THE
PUBLIC
Official Publication of The Civil Service Employees Association, Local 1000, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO,
wf
A large CSEA contingent and banner leads a massive ticker tape parade up Broadway to welcome black
nationalist leader Nelson Mandela to New York City and the atattol a highly acclaimed tour of the United States.
The parade moves past CSEA's Metropolitan Region office at 11 Broadway in the background. For coverage of the
Mandela tour, see pages 9, 10 and 11.
"State employees will find more interesting information
__than ever before inside this edition of The Public Sector
LINSIDIE NEWS YOU CAN USE
A message from
CSEA President
Joe McDermott
I have always been impressed by the sense of
togetherness that I find within the membership of CSEA.
We are a very large community spread across the
Empire State. As in any large group, our personalities
and individual interests are diversified.
And yet we can, and often do, close ranks and
unite as one whenever we need to demonstrate our
commitment to each other. That's what being a family is all
about. That's what being a Union is all about.
This sense of purpose is perhaps our greatest strength.
Our community is a quarter of a million members strong, and
a long list of governors, lawmakers, legislators, mayors,
council members and administrators has felt the power of our
fury when we come together in a common cause.
Whenever I speak or write about CSEA, I try to
encourage this sense of being one. We all belong to one
Union, whether we work for the state, a county, a town or a
school district. What affects one of us affects each of us.
And yet we do have our singular interests, our group
concerns. We do have many employers, and by the very
nature of the negotiating process we have our differences.
We are covered by many different contracts, each with its
own features and benefits. Because of our great diversity it is
necessary sometimes to speak or write about issues affecting
one group of members that may be of little or no interest to
other members.
I believe we foster that sense of unity when we take the
time to listen to and try to understand issues that affect other
members, even if the issues do not apply directly to us. But I
also realize that not everyone has the time nor the patience
to spend with issues that are of little importance to them.
In every edition of The Public Sector you can find
information that is important to all of us, articles that are of
value to most of us, and some
that only a few of us may be
interested in. But each, in its own
way, can help us understand each
other better and strengthen our sense
of Union.
This edition of The Public Sector is
different. You still may not find each
article important, but you might recognize
that more articles than usual seem to spark your interest.
As an experiment for the next two issues, CSEA local
government and school district members will receive an
edition tailored to their interests, while CSEA members who
are state employees will receive an edition designed for them.
There will be common material in both editions. The purpose
is to provide more information you can use in the edition you
receive,
In doing so, we have tried not to sacrifice that special
blend of stories and information of general interest to all that
helps build and retain that important sense of Union.
This experiment is in response to those of you who have
told me that in today's faster-paced world you have little time
to spare.
I hope you do find enough time to look through this
edition. And that you'll take the time to complete and send in
the brief questionnaire below.
[eon a tina oe ae es ia eae Op ee emi Gre aun er a 1)
| | read the July 23 edition of The Public Sector and | have the following comments: H
| (1 I noticed more articles concerning my own area of interest and less coverage about t
' other areas represented by CSEA. |
I C1 | prefer it that way. | MAIL TO:
| O1 Prefer a mix of coverage about CSEA and our members, like | usually read in The Civil Service Employees Association
i Public Sector. | Communications Department
H (1 (Other:) a I 143 Washington Avenue
| ; = I Albany, New York 12210
i Name: __ !
I Address L
| | am a member of CSEA Local {|
(aie ee ee aa
f- )
The Public Sector (445010) is published every other Monday by The Civil Service _
THE Employees Association, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Publication
PUBLIC Office: 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Second Class Postage paid at
Post Office, Albany, New York. re
Address changes should be sent to: Civil Service Employees Association, Attn:
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Official publication of The Civil Service COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATES
Employees Association, Inc., Local 1000, SHERYL C. JENKS Region | RON WOFFORD Region VI
AFSCME, AFL-CIO, 143 Washington Avenue, (516) 273-2280 (716) 886-0391
Albany, New York, 12210 LILLY GIOIA. Region Il STEPHEN MADARASZ Headquarters
(212) 514-9200 (518) 434-0191
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re ublisher (914) 896-81 —
ROGER A, COLE Editor DAN CAMPBELL Region IV Jos) EGO 4
KATHLEEN DALY Associate Editor (518) 489-5424
——______ MARK M. KOTZIN . Region V arccioreue:
\__ STANLEY HORNAK Asst. Dir. of Communications (315) 451-6330 -- y
2 July 23, 1990 PUES NTRS eatin CoS It ES nee agi <a
"a
Nominations being accepted for
NYS/CSEA Achievement Awards
Nominations are now being accepted to honor outstanding
individual and group achievements under the fifth annual New York
State/Civil Service Employees
program.
Naval Affairs bargaining units,
eligible for the awards.
program was begun in 1986.
In the group category, any
improves public service.
All nominations for the aw
both the nominee's and nomini
written endorsements by both
contact:
Association Achievement Awards
Any CSEA-represented employee in the Administrative Services,
Operational Services, Institutional Services or Division of Military and
and management employees, are
More than 500 CSEA-represented and management employees
have been recipients of awards since the Achievement Awards
labor-management team or committee
of CSEA and management representatives at the statewide, regional,
agency, facility or worksite-level are eligible for consideration.
The NYS/CSEA Achievement Awards program recognizes special
achievements that enrich the quality of work life of employees and
ards must be received by the
NYS/GSEA Labor-Management Committees by Sept. 5. Winners will
be notified about Oct. 22 and awards will be presented at a luncheon
at the Empire State Plaza, Albany, on Nov. 20.
All nominations must be jointly endorsed by the appropriate CSEA
local president and management representatives.
There is no formal nominating form. Nominations must include
ator's names, titles, bargaining units,
work addresses and phone numbers. Descriptions of the individual or
committee accomplishments with specific details are required and
supporting documents should be submitted if possible. The reasons or
justification warranting recognition must be included, along with
the CSEA local president and the
appropriate management representative.
Award winners will be selected from the list of nominations by
members of the NYS/CSEA Achievement Awards Review Committee.
For additional details about the Achievement Awards program,
NYS/CSEA Labor-Management Committees
One Commerce Plaza
Suite 1117
Albany, NY 12260
Don’t delay — file now
for out-of-title pay
CSEA members stuck in the
bureaucratic nightmare of the state's
secretarial reclassification process
should keep those out-of-title pay
requests coming.
With the state Division of the Budgets
approval of the reclassifications at a
trickle, CSEA has been advising its
members for some time to file for the
out-of-title pay.
“It's clear that many of our members
are doing the Secretary 1 and 2 work
even though their reclassification hasn't
gone through," said CSEA President Joe
McDermott. ‘'So filing for the out-of-title
pay is the best way to force the state to
face reality and make sure that our
people get the pay they deserve in the
meantime."
There has been a marked increase in
the filing of out-of-title requests since
CSEA began urging its members to take
action,
If you haven't filed yet, make your
request as soon as possible because out-
of-title pay is only retroactive for 15
calender days prior to the filing of your
request.
You can get an out-of-title request
from from your personnel office. To
qualify, you must be performing the
duties of the higher paying job at least
40 percent of the time. Compare your
job duties to the Secretary 1 and 2 job
specifications.
You should also note that you
probably stand a better chance of
qualifying if your agency supported
your reclassification application.
The out-of-title process is completely
separate from the reclassification
procedure, However, under the out-of-
title process, the state must pay you the
higher salary if you're doing the work
or they must end the work. Do not list
“reclassification'’ as the remedy sought
on your out-of-title request.
If you are in fact performing the
Secretary 1 or 2 work, it strengthens
your case for reclassification.
