RPC
RNs proud of activismTo the Editor:
Referring to a photo with the article on the nurses’ rally in the July-August issue, I'd like to clarify that it was not the first time nurses from Rockland Psychiatric Center attended a rally to end mandatory overtime. RPC nurses have been participating for years!
SCIENCIA TORCHON
Spring Valley
Member needs leave donations
To the Editor:
As council leader of PEF Division 320, I am writing to you on behalf of one of our members here at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse who needs your help. Chris Sheaffer is a registered nurse within the Surgical ICU and has a very serious cardiac condition. Chris’s wife Lynn is a PEF member at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse.
Tragedy first struck this couple two years ago when their 24-year-old daughter, Samantha, died from a sudden cardiac complication. Local PEF members then were able to donate vacation accruals for use by the couple as sick leave. Chris and Lynn wish to thank all of you who donated your time.
Chris was then placed on the list for a heart transplant and, unfortunately, is still waiting. The previously donated time that was not used had to be returned to the original donators. But Chris is still waiting for his heart transplant.
Recently, Chris suffered a setback as his heart went into a dysrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. Chris is going to be admitted to the hospital to try and shock his heart back into a regular rhythm. Also the surgeons are going to place an internal defibrillator within his chest.
So what can we do? I am asking any PEF member who is able to donate vacation accruals so we can help Chris and Lynn at this harrowing time.
To donate time, contact Linda Mazzone in the SUNY Upstate human resources department at (315) 464-4943 or complete the form available at www.syrpef.org/sunyleavedonate.pdf or www.syrpef.org/leavedonateamended.doc and mail it to the address on the bottom of the form.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
PETER BANKS
Syracuse
Keep pushing for tier reform
To the Editor,
This is in regard to the tier equity legislation A.7445C/S.4514B which would require added pension service credit for Tier 3 and 4 members who had contributed in excess of 10 years at the time that contributions were eliminated.
I am hopeful PEF staff is aware that again at last year’s PEF convention, a resolution was passed to ensure “PEF make it a high priority in using it’s resources to support and push for passage of these bills.”
This legislation is getting more and more critical, as some of these Tier 3 and Tier 4 members are already retiring and the majority of them are now about to retire. I am very disturbed that, even though this has been considered the highest priority, there never seems to be any discussion or status printed in the “Legislative Action” page of The Communicator.
A response here and a status report on the Legislative Action page would be appreciated.
PETER HOWARD
Schenectady
Editor’s Note: The 2007 bill numbers for state legislation to address this issue are A.7128/S.4554. This legislation was introduced by Assembly Member John McEneny (D-Albany) and Sen. Joseph Robach (R-Rochester) at PEF’s request.
The legislation is still in the Assembly Governmental Employees Committee and the Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee, which is why it has not been mentioned in legislative updates in The Communicator. For space reasons, those reports generally focus on PEF bills that are coming to the floor for votes or that have been passed in one or both houses.
PEF continues to advocate for this legislation which it recognizes is very important to many PEF members. However, the union cannot force lawmakers to act on bills if they object to the potential expense or have other concerns.
PEF expects to continue lobbying for this legislation until it is enacted.
For updates on the status of this or other legislation supported by PEF, visit www.pef.orgs and select Political Action.
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.
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