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THE COMMUNICATOR March 2014 The official publication of the NYS Public Employees Federation www.TheCommunicator.org - www.pef.org


Ideas From Members .......................................................................2 Labor History ..................................................................................2 Hundreds Rally To Protect Community Services ....................................4 PEF’s Budget Concerns.....................................................................6 President’s Message ........................................................................7 State Budget Breakdown...................................................................8 Black & Puerto Rican Conference Focuses On Activism .........................9 Retirees In Action ..........................................................................10 PEF Wins Layoff Battle At SUNY Downstate.......................................11 All-Electric Car Helps Member Contribute To Clean Air.........................11 Parole Title Merger Compromises Integrity Of Position.........................12 Parolee Gets 40-Life For Attempting To Kill Officer ..............................12 Union Pushes To Challenge Flu Mask Regulation .................................13 Community Involvement Earns Member Recognition ............................14 Nurse Selected As Employee Of The Year...........................................14 Parole Project Assistant Receives Excellence Award............................14 PEF Urges Federal Lawmakers To Protect Services.............................15 Saving Sagamore Rally Attracts Dozens After Storm...........................15 PEF Mourns Indick .........................................................................15 Donate Leave To Ailing Members......................................................16 Communication Notes ....................................................................18 Trustees Report ............................................................................19 Health Notes.................................................................................20 Executive Board Vacancies Filled.......................................................22 Fond Farewells ..............................................................................22 Sign Up For The Region 8 Biggest Loser Challenge .............................24 Rally Highlights In Photos ................................................................28


CORRECTIONA statement attributed to Jayne Van Bramer saying the state believes there are too many hospitals and inpatient beds is incorrect and that the state


is planning closures on a yearly basis. That information for the February Communicator story was taken from an obsesrver’s unofficial notes, rather than from the L-M chair’s official notes. PEF apologizes to Ms. Van Bramer and looks forward to productive labor- management meetings.


THE COMMUNICATOR


Volume 31, No.2 March 2014 (0745-6514)


The Official Publication of the New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO, 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Rd., 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.


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


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


Cover Photography by Tim Raab, Deborah A. Miles, Sherry Halbrook and Dan Steen. Layout by Mario Bruni


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


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 Paul Murphy Secretary/Typesetter Kathi Blinn Advertising Account Executive


Communications Council


Metro NY Labor


Scan PEF.org The Communicator March 2014—Page 3 PAROLE ISSUES 12


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 and Services Employees International Union.


SOS RALLY PEF


1 2 3


4


Expands shifting to BOCES the delivery of educational services at OCFS facilities.


*NOTE: PEF leaders have sent information to labor-management chairs, council leaders and Executive Board members, met with the Statewide PAC and the Executive Council, and have determined PEF will oppose the following issues with the two noted exceptions:


SFY2014-15BUDGET ISSUE


Authorizes a pilot program that allows up to five, for- profit corporations to own and operate hospitals in NYS.


Expands exemptions in the Nurse Practitioner Act to affect direct-care staff in non-certified settings.


*Nurse Practitioners Modernization Act: PEF is getting input from members who are nurse practitioners before deciding if the union will oppose this proposal.


EFFECT


It threatens the viability of the SUNY public hospitals and sets the stage for privatization of state hospitals.


It allows unlicensed direct-care staff to perform tasks that should be done by nursing professionals, e.g., passing out medications.


Experienced nurse practitioners could forego written collaboration agreements with doctors; could supervise new nurse practitioners.


PEF’s BUDGET CONCERNS


Would allow BOCES to provide any instruction and program services that it provides to school districts to youth in OCFS Facilities; thereby, replacing OCFS p


6 CONCERNS


4


9 CAUCUS ISSUES


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  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28