PEF spoofs Gov's contract offer with Pataki look-alike
The
union tried humor in December as part of its campaign for
a fair contract, using a PEF member made up to look like
Gov. George Pataki to hand out lumps of coal to fellow
employees in downtown Albany. The campaign was designed to expose the inconsistency between the governor's lavish praise for the state work force and his meager contract offer.
The Pataki look-alike - PEF steward and council leader Edward Lucas of the state Transportation Department, greeted state employees during a noon-hour stroll through the Empire State Plaza. He thanked them for their "outstanding service on behalf of the citizens of New York," and gave them "holiday bonuses" boxed lumps of coal.
The boxes were decorated with an image of Gov. Pataki dressed as Ebeneezer Scrooge, and carried the message, "Even Ebeneezer Scrooge changed his ways. Give us a fair deal, governor!"
"The governor ought to be ashamed of himself for demanding costly contract concessions, in exchange for a meager salary increase," Lucas told reporters. "He has repeatedly stated our workers are the best in the nation and it's about time he compensated us accordingly."
- By Denyce Duncan Lacy