‘Showcase’ Sparkle Dims
Non-Proft Org
US. Post
‘Atbany, NY
Staffing Woes Mount at Eastern
Some of the sparkle has tarnished at the state's showcase maximum
prison, its first accredited correctional facility
Eastern New
recent demonstrations and unsquelched shouts of discontent, Staffing is the
root of the problem here and at many other facilities.
Eastern has 384 officers, 36 sergeants and 11 lieutenants, “Actually, we
have 370 oficers,” said Local 1041 Secretary Tim Miller. "We need the 384, We
just want our full complement. SHU (special housing unit, called "the box" in
many joins) had te officers; it worked. Now there ae four. To make things
moredifticul,
time he's moved.
r posts at mess hall no
angry.
three officers
one man each of the three shifts, They w
patrol); a
ised for transport. Now that duty
The
civilians are starting to complain; everyone is uneasy about their safety.”
(Continued on Page 2)
ball rt,
my
ma,
Shop Steward CO Edward Kuhnel in B3 at Eastern New York Corrections
Facility at Napanoch. A full page of photos, Page 4.
Staffing Problems Pose Danger
Positions being developed by the Department of Correctional Services. As
most of the correction employees know, facility management has been di-
rected by central office to reduce expenditures, mainly in the area of closing
days for employees. Unfortunately, In thelr zeal to save, the safety of em-
the opportunity for assaults on employees but obviously gives inmates the
chance to assault one another, with the possibility of getting away with it.
Injuries to employees and inmates also increase costs. Money can be better
spent in preventing such occurrences.
Escape from Sing Sing
diately. rsa both of the others were returned to custody. Con-
as in exce ,000. Perhaps, if Sing Sing
had ful stating and al correction officer posts manned during every shift
those inmates would not have escaped. Reminds me of the old adage "penny
twice as much later because of a single incident. Reductions in the number of
media ae advised that sat employees average 204 to 208 dys pr year
wort, Thay asad mandy worked ae ncressed 0210 dye wit
{as the hiring of another 200 employees throughout the
orn What they don't say is moat employees now work well over 215 days
yes o to receive 104 RDOs, yS, 12 holidays
and five personal eave days. This totals 141 mandays of rom work. Subtract
Director's Corner y
By Richard J. Bischert
Executive Director ”
employees by inmates resulting in severe injury which may keep employees
‘out or work several months, The total days of workers’ compensation used is
charged against everyone's mandays worked. This also holds true for em-
ployees with extended illnesses. Their sick leave is also charged against the
total workforce mandays worked. It doesn't make sense to cloud the issue of
mandays worked by charging the whole workforce for members who have
‘spent months in a hospital for personal iliness or for workers’ compensation
injuries. Removing workers’ compensation cases and extended sick leave
usage from the statistical mandays worked would show the correction em-
this someday. We live in hope.
Correction Policy Issues
Recently, at a Correction Policy meeting, several issues were discussed
m
sioner Coughlin on those issues and will be developing a labor/m:
24 days if there
involved The werageemployee reports sick ive days each year, leaving 219
actual mandays worked. Not bad considering the job they do within the
prisons.
agenda:
some relief in several of these areas, the frustrations will continue to build
beyond everyone’ control. We have ted to be understanding and to work
within the system,
y ¥.
fl
is deducted from the facility totals. There are several hundred assaults on
ever, of their present practices will have future detrimental
effects,
(Continued on Page 3)
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCER
January
During the past legislative session, a change was made in the retirement
law improving the death benefit provided to Tier 3 correction officers (those
officers hired after July 26, 1876) and Tier 3 and 4 Employee Retirement
this information replaces the int
mation regarding "Death Benefits—Tier 3" on pages 13 and 14 of the Correc-
tion Officers Retirement Booklet. The accidental death benefit remains the
same.
your
with the personnel officer.
Ordinary Death Benefit — Tier 3
Ityou should die while in public service, or while on authorized medical
leave without pay, and y i
Miller Elected Assembly Speaker
‘Assemblyman Melvin Miller (D-Brooklyn), the powerful chairman of the
Assembly Codes Committee, was unanimously elected s|
York State Assembly last week. What remains to be known is which Assem-
blypersons will receive committee chairmanships.
PAC Conference Feb. 23 and 24
Feb. 23 and 24, The two-day conference will be held at the Albany Thruway
House. TI y
January
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCER Pr
Surprising Results in Leaders’ Survey
remember that many of you responded to a survey distributed at that conven-
ey
tion. y r
by 78 local leaders. The first question was:
iL
y your members, The Number
‘and rightfully 80. it was the statfing/contingency post/overtime issue. It was
clear that C82 leadership stationwide are concerned that this issue clearly
creates a lack of safety and security for our members. Another important
the grievance resolution program was a step in the right direction.
