The Work Force, 1998 December

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION CSERs Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

LOCAL 1000 Af Lm
AFL-CIO

America
works

better

when
workers
have a

AFL-C1O ice

Today's Unions

CSEA special Board
election results

Four candidates qualified in the special election to fill vacant
seats on the CSEA statewide Board of Directors. Since there were
no challengers, the following candidates were automatically elect-
ed:

Joseph Cormier qualified for the seat representing Franklin
County.

Robert Plunkett qualified for the seat representing Rensselaer
County.

Eugene Benson qualified for the seat representing Sullivan
County.

Lamont Wade qualified for the seat representing Mental Hygiene
(Region 2).

No candidates qualified for the vacant Board seats from:

Chenango County

Schuyler County

Joan Reardon dies
of injuries
sustained on the job

HEMPSTEAD — CSEA lost a
valued member, the community
lost a dedicated public servant
and her family lost a wonderful
woman recently when a terrible
accident took the life of Joan
Reardon.

Reardon, a neighborhood aide
in the CSEA Village of Hempstead
Unit was killed from injuries
sustained when she was hit by a
contractor’s school bus while
crossing children.

“She had just finished crossing
a group of children and had
turned to cross more when a
school bus hit her,” said CSEA
Nassau County Municipal

Photo
of the
month

By Mark Kotzin

President Danny Donohue has good news for CSEA
members. The free $2,000 term life insurance
benefit that CSEA offered all actively working CSEA
members last year has been extended for another
year.

Certificates for the $2,000 life insurance program,
accompanied by a personal letter from Donohue, are
going out to all eligible members. It’s great coverage
to have, and a great start on covering your life
insurance needs. But CSEA is doing even more to
make sure that you have ALL the coverage you need
— easily and economically.

March 1999.

Special offer for a limited time

CSEA, working with Jardine Group Services and application

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, is now offering

all actively working CSEA members the opportunity information.

Good news about CSEA free life insurance

to purchase $25,000 of term life coverage without
answering any medical questions.

Already have CSEA security life coverage?

Actively working members with coverage can
increase to $25,000 — also without answering any
medical questions — and increase all the way to
$50,000 by answering only 2 simple questions.

Don't miss out. These offers are available only until

Contact your Jardines Sales representative for
more information. Watch your mail in early January
for your own personal insurance offer and

Call Jardines at 1-800-929-6656 for more |

Employees Local President John
Shepherd.

“Joan was rushed to the
hospital where she died two
days later,” said Shepherd.

“lve known Joan personally
for 28 years. In addition to being
my union member she was my
neighbor growing up and still
lived next door to my mother.
She was a wonderful person and
never said no to any request for
help,” said Shepherd.

Reardon was given a full police
funeral including a motorcade
and bagpipes. The Mayor gave
her a tribute.

Reardon, a widow, is survived
by five children and 10
grandchildren.

Pree a THE WORK FORCE 1998

December
CSEA gets out the vote...

and it counts!

CSEA members’ hard work to get out the vote across the state paid off
on Election Day with victories in several major races for CSEA-endorsed
candidates.

From Gov. George Pataki and Comptroller H. Carl McCall on down,
candidates backed by the CSEA and
the union’s hard-working campaign
volunteers got our help in staffing
phone banks, offering campaign
assistance or pounding the
pavement with campaign
material.

“I'm proud of the job our
members did in helping the
CSEA-backed candidates
ride to victory. But our
work is not done,” CSEA
President Danny Donohue
said.

“Now it’s time for our
members across the state to hold their elected leaders’ feet to the fire to make sure they follow
through on the campaign promises we felt were important enough to fight for.”

The two biggest statewide victories for CSEA-
backed hopefuls were Gov. Pataki and
Comptroller McCall, and their convincing wins show State Comptroller H.
how effective a CSEA endorsement can be. Carl McCall gets support
While 18 percent of Americans live in from CSEA leaders Karen
households where at least one member belongs Jazvinski and Georgianna
to a union, Election Day surveys revealed 24 Natale at a pre-election
percent of voters nationally came from
union households, a large
leap from 1994’s 14
percent.
Instead of
focusing on
television
spots, Labor
put its
muscle and
money behind
leaflets, phone Mn
banks and c A R Wy
coordinators. v iS

Across New York state, there were
many local legislative races where a 1
our members put in long hours for Me
candidates and the efforts paid off. ‘\

Jono,

Congressional

candidate John Sweeney,
right, came to thank CSEA
Capital Region leaders for
their support on the eve of
the election. Sweeney was
elected.

Ngee

December 1998 THE WORK FORCE Page 3

In general, the votes cast across the state \ .
reaffirm that voters chose the candidates and NA
not the party. By Lou Hmieleski oa

\ coh tt
KS

ISSN 1522-1091

Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President

STEPHEN A. MADARASZ
Communications Director & Publisher
STANLEY HORNAK
Asst. Director of Communications
LOU HMIELESKI, Assistant Editor
CATHLEEN HORTON
Graphic Design & Support Services
RALPH DISTIN, Graphic Artist
JANICE NUSBAUM.
Communications Production Coordinator
BETH McINTYRE
Communications Secretary

The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.

Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York 12288.

Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York
12210.

CSEA on-line: The CSEA web site
can be accessed at www.cseainc.org

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

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES

SHERYL C. JENKS Long Island Region
(516) 462-0030
Metropolitan Region
(212) 406-2156

ANITA MANLEY Southern Region
(914) 831-1000

DAN CAMPBELL, Capital Region
(518) 785-4400

MARK M. KOTZIN Central Region
(315) 433-0050

RON WOFFORD. /estern Region
(716) 886-0391

ED MOLITOR Headquarters
(518) 257-1272

The Committee

LONG ISEAND REGION John C. Shepherd
>METROPOLITAN REGION vacant
SOUTHERN REGION Diane Hewitt

CAPITAL REGION, Marguerite Stanley
CENTRAL REGION Bruce Damatt, Chair
WESTERN REGION James V. Kurtz

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THE WORK FORCE

In Touch with the

CSEA President Dann

WorkK FORCE

he one word that best expresses what CSEA is
all about is empowerment.

Our power as a union comes from you, the
member. But a strong union also empowers you. A better
and more effective CSEA depends on all our members understanding this fact
and acting on it.

It’s too easy for workers today to feel powerless. It’s easy to complain
about corporate greed, insensitive employers, self-serving politicians, dead-
end career paths and the like. It’s quite another thing to do something about
it.

Through your union, you do have the power to make change. You can
make a difference in your union, in your worksite, in your community. It’s up
to you to make the effort:

Vote — it’s your right and should never be taken for granted. What’s
more, contact people in elected office to tell them what you need and want
and hold them accountable.

Get involved — when you don't like something in your worksite,
make your voice heard for fairness and respect. Help your union get results
by building support with your co-workers.

Give a damn — It does matter when unionized workers stand
together. When employers oppose workers’ right to organize, whether in
America or the Third World, your wages and job security are undermined.

The goal for a better CSEA is to achieve a greater balance between
building the power (organizing our members within our locals & units and
organizing unorganized workers); representing the power (negotiating and
enforcing contracts and protecting the rights of CSEA members); and
wielding the power (working the political environment to ensure that our
voice is heard).

As great as CSEA is, we can and must do better. But the officers,
leaders and staff cannot do it alone. All of us have to make a commitment to

stand up and be counted. a

December 1998

Training is key to safety

SYRACUSE — CSEA members working in Probation across Central New
York recently gathered for a first-of-its-kind workshop sponsored by the
Central Region Probation Committee to provide training for their specialized
needs as law enforcement workers. Among the training topics were
Personal Safety in the Field and Office, Partnering with the Community,
and Working in a Paperless Job. The CSEA training was authorized by the
state Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives to qualify as
continuing education credits for participating probation officers.

"Probation workers are increasingly placed in dangerous if not life threatening
situations," said Central Region President Jim Moore. "Training programs like
this one are essential to the safety of these front line employees."

Here are some comments from participants about some of the issues they face.

Probation Officer and Firearms Instructor
Gene Cross, Onondaga County Local:

“A probation officer's job is primarily to be
an advocate, to help the person to meet the
"| conditions of their probation. For example, get
them into treatment, obtain education and
employment, and test for drug and alcohol use.
If despite everything, things go bad, you try and
stop the decline and arrest the problem. If that
fails, you switch from being an advocate to
being an adversary, with your job being to act
to protect the community.”

