THE COMMUNICATOR May 2013 The official publication of the NYS Public Employees Federation www.TheCommunicator.org - www.pef.org


Ideas From Members......................................................2 Labor History .................................................................2 Health And Safety Conference A Hit...................................4 Legislative Action............................................................6 Parole Officer Speaks Out On Shooting Incident ...................6 PEF Forms Republican Committee.....................................7 President’s Message.......................................................7 PEF Commemorates Workers Memorial Day ......................8 Unions React To Bangladesh Tragedies ..............................8 Building New PEF Leaders................................................9 Retirees In Action .........................................................10 Members Request Leave Donations.................................11 Golf Tournament Slated For August .................................11 Health Notes................................................................12 Nurseline Available Day And Night ...................................13 Highlighting A PEF Volunteer...........................................13 Community Activist Receives Honor .................................14 Inspector Retires At 83.................................................15 Form To Update PEF Veterans’ Information .......................15 Member Honored As A Top Explorer................................16 Fond Farewells .............................................................17 Labor On The Move.......................................................24


Officers of PEF Susan M. Kent President Carlos Garcia Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Bayer, Wayne Spence, Barbara Ulmer Vice Presidents


Cover photo illustration by Mario Bruni


THE COMMUNICATOR


Volume 30, No.4 May 2013 (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


Kevin Hintz, Bonnie Wood, John Prince, Peter Banks, James Moffitt, Kevin Conley, Tom Donahue, Nikki Brate, Vivian Street, Sheik Nabijohn, Jemma Hanson, Connie Batts Regional Coordinators


Ronald Brown, Kenneth Johnson, Maureen Kellman, 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 Sherry Halbrook Editor Mario A. Bruni Graphic Designer Deborah A. Miles Reporter/Writer Barbara Valenti Jr. Graphic Artist Paul Murphy Secretary/Typesetter Kathi Blinn Advertising Account Executive


A Top World Explorer 16


Communications Council


Metro NY Labor


Health and Safety Conference


4


Workers Memorial Day


8


Strengthening PEF


9


Scan for the latest PEF news


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.


The Communicator May 2013—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  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24