Question No. 2: Non job-related concerns.
‘The response to this question surfaced four answers that seemed very
close to each other. They were legislation, insurance (disability and death
benefit), QWL and EAP. It seems that our local unions agree with our Legisla-
of issues of imp members. T! y
held at the Albany Thruway House. The conference will feature extensive
19 of members. The
joining the retirement system, your designated beneficiary would receive an
ordinary death benefit on your behalf, provided an application is fled within
double. Information concerning the conference is being sent to your PAC
H
two years of your death,
{f you were age 52 or younger when you last entered the retirement
, " i
i
‘make this the best PAC conference ever!
1
will be payable to your designated beneficiary:
Years of Service p-Sum
Credit at Death Death Benefit
1t02 equal to the member's salary upon
‘completion of one year (one times
your
203 ‘equal to two times your salary
3.or more years equal to three times your salary
older,
would still be payable to yor beneficiary; however, the following benefit limits
would apply:
‘Ago at last Entry
Into Public Service Benefit Limit
lary
55-64 1 times your salary
68 or older $1,000
Eastern Mirrors S
{Continued trom Page 1)
The civilians are also starting to act like Council 82 members, When the
COs and sergeants—every last man and woman—boycotted the Christmas
Party, 80 did most of the CSEA members and some of the PEF folks, They
Management continues to disregard employee presentations.
\da that meets your needs.
Malling Out Retirement Books
' for
booklets.
benefit for id regular Tier3 and4
ment System members. This should be mailed out soon.
Looking at 1988 Elections
retirement
Tier3 death
Last week, in Washing-
ton for political staff from across the country. Believe it or not, we discussed
the 1988 elections! It's hard to believe that we will soon have a presidential
election upon us. We also had seminars on retirement plans, retirees and
privatizati
the states. Y 1
Information | collected with you at the PAC Conference.
tok oe
Uhope /ou and your families had a great holiday, and | extend
wishes for a very happy 1987!
tatewide Problem
screen,
the
9
inmates. One
minutes before the second comes on. If there is a full complement, there are
two stationary officers inside (at desks) and one rover outside. “We used to
have six officers covering this space,” Hill said. “That was secure.”
Eastern has been cited for three dangerous working conditions by the
Labor. issued Oct. 14,
y
plentiful, stopped rolling in,” Miller said. "We have the fifth best attendance
9
to transfer into Shawangunk. Where we had an allotment of 23,000 overtime
hours,
plied with.
the syndrome while serving time here.
‘Two Inmates (later apprehended) escaped the medium-security annex
Jan. 2. The Local Is Investigating whether the practice of doubling-up the
19,000-1 y
about 14,000 with less statt.”
“But if they have an inmate festival, they'll use OT," inserted CO Thomas
Hall-Davis.
Anything goes for the inmates.
“We've addressed this at labor/management meetings and they've
knowledged their hands are tied by Albany," said Miller. “The main problem is
Albany. with
with a reduction of officers and reduced overtime funds.
‘actuality operated with two, occasionally one. The third man is often on
“We're shorthanded and posts are being eliminated," said CO Hall-Davis
who was manning the yard gate. "When a program, industry or class closes,
they send those inmates to the yard. Something has to be done. It's crazy."
ocal 1041's plight
without putting our lives in danger. The State must change their position
before something drastic occurs.” —CHARLES R. BOOTH
Editor
On the Local Front
Edward Kuhnel. "The only time we have a full complement here is when
somebody visits from Albany. The ones who make these decisions are in
.ocal 2169,
tional Facility, Marcy. He has long been active in Council 82 political action
nity and media in the Utica-Rome area,
jezny was elected local secretary; Louls Joseph, treasurer; Louls
Glsondi, past president, to vice president; Gary ‘Owen Kevin Dowling and
Albany. The inmates, too, tis physi
cally impossible to properly supervise the area with less than three officer
‘At the time of my visit, CO Larry Bivins was alone in a block with 181
inmates. We
Local 3023, Mt. McGi wit a roots
cal 3023, Mt, McGregor CF, Wilton, 7 ks
pres 9 itor, recently re-leted John Brooks
Cahill, vice president; Walt Kruger, secretary; Pete Schmidt, treasurer; Robert
Gronin, Lee Kennedy, Rich Cesternino and Al Hartwell, executive board; Jim
Friday
either civillan or security," he said.
five-acre main yard, the “armory” (large gymnasium) and a smaller exercise
room which contains an upstairs running track and bleachered TV (large-
trustees. Kruger, Kenned!
are newly elected.