Probation Officer and Statewide Probation
Committee Chair Jim Volpone,
Monroe County Local:

“Our main challenge is that we’ve become
more involved in law enforcement. We're going
out more evenings and weekends, our caseload
numbers go up, and our clients become more
difficult. We need to force our administrations
to acknowledge that and provide us with the
tools to do our jobs, like training in defense
techniques, safety equipment and more
manageable caseload sizes.”

Probation Officer Kathy Kelly,
Madison County Local:

“I work with a mixed caseload, some youthful
offenders. I guess my biggest concern is not
being able to really have alternatives for some
of these youths, other than incarceration. With
the 16-20 year age group, you don’t want to
stick them in jail, especially if the problem is
drug or alcohol related. It’s a hard age —
there's really nowhere to refer them . It would
be nice to have community programs for this
age group. The training is a good idea. It brings
your awareness up.

GSEA REPRESENTS

15 .
200 WORKERS IN THIS <<

The trouble with 9-1-1

CSEA 9-1-1 operators help save lives, catch
criminals and deliver babies. They also take the
heat for delays, mistakes or bad service.

CSEA is working to address a range of 9-1-1
issues across the state.

“We started with one phone on a desk and a
telephone book. Now we have three different
computers and three different key boards,” said
Jeanettte Newman, president of the Erie County
Unit Local’s Downtown Section. Operators now
work from 720 data bases covering 27 dispatch
points.

In Rensselaer County, patronage is one bug
affecting service, Unit President David Connell Jr.
said.

A non-CSEA 9-1-1 instructor recently was

: charged with a misdemeanor and fined after

claiming to be in the field teaching senior citizens
and school children proper 9-1-1 protocol. Officials
found the politically appointed instructor instead
was traveling with his carnival in the South.

“We still don’t have a real 9-1-1 worker out in the
community rebuilding our image, Connell said,
which has caused other problems for operators.

Meanwhile, technology sometimes proves to be
a good and an evil for 9-1-1 dispatchers. Cellular
telephones increase the public’s ability to report
emergencies, but 9-1-1 operators can’t trace back
hang-ups.

“We need a way to have the cell phone calls
register the location on our computers the way
land lines do,” said CSEA Nassau County Police
Civilian Unit President Lillian Neumar.

Adding to dispatchers’ work are non-emergency
numbers established to relieve the 9-1-1 operators
from the flood of new calls. In many cases, the
same dispatchers handle the non-emergency calls,
which sometimes complicates the job.

There are 9-1-1 success stories as well, where
municipalities have provided CSEA members the
support and training they need to do a more
effective job. The Work Force will continue to
report on these varied issues in future editions.

— Daniel X, Campbell

December 1998 THE WORK FORCE Page 5

CSEA REPRESENTS

ra

0p, a
“200 WoRKERS ww THIS WO

POUGHKEEPSIE — “A final slap in the
face” was how one Dutchess County
Infirmary employee described a recent
action by county lawmakers who voted for
a wholesale layoff of workers just three
weeks before the facility was due to close.
County officials were in the midst of
negotiating the impact of the closing with
CSEA,

Although many of the residents of the
infirmary have already been

Dutchess County Infirmary layoffs

A final slap
in the face

transferred to other facilities,
approximately 20 residents remain. County
officials say they will hire back
approximately 46 employees to care for
them until the facility closes after
Thanksgiving.

Legislators defended their actions saying
that it was “part of the process,” but CSEA
Southern Region President Carmine

DiBattista disagreed, accusing elected
officials of derailing the
negotiations process.
“You're trying to use
this as a lever,” he
said.
DiBattista pointed
out that the entire
process has been a
sham.
“First they
locked out
employees from
discussions about
the fate of the
infirmary,” he
said, “They
railroaded
proposals to
close the
infirmary
through the
legislature without
public hearings

Nid

Ida Walker, left, was one of 62 devastated former residents of the
Dutchess County Infirmary forced to move by Dutchess County
lawmakers. Physical therapy aide and CSEA Shop Steward
Maureen Simons, right, is one of 80 dedicated, devoted and
devastated CSEA members to be laid off by those same lawmakers.

Every year the CSEA Work Force helps 2 million
people lead longer, healthier lives. Nurses, aides,

technicians, office and maintenance workers — more
than 60,000 CSEA health care employees working .

hard, caring for people’s lives.

and in spite of deafening opposition from
the public.”

“The legislative majority, under the
leadership of Woody Klose, spoke out of
one side of their mouth, saying they cared
for employees and then voted to mistreat
them.”

Infirmary activist Maureen Simons said
she expected layoffs but was surprised by
the actions of the legislators.

“We thought it would be gradual,” she
told a reporter. “We didn’t think everybody
would be canned in one day.”

Unit President Liz Piraino said forming a
strong political coalition is a priority for
the new year.

She described lawmakers’ actions as
arrogant.

“They withheld this information,” she
said. “They had the information the day
before the final negotiating session and
they deliberately and with malice withheld
the information to use it as a strong-arm
tactic against the leadership of the union.”

“This is a time that all members and
CSEA as an organization have to be
together to support the leadership and
support each other to stop this blatant
disregard for the life and security of the
people of Dutchess County.”

— Anita Manley

“They’re wonderful to me.
That’s home to me. I don’t
like the idea of moving
because they’re so good to

me there.”

— Ida Walker, former resident

THE WORK FORCE

Page 6

December

1998

Impact of welfare reform
is focus of nationwide study

The voice of New York will be heard in
Washington, D.C. as CSEA members
working in social services take part in a
nationwide study on the impact of
welfare reform.

AFSCME is conducting the study to find
out about problems that are occurring as
a result of welfare reform and share
information with other states about how
New York is dealing with the chaos
created by the new law. CSEA members at
across section of social service agencies
will have an opportunity to share their
concerns about the changes taking place
in their workplaces as a result of welfare
reform, especially in the areas of
welfare/welfare-to-work, Medicaid and
food stamps.

Many states are experiencing
significant decreases in their Medicaid
and food stamp enrollment since welfare
reform was enacted last year. AFSCME
hopes to find out whether and to what
extent workers in New York are
experiencing any program or
administrative changes that could be

Workers real stars
of school tax
relief program

MINEOLA—The phones never stop
ringing and the mail makes Santa’s
bundles look small at the Nassau County
Department of Assessment ever since the
inception of the STAR program.

The STAR program (School Tax Relief)
is being implemented initially for
homeowners age 65 and older whose
income is $65,000 or less. The savings will
eventually apply to every homeowner
regardless of age or income.

“In Nassau County we have 415,000
parcels. Some of them are commercial
property but the majority are
homeowners.

“We are receiving four to five thousand
applications in a single day, especially
now that we are getting close to the
December 31st deadline,” CSEA
Assessment Unit President Jim Davis said.

“We couldn't ask for better CSEA
members or better teamwork. We all
pitch in and pick up the extra work and

leading to these or other unintended
consequences.

Information provided by CSEA
members will be passed on to the federal
Department of Health and Human
Services, which has asked AFSCME to
document specific problems employees
are experiencing at the worksite level.
The information will also be used by
Washington, D.C. based advocacy groups
that are working in coalition to address
welfare implementation issues.

“Lot’s of attention has been paid to the
big changes for welfare recipients, but the
real work of implementing these changes
falls on us,” said CSEA Social Services
Committee member Bob Cauldwell of
Nassau County.

“We think it’s important for the people
in Washington to see what the impact is
of the legislation they’ve enacted — on
clients and workers,” added CSEA Social
Services Committee member Marcia
Olszewski of Erie County.

— Ed Molitor

CSEA Assessment Unit President Jim
Davis shows some of the thousands of
STAR applications received each day.

all the divisions chip in to help each

other. We do the very best with the tools

we have,” said Davis.
e — Sheryl C. Jenks

GSEA REPRESENTS

ICial 3 STAY ic

Administr nativ

SERVICES
4

ae
7.000 Workers IN THIS NOY®

CSEA is one of the largest social services
and administrative services unions in New
York state, representing more than 50, 000
workers in these industries.

