Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on threat of furloughs

Albany - "Gov. David Paterson’s proposal to furlough state employees is illegal," said PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

"If the governor does furlough state employees, PEF will hold the state accountable.

"The governor, himself, has said breaking our contract is illegal.

"We will take every action necessary to stop the governor’s proposal.

"We again remind the governor of PEF’s solutions to help close the budget deficit, including millions in savings to be realized by replacing high-cost consultants with lower-cost state employees."

Demoralized PEF Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers to Rally Outside Kingsboro PC

NYC - WHO: NYS Public Employees Federation doctors, nurses and social workers wearing red t-shirts with the message; "Patients our Choice, Union our Voice. We will not be Bullied," will be joined by their coworkers from the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA).

WHAT: To call attention to deplorable working conditions at Kingsboro Psychiatric Center due to inadequate staffing, lack of resources and bullying by management which is threatening patient care.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - Noon to 2 PM

*PEF and CSEA members who work at Kingsboro will gather at noon, walk through the psychiatric center and then rally outside.

WHERE: Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, 681 Clarkson Avenue, Flatbush, Brooklyn

PEF renews call for metal detectors after officer is shot

Albany - A member of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) who works for the state Division of Parole was shot as he sat at his desk in his downtown Brooklyn office Thursday night. Parole Officer Samuel Salters suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder and remains in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital Center. Salters was shot by a paroled murderer who eye witnesses said sat in the waiting room of the parole office until his name was called, then calmly approached Officer Salters and shot him.

The incident has renewed calls for metal detectors in parole offices, something PEF has been trying to negotiate with the state Divison of Parole (DOP) for several years.

"The DOP agreed to a pilot program in 2009 that would install two metal detectors in offices in New York City," said PEF President Kenneth Brynien. "That program has been stalled due to disagreement over how to staff the detectors. Our parole officers are being forced to choose between protecting their own safety and that of the public. Our officers are trying to deal with caseloads that have become unmanageably high. Pulling officers off caseloads to staff metal detectors puts public safety at risk."

"This comes down to appropriate staffing levels," said parole officer and PEF Council Leader Manuelita Clemente. “We recognize there is a hiring freeze due to the state’s fiscal crisis, but we are talking about life and death and the safety of our officers, visitors and parolees. The only deterrent at this time is a piece of paper on the wall that lists banned items including weapons," Clemente said.

In March 2009, another parolee brought a weapon into a parole office in Queens. That parolee was shot to death at the Queens DOP office after grabbing a parole officer and holding a knife to her throat.

"This latest incident should serve as a warning, the state can no longer hide behind the budget deficit as an excuse not to staff metal detectors in the state’s parole offices," Brynien added.

Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on state worker pay raises

Albany - “If the governor withholds state employee raises, that is a violation of our contract,” said PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

“The New York State Public Employees Federation will hold the state accountable.

“The governor, himself, has said breaking our contract is illegal.

“We will take every action necessary to ensure our members get their negotiated raises.

“I met with the governor yesterday to discuss the financial problems the state is facing and we agreed to have further discussions. We reminded the governor of PEF’s solutions to help close the budget deficit, including the millions in savings to be realized by replacing high-cost consultants with lower-cost state employees.”

PEF launches statewide ad campaign offering solutions to budget deficit

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) has launched a statewide television, radio, print and Web advertising campaign to educate the public and legislative leaders on how the state can achieve needed savings without cutting the state work force and sacrificing state services.

"PEF recognizes the seriousness of the current economic crisis, but the governor’s budget has the potential to seriously hamper services New York taxpayers rely on," said PEF President Kenneth Brynien. "The ads point out PEF has offered several options for the state to achieve the same savings the governor is seeking in givebacks from the state work force," Brynien said.

The ads, which feature a mad scientist character, will begin running April 5 on broadcast and cable television statewide and on radio in the Albany and New York City markets. Print advertisements have been placed in targeted newspapers across the state and will be supported by ads on newspaper Web sites including The New York Times, New York Post and NY Daily News.

The television, radio, Web and print ads can be viewed at www.pef.org

This latest ad campaign follows a similar statewide ad campaign which ran in early March, 2010.