Elections, budget issues top PEF Exec. Board’s November agenda

By LINDA RUBIN and SHERRY HALBROOK
PEF President Roger Benson reported to the union’s Executive Board at its November 21-22 meeting in Albany on the outcome of state and national races in the General Election held two weeks earlier.

Benson said Gov. George Pataki, Attorney General Elliot Spitzer and other candidates PEF endorsed had been calling to thank the union for its support.

Benson gave the board a status report on the state’s early retirement incentive options and shared his expectations regarding the state budget.

The board also received an analysis of the state’s fiscal situation and budget shortfalls from Tom Cetrino, PEF’s director of civil service enforcement.

PEF Vice President Pat Baker gave the board an update on the union’s Job Security Campaign.

In updating the board on PEF’s preparations for PS&T contract negotiations, Benson announced Tony Wildman, who is on loan to PEF from the American Federation of Teachers, will be the deputy lead negotiator for PEF in these talks which opened in January.

PEF elections
Eugene Greco was sworn in at this meeting as a board representative for members at the state Department of Tax and Finance. Greco filled a vacancy on the board and will serve the unexpired term which ends June 30th.

No further special elections to fill vacancies will be held until the after the PEF Triennial Elections in 2003 which includes all seats on the board, as well as regional and statewide officers and trustees.

The PEF Triennial Election Rules were adopted by the board.

In addition, the board made a technical amendment to the PEF Code of Ethics.

And the board refused to hear an appeal relating to recent PEF Division 285 elections, letting the ruling of the Divisions Election Committee stand.

PEF finances
PEF Secretary-Treasurer Jane Hallum reported on the union finances and the board approved two amendments to the 2002-03 PEF budget. Hallum also reported on the closing of the PEF World Trade Center Fund and the Negus Trust Account after the balances on both accounts were paid out.

Two technical resolutions were adopted regarding the 401K plan for PEF staff.

And the board adopted a PEF Website Privacy Policy following a report from the union’s Membership Information Services Department.

PEF conventions
PEF Vice President Joe Fox announced the board will be asked at its March 2003 meeting to select sites for the 2005 and 2006 PEF conventions

The board referred 2002 PEF Convention Resolutions 10, 12 and 13 to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

Board members passed a motion recommending the president appoint a committee to review membership representation on the Executive Board.

And the board adopted a policy stating: “The title of ‘Chairperson’ or ‘Member’ of any PEF committee must not be used to sign any correspondence not directly related to the business of that committee.

Union solidarity
The board passed a resolution supporting Service Employees International Union Local 200 United’s efforts to organize cleaners at the state Labor Department.

Board members also took the time to join a demonstration in support of organizing workers at an Albany-area Wal-Mart.

PEF Region 6 Coordinator Michael DelPiano thanked everyone for their financial support of PEF member Ted Fox at the state Transportation Department, who was injured last year when a pedestrian bridge under construction near Utica collapsed.

The board also adopted the minutes of its August 2002 meeting.

COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
New pact ends 20 years of sick-leave inequity
PEF wins $1.75 million for members
Downstate members to save on fares
Stay in the know with contract talks
Early Retirement window is closing fast

Budge Breakdown
PEF fires back against proposed budget
Program, job cuts in proposed state budget
• Office of Mental Health (OMH)
• OMRDD
• Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
• Transportation Department (DOT)
• Office of General Services (OGS)
• ENCON
• Education Department (SED)
• VESID
• Health Department (DOH)
• Department of Corrections Services
• Division of Parole (DOP)
• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Departments
President's Message: Stopping job-killing layoffs
You Said It: Member's letters this month
Health & Safety: Working conditions symposium
Member Mobilization: Exposing weakest links
Nurses' Station: LobbyDay plans for May 5th
Health Notes: Expanded coverage for women
Retirees In Action: Death-benefit coverage
PEF Membership Benefits Program & Travel Corp

Union Matters
DVD on members’ accounts of workplace violence
Hidden talents emerge among members
State AFL-CIO offers scholarship
Election Board meeting
DCAAccount user? File IRS form 2441
2003-2006 Elections Corrected Definitions

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