CSEA represents various job titles in
social service agencies throughout the
state. For example, our members are
caseworkers, social welfare examiners,
support investigators, community service
representatives, case supervisors and
more. Our members in countless
administrative, secretarial and clerical titles
keep things running smoothly in thousands
of offices throughout New York.

CSEA is committed to meeting the special
needs of our members in these industries.
For example:

CSEA‘s Social Services Committee meets
several times each year to discuss the
issues and concerns facing social service
workers and make recommendations to
CSEA’s president.

Social service workers have the often
unpleasant task of carrying out policy
decisions made by others. Whether in the
office or in the field, safety is a constant
concern, and CSEA continues to push for a
worksite security standard to protect these
front line employees.

CSEA led the fight for real welfare reform
in New York state, including important
safeguards against contracting out social
service jobs.

Our administrative services members are
predominantly female, and CSEA has won
breakthrough achievements in many areas,
including:

* pay equity; °

* negotiatied day care benefits; “’

* dependent care accounts;

“career mobility programs; |

* non-discrimination protections; and
* health insurance flexibility.

‘These improvements have ‘befi¢fitted! ~!
workers in these industries andi many <

more working families. snsic

Heo
Wt

December 1998 THE WORK FORCE page'd’

It’ s Snow Time

_ New York state averages. 100 inches of sidntait on ‘its : ose REPRESENTS
110,000 miles of highways. As winter bears down on us, the é
familiar’ site of snowplows will not be far behind. meg
staffed by CSEA members who work for the state’s . Ma ana gen
Transportation or local highway departments. They work = Mainten
long hours in a job that is difficult at best. Keep th anus i raStruc

ps in'mind to help make theirjobs safer: ===
~ Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and — a 00 vornens IN THIS rg wou?
snowplowing equipment. - es
- The roadway behind a plowing tiniek is ustatly in anne: :
better shape than the road in front. Patiently following the
truck may be much safer than passing. —
~ Leave plenty of time to reach your destination.
- Be prepared. Check tires,
antifreeze and windshield washer
fluid. Keep a flashlight, snow brush,
| jumper cables, extra coat,
gloves, hat, boots and
blanket in the car.
'— Bridges usually freeze
before roads.
‘Brake gently. Gentle —
y pressure is better
‘pumping.
This winter,

let’s all do our part

to be safe while

CSEA plow operators

are on the job.

Tips provided courtesy of
New York State Department of Transportation.

PPT THE WORK FORCE December 1998

SEA REPRESENTS

55, Seg ae
200 WoRKERS in THIS NOY?

Editors Note: Thanks to CSEA SUNY
Health Science Center Refrigerator Mechanic
and Local Executive Vice President Patrick
Sauter, the CSEA local has a great new way
to reach out to it’s members — through the
Internet! (www.csea615.org). Here, in his own
words, is how and why Sauter got the local
“online.”

SYRACUSE — “I took some computer
programming classes after buying my first
computer a few years ago. That’s when I got
interested in them. | started building my
own systems about a year ago. Then I
wound up fooling around with a Web page
of my own.

I realized that it’s a great way to spread
information around and more and more of
our members are getting access to the
World Wide Web. I thought we should get a
presence in place so that we could make
information available to our members and
be there for them when they come
looking.

A lot of employees have access
and I think it’s important to have
a presence so that we can be
available to them. People have
really liked seeing it online —
we've gotten a lot of

“Hi, and welcome to the CSEA Local 615 home page. We're a union of
over a thousand New York State civil servants proud to serve our
community here at the SUNY Health Science Center and University
Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Our members are involved in every aspect of the
day-to-day activity here on campus. We greet you with a smile at the front
door and help you find your way to one of our many clinics, your loved
one’s hospital room, one of our diagnostic facilities, our medical library, or
another of the many destinations within some 15 campus buildings and 3
million square feet.

We're the LPN's, Health Aides, EKG Technicians, and other trained,
certified, and state-approved healthcare workers who ensure that you and
your family receive the highest quality of care available in Central New
York. We keep the water flowing (and the trash from overflowing), and the
lights shining. We see to it that there’s heat on even the coldest of
Syracuse winter nights, and we keep things cool through the dog:days of
summer. CSEA employees keep the hospital environment clean and the
operating room equipment sterilized; we make sure each floor stays
stocked with clean linen, and the sidewalks stay free of ice and snow. It’s
our members who guide you through the bureaucracy of today’s healthcare
system.

The SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse and University Hospital
work because we work. We're proud of what we do here. We're proud of
our community, and we're committed to providing Central New York with
quality service throughout the coming millennium.”

csea.on.line

positive comments from

our members. It has not

only given them a place to

look up information, but I

think it has also given them a

sense of pride. | think a lot of people

don’t realize the diversity in our ranks.
We're a great example of the broad
spectrum of jobs that are out there, and it’s
great to be able to showcase that.

I think it’s also a great recruiting tool and
public relations type of thing. I'd like to see
all the Locals get online. It’s not expensive,
and I'd be willing to help anybody out —
just send me some e-mail.”

Patrick Sauter can be reached by e-mail at
pjsauter@ a6 15.org

Visit CSEA’s Web site at: www.cseainc.org

WEBMASTER — SUNY Health Science
Center Local Executive Vice President

message for the Web page appears above.

Patrick Sauter and the Web page he
designed for the local. The welcome

December 1998 THE WORK FORCE

Page 9

ow would you like to make a difference on

behalf of working people? Want to help

empower workers? Can you help working
people find their voice in the workplace at a time
when the national labor movement is growing
stronger daily? Want to be involved in CSEA’s
toughest job?

As a CSEA organizer, you have the chance to
bring all CSEA has to offer to public and private
sector workers who now have no union protection.
Activists who have become organizers say it’s the
most rewarding job they’ve done. Up to the the
challenge? Not sure? Here’s what four organizers
have to say about the job.

Will Streeter

“| like organizing. It’s
different. You meet new
people and you get to see
the fruits of your labor
when you're done creating CSEA

Activists
Use Talent

Enth

PP THE WORK FORCE

a viable bargaining unit.”
“The challenge is
getting the workers to take
the step.”
Also, to “outguess,
outthink management on
the other side. You have to

Organizer
Will Streeter,
right, goes
over an Se
organizing {es
chart with j
Town of
DeWitt /

‘omaayazmo eHART

December

learn to think outside the
box, to be creative”

“Figuring out new
ways to overcome fear is a challenge. You can’t just
throw down a copy of the law.” While intimidation
tactics by management may be illegal, a legal
challenge to a dismissal could take years.

“Being fearful is not going to help other
workers form unions. It’s not an easy job, it’s not 9-5
or 8-4, whatever.”

Robert M. Bradshaw Jr.

“I took the plunge because | believe in the
mission, | believe what we stand for. | wasn’t around
for the Civil Rights movement but damn, I'm going to
be around for the labor movement.”

“America is in trouble. The working class is in

1998

worker John
Rathbun. / | \ |

treeter joined

CSEA in 1983 as a

custodian at SUNY
Cortland, following 13
years’ membership in
Local 314 International
Leather Goods, Plastics
and Novelty Workers
while at the Wilson
Sporting Goods plant.
Streeter began work on
his bachelor’s degree
in labor relations at
SUNY Cortland in 1985,
graduating in 1989
11th of 1,200 while still
working nights full-
time. His wife and
father are retiree
members, and his
father served as
president of CSEA’s
Cortland County Local.

radshaw was an

active member

for six years
while working at the
West Seneca
Developmental Center,
He is credited with
nine years service to
the local, three of
which he earned while
serving in the Army as
a postal officer for
Central and South
America, rising to Ist
lieutenant. A 1986
SUNY Buffalo graduate
with a management
degree, he entered the
Army in 1987.

trouble and I want to make a difference.”

Bradshaw’s eyes were opened to union
strength after he returned to his Buffalo
Psychiatric Center job after an Army
combat tour in Panama, only to find his job was cut. CSEA got him a
transfer to the West Seneca Developmental Center. “I saw how
strong the union can be to defend you.”

“Organizing is a different animal and it’s not for everyone,
but if you believe in the cause, it is definitely a worthwhile, exciting
challenge.”

“No two days are alike. | would say if you are serious about
union activism, then this is the place to be.”

Surprises? “The reluctance of management and the fear of
people.”