* * *
Meanwhile, there's no word from the
court yet on CSEA's lawsuit to block the
use of the civil service examinations for
the Secretary 1 and 2 positions.
After the judge refused CSEA's
request to stop the tests altogether, the
union pressed on with the case to
prevent the tests from being used to fill
positions until all action is complete on
the reclassification process,
CSEA is awaiting a decision.
eT 23,1990: 3
Safety and Health}
CSEA
ollows
lueprint
or safer
worksites
By Stephen Madarasz
CSEA Communications Associate
CSEA's Safety and Health Department
is taking a new approach in their efforts
to protect you on the job.
The department is focusing on public
buildings’ compliance with building and
fire codes.
“It may sound like a technical issue,
but it’s an important part of
workplace safety,’’ said CSEA Director
of Occupational Safety and Health
James Corcoran. ‘‘What we're talking
about is the structural safety of your
worksite and what happens in the event
of a fire or other emergency.”
Code violations can be a matter of life
and death,
The Happy Land Social Club fire in the
Bronx earlier this year that claimed
more than 80 lives is a shocking case in
point.
While most violations are nowhere
near as severe as at Happy Land, the
incident demonstrated the potential for
tragedy when the code is ignored.
Corcoran pointed out that many of the
workplace safety problems that CSEA
encounters are the direct result of code
violations.
“Tt doesn't do much good to recognize
a code violation after someone's been
hurt,” he said. ‘‘What we're trying to do
is get ahead of the problems — to get
improvements before people suffer."
To do this, all of the CSEA safety and
health staff have been or will be trained
in code enforcement. The department is
reviewing code variance requests to be
sure they don't pose dangers and
objecting when necessary.
Coincidentally, CSEA is gaining new
help on the code enforcement in state
facilities from the state itself.
Under state law, all buildings
constructed since Jan. 1, 1984, must
meet the state's uniform fire and building
code.
Older buildings are exempt from
complying with the building code.
Joanne Curtis
ensure workplace safety.
However, they must ineet the fire safety
provisions. Additionally, any
conversion, alteration and repairs to
existing buildings must meet the codes.
At the local government level,
municipalities have the responsiblity for
enforcing code compliance within their
own boundaries, except they have no
authority over state facilities. Since the
state's uniform code was established
local governments have been required
to employ trained professionals who
certify compliance.
That has not been the case for state
government until now. State agencies
have been allowed to handle their own
enforcement of the code in their own
facilities. For example, until now they
have not even been required to obtain
building permits for construction
\projects in state facilities.
FOLLOWING THE CODE-CSEA Industrial Hygienist Joanne Curtis reviews
blueprints for five and building code compliance. CSEA is focusing on the codes to
“We really don't know how good a job
jsome agencies have done in handling
itheir responsibility,'’ Corcoran said.
“But it seems pretty clear that
‘compliance and oversight has been
‘uneven from agency to agency.
\ That changed July 1. The law now
‘requires each agency to designate
qualified code coordinators arid
managers who have a professional
obligation to certify code compliance.
“This new requirement should be a
‘big improvement in ensuring uniform
compliance,'’ he added.
“On top of that, CSEA will be
watching over their shoulders to give
our members an extra added measure of
protection.'’ CSEA members who have
concerns about any aspect of their
on-the-job safety should contact their
CSEA representative.
“lt doesn’t do much good to
recognize a code violation
after someone's been hurt’’
— GEA Director of
Occupational Safety and Health:
James Corcoran .
4 July 23, 1990 AL NEN ee Ree ce, eRe: FS
At Brooklyn DC
Project REACHes
local television
By Lilly Gioia
CSEA Communications Associate
BROOKLYN — Buoyed by their
dreams of success, CSEA members at
Brooklyn Developmental Center (BDC)
aren't camera shy when it comes to
talking about their efforts to improve
their reading skills.
They were featured on a New York
City TV program, ‘'Best Talk Show,"
highlighting area literacy efforts. The
program was aired on WPIX-TV Channel
11.
They were interviewed in BDC's
Project REACH literacy lab. So far 16
students have graduated to more
advanced training from Project REACH
(Reading, Education and Achievement),
said CSEA Local 447 President Denise
Berkley. Another 16 are now enrolled.
CSEA members at BDC's Project
REACH literacy lab spend about two
hours twice a week during work hours
in a program designed to improve skills
of basic and low-level readers.
“T've got so many dreams in life that
are waiting for me to get that piece of
Project REACH (Reading, Education
and Achievement) is a CSEA/NYS
program to help state employees
improve their literacy.
Project REACH students can get
one-on-one tutoring and English as a
second language (ESL) training. The
interactive computer classes use
special IBM software and are very
An opportunity to learn
>
popular. Employees become familiar
with computers as they learn several
skills: reading, writing and touch-
typing.
Project REACH computerized
literacy programs are available at 10
facilities across the state. A new one
is scheduled to open this month at
SUNY Stony Brook.
y
REACHING OUT — The Project REACH literacy lab at Brooklyn Developmental
Center helps employees improve their reading skills. CSEA LEAP Director Debbie
Baum, second from right, and Local 447 President Denise Berkley, second from left,
watch one of the participants work on the computerized literacy program.
Se
saa ads
HARD AT WORK, Doyle Wilson is in the
Project REACH lab to improve his
reading skills.
paper — my diploma," said power plant
helper Doyle Wilson. He has been
working in the computer/reading
program for the last year and a half.
“All it takes is determination, and I've
got that.”
Wilson now regrets dropping out of
high school.
“T know I have a lot of talent, but if
you don’t have the proper vocabulary,
you can’t talk on an intelligent level in
this day and time,’ he stressed,
Debbie Baum, director of CSEA's
Labor Education Action Program (LEAP),
visited the BDC literacy lab during the
TV videotaping session. She said some
people are reluctant to ask for help from
literacy programs.
“It's hard for many adults to admit
they can't read as well as others and
people can feel intimidated,"’ she
explained, ‘But it's obvious how
enthusiastic and uninhibited these
students are because they're not only
improving their reading skills, but
learning computer skills that will bring
them into the future more equipped for
a high tech world."
During the last state contract
negotiations, CSEA pushed hard to get
full release time for union members who
want to attend the REACH program,
Baum said.
Doyle Wilson said his REACH
experience will pay off in many ways.
He is determined that by improving his
own literacy skills, he will ‘‘instill an
appreciation for education in my boys,"
he said. I will inspire my sons and be
able to help them with their
homework,"'
Wilson finds the work a challenge and
said he is inspired by John Kennedy
Jr.'s own struggle to pass the state bar
exam.
“Kennedy smiles and says he's not
giving up and will take the test as many
times as it takes to pass. That's how I
feel about working so hard to improve
my reading and get my own diploma,”
Wilson said, ‘If Kennedy can do it, so
can I,"
July 23, 1990 5
¢
Heat stress a
Your car can overheat and break
down when it's working too hard in
intense heat, so it shouldn't be a
surprise that the same thing can happen
to your body.
In these dog days of summer, heat
stress is an on-the-job health and safety
concern that shouldn't be taken lightly.
It's a problem for workers in a variety of
different working conditions but it's
especially serious for those who work
outside under the blistering sun.
Whether it's hot or cold, there are no
safety and health standards regulating
workplace temperatures, although the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) is reviewing the
issue.
“In the absence of standards, common
sense should apply," said CSEA Director
of Occupational Safety and Health
James Corcoran. ‘If you work in hot
conditions there are some simple
precautions that should be taken to
reduce the risk of heat stress."’
* Drink plenty of water — as much
as a quart per worker, per hour. By law
water must be available at the
worksite.
