Member
involvement key to PEF’s success
By KENNETH BRYNIEN
Since the introduction of the state Executive Budget at the end of January, much
of PEF’s effort has targeted the deficiencies in the state budget. Our success
on virtually every one of our priorities is a testament to our preparation and
the work of our many leaders and activists.
Many people thought, given the additions to the state workforce, that our
potential to succeed on our budget issues would be limited, but succeed we did.
We achieved budget restorations for the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
and the Department of Civil Service, and stopped a Berger-style closure
commission for correctional facilities, to name just a few.
Even with these successes, our job is still not finished. Threats to our members
remain, the Legislature has barely begun to pass legislation beyond the budget
and our contract negotiations are just now getting underway.
Members still face threats of privatization from the Berger Commission, facility
relocations in the Office for Technology and in Agriculture and Markets as
proposed by former governor Pataki, as well as the conversion of an Office for
Children and Family Services youth facility to a training facility.
Each one of these actions has the potential to disrupt our members’ jobs,
careers and families. We will work to protect our members’ interests. We will
continue to pursue PEF’s.
Go Public Cost-Benefit Analysis Bill, our bills to limit mandated overtime and
require safe staffing standards for our nurses, pension reform, and the rest of
PEF’s legislative agenda, as well as work for the best contract possible for our
members.
Our recent budget success and other past achievements have proven that our
chances for success increase significantly when our members are involved and
active in our struggles. We hope to repeat this success in pursuing our next
contract and our legislative agenda using the same model of preparation — hard
work and activism by our leaders and members.
PEF’s success is your success. If you aren’t active in your union, I urge you to
get involved, check the PEF Web site at PEF.org, become a member mobilizer, talk
to your council leader, Executive Board representative or regional coordinator.
Your involvement will help us to continue to build a better future for you and
your family.
The
Communicator May 2007
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