“I've always been the type of person that if you believe in
something and you stand for a cause, you stand for it.”

“] feel like I’m James Bond coming in the night to hit ‘em with
the union. Before they know it, it’s too late — the people have
spoken!”

Phoebe L. Mackey

“Personally, it
seemed like a natural
evolution ... | had worked
in the Mental Hygiene
Central Office — for years
we talked about organizing
co-workers who were laid
off or went into the private
sector because of
closings.”

Organizer
Seminars

Want to get involved? Hear

all about the rewards and
challenges of organizing?
i set for Dec. 2, ¢
interested

organizing all state employees.” Mackey
became “awfully depressed thinking of going
back to my job and doing the same old
thing.”

“| think if (activists) were somewhat
interested but not quite sure they wanted to
organize full time, then come work with us
full time on a campaign. That way they can
find out if it’s for them.”

“You want to be able to make a
difference. You want to be able to protect
the work force and the only way to do that
now is to organize.”

Dec. 3

Central Region. Offic
6595 Kirkville Rd

East Syracuse, NY 13057,

Dec. 4

- Southern Region Office
735 State Route 52
Beacon, NY 108,

Mary Bryant

“I believe people in the work force
today need to know what's going on.”

“I enjoy what I
do, sometimes I don’t
enjoy what I do.”

The challenges
are “employers,
obstacles to get
around people,

Dec. 9 gh ¥
Capital Region Office

1 Lear Jet Lane, Suite 2
Latham, NY 12110

Joining CSEA Organizing’/
Member Relations Director
Diane Campion will be
Director of Human ;
Resources Kathleen Cahalan
and organizers from the

fighting with regions,
mansecmenty Anyone interested in
Like other

| attending should call thé”
CSRA Human Resource:

Department for tines

| seminars will be hele.
(518) 257-1000, ext, 1
1-800-342-4146, ext. 1209),

organizers, Bryant’s
activist eyes opened
after her employment was jeopardized.

“The job I had was privatized and I
got laid off. Of course, that angered me.”
That feistiness remains apparent as Bryant
describes the importance of organizing. 3

“I think it’s a responsibility as union activists to bring the *-

union to the working people and educate them on what's going on.” 2

“I get frustrated sometimes trying to make people
understand why it’s important.”

Bryant said she regrets not keeping a journal of her

“With President
Donohue coming in, that
seemed to change. The focus

was to organizing. | worked on

an organizing campaign and |
liked it.”

Mackey returned to
work at the Office of Mental
Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities.

“Next, | was contacted by CSEA

to work on an AFSCME
campaign in Maryland,

‘ackey was a 28-year

employee of the Office

of Mental Retardation
and Developmental
Disabilities before becoming
an organizer, starting work
out of high school. A member
of CSEA’s Mental Hygiene
Central Office Local, she
became active in committee
work after CSEA challenged
her job site relocation. She
moved on to vice president,
then served as Local president
for 10 years. .

organizing campaigns, logging stories about the people eh¢ 's met

and situations she’s
encountered.

“If you like talking to
people, accomplishing
things, if you like helping
people, | would encourage
people to go into
organizing.”

“You gotta be
adventurous to get out
there.”

December 1998

group living coordinator at~ — .

Graham Windham Children’s - ~
Services in Westchester County, then:
went to Woodfield Cottage in Valhala, -
where she served as shop steward in ~
CSEA’s Southern Region. She was laid
off in December 1994, after 6 1/2
years. She joined the project staff in
March 1995 working on CSEA
organizing campaigns until September
1995, when she was hired as
statewide organizer.

Be worked for six aed as

THE WORK FORCE [ewe iI
Is my
workplace

causing cancer ?

Throughout the state, in sick buildings
and in healthy buildings, when indoor air
quality problems and other health hazards
are present the number of cases of cancer
in the building frequently seems significant.
Often in cases like this the inhabitants of
the building have no choice but to wonder:

Is the building the cause of these
cancers?

CSEA has worked with the state
Department of Health (DOH) Bureau of
Environmental and Occupational
Epidemiology to obtain information on how
to determine whether cancer is in fact
occupationally related.

The Bureau of
Environmental
Occupational
Epidemiology is the
section of the DOH that
monitors and evaluates
incidents of
occupationally related
cancer. The bureau has
set criteria to red flag
worksites that may be
causing cancer, and has
the ability to assess and
follow reported cancer
cases in the occupational
setting likely to be caused
on the job.

Did you know that there are more than
100 different types of cancer?

Not all cancers are the same, they affect
different parts of the body in different
ways. Tumors in different organs are
considered different diseases because the
cause is different.

Differences exist in type of malignant
cells, prognosis, treatment, and course the
disease will follow. Age is also a large
factor, cancer primarily hits the middle
aged and elderly. Since different types of
cancer are different diseases, the cause of
the condition most likely is different as
well, Even if several people in the same
building are diagnosed with some kind of
cancer, unless it is the exact same type it is
unlikely that it is occupationally related.

page 12 Saas

December

If cancer is so
common yet so
different, how can it be determined if it is
occupationally related?

Cancer can be occupationally caused,
and the Health Dept. has set criteria to
assist it in determining if indeed cancer is
occupationally related. The DOH looks for
several patterns to make the
determination.

These patterns include:

*Several cases of the same type of
cancer.

*Two or more cases of a particularly rare

type of cancer.

*Several cases
diagnosed in young
people.

*Clustering of cases by
year of diagnosis.

*Adequate latency, the
length of time between
exposure to a
carcinogenic agent and
the actual diagnosis of
cancer (the average
latency for cancer in
humans is approximately
15 years).

Many factors go into

the mix when determining if
cancer cases are related; age, type of
cancer, frequency of cases, latency, and
certain risk factors. All of these factors
play a very important role in determining if
cancer is caused at the workplace.

If there is a wide variety of cancer types
(and they are the more common cancers)
among a large population over a long
period of time (with the rate similar to the
general population) most likely the
workplace is not the cause of the cancer. In
the event that an unusual pattern is
detected, the DOH will ask for additional
information and confirmation of the cases
to pursue the investigation if necessary.
For further information contact the Bureau
of Environmental and Occupational
Epidemiology at (518) 458- 6212.

1998

1000 AFSCME » p
Flip
spacers AQ

265,000 mempens STRON®

Workers’
Compensation
Program Clarified

Effective July 1998, the CSEA Workers’
Compensation Legal Assistance Program
began providing legal representation for
Workers’ Compensation and Social
Security Disability cases for CSEA
members injured on the job or otherwise
disabled. Legal representation is provided
at convenient locations throughout New
York State through a network of offices
staffed by attorneys who specialize in
Workers’ Compensation and Social
Security law.

This program requires no out-of-pocket
costs for our members.

In all workers’ compensation cases,
attorney fees are set by the Workers’
Compensation Board under the Workers’
Compensation Law, through a limited set-
aside from the workers’ compensation
award. This set-aside fee system is
administered by the Workers’
Compensation system itself. CSEA
members who have been injured or
disabled, are not working and use this
program will not be further financially
burdened by receiving bills for attorneys’
fees. The fees, as with all workers’
compensation cases, will come out of the
award itself.

In order to take advantage of this new
program, CSEA members injured on the
job or disabled should contact CSEA
Headquarters during normal business
hours Monday through Friday at
1-800-342-4146 and follow the
instructions (press 1, then press 8) to
talk with one of our workers’
compensation attorneys to discuss the
possibility of a Workers’ Compensation or
Social Security Disability case.

