Hundreds rally to protect community services


— Photo by Deborah A.Miles


By DEBORAH A. MILES


after speaker sent loud and strong messages to the governor about saving state-provided services in New York. Nearly 500 union members gathered,


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cheered, applauded and whistled in the well of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. It was a show of solidarity among top labor unions, and a clear sign people will not tolerate unnecessary cuts in community services. PEF President Susan M. Kent opened


the event by thanking the statewide crowd for attending. “We all stand together with trade unions


and public-sector unions,” Kent shouted. “We are fighting for quality services for our children and adults. This is not government by fiat. Start including the public and the Legislature in the decision process, as the Legislature is an elected branch of government. “Governor, come out with a plan. If the


services are not going to be dismantled and diminished, if there is not going to be any hardships for families, then show us the plan. Until we see one, we will continue to fight for quality services.” Kent was referring to the governor’s decision to close inpatient wards and


Page 4—The Communicator March 2014


LABOR UNITED – PEF President Susan M.Kent, flanked by NY labor leaders, opens the rally with amessage on the importance of saving state services. — Photo by Sherry Halbrook


reduce the number of beds at facilities operated by the state Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and closing state-operated prisons that have successful and unique rehabilitation programs. The rally also focused on a long battle to keep SUNY Downstate Medical Center solvent.


Guarding against privatization PEF members were easily identified


wearing bright red T-shirts and yellow scarves and hats. They chanted in unity with Civil Service Employees Association and New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association members as 17 speakers each made a strong case to re-evaluate the needs in communities, and


—Photo by Dan Steen PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


istory was made January 29 at a PEF-organized rally when speaker


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