Timely information empowers Region 11 leaders

ALL TOGETHER — Participants at the Region 11 Leadership Conference pose for a shot. Standing are: Keith Hanson, Lesley Williamson, Pat Baker, Marion Fox, Nithia Chatterjie, Patrick McShane, Donna Harris, PEF President Ken Brynien and Charles Roland. Seated are Region 11 Coordinator Jemma Marie-Hanson and her daughter Jenelle. — Photo by Ken Dischel

Timely information empowers Region 11 leaders
By DEBORAH A. MILES
In mid-April, dozens of PEF Region 11 leaders gathered to absorb a lot of new information to take back to the membership.

The leadership conference, organized by Region 11 Coordinator Jemma Marie-Hanson, took place on Long Island and included workshops on the PEF PS&T contract, financial planning, keys to a successful labor-management relationship and how to work with the Civil Service Law.

Royal Willie, Division 280 council leader and social worker 2 at the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office, called the conference “top notch.”

”It was quite easy to see the purpose of the conference was to inform, inspire and increase our leadership skills,” Willie said. “The workshops were presented by PEF expert staffers who not only shared information, but also invited interaction with the participants. One of the key things I found interesting was how to build a successful labor-management relationship.”

Timely issues
PEF training specialist Allan Lahoff, who presented the workshop, said the five key elements are building trust between the labor and management people, unity among the team, gaining respect, preparation and team operations.

“One of the participants asked PEF President Ken Brynien why the union was having such a difficult time getting Gov. Paterson’s representatives to listen to PEF’s solutions to reduce the state budget without downsizing the state work force,” Willie said.

Brynien said it is difficult to hold a dialogue with people when they are moving around like pawns on a chess board, according to Willie.

“We learned you can’t establish a relationship or build trust when individuals are not there long enough. I thought this was extremely informative,” Willie said.

Getting it right
Hanson said another goal of the conference was to make sure PEF leaders take back accurate information to the membership.

“What’s been happening in our state with our governor has generated a lot of incorrect information,” Hanson said. “As leaders, it is important to ensure our membership is well-informed. We need to reach out to as many members as possible and to make sure they have the right information.”

Hanson said the presentation on civil service was especially helpful on how to move forward in the face of threatened layoffs. She said the participants also commented the online PEF Contract Resource Center is a valuable tool for them in their roles as council leaders and stewards.