1999 LEAVE RECORD for New York State
ADMINISTRATIVE PAYROLL EMPLOYEES |

r you by CSEA — your union!
EXAMPLES: ANNUAL LEAVE | SICK LEAVE [PERSONAL LEAVE

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

TUE | weD THU | FRI SUN | Mon Earned | Used Balance Used Balance

|
| | |
To record leave | DEC 24- JAN 6 | |
used, enter =
ised, emir | JAN 7 - JAN 20
ie appropriate | JAN 21 - FEB 3
late:
V= (Vacation) | FEB 4-FEB 17
FEB 18 - MAR3
MAR 4- MAR 17
! MAR 18 - MAR 31
M = (Military
Leave) APR 1- APR 14
P= (Personal | APR 15- APR 28
Leave)
APR 29 - MAY 12
SPEC = (Special) WAY 13 - MAY 26
fs MAY 27 - JUN 9
(Compensatory)
JUN 10 - JUN 23
LWOP = (Leave
Without Pay) | JUN 24 - JUL 7
We Workers’ | JUL 8- JUL 21
Som) JUL 22 - AUG 4
AUG 5 - AUG 18
AUG 19-SEP 1
SEP 2- SEP 15
SEP 16 - SEP 29
SEPT 30 - OCT 13
OCT 14 - OCT 27
OCT 28 - NOV 10 |
NOV 11 - NOV 24 mel
NOV 25 - DEC 8 | |
DEC 9 - DEC 22 isos Wi

CONSULT YOUR UNION CONTRACT, your | Leave accruals are an important contractual benefit negotiated:for you by CSEA.
CSEA REPRESENTATIVE OR YOUR You can help guarantee the accuracy of your individual accruals by tracking
PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR HOLIDAY your leave activities throughout the year. If a discrepancy should arise it might

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

§ = (Sick Leave)

H = (Holiday)

bhep fi 1999 LEAVE RECORD for
CSEss NEW YORK STATE COURT EMPLOYEES

ur leave benefits were negotiated for you by CSEA — your union!

PAY EXAMPLES: ANNUAL LEAVE | SICK LEAVE

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

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

DEC 24 - JAN6 | |
]

To record leave

used, omer | JAN 7 - JAN 20
these letters for

the appropriate | JAN 21 - FEB 3
date:
V= (Vacation) | FEB 4~-FEB 17
FEB 18 - MAR3
MAR 4- MAR 17

MAR 18 - MAR 31
M= (Military
Leave) APR 1- APR 14
P= (Personal | APR 15 - APR 28
Leave)

APR 29 - MAY 12
SPEC = (Special | Way 49 - MAY 26
oe MAY 27 - JUN 9
(Compensatory)

JUN 10 - JUN 23
LWOP = (Leave
Without Pay) JUN 24 - JUL 7
W = (Workers’ JUL 8 - JUL 21
fom) JUL 22 - AUG 4
AUG 5 - AUG 18
AUG 19 -SEP 1
SEP 2-SEP 15
SEP 16 - SEP 29
SEPT 30 - OCT 13
OCT 14 - OCT 27
OCT 28 - NOV 10
NOV 11- NOV 24 | | |
NOV 25 - DEC 8 | |
DEC 9 - DEC 22 |

$ = (Sick Leave)

H = (Holiday)

CONSULT YOUR UNION CONTRACT, Your | Leave accruals are an important contractual benefit negotiated for you by CSEA.
CSEA REPRESENTATIVE OR YOUR You can help guarantee the accuracy of your individual accruals by tracking
PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR HOLIDAY your leave activities throughout the year. If a discrepancy should arise it might

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

chen 1999 LEAVE RECORD for
CSE és EMPLOYEES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

ur leave benefits were negotiated for you by CSEA — your unio

EXAMPLES:

PERIOD If you take 2 hours of personal, enter P-2, etc,

ANNUAL LEAVE | SICK LEAVE |PERSONAL LEAVE

If you are sick 4 hours, enter S-4 under the appropriate day. Balance from last record: Balance from last record: Balance from last record:

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

Balance

To record leave

used, enter
these jetters

for the

appropriate
date:

V = (Vacation)

$ = (Sick
Leave)

H = (Holiday)

M = (Military
Leave)

P = (Personal

Leave)

SPEC =

(Special)

Cs
(Compensatory)

LWOP = (Leave

Without Pay)

W = (Workers’
Comp)

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

OBSERVANCE SCHEDULE

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

To record leave
used, enter
these letters for

the appropriate
date:

V = (Vacation)
$ = (Sick Leave)
H = (Holiday)

M = (Military
Leave)

P= (Personal
Leave)

‘SPEC = (Special)

C=
(Compensatory)

LWOP = (Leave
Without Pay)

W = (Workers’
Comp)

1999 LEAVE RECORD for New York State
INSTIFUTIONAL PAYROLL EMPLOYEES

EXAMPLES:

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

PERIOD

ANNUAL LEAVE

Balance from last record:

SICK LEAVE

Balance trom last record:

PERSONAL LEAVE

Balance from last record:

WED THU | FRI | sat SUN

Earned | Used Balance

Earned | Used | Balance

DEC 31 - JAN 13

JAN 14 - JAN 27

JAN 28 - FEB 10

FEB 11 - FEB 24

FEB 25 - MAR 10

MAR 11 - MAR 24

MAR 25 - APR 7

APR 8 - APR 21

APR 22 - MAY 5

MAY 6 - MAY 19

MAY 20 - JUN 2

JUN 3 - JUN 16

JUN 17 - JUN 30

JUL 1 - JUL 14

JUL 15 - JUL 28

JUL 29 - AUG 11

AUG 12 - AUG 25

AUG 26 - SEP 8

SEP 9 - SEP 22

SEP 23 - OCT6

OCT 7 - OCT 20

OCT 21-NOV3

NOV 4- NOV 17

NOV 18 - DEC 1

DEC 2- DEC 15

DEC 16 - DEC 29

|

3

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

OBSERVANCE SCHEDULE

Leave accruals are an important contractual benefit negotiated for you by CSEA.

You can help guarantee the accuracy of your individual accruals by tracking

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

Long Island Region Human Rights

Committee makes a difference

LONG ISLAND — Weeks prior to Halloween, someone devoid of
sensitivity hanged a scarecrow in blackface from a noose.

That shocking assault on basic human decency was quickly taken
down because CSEA Human Rights Committee member Shirley Baker
took action. She immediately called the NAACP and the proper
authorities, ending the disgraceful display.

Whether increasing awareness, heightening sensitivity or
educating about diversity, the CSEA Long Island Human Rights
Committee is on the front lines.

Under the leadership of
Committee Chair Barbara Jones,
these men and women are
breaking barriers and building
bridges for their union brothers and
sisters and their communities.

“Whether it meant
marching to free Nelson
Mandela, fighting
sweatshops, setting up
diversity training, putting
on a multicultural
celebration or simply
taking a stand and asking
others to do the same,
this committee has been
doing the job,” said
CSEA Long Island

aR

ete
i

Henry Reed is a life saver

on and off the job

NEWBURGH — Henry Reed spends as much

CSEA Long Island Region Human Rights Committee
Chairwoman Barbara Jones and Committee member Jack Hurt.

President Nick
LaMorte.
“Sometimes.
the hardest
thing is the silence. You know, the people who say nothing to stop hate
and prejudice, the ones who say nothing and pretend not to notice,”
said Barbara Jones.
The Committee is a picture of diversity, a quilt of cultural, religious
and ethnic backgrounds stitched together with a common goal.
“One of our missions is to promote and facilitate interaction
across cultural lines. To break the boundaries and make real live
contact with others through our events and activities,” said
retiree Jack Hurt.
One of two standout events the Committee takes part in is
the Festival of Lights, where CSEA members set up tables
representing the traditions and foods associated with
Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah and the Feast of The
Three Kings. The other is the International Festival, a
multicultural celebration of diversity through song,
dance, stories and samplings of traditional ethnic
foods.
“| think the apex is the Festival of Lights. That’s when
members bring their children to see that people can
é celebrate differently, together,” said Jeff Rowe.
“If children see this more often, maybe we can rectify
some of the wrongs done by previous generations.”
— Sheryl C. Jenks

765,000 mempens STRON™

ey

He'll also attend classes withthe kids and

time helping kids off the job as he does on the job.
A school monitor at South Junior High School,
Reed volunteers afternoons and evenings (and
most weekends) as a youth advocate, working with
troubled kids.

“A lot of these kids have been expelled,” he
explained. “Some are on probation, some are one
step from jail or have drug, alcohol or emotional
problems. | counsel, listen and establish trust and
communication. I try to be a role model.”

Reed says most of the kids are products of
broken and dysfunctional families.

“As long as they’re in the environment, it’s hard
to save them,” he said. “A lot of them needed help
a long time ago.”

But Reed doesn't give up easily. “I intervene,”
he said. “I encourage them to stay in school and I
tell them to be responsible for themselves.”

shows up at their baseball, softball or soccer
games to cheer them on. Some of the youngsters
are referred for agency services such as
professional counseling.

