May Topics:

Lou Matrazzo - Our PEF Regional Coordinator will update us about contract negotiations and other PEF issues in the Capital District.

New York State Budget News - The Legislature stands up to the Governor and works together to implement major portions of the Better Choice Plan.

PEF /encon’s participation in this successful process depended upon all of your calls, letters and e-mails. Thanks!

Labor/ Management Issues - Let us know your concerns.

For more information go to !

See you at the June 24^th Membership Meeting!

Members are encouraged to contact any of the above stewards.

Karl Berger - # 402-8020

Assistant Chief Shop Stewards:

Karen Baker - #402-8174

Holly Clark - #402-8325

William Wurster - #402-8807

Stanley Byer - #402-8403

Treasurer:

Michael Kanuk - #525-2701

PEF Executive Board Representatives:

Wayne Bayer - #402-9553

Mike Keenan - #402-8376

Albany L/M Committee:

Wayne Bayer - #402-9553

Karl Berger - #402-8020

Holly Clark - #402-8325

William Wurster - #402-8807

Civil Service Committee:

Karen Baker - #402-8174

Wayne Bayer - #402-9553

Karl Berger - #402-8020

Stanley Byer - #402-8403

Holly Clark - #402-8325

Karen Cushman - #402-9379

Lawrence D’Arco - #402-8358

John Donlon - #402-8201

Debbie Gardell - #402-8609

Rose Ann Garry - #402-8159

Kuldeep Gupta - #402-8620

Mike Kanuk - #525-2701

Dylan Keenan - #402-9109

Mike Keenan - #402-8376

Diane Kulzer - #402-9740

Timothy LeBarron - #402-9761

Vimal Minocha - #402-8599

James Trossbach - #402-8521

Charles Vandrei - #402-9428

William Wurster - #402-8807

Conservation Day Committee:

Michael Kanuk - #525-2701

Dylan Keenan - #402-9109

Diane Kulzer - #402-9740

Employee Assistance Program Committee: Carole Fraser - #402-0428

Ralph Keating - #402-9775

Brenda Moulhem - #402-9311

Vimal Minocha - #402-8599

Kathy McCue - #402-8706

William Wurster - #402-8807

Health and Safety Committee:

Holly Clark, Chair - #402–8325

Wayne Bayer - #402-9553

Kuldeep Gupta - #402-8620

Mike Kanuk - #525-2701

Timothy LeBarron - #402-9761

Brett Putnam - #402-9549

Jim Reagan - #402-9469

PERC Committee:

Mike Keenan, Chair - #402-8376

Bernadette Anderson - #402-8209

Wayne Bayer - #402-9553

Debbie Gardell - #402-8609

Karl Berger - #402-8020

Rose Ann Garry - #402-8159

Vimal Minocha - #402-8599

Debbie Gardell, Chair - #402-8609

Karen Cushman - #402-9379

Lawrence D’Arco - #402-8358

Vimal Minocha - #402-8599

Political Action Committee:

Wayne Bayer - #402-9553

Lawrence D’Arco - #402-8358

William Wurster - #402-8807

Kuldeep Gupta - #402-8620 (Alternative)

Wayne Bayer - #402-9553

Timothy LeBarron - #402-9761

William Wurster - #402-8807

Without Bulletin Boards here at 625 Broadway (grievance has July arbitration date), PEF/encon is using the monthly membership meetings and this newsletter to keep our members informed. The costs of these new activities require the lion’s share of the steward council’s annual budget. Previously, the Conservation Day subsidy has been the single largest annually expenditure. With a loss of nearly one hundred dues paying members because of retirement, we are faced with a smaller budget for the coming year. These financial considerations were key factors in deciding not to subsidize Conservation Day tickets this year. The steward council felt that keeping members informed and receiving feedback must remain the council’s focus.

The PEF/encon steward council thanks all the members who contacted the Governor and Legislators on the Budget battle. The override was a move back toward progressivity in taxation and demonstrated labor, environmental, good government groups and faith-based organizations have remarkable power to influence change when they choose to exercise it. We will have to remain vigilant and ready to respond if the Governor takes his defeat as an opportunity to cut state programs and services, and our jobs further. For now though, thank yourselves and consider thanking Joe Bruno, Pat Casale and all other legislators in our area who voted for the overrides.

Reliable reports indicate that the Senate and Assembly, without the Governor’s office, are in serious negotiations over refinancing the State Superfund Brownfields legislation. This may be a positive outcome of the Budget veto overrides. Your assistance in contacting legislators may be necessary shortly. We’ll keep you informed and updated, our activism can strengthen our agency.

A recent ad in the Legislative Gazette ad about shadow agencies states that nearly $20 billion of tax money per year is spent without legislative oversight. PEF/encon is planning on having future membership meeting presenters on this topic and the impacts of shadow employees working side by side in our sections and bureaus taking our work and promotional opportunities away from us. We will also discuss proposed legislation (A.4973) and upcoming hearings.