Unity key to a strong union
The bigger picture brought to light at L-M conference

By DEBORAH A. MILES
More than 100 PEF leaders walked away armed with information and strategies to bring to labor-management tables after attending the fourth annual conference that was held in Albany in early May.

“Campaigning for Change at the Labor-Management Table,” the three-day conference title, was inspired by statewide PEF campaigns — Go Public, Stop Violence in the Workplace, and Save NY Nurses.

PEF Vice President and Labor-Management Coordinator Pat Baker said the conference was designed around the PEF campaigns to help members learn techniques to get the related bills enacted into law.

“These are our priorities and every one of these issues has been on labor-management tables at one time. We need to keep these issues alive until we get results.” Baker said.

The conference opened with a rousing speech by PEF President Roger Benson who told attendees about the journey and progress of the campaigns.

He also highlighted the PEF election, saying it was a good opportunity for internal debate among members.
“After the election, we need to come back and be unified. If we fight with each other, we do the work of management,” Benson said.

State Sen. Neil Breslin, the guest speaker, shared his views on the importance of unions working in the political arena.

A little respect
Workshops on the three campaigns were offered, as well as one on “Building Trust, Preparation, Team Operation and Respect,” which many members said was highly beneficial.

“This presentation left the biggest impression with me,” said PEF Division 298 Council Leader Deborah Stamp, a residential department head at the New York State School for the Blind.

“This conference reminded me of the effective methods of labor-management meetings. Union leaders are often encouraged to fight, with little emphasis on building relationships,” Stamp said. “If we treat each other with respect, resolving issues is more likely.”

Being a team
Darlene Williams, PEF Division 213 council leader and an occupational therapy assistant at Bronx Psychiatric Center, also found a lot of useful information at the conference.

“As a new council leader, I learned the difference between local and statewide labor-management committees, and how important it is for local committees to share information statewide. It was enlightening to see how to put this team together so we can get our issues worked out,” Williams said. “I have a better understanding of what our responsibilities are and how to get bills passed.

“I got to understand the bigger picture. It was a great conference,” she said.

The Communicator June 2006

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