elivers information, enthusiasm


of it focused on keeping your arms and upper body at a downward angle, and not sitting in one position for too long. I can bring this information back to the members and hopefully it also will help them prevent injuries.”


Barrington Scott, an


associate insurance examiner at the state Department of Financial Services in New York City, also valued the information he received at the office ergonomics workshop and others. “The social media


SCOTT


techniques workshop also was excellent,” Scott said.


“All the presenters were knowledgeable and delivered their messages with enthusiasm. I will share the concepts with my members.” Mark Raphael, an administrative


assistant at the state Department of Labor’s PESH program, agreed. “The workshops were


informative, especially for people who don’t have training. “I wanted to meet


people throughout the state that I speak to by phone, and build strong relationships so we can deal with the health and safety issues within our agency. This conference has allowed me to do that,” Raphael said.


Recognition The conference featured an awards


ceremony that honored three PEF health and safety activists. Mark Creighton at the state Office of


Children and Family Services received the Judith Scanlon Activist Award. Ed Snow from the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities received the Outstanding Service Award, and a Special Recognition Award was presented to Kathy D’Arminio of the state Office of Temporary


www.pef.org SCHMIDT


PAYINGTRIBUTE—Paula Hennessy,Geraldine Stella,DeniseYoung, PEF President Susan Kent and Rocco Brindisi pose for a photo after Young received a plaque honoring her husband, JimSchmidt,who died last year.Schmidt was the executive director of the Farmworker Legal Services in NewYork.He was instrumental in countless cases that awarded back pay to workers and improved labor conditions.


The Communicator May 2013—Page 5 TONKO


ATIMETO LEARN—Nearly 350 conference participants attend a variety of workshops at the 2013 statewide Health and Safety Conference held inAlbany. The 14 workshops included office ergonomics,PESH rights and responsibilities,workplace violence prevention and socialmedia techniques for health and safety communication. —Photos by Ken Dischel, headshots by DeborahMiles


and Disability Assistance. PEF Training Specialist Denise Young


was given a plaque saluting the life and union work of Jim Schmidt, her husband who died in November 2012. Schmidt was hailed by many as an “activist’s activist.”


Closing remarks Congressman Paul


Tonko ended the event with a fiery speech about the negative impact that sequestration will have on state workers and services they provide such as disaster response. “PEF’s mission is


centered on relationship


building and education as a means to advance the union,” Kent said. “This conference strengthened the relationship


PEF has with the state to improve all aspects of occupational safety and health, and left participants with more knowledge and enthusiasm to share with members at their agencies.” PEF Director of Training and Education,


and Health and Safety Paula Hennessy said, “Our goal was to have people leave feeling equipped to deal with any issues that may arise. From the comments we received, the goal was realized.”


RAPHAEL


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