| PEF Executive
Board Meeting Summary By LINDA RUBIN Here is a summary of the PEF Executive Board meeting held on June 21 and 22 at the Best Western in Albany. The minutes from the March meeting were adopted. Two new members were sworn in: Ron Russom represents members at Higher Education and Lola Parks Guerra represents members at the Department of Health. The Ethics Committee’s decision to not hear the appeal of Close vs. Johnson was upheld. A motion that PEF donate $25,000 from the reserve account to fund a Parole Memorial was debated and the issue was postponed until the next Executive Board meeting. President Benson gave an update on the administration’s goals of job security, stronger contracts, retirement reform, and full staffing. He also announced that PEF currently has 2500 member mobilizers, nearly half way to reaching the goal of 5500 mobilizers. There was discussion on problems with pre-retirement sessions offered by the Comptroller’s office as well as Article 12.17 (timekeeping), and the TransitChek issue. Frank Mauro of the Fiscal Policy Institute made a presentation regarding the impact of proposed federal legislation on New York’s economy. A motion by President Benson, that $250,000 be authorized for a fight-back media campaign opposing the children’s psychiatric center consolidations was adopted. A motion introduced by Doug Bullock that the Executive Board recommend the formation of retirement committees in each division was defeated. Political Director Robert Bain reported that discussions were held with the Senate, Assembly and governor’s office regarding the proposed OMH closures. Director of Labor Relations Roger Scales reported on TransitChek and requested that the issue be added to all labor/management agendas. Associate counsel Elizabeth Hough reported PEF was in the process of negotiating on Article 12.71. Executive Board member Ron Manuli requested additional information on the increased pay differential for Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster counties. Mr. Scales reported that Marty O’Connor was the staff person working on this issue and also stated there were meetings with GOER and CSEA on the issue. A report on the differential would be forthcoming. Dr. Eric Miller, assistant director of the Mobilizing and Education Department reported on the new mobilizing campaigns in progress. Awards were presented to the following: Doug Bullock on his retirement and recognizing his years of service as a union activist; Dick Collins, in appreciation of his efforts in achieving the passage of a veterans’ buyback legislation; and Glendore Ulerie for services to the membership as trustee and Executive Board member. Vice President Ken Brynien moved to amend the PAC contribution guidelines to increase the amount of money allocated to each region for local political committees from the current $2000 to $3000. The motion carried. Division Committee Chair David Stallone, reported on an item previously proposed by Ron Goldstein that Executive Board members elected as division stewards should not count toward their constituencies’ steward allocation. The Division Committee reported this was not an acceptable proposal at this time. A motion to uphold the committee’s decision was upheld. Director of Contract Administration Robert Carrothers reported on the new EOL procedures. President Benson acknowledged that Bob Harms, Executive Board member from DOT received the Award for Outstanding Service at the AFT Federation of Public Employees Conference in Detroit. Doug Bullock moved that the MOU negotiated with GOER regarding EOL be rescinded. The motion failed. Director of MIS Angelo Santabarbara reported on the proposal to upgrade computers at PEF and voice mail for the NYC office. A motion that up to $345,885.05 be allocated from the reserve account to accommodate a computer and technological power and telephone upgrade was adopted. Secretary-Treasurer Hallum introduced a budget amendment proposal regarding the $196,500 expenditure in new money. The proposal included provision for $30,000 emergency EOL; $4,000 for restoration of the Budget Advisory Committee; $85,000 for an AFL-CIO New Alliance contribution; $9,089 in funding for labor/management sub-committees and $34,865 funding for a report/writer position in Public Relations. The proposal was adopted. There was discussion on Executive Board meeting locations. San Vargas moved that the December Executive Board meeting in December be held at the Desmond Hotel for two days at an additional cost of $5,900. This motion was adopted. Bill Sachs moved that PEF use non-unionized hotels within NYS for future Board meetings. This motion was defeated. A constitutional amendment was adopted by the Executive Board for consideration at the Annual Convention. The amendment was Article X, A.2, that the wording be changed from “election period” to “balloting period.” Vice President and Convention Committee Chair Joe Fox reported he was notified by the Niagara Falls Convention Center that there was a strong possibility the Convention Center would not be available to PEF as there was action pending to turn the property into a casino. A motion was adopted giving authority to the Convention Committee to take whatever action necessary to assure the convention would convene and report at the next Board meeting. Secretary-Treasurer Hallum gave an update on the renewal of the lease for the NYC office. It was decided to continue the lease at the current location with many concessions and renovations being made. A motion to endorse Alan Hevesi for Mayor of New York City carried. The Communicator Home Page |