EBoard


Brynien warns board of increasing attacks on public employees


By KIM PARTRIDGE and SHERRY HALBROOK The focus was on membership and the


November general election at the final quarterly meeting of PEF’s executive board, held October 28 and 29 in Albany. PEF President Brynien warned board


members many news stories hostile to public employees were appearing throughout the state, the U.S. and around the world. PEF would launch a public relations


campaign, Brynien said, to focus on how continuing reductions to the state work force would jeopardize essential services and public health and safety, and how layoffs would imperil the state’s fragile economic recovery. The PR campaign he said would use TV, websites and local newspapers to carry the message. The board approved a motion by


Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe to appropriate $500,000 for the statewide campaign.


ERI affects PEF leadership Brynien acknowledged the retirements


of Rob Grace, Jim Kersten, Craig Speers, Carolyn Willson, Nithia Chatterjie, Dee Dodson, Lou Ferrone, Peg Harvey, Don Kehoskie, Pat Lavin, John Lichak, Oji Reed, Don Reinhard, Paul Steve and Bob Montalbano. The 13 board members and two regional coordinators left state service through the state’s early retirement incentive (ERI). Brynien said 6,000 state employees


took the ERI and PEF gave the state Division of Budget (DOB) a list of approximately 700 more PEF members who wanted to take the ERI but were denied. The DOB and the Office of the State


Comptroller both told PEF the decision to grant the ERI was made at the agency level and they were not provided information about employee denials, Brynien said. The president added some state


commissioners had tried to defend their agencies fromstaffing cuts by shifting staff around and arguing with the governor’s office. However, they were told theymust reach their target by December 15 by any means necessary, including layoffs.


Losses could escalate Brynien said PEF had lost more than


Page 22—The Communicator May 2011 www.ColdwellBankerPrime.com


1,200 members in just the five weeks preceding the board meeting, yet Gov. David Paterson was still insisting on layoffs. Robert Carrothers, PEF’s director of


labor relations, talked to the board about layoff procedures, and he and Brynien answered questions from the board. Later, PEF Director of Civil Service


Enforcement Tom Cetrino provided a half- day of training on state civil service law and rules to the board members.


Future meetings, elections Igoe discussed the location of the board


meetings in 2011. She said PEF policy stipulates, “Each regular quarterly Executive Board meeting shall be for two consecutive days, preferably in the Capital District and, when possible, on Thursday and Friday.” Althoughmost boardmeetings have been


held at The Desmond in Albany in recent years, Igoe said The Desmond was not competitive in its recent bids. She said PEF did receivemore competitive bids fromthe Crowne Plaza in Albany and a Hilton hotel in Saratoga Springs and, as a result, two of


the 2011meetings would be held there. As chair of the PEF Convention Delegate


Elections Committee, Gail Noble reported on plans and proposed rules for the 2011 delegate elections. Several amendments were suggested and accepted by Noble, including changes to constituencies to reflect changes in state worksites, and expanding the list of those who would be notified of election results. As a result, division leaders, board members and PEF chairs of joint labor-management committees were added to those who will be notified of the delegates who will represent their constituencies. The board approved the amendments and the report. As chair of the PEF Political Action


Committee, Vice President Joe Fox reported on the union’s efforts on behalf of endorsed political candidates in the November 2010 election and on post-primary endorsements made by the PAC since the August board meeting. Several corrections were noted and made to the report, and the board also approved adding endorsements for Kevin Parker in state Senate District 21 and Ruben Diaz Sr. in Senate District 32.


BUY ING OR SEL L ING A HOME?


MBP NYS PEF Friends&Family Program Professional Real Estate assistance for all PEF members


 Cash Rebates when you buy or sell a home (MUST call 1-800-456-7839 ext. 4025 prior to contacting an agent.)


 Concierge Services available in select areas  Moving Services available


And if you use our mortgage provider, you’ll get ...


 Great Rates, Great Programs, Great Service!  A $300 Discount on closing costs  Refinancing Options available


Call us for information and eligibility Before you begin ...


1-800-456-7839 ext. 4025 or email us at


helpmemove@cbpp.com PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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