|
Finds ‘Fat Cat’ ads offensive
To the Editor:
I am the husband of a NY state employee and a partner of a small firm that on
occasion performs consulting work under contract to the state. Our work, which
is for historic buildings, is specialized in nature.
Our experience with the NYS procurement process is that both regional staff and
Albany contracting officers are extremely competent and careful in their work,
and very mindful of costs. In general, we are required to perform work for the
state for lower overhead and fixed-fee rates than we would charge private
clients. We are willing to accept lower fees because the state projects are
exceptionally interesting and very visible to the public.
Your depiction of firms doing consulting work for the state as “Fat Cat
Consultants, Inc.” with thick stacks of bills clutched to their chest (rear
cover, June 2006 Communicator) is distasteful and, in my personal experience,
quite inaccurate.
I take no issue whatsoever with your promotion of a Cost-Benefit Analysis bill;
it sounds like an excellent idea. However, to promote such a bill by depicting
consultants as cigar-chomping “fat cats” fosters distrust between state
employees and the consultants who are hired to assist them. I suggest that you
argue your case on its merits, and not by hiring actors to pose with cigars and
play money.
RICHARD PIEPER
New York
Editor’s note: PEF supports state contracting when it is justified, prudent and
cost-effective.
The “Fat Cat” is a caricature that “brands” PEF’s successful advertising
campaign spotlighting the $500 million the state overspends annually by using
contractors, rather than state employees, to do certain kinds of work, such as
engineering and design and information technology.
The Communicator has included at least one article in every issue this year (see
page 11 of this issue) detailing this wasteful practice at specific state
agencies and authorities. For more information visit stopprivatization.com.
PEF Scholarship appreciated
To the Editor:
I want to thank PEF very much for awarding me the PEF Joseph Scacalossi
Scholarship.
I am so honored to be one of the 10 chosen to receive the scholarship.
The money will really help. I am working at Price Chopper this summer, so I know
how long it would take me to earn that much money.
Please extend my thanks to the entire PEF Scholarship Committee.
Carolyn Cronauer
Deerfield
Don’t make poor choice twice
To the Editor:
In the May issue of The Communicator, a letter from PEF Region 2 Coordinator Jim
Carr voiced concern over important union issues: health care, pensions, and job
security. He stressed the importance of being active in our union to protect
these benefits.
As I read his letter and noted that he lives in the 29th Congressional District,
I wondered if he realized that in 2004 PEF supported a candidate, Republican
congressional candidate John R. (Randy) Kuhl, who (won and) has consistently
voted for every tax cut for the rich and every bill detrimental to union members
like us.
I have always been a union supporter and I have been a proud PEF member. But my
concern is that PEF might make the same mistake twice.
Yes, invest in your retirement, you will need it the way this administration is
going. But also ask PEF to support a congressional candidate in 2006 who
supports you and your interests.
NANCY A. MARION
Penn Yan
Editor’s note: PEF endorsed Randy Kuhl for his first run for Congress in 2004
based on his 24-year voting record in the state Legislature and his support of
PEF’s efforts to stop budget service cuts at Elmira Psychiatric Center. PEF and
Jim Carr are well aware of Kuhl’s performance in Congress and it will be a major
consideration in making PEF’s endorsement choice for the 29th CD this year.
The Communicator
Letters policy
We welcome letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant
to PEF's diverse membership.
All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste.
Please keep them brief (up to one page, double-spaced or a maximum of 250
words), and please include your name and phone number for verification.
Send letters to:
The Communicator
Public Employees Federation
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414
Email to Sherry Halbrook,
Editor or Darcy Wells, Editor-In Chief. | |
The Communicator July/Aug. '06
Features
Brynien-Igoe ticket
sweeps
Pataki signs Go Public
bill
PEF wins on workplace
violence
Departments
President's Message
You
Said It - Member's Mailbag
Legislative Action
Member Mobilizer: Parole
Stronger Contract: NDRI pact
Health Notes
Retirees in Action
Member Highlights
Membership Benefits & Travel
Union Matters
PEF endorses Spitzer for gov.
OGS members fully mobilized
HCSAccount debit card planned
OCFS wastes $26 million
Sunmount DDSO gets
training
25/55 retirement bill passes
Scacalossi scholarship
winners
Prison teacher helps students
PEF pushes bill to end
Nurses OT
OMH & OMRDD needs help
DCAA can help you out
There's more to you vision care
Retirees turn to
making ice cream
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise Here
The Communicator Staff
Questions on this
site?
Email the
Webmaster
|