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two weeks beginning March 7. They will be supported by web-based and print ads. “One of PEF’s challenges


in this campaign is to change the way the public and legislators view state employees,” Brynien said. “As dedicated employees, they are the faces and voices we want the public to see and hear.”


Wearing many hats Fern Andersson, a teacher’s assistant at Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center on Long Island, was among those who volunteered to be videotaped. “Many New York state


employees have been getting


a really bad rap,” Andersson said. “we are being portrayed as over-paid, lazy, and getting benefits and not doing a thing. The public thinks we sit in cubicles, gabbing and gossiping. “I wear many hats at my job. We are


short-staffed, so I also double as the secretary. We have a diverse population of students here and few staff. I am constantly on the go and doing numerous jobs. I want to let the public know we just don’t sit there and twiddle our thumbs. “Most of the teachers get lower pay,


“I wear many hats at my


job.We are short-staffed, so I also double as the secretary. I am constantly on the go and doing numerous jobs. I want to let the public know we just don’t sit there and twiddle our


thumbs.” — Fern Andersson, teacher’s assistant,


Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center, Long Island


“I want to make my voice


heard because a lot of New Yorkers are not really aware of the importance of state workers and the vital


services we provide.” — Gale Baptiste, PEF Division 198 assistant


council leader, emergency room nurse, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn


and work with mentally-impaired children. Here you are a teacher, psychologist and policeman. It’s a very detailed job, and involves danger for bodily harm from a violent child,” Andersson said. “We average about 62 students, and they have a full-day program with Regent’s classes and individualized programs.”


Life-saving services “I want to make my voice heard


because a lot of New Yorkers are not really aware of the importance of state workers and the vital services we provide,” said Gale Baptiste, PEF Division 198 assistant council leader and a registered nurse in the emergency room at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn. “A typical day here is very hectic from


the get-go. Ambulances are rushing in, and sometimes we run out of stretchers. We have to attend to patients on ambulance stretchers, which is difficult and uncomfortable. We do whatever it takes to provide good service and community care. Patients know this and say they want to come to Downstate because of the excellent care provided by staff,” Baptiste said. “Our critics should realize state workers also are taxpayers and essential to the economy.”


Making a difference ”I thought it would be great to be a


part of this campaign because the public needs to know what state workers really do, and not what they think we do,” said Ann Rosenthal, a teacher at Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center and PEF Division 178 council leader. “Teaching children who have


difficulties and who have to struggle to learn is both challenging and rewarding,” Rosenthal said. “The press and legislators don’t have a clear picture of what state employees do. They lump us together and don’t recognize the special services we provide, and what we do on a day-to-day basis. We make a difference, especially with many of these challenged children.”


Straight talk PEF leaders and members also will


come face-to-face with legislators on Wednesday, March 9, PEF lobby day. Brynien will testify March 2 at a work force issues hearing, and March 9 at an agency consolidation hearing. Members are encouraged to visit the


PEF website at pef.org for updates. If you have any suggestions on how to close the budget gap, click on the PEF homepage and enter your suggestion in the “Let Us Know” section.


“The press and legislators


don’t have a clear picture of what state employees do. They lump us together and don’t recognize the special services we provide, and what we do on a day-to-day basis.We make a difference, especially with many of these


challenged children.” — Ann Rosenthal, teacher, Sagamore


Children’s Psychiatric Center, Long Island


Page 6—The Communicator March 2011


PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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