Summarized below are highlights of significant activities by the Office of Human Resources since our last report to you in October, 2000.

Accounting – The Staff Accountant was on child care leave from April 10 to June 26.

Civil Service Enforcement (Research) – The Secretary position remains vacant.

Contract Administration

The Health Benefits Specialist was temporarily assigned to Education and Training to work on member mobilization and has returned to her normal duties.

Divisions – No changes.

Education and Training – The Training Specialist position has not been filled.

Executive Offices – The Switchboard Operator/ Receptionist resigned March 30. The vacancy was posted and a replacement was hired April 10; she resigned May 2. After posting, another candidate was hired May 17.

Field Offices

New York City: A Field Representative vacated the temporary position he held to be permanently appointed to a similar position in Malone. The resulting temporary NYC vacancy was posted and filled on October 15. A Secretary resigned May 23. The vacancy was posted and filled on June 19.

Malone: At the expiration of a PEF/USWA C.B.A. hold on the position, a Field Representative vacancy was posted and filled when a Field Representative transferred from another office on October 15.

Poughkeepsie: A Field Representative resigned; the position was posted and filled on October 25. A Secretary resigned December 24; the position remains vacant.

Syracuse: The Secretary returned from long term leave on March 20.

Health and Safety – A Health and Safety Trainer was temporarily assigned to Education and Training to work on member mobilization and has returned to her normal duties.

Legal – An Associate Counsel returned from six months sabbatical leave on January 3.

Legislative – The Political Organizer/Lobbyist position remains vacant.

Membership Benefits – A Secretary retired. A Clerk-Typist was promoted to the position of Data Coordinator. The vacant Clerk-Typist position was posted and filled on January 31. The Bookkeeper was on extended sick leave from March 1 to July 10 when she resigned; the vacancy was posted. A Bookkeeper/Secretary position was posted and filled June 15.

Membership Information Systems – The Computer Operator /Programmer resigned. A new position was created and posted as Information Systems Technician; the vacancy was filled June 5. The Director resigned, effective June 15. The Systems Analyst was promoted to Director, and the vacant analyst position was posted and filled July 3.

Office of the President – No changes.

Office of the Secretary/Treasurer – No changes.

Public Relations – A part time Reporter/Writer was hired October 5; she resigned February 9. The vacancy has not been filled.

Retirees – No changes.

On Leave

New York City – Field Representative

Poughkeepsie - Secretary

PEF and USWA remain committed to the labor-management process. Three statewide meetings have been held since the last convention.

PEF has been negotiating with its staff union for a successor agreement since June 1999. Although much progress has been made, there are still significant differences preventing agreement at this time. Both PEF and USWA continue to work toward a mutually beneficial conclusion to these talks.

The healthcare plan that covers PEF employees and their families has been administered by Blue Shield of Northeastern New York for four years. Cost-containment measures implemented during staff contract negotiations in 1996 had originally allowed the Plan to meet escalating health insurance costs in spite of declining PEF membership and revenue. However, the plan has experienced significant increases in claim costs in the last two years. PEF will continue to monitor benefits and costs in the interest of staff and membership.