PEF victorious in layoff battle at SUNY Downstate


By DEBORAH A. MILES During the past two years, news about


the future of SUNY Downstate Medical Center has been dominated by two things: the threat of layoffs and possible closure of a hospital crippled by insolvency; and the heartfelt strength of a coalition of labor, faith and community leaders whose collective voice has not been ignored. Don Morgenstern, PEF


Executive Board member and council leader at Downstate, has been front and center since the battle to save the hospital that serves 400,000 Brooklynites began in January 2012. Morgenstern and three


MORGENSTERN


other research scientists received a layoff notice early this year. On


February 7, he received official word that Downstate permanently rescinded the layoff notices. “There is no doubt the layoffs were


rescinded because of PEF’s actions,” Morgenstern said. “It began with PEF President Susan Kent putting pressure on the governor’s office and on SUNY’s board


that layoffs are unacceptable for this title. PEF Contract Administration Director Elizabeth Hough and her staff came up with a brilliant idea for a contract grievance. I believe SUNY backed down when it realized PEF would win the grievance, which could have set a precedent for other employees. PEF’s legal department had briefs prepared. I am confident if we had to go to court, we would have won. This was truly a ‘team PEF’ effort and I thank all the other staff, elected officials and Executive Board members for their support.” This victory illustrates how strong


leadership, perseverance and educated action can make a difference. Although this is one battle won, the war isn’t over to keep Downstate afloat. The day prior to Morgenstern’s good


news, more than a 100 people from the coalition held a strategizing session and press conference in Brooklyn. Elected officials such as New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, plus state Assembly members, senators and city councilmen attended, along with several new clergy members. Assembly Members James Brennan, Nick Perry and Karim Camara said they


All-electric cars gain in popularity despite shortage of chargers


Story and photo By DEBORAH A. MILES PEF is always pointing out how members


play a role in their communities. One member who is passionate about preserving the planet and keeping the environment free of pollutants hopes others will follow in the tire tracks of his all-electric car. Michael Stella, a PEF Executive Board


member, decided to acquire his Nissan Leaf in February 2013. He has been driving it for more than a year and can’t say enough about the advantages, besides not having to pay the going rate at the gas pump. “I listened to the governor’s State of the


State message last year and he spoke about electric cars and how he would promote them by installing chargers around the state,” Stella said. “In 2001, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) had a few electric vehicles. I had the opportunity to drive one, and found it to be enjoyable and more responsive than a gas-dependent car.” Stella has a one-way 30-mile commute


to work on I-87, and averages 60 to 70 miles on one charge. Driving around town under 55 mph, his


car can run up to 80 to 90 miles on one charge during warm weather. On very cold


www.pef.org


days, the Leaf manages 40 to 50 miles on a single charge because of the electricity used to keep the battery warm, as well as the passenger compartment which comfortably seats five adults. “It’s a smooth ride because it doesn’t


have any gears. As soon as you press the pedal, it accelerates. It will go up to 90 miles-per-hour,” Stella said. At his home, the car is charged on 110


volts and it takes up to 14 hours if the car is on “empty,” adding about $50 to his electric bill per month. While the state hasn’t installed many


chargers at agencies, Stella was fortunate to find two behind Chili’s restaurant, very close to the DOT offices on Wolf Road in Albany. That charger has 220 volts, and it takes four to five hours to “fill it up.” Stella said chargers also can be found in


some grocery store parking lots. There is no charge to use the chargers. In some cases, you must scan a card to use the unit. “There are so many environmental


benefits for driving an all-electric car,” Stella said. “There is zero pollution, no oil changes, and no emissions so a “check engine” light never goes on. The only drawback is the time it takes to charge it, and the lack of chargers around the state.


PLUG-IN CAR—Mike Stella uses a charge gun, instead of a gas pump, for his electric car.


“If people saw more chargers, perhaps


they would entertain the idea of getting an electric car, or at least a plug-in hybrid. I leased this one for two years because I anticipate improvements in future models. It is not only fun to drive, it gives you a sense of doing your bit for the environment.”


The Communicator March 2014—Page 11


would remove the privatization language from the governor’s budget bill, and praised PEF’s leadership in the fight to keep Downstate open. Morgenstern said, while the number of


patients continues to increase, the staff is decreasing. Recent layoff notices have gone to Civil Service Employees Association and United University Profession members. Last year, approximately 350 employees were laid off from these unions. “The coalition is strong and we have all


pledged to save SUNY Downstate,” Morgenstern said. One of the reasons for Downstate’s


insolvency is its acquisition of the money- losing Long Island College Hospital (LICH) in Cobble Hill. SUNY’s Board of Trustees tried to sell LICH last summer, and it has been fraught with delays and controversy. Several court hearings were held to block the sale of LICH and SUNY’s board put a stop to the bids. “What finally transpires with LICH will


definitely have an effect on Downstate,” Morgenstern said. “No matter what that outcome is, and that may take months, we need to have plans and solutions to save Downstate. Thousands of lives depend on our services.”


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