AFS PEP News - July Aug 07 - AFSCME Council 13

Public Employee Press
Council 13 AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
May/June 2009
Vol. 38, Issue 3
ISSN: 0190-4957
afscme13.org
800-5-AFSCME
6 PA ‘Staycations’
6 Save Our School!
7
Making a Difference
37th Annual Convention –
Fighting the Good Fight
“
say: Our time is here!
– page 4-5
Today I won’t tell you ‘our time is coming’. After 8 long
years of the failed Bush administration, today I can finally
”
— David R. Fillman
Executive Director AFSCME Council 13

2
Union Brothers and Sisters,
Here it comes again. The Capitol Standoff. Government Gridlock. And back
from the dead, Payless Paydays. The annual budget stalemate becomes a
‘statemate’ as state workers prepare for the worst.
On May 13 Gov. Rendell sent a letter to state employees to introduce Payless Paydays.
He wanted to give advance notice so employees could “begin planning for this potential
disruption.” Aside from bullhorns and signs, just how do the least paid Commonwealth
employees prepare? Put off the family vacation to the Greek islands? Give up the
summer home in the Hamptons? Cancel the country club membership? Sell the yacht?
Many state employees already work 2 or 3 jobs to pay the bills. Many already
do the job of 3 or 4 people since the hiring freeze. The only preparation the
administration can hope for is that by June 30 workers will have cooled off from
that letter; and that the familiarity of this annual event will create complacency.
Fortunately, Senate Bill 850, the Senate Republican version of the state budget,
was killed in the Appropriations Committee on June 8. Yet, legislators continue to
ignore cost-saving proposals AFSCME brought to the table. For instance, keeping
private contractors while cutting public service makes no economic sense. Right
now, Pennsylvania awards private contractors thousands of contracts that cost tax
payers millions of dollars. Private contractors don’t undergo background checks.
They don’t take tests to prove they’re qualified for the job. Many don’t even pay
workers a living wage or provide health care benefits. Some don’t even pay their
share of state or city taxes because their headquarters are out of state!
This year they can blame the recession. This year “un-essential” has become
“Payless Paydays.” But one thing remains the same. State employees will be caught in
the middle. AFSCME has attacked this issue over the years through a variety of law
suits. We currently have the issue on Appeal to the PA Supreme Court and are waiting
for a response. (check www.afscme13.org for details). Alaine Williams, Esq. of Willig,
Williams & Davidson serves as General Counsel for AFSCME Council 13 and has been
on top of this through every legal avenue. She is confident the Court will overturn the
decision because it is contrary to established decisions of the United States Supreme
Court. So keep the fires burning. Keep the phones ringing. Keep whining, screaming
and hollering. June 30 is the deadline to enact a budget. If legislators followed the
rules – if they did their job, state employees could finally be free to do theirs.
As evidenced above, the courts are crucial to our very existence. So is the
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). During our convention I received word
that President Obama had nominated 2 labor-friendly candidates to the NLRB.
Craig Becker, Associate General Counsel to both SEIU and AFL-CIO, who was once
a lawyer for AFSCME International. And Mark Pearce, a union side labor lawyer
throughout his career.
And now the nomination of federal appeals judge, Sonia Sotomayor, to the
Supreme Court would put another friend in our corner. If confirmed, Sotomayor
would make history as the first Hispanic justice, and would be only the third
woman to make it to the Supreme Court. But her rise from poverty to the highest
court in the nation is the story union folks like to hear. Her father was a tool-anddie
maker and her mother was a nurse in a methadone clinic. Nothing was handed
to Sonia Sotomayer. She understands labor, she understands dignity in all work,
and she understands the struggle of working men and women.
This change is happening because of you. Your voice is your most powerful
weapon. So as legislators gear up for hunting season on the hill, don’t allow
complacency to silence you. Don’t allow fear to discourage you. As they prepare
to thin the herd from the bottom - demand they trim the fat at the top.
Yours in Unity,
David R. Fillman
Executive Director
AFSCME Council 13
Executive
Director’s
Message
David R. Fillman
Executive Director, AFSCME Council 13
AFSCME COUNCIL 13 DIRECTORY
COUNCIL 13 — David R. Fillman, Executive Director
4031 Executive Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111-1507
Phone: 717/564-9312; (toll free) 1-800-5-AFSCME
DISTRICT COUNCIL 83 — Dominic Sgro, Director
161 Patchway Road, Duncansville, PA 16635-8431
Phone: 814/696-0255; (toll free) 1-800-252-3785
DISTRICT COUNCIL 84 — Richard Caponi, Director
116 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412/471-1218; (toll free) 1-800-222-8847
DISTRICT COUNCIL 85 — J. David Henderson, Director
1276 Liberty St., Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: 814/437-7654; (toll free) 1-800-865-9652
DISTRICT COUNCIL 86 — Sharon Sober, Director
250 Commerce Park Drive, New Columbia, PA 17856
Phone: 570/568-1147; (toll free) 1-800-540-9401
DISTRICT COUNCIL 87 — David Antle, Director
McEntee-Keller Labor Center, 1258 O’Neill Hwy., Dunmore, PA 18512
Phone: 570/961-5394; (toll free) 1-800-551-5066
DISTRICT COUNCIL 88 — Bob Cooper, Director
3031 Walton Road, Building C, Suite 300, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Phone: 610/825-4944; (toll free) 1-800-478-4944
DISTRICT COUNCIL 89 — Michael Fox, Director
150 South 43rd Street, Suite 2, Harrisburg, PA 17111-5718
Phone: 717/564-7998; (toll free) 1-800-583-2376
DISTRICT COUNCIL 90 — Mary Schwanger, Director
4031 Executive Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111-1507
Phone: 717/564-5123
AFSCME COUNCIL 13 MEMBERS’ BENEFITS
MEMBER ONLY BENEFITS
1-888-SVC-13-AFSCME or 1-888-782-1323
Call for more information about:
Car Discounts * Car Insurance * Car Rentals * Cell Phones * Checks
Computer Deals * Credit Card * Credit Counseling * Education Services
Eldercare Services * Entertainment * Financial Planning
Flower Service * Health Club Discounts * Mortgage Programs
Moving Vans * Pet Services * Scholarships * Theme Parks
Vacation Packages
Legal Services 1-800-631-1233 or 1-888-294-2747
Workers' Comp. Hotline: 1-866-413-2667
HEALTH FUNDS
PEBTF (State Workers)
717-561-4750
1-800-522-7279
AFSCME Health & Welfare Fund
(Non-State Workers)
717-564-9338
1-800-692-7332
PRESCRIPTION PLANS
Medco, Inc. 1-800-899-2674 (State Workers)
ESI/Express Scripts – 1-866-841-2368 (Non-State Workers)
DENTAL PLANS
Concordia Dental - 1-888-320-3321 (State Workers)
Delta Dental - 1-800-932-0783 (Non-State Workers)
VISION PLANS
NVA / National Vision Administrators
1-800-672-7723
Public Employee Press (ISSN 0190-4957)
Published bi-monthly Jan./Feb., Mar./Apr., May/Jun., Jul./Aug., Sep./Oct., Nov./Dec.,
by Council 13, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees,
AFL-CIO, 4031 Executive Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111-1507.
Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg, PA and additional mailing office.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: “Public Employee Press,” AFSCME Council
13, 4031 Executive Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111-1507.
Vol. 38, No. 3 May/June 2009
Todd Singer, President David R. Fillman, Executive Director
Phyllis Wingate, Secretary Patricia Bauer, Editor and
Alan Redding, Treasurer Director of Public Relations

