Otisville Health Day Big Success
Photo Feature,
Page 2
“LORY
( VOL. 22
NO.3){ Official Publication of Council 82, AFSCME, AFL-CIO yy MARCH 1985 )
Council 82 by Landslide
Council 82 has successfully and decisively fought off a challenge by a group of
dissidents called tufco. The Public Employment Relations Board counted the ballots
and announced Council 82’s impressive victory Feb. 22.
Council 82 has thus reaffirmed its right to continue as bargaining agent for the state’s
law enforcement personnel.
Thanks to All Who Voted C82
The victory at the ballot box is, of course, being savored in
these first moments following the official tally
iths ago | said that we would double the normal ballot
return from the average rate of 40 to 80 per cent. As this article is
being written, five days before the ballots are to be counted, |
predict the minimum return of ballots to be 75 per cent.
Because of the high return, | have to thank several people’
C82 staff representatives, support staff, clerical staff, elected
leaders, local leadership and finally, you, the members.
There has been a lot of hard work campaigning and getting
out the vote. | feel that the vast majority of the members voted
because they are concerned that the union to best represent them
is C82, the intelligent union with experience.
We will very soon be negotiating with the state for our
members in the state bargaining unit. | am optimistic that we will
vm
ra
Hil
Director’s Corner
By John W. Burke
Executive Director
fare well in negotiations. I'm sure when | call on you for your
support it will be there.
‘Again, thank you. We couldn't have done it without you
Page2
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCE!
Local 2967 President Doug DiGerlando (right) talks with (from left) Project
Staffer Bob Zeller, CO George Cable and Sgt. Richard York
—- Otisville
Employees Health Fair
: 4 Is a Rousing Success
at Otisville Correctional Facility held its first annual Employees Health Day
3 recently. facility in O
ue “1 of services available to employees
es Representatives of all the unions were there, along with heart, cancer,
stress, blood pressure and lung specialists trom various private and public
agencies. There were blood donations taken and several kinds of tests per-
: formed, all ree, of course. A table was lavishly laden with a hot-and-cold buffet
ae and a great variety of hot and cold drinks. There were also Quality of Working
i, Lite and Employee Asistance Program information booths Local President
¢ Statter Bob
ae De i
day a rousing success.
sas
Sea
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sea
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Bae. \'S Manning the booth and display area for Employee Assistance Program are
E “| (rom left) Debbie Price, CO Dennis Sherman, Joan Byers and CO Randy
x EAP, i
‘ esd York facility.
vee . this son (photo below) confer over a hot drink.
J
break (below)
—.
Sharing a cheerful moment are CO Jane Cole and Sgt. Aldo Gallazzo.
March 1985
Foley, EAP coordinator, talks to CO John Levison. Enjoying a coffee
CO Ada Sanchez and President Doug DiGerlando. Deputy
‘Superintendent of Security David Hood is at rear.
March 1985
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCER
Now Is the Time for Unity
A special thanks to you, the member. for your understanding and support
during this long, just-concluded fight. The results of the election will not go
unnoticed by the State of New York during the upcoming negotiations. We,
together in a showing of true unionism, voted to maintain Council 82, a true
labor union,
Labor unions nationwide are under attack trom many directions, but
public sector unions continue to grow and there is a good reason for such
growth. Small isolated groups of employees cannot attack a large bureau-
cracy. Small groups band together for support and assistance. Networking
together reckon with
tions cannot always make improvements or changes.
For years, retired persons never received much attention. As individuals
they protested and demanded changes. i. Social Security, but received
nothing but lip service at the federal evel. It took several years for a national
organization for retired persons to emerge as a large block of voters. Change
has come about.
Much the sam st
have had the resources to withstand attacks by management on ou resent
contract. For itsbadnow,
now and what the real possibilities were for loses had you, the members, not
supported this Council. We will continue to move forward and to increase
benefits for our members. We may have to call on your support again to
preserve those benefits during this round of negotiations, You can be sure the
employer will, as always, try to take advantage of any weakness they may
perceive. With this in mind, l urge all members to put aside the past and unite
behind your negotiating committee
Speaking of negotiations, we plan to conduct a four-day training seminar
for our committee members, scheduled for Feb. 26 through March 1. The
seminar will cover the following topics, plus other issues raised: Process and
Elements of Collective Bargaining Team Strategies
z From the President
cs By Richard J. Bischert
< Council 82 President
y
We will then meet with the Governor's Office of Employee Relations to
present our demands and start negotiations for our successor agreement.
