy, M. Romanelli,
J. Kelso, S. Ponkos, C. Riggall, F. Tripi, W. Zippiere,
J. Donahue, R. Spagnolo, C. Saxon, F. Dunham, W. _
Harris, A.. Lucyszyn, T. Elhage, G. Vallee, K.
Saddlemire, M. Houck, J. Lindsay, C. Green, J.
Schaff-McGuiness, M. Curtin, N. Condon, and D.
Herrig.

Page 20° '

THE'PUBLIC SECTOR; Friday; December 14,1984 #!: |

Nays: B. Skelly, J. Robak, J. Kowalski, E. Bursor,
B. Stack, G. Eldridge, H. Ryan, F’. Wilusz, B. Reeves,
E. Mulchy, W. McMahon, D. Forchilli, P. Crandall,
B. Lemon, K. Berchou, T. Connell,'D. Mayo, J.
Brower, S. Corey, M. Coggeshall, J. Kurtz, R. Allen,
E. Adams, J. Eiss, J. McAlonan, R. Canniff, R.
Draper, I. Kobbe, R. Reno, R. Kranick, L. Altieri,
E. Gray, S. Egan, D. Persons, G. Woodward, L. Cole
and D. Spacone.

Two appointments were made to Board commit-
tees. Andrew Lucyszyn was named to the Charter
Committee, and Scott Corey will serve on the Insur-
ance Committee.

The Board approved changes in the pension plan
covering CSEA staff employees in order to bring the
plan in compliance with the 1984 tax act. In other ac-
tion, the Board approved a resolution introduced by
Region II President George Boncoraglio in support
of South African unionists who are being harrassed
by authorities. Letters of support will be forwarded
to South African union leadership.

Questions by CSEA members concerning the un-
ion’s Board of Directors should be directed to that
member’s Board Representative, Local President or
to the Office of the statewide Secretary. Copies of the
Secretary’s Board minutes are mailed to all Board
Representatives and Local Presidents.

“THE SKY’S THE’ LIMIT — Airplanes
owned by a large network of corpora-
tions, including. some unions, are

- transporting cancer patients to and from
treatment centers free of charge. Called
Corporate Angel Network — CAN — this
unique service has been endorsed by
AFSCME and the AFL-CIO.

Air service a heavensend for cancer patients

WESTCHESTER COUNTY — Some very special “angels” are giving a lift
to cancer patients in New York and elsewhere.

More than 200 corporations have become involved in the Corporate Angel
Network (CAN), volunteering use of their company planes to transport cancer
patients to and from treatment facilities without charge.

Three national unions have added the services of their planes to the West-

chester County-based association, and the AFL-CIO has endorsed the program”

and recommended the service to its millions of members.

One CSEA officer who believes in the angels is Barbara Reese, president
of CSEA Local 303 at the Roswell Park Cancer Treatment Facility.

“Byentually, all cancer patients have a common problem — they want to
go home to be with their families,” said Reese. ‘Normally, there is no inexpen-
sive way to make their wish come true.

“Cancer patients are usually burdened with great financial costs as well
as with their illness,” she continued. “The cost of regular commercial flights
is usually out of sight, especially since many cancer patients can’t travel unas-
sisted, which means fares double or even triple.”

The Corporate Angel Network was formed about three years ago by a former
cancer patient from Greenwich, Ct., Priscella Blum, whose hobby is flying. She

noted that while corporate planes are usually designed to carry 10 passengers,

they most frequently carry only two. So, she asked, why not let cancer patients
fly to and from their medical treatments free of charge on underutilized cor-
porate planes?

Blum and another former cancer patient, Jay Weinberg of Pleasantville,
N.Y. sought the answer by forming CAN. With the endorsement of the Ameri-
can Cancer Society, the system grew quickly. Flights can now be arranged on
planes belonging to more than 200 companies and labor unions, including the
International Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the United Food and Com-
mercial Workers, and the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Inter-
national Union.

Both AFSCME, CSEA’s affiliate, and the AFL-CIO have endorsed CAN, and
urge member unions to make their membership aware of the value of the unique
service.

John J. McManus, assistant director of the AFL-CIO Department of Com-
munity Services, said CAN has benefits reaching beyond the free service it pro-
vides cancer patients.

“CAN provides corporations — some of which are unions — with a zero cost
means of merging business activities with expanding social responsibilities in
today’s world,” he said.

“CAN presents a unique opportunity for yolunteerism on many levels.
And CAN utilizes a heretofore not fully used resource, the corporate airplane,
and serendipitously, turns often maligned airports into good neighbors.”

Headquarters of the Corporate Angel Network is at the Westchester County
Airport, a popular base for corporate planes and now reported to be ‘‘the cor-
porate heaven of the United States.”

Patients using the service must be accompanied by a family member or aide.
Patients must be ambulatory, but crutches and wheelchairs are permitted.

Inquiries about the program can be obtained by contacting the Corporate
Angel Network at (914) 328-313.

CSEA members may also contact their AFL-CIO community service
representative through their CSEA local.

“This is the kind of program you

vice president of AFSCME.

“But if CSEA members or their
families are ever faced with this
kind of situation, it's good to know
that the service exists,” he added.

“Skyrocketing health care costs
are enough of a burden, even with
health i ance coverage,
without having to worry’ about
transportation to and from cancer
treatment centers.”

/ bane olive AV noiyehito nottiog melee edt gain

THE PUBLIC SECTOR,- Friday, December. 14..3,984

Page 3...
Official publication of ‘
The Civil Service Employees Association

Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224

The Public Sector (445010) is published every
other Friday by the Civil Service Employees
Association, 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York
12224.

Publication office, 1 Columbia Place, Albany,
New York 12207.

Second Class Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York.

MICHAEL P. MORAN — Publisher

ROGER A. COLE — Editor

TINA LINCER FIRST — Associate Editor

BRIAN K. BAKER — Assistant Editor
Address changes should be sent to Civil Ser-

vice Employees Association, The Public Sector,
33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12224.

Part of your |
Social Security
may betaxable

Protect your rights, join a CSEA

ALBANY — Retired public employees can pro-
tect their futures for just $9 — the cost of an an-
nual membership in a CSEA retirees’ local.

The union’s legislative accomplishments for
retirees have included pension increases, one
measure which allows eligible state employees
who retired before Sept. 1, 1980 to participate in
the group dental plan administered by GHI, and
another which permits them to earn up to $6,960
in parttime public employment without reductions
in pensions. ‘

But these benefits could have not have been ac-
complished without the political clout of the 50,000
people who already belong to retirees’ locals. And
it is in the special interest of retirees who have not
yet joined their ranks to do so.

Membership gives retired public employees a
voice through lobbying efforts in state govern-
ment. In addition there are a number of other
benefits including a retirees’ newsletter issued
periodically, special mailings on selected issues,
local meetings to share ideas and exchange infor-
mation, social gatherings and access to a retirees’
department staffed by professionals at CSEA

Headquarters. %
For additional information, contact the CSEA

BUT, BUT...
I'VE ALWAYS ORI VEN
THROUGH NEW YORK
WITHOUT A SEATBELT

GEFORE!?..:

FT TTT aS

aly

——

YM

Retired, disabled and survivor beneficiaries
who received Social Security payments during
1984 will receive a letter in January 1985 telling
them they may have to pay federal income tax
on up to one-half of those benefits. The tax will
apply only to those who have substantial income
in addition to their social security benefits, ac-
cording to Lewis Epstein, Social Security
manager in Albany.

But Epstein said about one person in 10 will be
required to pay a tax on part of his or her benefits.

Starting early in January 1985 and continuing
throughout the month, every person who received
any Social Security benefits in 1984 will receive a
a Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit State-
ment showing the amount of benefits paid. This
net amount is the figure used to determine
whether any benefits are subject to tax.

Also enclosed with the Form SSA-1099 will be a
worksheet form, IRS Notice 703, which can be
used to see if any benefits are taxable.