There are success stories.

“There might be some you can save,” he said.
“A lot of them just need someone to relate to.”

Reed is also a union activist, a certified shop
steward, a delegate and a community activist who
participates in voter registration drives. In
addition, he is proud of his perfect attendance
during the last school year.

Reed admits that at one time, “I was on the
other side.”

“Il changed my attitude and my behavior,” he
said. “I was once a hopeless case, Now I’m the
luckiest person in the world.”

— Anita Manley

ecember 1998 THE WORK FORCE [eee bc}

a = 1000 AFSCME . Pop
Wihatis on
your Mindz

© 265.000 mempens StTRON

What's on your mind? The Work Force recently surveyed more
than 300 rank and file members, chosen at random. Here are the

results.

Do you look for the union label when you purchase clothes?
Yes 36.1%
No 60.5%
Not Sure 3.3%

REY!
DO YOU KNow
THE HISTORY
OF THAT

WAS 1T MADE INA
SWEATSHOP?

WAS IT MADE INA
THIRD-WORLD
COUNTRY?

WAS CHILD
LABOR USED?

DON'T You
KNOW WE SHOULD \g
SuppoRT Fair &§
LABOR PRACTICES ? = =F

Pee M THE WORK FORCE December 1998

How important is it that the clothes you buy are made in the

USA?

74.1%
14.5%
9.0%
2.4%

Very Important

Not Important

Never thought about it
Not Sure

Do you have a question you'd like us to ask
CSEA members statewide? Send it to:

Editor, The Work Force
CSEA Headquarters
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
or e-mail it it to us at csea02@capital.net

T FLUNKED
HISTORY.

T FLUNKED

I FLUNKED
GEOGRAPHY,

T FLUNKED
SOCIAL STUPIES.

Now
I'M LEARNING...

TM LEARNING!

sweatshop n : a shop or factory in which workers are employed
for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy conditions

No swea

by Daniel X. Campbell

: q \
265,000 mempens S1RON**

Somewhere, right now, a five-year-old boy is stitching together a pair of athletic shoes while an eight-year-old girl
sews a college logo on a baseball cap. They are working in sub-human conditions for pennies an hour, and the results
of their near slave labor are finding their way into our children’s schools.

In School apparel, from uniforms to sportswear, may be made by children in foreign countries or
i of the 11,000 clothin:
Albany, N.Y., the even in one ie clothing

state capital, there
were 70 child labor

violations out of 116 visits

sweatshops that still flourish right
here in the United States.
Child labor and the school
apparel sweatshops that profit

from it are the target of a
to fast food outlets between

January 1997 and
August 1998.

The
International
Labor Organization

reports that at least 250
million children under the

age of 15 hold jobs that
undermine their education
and threaten their health

or development.

campaign, coordinated by the

New York State Labor-Religion
Coalition, called “Sweatfree New
York Schools.” Coalition

Coordinator Brian O’Shaughnessy
said many New York schools and
universities do not know they are
silently supporting the exploitation
of children.

The campaign has two goals:
first, that schools teach students
about sweatshops and some of
the issues surrounding fair labor
practices; and second, that
schools agree not to purchase

school-related items made in
sweatshops.
The latter will require school

In business officers to relay the district’s
1994, the labor standards and penalties to their
zy

federal General
Accounting Office
estimated that 2,000 of the
6,000 garment factories in
New York City qualified as
sweatshops, employing
immigrants, sometimes
whole families with
children.

vendors. Vendors must then report
the name and location of every

plant, including subcontractor
plants, engaged in the
production and distribution of
apparel for the school along
with a statement of compliance
from the manufacturers, Vendors

or manufacturers who fail to comply are subject to immediate termination.

Photo by Cara Metz

Albany Roman Catholic Diocese Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, who co-chairs the campaign,
pledged the full participation of the Albany Diocese’s 42 schools to kick off the campaign.
“Child labor and sweatshop conditions are morally wrong and this ‘sweatfree schools’ effort
gives people of conscience and good will a very practical way to do what is right,” Hubbard said.

CSEA is encouraging participation in the campaign, especially among school district members. For
more information write: The New York State Labor-Religion Coalition, 159 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205.

December 1998 THE WORK FORCE Page LS

This CSEA member benefit can save you money

this

CSEA, in conjunction with The Buyer's Edge, a consumer buying service, offers
CSEA members a great way to save money on the purchase of major consumer
products this holiday season and all year round.

The Buyer's Edge is a consumer buying service that negotiates extra discounts
and lowest price guarantees on many big ticket products that would not otherwise be
available to individual buyers.

How To Use The Buyer's Edge Program

Shop around. Determine the exact make, model and style number of the item you
want. Then simply call the appropriate toll-free number listed below and ask
the participating Buyer's Edge vendor for their guaranteed lowest price. Then,
using a credit card or check, and from the comfort of your home, buy by phone from
the participating vendor.

Be prepared to give the CSEA group number whenever you contact a
participating vendor, THE CSEA BUYER'S EDGE GROUP NUMBER IS 1811.

Lowest Price Guarantee
If you buy a product for $150 or more through a Buyer's Edge vendor, and within
30 days'(24 hours on travel) and within 50 miles if you buy in person at the vendor's
store you find the exact same item for less at a factory-authorized dealer, The Buyer's
Edge requires that the participating vendor mail you the difference, plus 20 percent of
that difference. This guarantee even covers advertised sales, discount houses and other

*Shop in person plans also available. .

for home or commercial use. 25 sq. yd. minimum
CHINA, CRYSTAL, SILVER, PORCELAIN FIGURINES: Bridal registry available.
DIAMONDS, FINE JEWELRY, WATCHES

LIGHTING:-Lamps, chandeliers, and sconces, most major quality brands
LUGGAGE: Travel, briefcases, portfolios, attache cases, travel accessories.
COMPUTERS: Personal computers, monitors, printers.

Buyer’s Edge travel vendor
CAR PLAN:
1. SHOP. - decide make, model, and options
2. CALL -.for referral to local cooperating dealer

Computer printout - Price information mailed to you for nominal charge.

Used Cars - Late models only (5 years or less) 12 month/12,000 mile warranty.
VACUUM CLEANERS
KITCHEN CABINETS/COUNTER TOPS: Call for referral. .

ye cm THE WORK FORCE

Decembe

holiday season AGGWiiwag

CALL THE APPROPRIATE BUYER’S EDGE TELEPHONE N

MAJOR APPLIANCES: Air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, freezers, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, disposal units, microwaves and vacuum cleaners
TV & VIDEO EQUIPMENT: All types of color televisions including big screen, video recorders and video cameras

AUDIO EQUIPMENT: Receivers, turntables, tape decks, speakers, amplifiers, systems, consoles and compact disc players

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT: Rowers, universal stationary exercise bikes, treadmills, ski machines, free weights and physicians earns
FURNITURE: Authorized dealer for more than 300 furniture manufacturers. In business since 1940.

MOVING PLAN: Professional services, household goods/autes (distances over 40 miles 0 or interstate). Free i in-home estimate. Call 4 weeks prior to moving date. .
REAL ESTATE PLAN: Call referral service before contacting broker. Ask about specific savings on purchase or sale of home or land.
VITAMINS: Nearly 200 vitamins, herbs and nutritional supplements available at additional 12% savings below the already discounted catalog prices.

24-hour phone service available to place an order, request a free catalog, or respond to current advertised specials .

AL 1000 AFSCME « 4
Fly
: oe 10

buying plans. (Silver and gold
items, services, merchandise
offered with limits on
availability or quantity, dealer
installed options and prices
after manufacturers’ cut-off
dates for model years on new
cars are not covered by this
guarantee.)

265,000 MEMBERS STRON™

Member Protection Service That Works For You
If you ever receive less than superior treatment with regard to price, delivery or
service, immediately speak to the management of the participating vendor. If you don't
get satisfactory results, write to: | The Buyer's Edge
1429 Route 22 East
Mountainside, NY 07092

Important Reminder: When comparison shopping, always be sure you are comparing
exactly the same model number, accessories, service arrangements and warranties,
and that the quoted price is the complete price, including delivery and taxes. And
always be prepared to give the CSEA group number whenever you contact a
participating vendor. THE CSEA BUYER'S EDGE GROUP NUMBER IS 1811.