Local 2458 suffered a c
‘on Security
Gatus,L
ouple of misspellings in our December photo
A Corrected
SSA.
provides ‘continue
positive direction.
From the President
By Joseph P. Puma
Council 82 President
2
Enforcement Policy Meetings, etc., when there are usually other members
present with questions of their own).
Jan. 5, 1987, we will have another in-house attorney. This new attorney Is.
Lauren DeSole who worked at C82 as a law clerk while going to School. She
organizing
Question No. 3: union services. Please tell us what or
you and your members. This question provided both myself and Executive
Director Bischert with information to better serve our members. The response
was both interesting and enlightening. The top choice was a tie. Both staff
‘exposure and communications were the clear choice. Trailing close behind
This isa C82 legal
consulting plan. This plan would be a pilot plan providing telephone advice
legal drafting, document,
review, telephone calls, correspondence and counseling on personal legal
problems with answers available by telephone or, where necessary, by letter
were local 9, more legal 1d C82 leadership
‘exposure. | think we have come up with some answers that should enhance
services that our local unions identified.
(1) i
of all our locals an informational newsletter called the C82 Leader. This publi-
jor fou! and deals
y tc., This
hopefully will keep
across the state.
(2) Starting in late January we will begin a program called C82 union
but!
will give you some of the basic ideas behind a program such as this. This
program will allow a local to send its four chair officers to Albany for a day
i prog i early
February,
| believe these changes not only will assist our local unions and our
members,
the services and benefits that you, the people, are asking for. HAPPY NEW
v
, A Holiday Wish for '87
Mr, Puma:
| read your holiday wish from you and your family
‘As | was reading, | was thinking of my family and the holidays. | think we
and question both the president and executive director. This would be espe-
clally important for new local leaders, so they would be the first participants.
have a better idea of what their jobs as a local leader entails. This program will
also allow the designated local a chance to have their questions answered
without the usual interruptions (such as Correction Policy Meetings, Law
1d won't be home for the holidays—all the encouragement we
family, Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year. Very Truly yours,
Wife and family of CO
PS: My holiday wish is that next Christmas my husband and his co-
workers will be home.
Director Bischert’s Column (Continued from Page 1)
Other News
There have been many opinions as to the value of any legal service
program. We can pilot this venture for six months and then review the actual
ship who paid their dues during the loss of check-off. It is our way of
A specl
The target date to start this program is Feb. 1,
1987
thank yout
their assistance.
AFSCME DUES INCREASE. As of Jan. 1, 1987, a sixty-five-cent dues
increase will become effective. The Council has deterred their April increase
until January 1988. This will be the only dues increase this year.
Ms. Lauren DeSolo will be returning to Council 82 as a staff attorney.
Lauren worked for Council 82 while in law school and passed the NYS Bar
exam. She later went to Texas as a union organizer for six months and is now
returning to us as a full time attorney. Welcome aboard, Lauren.
PREPAID LEGAL SERVICE PROGRAM. For several months, the Execu-
tive Board has reviewed several such programs (all were rejected). Recently,
the board approved a modified concept which was a spin off from several
members needs. Mr, Rowley developed a concept which we think has merit.
Mr, Rowley’s office will have two toll-ree phones available for our members.
for free advise along with po: ly some free legal paperwork that could be
done by mail. If members are in need of a referral, Mr. Rowley's office will
recommend attorneys throughout NYS from an attorney-rating report. Many
would know
to goto, Ip Pp
‘could make adjustments within the program.
NOTICE
Members in bad standing will be dropped from the
Enforcer mailing list. This includes all those who are
suspended or seriously delinquent.
available.
Richard J, Blachert
Exacutve Director
Jonah P| James Mann Stephen, Pagenu Thomes inglee Richard Leeniak
Prosident Vice President Associate Director Treasurer Secratary
Executive Board
John Ippolito
‘Lawrence Johnson
toy
rat
Roland Martin
Warren MeMilan
Charles A. Booth
Vol. 24, No.1 Counci 82 Enforcer January 1987
Hols V. Chase Building, 61 Cohn Avenue, Albany. NY. 12208 (18) 400-424
—
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCER
0 Larry Bivins
there v
‘There's no question ... We have astatfing crisis. cleran CO Skip Hill
He's sometimes alone with 500 inmates in the Armory-yard area
CO Thomas Hall-Davis
‘On duty at busy gate leading into main yard,
Sgt. Louis Padilla
tors y
January
ieee
January
Pages:
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCER
Health and Safety: TB Again a Big Threat
By Catherine Franklin
We reported the start of a new safety and health training program in the
fore, reaches a greater number of persons and can be far more devestating in
November
needs of Council 82 members. | would like to thank all of you for your re-
sponses to the survey.
par prog
direct your suggestion to the editor of this paper.
