| PEF takes Roswell issues to lawmakers, courts | |
| PEF is looking
to the courts and the Legislature for help in enforcing
the provisions of agreements at Roswell Park Cancer
Institute in Buffalo that affect the civil-service rights
of employees and the quality of research and patient
care. The problems have arisen since Roswell detached from the state Health Department and became a separate public-benefit corporation in 1998. PEF is contacting legislators from the Buffalo area to let them know that the state Department of Civil Service continues to deny Roswell employees their statutory right to take state promotion exams or transfer to state agencies as other state workers. A new agreement between Roswell and the state Department of Civil Service allows the institute's employees taking jobs at state agencies to transfer their vacation, personal, holiday and sick-leave accruals and to maintain their anniversary dates. The agreement also applies to state employees who transfer to service at Roswell. "This reciprocal agreement would not have been signed without the advocacy of Buffalo-area lawmakers," said PEF President Roger Benson. "Unfortunately, we continue to need their help in getting the state to honor its commitments to these employees." Meanwhile, PEF has filed suit against Roswell Park because of its decision to place many PEF-represented titles, including all nursing titles, in the non-competitive class - a decision which undermines their ability to transfer to state agencies and their rights to due-process if they are disciplined. "Our local leaders are working closely with union staff and the lawmakers to resolve these problems," Benson said. "Our members should notify the union whenever they experience any of these difficulties." - Sherry Halbrook |
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