Again, at the completion of negotiations, | will be available to attend local
membership meetings and inform those members of the tentative agreement,
u
will receive first priority. All local unions will again receive a complete written
contract (not book) before a ratification vote is taken. Time permitting, Presi-
dents Meetings will be held during negotiations to update the membership. It
for any reason that is not possible, a Presidents Meeting will be held imme-
diately upon completion of the negotiations.
other unions such as those in New York City and all other New York State
Employee Unions. We selected and drafted priorities in benefits and contract
language for our use. If the employer is truly sincere in wanting to address our
needs, we should do very well
Well, Mario, remember: We supported you for governor. Itisnow your turn
to support us.
special thank you to the elected officials of Council 82—Jim Mann, Joe
Puma, Rich Lé \d Rich Petter—tor
Trends; Outlook
of Economie Proposal and Justiications (all areas). and non-negotiable
Legislative Report
Council 82's legislative program is in full swing for the 1985 session.
comptroller office. All of this takes a lot of time and patience! Most bills will
the end of March
without the fiscal notes. Fiscal notes determine how much money the bill wil
cost the state. Below are the bills in our legislative agenda, their sponsor and
their status, Please note that we are opposing life without parole and the
inmate grievance bill
Legislative Agenda—1985
Sponsor iu Number Status
ALL MEMBERS
Volker Ati dating
Graber Seat Penaty an x (need to get
mltesponsors)
Marino Constitutional Amendment $2560
Amato eath Penal 2983
Volker $2100
Graber A292
Marino $108
connscriont
Mari Regents Scholarships $1317
Robach “ A957
Marino CERT Teams $1760
Miler ART
Marino/Volker ‘Remove Social $875 8. Civil Service
Lentol Securty Offset An3It A. Gov't. Empl
Siatford Full Disability 8 Waiting for
Lentol Az fiscal note
Marino Heart Bill $482
Seminerio A522
Volker Package Rooms 8
Graber rs
20 Year 4 Pay $ Boing dated
Volker $50,000 death benefit 8.85
Graber A370
DEPUTY SHERIFFS
Schermemnom Binding Arbitration
Lento! rt
Schermerhorn Transfer to PAF $.2055 {New bill coming
Lento! 2836 for Comptroller)
Lento Proud hit Serge 8
‘Appts Monroe Co,
Robach, Gantt Azra
Lentol, Proud Monroe Co. Appts s.
te Supervisory Positions
Robach, Gantt 2645
Re-open 694 8 Being crated
By Kathy McCormack
ing our respi demands.
And a final thank you to our membership for sending in over 12,000
responses on the contract priority cards.
Counet 82
Legislative Director
Sponsor eu Number Status
PARK POLICE
Stators Park Police Division sar
Hinchey Ag
Séhermerhom _Re-Operer $2497 Waiting tor
Agar fiscal note
Bruno 20 Years Pay 8 $500,000 fiscal
Lentol A
40 Hour Work Wook § Being drates
EN CON/CAPITAL POLICE
Statord Division of £nGon 8.
Hinchey A
Senarmernom _Enon/Cap Po $2496 alg fr
Lento! Transl A334 fiscal note
Schermerhorn Allow Retirement in s.
Dugan Cor. for Cap. Pol A
25 Years Pay 8. Being dratted
Cap.Poiice A
25 Year s Pay 8 Being dratted
for EnCon Officers A
SAFETY OFFICERS
Division Bit 8 Ail
A ‘ratting
Padi DOH Ape 8.
Miller Tickets A856
Pagavan Pay. Screening 8.
Connelly A
Pa 25 Year 4 Pay 8
ry
SHTAS
Donovan 8 aig to
uggerio A fiscal note
Pacaven Full Peace Officer 8.
Connelly Status Agri
UNIVERSITY POLICE
Hoyt Extend Pace Oticer
finer Status iar
§ Boing arated
Division Bill 8.
A
FOREST RANGERS
25 Year Pay § Being dratied
ILLS TO WATCH.
Marino/Volker Inmate Grievance $.1908
Miller i A044
(OPPOSE)
ee
ee
is
re
Pages
COUNCIL 82 ENFORCER
March 1985
Sgt. Carl Stecker, a regional vice president for Safely Officers Local 1790,
plucks a slice of toast from the kitchen unit provided by QWL at Broome
Developmental Center in Binghamton.
1984 A Banner Year
For QWL Projects
during the past year in bringing about improvements regarding the quality of
working life of Council 82 members all over the state.
Projects, organized and funded by QWL, sprouted up in facilities across
New York in greater jh before, Ranging from activity
tohealth ues,
to the particular needs of employees at each facility. The QWL staff eagerly
investigated each facility, cooperated with local committees to find where
improvements could be made to enhance the quality of working life of the
toeffect
these improvements,
Letters
Downstate 3 Praise C82
Dear Mr. Rowley:
‘As you know, we are all Correction Officers assigned to Downstate Cor-
rectional Facility and on December 11, 1981 we were served with disciplinary
‘on an inmate.
