THE COMMUNICATOR May 2012 The official publication of the NYS Public Employees Federation www.TheCommunicator.org - www.pef.org


You Said It .................................................................... 2 Golf Tournament Set For July........................................... 2 Work Injuries Create Workers’ Comp OT Costs ............... 4,5 Training Provides Insight For Safer Worksites..................... 5 State Budget Update...................................................... 6 President’s Message...................................................... 7 Grievance Pays Off For IT Specialists................................. 8 Nominations Due For Privatization Fight Back Award ........... 8 Truth Be Told ................................................................ 9 Retirees In Action .........................................................10 Political Action..............................................................11 Nurses Station .............................................................12 Members In Syracuse Protest On Tax Day ........................12 Legislative Action..........................................................13 Vietnam Veterans Finally Welcomed Home .......................14 Members Complete World’s Toughest Course ...................14 Injured Member Testifies For Faster OSHA Action..............15 Health Notes................................................................16


Enrollment Time Approaches to Bank Overtime ...............17 Member Mobilization................................................18,19


WORKERS’ COMP CASES SOAR


4


HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING


5


BUDGET DETAILS


6


COVER GRAPHIC— By Mario A. Bruni


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THE COMMUNICATOR Volume 29, No. 4 May 2012 (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. 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.


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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


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