PICKETING PATAKI
- PEF President Roger
E. Benson leads protesters at the January 5th contract
rally in front of the Governor's Mansion in Albany. -
Photo by Will Waldron
He
could not help but hear us
By ROGER E. BENSON
PEF members came from all across the state last month -
20,000 strong - for the governor's State of the State
message.
We came to let the governor know the true state of the
state, and to tell him exactly how we feel about the
contract stalemate and why we're demanding a fair and
reasonable contract.
We found the Capitol transformed into an armed camp, and
met an unprecedented police presence deliberately
attempting to hinder access to and from the demonstration
and infringe upon our rights to public assembly and free
speech.
The governor's overreaction to our presence at the
Capitol speaks volumes about his attitude toward the
dedicated employees who provide the vital services the
people of New York rely on. His actions and contract
position are indefensible.
We sacrificed during the state's fiscal crisis only to
have our sacrifices forgotten once the crisis was over.
It's time to make up for those sacrifices. The governor
took his 38 percent pay raise. The legislators took their
38 percent pay raise. We've earned ours.
While the governor attempted to silence and intimidate
our membership, it is clear from all the media accounts
that we won the day. He heard us.
No matter how many police officers he hides behind, the
governor now knows that we will not stop until we get a
fair contract.
Thank you to all who participated in the demonstration,
as well as all of our other contract efforts. It is your
voices that must be heard, and it is your voices that
will ensure we get the fair contract we deserve.