From the firat minute when we contacted Council 82 for help, the Council
has protected us 100 percent.
Ci
torep
the Inspector General
Hy
each of us.
Ci
continued to work and stayed on the payroll while the cases have been in
progress.
a
y
to defend us and because of the Council's support and its lawyer's skilful and
tireless work for us, every charge against us has been resolved without any
penalty.
i i
and AFSCME are the best investment we have ever made.
Council 62 and AFSCME are there whenever we need them with the skill,
the staff, the resources and the guts to protect Correction Officers. Other
people may make promises, but COUNCIL 82 IS A REAL UNION; IT
DELIVERS. Believe us, we know.
CO Real Bouttard
CO Richard Egger
CO Jose Garica
Recognition Overdue
To the Editor:
In the flurry of the closing of legislature 1984, the bargaining unit chal-
Results have been positive, QWL the
ment and help bring about an organized, efective facility
9 |, and upcoming negotiations, some overdue pats-on-the-back
have been neglected.
‘The QWL staff is eager|
members with efforts to improve life on the job.
C82 Upholds 3 Cops
Council 82 has been deeply involved in upholding the rights and reputa-
tion of three Albany’ after the City rt 9
stemming from the death of Jessie Davis last summer.
The actions of these officers were investigated by the Internal Affairs
Division and the FBI. The conclusion was that they had done nothing wrong,
The officers testified willingly and openly before a grand jury. That jury
concluded that the officers were guilty of several minor violatiuns of police
department procedures. The charges are based on the grand jury report.
"said Officers’
Union President James Tutfey, “that the grand jury's report is not substan-
tiated by the evidence. This union and its parent Council 82 will fully defend
them, against any and all allegations, until they are exonerated once and for
all.”
Executive Director
Hots Ch
7 ‘Thomas inglee Richard Lesniak
‘Associate Director Treasur
Flchard Bichert
President Secretary
dames Mann
Vice Presigent
Executive Board
Charles Cambareri Joha Ippolito Robert Patterson
say Cunninghar Lawrence Jonson Richard Petter
Douglas DiGeriando Philip Knight Josey
Ronald Edwards Chester LaDuke Timothy Rounds
sack Emmett land Martin Dulty Seeteidt,
Wied Flecha
Robert Vosper
Nathaniel Grinnage Robert Zeller
> 5
of several officers.
Jay P, Rolison
{R-Dutchess, Columbia), Sen. Richard E. Schermerhorn (R.-Ulster) and As-
‘semblyman Glenn Warren (R-Chenango, Delaware, Sullivan). The meeting
was called by Correction Officers (now Lt) Bruce Kessler and Don Cataro,
both of whom had been employed for several years with the Narcotics Addic-
tion Control Commission in supervisory capacities. They, and several other
ex-NACC officers, charge officers and supervisors, who all had a vested inter-
est, NACC offi 0
came COS.
The vital bill easily passed the Senate during the next several years, but
became bogged down in the Assembly where it was tabled time after time. It
wasn't until Council 82 took the bull by the horns and pushed for the bill that
any progress was made. In spring of 1984 the bill became @ law.
n should also go to Richard Morse, Larry Drake, Norman Ben
Ezra, Ralph Cook, Nat Grinnage, Sonny Brotman and many others who made
the long trips to Albany to lobby at the Capitol.
Ed Dean, Staff Representative
Viet Vets Invite C82
To Council 82 Veterans:
‘Much has been said and written of the potential conflict of interest and
and the sanctity of the merit system. Many of us believe that the two can
co-exist 01
is found in the most recent group to be atforded protected class status by
executive order, New York's Vietnam Era Veterans.
is rooted in an understanding that the complex socioeconomic problems
d m
n
vantage in our society. This is reflected in the indignity of unemployment and
satistaction.
ran issues must be met by legislation, yes; but also through
tion, acceptance and understanding. Within that spirit, Vietnam
Veterans in Government was created. Vietnam Veterans in Government will
depend on and assistance of y rally toa just
‘cause. In that light, there is no finer friend than America’s unions.
On April 12 and 13, state employees who are Vietnam veterans will be
arriving in Albany for the first Vietnam Veterans in Government Conference.
and thos
who endorse our cause. Itis particularly hoped Council 82 Vietnam veterans
will join us.
Thirty-five thousand New Yorkers were casualties in Vietnam; more than
9
the governor's
ways... They New York must fully utilize.”
(Council 82 Enforcer March 1085
Editor and Pubic Relations Director
Frank Merges, vice chairman
Vietnam Veterans in Government
a
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