Join a rally on Thursday March 31st at 11AM at Federal Plaza Park(corner Clinton and North Pearl Street) to march to 677 Broadway to protest Charles Schwab & Company’s support of the risky Bush plan to change Social Security. Schwab is a major backer of the push to privatize Social Security accounts because it is well positioned to make huge profits managing private accounts. Schwab's support for privatization is a conflict of interest with the retirement security of its clients who have entrusted their savings with the firm.

In December 2004, several DEC employees, including PEF members, had their cars broken into in the Water Street parking lots. In the wake of the break ins, PEFencon has requested that the DEC convene a Security Committee under the auspices of the existing labor management framework. Prior to the move from 50 Wolf Road, a Security Committee did work on the security structure that exists here at 625 Broadway. With the experience that the Department has after almost four years on Broadway the Union feels that it is time to revisit the security issue.

It has been noted that the Water Street walkway has become the site for community drug and alcohol use, with paraphernalia and empty containers being found there regularly. Please report any inappropriate uses or dangerous trash to Building Maintenance and any PEF steward.

2001 - Peter Freehafer - Environmental Program       Specialist 2, Central Office,

2002 - Peter Nye - Wildlife Biologist 3, Central Office,

2003 - Bruce Finster - Environmental Engineer 3, Region 8

The recent release of the draft work schedule policy(posted at www.pefencon.info) has generated considerable concern throughout DEC, both in central office and the regions. PEFencon is reviewing the policy and has asked interested PEF members to provide comments. It appears that many employees may be affected and have to change their work schedules if the policy is implemented as currently written. Please provide comments and concerns to any steward.

Earth Day Lobby Day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. There will be speeches from leading government and environment officials, issue briefings and a how-to-lobby workshop in the morning. After a noon rally, participants will lobby key legislators on these important environmental issues: sprawl, wetlands protection, expanded bottle bill, global warming and a ban on backyard burning. Anyone interested in working on this can contact Environmental Advocates of New York State at 462-5226 or see one of the PEFencon Shop Stewards.