* Drink water at regular intervals
whether you're thirsty or not. You may
not realize that you're losing fluid and
ot)
© :
tm" ape
job hazard
salt through sweating.
* Take frequent rest breaks in hot
conditions along with scheduling
heavier outdoor work during the cooler
parts of the day.
* Learn to recognize the signs of
dehydration, exhaustion, fainting, heat
cramps and heat stroke.
Problems associated with heat stress
range from minor discomfort such as
heat rash to more serious problems such
as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and
even heat stroke. They're caused by a
variety of factors such as temperature,
humidity, the physical condition of the
worker and the work being performed.
The more serious conditions result
when people lose body fluid and their
body can't cool itself down.
Corcoran also pointed out you should
wear a hat to protect yourself from the
direct sunlight when working out of
doors in summer. You will also stay
cooler in the sun if you wear loose,
light-colored shirts than if you strip
down, Your bare skin absorbs the sun's
heat.
While most people think of heat stress
in relation to outdoor work in the heat
of summer, it can also occur during
indoor work in hot environments such
as kitchens, laundries and power plants,
HOT,HOT,HOT — CSEA members in a
variety of jobs work in sweltering
conditions throughout the summer
months. Although most people
associate heat stress with working
outside under the hot sun, it can also
affect workers indoors in worksites
like those pictured here, Above,
stationary engineer Gordon Coughlin
sweats it out in the power plant of the
Fishkill Correctional facility. At left,
Kitchen Assistant Rose Ramp fries on
the job at Delhi Technical College.
6 July 23, 1990 URONIC R Me EN EE ee
1
AELSIG 3)
Bits Papel
af
ALBANY — While politics and budget
wrangling made this one of the more
difficult legislative sessions in recent
memory, CSEA was able to push
through a variety of important bills.
Once Gov. Mario Cuomo signs the
bills, they will benefit union members
across the state.
Retirees and their needs were high on
CSEA's legislative list this year, and it
shows in two important victories.
Mandatory Medicare Assignment
The first bill to limit what doctors can
charge Medicare patients passed both
houses of the Legislature. Once signed,
the law will take effect in January.
Under the law, doctors will be able to
charge only 15 percent above the
Medicare reasonable rate set by the
federal government. In January 1993,
they will be able to charge no more
than 10 percent ahove the reasonable
rate.
While the bill exempts some
procedures, it is an important first step
in holding dow medical costs for retirees
living on fixed incomes. Until this law,
doctors could charge Medicare patients
what they wanted to. Medicare would
reimbuse the patient based on the
A battle pays off
ALBANY — The
success of the mandatory
Medicare assignment
legislation is only one
example of how CSEA
pursues a goal to the
end.
Pictured at right is an
ad which CSEA ran last
year in The Empire
State Report, a
magazine with statewide
circulation.
While the legislation didn't succeed
in 1989, the union didn't give up its
battle for retirees facing skyrocketing
medical costs.
This year, CSEA continued the fight.
A variation of the legislation passed,
the first time doctors will be limited in
what they can charge Medicare
patients.
“We are happy to have made such
significant progress. We fought hard
for it,'’ said CSEA President Joe
McDermott. ‘Mandatory Medicare
assignment isn't a reality yet, but we
are light years ahead of last year. And
we'll keep on working for more
improvements.”
reasonable rate and the patient would
have to cover the rest.
Health benefits for school
district retirees
In recent years, school districts have
chosen to save money by cutting or
eliminating health insurance coverage
for its retired employees. Coverage can
cost retirees hundreds, even thousands
of dollars. Such changes can mean
financial devastation for those on fixed
incomes.
Worse, many elderly people may be
forced to go without health insurance.
The state Legislature passed a bill to
protect school district retirees by
requiring school districts to provide
certain levels of coverage and phasing
in increased coverage until retirees
receive the same health insurance
benefits as active employees. If retirees
already receive coverage above the
minimum levels set by the legislation,
their coverage cannot be reduced.
Loanablity
CSEA members in retirement Tiers II
and IV can now make use of their
pension contributions while still active
employees.
The Legislature passed a bill which
‘Those words ore from Joe McDermott,
President of CSEA, who, during his fst yeor
‘at the helm of our union has made the
strengthening of the CSEA “family” his top
priory ineludting retirees,
Fot more than 20 years, Medicare hos helped
provide accesible, affordable health. care: for
people age 45 and older and cerlain disabled
‘People. But that system has been undermined os the
‘eldery face Unpredictabie haat care costs that
threaten their financial security,
Medicare assignment rales ore estobiiched by the
fedieral goverment as "reasonable rates.” Yet many
doctors do nat accept those rates, charging more for
services than Medicare will cover. This leaves the
‘ekiery paying the difference.
Last year, Medicare beneficiaries in New York State:
paid nearly $300 millon in excess charges: for
meciical care. The average excess chaige per claim
was $53.47-the second-most expensive of any slate
4p the nation.
This practice of excess charges must be stopped
Physicians mus! ‘be foreed to chorge the Medicare:
assigned rate as joaid fn furl,
‘We have that opportunity,
Legislation belore the slate
Legisiature-A 3600 and 5:3818-wouk! require that
doctors heating Medicare patients accept the
Medicare rate with no excess chaiges.
CSEA fully supports this legislation.
CSEA scores legislative victories
would allow public employees in Tier III
and Tier IV to borrow against their
contributions to the retirement fund.
The loans’ interest rate will be 1
percent below the interest valuation
rate for the pension system. The loans
must be for at. least $1,000 and be
repaid withing five years. The bill, still
awaiting the Governor's signature, also
provides for direct payroll deductions.
Workers Compensation
The Legislature after much discussion
and disagreement, finally passed a law
increasing workers compensation
benefits for the first time in more than
10 years.
Once the Governor signs the bill, it
will provide for payments of up to $340
a week for total disability and $280:a
week for partial disability. The
ayments will increase again in July
1991 and 1992.
A significant victory in the legislation
is the continuance of the Dole vs. Dow
principle. Under Dole vs. Dow, injured
employees may sue the manufacturer of
equipment that played a part in their on-
the-job injury. In turn, the manufacturer
can sue the employer.
The principle has made employers
more conscious of safety in the
workplace, so they can avoid such a
lawsuit.
PESH
Another bill important to workers
strengthens the state’s Public Employee
Safety and Health (PESH) Act. The
legislation will give the state labor
commissioner and the state
Occupational Safety and Health Hazard
Abatement Board authority to set safety ©
standards for state in areas and
‘conditions that are not covered by the
federal Occupational Safety and Health
Act,
The federal law general covers
‘industrial areas, and few public
employees work in industrial conditions.
The new law will also allow the state
to set new safety standards different
from the federal law if they are needed.
That means New York can have new,
tougher standards for offices,
institutions and other places where
public employees are at work and at
risk.
And when employees beleive their
safety and health are in danger because
of a work assignment, they may request
a safety inspection. Under the bill, that
request must be given high priority and
carried out immediately.
The bill is awaiting the Governor's
signature,
pe een om ean e ree Pee CE UN eee ere 23, 1990 7
WATCHING CAREFULLY — Vito Viccaro
Sr., above, pays attention to a seminar on
trench safety. Vaccaro, who is deaf, gets
help from Rhoda Brown, left photo, who
is signing the lesson for him. Brown is
from the Central New York Association
for the Hearing Impaired.
Interpreters aid in training
By Mark M. Kotzin
CSEA Communications Associate
SYRACUSE — For physically
handicapped public employees, trying to
move up the career ladder can often be
more like going down a deep, narrow
trench with no end or help in sight.