TUBERCULOSIS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL
Infectious diseases are generally classified according to the method by
which they are communicated, or transmitted, to other persons. These routes
are contact, vehicle, airborne and vectorborne.
Alrborne transmission is the most serious route because the infectious
material can remain infectious for long periods outside the human body.
Pulmonary (lung) tuberculosis is transmitted by the airborne route and the
infectious material is exhaled by an actively infected person in that person's
saliva
The saliva droplets exhaled as a normal part of breathing may dry out,
thence becoming droplet nucle, or may remain somewhat moist n either
pi
the other modes of transmission.
Tub Jnited States. 7
most tisk for being exposed to active TB are workers in hospitals, mental
health institutions, and law enforcement, including prisons. This is because
many people who have had non-active TB may progress to full-blown infec-
tious TB due to the undernourishment, alcoholism, other disabling diseases
like diabetes, or who have damaged immune systems as occurs with AIDS.
(AIDS is transmitted by the vehicle route, through blood.)
Because TB is transmitted in the very air we breathe, it is extremely
P gor TB. The
screening Is a simple skin test which should be done every three to six
months for y work
int es a There
is no need for annual chest X-ray unl
positive to the skin test
Bisa thoroughly and completely resabe sas ts detacadin he
early stages. I oth
the skin test and chest X-ray, she/he should recy begin a preventive
case, these minute droplets can
the air and float along on air currents that we may not even detect. Ohne
people in the path of these air currents may inhale the infected droplets or
droplet nuclei and thereby become infected. This route of transmission, there~
serious unles let unteated, and there is no reason to restrictor reassign
worker who is on a TB treatment program, unless the employee is actively
infectious.
A SAFETY AND HEALTH WORKSHOP
9:30AM
1:00PM
February
19th
igistration call:
(518) 489-8424 Steve Pay
(518) 465-4585 Catherine Franklin
STRESS
MANAGEMENT
> INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
Thruway House, Albany
Among
Ourselves
Rangers Again in News
Forest Rangers Bill Houck, Greg George, Paul
Rinaldi, George Stec, Kelth Roberts and Werner
Schwab were among the 20 from Local 1872 who
saw a lot of “ink” (newspaper coverage) for their
firefighting northwest of Boise, Idaho, this summer.
So did Art Jacobs, who was promoted to lieuten-
ant in Long Island after he got wide media coverage
in a disciplinary case involving his observing the
sabbath day (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) of
his church . . . Rangers Tom Eakin, Mark Kralovic,
Steve Guenther, Jim White, Houck and Stec were
credited with saving a man's life when they rescued
him ater he was stricken in the Siamese Pond areas
of Warren County. They winch-noisted him into a
helicopter, he was flown to Route 8, and thence by
ambulance to Amsterdam Memorial Hospital
More Olympic Honors
Albany Police Officer Edward J. Conroy won the
silver medal atter a photo finish with the winning
trooper from Indiana in the 25~mile criterion bicycle
race at the International Law Enforcement Olympics
in Columbus, Ohio. He added a bronze medal (third
place) in the 25-mile country-road race. In the NYS
Police Olympics, he won four gold medals and three
silvers, a monumental accomplishment.
CO Sam Dalesslo of Hudson Correctional Facility
won five gold medals in judo. In the Empire State
Games, he won the 189-pound division; at the NYS
Police Olympics, gold medals in the 189-pound,
208-pound and open divisions; in the International
Law Enforcement Olympics, a gold and silver, in the
Empire State Championship tourney, a bronze.
Congratulations on a most impressive season.
Environmental Conservation Police Otficers won
huge cluster of medals in rifle and pistol competion
tion the state and international levels. All four
EnCon Officers won gold medals in the State Police
‘Olympics and combined for 12 gold, four silver and
two bronze medals in the intenationals at Columbus
‘They were ECO Robert Chatt of Essex County, ECO
Edwin Stark of Tioga County, Lt, Robert Gillan of
Cattaraugus County and Col. Joseph Lynch of Al-
bany County,
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCER
Letters tot
Warrant Officer Praises C82
Dear Mr. Bischert:
| am a warrant officer employed by the Division of Parole. This letter is to
commend your field representative, Robert Zeller, for the handling of my
‘that he
9
to my satisfaction.
