Union steps up campaign against state budget cuts

By SHERRY HALBROOK
PEF didn’t wait for the governor to present his 2004-05 Executive Budget proposal to kick off an ad campaign urging state leaders to avoid the need for draconian budget cuts by closing tax loopholes for large corporations.

And, the union gave the governor and legislators a comprehensive list of ways to boost state revenues to bridge the budget deficit and pay for quality services.

“Our January ad campaign attacking corporate tax avoidance schemes was the first of what will be a continuing agenda of actions aimed at protecting state jobs and services,” said PEF President Roger Benson. 

Benson testified on the budget at a joint legislative hearing in late January, criticizing the proposal for sacrificing services to the mentally ill and reducing accountability and legislative oversight of shadow agencies while increasing the state’s reliance on expensive private consultants and contractors.

And, he said, the governor’s proposal “ignores the necessity of making big corporations pay their fair share of taxes by closing corporate tax loopholes.”

Even before Benson testified before the legislative committee, the union was launching its statewide and regional lobbying efforts focusing on specific budget issues.

We are developing a full campaign around each of these budget attacks,” Benson said.
The union is preparing its activists to lobby legislators in Albany and in their district offices in March. PEF is training members and providing fact sheets for them to share with their lawmakers.

Regional coordinators and political action chairs were trained in Albany in mid-February, so they could share that information with the other members of their regional political action committees.

Union leaders have continued meeting with members at the Office of Children and Family Services whose jobs are threatened by facility closings announced in late 2003, and with members at the state Department of Correctional Services affected by facility closings announced in January.

Rallies and press conferences have been held to protest the state’s plan to close Middletown Psychiatric Center.

“We are determined to do everything we can to keep Middletown PC open,” Benson said.
“Yes, we want to preserve our members’ jobs there, but we also recognize how important the center is to the community. It’s a vital part of the local economy and residents depend on its services,” he added.

PEF has been working closely with lawmakers, community leaders and other unions to build a rock-solid wall of support for the center.

Rallies and fight-back efforts have also been held at Camp McGregor, a minimum-security correctional institution near Saratoga Springs that is slated for closing.

Benson said he feels confident the union will achieve substantial success in protecting its members’ jobs and services.

“We have a network of leaders and staff who have been through these struggles for many years and understand how to deliver the PEF message to decision makers,” Benson said. 
“I appreciate the important work our local leaders do with legislators and other decision makers to protect the interests of our members and the services they provide.”

Communicator Homepage March 04

Inside This Issue
Features
PEF tells lawmakers to keep
Court rules grievance denial
Battle for Middletown Psych Center
PEF rejects state’s contract offer
Take the contract pledge
Saving Camp McGregor
Shadow agencies undercutting trust
Parole rule changes spark concerns

Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
PS&T Contract Update
Nurses' Station
Member Mobilization
Health Notes
Retirees In Action
Back Cover Ad
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel

Union Matters
PEF victory allows Downstate nurses
State lagging to help its 9/11 ‘heroes’
Struggle to save members at OCFS
WTC recovery worker still sick, hurting
PEF political volunteers get out the vote
Nurses set Lobby Day for May 4
Mobilizer conference, workshops
Vacant PEF Board seat filled
Attention Veterans

Save these dates:
April 21-25
Somos El Futuro!
The annual weekend conference in Albany of the Caucus of NYS Hispanic and Puerto Rican Legislators
For more information, to volunteer, or make reservations for the reception, call Helen Brooks at the PEF Legislative Office, 1-800-724-4997.

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