Thanks to CSEA and New York state,
however, Vito Vaccaro Sr. can begin to
climb out of that trench safely.
Vaccaro, who is deaf, was able to get
the most possible from a trench safety
8 July 23, 1990
training seminar with a CSEA/NYS
Labor/Management Committees grant.
The grant provided for the services of
two interpreters who accompanied
Vaccaro, a laborer for the state Office
of General Services (OGS) in Rome, to
the seminar.
Vaccaro's supervisor, Jirard Brown,
who also attended the training, initiated
the grant to help Vaccaro advance his
career,
“I notified the Labor/Management
‘Lam
strong and
able. I just
can't hear.”
Vito Vaccaro Sr.
GETTING THE
MESSAGE ACROSS —
Vito Vaccaro Sr., left,
communicates with
sign language. At
right is Jirard Brown,
his supervisor.
Committee of his need for the
interpreters. Without them, the training
would have been a waste of time,”’
Brown said. ''He’s a good worker and I
wanted to do what I could to help him."
The CSEA/NYS Labor/Management
Committee oversees a variety of
technical assistance and grants programs
created through collective bargaining to
improve the quality of work life and
productivity of state employees.
As a laborer, Vaccaro sometimes
works in confined spaces, another topic
covered in the seminar. Through the
interpreters, Vaccaro conveyed his
satisfaction with the program.
“T learned a lot today,” he said. '‘The
seminar was very interesting and
enjoyable.”
Vaccaro also said he hopes he and
others with handicaps can use the
labor/management grant program in the
future for similar training and
advancement opportunities.
“Training like this can help advance
my career and at the same time help
overcome other people's perception of
my handicap,’ he explained.
Vaccaro fits in fine at the OGS Rome
facility, Brown said.
“He fits in really well at our
workplace. Where we are, verbal
communication isn't a must,’’ Brown
said, ‘I've had no problems dealing with
his handicap. I'm super satisfied with his
performance.”
Vaccaro said it's difficult to be
recognized for your abilities when all
people see is the handicap.
“Sometimes, because I am deaf, people
think I can't do the work," Vaccaro said,
“They don't realize I am strong and
able. I just can't hear.”
i —_e__loe_se ee ee ee eee
eins) |__ ea
banner helped welcome Mandela to Miami, where he
addressed delegates attending AFSCME’s International
Convention. For additional coverage of the AFSCME
convention, see pages 10 and 11.
ee
showed up again on the ballfield section at Yankee Stadium,
above, and later hung in a prominent position during the
Mandela rally at the stadium, right. A few days later the
AFSCME, LOCAL 1000, AFL-ClO
CSE vn
welcomes
Even in a sea of hundreds of
thousands of people, CSEA maintained
a strong presence throughout Nelson
Mandela's historic visit to New York
City. CSEA was highly visible
throughout ceremonies marking the
anti-apartheid leader's visit to the Big
Apple that opened his tour of the
United States.
A large red, white and blue banner
proclaiming '‘CSEA welcomes Nelson
and Winnie Mandela," carried by a
contingent of CSEA members, led a
spectacular ticker ie parade up
Broadway. The parade began near and
passed by CSEA's Metropolitan
Region office at 11 Broadway.
Later many CSEA members joined
with 80,000 people at ceremonies
honoring Mandela at the Harlem State
Office Building, and the CSEA banner
hung from Yankee Stadium during yet
aaotiee rally for the leader of the
African National Congress,
“I'm elated to be part of something
like this!"’ said CSEA Creedmoor Local
406 member Kathy Leon. ‘‘It's a once
in a lifetime experience and I'm so
proud that our CSEA local is
involved.”
“Tt makes me glad that our union
had such a big turnout for Nelson
Mandela because he deserves it all,”
said CSEA member Sharon Walker, an
employee at the Bronx Department of
Motor Vehicles office. She was among
a group of CSEA volunteers who
served as parade marshalls and
assisted with crowd control at Yankee
Stadium,
Another was Ruby Easton of the
Harlem Traffic Violations Bureau.
“I went to Africa this year and I'm
caught up in the moment,” Easton
said.
CSEA Metropolitan II Region
President George Boncoraglio put the
events into perspective.
“It's imperative that the South
African government understands the
level of disgust we have here for
apartheid,’’ Boncoraglio said. ‘Nelson
fandela is free, but he can’t vote.”
Gene Haynes, president of CSEA
Long Island Developmental Center
Local 430, marched in the ticker tape
parade and said Mandela's humility,
strength and presence was
electrifying.
“Any union member who has ever
said, ‘I am only one person, what can I
do? What kind of an impact can only
one person have?’ has only to look at
Nelson Mandela's life and message for
the answer,"’ Haynes said.
After his New York City visit
Mandela stopped in several other U.S.
cities, met with top elected leaders of
the AFL-CIO in Washington, and
addressed AFSCME's 29th
International Convention in Miami.
More than 225 CSEA delegates and
staff members attended the AFSCME
convention.
NZ
=
“It is a source of great inspiration to be received by AFSCME ... The
working masses you represent have through the years been at the
forefront of the anti-apartheid struggle in this country ... In jail and
behind the thick prison walls, we could hear, loud and clear, your
voice calling for our release ... We are here to thank you for fortifying
our fighting spirit at the time when we needed inner strength most.”
—- Nelson Mandela, addressing delegates at AFSCME’s 29th International Convention 2)
A ae ete a i! 23, 1990 9
MIAMI — For more than 200 CSEA
delegates, the AFSCME International
Convention was a combination of work,
welcomes and demonstrations.
But the highlight was an appearance
by Nelson Mandela and Winnie
Mandela, who overwhelmed the entire
3,000-member delegation.
New York City Mayor David Dinkins
also received a warm welcome,
particularly from CSEA delegates, many
of who were active in his election
campaign.
A contingent of CSEA members joined
the AFSCME demonstration to show
support for Jackson Hospital. One of the
largest public hospitals in the country, it
is in danger of being closed or sold.
The large AFSCME turnout showed
the union's commitment to public
hospitals, their employees and the
people they serve.
“The struggle for workers’
rights and the struggle for
human rights are one and
the same. That is why this
union has stood with Nelson
Mandela and the freedom
struggle in South Africa"
— AFSCME President
Gerald W. McEntee
a fee
1 0 July 23, 1990
Nise cscs ish 23, 1990 1 1
Making time
CSEA studies OCA schedule options
While CSEA supports the theory of
alternative work schedules for Office of
Court Administration (OCA) employees,
the union is withholding judgment on
the actual plan.
“We endorse the concept," said James
Hennerty, CSEA deputy director for
contract administration. ''We just want
to make sure all our members’ rights are
protected.”
CSEA called for and attended a special
OCA Labor/Management Committee
meeting to get answers on how
alternative work schedules would be
determined and how they will affect
employees, their status and their
benefits.
Under the plan, employees can take
advantage of a number of schedules,
including staggered scheduling, flexible
scheduling or flextime, compressed
workweeks, part-time positions and job
sharing.
The alternative work schedules are a
progressive idea that help employees
cope with different personal, physical
‘and family needs. But implementing the
plan will be complex, Hennerty said.
“We have to be sure employees aren't
refused alternative work schedules for
personal reasons or grudges,’’ he said.
“We also have to ensure their rights and
Alternative work
schedules are varied,
and the options for
Office of Court
Administration
(OCA) employees
will be determined
at the worksites, based on needs and
demands.
While some sites and positions may
not be able to participate, knowing
the options will be helpful to most
employees.
Staggered scheduling: The work
day schedule allows employees to
choose what time they want to arrive,
take lunch and leave work as long as
they work the required number of
hours. All employees may be required
to be on the job at certain core times.
