Executive Board Minutes

                                  November 30 – December 1, 2006

                                 Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York

 

 

President Brynien called the meeting to order at approximately 9:00 a.m.  Members joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  A moment of silence was observed in the passing of Regional Coordinator Jeffrey Satz who passed away five years ago.  The following Board members were sworn in:  Charlene Lojewski representing the Department of Corrections; Greg McBride representing OGS, Executive; and Robert Montalbano representing OMRDD.  President Brynien also announced that Ed Lucas would be serving as Sergeant-at-Arms

in the future.

 

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

President Brynien stated he had a couple of changes to the agenda.  Guest Speaker Lieutenant Governor elect Paterson would be addressing the Board at 3:00 p.m. and Vice President Fox’s Convention travel would be addressed prior to the Secretary Treasurer’s report.  He further stated there would be workshops for the Board to attend on Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m.  The change in plan was due to the commission report regarding the heath care system of the state and changes that were being recommended to our SUNY hospitals.  President Brynien reported that he would be speaking at a Senate Health Committee hearing Friday

morning.  He also stated that any appeals that were to be addressed, would be done at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

 

Kevin Jones asked to add distribution of newsletters under member items.   The agenda carried with the changes as listed below:

Call Meeting to Order

Pledge Allegiance to the Flag Swear in Newly Elected Executive Board Members

Approval of the Agenda

Approval of the Minutes

Motion to Hear Ethics #2006-016 Steen vs. Triennial Election Committee

Motion to Hear Election #06-006 – Steen vs. Brynien, Igoe, Baker, Fox, Matrazzo, Munoz, Reynolds and Sehindemi

Motion to Hear Election #06-007 – Steen vs. Benson, Chamberlain, Baker, Brynien and Fox

Motion to Hear Election #06-008 – Steen vs. Brynien, Igoe, Baker, Fox, Matrazzo, Munoz, Reynolds and Sehindemi

 

Executive Board Minutes

November 30-December 1, 2006

Page 2

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - continued

Motion to Hear Election #06-009 – Steen vs. Fox, Anderson, Baker, Brynien, Hallum, Benson and Occhino

Motion to Hear Election #06-012 – Garcia and Kent vs. Division 233 Officers and Stewards

Motion to Hear Election #06 – 014 – Lewis vs. Lojewski

Motion to Hear Election #06 – 016 – Steen vs. 2006 Election Committee

Motion to Hear Election #06 – 017 – Sherokey vs. Laviano and Division 179

Motion to Hear Election #06 – 018 – Sherokey vs. PEF Administration

Motion to Hear Election #06 – 019 – Garcia vs. PEF Elections Committee

President’s Report

a)      Update on State Budget

b)      Political Update and State Transition

c)      Guest Speaker 3:00 p.m. Thursday

Convention Travel Proposal

Secretary-Treasurer’s Report

Ethics and Election Appeals if vote to hear

Member Item

     Distribution of Division Newsletters

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

The minutes were moved seconded and adopted as printed.

 

Motion to Hear Ethics ERC-#2006-016 Steen (appellant vs. Triennial Election Committee

Don Morgenstern, Chair of the Ethics Committee, referred to the Ethics Committee report and gave background on the case.  After debating the issue, the question was called, seconded and carried.  The motion to hear Ethics #2006-106 carried and would be heard on Friday at 11:30 a.m.

 

Motion to Hear Elections  ERC-#06-006 – Daniel Steen vs.  Brynien, Igoe, Baker, Fox, Matrazzo, Munoz, Reynolds and Sehindemi

Mary Lou Vasilev, Chair of the Elections Committee provided information regarding the case.  After debating whether or not to hear the case, the question was called and carried.  The motion to hear Elections ERC #06-006 carried and would be heard on Friday at 11:30 a.m.

 

Motion to Hear Elections ERC-#06-007 – Daniel Steen vs. Benson, Chamberlain, Baker, Brynien and Fox
Ms. Vasilev spoke on the Election Committee decision.  After debating the case, the question was called and carried.  The motion to hear Elections ERC A#06-007 was defeated.

Executive Board Minutes

November 30-December 1, 2006

Page 3

 

At this time Debbie Egel moved to change the order of business to discuss the Syracuse Health Science problems and hearings involved in the case.  The motion received a second and carried with a two-thirds required vote.

 

A motion to limit the time for discussion was withdrawn.

 

President Brynien explained to the Board that Governor Pataki established a commission called the Commission on Health Care Facilities and was looking to save money by over hauling the health care system in the state.  The commission gave their final report reflects closing of hospitals, closing nursing homes, merging hospitals, consolidation of services and downsizing in an effort to save money.  He further explained this report required immediate action as the Legislature or the Governor had to veto the report or it would go into affect January 1st, 2007.  Monies to fund a fight-back would be addressed by Secretary-Treasurer Igoe.