Mr. Zeller was in constant touch with me both personally and by phone
throughout the process of
factory conclusion. Bob was always courteous and concerned and followed
through on all aspects of my case continuously, keeping me abreast of any
developments
| believe thatit was through his efforts that | realized the first of the retroactive
monies due me in today's paycheck
ler, | meat
that we had the full support of your entire staff in this matter.
| must also give special thanks to Counsel Chris Gardner whose advice and
direction set everything into motion 18 months ago.
‘Once again, my appreciation to Bob, and Council 82, Fraternally yours,
—Charles Riccio,
Pleasant Valley
Officer Birch Wins Commendation
Editor's Note: Officer Sidney Birch is treasurer of Local 1798, Council 82's
office and resides in the Bronx,
To Mr. C. J, Sonnick:
I'd like to commend Officer Sidney Birch for doing a splendid job in his
efficient employee in protecting this office and its staff. He exercises a great
deal of initiative, going far beyond the “call of duty" to help facilitate the
smooth functioning of this office. He makes life easier for staff members in
many ways. On busy days, when our office is crowded with applicants clamor-
ing for service, he insures that order is maintained, watching to see to it that
ity in
Many of ou However, Officer
in dealing with all kinds of people and is in
heading off confrontations before they are precipitated.
He is indeed a valuable asset to this office.
Ralph Georgalis, ES Manager I!
NYS Department of Labor
Council’s Resolution Passed by AFL-CIO
Dear Chuck:
This is the Council's resolution on prisons for profit. It was passed by the
NYS AFL-CIO at its August convention.
WHEREAS, New York State correctional facilities are operating at 116
percent of capacity; and
JHEREAS, Data Corporation, RCA,
E.F. Hutton, Corrections Corporation of America and Wackenhut, are cur-
rently attempting to establish prisons for profit on a nationwide basis; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Bureau of Prisonsand the Immigration and Naturali-
zation Service have established a dangerous precedent by contracting with
immigrants and other short-term detainees; and
WHEREAS, The incarceration of inmates and the deprivation of their
\ttica, Ossin=
ing and other New York State correctional facilities have demonstrarted, the
operation of correctional facilities involves many life and death decisions
which should not be delegated to private corporations seeking to maximize
profits; and
WHEREAS,
nel depends upon effective staff levels, extensive training and the attraction
‘and retention of qualified personnel which is inconsistent with the profit
motive; and
WHEREAS, New York State correction officers and correction personnel
are career personnel who have done an outstanding job in operating State
correctional facilities in an efficient and humane manner; and
WHEREAS, Private sector operation of prisons for profit has been disas-
trous! ‘a result of poor training,
fing, inexperienced personnel, and substandard wages and benefits which
results in the hiring of unqualified personnel; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the New York State AFL-CIO will support legislation
whole orin part, by
private corporations,
—Tim Rounds, Clinton CF
Council 82 Legislative Chairman
Editor
Local 781 Assists Daughter of CO
Local 781 was right there to help her dad, CO Vern Davis, with the bills, Here
ts a check f
local
it Ogdensburg Correctional Facility Invites brother and sister locals to
Join in easing y
to Local 781, c/o Joe Flack, Box 105, Lisbon, NY 13656.
were (from lett) Dennis Koerlck, president; Vern Davi
sergeant-at-arms; Joe Flack.
EnCon Officers Succeed After Veto
To the Editor:
At the presentation
John Woodard,
In 1985 the division bill for Environmental Conservation Officers passed the
Legislature with a unanimous vote only to be the subject of a veto by the
or.
Council 82 and Local 1873 staff had been working for years to protect the
integrity of EnCon’s Law Enforcement program by eliminating small “p" polit-
ies from enforcing the Environmental Conservation Law by means of a legis
lated division and a tamper-proof chain of command. After the veto, things
looked bleak but Council 82 and the EnCon Officers’ Local 1873, DEC put the
original division bill language into the Codes, Rules and Regulations
{6NYCRR) and DEC'S Policy and Procedure manual.
After almost 10 years the ECOs have achieved what they long sought, @
Ps law enforcement unit for the enforcement
program and related policies now rest in the hands of the Division of Law
Enforcement Director and accountability can be traced.
1
i
and the recent pension plan change) pointing up how Council 82 efforts
specialized issues.
and this is an example of how long it sometimes t
—Charles A. Winant, president
Local 1873, Conservation Police Officers
y Jan, 24, 1983. Officer
veteran of the University at Buffalo Police Department. Some of the
officers on duty that night are shown here, outside the University at Buftalo
Police station. From|eft:Lt. John Boland, (who org
Mrs, Flanders, Peggy