Flextime: As in staggered
scheduling, employees choose when
they begin and end their day.
However, as long as they put in the
required hours, they may change their
Alternative schedules vary
_
schedule day to day based on their
own requirements.
Compressed workweek: While
employees are still required to
‘complete a full week's work, they
have the option of doing it in fewer
days. For example, rather than
working five days, seven hours a day,
they may chose to work for eight and
three quarter hours for four days.
Part-time employment: Employees
can chose to work part-time with
management approval. However,
employees who work less than half-
time will lose benefits.
Job sharing: Two employees who
want to work part time share the
responsibilities of one position. One
employee may work Monday, Tuesday
and half of Wednesday, while the
other employee works the remainder
of the week. Again, working less than
half time could cost employees their
health insurance benefits.
CSEA fights OCA pay lag
ALBANY — CSEA has filed a contract
grievance against the Office of Court
Administration (OCA) over plans to put
employees on a lag payroll.
Under a law passed by the state
Legislature earlier this year, all OCA
employees hired after April 1, 1983, are
to be put on a lag payroll schedule by
March 1991,
CSEA charges that the legislative
change violates the CSEA/OCA
contract clause which says neither side
“It's going to be
tough, but we're
ready to fight"
a Hennerty
aia ce ee
Ente eee OMe a OEM eer rn eee
will try to change the contract through
law.
The grievance also charges that the
lag payroll, which delays paychecks by
one pay period, reduces annual
compensation for employees.
“That's clearly a contract violation,”
said James Hennerty, CSEA deputy
director for contract administration.
“Our contract calls for employees to
make a certain amount of money. This
will change annual salaries.”
CSEA has joined a coalition of labor
unions which represent OCA employees
to help fight the pay lag. The coalition
has written the state comptroller and
OCA asking for a detailed explanation
of the law establishing the pay lag and
how it will be implemented.
While the law appears to leave some
maneuvering room, Hennerty said
appearances are deceiving.
benefits as state employees aren't |
damaged.”
CSEA represents 3,700 OCA
employees across the state. |
A big CSEA concern is health
insurance: Will an employee who
decides on sharing a full-time job title
with another person lose health
insurance?
According to OCA, no, as long as the
individual works at least half time.
Getting an alternative work schedule
requires approval from management and
forms must be filed. Because the
arrangement is dependent on
management's determination if the
schedules affect office or court
operations, it may be cancelled at any
time.
CSEA and OCA both recommend that
employees put their plan in writing and
set a trial time period. That way both
the employees and management
understand the agreement. Once the
trial time period is up, the arrangement
can be extended.
However, if needs in the office or
court change, management could
require an employee to return to the
traditional work schedule.
“With today’s world of single parents,
double income families and the
responsibilities of child care and elder
care, a workable alternative to the
traditional 9 to 5 day is invaluable to
our members,'’ Hennerty said. ‘‘CSEA
just wants to be sure this plan is
‘workable and is administered in the best
interests of our members."
“If OCA can find another way to save
$7 million, the pay lag doesn’ t have to
go into effect,'’ he said. ‘But how are
they going to do that? We aren't going
to give up any of our members’
benefits.”
CSEA and the coalition are waiting for
answers from the comptroller and OCA,
and a grievance decision.
“We're working to resolve this
situation,'' Hennerty said. ‘‘It's going to
be tough, but we're ready to fight."
“We aren't going to
give up any benefits”
—James Hennerty
ee ae
BINGHAMTON — In a flagrant
disregard for the law and the well-
being of their employees, SUNY at
Binghamton ordered an illegal
asbestos removal.
But now they're paying the price:
the state Labor Department has cited
them for violations of the law.
Last March, the university ordered
an untrained work crew to remove
800 square feet of a material
containing chrysotile transite, a form
of asbestos, from tables in the
university greenhouses. The crew
received no protective equipment and
were told that there was no danger.
The project was assigned only after
plans to hire a private licensed
contractor fell through.
“We knew there was a problem with
asbestos in the greenhouses because
the administration had discussed
bringing in the contractor with us last
fall,” said CSEA Local 648 President
Bob Goeckel.
But CSEA did not learn that the
work crew had been ordered to do the
unsafe job until it was too late.
“As soon as we got wind of what
was happening we tried to stop it, but
the damage was already done,”
Goeckel said.
CSEA then filed a complaint with
the Department of Labor (DOL) and a
safety and health grievance to get
action.
CSEA strengthened its case by
presenting the investigator with
numerous documents, from
correspondence detailing the presence
of asbestos to work orders for its
removal, all of which supported the
union's charges.
After DOL investigated, the
university was cited for three
violations: not filing the proper
paperwork, not using certified
asbestos handlers and not conducting
APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING — The corrugated material in the table
pictured here in a greenhouse of SUNY Binghamton, contains a form of asbestos.
This photo was taken before an untrained work crew was ordered to remove the
material without any protective equipment. The incident took place after plans
to hire a certified contractor fell through. CSEA's complaint to the Labor
Department led to the university being cited for breaking the law.
mandatory air monitoring.
The union also won the grievance,
ensuring that the affected employees
will receive proper medical screening.
Additionally, the university agreed to
notify the labor/management safety
and health committee before starting
any future asbestos abatement
projects.
“Tt was irresponsible that the
university put these people in
jeopardy,'' Goeckel said. ‘In 20 years
they could face serious health
problems because they couldn't refuse
this dangerous assignment.”
Health problems from asbestos
exposure, such as cancer and
Fepiiatory disease, generally take
years to become apparent.
“The university knew better and
could have acted differently,’ added
CSEA Occupational Sete a Health
Specialist John Bieger. ‘They had the
proper soup ier and certified
ns ers, Instead they chose not to use
either.”
The law
is there
fora
reason
You can also file asbestos complaints
directly with the state Department of
Labor Asbestos Control Bureaus listed |
below: |
New York City Office
One Main Street, Room 811
Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 797-7686
Albany Office
State Office Campus
Building 12, Room 216
Albany, New York 12240
(518) 457-2072
Syracuse Office
677 South Salina Street
Syracuse, New York 13202
(315) 479-3212
Buffalo Office
65 Court Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
(716) 847-7601
There's no such thing as a safe level
of exposure to asbestos and the
handling or removal of the material
should never be taken lightly.
There are laws and regulations to
protect people but they're only
effective when they are properly
followed.
There's no room for negotiation or
compromise on safety and health
issues such as asbestos handling. The
law was written as it was intended to
be applied in the field. There should
‘not be any deviation from the
appropriate procedures,
All of CSEA's Occupational Safety
and Health staffers are certified
asbestos handlers. If you have
questions or concerns about asbestos
in your worksite, contact your
regional OSH specialist.
|g tor emma JULY 23, 1990 1
|
3
pd et BE A eRe SO) SUR SELON NRG a ea SANNA die Sind ah ag bea Lcd i
Two new members have been
elected to CSEA's statewide Board of
Directors in recent elections. Gloria J.
(@ixson) Wakewood has been elected
to represent employees of the state
Executive Department on the union's
statewide Board of Directors, Maureen
Malone has been elected to represent
Region 5 Mental Hygiene employees
on the statewide Board.
Wakewood and Malone won special
elections conducted to fill vacancies
on the statewide Board.
Wakewood, from Albany, finished
ahead of Paul D’Aleo of Lindenhurst
and Netha DeGroff of Albany to win
the Executive Department seat.
Malone, from Oneida, finished
ahead of James Schaub of Utica and
Lori Nilsson of Syracuse to win the
Region 5 Mental Hygiene seat.
