State grant helps PEF keep members safe on the job By SHERRY HALBROOK


The Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Abatement Board at the state Labor Department has renewed a training grant that has been benefitting PEF members for several years. The PEF Training and Education, Health and Safety Department applies annually for the funding that helps the union keep PEF members safe on the job. PEF is just completing the current grant year (August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015) and has been awarded approximately $180,000 for 2015-16.


The grant supports the salaries of some PEF health and safety staff and provides materials for training on issues such as ergonomics, risk assessments and


workplace violence. This grant year, the funds will focus on safety improvements for the wide variety of work environments where PEF members serve New Yorkers including health care and correction facilities, offices, construction sites and other outdoor assignments. Recent examples of such trainings include worksite ergonomics and how to identify, prevent and respond to bullying in the workplace. Often the union creates new trainings for members potentially or actually facing sudden serious hazards in their workplace such as Ebola virus or SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). “This grant, along with funding set aside for health and safety in the PS&T contract, is a key resource that enables


PEF to provide training for its members and give them the most up-to-date information on how to prevent work- related accidents and illness,” said Paula Hennessy, PEF director of training and education, health and safety. “We are always looking for the best ways to address our members’ health and safety and training needs,” Hennessy said. “Keeping public employees safe and healthy on the job is good for our members, good for the public they serve, and good for taxpayers.”


If the health and safety committee at your worksite needs training or meeting support, call PEF at 800-342-4306, ext. 254 for more information.


Member appointed to state Parole Board state Senate in mid-June.


Although PEF leaders have always recognized and valued the work accomplished by its members, it’s satisfying to see when the state takes notice of an individual’s contribution to society.


Otis Cruse is an example. This New York parole officer was recently nominated to serve on the state Board of Parole, and the appointment was confirmed by the


The annual PEF Region 8 golf tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12 at the Normanside Country Club in Delmar. This year, the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).


RMHC is known for its generosity to help support children who suffer from various illnesses. At least one RMHC core program provides care for children and their families being served at 89 percent of


Cruse said he was surprised and honored, and is focused on working with the Parole Board to help identify and offer solutions to issues facing parolees. A project in the works for Cruse is the development and implementation of a program to reach out to parolee families. Family involvement would aid the parolee in a smoother transition into society, and in starting the required programs for those under community supervision. Cruse’s appointment stems from


the top children’s hospitals worldwide. The tournament begins with a four- person scramble shotgun start at 9 a.m. There must be one PEF member per foursome. The cost is $125 and the entrance fee includes breakfast at 8 a.m., refreshments on the course, green fees, golf cart and a buffet dinner featuring the awards. To attend only the dinner, the cost is $45 per person.


If you would like to participate, please mail a completed registration form and


his extensive experience in the field of criminal justice, where he worked in various roles at the state Office of Children and Family Services. More recently as a PO, Cruse worked in the Special Offenders Unit monitoring registered sex offenders and felons with mental health issues. He holds a Master’s Degree is special education from City College of New York, and also is a graduate of the PEF/ Governor’s Office of Employee Relations 2014-15 Leadership Program.


— Deborah A. Miles August golf tournament to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities


a check for the full amount payable to “Region 8 Golf Tournament.” The form and check should be mailed to Andrea Coton, PO Box 12414, Albany, NY 12212- 2414. It must be received by Friday, July 24. If you have questions, email acoton@ pef.org or call 800-342-4306 ext. 215. The tournament will be held rain or shine, and remember to wear soft spikes. Normanside Country Club is located at 150 Salisbury Road, Delmar, NY.


— Deborah A. Miles


TOPICS TACKLED – PEF leaders and members raise several issues with top- ranking staff at the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision at its annual labor-management conference held in early June in Lake Placid. Participants discussed nursing staff shortages in state prisons, the status of a new program implementation for 16- to 17-year-old inmates, civil service issues regarding educational staff, and more training for PEF-represented members who work in correctional facilities or as parole officers. DOCCS managers also answered questions and took notes from nearly 100 PEF leaders about workplace situations, and met with sub-committees. — Photo by Carlos J. Garcia


Page 20 — The Communicator July/August 2015 twitter.com/nyspef twitter.com/susankentpef PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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