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THE COMMUNICATOR October 2011 The official publication of the NYS Public Employees Federation www.TheCommunicator.org - www.pef.org


PEF’s Endorsements For November Election........................2 Executive Board Special Elections ......................................2 Members Reject Tentative Agreement ...............................4 Coming Together At PEF’s Annual Convention......................5 State Of The Union..........................................................6 President’s Message.......................................................7 Treasurer Urges Careful Spending.....................................7 Members Respond To Flooding In New York .....................8,9 Retirees In Action .........................................................10 Sept. 11 Dust Clouds To Waterfalls.................................11 Lee Devastates New York’s Southern Tier.........................11 Retirement Applications Double Since Last Year ................12 PEF’s Trustees Report ..............................................13-15 Delegates Adopt Resolutions ..........................................16 New Research Uncovers Marvels Of The Mind ..................18 Nurses Station .............................................................19 PEF’s Financial Statement..........................................20-26 Executive Board Confronts Attacks ..................................28 Member Highlights........................................................30 Communicator Statement Of Ownership ...........................30


CONVENTION PHOTOS— Richard Dillard and Ken Dischel


COVER GRAPHIC— By Mario A. Bruni


Follow PEF on: Find PEF on: RESEARCHING THE MIND 18


THE COMMUNICATOR Volume 28, No. 8 October 2011 (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 e-mail 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, Peter Banks,Mary Twitchell, Kevin Conley, TomDonahue, BillWurster, Vivian Street, Vernetta Chesimard, Jemma Hanson, Connie Batts 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 Marty OʼConnor Columnist Mario A. Bruni Graphic Designer 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 October 2011—Page 3


OPENING THE BALLOTS


4


CONVENTION COVERAGE


5


ASSESSING FLOOD DAMAGE


8


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  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36