Communication key in reaching Binghamton members
Full mobilization creates union power in Region 5

By DEBORAH A. MILES
Improving communication among members can go a long way. And the result is evident in PEF Region 5, which became PEF’s third fully mobilized region when Division 208 caught the mobilization fever.

“It’s great to have a fully mobilized region,” said Region 5 Coordinator Mary Twitchell. “Sue Winterstein, the division’s council leader, raised the issues of the proposed closings of mental health facilities by the state and got things rolling in her division.”

Winterstein said the fiscal climate propelled members to become more active in the business of the union. “Now, we hold regular meetings, members get a one-page newsletter and we’ve created our own communication network through the Internet,” she said.

To find out the needs of her members and what they know about PEF, Winterstein also distributed surveys to all her mobilizers.

Getting to know you
“I wanted to make sure members knew the location of the PEF bulletin boards at work, and find out if they knew their council members, and other things, such as if they wanted a formal or informal holiday party,” Winterstein said.

She also gathered a lot of information at a meeting with about 30 members on the grounds of the Binghamton Psychiatric Center (BPC), talking with members on all three shifts.

Communication tools
Winterstein said she also launched a division newsletter to tell her members about the multiple activities the union has been taking to keep state mental health facilities open and avoid layoffs.

“I started a newsletter to keep them up to date and give them some of the facts,” she said. “From Albany I got information about the budget and the proposed closings just to let members here know what is happening.”

Taking an extra step to reach the 188 members in her division, Winterstein distributed business cards with names and contact numbers of her council, and the shifts they work. She said this would help members if a problem or question arose and they needed to contact someone immediately.

Team effort
Winterstein credits the members of her council and Twitchell, who she said has been extremely supportive and helpful in the mobilization effort.

PEF Assistant Director of Mobilization and Education Margaret Messer said all the things Winterstein has done are examples of how to reach and maintain communication in a large division.

“The enhanced communication in Division 208 is vital to the statewide mobilization effort during this fiscal storm,” Messer said. “With Region 5 becoming fully mobilized, the union can step up the pressure to get a fair state budget by having more members actively participating in rallies, contacting legislators and emphasizing our concerns to the public.”

Winterstein added, “Everyone I’m working with is very enthusiastic. With their input, guidance and support, I just want to keep doing my best to keep people informed.”

Playing to Win: Tools for Success

COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
PEF pushes to plug corporate tax loopholes
Members fight proposal to merge NYSPI
PEF leads demonstration to protect patients, RNs
Annual lobbying pays off for PEF nurses
Union gets preliminary injunction

Departments
President's Message: PEF is major player
You Said It: Member's letters this month
Member Mobilization: Training with rallies
Nurses' Station: PEF acts to protect nurses
Legislative Update: PEF gets record restorations
Health Benefits: Empire Plan Update
Legal Issues: Members win grievance at DOL
PS&T Contract Update: Talks continuing
Member Highlights
Retirees In Action: Huge health hikes threaten
PEF Membership Benefits Program & Travel Corp

Union Matters
PEF RNs deliver quality care at Elmira PC
Full mobilization creates union power in Reg. 5
PEF wins Article 78
Members bring Benson team back for 3rd term
PEF Election Guide: Download Supplement

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