Executive Board Minutes
June 8-9, 2006
Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York
President Benson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, June 8th. Members joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda moved as listed:
1. Priorities Update
2. Interim Policy Regarding Council Leaders
3. John Faso – Designated Republican Party Candidate for NYS Governor (11:00 a.m. Thursday)
4. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (9:00 a.m. Friday)
5. NDRI Contract Ratification Approval
1. Financial Report
2. Labor/Management Committee Funding Report
1. Political Action
a) Gubernatorial Endorsement
b) Attorney General Endorsement
c) Amendment to Statewide PAC Political Contributions
2. Convention Committee Report
a) 2007 Convention Dates
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June 8-9, 2006
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APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – continued
3. Divisions
a) Secession of Division 279 (Middletown PC) from Division 235 (Rockland PC)
b) Division 399 Constitutional Amendment
4. Election Committee
a) ERC-06-001 – Jones vs. DOL and WC Executive
Board representatives (if vote to hear)
b) Regular Election Committee Report – 1:00 p.m. Thurs.
5. Ethics Report
a) ERC-2005-15 – Steen vs. Brynien, Igoe, Baker, Fox,
Matrazzo, Munoz, Reynolds and Sehindemi (if vote to hear)
6. ByLaws Report
a) Automated External Defibrillators – Goldstein – to be covered under Secretary-Treasurer’s Report
b) Division 179 Secession policy Clarification – Comanzo –
Referred to the Divisions Committee
Debbie Lee moved to not consider the secession of Division 279 Middletown PC, to enable time for a meeting to develop a plan. There was a second to her motion. After discussion the motion to delay the issue was defeated.
The agenda was adopted.
APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES
The minutes were moved, seconded and adopted as printed.
APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
The Executive Board went into Executive Session and moved to adopt the minutes. There was a second and the Executive Session minutes were adopted.
Motion to Hear ERC-06-001 – Kevin Jones (Appellant) vs. DOL and WC Executive Board members and the Ethics Committee
President Benson explained what had transpired concerning these two issues with the Elections and Ethics Committee both of whom had failed to address the case.
Secretary-Treasurer Hallum moved to direct the case back to the Ethics Committee for a decision and received a second.
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June 8-9, 2006
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MOTION TO HEAR ERC-06-001 – JONES VS. DOL/WC – continued
The motion carried to refer the case back to the Ethics Committee for a ruling.
MOTION TO HEAR ERC-2005-15 – STEEN VS. BRYNIEN, ETAL
A motion to hear the case was entered, seconded and carried. The case to be heard on Friday at 1:00 p.m.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Priorities Update
President Benson referred to the administration’s priorities during the past nine years; job security, stronger contracts and retirement reform.
Job Security
He reported that PEF took on thirteen targeted issues in the budget and was completely successful in nine of them. Also, President Benson went over many of the other issues that PEF had been successful in dealing with.
Stronger Contracts
Regarding the contract, his main concern for the future was the possibility of another union negotiating a contract for a lesser pension tier for new employees, but a significant wage increase and improvement in pensions for current workers.
A motion carried to have President Benson communicate verbally with the President of DC-37 and in writing regarding PEF’s concerns with creating a two tier system.
Retirement Reform
President Benson stated that protecting our pension plan and benefits would be one of the biggest challenges we would be facing for the next five to ten years.
At this time, President Benson reported on the campaigns and their status. “Go Public,” which the governor has signed three of our four bills was very important for PEF. In next years’ budget there would be a new line that would identify under personnel services the amount of money the state agency proposes to spend on contracting out.
“Nurses Staffing Campaign” - designed to address the issue of understaffing
of nurses and is ongoing.
“Workplace Violence” - Governor signed into law the workplace violence prevention legislation.
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June 8-9, 2006
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There were many questions and discussions on President Benson’s report
And many Executive Board members thanked President Benson for his nine years of serving as President of PEF and congratulated him on all of his accomplishments.
At this time John Faso, designated Republican party candidate for New York State Governor addressed the Executive Board describing his intentions and thanked the Board for their time.
Region 9 Update
President Benson reported on recommendations that were made and followed through on regarding Region 9.
Interim Policy Regard Council Leaders
President Benson referred to the interim policy that was included in the Board package and explained the background for this policy. It was agreed to add the word “involuntary” before the word “work”.
Ron Goldstein moved to amend the document that “if a steward moves from one part of a division constituency to another spot in the division, they remain a steward for the remainder of that time.” There was a second to the amendment, and it failed.
The interim policy was adopted with the inclusion of the following words: It will be the policy of PEF that a Council Leader who is subject to an “involuntary” transfer “and or “reassignment”…………..
Meeting recessed to lunch at 12:10 p.m.
Meeting resumed
Regular Elections Committee Report
Mary Lou Vasilev, Chair of the Regular Elections Committee thanked the committee and gave an update.
At this time Jeff Zaino from AAA gave a presentation on imagine scanning of the ballots. He went over the process and answered questions of concern by the Executive Board Members.
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June 8-9, 2006
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NDRI Contract Ratification Approval
Field Director Marvin Moschel referred to the document that the Board had received and explained the gains and compromises on the NDRI AOP contract. A motion to send the contract to the membership for ratification received a second and carried.
SECRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT
Secretary Treasurer Hallum reported that Adel Fahim had attended training and GOER denied his time be restored. She requested that a total of two days reimbursement be paid to Mr. Fahim in the amount of $322.94. This was so moved, seconded and carried.
Ms. Hallum spoke about the defibrillator issue that Ron Goldstein had requested and stated that USWA, through their Health and Safety Committee had already requested external defibrillators be supplied throughout the PEF offices. She reported there would be a pilot project in PEF Main office and an evaluation, at which time the Health and Safety committee would evaluate and then deploy to all regional offices.
