By Linda L. Rubin
Editor’s Note: As required by a resolution adopted at the 2000 PEF Convention, the following is a synopsis of the December 12 PEF Executive Board Meeting:

The last quarterly Executive Board meeting for the year 2000 was held in Albany, New York.

Three newly-elected board members were sworn in: Wesley Bartlett, representing the Executive Department; Carl Franklin, representing the Labor Department and the State Insurance Fund; and Robert Varano, representing the Labor Department and Workers’ Compensation. President Roger Benson also announced that Pat Baker, former Region 11 coordinator, is now the vice president, having been previously sworn in.

President Benson reported on the administration's priorities: job security, stronger contracts, retirement reform and full staffing.

Director of Labor Relations Roger Scales discussed PS&T Contract Article 12.71. Specifically, he discussed what had been negotiated and how the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) was interpreting the language. He reported two class-action grievances were filed and announced if any agency was changing the past practice for members in grade 22 and below they should notify PEF immediately.

The PEF/USWA contract for PEF staff was brought forth at this board meeting. Director of Education and Training Cliff Merchant explained the modifications to the previous contract, and the motion to adopt the contract carried. The M/C Benefit Package proposal was also adopted.

President Benson announced that in an effort to support an organizing drive at Amazon.com he had called for PEF members to boycott the internet retailer until the organizing drive was allowed to continue without interference. This information was communicated to the CEO of Amazon.com and the presidents of the AFL-CIO, SEIU and AFT. Secretary-Treasurer Jane Hallum presented budget amendments, that were adopted, on the increased

revenue generated by the new collective-bargaining agreement between PEF and the state of New York.

A policy was adopted regarding the location for the quarterly Executive Board meetings that would mandate they be held for two consecutive days, preferably in the Capital District and, when possible, on Thursdays and Fridays.

PEF member Robert Bailey from the state Department of Transportation was the recipient of the PEF Quality Service Award. He thanked and addressed the board.

A policy was introduced and defeated regarding payment for EOL that had been denied. This issue will be addressed again at the March board meeting.

The Delegate Election Committee report was presented and adopted.

The Special Elections Committee proposed a change to the rules for special elections that would eliminate using members’ Social Security numbers. The committee recommended a PIN number in place of the Social Security number that would be the member’s first initial and up to four letters of their last name and the last four digits of their Social Security number. Many members had expressed concern regarding the use of their Social Security number.

The NYS Working Families Party was added to the list of organizations eligible to receive PEF political contributions in the PEF Guidelines for Political Contributions.

There was a discussion regarding the higher rate for health-insurance premiums. Robert Carrothers, PEF’s director of contract administration, explained that all state bargaining units would have the same rate after they started paying the premium on drug prescriptions. The meeting adjourned at 3:26 p.m.

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