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


You Said It .....................................................................2 Drug Copay Charges May Be Wrong..................................2 Second Contract Deal Meets Members’ Needs ...................4 Layoffs Create Personal, Professional Hardships .................5 Layoffs A ‘Lose-Lose’ For Public, Employees ........................5 Members Volunteer At Disaster Recovery Centers...............6 Military Challenged After Being Discharged.........................6 President’s Message.......................................................7 Workers’ Comp Tide Turned Against Workers .....................7 Retirees In Action ...........................................................8 Health Notes................................................................10 Heart Walk Exceeds Goal ...............................................13 Nurses Station .............................................................14 Golf Tournament Funds Scanlon Scholarship .....................14


CONTRACT UPDATE


4


MILITARY DISCHARGE FACTS


6


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


7


COVER GRAPHIC— By Mario A. Bruni and Paul Murphy


Follow PEF on: Find PEF on: CHOOSING A HEALTH PLAN


THE COMMUNICATOR Volume 28, No. 9 November 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


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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 November 2011—Page 3


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