Wakewood, Malone
elected to union’s
Board of Directors
fa Two vying for vacant University board
seat; ballots in mail July 30, due back
CSEA Board of Directors
candidates — University
Ballots will be in the mail on July 30 to members eligible
to vote in a special election to fill a vacancy on CSEA’s
statewide Board of Directors. Being contested is a seat
representing University employees.
eeking the vacant seat are Diane Y. Lucchesi from New
Paltz and James P. Madison from Medford.
Replacement ballots for eligible members who did not
receive an original ballot will be available on and after
Aug. 6. Replacement ballots are available by contacting
Marcel Gardner at CSEA headquarters, 1-800-342-4146 or
(518) 434-0191. Deadline for return of ballots to be
considered valid is 8 a.m. Aug. 20. Ballots will be counted
that day. Both candidates were given an opportunity to
submit a brief statement and photograph for publication in
this edition of The Public Sector. Their responses are
printed on this page. Remarks are the personal statement
| of the candidate and are not to be construed as reflecting
the opinions or beliefs of The Public Sector or CSEA, Inc.
(Photo not submitted)
Non-Vo,
is Board of DE Members — Th non
lotthe & Committess = shall be the Cha; Members of
the By_re $8 established in ; trpersons of al}
place both in the Union
and SUNY. As a local
president and member
of the Statewide SUNY
L/M Committee, I am
well aware of the
difficulties facing
SUNY employees. With
your support, I can
make a difference,
Thank you.
fie, ie ansect all fu . The power ang Diane Y. Lucchesi James P. Madison
. 4nd authori Assoctation his In my fourteen years I have been a
ty with CSEA, many member of CSEA for
fol changes have taken 16 years at Stony
Brook University. I
have been President
(1975) and prceenty
I'm the Executive Vice
President. I have
served on Region I
PEOPLE Committee,
and delegate to
AFSCME convention. I
led demonstrations
against SUNY parking
of We and
ry Retirees Dividers Chatrpe * V1, Bection
T80n or Vj
tly, ce Cha:
pees SONBTITUTION. 4 smmlttee ‘person
fees, I will do my best
for SUNY.
NO BY-Laws
y,
_ Some members will be surveyed in August on caregiving
Do you care for an elderly relative in your home? In your
community? By long distance?
With the growing number of elderly among our
population, it is assumed than an increasing number of
working people are attempting to balance their work
responsibilities with their caregiving responsibilities.
CSEA, the State Office for Aging and the Governor's
Office of Employee Relations want to know if this is true for
state employees and, if so, how it is affecting their work and
their life in general.
A survey will be conducted among a cross-section of
CSEA members in late August. The survey is a thorough one
and is designed to gather a substantial amount of information.
State workers who receive survey forms will complete the
forms on work time and will be assured anonymity.
Survey forms will be sent to members at their worksites
on Aug. 27. If you receive a form, take the time to fill it out
and mail it in the postage-paid envelope. The survey is being
conducted by the Institute for Work/Family Balance at SUNY
at Buffalo,
The information gathered will be useful as CSEA
continues to address the needs of members.
1 4 July 23, 1990 a i ss
CSE
EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT FUND PRESCRIPTION
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (CSEA EBF) is a negotiated program providing drug prescription, déntal and vision care
benefits for more than 125,000 CSEA-represented employees in six statewide and more than 260 local government bargaining
units. For the benefit of the membership, The Public Sector will periodically publish information concerning the CSEA EBF.
An expansion of one of the CSEA
Employee Benefit Fund's (EBF) most
popular programs has become EBF's
newest benefit for eligible CSEA
members.
The EBF Vision Plan has expanded
the VDT glasses option to include
occupational glasses for some other
types of jobs. This newest option is
available to eligible CSEA members in
four CSEA bargaining units —
Operational Services, Institutional Ser-
vices, Administrative Services and the
Division of Military and Naval Affairs.
The VDT glass benefit was first
offered on Nov. 1, 1988, and provided
eligible Fund members with a special
pair of glasses if they spent at least
50 percent of their work day at a video
display terminal (VDT).
This new benefit offers members the
opportunity of receiving a cost-free
pair of occupational glasses if their job
requires concentrated use of their
eyes in the performance of their
work. For instance, when working at
constant reading of meters or gauges,
distance work, typing or other office
a ee Pensa TIS py ae
—— eh
mb et ihre FE nev.
_ a CON
Gap Gb? Gnd 49
DRUG
Vision Plan now includes occupational glasses
for eligible CSEA members in four state units
duties, an extra pair of glasses may be
warranted in addition to the member's
regular prescription glasses. The
occupational glass benefit still covers
VDT users, but DOES NOT cover
safety glasses.
The occupational benefit must be
obtained from a panel provider. The
necessity of occupational glasses must
be discussed by the eligible member
with the panel provider for a final
decision to be made.
The procedure is the same as it is
for the VDT glasses. The request
should be made at the time the
member gets his or her regular Vision
Plan benefit. However, special
arrangements have been made for
those members who were eligible for
the Vision benefit since Nov. 1, 1988,
but did not use the VDT benefit. They
can now have, on request, a voucher
to go back to the panel provider to
receive occupational glasses, if their
job warrants it, but must use the
voucher before Sept. 15, 1990.
Occupational glasses cost the
eligible member nothing in out-of-
pocket money. Lenses and frames
DENTAL
> CARE
VISION
CARE
must be chosen from the Plan items.
The final decision will be made by the
panel provider.
Vouchers may be obtained by
sending in a voucher request or by
calling the Vision Care staff at the
Fund office. Each voucher will include
a questionnaire which must be filled
out by the member and the doctor
who will return it with the completed
voucher,
More than 200 panel practitioners
throughout New York state accept
CSEA vouchers. Within the guidelines
of the Plan there is no co-pay and no
cost to the eligible member.
It is the aim of the CSEA Employee
Benefit Fund to provide its members
with the best possible benefits and to
keep up with innovations and
technical advances by constantly
upgrading its benefits.
Eyesight is vitally important, and
helping to preserve it is an investment
in your future.
If you have questions concerning
any benefits offered by CSEA EBF,
call EBF at 1-800-EBF-CSEA
(1-800-323-2732) or 518-463-4555,
Corean Finn and Dorothy Prince.
A CHARITABLE DONATION — Ronald McDonald
Rochester House Director Pat Fitzpatrick, third from
left, accepts a donation of food and household items
from CSEA Rochester Psychiatric Center Local 420
Women's Committee. From left are Robert Donaldson,
Karen Spotford, Fitzpatrick, Local 420 President
Geraldine Wiggins, committee Chair Lentory Johnson,
SL.
July 23, 1990 q 5
CSEA members with commercial
drivers licenses take note.
The state Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) has pushed up the
schedule for testing commercial drivers
on the new federal licensing
requirements.
As previously reported in The Public
Sector, the federal Commercial Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 required all
states to establish tougher commercial
drivers licensing and testing
requirements.
The purpose is to improve road safety
by ensuring the qualification of all
commericial motor vehicle operators.
States must meet the new requirements
and complete the testing of all
commerical drivers by April 1, 1992, or
risk losing federal highway money.
Name
CSEA Commercial Motor Vehicle Study kit order form
Legislation bringing New York into
compliance was approved by state
lawmakers this past spring. Under its
provisions, drivers with good driving
records will not have to take the road
test, but all school bus drivers and
commercial operators who operate
vehicles with a gross weight of more
than 26,000 pounds will have to take
the new written test.
The DMV estimates 550,000 people
will take the written exam. CSEA
believes 35,000 of its members are
affected.
To test that many people, DMV will
initially conduct mass testing sessions
across the state.
