 Contract should benefit allTo the Editor: The time has long passed for PEF, especially its PS&T negotiating committee, to stop ignoring Tier 1 members. We have not all retired, and some members will be on the state payroll for several more years. As I recall, pension Tier 2 was created in July 1973. An employee hired at age 18, just prior to that date, is now 48 years old — seven years away from retirement without penalty. If you work to improve conditions for a select group, you exclude others. The union can not realistically expect to get many improvements for members from the state in these troubled fiscal times. PEF should concentrate on seeing that all members reap the rewards from these negotiations. Remember, it was the members in Tier 1 and some in Tier 2 who voted PEF in as our bargaining agent in 1978, and voted the Civil Service Employees Association out. We have paid PEF dues longer than any other members. Don’t ignore us now. RAY BARISH Montgomery PEF endorsement was premature To the Editor: Did I miss the part where the platform of the PEF leaders I voted for included endorsing a dangerously out-of-touch radical (whose policies will greatly encourage the enemies of the U.S. and democracy, in general) for president, even before the primaries in his own party had begun? I’ve always liked PEF because it wasn’t part of the stereotyped politics of the wholly Democrat-owned unions. I’m seeing a lot less to like at this moment. JIM KELLER Spring Valley Endorsing Dean no mistake To the Editor: With regard to PEF’s endorsement of Howard Dean for president in the New York Democratic primary, keep in mind that, was it not for Dean raising a number of important issues and hammering away at them, the other Democratic candidates would have remained so much fluff. Several months ago, when the Dean campaign was getting started, I supported it financially because I believed none of the others was prepared to forcefully challenge President Bush. I still believe I was right, and I feel quite strongly that my money was not wasted. The current front-runners in the Democratic nominating process are much more aggressive in their statements and much more focused on the important issues than they were before. I believe we can thank the Dean campaign for that change. As they say, hindsight is always perfect. It’s easy now to say that PEF’s endorsement of Dean was misguided. But, if the working stiffs in this country are ever going to recapture their government and restore some semblance of fairness to the social system, it will only happen as a result of a vigorous challenge to the status quo. Absent Howard Dean, that vigor would be lacking. HIRAM EBERLEIN Albany PEF’s donation appreciated To the Editor: Many thanks to PEF and its members for your demonstration of concern for the needy of western New York — the generous donation. You can be sure that it (was) well used to help brighten the holidays for many a needy family. The money is the tangible result of your caring. Equally important is the intangible one — the feeling individuals our member agencies service have that “somebody out there” really cares, that they are not alone. Your concern for the welfare of those less fortunate in our community is very much appreciated. CLEM ECKERT Executive Director, Food Bank of Western NY The Communicator Letters policy We welcome 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 Denyce Duncan Lacy, Executive Editor The Communicator and Director of Public Relations dduncanlacy@pef.org Sherry Halbrook, Editor of The Communicator - shalbrook@pef.org |
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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