BER BELOW FOR A GIFT-GIVING NEEDS

Rochester area* - 716-427-8360
Buffalo area* - 716-838-3345

. All other areas - 1-800-377-3700
1-800-543-0911

Downstate - 718-720-3792

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CSE

Joint COMMITTEE ON

Health

Empire Plan Expands
Out of State Network

Beginning Jan. 1, 1999,
the number of participating
providers available to
Empire Plan enrollees in
Florida, Connecticut and
New Jersey will be
expanding from the current
provider base of 3,000 to

1999 Insurance Renewal Rates For Plans
Covering State Employees

Several changes may affect your
health plan choice for 1999.

As a result of the HMO
Workgroup, which is comprised of
representatives from the Joint
Labor-Management Committees on
Health Benefits and the NYS Health
Insurance Council, three HMOs will
be allowed to expand their service
areas for 1999.

significantly impact the current
contribution toward HMO coverage
for 1999.

The 1999 biweekly health
insurance premium deductions for
employees are as follows:

network, however, be sure
to ask the provider before
you seek services or check
out the expanded provider
network Web site at
http.//www.cs.state.ny.us
or.call United HealthCare at
1-800-942-4640, In.all other

Health Insurance Plan Ind
The Empire Plan $7.35
Aetna US Health

Care

The Workgroup approved the
following requests for expansion:

$17.59
Blue Choice $6.91

Prepaid Health Plan (PHP) into
Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler;

HMO Blue into Clinton, Essex,
Franklin and St. Lawrence; and
Kaiser Permanente (CHP) into
Sullivan county. Additionally,
NYLCare HMO will no longer be
offered as an option under NYSHIP
as they were taken over by Aetna
US HealthCare (who will remain a
participating HMO) and HIP Health
Insurarice Plan of New Jersey will
not be accepting any new
enrollments into the plan for 1999.

Whether you are enrolled in the
Empire Plan or an HMO, New York
State pays most of the cost of your
premium. For Empire Plan
enrollees, the State pays 90 percent
of the premium for individual
coverage. For family coverage, the
State pays 90 percent of your
premium as the enrollee, plus 75
percent of the cost for dependent
coverage.

Pursuant to the Collective
Bargaining Agreements, the formula
to determine the enrollee’s share of
the HMO premium will change on
Jan. 1, 1999. Beginning Jan. 1, 1999,
the State’s dollar contribution for
the non-presription drug
components of the HMO premium
will not exceed 100 percent of its
dollar contribution for those
components of the Empire Plan
premium. This change, along with
an HMO’s annual increase could

Blue Choice HMO $7,67
Capital District Physicians’

Health Plan $7.00
Community Blue $5.83
Elderplan, Inc. $0.

more than 22,000.

When you need a
participating provider in
any of these three states,
ask if the provider is part

states including New York,
continue to ask if the
provider is an Empire Plan
participating provider.
Remember, using a

HIP Health Insurance Plan

of New Jersey $8.51
HIP Health Insurance Plan

of New York $7.09
HMO Blue $7.15
HMO-CNY (Central) $19.15
HMO-CNY

(Southern Tier) $19.15
HealthCarePlan $6.63
Healthsource HMO $18.26
Independent Health

Hudson Valley $25.95 $102.84
Independent Health of

Western New York $5.55 $30.53
Kaiser Permanente

(formerly CHP) $15.53 $59.33
Kaiser Permanente HV(formerly

CHP HV) $15.92 $68.90
Kaiser Permanente $15.92 $68.90
MVP Health Plan -

East $9.19
MVP Health Plan -

Central
Prepaid Health Plan

(PHP)
Preferred Care
United HealthCare $14.58
Vytra Healthcare $20.65
WellCare of New York $6.89

of United HealthCare’s
Options PPO. Some of the
providers in this much
larger network are not yet
familiar with the Empire
Plan name. Most current
Empire Plan providers will
also be a part of United
HealthCare’s Options PPO

participating provider not
only helps to ensure‘that":
you are receiving your
health care from a
credentialed provider but
limits your out-of-pocket
costs to your applicable co-
payment and there are no~’
claim forms to file.

$45.17

$34.28
$41.85
$85.02

$85.02
$44.71
$83.86

Empire Plan Emergency.
Room Co-payment To...
Increase 1/1/99

As stated in Article 9 of the New York State
collective bargaining agreements effective Jan.1,
1999, the co-payment for Empire Plan enrollees for
emergency room services covered by the hospital
contract will increase from $25 to $30. Charges for
other outpatient services covered by the hospital
contract will continue to be subject to a $25'co-
payment. These hospital outpatient co-payments
will be waived for persons admitted to the hospital
as an inpatient directly from the outpatient setting
and for the following covered chroni¢ ‘care
outpatient services: chemotherapy, radiation
therapy, physical therapy or hemodialysis.

$53.24
$7.10 $39.79

$10.57
$6.26

$63.71
$30.30
$71.83
$88.68
$36.22

December 1998 THE WORK FORCE page ha

Delegates vote on changes to CSEA’s Constitution

ROCHESTER — CSEA delegates
meeting here
overwhelmingly approved
an amendment placing the
ten CSEA Officers and the
Board of Directors on the
same election cycle and
changing their terms of
office from three to four

This change, which will eliminate
separate and continuous election cycles, is
intended, in part, to make the process
more meaningful, in terms of candidate
viabi ity and voter participation.

Longer terms mean not only fewer
elections but also more effective
leadership for accomplishing CSEA’s long
term goals of defeating workplace injustice

2004, all 10 CSEA officers and the Board
will be on the same four year
cycles, with terms running from
March 1 through the end of
February.

Additionally, the delegates
approved on a first reading the
following amendments:

¢ Changing the Purpose and

Policy Article (Constitution Article I] to
comport with the new direction and profile
of the union. The proposed new language
is as follows:

¢ Changing the operative dates from
January of the election year to the
preceding September for determining the
number of board seats in both the State
Executive Committee and in the Local
Government Executive Committee and
changing the commencement date for the
Board’s term of office from July to March
(Constitution Articles VI and VII). Both
changes were necessary to reflect the
delegates’ action with respect to the new
election cycles, as reported above.

The delegates approved the following
changes to the By-Laws:

e Added language that requires the
Statewide Election Committee to notify all
candidates of any protest received

and enhancing workers’ lives.

To accomplish the transition, Region
Officer terms due to expire on June 30,
1999 are extended to March 1, 2000, As of
the year 2000 election cycle, all Region
Officers will hold positions for four-year
terms. Commencing on July 1, 2000 of the
election year, Board seats and the four

Statewide officer seats will be for one term
of three-and-three-fourths years.
Thereafter, as of the election cycle in

Break in membership
affects eligibility for union
office, voting privileges

A Break ini union membership status can have
long-term futufe implicatigns. Your membership

status affects your eligibility with respect to

holding Union office
noniiriating petitions for potential

Jeandidates
yotingin unjenelections, ang!
voting on collective bargaining contraets,
Only members

participate in these

standing? your due:
Ifyou go on unpaid leave

ave a break in your ¢

your dyes wilknot cobitinie ts

anangements to
ip continue your
her laid off or
1s Uuet0
jlipess, maternity or
for dues
jit not to’excéed one

paternity you.
membersh
yet,

Sati foray

“Noté, however you must c 1o pay dues

} You must notify the
Department ab1-800042
change’in your status andwh ements you
are making to continue yoyrmembership in CSEA

Perret THE WORK FORCE

Sex; physical challenges, marital status,
political affiliation or sexual orientation.

ip out feud
‘to ieee creed, color, national origin, age,

affecting their election and advising those
affected of their right to respond to the
protest within ten days of receipt of the
notice of protest. (By-Laws Article III).

¢ Created a new Special Committee, the
Health-Care Services Committee, to be
comprised of representatives from each
region, as well as from each division and
reflecting mental health, EMS, long term
care, acute care hospitals, public health
and home care categories. (By-Laws
Article VI.