The testing was originally scheduled
for late fall, but now DMV has
Local
More information
you should know
* Individuals who fail the written exam may request an
ra
announced that they will begin the mass
sessions in September or October.
That means that CSEA members
should start getting ready now.
DMV will contact you directly with
information about registration, testing
dates and locations. They will also
provide a test preparation manual — a
key provision that CSEA pushed for in |
the law.
CSEA members can also get additional
help. |
A study packet including a preparation
booklet, video and audio tape is
available through CSEA'’s international |
union, AFSCME. The packet costs $16
plus shipping and handling. You can use
the order form, below left, to get your
copy. ]
1 & July 23, 1990 Se ee ee er oer e ee ee
Address.
City State Zip Code___
Phone ( )
Kits are $16 each plus $3 shipping and handling. Payment
must be included with order. Checks should be made
payable to AFSCME.
Return to:
AFSCME Education Department
1625 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
* Locals wishing to order multiple study kits can save on
the shipping and handling cost, Information has been sent
to local presidents.
alternative exam.
If you fail, you will not immediately lose your license.
You can retake the test as many times as you can schedule
it prior to the renewal of your license or April 1, 1992,
whichever comes first.
The new fee schedule is as follows:
—$48 for four years for license and $2 for photo
—$10 for each written test, $40 for the road test;
—$5 each time you take an endorsement test or tests
(during each sitting you can take as many different
endorsements as you choose).
Important
To be sure you receive the preparation manual and
test notification from DMV, it is essential that the
department has your correct mailing address.
IF YOU WANT T0 FEEL SAFE ANP EN/OY RECREATIONAL
ACTIVITIES /N N.Y. STATE THIS SUMMER, YOU NEED:
ALS
|. NEW YORK'S iB!
fg PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
ee ae
CSEA at work
for child care
ALBANY — Thousands of CSEA
members made their contribution to the
fight for better child care.
At the request of CSEA statewide
Secretary Irene Carr, more than 5,000
CSEA members sent in paper.links to be
joined to a national chain put together
by the Alliance for Better Child Care.
The chain was used to show U.S.
legislators how concerned people are
about getting better child care through
legislation.
“T want to thank all the CSEA
members who took the time to send in
their links,'’ Carr said. ‘Times are
changing, lives are changing and Ameri-
cans’ needs are changing. It's time for the
federal government to take responsibility
for the care of America's children.”
THE CSEA CHAIN in support of federal
legislation for better child care filled a
hallway in CSEA headquarters, pictured
at right. At left, statewide Secretary
Irene Carr fills a huge carton with the
links. Assisting her is Rose DiNuzzo,
associate offset printer machine operator.
Large CSEA delegation among
record number at convention
CBTU delegates ok
worker protections,
affirmative action,
South africa bans
CSEA was well represented at the
recent 19th convention of the Coalition
of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). A
delegation of about 40 CSEA members
and staff were among a record number
of delegates attending the convention.
Delegates passed resolutions on
affirmative action and the Civil Rights
Act of 1990, national health care, child
care, protection for striking workers,
plant closings, census participation,
random drug testing, workplace
standards, union organizing in the south
and sanctions against South Africa and
U.S. aid for the victims of apartheid.
AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William
Lucy, CBTU president, told delegates
that with the apparent end of the Cold
War, America must adopt a new
national security policy that is based on
economic strength rather than military
f fk
—
\ 6
ud
PART OF THE large CSEA delegation at the recent CBTU conven
preservation.
“America cannot compete effectively
in a global marketplace unless it trains,
educates and employs the core of its
future workforce — minority Americans,
who will comprise a third of the nation's
future workforce;"’ Lucy said.
security personnel.
CSEA IS WORKING TO HEAD OFF plans by the federal government to replace
-15 state Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) air base security guards
with Air National Guard security personnel at some DMNA facilities in New
York state. In photo above, CSEA Deputy Director of Contract Administration
Anthony A. Campione, center, and Assistant Contract Administrator Barbara
Skelly, left, brief Congressman Michael R. McNulty of New York's 23rd District
and ask his assistance in rescinding the plans. The state DMNA has also
appealed to the federal government to halt the planned changes in base
tion.
Key convention speakers included
New York City Mayor David Dinkins,
United Mine Workers of America
President Richard Trumka, Ken Young,
executive assistant to AFL-CIO President
Lane Kirkland; and USA Today editor
and columnist Barbara Reynolds.
CSEA trying to protect
= ope =
civilian state police r
workers facing layoffs
CSEA is pursuing every avenue |
possible to protect the rights of two
dozen State Police civilian
communication specialists targeted for |
layoff in the state budget.
CSEA is working through the
labor/management process in an effort
to find alternative employment |
opportunities for the civilian
communication specialists. Union
representatives continue to meet with
officials in the Governor's Office of
Employee Relations to find solutions.
Union officials don't think the state's
controversial early retirement incentive
program will be of any help to the two
dozen employees whose positions were
specifically ordered eliminated when th
state budget was passed recently.
“We're doing everything we can for
our members,’ said CSEA Deputy
Director of Contract Administration |
Anthony A. Campione. ‘We think it’s
foolish to have targeted these civilian
positions for elimination in the budget.
They'll probably have to pull troopers
off road patrols to do the vital work
these people do.”
The two dozen are among about 225
civilian communication specialists who
provide sophisticated support services at
State Police facilities across the state
24 hours a day, seven days.a week,
Layoff notices could go out by late
August and become effective as early a
September.or October. i
1 8 July 23,1990 cng
AT YOUR SERVICE
SETTLES
YOUR UNION
BENEFITS
The union's toll-free telephone number —
1-800-342-4146 — is your direct link to CSEA
Headquarters.
When you call the toll-free number, a
recorded message describes the choices to
put you through to the right place for the help
you need.
You need a touch-tone telephone to
complete your call without operator
assistance. If you aren't calling from a touch-
tone telephone, an operator will pick up and
complete your call at the end of the message.
If you know the extension number of the
individual that you're trying to reach, you can
press “O” plus the extension number on your
touch-tone telephone at any point during the
recorded message and be connected.
If you don’t know the extension, the
message will give you the following choices:
* For Field Operations or the Empire
Plan/Health Benefits Committee, press number
1
* For disciplinaries, grievances and other
legal matters, press number 2.
* For Communications, the Executive
Offices or Political Action, press number 3.
* If you have a question concerning dues,
membership or agency shop, CSEA group
insurance other than health or need to talk to
the Finance Department, press number 4.
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund is a
CSEA-administered trust fund which provides
certain supplemental negotiated benefits for
state employees and participating local
government employees. It currently
administers Dental Care, Vision Care,
Prescription Drug, and Package 7 Benefits
Plans.
For questions regarding any of the benefits
or for assistance with negotiations, call:
1-800-323-2732 or (518) 463-4555 or write:
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
14 Corporate Woods Boulevard
Albany, NY 12211
CSEA can help you prepare for civil service
exams with low-cost study booklets and free-
to-borrow video tapes.
CSEA also provides educational workshops
for union activists eager to learn more about
their union responsibilities.
To request booklet order forms or to obtain
information on union workshops, call CSEA
headquarters at 1-800-342-4146. For
information on videotapes, contact your CSEA
regional office.
To report unsafe or unhealthy working
conditions or serious accidents, call your
CSEA labor relations specialist. For
occupational safety and health information, call
CSEA headquarters at 1-800-342-4146.
antage Credit Card
“THE AFSCME MasterCard has one of the
lowest interest rates around — 5 percent
above the prime lending rate. There is no
annual fee.
To obtain an application form, call your
CSEA regional office.
