THE COMMUNICATOR May 2010

The official publication of the NYS Public Employees Federation www.TheCommunicator.org - www.pef.org

You Said It .....................................................................2 State Budget Update....................................................4,5 Risky Parole Policies........................................................6 President’s Message.......................................................7 Parole Officer Shot By Parolee ..........................................7 Health Notes...............................................................8,9 PEF Retirees................................................................10 Health Care Reform......................................................10 Professional Credentials Key To Job Security.....................11 Problems, Pests Haunt Bronx PC....................................12 OCFS Survey ................................................................12 Member Mobilization.....................................................13 Regional Coordinator Rescues Drowning Boy ....................13 Salute To PEF Nurses ...............................................14,15 L-M Conference Hones Skills ..........................................16 Members Return From Haiti...........................................17 Goldsmith Mourned.......................................................18 Free Trade Coffee .........................................................19 Women’s Health Fair.....................................................20 PEF Regions 1-4 Leadership Conference ..........................20 Holocaust Remembrance...............................................22

ON THE COVER— An actor portrays a “Mad Scientist” to prove “Itʼs not rocket science” to solve the state budget crises.— Photo and layout by Mario A. Bruni

THE COMMUNICATOR

Volume 27, No. 4 May 2010 (0745-6514)

The Official Publication of the New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO, 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110-1006. The Communicator is published monthly, except for January and August, for members of the New York State Public Employees Federation. Periodical postage paid at Latham, NY and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Editor, PEF Communicator, 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Road, P.O. Box 12414, Albany, NY 12212-2414. Phone (518) 785-1900, ext. 221.

Letters Policy: The Communicator welcomes letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant to PEF’s diverse membership. All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste. Please type your letters, keep them brief (up to 250 words), and include your name and phone number for verification. Send letters to: The Communicator, PEF, P.O. Box 12414, Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414 or email to: thecommunicator@pef.org

www.pef.org

5

BUDGET FIGHTBACK - PHASE II

6

PAROLE OFFICERS TESTIFY

14

A SALUTE TO PEF NURSES

CORRECTION

Oops: The wrong version of “The Lost Supreme” story ran in the April Communicator. Visit the online version of the April Communicator for the correct story.

Officers of PEF

Kenneth Brynien President Arlea J. Igoe Secretary-Treasurer Patricia Baker, Tom Comanzo, Joe Fox

Vice Presidents

Kevin Hintz, BonnieWood, John Prince, Donald Kehoskie, Mary Twitchell, Kevin Conley, Tom Donahue, BillWurster, Vivian Street, Vernetta Chesimard, Jemma Hanson, Doris “Dee” Dodson,

Regional Coordinators

Gail Noble, Olubiyi Sehindemi, Adam Sumlin

Trustees

PEF Regional Field Offices

Reg. 1 Buffalo 1-800-462-1462

Reg. 2 Elmira/Hornell 1-800-724-5001 Reg. 3 Rochester 1-800-724-5003 Reg. 4 Syracuse 1-800-724-5004 Reg. 5 Binghamton 1-800-724-4998 Reg. 6 Utica 1-800-724-5005 Reg. 7 Malone 1-888-498-8532

16

STATEWIDE L-M CONFERENCE

Reg. 8 Albany 1-800-342-4306 Reg. 9 Poughkeepsie 1-800-548-4870 Reg. 10 Manhattan/Bronx 1-800-522-8700 Reg. 11 Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island 1-866-897-9775

Reg. 12 Long Island 1-800-832-5284

The Communicator Staff

Stephen Chamberlain Managing Editor DarcyWells Editor-In-Chief Sherry Halbrook Editor Mario A. Bruni Graphic Artist Deborah A. Miles Reporter/Writer

Barbara Valenti Jr. Graphic Artist

Paul Murphy Secretary/Typesetter

Kathi Blinn Advertising Account Executive

Advertising in this publication does not represent an endorsement by PEF or its members. Members wishing to change their mailing address may call 1-800-342-4306, ext. 221.

PEF is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO & Services Employees International Union.

Communications

Council

Metro NY

Labor

The Communicator May 2010—Page 3

CONTENTS Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28