4/24/2003
Negotiations heat up with talks on nursing issues
Rallies abound to close corporate tax loopholes, to save pysch centers
Table Talk
Negotiators from PEF and the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations met Wednesday, April 23 and discussed several travel related issues that included the union’s desire to expand the current pre-tax transportation pilot plan to all agencies and introduce a pre-tax parking component to the plan. The state was non-committal and took the matters under advisement.
Pursuant to a PEF Convention Resolution, union negotiators made a presentation to GOER on the nursing crisis within the U.S. and the state of New York. They discussed the impact on union caregivers, as well as their patients. PEF identified critical problems caused by unrealistic nurse staffing levels that make it impossible to provide safe and effective care. PEF presented evidence that these factors have a negative impact upon patient outcomes. The nursing shortage and subsequent poor work conditions create high levels of job dissatisfaction and job-related burnout. It also creates a negative impact upon nurse retention and nurse recruitment — worsening an already critical situation. The union made several proposals intended to alleviate the affect of the crisis. The state expressed its appreciation for the presentation and will respond to PEF’s proposals at a future meeting.
Contract addendum for the Schools for the Deaf and Blind on agenda
A special contract addendum is required for PEF members who work for the state Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. This is because these members don't have coverage of either the state Attendance Rules or the Civil Service Law. GOER and PEF have agreed to open negotiations for the terms of this addendum on Wednesday, April 30.
Many issues to surface during May negotiations
Issues for discussion in May include the PEF funded and NYS Civil Service administered "Career Mobility Offices;” a presentation by PEF on the state contracting-out and the subsequent costs incurred by the public; a presentation by the state Department of Budget on the current fiscal climate; a mutual discussion regarding the special issues faced by PEF members who are teachers and work 10-months; and, a host of other issues including those covered by Articles 13, 14, 18, 20, 30, 36 and 41.
Unions unite to fight soaring prescription drug costs
All unions representing state employees have agreed to join together to discuss a unified approach to prescription drug negotiations, except CSEA who declined the invitation without comment. The first meeting of this work group is scheduled for May 6.
Members asked to join in budget battle
Successful negotiations can only occur when a fair New York State budget is in place. Join the fight for a fair budget! Here are a few things you could do to help.
Phone
Close the “TOYS “R” US” Corporate Tax Loophole!
$1.5 billion in taxes are lost when profitable corporations operating in New York State “ship” their profits to Delaware. Toys “R” Us is a good example. Over the past three years, Toys “R” Us enjoyed a profit of more than a billion dollars yet paid little, if any, New York State taxes. How? Delaware doesn’t tax income from licenses. A Toys “R” Us subsidiary in Delaware, called Geoffrey Inc., charges Toys “R’ Us for the use of the Geoffrey Giraffe logo license effectively “wiping out” profits on toy sales in New York and other states.
The Wall Street Journal article, “A Tax Maneuver Puts Squeeze on Other States” (8.9.02) reported that dozens of big corporations are using this corporate tax loophole to “ship” profits to Delaware. The Gap, Burger King, Home Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, Victoria Secret, Tyson Foods, Sherwin Williams and many other big companies are getting out of paying taxes on the money they make in New York by sending their profits to Delaware.
Over the last 25 years, the portion of the NYS budget funded through business taxes has dropped from 10 percent to four percent — a 60 percent decrease. According to the Citizens for Tax Justice, the wealthiest New Yorkers now pay less than seven percent of their income in state and local taxes, while the rest of us pay about 12 percent. New York State is proposing deep cuts in education and health care. Our most vulnerable citizens are in harms way.
What can you do to help protect them?
Tell the governor and state legislators to close the “Toys “R” Us” tax loophole and ask the wealthy to pay a little more. Let them know that you support temporarily raising the state personal income tax rate by seven tenths of 1percent on those incomes of more than $100,000 and by 1.4 percent on incomes of more than $200,000 to increase state revenue by $2.7 to $3 billion dollars. Call 1-877-255-9417 (toll free) today!
FAX
Keep the pressure on — There is a Better Choice!
Tell Governor Pataki that his budget plan is not the answer! There's a "Better Choice" for New York. The Better Choice plan calls for protecting education, preserving quality health care and easing the burden on working families. Tell Governor Pataki to restore the devastating cuts to education, health care and our community.
Fax a letter to Governor Pataki today. Just click on this link!
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/nysbudgetgov
Rally to close corporate loopholes!
Fight back Calendar
- Saturday, April 26, 2003 — Toys "R" Us in Rochester – 1 p.m.
1530-1550 Ridge Rd. - Contact -Metro Justice, 585-325-2560.
- Monday, April 28, 2003 — Toys "R" Us in Buffalo – 5:30 p.m.
3030 Sheridan Dr. (Near Boulevard Mall) - Contact -Citizen Action: 716-855-1522.
- Tuesday, April 29, 2003 — Albany, State Capitol (A.E. Smith side) 12:30 p.m. Join the march against the NYS Business Council to protest the "Toys "R" Us" and other corporate tax loopholes. For more info call 518-786-3156.
NYC council to vote on resolution to save psych centers
-Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 1 p.m. - City Hall, NYC, City Council of the City of New York vote on Resolution #771 condemning the proposal to close Bronx PC, Bronx CPC and Elmira, Hutchings and Middletown PCs. Show PEF support for the resolution. Contact: Robert Lowinger – 718 -862-5613.
Save PI Lobby Day
- Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - PEF Region 10 Psychiatric Institute Bus Trip to Albany – Buses departing in the front of P.I. at promptly 8 a.m. Join fellow PEF members in telling Albany to "Save P.I." - Contact: Virginia Warner -212-543-5859.
March for Public Education
- Saturday May 3, 2003 at the Empire State Plaza (directly opposite the Capitol). For more information call Kevin Kroencke, Assistant Council Leader PEF Division 194 (SED), at 518-473-4971 (work) or 518-765-9397 (home). Email-kkroenck@nycap.rr.com.
Save Elmira Psychiatric Center
- Tuesday, May 6, 2003 - Bus trip to Albany to lobby for mental health services. Contact: Bonnie Wood - 607-732-4855.
Public hearing slated for Bronx PC and CPC
-Friday, May 9, 2003 - Hostos Community College, Savoy Building, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 120 E. Walton Ave (at Grand Concourse). NYS Assembly Committee on Mental Health public hearing on the proposed closure of Bronx PC and Bronx CPC. Show support for Bronx PC. Contact: Robert Lowinger, 718-862-5613.