The Communicator Letters policy

We welcome letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant to PEF's diverse membership.

All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste.

Please keep them brief (up to one page, double-spaced or a maximum of 250 words), and please include your name and phone number for verification.
Send letters to:
The Communicator
Public Employees Federation
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414

email Denyce Duncan Lacy, Executive Editor The Communicator - Director of Public Relations dduncanlacy@pef.org
Sherry Halbrook, Editor of The Communicator- shalbrook@pef.org
Thanks for help in saving QCPC

To the Editor:
The members of the Advisory Council of Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center (QCPC) would like to thank PEF for its efforts to ensure the children and young people at QCPC remain in their separate and child-appropriate QCPC building.

We are aware this might not have come about without PEF’s contribution and resources. The campaign on radio and in the newspapers did much to heighten public awareness. Setting up the Children’s Mental Health Partnership provided essential cohesiveness and support in averting the proposal to have the children and young people moved to a 17-floor building at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. As you know, we believe that would have been a disastrous throwback in the delivery of mental-health services.

It seems conceivable to us the partnership may have a continuing and important role in monitoring, expediting and following up the implementation of relevant capital appropriations that may become available.

PEF’s continued support has meant a great deal to the children and young people, their families and to us, and we are very grateful.

DOROTHY B. LEE, president
QCPC Advisory Council
 Probationers need protection
To the Editor:
I was pleased to see in the April issue that PEF has decided to back several legislative proposals, including one (S5259/A8741) that purports to guarantee all public employees the right of union representation during disciplinary interviews.

However, the bill fails to extend the right to representation to probationary employees who, by definition, are not included under the disciplinary rubrick of the contract.

Management often interviews probationary employees with an eye toward dismissal, and the employees have no right to be represented.
Even a probationary employee has rights, though. One cannot be fired in bad faith or for an illegal reason. Thus, representation should be due. I urge PEF and its regional political-action committees to ask the bills’ sponsors to amend them to include representational protection for probationary employees.

JOSEPH ANNIELLO
Albany

Thanks to PEF staff for help

To the Editor:
I would like to recognize the advocacy, the humanism and tenacity of PEF health benefits specialist Lorraine Simpkins.

Through her efforts, precedent was set by the restoration and legitimization of benefits to those who were forced to pay a $250 deductible, because of their loyalty to care by one doctor who left a group practice to start his own. This resulted in loss of his Empire Plan participating-provider status.

Ms. Simpkins’ efforts make me proud to be a member of PEF and further strengthens my conviction that an organization is only as good as its members and staff.

PHIL SULLIVAN
Poughkeepsie

 He won’t forget how PEF helped

To the Editor:
PEF’s efforts to seek funds and to deliver on them (to the families of World Trade Center victims), is truly admirable.

They are, in my situation, most appreciated and timely. On behalf of my sister Rose (Riso), I can only say, “Thank you, once again,” to President Roger Benson and all of the PEF staff who go unseen.

As I have said before, PEF was the first to come to my side and you continue to stand by me.

This will never be forgotten — just like Rose.

PETER RISO