Up to half of an individual’s benefits may be sub-
ject to tax if his or her combined income — taxa-
ble income plus non-taxable interest plus one half

Retiree Department by calling (518) 434-0191. To
sign up, fill out the form below and send it with a

the Social Security benefit — exceed a base
amount. That base amount is: $25,000 if a person
files as a single taxpayer; $32,000 for a married
couple filing jointly; and $0 for a married person
filing a separate return if he or she lived with a
spouse during any part of 1984.

The amount of benefits subject to tax if com-
bined income exceeds the base amount is the
smaller of one-half of the amount over the base
amount, or one-half of the Social Security benefits.

If combined income does not exceed the base
amount, no Social Security benefits are subject to
tax, Epstein said.

People can get the answers to questions about
entries on Form-SSA-1099 by calling the toll-free
900 telephone number shown on the form. Ques-
tions about figuring either taxable income or tax-
es should be directed to the nearest Internal
Revenue Service office indicated on the back of
Notice 703.

A free publication — Publication 915 — explains
the entries on Form SSA-1099 and how to deter-
mine if benefits are taxable. Free copies can be
obtained at any Social Security or IRS office.

retirees’ local

$9 check to: CSEA, 33 Elk \St., Albany, N.Y.
12207.

NAME:

HOO) O00 BOO

Print LAST NAME above * FIRST Name

MAILING =]
ADDRESS:

initial SOCIAL SECURITY-NUMBER,

Stroet and Number City

State ZIP Code

IMPORTANT! Please Complete the Following Information:

DATE OF RETIREMENT: _

*LAST EMPLOYED BY:

© COUNTY:

o cry:

sNUMBER OF YEARS of Service:

(Please check ONE. It othor than State, give name of government you worked for.)

Q TOWN:

O VILLAGE:

© SCHOOL DISTRICT:

O RETIRED MEMBERSHIP DUES: $9.00 for period ending Sept. 30, 1985

Signature of Applicant >

APPLICATION FOR RETIREE MEMBERSHIP

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' STATE OF NEW YORK
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A.

THE CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, INC.
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO / 33 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12207

KNOW YOUR NEGOTIATORS

ANTHONY RUGGIERO Institutional Services Unit
Activism a way of life for

Stony Brook hospital attendant

A periodic profile of some of the
members of your union's
negotiating teams in the upcoming
CSEA/State contract negotiations

A couple of years ago, Anthony Ruggiero was work-
ing the night shift as a hospital attendant at University
Hospital, State University at Stony Brook, when trouble
hit. “There was an emergency in the department, and we
needed CSEA help,” he explained. “But we couldn't find
anybody from the union that night.”

Riled up, Ruggiero stuck around the next morning to
get the help he needed. “I discovered in the process that
there was a lack of activists within the local,” he said.
“There simply weren’t enough members willing to devote
their time to do the jobs that have to be done in a union.”

So, since he had been a shop steward for nine years

in his previous private sector job in JFK Airport main-
tenance, Ruggiero decided to become actively involved in
SUNY Stony Brook Local 614.

He’s been involved ever since, to the extent that
“members ask my wife how she puts up with it and they
thank her for being so understanding,” Ruggiero says.
“She knows that I’m doing an important job, doing some-
thing positive to help the people I work with,”

Eight months ago, he told his local president he was
interested in serving on the state negotiating team. “When
I got the appointnient letter, I was so excited I let out a
scream,” Ruggiero said.

“T think it’s important that some of the members of
the team be stewards and members from the grassroots
level. We're in the trenches every day. We’re the ones
who get attacked when something’s wrong. I’mon call to
ny people 24 hours a day, so I know what their problems

ANTHONY RUGGIERO ..
cited to be on negotiating team he
“Jet out a scream.”

* Fugeiero, who now also serves as secretary of his lo-
cal, is looking forward to the contract talks as a “learn-
ing process.

+ SO @X-

CO ANSE RIA ES SERVICES UNIT Negotiating
eam

Region | — Elizabeth Holt and Barbara Reynolds
Region |i — Elliot Bernstein and Ann Worthy
Region Ili — Carole Peets and Sarah Jackson
Region IV — Lee Johnson and Dann Wood

Region V — Chris Carletta and Claire McGrath
Region Vi — Sara Sievert and Dawn Lyman
Collective Bargaining Specialist Jack Conoby

CSEA’ 5) NEGOTIATING TEAMS INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES UNIT Negotiating Team

OPERATIONAL SERVICES UNIT Negotiating Team
Region | — Arthur Loving and Lou Mannellino
Region I! — Benjamin Hayes and James Wilson
Region Ili — Jack Cassidy and Richard Riley
Region IV — Milo Barlow and Leroy Holmes
Region V — Tom Ward and Chuck Eynon

Region VI — John Wallenbeck and Thomas Petrone
Collective Bargaining Specialist John Naughter

Region | — Joseph Noya and Anthony Ruggiero
Region |l — Joel Schwartz and Miguel Cruz
Region II — Jeff Howarth and Beatrice White
Region IV — Joel Falkenbury and Dominick Ruggieri
Region V — Madeline Harrison and Ruby Meyers
Region Vi — Elaine Mootry and Kathy Pontillo-Button
Collective Bargaining Specialist Jim Cooney

Changes in health insurance deductions due

State employees enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Plan
may see changes in their health insurance deductions depending upon which
option they are enrolled in.

Employees that have selected the Statewide Option (Metropolitan) will
have the following amounts deducted from their bi-weekly paychecks:

Premium changes for employees enrolled in a Health Maintenance Or-
ganization (HMO) will vary depending upon HMO option chosen. The state
will be circulating information regarding any increases.

Payroll changes will occur Dec. 26 (Administrative Payroll) and Jan. 2
(Institutional Payroll).

Individual Contract $3.54
Family Contract $13.76

The Metropolitan annual deductibles will increase from $108 to $114 (In-

dividual) and from $324 to $342 (Family).

Employees that are enrolled in GHI will not be required to contribute any

premium for either individual or family coverage.

Questions should be directed to personnel offices or to the health insur-
ance unit, state Civil Service Department (518) 457-5784.

Any premium changes for local government employees participating in
the State Health Insurance Plan will depend upon the employer/employee
split negotiated in their own collective bargaining agreement.

Pact ratified in Wappingers schools

WAPPINGERS FALLS—CSEA members in the Wappingers Cen-
tral School District have ratified a three-year contract following months
of lengthy negotiations.

According to Region III Field Representative Diane Campion, an
impasse and the filing of a number of improper practice charges con-
tributed to the difficulties during the bargaining sessions.

Campion says the 128 clerical workers will receive an 8.25 percent
» pay increase retroactive to July 1; 8 percent effective July 1, 1985 and
6 percent plus increments as of July 1, 1986.

The contract also provides for all employees to be eligible for two
Employee Benefit Fund plans on July 1, 1985, an additional week of va-
cation, family sick leave time, and increased longevity and parttime
. Fates.

Members of the negotiating team included Unit President Maryjane
MeNair, Yvonne Tompkins and Norma Condon.

APPROVED — Wappingers School District Unit President Maryjane
MeNair and Yvonne Tompkins check membership lists at a ratification
meeting at which members overwhelmingly approved a three year
contract.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984 Page 5

New job a pick-me-up it first
woman driver in Corrections Dept.

By Tina Lincer First
Associate Editor

MENANDS — After 22 years of sitting at a desk all day, Barbara Grant found
moving desks more to her liking.

So these days you’ll find her behind the wheel of a 24-foot van, transporting
furniture to offices in state agencies, counties, municipalities and schools around
New York.

“I come home from work and I’m exhausted, but I love every exhausting
minute of it,” says Grant, a member of CSEA Correctional Services Local 656.

Grant is the first woman to be hired by the Corrections Departinent in the
title of tractor-trailer operator, a grade 8 position. She works in the department’s
Division of Correctional Industries, a giant distribution center for the “Corcraft”’
furniture made by prison inmates. The center is located in the Albany County
village of Menands.