(A motion failed to call for the orders of the day)

Discussion continued on this very serious issue and was followed up by a motion from Secretary-Treasurer Igoe to allocate up to $50,000 from the “Go Public” Fight Back Fund.  There was a second to the motion and it carried.  After more debate, Vice President Fox recommended that PEF send a strongly worded letter to SEIU President, Andy Stern requesting the aid of 1199 and 200D in the fight back to keep Syracuse Update an independent facility. There was a second to that and President Brynien assured the Board that would be done.

 

The Executive Board recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.m.

 

The Executive Board resumed at approximately 1:15 p.m.

 

President Brynien made several announcements regarding the three workshops that would be presented Friday morning and asked members that were not on EOL time, to attend the hearing on the commission report.

 

Ron Goldstein moved that there be one person speaking for and one speaking against regarding the motions to hear the elections appeals.  The motion was seconded and failed.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-008 – Daniel Steen vs. Brynien, Igoe, Baker, Fox, Matrazzo, Munoz, Reynolds and Sehindemi

Ms. Vasilev explained the committee’s recommendation. After debate, the question was called and debate was closed.  The motion to hear Election ERC #06-008 was defeated.

 

Executive Board Minutes

November 30-December 1, 2006

Page 4

 

 

At this time a motion was made to address the President’s report.   There was a second to the motion and it failed to receive the two-third required vote.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-009 – Daniel Steen vs. Fox, Anderson, Baker, Brynien, Hallum, Benson and Occhino

Ms. Vasilev described how the committee reached their decision.  There was no debate and the motion to hear Election ERC#06-009 was defeated.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-012 – Carlos Garcia and Susan Kent vs. Division 233 Officers and Stewards

Ms. Vasilev explained the rationale for the committee’s decision. After debating the issue, the question was called closing debate.  The motion carried to hear ERC-#06-612.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-014 – Joe Lewis vs. Lojewski

M. Vasilev went over the committee’s recommendation.  After debating the issue, a motion carried to close debate.  The motion carried not to hear ERC #06-014.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-016 – Daniel Steen vs. 2006 Elections Committee

Ms. Vasilev gave the clarification of their decision.  After debate the question was called and debate was closed.  The motion carried to hear ERC #06-016.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-017 – Stephen M. Sherokey vs. Joe Laviano and Division 179

Ms. Vasilev spoke regarding the committee’s decision.  After debate, the question was called and debate was closed. The motion failed to hear ERC #06-017.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-018 – Stephen  M. Sherokey vs. PEF Administration

Ms. Vasilev explained the case and the committee’s decision.  After debate, the question was called and debate was closed.  The motion failed to hear ERC #06-018.

 

Motion to Hear Election ERC #06-019 – Carlos Garcia vs. PEF Elections Committee

Ms. Vasilev spoke on the case and the committee’s decision.  After debate, the question was called and debate was closed.  The motion failed to hear ERC #06-019.

 

 

Executive Board Minutes

November 30 – December 1, 2006

Page 5

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Brynien gave an update on the progress PEF made during the elections and how influential we were.  He stated this was especially important to have the Democrat members that we supported regarding the federally funded agencies.

 

Mr. Brynien reported that he had been asked to serve on a transition committee appointed by Governor elect Eliot Spitzer and that it was definitely very positive that we were being asked for input.

 

He continued his report giving an update on the Medicare Part B lawsuit that we had won; talked about asking the Fiscal Policy Institute to do a COLA study; a dental study, regarding taking it over ourselves and decided we needed to put an RFP to get more expert advice.  He also spoke on increasing the membership through unit determination challenges; the Buffalo snowstorm; the triage program

He then spoke on the challenges of the state budget and contracting out and of great concern was the hospital commission report indicating closure of three SUNY hospitals and Lockport Hospital.  He reported that NYSUT and NYSNA would definitely be working with us on a rally planned for December 13th.

 

Executive Board members asked questions of concern regarding President Brynien’s report.

 

 

Update on State Budget

Tom Cetrino, Director of Civil Service Reform reported on the state’s fiscal situation and outlook for next year’s budget.

 

At this time Lt. Governor Elect, Paterson thanked PEF for their support and

gave an update on some of the issues that the new administration was discussing.

 

 

Political Update and State Transition

Vice President Fox reported that PEF did  extraordinarily well on the past elections and all but one of our endorsed candidates won and PEF had gained much political capital federally and statewide in this election.   He answered questions brought forth from the Board.

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Board Minutes

November 30-December 1, 2006

Page 6

 

 

 

COMMITEEE REPORTS

Convention Travel

Vice President and Convention Committee Chair Joe Fox referred to the draft 2007 Convention Travel Voucher and reported that there was a significant change from previous vouchers as the expense for New York City was almost double other conventions.  He stated there was a typo in the document under shuttle service.  There would be no shuttle service from the train stations.  Mr. Fox moved for adoption of the voucher and received a second.

