DEMANDING
FAIRNESS - This cartoon is one of a series of PEF ads
that appeared in the Legislative Gazette during January
and February. - Illustration by Bob Emmons
Hey, Guv, are you listening?
PEF members continue to put pen in hand, take to their typewriters, dial up the phone and send off e-mails to Gov. George Pataki, state legislators and their local newspapers to express their ongoing frustration and growing anger about the impasse in contract talks. What follows is a sampling of what they are saying.
"My
fellow union members were shocked to hear about how
'misbehaved' we were at the Jan. 5 state workers' rally
in Albany. I got there before the crowd and stayed there
until after it dispersed, I never observed anyone
throwing anything at the police or taunting them."
Paul Rickard, Clifton Park
- Letter to Daily Gazette, Schenectady
"Given
the state's robust business climate and budget surplus,
why is the governor treating his workforce with such
disdain? We hope Pataki comes to his senses soon and
offers his rank-and-file employees a contract that treats
them with fairness and respect."
Ruth Gaines, Central Islip
- Letter to Newsday
"Since
1991, the unions have received a raise of less than 2
percent a year. The bi-weekly premium for health
insurance has gone from $34.28 in 1991 to $91.33 in 1999,
an increase of $57.05 every two weeks. These union
workers are not looking to get rich: They are just hoping
for a fair and equitable contract."
Bob Purtell, Little Meadows
- Letter to Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin
"I
used to live in Cortland Manor. My union was PEF, I WAS a
Republican. I had to sell my house. I couldn't afford to
live in New York supporting a family of five on my state
salary and pay the taxes. Now I live in Arizona. I have a
bigger house at a lesser price, better schools, more
services, less graffiti, and what I paid in taxes a week
in New York I pay in one month here in Arizona."
Peter Allen Jones, Arizona
- E-mail to Gov. Pataki, Assemblyman John Faso
"We
the workers of the state of New York represent what the
middle class of this state is all about - honest,
peaceful law-abiding, hard-working people. We are New
York. Why is it that the governor does not understand
this? Is it not time he ... faced the people who work for
him in an honest way and get this behind us?"
Michael Kosty, Vestal
- E-mail to Gov. Pataki
"I
implore Governor Pataki to begin treating us, and our
leadership, with the respect and fairness we have earned.
We only ask for a fair and equitable labor agreement, not
a disrespectful slap in the face."
Michael J. Delpiano, New Hartford
- Letter to Legislative Gazette
The
state does not bargain with its workers. Instead, hiding
behind the Taylor Law, it offers take-it or leave-it
packages that must be accepted in whole or not at
all."
Howard J.Goldstein, Hewlett
- Letter to Newsday
"I've
been working for this great state for over 10 years and
my salary is under $26,000. I work a regular part-time
job and try to squeeze in another one in between. What's
wrong with this picture? It takes a toll on me and on
trying to live a normal family life and be a good father
to my four children. There's no quality family time or,
heaven forbid, social life with my family. Let's consider
this, governor: I'll give you the chance to do what's
right, or me and my union brothers and sisters will make
sure your political life is hell. Not to mention that
"you're out of here" when the time comes to
vote. ...I will not stop speaking out and writing letters
until you do what's right."
James Calfa, Mastic Beach
- Letter to Gov. George Pataki
"Most
of the people the governor gave huge raises to haven't
been around very long. Most of us have been around a long
time due to downsizing and hiring freezes. We actually
experienced the lean years. There is no complicated
political agenda here; we just want fair
compensation."
Danny Lynch, Delmar
- Letter to Times Union of Albany
"Police
and demonstrators at the Jan. 5 rally created a peaceful
situation in spite of the political chicanery that lead
up to it. Nobody taunted or heckled the police and the
police gave us respect - respect we still do not have
from Pataki & Co. Congratulations to the police, PEF
and CSEA. Shame on Pataki, who is the highest paid
governor in the country. We will remember these
police-state tactics.
Doug Bullock, Albany
- Letter to Legislative Gazette
"As
members of PEF, my colleagues and I were flabbergasted
when the governor's contract team made an insulting
proposal last year that offered us a zero-percent raise
over four years, essentially telling us to drop dead. The
governor's offer was especially asinine, since he had
received a 38-percent salary increase, as did the state
Legislature. Is there any wonder that some of the
employees (CSEA snowplow drivers) felt frustrated enough
to take a job action even though the action was not
approved by their union? "
Ravi Kunnakkat, Lynbrook
- Letter to Newsday
"The
state Legislature's lack of interest in the plight of
state workers has been inexcusable. A union's ultimate
weapon is the right to strike, but state workers are
forbidden to employ that tool because the Legislature
denied them authority to strike, but pledged to impose a
contract on both sides in the event of a stalemate in
negotiations. Now, although 130,000 public employee union
member have been without a contract since April, the
Legislature refuses to take action."Mary Kelley
Cherubin, Schenectady
- Letter to Times Union of Albany
Join the fight for a fair contract. Tell the governor you deserve a contract that treats you with respect!
- Call:1-877-373-7920
- Write:
Gov. George Pataki
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341
- Email: gov.pataki@chamber.state.ny.us