“T don’t feel any different than any other driver,” she says. “I get along
real good with the guys, and the bosses are fantastic. Believe me, it’s great.”

A resident of East Greenbush in Rensselaer County, Grant is a divorced
mother of three children ages 20, 17 and 15. From 1962 until last month, she
worked for the state Division of Criminal Justice Services as a grade 9 identifi-
cation clerk. She was a shop steward for CSEA Local 695 there and also chaired
the local’s grievance and women’s committees.

But the desk job didn’t sit well. with her.

“T was tired of being inside, I don’t like being confined. I’m an outdoors per-
son, a mover,” she said, listing fishing, camping, motercycling and hunting as
her hobbies. She said taking a cut in pay grade was worth it for what she feels
is a job that’s right up her alley. And, if she feels the urge to move again, she
can work her way up to a grade 12 double tractor-trailer operator.

“People can’t believe I would want to leave a sit-down job,” says Grant.
“For some people, that’s OK. Not for me.

“I was restless. I just wanted to get out on my own and drive a truck. I’ve
had my class 1 (tractor-trailer) license for three years.”

The daughter of a truck driver/mechanic, Grant says she always had an
interest in riding motorcycles and trucks “‘and all this crazy stuff.” But when
her kids were younger she opted for the security and predictability of an office
job.

Now that they’re older, she enjoys the unpredictability and freedom of be-
ing on the road.

“My schedule? Oh my God,” she lets out a throaty laugh. “I start at 6:30
a.m. I come in, check the boards and see where I’m heading off to. You have
a general idea of where you’re going to be, but you have to stay packed at all
times because you never know when you may have to stay overnight. So I al-
ways carry an overnight bag with me.

IN SUFFOLK COUNTY — The Three Village Central School
District in Suffolk County is another of the four participating
political subdivisions in the Local Government Pay Equity
Project. Pictured above are, from left, Education and Train-
ing Specialist Peg Wilson; Edith Wood, president of the cleri-
cal unit of the school district; statewide Secretary Irene Carr;
and Danny Donohue, Long Island Region I president. The
project is a radical departure from other studies on the issue
in that CSEA and AFSCME activists will be conducting it them-
selves in a hands-on manner, and the four carefully document-
ed case studies will be detailed in a manual.

Page 6 THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984

riven to trucker's job

ba rm

KEEP ON TRUCKING — Barbara Grant, a member of CSEA Corrections
Department Local 656, finds her new job as tractor-trailer operator a moving
experience. The first woman in that title in the agency, she says she always
longed to “‘get out on my own and drive a truck.”

“The first day I was on the job they asked me if I knew where Newark, N.Y.
was. It’s near Rochester. I went there and loaded up some chairs, the next day
I delivered them to Queens.”

Her local deliveries take her to such locations as the State Office Building
Campus, while out-of-town runs take her to every corner of the state.

“Last week I was in Queens and Nassau and Suffolk, the week before that
I was in Staten Island — how to see the state in two days,”’ she quipped.

Not only does Grant drive the truck, she loads and unloads the cargo too,
sometimes leaving it on the docks and other times moving it to the offices.

Though she says that’s a lot of heavy moving, she adds, “I haven’t felt this
physically good in years. ae.

IN DUTCHESS COUNTY — Dutchess County is one
of the four jurisdictions in the state targeted for the
Local Government Pay Equity Study to be conduct-
ed by the Center for Women in Government, part of
the State University at Albany. Funded by CSEA and
AFSCME, the study will document practices of dis-
crimination and will help to develop a manual to be
used in other political subdivisions, Pictured in pho-
to below at a recent news conference announcing the
project are members of the pay equity team and
committee. From left are Dutchess County Unit
President Mary Rich, CSEA statewide Secretary
Irene Carr, Region III President Pat Mascioli, Edu-
cation and Training Specialist Peg Wilson and
Region II] Women’s Committee Chairwoman Helen
Zocco.

Employees urged to send in pay equity surveys

By now, some 35,000 randomly selected state employees should have Comparable worth is generally regarded as one of the most important
received pay equity questionnaires which went out earlier this month. social and economic issues of the '80s, and CSEA-represented employees
The questionnaires, part of a pay equity, or comparable worth, study con- _ who have been selected to participate in the survey are urged to take the time
ducted by the Center for Women in Government, represents an attempt to to respond.
find out if there is sexual or racial discrimination:in New York state salary Because of the importance of the project, employees are being given time
structures. The project is part of the current contract between CSEA and the on the job to fill out the questionnaires. Validity of the study is based on a
state, and is being funded with $500,000 in grant money. oe high response rate.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984 Page 7

Region VI safety seminar

o4 r

LEADING THE SAFETY SEMINAR were, from left, Mitchell
Braithwaite, Region Il OSHA specialist; John Bieger, Region VI OSHA

MICHELLE KAPLAN of Cornell Universi-
ty’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations
spoke on job stress and employee burnout.

man; and James Corcoran, head of CSEA’s Safety and Health Department.

m es

ROBERT LATTIMER, right, Region VI president, is pictured with Assistant Attorney General Wade Easton,
who led a session on the Right-to-Know Law.

Employees look at ways to avoid worksite hazards

BATAVIA — Video display terminals, toxic substances and employee
burnout were among the topics discussed at the daylong seminar held
recently by the Region VI Safety and Health Committee.

Entitled ‘Issues in the Public Sector,” the seminar featured presenta-
tions by numerous safety experts and committee members. The committee
worked closely with CSEA occupational safety and health staff, directed by
James Corcoran to provide a full range of information to help improve safe-
ty in the workplace.

A filmstrip produced by the National Safety Council, ‘“Video Display Ter-
minals — the Human Factor,” was the highlight of a morning workshop ad-
dressing some of the common problems faced by operators who are exposed
to VDTs on a daily basis.

Region VI Safety and Health Committee Chairman Barry Kobrin said
that while radiation emitted from VDTs has been shown to be below federal
standards, no studies have been completed assessing the long-range health
effects.

The workshop on hazardous chemicals and toxic substances explored
some of the more common substances CSEA members are exposed to and
detailed means of personal protection.

In a session on office hazards, it was demonstrated that desk jobs can
be as dangerous as other forms of work. Participants learned how to identify
hazards, such as whether the workplace has adequate ventilation, and how
to overcome them. Such factors as understaffing and outdated equipment

Page 8 THE PUBLIC'SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984

were also discussed.

In a workshop on back injuries, Dr. Larry Birzon, a Buffalo chiroprac-
tor, showed what precautions workers can take to minimize injuries, includ-
ing proper lifting of heavy objects.

Michelle Kaplan of the New York State School of Industrial and Labor
Relations at Cornell University spoke on job stress and worker burnout, em-
phasizing the longterm dangers of unrelieved stress.

And in a session on the New York’s Right-to-Know Law, state Assistant
Attorney General Wade Easton said the failure of employers to comply with
the statute ‘‘is far greater than we think.”

The law, which has been on the books since Dec. 3, 1983, requires em-
ployers in the state to tell workers about the health effects of any toxic sub-
stances at their worksites. It also says employees routinely exposed to toxic
substances must receive training and education from the employer regard-
ing these substances. The training must take place before initial assignment
and annually thereafter.

Region VI OSHA Specialist John Bieger and Region II OSHA Specialist
Mitchell Braithwaite also conducted workshops, and Regional VI President
Robert Lattimer urged members to contact Bieger in the Region VI office
with any safety concerns they may have.

Region VI Safety and Health Committee members who participated in
the workshop included Sharon Cordaro, Harry Douglas, John Grandietz, Art
Cousineau, Tom Finger and Mark Hicks.

John Eiss feels will avoid massive layoffs.

IMPOSED SETTLEMEN

HORIZON

Members reject fact finder’s report
as legislature passes new budget

BUFFALO — Erie County CSEA Local 815 has
overwhelmingly rejected a PERB fact finder’s
report and recommendations in the year-and-a- °
half struggle for a negotiated settlement.

