Member's Mailbag Mayl 2004

2004 ‘do or die’ for US unions
To the Editor:
With the destruction of labor unions on the plate, and the overwhelming superiority of transnational corporate power, this year’s national election may be the last chance for unionists to fight with any power.

We have been supporting the Democratic Party without getting much for it, especially in presidential elections. Bill Clinton came from Arkansas, a “right to work state,” and was a member of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), a supporter of a free-market economy (privatization, outsourcing and free trade).

This year, we are told we have to accept whatever Democrat we get, because George Bush is worse. But John Kerry is a free-market supporter and a free-trade exponent. Which one do you pick to destroy your way of life?

According to Charles Lewis in “The Buying of the President 2004,” of the 10 top donors to the Democratic Party, six are unions: Top — AFSCME $16,491,000; Third — SEIU $12,549,000; Fourth — CWA $10,000,000; Sixth — Carpenters Union, $9,032,000; Seventh — AFT $7,490.000; and Ninth — UFCW $6,293,000. The total is more than $100 million from all the unions.

What did we get for our bucks? Privatization, outsourcing to non-union countries, corporate welfare, union busting, no agreement that federal contracts should go to union workers, and no enforcement of International Labor Organization rules in any of the international trade treaties.

This year, we must refuse to play or pay unless our needs are addressed with enforceable agreements and assurances.

We must tell the candidates we want fair trade and global union rights. We have to force them to do the right thing, not what their corporate contributors demand.

Make them support people and unions, not corporate greed.
RALPH KLABER
New York City

PEF was there when needed
To the Editor:
I’m writing to extend my appreciation to PEF for helping to resolve disciplinary actions against me taken by the Department of Health (DOH) in retaliation for whistleblowing.

Without the union’s involvement, it is likely that I would not have a job today.

Too often, organized labor is underappreciated for it’s role in protecting the membership, collectively and individually. My field representative wrote many letters and made many phone calls on my behalf, culminating in referring my case to PEF’s lawyers for interpretation and assistance.

Additionally, the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations reversed the DOH Step 1 and Step 2 grievance decisions and ordered the related documents in my personnel file destroyed. It was a lengthy process lasting nearly 2 years, however, the right decision was eventually reached. GOER treated me fairly, as I hope it will treat our members during contract negotiations.

I’ve read negative sentiments toward the PEF administration published in The Communicator regarding various issues, and empathized with some; but I wish to remind readers that in my particular case PEF’s representation was there when my career was threatened and it was very responsive to the situation.

In other words, the fundamental principle of PEF membership is fully intact: protection for the workers.

Again, my thanks to PEF.
CLAUDE A. CURLEY
Watertown

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 Home June 04

Inside This Issue
Features
Contract Update: State stalls...
Take agencies out of the shadows
Law could reduce contracting-out
Keep pressure to save Fulton CF
Heroes plant feet in NH

Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
Nurses' Station
Retirees In Action
Members' Highlights
Back Cover Ad
PEF Member Benefits & Travel

Union Matters
Vote: PEF’s privatization buster
Senate demands offset of...
Stopping out-of-title work in its...
Vote: privatization buster for ’04
Step in the right direction at SED
Fed. law changes bad for union
Nurses' fast response saves life
$ for prison health care workers
Law gives benefit to parole...
PI scientists’ write to the top

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