The card is issued by the Bank of New
York. If you apply for a card and there is no
response within four weeks, call the bank toll-
free at 1-800-942-1977.
“The AFSCME Aventaga Union Privilege
Legal Service Program makes it possible for
you to easily obtain high quality, affordable
legal services for many personal legal matters.
For more details and a list of the participating
lawyers in your area, call the CSEA office in
your region.
CSEA offers several insurance programs at
low group rates and provides the convenience
of automatic payroll deduction.
These voluntary group plans include: Basic
Group Life, Supplemental Life, Income
Protection Program, Hospital Indemnity Plan,
Family Protection Plan, Auto Insurance and
Homeowners Insurance. For more details,
call 1-800-366-5273 or (518) 381-1600.
For health insurance questions concerning
Empire Plan coverage, call the appropriate
following telephone number:
EMPIRE PLAN
Blue Cross Claims 1-800-342-9815
or (518) 465-0171
Metropolitan Claims 1-800-942-4640
Participating Providers 1-800-537-0010
Empire Plan Health Call 1-800-992-1213
(Hospital admission approval/surgical review)
If you are retiring soon, it’s important that
you select the proper option from the
Employees’ Retirement system.
By using the services of a CSEA-provided
retirement counselor, you'll be able to plan for
a lifestyle in your retirement years that takes
into account your anticipated expenses.
For more information, call 1-800-366-5273.
General retirement information and retiree
membership information are available by
contacting CSEA’s Retiree Department at
CSEA Headquarters 1-800-342-4146 or (518)
434-0191.
Technical retirement benefit questions (i.e.,
eligibility for service buy-back, transfer of
membership), requests for retirement
allowance applications, and requests for
retirement estimate applications should be
directed to the New York State and Local
Retirement Systems at (518) 474-7736.
rvice
big savings, on consumer products
through the union's official discount buying
service. UBS combines the power of millions
of members to negotiate discounts on a whole
range of major name discount products.
Everything from automobiles to major
appliances, video to home furnishings and
more. The program is free to CSEA members
and carries no service charges. To place an
order or for pricing information, call
1-800-336-4UBS or 1-800-877-4UBS. UBS has
also set up a hotline for information on limited
special monthly offers available only to CSEA
members. For a listing of specials, call the
hotline at 1-203-967-2980.
a s, Disciplines
If you believe you have a grievance,
immediately contact your local grievance
representative or shop steward. If they are
unavailable, contact your CSEA Unit or Local
President, or your CSEA Labor Relations
Specialist at the appropriate regional office. Do
not delay if you believe you have a problem;
grievances must be filed on a timely basis.
CSEA REGIONAL OFFICES ¥
LONG ISLAND REGION 1 OFFICE
Hauppauge Atrium Building
300 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy.
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(516) 273-2280
(516) 435-0962
METROPOLITAN REGION 2 OFFICE
Suite 1500
11 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
(212) 514-9200
Rural Route 1
Fishkill, NY 12524
(914) 896-8180
Suite 402
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 489-5424
SOUTHERN REGION 3 OFFICE
Box 34, Old Route 9
CAPITAL REGION 4 OFFICE
1215 Western Avenue
CENTRAL REGION 5 OFFICE
6595 Kirkville Road
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 433-0050 >
WESTERN REGION 6 OFFICE
482 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 886-0391
CSEA STATEWIDE HEADQUARTERS
143 Washington Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12210
1-800-342-4146 (toll-free)
(518) 434-0191
CEO Censscrcansocsan mosis suscuneanaecmeanasosineaemoccammrncumiastemesiicccorancnmummccesran JY 23, ee | 9
SEs and
eae FEDERATED APPEAL
WE’RE WORKING WITH YOU TO HELP MAKE
YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE
“CSEA members have always been
known for their voluntary
contributions to their communities,
and giving through SEFA is one
more way we can help make our
own communities better places to
live,"' CSEA President Joe
McDermott said.
McDermott announced that CSEA
is endorsing and participating in the
1990 statewide State Employees
Federated Appeal (SEFA) campaign
to be held this Fall.
SEFA is the annual fundraising
drive that CSEA helped form many
years ago as a convenient way for
state employees to contribute to
worthwhile charities and agencies
without being solicited by individual
agencies in the workplace.
CSEA participation in the 1990
SEFA Campaign will include a top
union official as statewide labor co-
chair of the campaign, CSEA
representatives serving on the
dozens of local SEFA campaign
committees and, for the first time,
CSEA member activists serving as
loaned executives to the campaign.
“T urge CSEA members to
contribute generously to their
favorite charities in their own
communities through SEFA,"
McDermott said. ‘‘When you
designate specific charities or
agencies you know where your
contributions are going and that
they are being used in your home
area. In this way we're all working
together to help our communities.”
SEFA pledge and payroll deduction
forms will be distributed to state
workers at the start of the campaign.
McDermott urged CSEA members to
specifically designate in box number
10 on the SEFA pledge or payroll
deduction form which charities or
agencies will share in the
individual's contribution.
CSEA Executive Vice President
Danny Donohue is serving as labor
co-chair of the statewide 1990 SEFA
Campaign.
“The people who rely on help
from charitable organizations and
agencies are counting on us for the
funds that make that help available,”
Donohue said. ‘The poor, the less
fortunate, the needy all benefit
when we give generously through
SEFA. CSEA members have always
reached out to help those in need. I
know they will again."
McDermott has appointed a
committee consisting of one regional
officer from each of CSEA's six
regions to oversee the union's
participation in the SEFA Campaign.
CSEA officials wishing to serve on
any of the dozens of local area SEFA
campaigns should contact the
appropriate member on CSEA's
committee. Committee members are:
RegionI Barbara Allen (516) 234-6262
Region It Harriet Hart (212) 312-7467
Region II Rose Marcinkowski ey et
xt.
Region IV Louis Altieri (518) 356-5344
Region V Maureen Malone (315) 797-6800
Region VI Tom Warzel (716) 636-2205
And for the first time, CSEA will
nominate 15 activist members to serve
on the campaign's Loaned Executive
Panel. Some of the CSEA members
will be assigned to work full time and
the remainder will work part time on
the SEFA Campaign.
“A lot of people are depending upon
us; I know we won't let them down,”
McDermott said. ‘‘Give generously to
your favorite charities in your home
areas through SEFA.”
PLEDGE Al
ND PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR FEDERATED
2. UINENO.(5 digit)
FUND CONTRIBUTION — SEFA
T NAME
3. FIRSTNAME Ml us
1. AGENCY CODE (5 digit)
a
ndicated trom each of my salary
Vunderstans
me by written notice to you
8.5iGNATURE —————
Ty you wish to
fay gnate your gift yo
‘cular SEFA Ager Vis
hereby autneize youte ded
6, TOTHESTATE COMPTROLLER, TARO cy auring the calendat Ye3!
1d may revoke or mo%
NO AUDIT & CONTROL KEY P'
ycrthe amount | 7, pEOUCTION PER CHECK
ify this authorization at any
dollars
9. DATE
14, 50C. SECURITY NO.
NOTE |! IMPORTANT
county you work 1M, YOU
| RECEIPT-SEFA 19__
ICITOR
For Agency Use Only
} [PAYROLL DEDUCTION
\ {tdust complete nos: 19
‘optional 108 11)
0 SEFA
Deduction Per
check $
HERE
TOTAL PLEDGE (Must be filled in)
TOTAL PLEDGE (Must be filed in}
1pm 393.1 (2/90) Part One to Avait
contro!
Menrorony rom Fark one
LIST YOUR
HOME AREA
CAMPAIGN
20 July 23, 1990 US CH Saiictit CIDISE toes te
