Here are highlights of significant activities and issues handled by the Office of Human Resources through September 8, 1998.
Personnel Changes
Accounting: Andrea Seward was appointed staff accountant to replace Valerie O’Dell, who will be on leave until November.
Civil Service Enforcement (Research): Amy Sisson was appointed junior research assistant/intake coordinator.
Contract Administration: Theresa Spano was appointed contract administration assistant.
Education and Training: Cliff Merchant, who had been acting director, was
appointed director.
Executive: Kathy Gallo was appointed executive secretary to the President. Marsha Curran was appointed executive assistant to the president. Richard Taras was appointed to the new position of purchasing agent/building manager. Switchboard operator/receptionist Evelyn Kopps accepted a promotion in the Health and Safety Department.
Field Offices:
Field representatives – Kathleen Fitzmaurice, temporary appointment in Albany. Robin Grovesteen (on leave) transferred from Utica to Malone. Frank Greco, granted regular appointment in NYC, immediately transferred to Malone. (Beverly) Jane Roberts, temporary appointment in NYC. Carlos Arroyos, regular appointment in NYC. Priscilla Marco, granted regular appointment in NYC.
Temporary vacancies exist for field representative and secretary in Poughkeepsie.
Resignations were received from Linda Bermas, Carmen Gonzalez-Gannon and Norman Danzig in NYC.
Lenore Boris was appointed organizer (nurse), based in Albany.
Health and Safety: Kathleen Nealon was appointed health and safety trainer I. Evelyn Kopps was appointed secretary. Dorothy Gibbs was appointed part-time clerk-typist in Buffalo.
Legal: William P. Seamon and Lisa King were granted regular appointments to the positions of general counsel and deputy general counsel, after having served in a temporary capacity.
Associate Counsel – Cheryl Randall was granted regular appointment after having served in a temporary capacity. Debra Greenberg was granted temporary appointment to replace an incumbent on leave, then granted regular appointment. Dionne Wheatley was granted regular appointment. Christine Yusko was appointed legal secretary. Resignations were received from Cheryl Randall and Tricia Brown.
Legislative: Robert Bain was appointed political director. A vacancy exists for political organizer/lobbyist.
Membership Information Systems: Edward Nadareski was appointed director. Angelo Santabarbara was appointed systems analyst. A resignation was accepted from Director Mark Fleahman.
United Steelworkers of America (staff union)
Labor-Management
PEF and USWA remain committed to the labor-management process. Four statewide meetings have been held since the last convention.
Health and Safety Committee
Committee members Roberta Lettieri and Tom Curley for PEF, and Shawn Bobb and Tom Kieper for USWA met several times to address issues of mutual concern. PEF is pleased to welcome Richard Taras, purchasing agent/building manager to the committee. Office ergonomics was considered as PEF purchased desks and work stations to provide computer furniture for new users or to replace outmoded models.
Renovations to the New York City field office are planned to afford increased security to staff. The committee continues to consider office security, ergonomics policy and evacuation plans. PEF strives to deal with all issues raised in a forthright and expedient manner.
Health Insurance
The healthcare plan that covers PEF employees and their families has been administered by Blue Shield of Northeastern New York for two years. Cost-containment measures implemented during staff-contract negotiations in 1996 have allowed the plan to meet escalating health-insurance costs, in spite of declining PEF membership and revenue. Prescription and dental costs, however, have increased significantly over the past two years. We will continue to monitor benefits and costs in the interest of both PEF staff and membership.