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THE COMMUNICATOR June 2010

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

Day of Action - Rally Photos Throughout This Issue You Said It .....................................................................2 Thousands Protest Furlough Plan...................................4,5 Task Force Scrutinizes DOT Spending.................................6 PEF Grieves Halt In Tuition Funding ....................................6 President’s Message ......................................................7 Member Seeks Liver Donation ..........................................9 Retirees In Action .........................................................10 Health Notes................................................................11 Assembly Report On OCFS Echoes PEF’s Concerns ............12 Workers Memorial Observance.......................................12 Inmate Assaults Member At Wende CF............................13 State Insurance Fund Saves State Millions........................14 Labor-Religion Coalition Honors PEF Leaders.....................15 Nurses Station .............................................................16 National Exhibit Features Yarosh Portrait..........................17 Veterans Salute The Flag ...............................................17 Kingsboro PC Members Fight For Rights ..........................18 State Shifts From Consultants To Employees .....................19 PEF Delegates Consider Amending Constitution.................19 Federal Bill of Rights .....................................................20 Women’s Program Seeks Nominees................................21 Executive Board Vacancies .............................................22

ON THE COVER— Thousands have their voices heard in Albany as part of a Day of Action all across the state to protest furloughs. —Photo by Hans Pennink Layout by Mario Bruni

KINGSBORO’S FIGHT

THE COMMUNICATOR

Volume 27, No. 5 June 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

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

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 June 2010—Page 3

4

THOUSANDS RALLY

9

NEEDING HELP

14

MEMBERS SAVE STATE MILLIONS

18

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