Health care workers rally to oppose diminishing services at Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center

Utica – Doctors, nurses, counselors and therapists at Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (MVPC), represented by the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), rallied today in front of the Utica State Office Building on Genesee Street. The health care providers protested the elimination of long term adult inpatient services for the mentally ill in Oneida County that will result from the closure of the adult inpatient wards at MVPC.

PEF members were joined by members of the Civil Service Employees Association and concerned residents, as well as state Senator Joseph Griffo and Assembly Member Anthony Brandisi as they chanted, marched and waved signs to draw public awareness and support.

PEF Vice President Pat Baker said, “This rally brings to light not only the loss of 140 jobs, closures and shifting of services at Mohawk Valley, but the need to focus on the bigger picture. What will happen to individuals who fall through the cracks and are not relocated? What about the families who won’t be able to travel the 60 to 90 miles to other facilities to see their loved ones?”

“The Utica area has depended on the quality of care administered at Mohawk Valley PC for its mentally-ill population,” said PEF’s Regional Coordinator in Oneida County Kevin Conley. “The state has announced the transfer or release of patients by May 7. Clearly the state does not have the best interest of these individuals in mind.”

“We would like to know why this decision was made,” said the PEF council leader at Mohawk Valley Jeanette St. Mary. “None of the information we requested as to where the savings would be realized due to the closure and shifting, has been forthcoming. We need to raise awareness in this community that this decision by Commissioner Michael Hogan is not prudent or fiscally sound.

“The bottom line is many of these patients have exhausted community placement because of their behavior or illnesses or both, and they require an inpatient level of care. They won’t be able to sustain themselves in any outpatient community setting. We need to get this decision reversed,” St. Mary said.

Health care providers rally to save services, jobs at Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center

Utica – Health care workers from the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) will rally in Utica, Friday, April 27 to protest plans to eliminate long term adult inpatient services for the mentally ill in Oneida County as the state moves forward with the closure of the adult inpatient wards at MVPC Center.

The state Office of Mental Health plans to transfer some patients to Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse, abandoning others, and resulting in more than 140 lost jobs.

The rally will take place in front of the Utica State Office Building, 207 Genesee Street at 12 noon, Friday, April 27.

State Sen. Joseph Griffo and Assembly Member Anthony Brindisi plan to attend.

Thousands of PEF Members Rally at the Capitol Urging Lawmakers to Hold the Line on the State Budget

ALBANY, NY - "It takes might to do what's right!" chanted thousands of state employees represented by the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) rallying at noon today in Albany's West Capitol Park. "This is what democracy looks like!" rang out as they waved blue towels, blew yellow whistles and called on state legislators to hold the line against the governor's attacks on state services and pensions.

"We are New Yorkers and we serve New Yorkers," said PEF President Ken Brynien. "State senators and Assembly members serve New Yorkers too. We must stand together and hold the line against attacks on middle class working families and on the most fragile and powerless among us.

"The governor's budget is packed full of sneak attacks on services to cancer patients, New Yorkers with mental illness and developmental disabilities, and troubled children," Brynien said. "The governor is trying to undercut the legislators' power to represent the New Yorkers who elect them. The governor is demanding the right to sidestep laws that force the state to hire and promote only the most qualified individuals.

"The governor calls it all reform, but we all know and many legislators know that's just so much political spin!" Brynien said. "Mr. Cuomo wants all the power for himself, and that is not democracy!"

Other speakers included state Sen. Diane Savino, PEF Vice Presidents Joe Fox, Pat Baker and Tom Comanzo, as well as representatives of the Civil Service Employees Association and the NYS United Teachers.

PEF to join with other groups for People’s State of The State

Attention: PEF Members

PEF will rally outside the capitol on January 3

Update - CHANGE OF LOCATION!!

Click here for the flier and more information.

State workers turn out by the thousands at rallies statewide to protest lack of respect and layoffs and to call for a fair contract

Albany - Thousands of state workers gathered at 13 different locations across the state today to send a message to Governor Cuomo asking for fairness and respect. The rallies were in response to the announcement last week that thousands of state jobs will be cut. The governor has threatened to eliminate 9,800 positions if $450 million in work force savings could not be met.

“These rallies are as much about respect as they are about our jobs, the services we provide and our contract,” said PEF President Ken Brynien.

The rallies were held in Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton, Elmira, Hauppauge, Hornell, Malone, Manhattan, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Watertown.

“The governor has stated time and again that he wants to work with the unions, and we are willing to work with him where we can, but I don’t think his negotiators are on the same page as he is,” Brynien said.

Leaders of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) began negotiations with the state March 16. The state offered the union one contract proposal. PEF returned with a counter proposal and continues to await a formal response from the state. PEF’s proposal was fair and would achieve the savings needed to avoid layoffs and preserve vital services.

“Since the state’s fiscal crisis began in 2008, 15,000 state jobs have been eliminated. Most agencies are beyond bare bones and services are already at the breaking point,” Brynien added.

Brynien reminded the crowd in Albany that even if a contract agreement is reached and the $450 million in savings realized, the governor has indicated he will still eliminate nearly 1,800 jobs as he closes facilities and consolidates agencies.

“If the layoffs are allowed to happen, state services will be decimated. We will continue to fight to make sure that doesn’t happen and the citizens of this state continue to receive the quality services they need and deserve,” Brynien said.