Delegates vote

Delegates at the 1998 annual meeting approved
the following resolutions:

¢ That CSEA and AFSCME continue to lobby
against passage of the Kyl/Archer Bill which
would remove the current two-year Medicare
billing restrictions on doctors, rescind Medicare
reimbursement caps and “expose seniors to price
gouging by physicians,”

¢ That CSEA, in concert with the Retiree
Executive Committee, lobby for increased monies
for RAPP (Relatives As Parents Program) so
information can be more widely distributed to
grandparents and relatives about legislation
affecting caregivers of children and advise
caregivers of available state programs. The
resolution also suggests the CSEA use workshops
and publications to educate and advocate for
grandparent/relative caregivers.

¢ That CSEA and AFSCME continue to lobby
against cuts in funding for “Elderly Housing For
Low Income Seniors,” as proposed by the US

oun vesolutions

Department of Housing and Urban Development.

e That CSEA continue to lobby for and support
legislation that would provide additional
protection for CSEA members who are at extra
risk while performing their jobs in dangerous
areas and at all times of the day.

¢ That CSEA continue to offer ergonomic
training to all members, to educate members on
using labor/management committees to meet
state policy on promoting the cost-saving
benefits of ergonomics and continue to lobby
state legislators on safety and health issues.

e That CSEA continue to incorporate National
Coalition Building Institute training in its
leadership development and strongly encourages
regions, locals and units to participate.

¢ That CSEA continue to actively oppose sweat
shops, slave wages and violations of child labor
laws through educating and mobilizing members
and to lobby for legislation providing equity for
workers everywhere.

December 1998

Ten scholarships
for children of AFSC! ‘SEA members.
Scholarships will be renewed
for $2,000 each year
for a maximum of four years
Applicants must be a
daughter or son of an AESCME/CSEA member
or whose legal guardian is an AFSCME/CSEA member.

Applicants must be a high school senior graduating in
spring who will enroll full-time in a four-year degree
program at an accredited college.

Mail requests for applications to:
AFSCME Family Scholarship Program
Education Department
1625 L St, NW
Washington, DC 20036

or
e-mail: education @afscme.org
Applications can be downloaded from AFSCME website
Important dates:
Requests for applications must be made by
Dec. 18, 1998

Completed applications must be postmarked by
Dee, 31, 1998

Winners will be announced
March 31, 1999

It’s time to apply for
LEAP tuition benefits

If you haven’t already applied, you are
entitled to one LEAP tuition benefit for a
course that begins Aug. 1, 1998 through
March 31, 1999. All eli; le applicants
will receive a LEAP tuition benefit!

LEAP is a tuition benefit program
available to New York State employees in
the Administrative, Operational and
Institutional Services Units, the Division
of Military and Naval Affairs and certain
employees of Health Research, Inc., SUNY
Construction Fund, Teachers Retirement
System and the Unified Court System.

You can apply by using the application
provided in the current LEAP catalog,
which was mailed in May 1998. If you did
not receive a catalog in the mail, please
see your agency training or personnel
office, or call LEAP at 1-800-253-4332 for a
copy. During the months of December
and January, LEAP staff will also take
applications over the phone from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and
from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

If you have any questions about LEAP
or other negotiated education and
training benefits, please call the LEAPline
at 1-800-253-4332. Advisers are available
weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(8:30 a.m, to 8:30 p.m, on Thursdays) to
assist you,

eh = 06k odio * AFL

Sullivan honored for

labor activism — CSEA
Executive Vice President
Mary Sullivan was

presented the coveted James
Connolly Award at the eighth
Annual New York State Irish
Northern Aid Testimonial on Oct. 30, 1998. The
award was one of five presented to members
of the Irish-American community for their
meritorious conduct in several areas. The
James Connolly Award was given to Sullivan as
“a person who has worked effectively
promoting the honorable cause of organized
labor.” .... TV Workers Win Contract — Union
workers at WKBW-TV7 in Buffalo have a new
contract, ending a long stalemate that had
prompted CSEA to stop buying ad time on the
city’s highest-rated evening news program.
The union continues to refuse to buy time on
WGRZ-TV2 where a labor dispute persists. ...
Adele Vaughn dies — CSEA’s first African-
American field representative, Adéle Vaughn,
died recently. She was 86 years old. ... Yes You
Can! Wins — The LEAP (Labor Education
Action Program) publication Yes You Can! won
the Continuing Education Association of New
York's James C. Hall Exemplary Program Award
for innovative marketing. For a free copy of
the booklet contact the LEAPline at 1-800-253-
4332. ... Long Island Women’s Committee
raises $$$ for Cancer Fund — CSEA Long
Island is truly making strides in the fight
against Breast Cancer. The LI Women’s
Committee teamed up with the Nassau Local
to raise $31,000 in the walk last month. ...
Washingtonville Unit President raises money,
too — Washingtonville School District Unit
President Ellen Lyons and her daughters Kelly
and Erin raised more than $500 for the
American Cancer Society. Lyons sold pink
ribbons which symbolize Breast

Cancer awareness and her

daughters took part in the

Orange County Making Strides

for Breast Cancer walk. ... And

the winners are — PEOPLE

(Public Employees Organized to

Promote Legislative Equality) is

CSEA’s federal political action

program. The 1998 PEOPLE Cup

was awarded to the Capital

Region for recruiting 486 new

members during the past year.

Micki Thoms from Region 3 was

named recruiter of the year for

signing up 143 new members. ...

“C9

CSEA Operation VA ’98 is
under way at the Stratton

f Veterans Affairs Medical Center
\ in Albany. CSEA Capital Region
Cc L

ocal members from the state

265,000 MEMBERS gtRONG Office of Children and Family

Services brought the vets 100 boxes of
“comfort kits” containing everyday personal
care items, prepaid calling cards and postage
stamps ... Liverpool library ours — About 80
Liverpool Public Library employees won their
fight for a union when PERB granted them
certification after a majority of employees
signed union cards. ... Herkimer Local grows
— The CSEA Local is 43 members larger
thanks to an organizing effort in the Herkimer
Central School District. The union won
recognition for a unit of part-time employees
who work less than 22 hours a week. CSEA
already represents the full-time educational
support personnel in the district. ... Veterans
register for benefits — More than 100 Capital
area veterans enrolled for VA-provided health
care benefits at a Veterans Registration Day
sponsored in part by CSEA’s Office of
Temporary and Disability Assistance Local. ...
Hempstead Protest — CSEA Town of
Hempstead employees turned out in full force
to protest the fact they have been without a
new contract since their pact expired on Dec.
31, 1997. The contract covers 2,100 employees
who do everything from clerical to highway
work. ... Hot dog heaven — CSEA members.at
Cayuga Correctional helped feed more than
just their co-workers with a recent lunchtime
“hot dog day.” Local President Jim Mahunik
reports union members cooked and sold hot
dogs to the prison’s staff and raised about
$150 for a local food bank. The event kicked off
of the Local's annual canned food and clothing

CSEA Capital Region officers sign
onto a proclamation committing
themselves to a better CSEA. The
proclamation developed out of
CSEA’s Task Force on the Future to
build a greater understanding of
challenges CSEA faces as we attempt
to become a more effective voice for
working people. It has been signed
by CSEA’s statewide officers, Board
of Directors, senior staff and
delegates to CSEA’s annual
convention. It is now making its way
through the elected leadership of
each of CSEA’s regions.

December 1998 THE WORK FORCE Pek)

THE

CSEA WORK FORCE

DOES IT MATTER
TO YOUR
Quality OF Life?

Official publication of
The Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303

Education

Nursing Homes

Emergency Services

Public Safety
Health Care
911

Human Services

Law Enforcement
and Corrections

Youth Services

BET If DOES!

Disaster Relief

Every year the CSEA Work Force helps 2
million people lead longer, healthier lives
¢ Provides emergency assistance to 5
million people in need » Drives 840,000
kids to school and serves 138 million
lunches * Clears 73 million tons of snow
and ice from our roads * And maintains
42,000 miles of roads.

Day in and day out, the 265,000
members of the CSEA Work Force are
making a real difference in the lives of
you and your family.

The CSEA Work Force. The caring,
dedicated men and women who do the
job right.

CSEss

The Work Force

Local 1000 # APSCME * AFL-CIO
Danny Donohue, President

Danny Donohue

The importance of “Bill”
to you and your work
see page 14 —

— ee
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION CSERE 0001 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
a enseennieneennsnsens

. See page 3