Meanwhile, the county Legislature, facing a
fiscal crisis that also theatened many county
jobs, passed a 1985 budget that Local President

‘We feel the legislators passed a budget that
will allow the county to maintan the services our
residents deserve and retain the jobs of our
members to provide those services,” said Hiss.

While the budget calls for eliminating more
than 400 positions, Biss said most of the cut posi-
tions are thought to be unfilled. He said a more
through analysis is being made to confirm this.

The county Legislature's budget action
climaxed weeks of intense public pressure that
included lobbying by various interest groups.

A series of ads in several local publications by -
the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce incensed
Local 815 membership by its inference that the
average county employee’s annual pay was
$32,000. In actuality, CSEA represented county
employees average less than $18,000, according
to Hiss. The ad called for deep job cuts and pay
cuts.

‘The Chamber ads sparked mobilization of a
massive information picket rmarch at a plan-
ned Chamber reception for elected area officials.

However, when plans of the march were
publicized, the Chamber abruptly called off its
planned reception.

Eiss said he had “no doubt” the Chamber was
seeking to avoid a CSEA confrontation and said
the local will decide later on whether'to march at
the Chamber’s rescheduled reception in
January.

The Erie County Medical Center, which has
been blamed for a large part of the county’s $70
million to $80 million budget deficit, should be
funded by the state as a teaching hospital, ac-
cording to Hiss.

“Every other teaching hospital in the state is
funded except this one,” said Hiss. “It would
take a big burden off the county budget.” Kiss

- and ECMC Unit President Stephen Caruana have
called for the hiring of permanent staff in the

‘The report is

out of touch with
reality.’

hospital’s billing offices to improve collection
procedures. They maintain slow collection of
“hospital debts have contributed greatly to the
county’s fiscal crisis.

Meanwhile, an imposed contract APOE to be

‘in the future for the 4,000 members of Local 815,
following rejection of ‘the fact finder’s report.

The rejection was in line with the recommen-
dation of the local’s negotiating committee and
Collective Bargaining Specialist Danny Jinks.

Jinks told Local 815 members the report,
which recommended zero wage and benefit in-
crease, was ‘‘a copy’’ of a fact finder’s report
regarding the county sheriff's unit, which i is also
at contract impasse.

Following the local’s rejection, Kiss issued a
public statement “recognizing the fiscal dif-
ficulties faring the county, ‘but condemning the
report as ‘‘out of touch with reality and leaving
much to be desired.””

“We are prepared to ‘bite the bullet’ and
forego wage increases in this fiscal year,
although they are deserved and needed by our
members,” Hiss said in the statement.

“We take this stance with the hope and expec-
tation that county and state government officials
will work together on the measures that will lead
the county back to fiscal health and integrity.

“Those measures should not include a ‘‘meat-
ax” approach that chops away the vital sevices
that would be expected by new industries and
hacia and accorded those presently residing

ere.” .

Eiss noted the county work force represented

> by CSEA has already been depleted by more than

260 job cuts and 300 early retirements this year.

“We wish to serve notice that with the accep-
tance of no wage or benefits increase this year,
we will redouble our effects for fairer compensa-
tion in the following fiscal year.”

The local’s negotiating committee members
are Gerald Prince and David Wilbur of Social
Services; Shirley Heron, Health; Barbara
Gradzewicz, Local Representative; Shari
Kambholtz, Homie and Infirmary; John David-
son, Auto Bureau; Stephen Caruana, ECMC;

» Duane Liebler, Corrections; Iris Kliszak, Erie
Community College; and Marijean Nichols,
Downtown Unit. Several members also joined
with Betsy Piette to forma Contingency Action
Committee.

Eiss said legislative hearings on an imposed
contract should begin in early January. He said
the local will aim to have a dental plan and’sum-
mer hours included in the imposed 1984 pact to
bie pig inclusion in any agreement reached for

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984

Page. 9

|The anatomy of a successful
union representation campaign

panama

By Daniel X. Campbell
CSEA Communications Associate

MENANDS — The final press release was
short and to the point: “The Civil Service Em-
ployees Association has won the right to
represent 400 private sector employees of the
McAuto Group Systems Incorporated by a vote
of 205 yes to 103 no...”

Behind those words was a long and hard cam-
paign to organize the Medicaid Management
Information System contract employees, who
work side by side with eight CSEA represent-
ed public sector employees.

It started in July when CSEA received a call
from a McAuto employee seeking information
about CSEA. The individual spoke with CSEA
Organizer Michale Sheldon, who answered a
series of questions about services, dues and

te oe UTSAET Se cna SER PSS SD I ES SR SCATTERED EN IGP MAS

A classic case
|| of sour grapes
‘| from the loser

Within 72 hours after it lost a union
_Tepresentation election to CSEA, MeAuto
Group Systems Incorporated informed the
_state’s Social Services Department that it
would not be bidding for renewal of the MMIS
contract. The present agreement runs until
Oct, 31, 1985.

“It’s a classic case-of sour grapes on the
part of McAuto,” says CSEA Region IV
Director John D. Corcoran Jr.

“The privave contractor wants to make
maxinium profit while paying his workers
minimum wages, and when the workers
stand up for their rights, the contractor de-
cides to pick up his marbles and leave,” Cor-
coran said. : .

“The work that these employees do,
however, is so important to the state that the
contract with McAuto addressed the need of
transferring the workers from one contrac-
tor to another. CSEA plans to negotiate a con-
tract with McAuto and to pass these
negotiated terms and conditions on to the
new provider, be that another contractor or
the state itself.”

Page 10°

CSEA’s structure. The phone call lead to a
meeting with the caller at a location away from
the person’s work site.

The individual represented a group of private
sector employees who work for the McAuto
Group Systems Incorporated, a division of
McDonnell Douglas. McAuto holds a $20 million
annual contract with New York State’s Social
Service Department’s MMIS department to
process and pay Medicaid claims.

About a year earlier the workers had tried un-
successfully to organize with another union.
That effort failed when that union’s tactics
turned off some of the workers and McAuto
management dissuaded many of the employees
from voting for the union by making a lot of
promises, most of which were not kept.

While researching the situation, Sheldon dis-
covered that eight CSEA public sector mem-

NLRB STAFF MEMBER Barnett L. Horowitz counts
a big majority of votes in favor of CSEA as, in back-
ground, CSEA staffers Michael Sheldon, left, and Greg
Davis watch. Sheldon and Davis were among union
staffers who worked .on the McAuto organizing
campaign.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984

bers worked at the same worksy
represented by CSEA Local 688

Sheldon made an appearance a
worksite in the Albany suburb of
large building once housed thg
Department, but has since bee:
offices for various cornpa:
cafeteria serves the needs of
including the McAuto wor!
worksite, however, was

An organizing committeg
employees was formed an:
side the secure area, whi
to make other contacts in

The National Labor Rela
a 30 percent showing of int¢
ing a union representatio!
wanted a much highter tota’
of designation cards by the
his spirits.

Ona hot August afternoon, S!
munications Associate Dan
passing out fliers informing
CSEA’s interest in their situati¢
ther to attend informational meetit
day. Some workers were taking the
reading them with great interest, but ™
were quickly throwing.them into garbage c
while scanning the windows of the buildi
probably hoping that management did not see
them with union material in their hands.
The turnout at the meetings was good, with
even a few management plants in the crowd
trying to assess employee support.

Comparing notes after the sessions, Campbell
and Sheldon designed a communications pro-
gram to educate the employees about CSE
and at the same time play up McAuto manage-
nient’s failure to keep its earlier promises.

Various issues, ranging from a very unfair
point system to control employee time and at-
tendance to managerial favoritism,, were even-
tually developed as communication tools.

