PEF Executive Board adopts budget at March meeting
RAISED VOICES — PEF Executive Board members take time from their March 4 meeting to join the union’s contract rally at the Capitol in Albany. — Photo by Ken Dischel
By LINDA RUBIN & SHERRY HALBROOK
The PEF Executive Board adopted the proposed 2004-05 PEF budget at its quarterly meeting held March 4-5 in Albany.
The budget was adopted as presented by PEF Secretary-Treasurer Jane Hallum, with one amendment. Funding for a vacant staff position of research assistant was eliminated and used to fund the reinstatement of the nurse organizer post.
The board also adopted rules for election of delegates to the 2004 PEF Convention in Lake Placid, and voted to hold the 2007 and 2008 Conventions in New York City and Rochester, respectively.
The board members took time from the meeting to go to the state Capitol and participate in a PEF contract rally.
At the meeting, PEF President Roger Benson reported on the union’s efforts relating to job security, retirement reform and contract negotiations. He announced the Civil Service Employees Association had just reached a tentative agreement with the state on a new contract.
The PEF Contract Team discussed in executive session the CSEA agreement and gave board members an update on the progress of their PS&T negotiations with the state.
The Executive Board also:
• Endorsed the candidacy of former state Assembly Member Frank Barbaro in his bid for election to the US House of Representatives in the 13th Congressional District;
• Agreed to consider endorsement of a candidate for U.S. president at the board’s June meeting
(See related article, page 10);
• Adopted a policy on scientific misconduct and conflict of interest, which PEF was required to have in order to qualify for a five-year grant to conduct occupational safety and health research in conjunction with the University of Maryland;
• Amended and adopted a PEF policy regarding access by members and leaders to the services of PEF departments and staff;
• Heard and rejected the appeal by member Ron Elumn of a decision by the PEF Triennial Election Committee;
• Voted not to hear appeals of two decisions rendered by the PEF Ethics Committee in the matters of DeMarco vs. Lemel and Ryan vs. Hallum; and
• Adopted the recommendation of the PEF Legal Appeals Committee in the matter of “EnCon vs. DOT” regarding continuing education requirements.
Four new members elected to fill mid-term vacancies on the Executive Board were sworn in at the March 4 meeting: John Lichak, Scott Ray, Genette Hollander and Nancy Sweeney.
Board members were informed that PEF had nominated its late vice president, Jean DeBow, for inclusion by the Women’s Hall of Fame in its book of lives and legends.
Subsequently, at a special E. Board meeting held March 16 in Albany, the board held further discussions in executive session about the PS&T contract. Following those discussions, the board voted that PEF would not take any position on the tentative contracts reached by CSEA or any other state bargaining units, but would focus its efforts on achieving the best possible PS&T agreement.
The
Communicator July/August 04
Inside This Issue
Features
Close corporate tax loopholes
Contract Update: Progress...
OCFS anti-privatization bill
Legislation
budget bottleneck
PEF, DOP salute parole officers
Foreign nurses
need VisaScreen
Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
Nurses' Station: Pay is the issue
Health Notes
Retirees In Action
Back Cover Ad
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
Member
unearths holocaust tale
Dell elected to PEF E. Board
Operation ICE, a mobilization....
L-M
Conference highlights
Labor Day '04 around NY state
E-Board
picks Kerry for Prez
PEF E.Board March meeting
Campaign 2004
Donating blood rewards winner
Edwards earns SEFA award
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise Here
PEF Pride Store
The Communicator Staff
Questions on this site?
Email the Webmaster