Ms. Hallum reported on the expenses of the union and stated they were
still working on the banking RFP.
She also announced that the auditors would be in the following week to review the finances and answered questions on her report.
Don Morgenstern moved that Division funds can only be invested in bank interest bearing accounts, CDs or other federally guarantee securities. The motion received a second and carried.
Dennis Anderson moved that no division shall retain funds in excess of one year of their dues allotment. (That no division be able to accumulate funds over the one year allotment. The current policy states dues which is four times your past quarterly statement or $5000 which ever is greater.)
Joe Lewis moved to table this motion and received a second. The issue was tabled.
Labor Management Committee Funding Report
Vice President Baker reported that the committee met and decided to approve funding for this fiscal year and if any committee exceeds their budgets, that would be funded as they have historically been doing from the
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June 8-9, 2006
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Labor Management Committee Funding Report - continued
ad hoc emergency funding line under the labor management committee budget. The second recommendation was, in the fall of 2006, when the committee meets that they look at all the over budgets and if any agency labor management committee anticipates any special cost they should notify the labor management coordinator at that meting in order to enable the coordinator to request an increase to the overall labor management budget.
The report was seconded and carried.
Trustees Report on Accuracy of Membership Lists
Trustee Arlea Igoe reported the Trustees met with the staff involved, to discuss this problem and try to find out how to resolve the problems.
Ms. Igoe referred to the report that was submitted and referred to the report the Trustees had submitted.
Ms. Igoe also stated the Trustees had made some additional changes to the document, where the word “council leader” also add treasurer or the council leader designee.
Sue Kent recommended that the quarterly list that comes to the council leaders also include new members that were added with a highlight or a code or something that would indicate new members were added. Also, she recommended that the list include members that are no longer reflected on the division list, (members who left) and also include members that PEF received a card for but then never showed up on the Pacer system and were dropped. This was acceptable to Ms. Igoe.
The report and recommendations for the “Membership Lists” were adopted as amended.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Political Action
Vice President Brynien gave an update on political endorsements and reported that the Statewide PAC met and made a decision to endorse Mark Green for Attorney General and on behalf of the committee, moved for endorsement of Mr. Green. There was a second to the motion and Mark Green received PEF’s endorsement.
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June 8-9, 2006
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Amendment to Statewide PAC Political Contributions
Vice President Brynien referred to the amendment to the Guidelines for Political Contributions, adding “County Executive candidates in counties where PEF represents non-state employees” this amendment was seconded and carried.
Early Endorsements
Congressional District 11 – Statewide PAC recommended the endorsement of Carl Andrews. There was a second to the endorsement and it carried.
Congressional District 27 – Statewide PAC recommended the endorsement of Brian Higgins. There was a second to the endorsement and it carried.
Assembly District 138 – Statewide PAC recommended the endorsement of Francine Delmonte. There was a second to the endorsement and it carried.
Senate District 60 – Statewide PAC recommended the endorsement of Mark Coppolo in the primary only. There was a second to the endorsement and it was defeated.
The Executive Board recessed at 4:20 p.m.
President Benson called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m., Friday, June 9th.
Members joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
President Benson introduced Attorney General Eliot Spitzer who addressed the Executive Board on his intentions of being elected New York State Governor.
Upon conclusion of Mr. Spitzer’s address, President Benson reviewed the agenda.
COMMITTEE REPORTS – continued
Convention
Vice President and Convention Committee Chair, Joe Fox reported on his negotiations with the Sheraton New York and Tower Hotel in New York City and their agreement to reduce the master bill, not to exceed $50,000. This concluded the report.
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June 8-9, 2006
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COMMITTEE REPORTS - continued
Divisions
Division Committee Chair, Frank Besser, moved on behalf of the committee the secession of Division 279 (Middletown PC) from Division 235 (Rockland PC). There was a second to the motion and after discussion, the motion carried.
Mr. Besser moved the constitutional amendments to Division 399 and received a second, and the amendments were adopted.
Barbara Rock spoke on the work place violence and the Judy Scanlon Scholarship and golf tournament. The following were recipients of the scholarship: Christopher Miller and Daniel Didas.
Ethics
ERC-2005-15 Steen (appellant) vs. Brynien, Igoe, Baker, Fox, Matrazzo, Munzo, Reynolds and Sehindemi
Don Morgenstern, Chair of the Ethics committee described the case, decision and rational of the charges.
Dan Steen address the Board regarding the false statement made regarding literature that had been distributed.
Vice President Ken Brynien also addressed the Board on this issue.
A question and answer period took place and a motion to close debate carried. The decision to uphold the Ethics Committee’s decision carried.
Gubernatorial Endorsement
Vice President Brynien reported that the Statewide PAC recommended the endorsement of Eliot Spitzer for Governor of New York State. This was so moved, seconded and carried.
Mr. Brynien also reported that the Region 3 PAC had brought the recommendation to the Statewide PAC for the endorsement of Assemblywoman Susan John in AD 131. The statewide PAC agreed with the recommendation and moved for the endorsement. This motion received a second and the endorsement carried.
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June 8-9, 2006
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ByLaws Report
President Benson referred to the report from Lou Matrazzo, Chair of the
ByLaws Committee stating the committee met and felt the apportionment of defined constituencies should remain the same as they currently exist.
At this time the following members, who will not be returning to he Executive Board were recognized by President Benson:
Secretary-Treasurer Hallum; Kartikey Adhvaryu; Jim Carr, Charlie Carson; Carl Franklin; Janet Dell; Dylan Keenan; Joe Kost; Joe Lewis; Darwin Richmond; Rosemary Rossi Williams; Don Sislowski; Al Visconti; Susan Stepp; Juana Williams and Mary Willis.
A motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Hallum
Secretary-Treasurer