Because of worksite security, Campbell and
CSEA graphic artist Ralph Distin, developed

CSEA REGIONAL DIRECTOR John
keeps his own tally of votes as bal
VY New 3-year pact in
Warwick School District

WARWICK — Non-instructional employees in the War-
wick School District will realize more than 22 percent in sa-
lary increases as a result of a recently ratified three-year
contract.

Unit President Naomi Kaplan said the smooth negotia-
tions were due to “an excellent relationship with the adminis-
tration.”

The 135 workers, members of Orange County Local 836,
will receive pay hikes of 7.2 percent retroactive to July 1;
7.5 percent as of July 1, 1985 and 7.5 percent effective July
1, 1986.

According to Region III Field Representative Felice
“Flip” Amodio, the contract also provides for a new longevity
step for 12 month employees; an additional 15 cents per hour
after 15 consecutive years of service; a clothing allowance
for food service employees and uniforms for custodians, |
maintenance and grounds workers and bus mechanics; and
out-of-title pay for those employees performing such work "= i
for at least five consecutive workdays. Gaeane. iti Warwick School District Unit President Naomi Kaplan (seated left) and

Rise Z ae arwick School Superintendent William DeGennaro, center, sign a three-year contract that

Members of the negotiating team included Virginia Carr, provides 22 percent in salary increases to 135 employees. ‘Mie eeaten Region II Field
Marge Berry, Rick Daubert, Dane Cooper, Marilyn Young- Representative “Flip” Amodio. Standing are Unit Vice President Terry Sinsabough, negotiat-
man and Regina Foley. ing team member Regina Foley and School Business Administrator Edson Travis.

~~ Many benefits for Spring Valley workers

SPRING VALLEY — Employees of this Southern Region village re- anew meal allowance schedule, an increase in stand-by pay, and for those
cently ratified a two-year contract retroactive to June 1, following ayear employees who receive a uniform allowance two additional sets of work
of negotiations. The village of Spring Valley is part of Rockland County _ clothing.

Local 844, Lindsay says village officials also approved a 20-year retirement pro-

According to Region III Field Representative Chris Lindsay, the con- _ gram with the municipality picking up 50 percent of the cost of health in-
tract provides for salary increases of 6.75 percent retroactive to June 1 _ surance for retirees.
and 7.85 percent effective June 1, 1985. Negotiating team members included Unit President Jay Garbus, Rho-

In addition, all employees are guaranteed a $400. longevity payment, da Greenberg and Lou Grausso.

WV tycar agreement )
__ for Goshen village unit

GOSHEN — Village employees here recently ratified
atwo-year contract that will boost salaries by 13 percent.

According to Region III Field Representative Felice
“Flip” Amodio, the agreement, retroactive to Jan. 1, pro-
vides for 6.5 percent pay increases each year, an increase
in clothing allowance, an additional holiday for Martin
Luther King Day, an improved dental plan, an additional
personal day and an agency shop clause.

The 20 employees, members of Orange County Local
836, are employed by the village’s public works, water and
sewer departments. :

SIGNING — Region III Field Representative “Flip” Amo-
dio shows Goshen Village Mayor Stephen Hopkins where
to sign a new contract for 20 public works employees. Seat-
ed next to the mayor is Unit Vice President Joe Dominick;
standing is Unit Treasurer Tom Reynolds. Ay,

Y Unanimous OK for Nanuet school employees contract

NANUET — A three-year contract unanimous- __ retroactive to July 1; 4 percent as of Feb. 1, 1985; Region III Field Representative Larry Natoli
ly ratified by members of the Nanuet School Dis- 7 percent effective July 1, 1985 and an additional _Said the Employee Benefit Fund’s dental and vi-
trict will provide custodial and grounds workers _7 percent effective July 1, 1986. sion plans will also be available to all fulltime

ith salary ii ses of up to $5,000 and den- an " and parttime CSEA members.
tal and inion mln: lg sa sat In addition, employees are now entitledtothree © Members of the negotiating team included An-

days of personal leave per year and an increase _ thony Dario and Rosemary Sweeney. The unit is

‘The agreement provides pay hikes of 4percent _in longevity payments for 10 year employees. part of Rockland County Local 844.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday,

December 14,1984 Page 13
fea

Rare

rf

OLIDARITY CENTER

INFORMATION OF INTEREST

TO UNION MEMBERS

AND FRIENDS OF LABOR

it

*

a Bt “ Me
> LOOK For THE UNION LABEi AT CHRISTMasTiME 1

UNION LABEL AND SERVICE TRADES DEPARTMENT AFL-CIO #

sure it’s not a Schwinn

Four years ago, after a tough organizing drive, the
UAW won a strong first contract for 1,300 workers
at Schwinn’s Chicago plant. Wages went up from a
bare minimum. Workers won the right to a pension.

Suddenly, Schwinn began shipping work to non-
union sites in Taiwan, Japan, and Tennessee. It
closed its Chicago plant for good this spring.
Though it recently coughed up $28,000 for back
grievances, it refuses to give its former employees
the severance and vacation pay it owes them:

Schwinn bicycles used to be hand-crafted; now

they're assembled by workers on a starvation wage,

and owner Eddie Schwinn is raking in the profits.
He still peddles bicycles under the
Schwinn label—but we don't need to
pedal them, too. Along with
Schwinn exercise equipment, they re
being boycotted by the UAW and th
AFL-CIO,

Have a nice Holiday!

If you buy your kids a bicycle this Christmas, make

Don’t Buy!

UNION LABEL AND SERVICE TRADES DEPARTMENT, AFL-CIO +aifRow

AMERICAN IS BEAUTIFUL

Buy American... and look for the Union Label

UNION LABEL AND SERVICE TRADES DEPARTMENT, AFL-CIO

<S

Page 14

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984

Rockland choral group entertains

POMONA — Rockland County Health Center employees have been giving
up their lunch hours to rehearse a newly formed choral group for a holiday con-
cert for patients of the county infirmary.

Group organizer Pat Quinn, a former shop steward from Rockland County
Local 844, said she volunteered to bring the group together because she is in- @
terested in the activities program at the facility,

Quinn said she hopes to keep her singers entertaining throughout the year.
The first concert was held Dec. 10 when the group took part in the annual Christ-
mas tree lighting ceremony.

MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE — Members of a newly organized choral group,
left, at the Rockland County Health Center are, seated from left, Sylvia Wein-

er, Harriet Patt with the guitar, and Barbara Tew. Standing from left are Ter-

ry Bowman, Mary Princi, Florence Sadowsky, Audrey Migliaccio, Charlene
Rodriguez, Joanne Wysocki, Anna Cohen and Pat Quinn. Also in the group, but ®
not present for this photo are Diane Watson, Joan Toner, Joan Howard, Donna
Stephens, Kathy Clark, Sonia Garcia and Jocelyn Lewy.

TOWER TALK — Tim Henehan, president of Binghamton State
Employees Local 002, is pictured at a recent CSEA meeting to discuss
progress of the cleanup and proposed plan for re-occupying the
Binghamton State Office Building. The 18-story tower has been closed

since February, 1981, when an accident in the electric system

chemically contaminated the building.

Maintenance position unfairly filled, arbitrator rules

WHITE PLAINS — The Westchester County Department of Personnel

Fear, doubt surround

plans to re-occupy
state office building

EDITOR’S NOTE: As reported in the previous edition of The Public Sector,
CSEA has been carefully monitoring the cleanup operations at the con-
taminated Binghamton State Office Building: CSEA has taken the firm com-
mitment to the more than 700 state workers who may eventually be asked to
return to work in the building that the union will not allow any one to re-enter
until CSEA’s own consulting firm declares the work environment in the
building to be within acceptable and recognized standards. The workers
themselves, at this point, continue to express doubt and fear about the prospect
of Liukin to the building, as this account of a recent meeting in Binghamton
confirms.