 

Ron Goldstein suggested a change to the local travel, “unreceipted local travel for delegates not staying at the hotel is $60.00 a night.”

 

After debating the voucher, the question was called and debate was closed. The proposed travel voucher was adopted with correction of the typo and the changed language recommended by Mr. Goldstein.

 

Charlie Kelefant moved that the divisions be allowed, for this convention, to allot to their delegates the maximum amount of $125.00, rather than the $100.00 currently allowed.  There was a second to the motion and it carried.

 

SECRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT

Secretary-Treasurer Igoe referred to the financial documents that had been mailed to the Board and reported that PEF was on track with the budget so far, but wanted to build the contingency fund back up.

 

Ms. Igoe followed up with questions raised at the previous meeting regarding divisions personal addresses and phone number being used and reported that PEF was no longer sending out addresses with the division reports. 

 

Secretary-Treasurer Igoe answered questions from the Board members regarding her report and the financial documents.

 

Scott Ray, member of the ad hoc Banking Committee, gave an update on the response from the RFP’s that were sent to several banks and institutions. He reported that three were possibly being considered and the committee would be meeting with each of them in January to get a more developed idea of exactly what PEF wanted and then would be bringing this back to the Executive Board.

Mr. Ray answered questions from Board members.

 

The meeting recessed at 5:10 p.m. Thursday, November 30th.

Executive Board Minutes

November 30 – December 1, 2006

Page 7

 

Secretary-Treasurer Igoe called the meeting back to order at approximately 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 1st.  Members joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Parliamentarian, Ed Alfonsin, acting chair for the appeals went over the procedure for handing the appeals.

 

Ethics Appeal ERC #2006-016 – Steen (appellant) vs. Triennial Election Committee

Don Morgenstern, Chair of the Ethics Committee presented the case and defended the committee’s decision ruling that there was no claim of an ethics violation.

 

Mr. Steen addressed the Board regarding the committee’s decision.

 

Mary Lou Vasilev, Chair of the Elections Committee, reported why the case was referred to the Ethics committee.

 

After debating the issue, or lack of issue, Nithia Chatterjie moved to postpone case indefinitely, which would be a diplomatic way of voting to take no position.

The motion was seconded and carried to postpone indefinitely.

 

Election Appeal ERC #06-006 – Daniel Steen vs. Brynien, Igoe, Baker, Fox, Matrazzo, Munoz, Reynolds and Sehindemi

Mary Lou Vasilev, Chair of the Elections Committee went over the committee’s decision.

 

Dan Steen presented his view regarding the case.

 

Secretary-Treasurer Igoe and Vice President Matrazzo responded to the appeal.

 

After debating this issue, Dee Dodson called the question, received a second and debate was closed.  The motion carried to sustain the ruling of the committee.

 

A moment of silence was observed in the passing of Corrections PEF member

Cindy Laurie.

 

The Executive Board recessed for lunch.

 

Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe called the Executive Board meeting back to order.

 

 

 

Executive Board Minutes

November 30 – December 1, 2006

Page 8

 

 

 

ERC #06-012 – Carlos Garcia and Susan Kent vs. Division 233 Officers and Stewards

Mary Lou Vasilev went over the reasons for the committee’s decision.

 

Carlos Garcia presented his case to the Executive Board.

 

Vice President Pat Baker presented her response.

 

A motion to close debate was seconded and carried.  The motion to sustained the committee’s decision carried.

 

ERC #06-016 – Daniel Steen vs. 2006 Elections Committee

Ms. Vasilev gave the rationale for the committee’s decision.

 

Mr. Steen presented his case.

 

After debating the case, Tom Comanzo called the question and received a second.

The motion to sustain the committee’s decision carried.

 

Final Report from the PEF Elections Committee

Mary Lou Vasilev, Chair of the PEF Elections Committee again, thanked all the members that served on the committee and referred to the report that had been included in the Executive Board material.

 

Ron Goldstein referring to the report, moved that any Board member or candidate that wanted a copy of the CD, should have access to it, with the understanding that it was unofficial.

 

Mr. Goldstein was ruled out of order, as you can not change a report to reflect something that you wish was there.

 

A quorum count failed for the number of members to allow any motions to be voted on, but discussion could continue.

 

Members continued to ask questions on the final report.

 

Dennis Anderson moved to adjourn received a second.

 

 

 

Executive Board Minutes

November 30 – December 1, 2006

Page 9

 

 

President Brynien gave an overview of the hearing regarding the commission’s report to close several hospitals.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Arlea Igoe

Secretary-Treasurer