Strict fiscal controls, methods paying off for PEF, members

PEF Secretary-Treasurer Jane Hallum “does not just sign checks,” PEF President Roger Benson told the union’s convention delegates in Buffalo, “what she really does is ‘not’ sign checks. She’s the one who has to say, ‘I’d like to do that, but I have to say no.’ ”

In her annual report to the delegates, Hallum said she is always mindful of the union’s top three priorities — job security, stronger contracts and retirement reform — as she makes hard choices in managing PEF’s financial resources.

Her methods for managing those finances are based on strict accounting principles, she said, and the results are paying off.

“I am proud to say that for the first time in 24 years, an auditor has given PEF an unqualified report, which means our methodologies and the figures based on those methodologies are sound.”

Hallum said she constantly looks for ways to help the union run more efficiently, and this is paying off in many ways.
“Our labor-management committees have accomplished a lot,” she said, noting that Vice President Pat Baker, PEF’s labor-management coordinator, “has quarterly meetings with PEF’s L-M chairs.”

To help those committees operate more efficiently, Hallum said, “This year we hired someone to record L-M meeting notes so that you who are serving on the committees can concentrate on business.”

The union, she said, has “beefed-up the Job Security Committee,” and Baker has “reached out to community groups to build coalitions on mental health issues. “We will call our mental hygiene leaders together to make them aware of this strategy.”

Not only is the union looking for ways to stretch the value of members’ dues, it is also alert for ways to help members’ stretch the value of their pay.

“New e-learning courses are available through PEF Membership Benefits to our members who have access to the Internet. The cost of these courses is far less than attending classes on campus,” Hallum said. — Sherry Halbrook

COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
Union sticks with Pataki, Hevesi
Benson pledges: No more zeroes
Hallum: Strict fiscal controls, methods paying off
UFT leader shares negotiating tips
Convention delegates adopt eight resolutions
Delegates amend PEF Constitution

Departments
President's Message: Standing together
You Said It: Member's letters this month
Member Mobilization: Div. 240 awards
Legislative Action: Delegates give thumbs-up
Nurses' Station: Convention roundtable on OT
Health Notes: Flex Spending/Dependent Care
Member Mobilization: Divisions testing system
PEF Membership Benefits Program & Travel Corp

Union Matters
PEF brings tough new outlook to contract talks
Early retirement window opens at Mental Health
PEF to launch new ad campaign
Arbitrator overturns member’s suspension at DOH
Multi-union program mentors future leaders
Member honored for her unique role
PEF endorses 7 more candidates in Nov. 5 election
Financial Statement

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