BINGHAMTON — Nearly four years after a fire in the mechanical room of |
the Binghamton State Office Building sent toxic soot throughout the 18-story tow- |
er, state employees continue to express distrust, fear and objections to reoccupy- |
ing the building at some future date. f

CSEA, which represents approximately 40 percent of the building’s 700 wor- |)
kers, recently conducted a meeting in downtown Binghamton to discuss progress ©
of the cleanup and state proposal for reoccupancy of the building, now terectediy f
for next year.

Tim Henehan, president of CSEA Binghamton State Employees Local 002 said, |
“We felt it was important to update state employees regarding progress of the | |
cleanup, dispel some of the rumors that continue to arise, and reaffirm the union’s |
position of final approval from impartial experts before any reoccupation of the J
building.”

Even though it will cost $25 million or more to clean the tower in downtown
Binghamton, Henehan said 75 to 90 percent of the employees he polled do not want |
to return to the building.

“How will we know it is really safe?” asked one employee. |

“Who can we believe?” another remarked. |

The majority of concerns from employees surround the uncertainty of the |
cleanup job that has continued for nearly four years following the accident. Some |
state employees question the credibility of state officials who say it will be ‘‘safe’
to return to the building.

“It’s the people who don’t have to go back into the building who are saying | i
it’s safe to return,” another employee said. }

Henehan and other Local 002 officials at the meeting doubted the state would |)
re-open the building by fall 1985. They indicated the realistic target date might be |
two years away.

“Our task is twofold,’”’ Henehan explained. “CSEA’s primary concerns are for
adequate, safe working conditions at our present work locations. And to continue ©
to monitor the downtown cleanup process. If and when we are asked to return to |
the tower, it will be with the assurance that it has been approved for occupancy [|
by a CSEA-approved panel of experts. That is the firm policy of Local 002, Region |)
V and CSEA statewide.” |

Ser eee

mae

i

job, Arbitrator David Stein ruled that the county “arbitrarily and

must repost a job opening that was filled last April as a result of a recent ar-
bitration decision.

According to CSEA Attorney Arthur Grae, 11 county employees who ap-
plied for a job opening as a senior maintenance mechanic III were not con-
sidered for the position. Instead, an outsider with inferior qualifications
was.

Following testimony by the department head, in which he admitted that
the appointee did not possess the wastewater experience required for the

discriminatorily applied stricter eligibility standards to its employees than
it did to the outsider that it eventually appointed.

In addition, Stein emphasized, the department heads’ disqualification of
seven of the applicants who were employed in lower grades “‘was not the
result of a seriqus.evaluation.”

“This disparate treatment inescapably leads to the conclusion that the
county did not give its employees a ‘’good faith’ first consideration for the
senior maintenance mechanic III position,” Stein concluded.

Staff

and analysis.

LEAP program coordinator sought

ALBANY — CSEA/LEAP, the Labor Education Ac-
tion Program, is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as
program coordinator of its adult education program.

Responsibilities include program development and
operations, selection of instructors, and program review.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with three

years experience in adult education, curricula, teacher su-
pervision or program design. Master’s degree may be sub-
stituted for one year’s experience.

Valid driver’s license and car for business use is also
required.

Submit resumes by Dec. 24 to Personnel Office, P.O.
Box 7125, Capital Station, Albany, N.Y. 12224.

Page 15

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984

y enter boom

1( eS £s

WILTON — The 21st State Employee Child Day Care Center — Country
View — opened at the Wilton Developmental Center here recently.

5 The modern facility, created in space which formerly housed facility of-
fices, can take care of 25 children at present and has room for expansion to
provide care for an additional 10 children. F

“This is an example of the good that can be accomplished when labor
and management work together to address a problem,” Wilton Developmental
Center Local 416 President Fran Wilusz said at the center’s dedication.

Molly Hardy, executive director of Empire State Day Care Services, noted
that 25 more day care facilities will be opening throughout the state during
the coming months. Most of that number will be located at State University
campus sites.

| ‘ } é
| AT THE OPENING — Country View Director Debbie Cianca, Wilton Develop- RIBBON RIPPING — Instead of cutting a ribbon, children, top, ran through
mental Center President Fran Wilusz with son Michael, and CSEA Capital a brightly colored streamer officially opening the new facility. Bottom, a

Region Director John D. Corcoran get together at the opening of the new Wil- movie captures the imaginations of a group of students at the center,
» ton child care facility.

a Children’s
center
at CDPC
holds opening

The Carol A. Dunigan
Children’s Day Center at
CDPC, Albany, recently
held its grand opening
celebration. The bright,
roomy facility which
cares for nearly 50 stu-
dents was named in
honor of a former CSEA
CDPC Local 692 member
and MHTA who died last
year from cancer. On
hand at the opening were
Capital Region President
C. Alan Mead, center
Director Kathleen Shee-
hy and Hank Wagner, a
member of CSEA and
the center’s board of
directors.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14,1984

Page 16
‘Tax simplification’ plan threatens.

The Treasury Department’s “tax simplifica-
tion” proposal is unfair to workers and short-
changes the nation’s needs, AFL-CIO President
Lane Kirkland charged.

employee benefits, Kirkland charges

It wouldn’t do anything to reduce the federal °

deficit because the proposed tax increases and:
decreases balance out. But in the reshuffle, many
workers would end up paying more in taxes even
though tax rates would be reduced and personal
exemptions raised. eer es
Kirkland pointed to the proposed taxation of
“important fringe benefits” provided by em-
ployers. J
Besides the taxation of health insurance benefits
above minimal levels, which President Reagan
proposed last year, the Treasury proposal calls for
taxing workers on the value of employer-provided
life insurance, education benefits and group legal
services. :
Low-income persons would be taxed for the first
time on their unemployment benefits and injured
workers would have to pay taxes on workers’ com-
pensation. For those who itemize deductions, state
and local taxes would no longer be deductions
from taxable income and neither would most
charitable contributions and union dues.
Single-parent households and families where
both parents are employed would no longer
receive a tax credit for child care expenses. But

an affluent couple with one income would be able “

to put aside $5,000 a year of tax-exempt savings
into an IRA (individual retirement account). Un-
der present law, the maximum would be $2,250.

Small contributors to political campaigns or po-
litical funds such as COPE would no longer be
eligible for a tax credit.

On the business side, the corporate tax rate
would be dropped but a variety of tax changes —
including some loophole closings urged by the
AFL-CIO — would result in-higher total tax pay-
ments from the corporate sector.

The corporate reforms will be targets of heavy
industry lobbying, and the political consensus was
that it would take active presidential support to
get them enacted.

But the White House quickly put a long arm’s
length between President Reagan and Treasury
Secretary Donald T. Reagan, the principal
author of the tax package.

The president had. directed the Treasury to
come up with a “revenue-neutral’’ tax package,
stressing ‘‘simplification” of the tax code.

When the package was formally unveiled, after
its principal provisions had already been widely
reported, the White House issued a statement
from the president saying he realized the proposal
would “generate much debate.” Reagan promised

WE UNDERSTAND YOU
HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE
AND UNEMPLOYMENT

that he would “‘personally”’ review the plan and
consider public and congressional reaction before
proposing any legislation to Congress.

The reaction from influential members of Con-
gress from both parties was markedly unen-
thusiastic.

Arestructuring of the tax system “‘will demand
enormous political leadership from-the White
House,” House Ways & Means Committee Chair-
man Dan Rostenkowski said.

“The deficit is probably our most urgent priori-

ty,” the newly-elected Senate Republican leader, 2

Bob Dole, said.

There was a consensus that the final version of
any tax simplication legislation that cleared Con-
gress and became law would differ. significantly
from the original Treasury proposal. As AFL-CIO
Research Director Rudy Oswald saw it, any
changes made by the White House as a result of
adverse reaction would more likely result in
restoring loopholes for business rather than elimi-
nation of inequities for workers.

On the plus side, Oswald said, the Treasury
report did tilt — although not very strongly —
against a value-added tax or some other form of
a national sales tax. Such a tax is inherently
regressive, the report acknowledged, and its ‘‘con-
siderable advantages” would have to be weighed.
against “serious disadvantages.”

