ThelastdrumrollforLouMatrazzo
By DEBORAH A. MILES convictions.Hewasfirmand DOH.“Wheneverhespoketoourdivision
Thelineofpeopleextendedfar solidinhisthinking.The members,they
outsidethefuneralhomein gainsmadeinthe2007– wouldchant,
Mechanicville. 2011contractnegotiations ‘Lou,Lou,Lou,’
PEFleaders,members, arejustsomeofthefruits ashewalked
legislatorsandfriendscameto ofhislabor.” uptothe
paytheirrespectstothe Matrazzofoughtfor microphone.It
familyofPEFVicePresident job-rateparityacross startedquietly
LouMatrazzo,whopassed thestateandwas andgrew
awaysuddenlyMarch19 ferventabout louderand
atAlbanyMedical gettinga louder.”
Center. cost-of- Matrazzo
Thenewsof living wasrespected
hispassing adjustment byPEF
shockedand for members,PEFstaffandlawmakersacross
saddened members thestate.Hetreatedeveryonewith
everyoneatPEF livingin courtesyandappreciation.
andallwhoknew high-priced
him. areasofthe Dedicateddad
“Louhasbeen state. “Louwillprobablyberememberedbest
afixtureatPEF Locally, bythoseofuswhoknewhimforthelove
duringthelast hefought anddedicationtothosedeartohim;
decade,”saidPEF forbetter especiallyhisdaughter,Michelle,”Scales
PresidentKen parking said.
Brynien.“Hewas conditions Michelleaccompaniedherdadtomany
astraight-shooter. in PEFevents,conventionsandcharity
Helovedagood downtown functionssuchastheannualholidaygift-
fightandallPEF Albany,an wrappingforfamiliesofparoleesandthe
members issue childrenofSt.Margaret’s.In2004,they
benefitedfromLou’sefforts.” paramounttoPEFRegion8members. teameduptomakesurethechildrengot
Matrazzoworkedasapublicemployee specialgifts,suchasCDplayersandhair
for37yearsandwasaninformation Alwaysaleader accessories.
technologyspecialistatthestate Hewasavisibleleader. HewasthrilledwhenMichellegother
DepartmentofHealth(DOH).Hisco- WhenformerGov.GeorgePataki phototaken
workersreferredtohimaspassionateand proposedtoclosethreeprisonfacilitiesin withthen
knowledgeableaboutissues. January2004,Matrazzoheldcourtat U.S.Sen.
“AttheDepartmentofHealth,wehad CampMcGregorinWilton,oneofthe Hillary
theutmostrespectforLouMatrazzo,”said minimum-securitycampstargetedfor Clintonat
AssociateHealthCommissionerJack closure.Hebandedwithmembersfrom the21st
Conroy. theCivilServiceEmployeesAssociation AnnualPEF
“Wedidn’talwaysagree,butwe andtheNewYorkStateCorrectional Convention.
enjoyedourdealingswithhim.Hewasa OfficersandPoliceBenevolent Hewas
gentleman.Wehadaverymatureand Association,aswellaslawmakers. proudof
productiverelationship.Louworked Hetoldmembersofthepress,“The Michelle’s
creativelywithustocraftsettlements closureofthisfacilityisbadpublicpolicy, academic
wherebothpartieswon.Hewasa badfiscalpolicyandbadcorrections accomplishmentsandhertasteinmusic
highly-skilledprofessionalperson.” policy.”Hedidn’tmincewords. andcars.Matrazzobeamedwhenhetold
AtPEF’scontractandGo Public co-workersabouttheBruceSpringsteen
Risingtothetop rallies,Matrazzowasthere.He concertstheyattended,andalsohow
Matrazzoquicklyrosethrough marchedshoulder-to-shoulderwith Michelleselectedtheaquacolorofhis
theranksofPEFasasteward, membersinsub-zerotemperatures NissanAltima.
ExecutiveBoardmember,Albany andonblazinghotdays.Heshouted “Lou’spassingisahugelossforallof
arearegionalcoordinator,andwas hismessagetothegovernorfroma us,”Bryniensaid.“Weareallbetterfor
electedvice-presidentinJune2006. podiumonthestepsofthestateCapitol. havingknownhim.Hewouldwantusto
HealsochairedthePEFPS&TContract Heledthecrowdnotonlywithabull-horn moveforward,totakecareofourselves
Committeein2007,andwasamemberof inhand,butwithhisowndetermination andeachother.Thebestwaywecanpay
thenegotiatingteamin2003. towinafighthebelievedin. tributetoLou,isfollowhisexampleby
“Loulivedlifetoitsfullest,”saidPEF WhenhespoketoPEFDivision205 beingstraight-shootersourselves.”
DirectorofLaborRelationsRogerScales. membersatDOH,heshooktheirhands PEFleadersandstaffwillgatherin
“Asaunionadvocate,heexhibited andpattedthemontheirbacks. JunetoplantatreeinhismemoryatPEF
extraordinarycourage,honestyand “Louwasneveratalossforwords,” headquarters.
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TheCommunicatorMay2009—Page13
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