  MEMBERS
MOBILIZING — PEF members and other supporters of the
Nathan Kline Institute rally at the Orangeburg research
facility in April. — Photo by Ed RayMembers carry out mobilization training with rallies, mail campaigns By DEBORAH A. MILES PEF members successfully demonstrated their mobilization skills in March and April in an effort to protect the welfare of mentally ill patients and avoid layoffs threatened by proposed state budget cuts. From Middletown to Elmira, members organized rallies and other activities to increase public awareness and to gain community support to protest state budget cuts that would close state psychiatric centers and research facilities. “The mobilization conference earlier this year inspired groups to develop solid plans and now they are carrying them out,” said PEF Assistant Director of Mobilization and Education Margaret Messer. “What’s happening is that PEF is realizing a statewide mobilization activity.” Many PEF leaders are holding weekly planning meetings and more frequent general membership meetings. Members are also tightening coalitions with other local unions and receiving support from legislators, local government officials and private mental health care agencies. Innovative planning pays off PEF members working at the psychiatric centers targeted for closure are initiating some innovative plans to fight back. Members at Elmira Psychiatric Center planned a huge rally in April, and also went to local shopping malls where they obtained more than 10,000 signatures on petitions to keep the doors open at their facility. At the St. Patrick’s Day parade, members working at Hutchings PC gathered 2,000 signatures on their petitions. “Our council leaders and members are capitalizing on both internal and external mobilization and communication strategies,” said Messer.  Mail campaign for lawmakers PEF members at the Institute for Basic Research (IBR) are battling its proposed closure by mailing and personally delivering more than 30,000 letters to lawmakers and the governor. Postcards and letters are also being sent from members at the Nathan Kline and New York State Psychiatric Institutes. Many of these targeted facilities and the Nathan Kline and NYS Psychiatric Institutes have arranged legislative tours and press conferences to voice their opposition to proposed budget cuts. Earlier this year, the Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Center sponsored a legislative breakfast, attracting more than 200 lawmakers who attended during a snowstorm. PEF mobilizers gained additional public and media attention by using props, such as the 25-foot inflatable rat loaned from the Laborer’s Union for the rally to save the Middletown Psychiatric Center in March. “These tools, and strategies that play a vital role in what PEF is aiming to accomplish.” |
COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
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