The Treasury proposal also takes steps in what

-— Political contributions also targeted by tax proposal —

GENEFITS...

the AFL-CIO considers the right direction by
amending the depreciation and investment credits
for business enacted in 1981 — in all, transferring
more than $30 billion in tax load from individual
to corporate income taxes.

The White House, meanwhile, adopted a com-
parable trial’balloon-approach in the shaping of
the budget that Reagan will send to Congress in
January,

Reagan has insisted that spending cuts — ex-
empting the two biggest components of the budg-
et, military spending and social security — are the
heart of his plans for deficit reduction.

Along those lines, Budget Director David Stock-
man has submitted to the president a target list
of programs that would have to be drastically cut
or entirely eliminated in order to reduce a project-
ed $200 billion dollar deficit in the next fiscal year
to $100 billion.

Details were not officially released, but ad-
ministration officials have been quoted as term-
ing the cutbacks “draconian.” Government
retirement programs, student loans, veterans
benefits and farm supports are reportedly among
the administration’s chief targets.

After Stockman’s presentation, according to
White House press aide Larry Speakes, Reagan
said he would make no immediate decisions and
would ‘‘think more about it.”

The Treasury Department’s ‘‘tax simplification”’ proposals would af-
fect both public funding of presidential campaigns and individual con-
tributions to candidates and political committees.

Taxpayers now can claim a tax credit of 50 percent of political contri-
butions, up to a maximum credit of $50 on an individual’s tax return or
$100 on a joint return. Thus a person who contributes $100 to a candidate
for Congress or to a political action committee such as COPE can get what
amounts to a $50 rebate on income tax.

That tax credit would be eliminated under the Treasury Dept. recom-
mendations.

The Treasury also is proposing to eliminate the option that taxpayers
have of allocating $1 of their tax payments to provide public funding of
presidential campaigns,

The money that is built up through this fund is available in presiden-
tial election years for federal matching funds in primary campaigns and
for full funding of presidential elections for candidates who agree not to
use any other funds for their campaigns,

Thus far, the fund built up through the income tax checkoff has been
adequate under the funding formula established by Congress. If it fell short,
available amounts would be pro-rated among the candidates.

The question immediately arose as to whether the proposal to drop the
checkoff represented an administration attempt to eliminate public fund-
ing of presidential campaigns. Encouraging that view is the fact that Presi-
dent Reagan has several times indicated his dislike of public funding and
has not checked the campaign funding box on his own tax return. He has,
however, accepted public funding for both his 1980 and 1984 election cam-
paigns.

Ahigh Treasury Department official told the AFL-CIO News that the
proposal was not a move to eliminate public funding of presidential cam-
paigns. He said the Treasury view was that the mechanism for providing
funds should not be a part of the tax collection system and that Congress,
if it wished to continue public funding, should provide a difficult means of
allocating the money.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December, |4,,.1984

Page 17
chairs
telethon
for
Negro
fund

Among organized labor’s
proudest. achievements is its
historic role as a champion of
the right of all Americans to
education, and that philosophy
translates into direct action in
the AFL-CIO’s long support of
the United Negro College Fund.

* This year, AFL-CIO President
Lane Kirkland, with the en-
dorsement of the federation’s
Executive Council, is serving as
UNCF’s labor chairman for its
nationwide fund-raising telethon
to be broadcast in nearly 100 ci-
ties on Dec. 29. :

The telethon, “Lou Rawls Parade
of Stars,” is in its fifth year, and it
is the first national telethon ever
devoted to raising money for educa-
tion. The 12-hour show will begin at
noon.

Kirkland, in agreeing to lead this
year’s support effort by the AFL-
CIO and its affiliates, stressed the

while building a just and prosperous
future. ‘

“The black colleges were founded
a century ago on such dreams of a
bright, free future, and they con-
tinue today i pany Sie t a
young people for knowledge an
progress,” Kirkland said.

Many of the schools that comprise
the United Negro College Fund are
‘in extreme financial difficulty, Kirk-
land observed in a letter to unionists
urging support of the fund,

“Tf these institutions cease to ex-
ist, we will be denying countless

Kirkland

Photo by Dwight Carter

LABOR JOINS
THE LOU RAWLS

‘Ou, too, can be a star for
‘ewe the
ot teers «plese Fund,
ion that he 4
Promising students pron 43/000

nts pursue hi
education at 49 wre
ri
ally Back cones 2 rivate historic-

The Lou Rawls Para,
air in most
ber 29 froy

* Volunteer to
the live telec
donor calls, recor

, ding pled:
and computing tallies. =

help out during
‘ast by answering

* Hosta viewing pa
ig Party for mem.
bers and their families darn
the telecast. 5

hee your taxcleductible con,

bution and help deservin,
“young People secure a top
Quality college education,
They need you,

For more inform,
ation about h
You can help, call toll-free:
Lou Rawls Parade of Stars
1-800-527-5999

United Negro College Fund
ane Kirkland, Labor Chairman

“A mind isa terrible thing to waste”
FOI Ok

Ss

numbers of black youngsters the
equality of opportunity so vital to
their futures and to the future of our
nation,” he said. _

Kirkland said the AFL-CIO, in- _

cluding its Education, Civil Rights
and Community Services Depart-
ments, will be playing a ‘significant
role” in UNCF’s programs “in keep-
ing. with the federation’s long-
standing commitment to higher edu-
cation and the need to provide up-
ward mobility for all of our youth.”

The 42 private, predominantly
black colleges of the United Negro
College Fund enroll some 45,000 stu-
dents annually. Although they make

up less than 4. percent of American .

colleges, they enroll 35 percent of all
black students attending four-year
colleges and universities.

Many UNCF colleges are well
over a century old, founded in the
mid-1850s or after the Civil War to
feed the hunger of young black
Americans for education and’a bet-
ter life, Students at UNCF schools

se

say they choose to attend them be-

cause they offer high academic
standards, small classes and in-
dividualized attention and a unique

_ environment available only at a

predominantly black college.

Lower tuition is also an attraction,

since the cost of attending a UNCF
school is about two-thirds less than
at comparable private colleges na-
tionally. Most students at UNCF
schools are the children of low-
income families who can provide lit-

. tle or no financial help. The UNCF

reports that 90 percent of all stu-
dents in its affiliated colleges need
scholarships and loans.

Under its famous motto, “A mind
is a terrible thing to waste,” the fund
has raised more than $350 million
for its member institutions since its
founding in 1944.

The UNCF relies on contributions
from business, labor, foundations,
civic.and other organizations, stu-

dents ‘and other individuals. The
ea erica das Paella
porter.

Among the graduates of UNCF
colleges have been Martin Luther _
King, Jr., Olympic champion Edwin
Moses, Metropolitan Opera soprano
Leontyne Price, singer Lionel Ritch-
ie, Mayors Andrew Young of Atlan-
ta and Ernest Morial of New
Orleans and the late Gen. Chappie
James, first black four-star gener-
al in the Air Force.

The ‘Parade of Stars” telethon
Dec, 29 will be hosted for the fifth
year by singer Lou Rawls, who
helped begin it. More than 50 nation-
ally known, popular performers are
scheduled to appear during the
12-hour broadcast that starts at
noon.

OSWEGO — For more than 150 Oswego County blue collar-unit members,
the New Year will begin with a new two-year contract calling for pay increases
each year, plus other important benefits.

The unit, part of CSEA Oswego County Local 838, recently ratified the
agreement by an overwhelming margin.

Roger Kane, CSEA collective bargaining specialist and chief negotiator
for the unit, released terms of the pact effective Jan. 1, 1985.

They include an increase of 50 cents per hour, plus an increment step
where due, each year of contract; a new 25-year longevity step; full uniform
payment for mechanics; tool allowance of 75 dollars per year; an employee
dental plan; improved vacation benefits; and a seven-day notice prior to any
permanent work schedule changes.

