Brynien
reported PEF had recently issued a report titled, “Tip of the Iceberg,”
that addressed how the state could save even more than the $250 million
the governor wants from state employees by initiating or expanding
severance and retirement-incentive programs, and by reducing employee
injuries, workers’ compensation claims and state agencies’ reliance on
expensive private consultants. The PEF report was provided to the press,
the Legislature and the governor. At the request of PEF Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe, the board voted to restore funding in the 2009-10 PEF budget by $200,000 for legislative efforts and by $200,000 for state budget fight activities.
The board also supported Igoe’s motion to approve using up to $2,000 from the cash fund for disaster relief for flooding in the Buffalo area. Application forms would be mailed to the members in the affected area.
Igoe told the board she intends to propose, at the convention in September, amending PEF’s dues structure by removing the dues cap on PS&T members in salary grade 38, the highest salary grade in the PS&T unit. Because of the $900 cap, grade 38 members may pay less dues than those in lower grades.
Igoe said removing the cap also would provide additional funding to PEF to defend members and state services against budget cuts.
Brynien announced PEF had just one payment left (due in 2011) to settle its multi-million-dollar, long-standing debt to the American Federation of Teachers, one of PEF’s two parent unions. Historically, AFT has forgiven each of these payments when they became due.
Let’s talk
The board wanted to find ways to improve the ability of PEF leaders and members to communicate quickly and effectively at minimal cost.
The board approved a motion by member Don Morgenstern to have PEF set up e-mail accounts for all PEF council leaders who are not members of the Executive Board. Board members already have these accounts.
Igoe said PEF had looked into a suggestion made at a previous meeting that the union use social networking Web sites to stimulate and facilitate communication among members and to get its views and information to the public.
PEF, she said, had decided not to participate in those networks because of the high demands on staff time that would be required to monitor posted messages and the risks from viruses and other cyber threats. PEF Director of Information Systems Angelo Santabarbara answered several of the board members’ questions about this issue.
Who pays?
The board also debated, amended and passed some revised guidelines for funding attendance of PEF members and leaders at meetings of labor-management and health and safety committees and subcommittees. Another part of the proposed revisions was referred to the PEF Labor-Management Subcommittee for further review.
Changes were also adopted to the guidelines for funding attendance at PEF standing and contract committee meetings.
The travel voucher and the stipend for delegates’ attending the PEF convention in September were discussed, amended and adopted.
Brynien announced the electrical problems that caused damage and forced PEF headquarters to be closed December 29 and 30, 2009, were the fault of National Grid and the utility company will pay for the resulting expense to PEF.
Brynien also announced AON Group was hired to study the PS&T dental and optical plan to identify opportunities for greater efficiencies and cost savings.