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Politics, protecting jobs, services topped PEF’s Executive Board agenda


By SHERRY HALBROOK and KIM PARTRIDGE The PEF Executive Board faced a host


of issues and decisions at its August 2010 meeting in Albany, including political endorsements in more than 200 November elections. While reviewing, debating and voting on


the endorsement recommendations of PEF’s Political Action Committee in so many races was certainly daunting, it was by no means the only important business that came before the board at the two-day meeting. The full list of PEF’s endorsements was


subsequently published in the September 2010 issue of The Communicator.


Defending jobs, contract PEF President Ken Brynien reported to


the board on a wide range of issues, including how the union had successfully overcome threats and efforts by the state in the spring to layoff or furlough PEF members, and to withhold their pay raises and other contractual benefits. Brynien reported on the closing of several state facilities and programs involving juvenile detention, adult correctional services and the inspection of kosher food. Brynien said the governor (David


Paterson) was still seeking $250 million in concessions from state employees. The president also discussed the effect


the extension of the American Recovery Investment Act had on state budget issues for the 2010-11 fiscal year. In addition, Brynien reported on several


bills in the state Legislature relating to civil service reclassifications, the shifting of Medicare costs to state employees and retirees, restrictions on state contracting and other issues.


Labor-Management issues Brynien reported PEF Vice President Pat


Baker was working with members of the labor-management (L-M) committee at the state Office of Mental Health to deal with privatization issues at Brooklyn Children’s Psychiatric Center. PEF board member Ed Snow, Brynien


said, was leading efforts through the L-M Committee at the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to resolve some issues relating to changes in job titles. The president also discussed the opportunity to potentially change


www.pef.org


bargaining-unit determinations for some state job titles.


Contract settlement Brynien introduced Tom Privitere,


director of PEF field services in western New York, who presented a tentative first contract for PEF’s newest bargaining unit comprising Allegany County employees. After hearing by teleconference from


Allegany County member Pam Cockle, the board discussed the agreement and voted to send it to the members of that unit for ratification.


Labor and community issues Brynien formally presented a check for


$5,000 to Ashley Edwards, executive director of the local chapter of the American Heart Association. The money was raised through the first Lou Matrazzo Golf Tournament held by PEF in memory of its late vice president. Brynien also announced Molly Shambo


had been awarded a scholarship by PEF Division 202. Brynien addressed the strike by a local


of the Retail Workers and Department Store Union (RWDSU) at a Mott’s plant in the Rochester area and the potential for PEF members, who do state food inspections, to be required to cross picket lines. The president said he had contacted


both the RWDSU international and local presidents, as well as the state commissioner for agriculture and markets to prevent this from occurring. Brynien said he was assured by RWDSU that its members would allow the inspections and would escort PEF members into the plant if necessary. PEF Region 3 Coordinator John Prince


updated members of the board on the activities of the local labor council to assist the strikers. The president announced problems


with NYS Fair management had caused PEF to forego having a booth at the 2010 fair in Syracuse. Brynien also announced the Central NY Labor Day Parade would not be held. Both Brynien and PEF Secretary-


Treasurer Arlea Igoe brought up shared activities and the imposition of additional dues payments to PEF’s two international affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union.


Better PEF communications Igoe announced PEF had begun copying


board members on the results of division elections within their board constituencies. The secretary-treasurer also announced


PEF has created a site (http//nyspef.mobi) that allows access to the PEF website from smart phones. She added, however, PEF was still working on creating an index for newspaper articles and the availability of transcripts online.


PEF Division 240 awards $5,000


in scholarships PEF Division 240, which


represents members at the state Insurance Fund (SIF), awarded $500 to each of its 2010 scholarship winners in December. Assistant Council Leader


Rocco Brindisi said the division received 30 applications, and 10 students were selected from that group based on their essays about “Unions in America.” The SIF has district offices across the


state, and one student was selected from each office, except for New York City which has the most members. Students must be a PEF member or dependent enrolled in an accredited university or school. The winners are Jamie Seastrand,


daughter of Janice Miller in Albany; Geoff Corey, son of Julie Corey in Binghamton; Melissa Urbanski, daughter of Tom Urbanski in Buffalo; Kelly and Michael Scalzo, children of Nancy Scalzo in New York City; Margaret Sarsfield, daughter of James Sarsfield in Melville; Ali Zahid, son of Mian Z. Nazir in Rochester; Casey Sears, daughter of Brian Sears in Syracuse; Sharon Matthew, daughter of Vijoy Matthew in White Plaines; and, Robin Goldberg, daughter of Alan Goldberg in New York City. PEF members should check with


leaders of their divisions to find out if they offer scholarships. —Deborah A. Miles


The Communicator March 2011—Page 15


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