1. In response to an inquiry made by Anna Oles regarding the status of the application for DHCR, Commissioner approved, labor management training, Ms. Labate stated that she wants another copy (for editing purposes) and promised to have it completed and signed within one month. (Actual training, as previously agreed, will take place in Albany but their dates can not be determined until a new PEF / State of New York contract is ratified.)
2. In response to a request from Anna Oles, Ms. Labate only agreed to continue to provide the Council Leaders with a monthly list of PEF represented DHCR employees and a bi-weekly list of changes to them. Management continues to refuse to give to PEF any list of all DHCR employees which even provide nothing more than title, classification and representation.
3. In response to a request made by Hiram Eberlein, Ms. Labate indicated that she will consider, for possible acquiescence with PEF, an agreement (which was provided to her) reached in another State agency concerning PEF’s advance review of memos to be issued. In the interim, she did agree to provide each Council Leader or their designee with an advance copy of some future memos (to staff) for their review and comment.
4. In response to a request made by Howard Friedman, Ms. Labate agreed to send to the appropriate Council Leader a notification of an unsatisfactory performance evaluation rating as soon as it is received by Personnel.
5. Robert Thomas repeated the standing offer of having PEF provide whatever assistance it can, to DHCR, regarding the next budget and staffing. In response to inquiries concerning staffing, Ms. Labate indicated that DHCR has about 16 employees below its authorized level of 1052. She further stated that a Statewide hiring freeze remains in effect, which requires obtaining Division of the Budget approval for any new hires. And that DHCR has been more successful in obtaining such permission if it involves a transfer from another State agency rather than hiring an outsider; but progress is being made in obtaining waivers in both situations.
6. In response to an inquiry by Anna Oles concerning the merging/reduction of titles, Ms. Labate indicated that DHCR is reviewing the rent examiner series and is considering a merger of Housing and Community Development Rep. titles. Mr. Burke added that the NYS Dept. of Civil Service continually requests agencies to recommend consolidation of titles; he further stated that DHCR is considering merging the Weatherization titles with those in Housing and/or Community Development.
7. With respect to telecommuting, Ms. Labate indicated that the concept is not embraced by the management of DHCR, that she has many reservations concerning even the establishment of a pilot program, and that she has not had the time to discuss this matter with management’s representatives on DHCR’s Telecommuting Committee. She did agree, however, to make time for such a discussion.
8. In response to Lolita Ferrin’s request for both PEF Divisions to be allowed to use the Agency’s E-Mail system, Mr. Burke stated that there is a Statewide grievance filed by PEF in connection with this matter (whether or not E-Mail is the equivalent of a bulletin board), but each agency has some latitude in the allowed use by the unions in this system. Ms. Labate stated that DHCR might allow its use if a request is made to her, Mr. Burke is copied and is provided with a copy of the proposed E-Mail; she also promised a response will be forthcoming to each request within 48 hours.
9. With respect to actual bulletin boards, Howard Friedman requested that there be one down each of the two aisles, as near to the elevators as possible, on each of the sixth and seventh floors of DHCR’s Beaver Street site, so that they be in sight of as many passersby as possible. Hiram Eberlein requested that a bulletin board be put up in a specified location on the fourth floor of Hampton Plaza and that all bulletin boards at this site have an area designated for PEF’s exclusive use. Ms. Labate indicated that she would consider each request and contact both council leaders with her answer.

New Business:

1. Anna Oles requested DHCR’s commitment to provide funds for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) activities. Ms. Labate indicated that a decision will not be made until a proposed budget is received from the EAP Committee and a review of it is made.
2. With respect to an inquiry by Anna Oles concerning the development of a new employee handbook, Ms. Malinoski stated that work on it has just begun; Mr. Burke added that the union will be given an opportunity to review it and make suggestions prior to its issuance.
3. In response to an inquiry by Lolita Ferrin regarding Y2K potential problems, Ms. Labate stated that DHCR does not anticipate any; but they are developing a contingency plan and will be asking certain employees to work on the upcoming New Year’s Day to ensure that the main systems are working properly. She also promised to keep each Council Leader informed of the status and details of the contingency plan.
4. In response to Priscilla Marco’s request that DHCR allow one PEF represented employee from the NYC and Albany offices to attend an upcoming, union sponsored, training session on Workers Compensation without charge to leave credits, Mr. Burke stated the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) has already indicated that no agency can grant permission. Ms. Labate added that Mr. David Singer of DHCR has expertise in this area and that the employees can use him as a resource person if they have any questions with respect to Workers Compensation.
5. In response to a request by Anna Oles to schedule the next labor/management meeting for mid March 2000 in Albany, Ms. Labate indicated that she was amenable; but that another request should be made in early February 2000 so as to establish an exact date and time.

Respectfully submitted,

Howard Friedman

Secretary, PEF Division 168