Members
Message

Real union solidarity

To The Editor:
As Claude Rains said to Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, I am shocked, SHOCKED, that only 7500 PEF members, out of more than 50,000, returned the post paid contract survey forms. The only way that our contract team can get us the raises we deserve is if we get behind them and show management some real union solidarity . . . a solidarity made up of all 50,000 of us.
PEF members: don't complain about the contract tomorrow, if you are not willing to help the fight today.

Jonah Triebwasser
New Paltz

Don't forget shift workers

To The Editor:
This is a reminder to the union members: encourage bargaining reps in the upcoming talks to not forget the few members doing shift work. It's been a very long time (20 years?) since there has been a change in shift pay-we deserve at least a 7 percent shift factor, not 2 percent or less. Remember, you have a right to be paid for the time lost with your family and friends. The rest of the world functions 8 a.m.-4 p.m. We aren't that lucky.

Dave Smith, R.N.
Ogdensburg

Parking v. pollution

To the Editor:
I find it very disappointing that DEC workers are using the loss of free parking as the basis for fighting the EnCon relocation. DEC workers should understand better than anyone the damaging environmental effects caused by automobile commuting, as opposed to using public transportation. The claim that they will suffer greater exposure to air pollution, therefore, is particularly disingenuous.
I appreciate that workers look at parking as a benefit. The solution to the relocation should not be more parking, but better commuting options, including improved services from remote lots and more mass transportation.

David Ackman, M.D.
Brooklyn

Editor's Note: PEF leaders have said they feel a clear obligation to defend members' benefits, including parking, but also that this issue is not only about free parking. According to the union's lawsuit over construction of the proposed DEC building, the union is fighting the move because the state and city failed to abide by the state's Environmental Quality Review Act requirements to conduct a full environmental review of the plan. Such a review would pinpoint the dangers of air pollution caused by increased traffic, and would require officials to mitigate the negative impacts on parking, transportation and traffic. The union has also called for major improvements in the shuttle bus system.

Don't shortchange gifted students

To the Editor:
In looking through the September 1998 Communicator, my attention was caught by the article "Daughter, Son of Members Win SEIU Scholarships."
While my son is just beginning his freshman year at college, he was not eligible to apply for the SEIU scholarships. Nor was he eligible for most of the scholarship money we were able to identify in our research. This is because my son is not a high-school graduate: he left high school last year after completing only the tenth grade.

Of course, many people apply for these scholarships, so you can never assume that you'll win one. However, with his extra-curricular activities, awards, and his standing on the Honor Roll at the High School for Environmental Studies in New York City, it is a shame that he was denied the opportunity to even try.
In the future, it would be great if the union could also consider those high-achieving students who don't quite fit into the traditional mold.

Robin Gilman Capon
New York City

Letters policy

The Communicator welcomes 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