Commenting on the new contract, Kane said, ‘The fact that unit members
voted overwhelming to ratify speaks for their general satisfaction with the
agreement. We think it offers some good improvements and new benefits the
employees can certainly use and enjoy.”

Kane also expressed his appreciation for the help and support of Fred
Potter, unit president, and the other members of his negotiating committee.
They include Larry Archibee, Brett Galvin, Steve Wilber, Hank Mattot and
Mark Bailey.

$5 exam fee waived
for ASU, ISU and
OSU employees only

ALBANY — CSEA has issued a reminder that the $5 filing fee for Civil
Service open competitive examinations is waived only for employees of the
une Administrative, Institutional and Operational Services bargaining
units, *

Waiver of the $5 application fee was negotiated by CSEA in the last
round of bargaining. Under the 1982-85 contracts for the three bargaining
units, the fee is assumed by CWEP — the joint labor-management
Committee on the Work Environment and Productivity.
auvene else taking an open competitive examination is required to pay

le fee.

A computer check verifies an applicant’s eligibility for the waiver.
Otherwise, Civil Service will not verify the test score until the $5 fee is paid
by the applicant.

brocrvcmence name nS NU IC

Judiciary locals revamped to better fit bargaining units

CSEA’s judiciary locals have been restructured
by the Board of Directors in a move to bring the
locals’ membership more in line with the bargain-
ing units representing them.

In general, judiciary locals will now include all
Unified Court System employees represented by
CSEA, but will exclude Court of Claims employees
who will be represented within the State Division
of Criminal Justice Services Local 695.

“There was a great need to reassign these judi-
cial employees into their 6wn locals on a more uni-
form basis,”’ explained Director of Field Services a
Paul Burch. “Office of Court Administration em-
ployees have their own bargaining unit, and
negotiate separately from the other state em-
ployees we represent. This restructuring is in line
with our basic CSEA philosophy, and should im-
prove our ability to represent these members,”

At its November meeting, the Board approved
new membership clauses for Region I Judiciary
Local 330, Region III Judiciary Local 332, Region
V Judiciary Local 334, Region VI Judiciary Local
335, and Westchester State Judiciary Employees
Local 336. Unified Court System employees
represented by CSEA in Region II will continue
to be members of Local 010, which will soon be
providing the judiciary employees their own unit.

Honoraria hikes for statewide officers OK'd by board

ALBANY—CSEA’s statewide Board of Directors
has approved increases in the honoraria of the
union’s four statewide officers, to take effect July 1,
1985. Under CSEA’s constitution, any changes in the
honoraria must be approved before the election
process begins and cannot take effect until an
intervening election has been completed.

The Board's action followed the recommendations -

of a seven- member committee which had studied the
honorarium structure. The committee’s report took

into consideration the current salary structure for
the four offices, increased duties and responsibilities

of the positions, and comparisons with salaries of _

other labor leaders.

The committee concluded that the current salar-
ies are under par compared with those of leaders of
labor organizations representing sizeable member-
ships, and-that the salaries should be brought up to
arespectable level commensurate with responsibil-
ne of each position and then frozen to maintain sta-

ility.

The approved honorarium structure will be as

follows.

$82,000; and 1987, $86,000; Executive Vice President:

President: effective July 1, 1985, $78,000; 1986,

effective July 1, 1985, $52,000; 1986, $59,000; and 1987,

$66,000; Secretary: effective July 1, 1985, $37,000;

1986, $41,500; and 1987, $46,000; Treasurer: same as

Secretary.

(See Meeting Highlights, page 2, for more
information.) ‘

AUBURN — Night shift employees at the Cayuga County Nursing Home
have been awarded a pay adjustment to reflect a differential of 10 percent of
their base rate following a recent arbitration decision. te

Officials of the CSEA Cayuga County Local 806 unit were informed that
the award not only covers the rate of pay for time worked, but will
compensate for vacation, personal leave, sick leave and compensatory time
—all retroactive 60 days prior to filing of the initial grievance.

CSEA unit representatives filed the grievance in June after Cayuga
County paying night shift employees a differential of 50 cents per hour only
for hours worked. The grievance was moved through the three step
procedure to eventual arbitration through the CSEA Legal Assistance
Program.

During arbitration, CSEA Regional Attorney Earl Boyle contended that
under terms of the existing collective bargaining agreement the 10 percent
night shift differential should apply to all employees in the bargaining unit,
including employees at the Cayuga County Nursing Home, which opened in
April. 7

CSEA further argued that the county violated the contract when it paid
anight shift differential for time worked, but did not pay the differential for

Union wins pay differential for
Cayuga Co. Nursing Home workers

vacation, personal leave, sick leave and compensatory time, as was the
practice with other night shift employees in the bargaining unit.

‘The union offered testimony of county employees other than those at the
nursing home that in the past 10 years the county had included the night shift
differential as. part of paid time off for those regularly scheduled to work
between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m.

.Unit President Michael Pisciotti also testified that the union never
waived the application of the contract with respect to the new employees in
the bargaining unit at the nursing home. And no requests for change in the
contract language had been discussed during negotiations for a successor
agreement. :

In his decision, the arbitrator concluded that the ynilateral change of
pay policy on the part of Cayuga County was inappropriate and ruled that
salaries of nursing home employees shall be adjusted to reflect a night shift
differential of 10 percent of their base rate of pay and adjusted to also
include the night shift differential in the rate of pay for vacation, personal
leave, sick leave and compensatory time.”

In a comment following the award announcement, Pisciotti said, “we
are extremely pleased with the arbitrator’s decision.” He also expressed
thanks to Boyle for his excellent presentation of facts and legal asistance.””

THE PUBLIC SECTOR. .Fridey, December 14, 1984 Page 19
Bl tease wobls fo or

4 pgp) RD Sti Boy yy

HOTT IO SIEM RS SE WANT AE ATER SEAT NONE NURS A OER 25 FS ESTES

is NT: YAR NS IT ATE AIL Tk,

ERTIES 2

...@ year of challenge and

—

opportunity for CSEA.. ."

eR

RS

A MESSAGE FROM CSEA PRESIDENT WILLIAM L. McGOWAN

1985 will be a year of challenge and op-
portunity for CSEA and its members. This
is our 75th anniversary year. A time to look
back and celebrate the union’s achieve-
ments, but also a time to look forward and
plan for new challenges.

Negotiations with New York State have
begun. This winter we will be negotiating

the three contracts that determine the sa-
lary and working conditions for half of our
membership. We are ready. We have ex-
cellent negotiating teams, our staff and
AFSCME’s staff are preparing the
information we need, and we bring ex-
perience and expertise to the bargaining ta-
ble. Even so, these negotiations will not be

Page 20

THE PUBLIC SECTOR, Friday, December 14, 1984

easy. We will be facing a new governor and
a new chief negotiator for the state. It will
take determination and hard work to win
a fair contract.

I spoke with many of you at meetings
around the state and discussed these con-
tract talks. I have looked at the contract de-
mands that others have sent to
headquarters. Wages, health insurance and
job security seem to be the issues on most
people’s minds. We will work hard to come
out of these talks with a good centract in
each of these areas.

In the area of local government, 1985 will
also be a year of challenge and opportuni-
ty. This year we will work hard to increase
our membership strength in local govern-
ment. A union with solid membership sup-
port is a strong union.

Many local governments will face hard
times and will try to balance budgets on the
backs of our members. I want to make sure
that we are strong enough in those units to
negotiate from a position of strength and

, win good contracts for all of the local

government workers we represent.

In this issue of The Public Sector is the
first half of a calendar that celebrates some
of the union’s accomplishments. I hope you
will put it up in your workplace and take
a moment to reflect on how many things
that we take for granted are really hard
won union victories.

The holiday season is upon us. I hope that
each of you and your families enjoy this sea-
son of celebration and happiness. And I
wish you a very happy and peaceful year

_in 1985.