We’re in this together, listening and leading


By KENNETH BRYNIEN The principal function of a union is


to negotiate terms and conditions of employment for its members and to use our collective strength and the will of our membership to influence the negotiating process. I have received comments and


questions regarding the decision to disclose the details of the state’s contract offer and why we, as a union, involve our members as deeply in our issues as we do. The fact is, on critical issues


affecting you, our members, you deserve to have a voice in the process and have transparency regarding the issues. As president, I believe I have an obligation to provide the information you need to make informed comments. This is especially true for our PS&T contract. Listening to you, is just as important as leading you.


As public employees, we


have had our jobs, our wages and our benefits threatened since the economic downturn began in 2008. Through it all, from last year’s rallies against breaking our contract, to the rallies and vigils against layoffs, and just last month the rally for fairness and respect, you have lent your support. Your knowledge and understanding


IT’SABOUT RESPECT—PEF President Ken Brynien addressesmore than 1,000members at PEF’s June 20 rally inAlbany.


of what we are fighting for is the spark that has allowed us to achieve our successes. As we face the dual threats to our


contract and job security, and the outcome of this struggle has yet to be determined, I can say with pride that through our tele-townhall meetings, website surveys, hundreds of meetings throughout the state, and your ability to directly contact PEF officers, every


one of you has had the opportunity to help determine our direction and the outcome of our efforts. I have always believed knowledge is


power, and our greatest asset in the struggles we face is an active and informed membership. Placed in the context of our


contract negotiations, it is you, our members, who will determine the direction we ultimately take. Thank you for your courage, your


steadfast support and your collective wisdom.


Dust finally settling on PEF’s legislative battles


By SHERRY HALBROOK As the state Legislature hung on for a


few last days beyond its scheduled June 20 adjournment, the tally on PEF’s legislative victories shot up quickly.


No tears for Tier 6 Sometimes what doesn’t happen is as


important as what does. The governor’s threatened proposal of a new state pension Tier 6 was never introduced. However, it’s a bullet still in the


“chamber” that could be discharged yet if the governor decides to call lawmakers back into session to deal with it as “emergency” legislation.


Almost, not quite Two of the bills most important to PEF


made it through the state Assembly, but never came to the floor for a vote in the Senate: • The Cost-Benefit Analysis Bill,


A5128-A/S3093, would require state agencies to figure out whether their own employees could do work at the same or lower cost before handing it over to private consultants; and • The Safe Patient Handling Bill,


A1370-A/S2470-A, would create a state Health Department task force to establish a safe-patient-handling policy and oversee


www.pef.org


its implementation in health care facilities across the state.


Signed, sealed, delivered At least a dozen other bills PEF


supported were passed by both houses. The most historic of these, the


Marriage Equality Act, was passed and quickly signed into law in the final hours of the final day of the session.


In Cuomo’s court A significant number of bills supported


by PEF passed both houses. They will be among those sent to the governor in small groups in coming weeks and months for his signature or veto. They include: • S5109/ A8111 would extend an


existing temporary exemption in the Public Officers Law to allow state employees who are laid off to apply for jobs with companies that do business with the state; • S5651/A7834 would decrease the


minimum time required before a retirement application becomes effective from 30 to 15 days; • S5558/A7835-B would provide


health benefits and death benefits to survivors of public employees who die while on active duty in the armed forces; • S4131/A5738 would extend the


effective date of provisions in the Civil Service Law allowing for injunctive relief in improper-practice cases; • S2765/A3582 would require a report


on the capacity and staffing of state correctional facilities; • S5796/A8330 would create an


abuse-prevention notification system and would require the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to provide certain information to providers when they request a criminal- background check on a prospective employee or volunteer; • S5793/A8324 would put employees


of state contractors and licensees on notice that all instances of abuse of mentally and developmentally disabled persons will be fully investigated and such investigations will not stop even if the accused person leaves their job; • S5795/A8325 would require certain


alleged crimes at mental hygiene facilities to be reported within 24 hours; • S5792/A8322 would move the


OPWDD ombudsman to the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities; and • S296-B/A1363-B would require


supervision fees for parolees be collected at a central location and not by the parole officer assigned to supervise the parolee.


The Communicator July-August 2011—Page 7


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


LEGISLATIVE ACTION


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