Corrections Member Honored
Corrections Secretary Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D. with Susan K. Bryan
ABSTAINED /
LOCAL YES NO CHALLENGED
DISTRICT COUNCIL 83
664 6 1
763 178 52
906 149 31
1982 18 2
1983 12 10
2047 145 57
2110 64 63
2121 73 35
2125 35 35
2127 14 2
2128 23 3
2130 34 4
2131 50 9
2133 25 2
2344 58 49
2365 30 16
2541 8 13
2579 20 10
2580 20 3
2583 20 4
2609 18 4
2611 25 17
3564 14 0
3864 67 36
Sub-Totals 1106 458 0
DISTRICT COUNCIL 84
819 63 4
1985 11 1
1986 12 4
2059 36 12
2104 48 35
2105 24 26
2106 26 21
2107 31 1
2108 14 9
2109 17 25
2111 23 23
2207 70 5
2266 11 3
2322 91 48
2350 10 0
2459 26 24
2576 19 5
2577 7 0
2578 31 2
2582 10 20
2612 25 14
2613 10 2
3739 22 0
Sub-Totals 637 284 0
DISTRICT COUNCIL 85
469 33 63
1050 117 18
1483 24 0
1816 17 11
1975 14 1
1976 21 4
2100 83 6
2101 62 61 1
2102 49 8
2103 40 24 4
2112 40 30
2113 27 4
2114 13 2
2115 34 27
2116 40 9
2117 13 9
2119 72 9
2120 15 0
2123 33 2
2326 75 25
2329 71 14
2352 85 8
2353 117 12
2450 19 11
2543 16 0
2581 14 0
2594 36 6
2595 14 0
2602 9 14
2603 4 11
3259 45 9
3266 14 2
3276 30 1
Sub-Totals 1296 401 5
DISTRICT COUNCIL 86
166 122 104
1513 23 8
1977 19 4
2118 13 6
2124 53 29
2129 30 29
2138 22 2
2139 15 3
2140 24 8
2141 22 1
2148 40 0
2151 53 21
2153 16 8
2164 33 30
2360 94 2
2361 39 8
2363 33 5
Photo credit Dept. of Corrections
Susan K. Bryan, DC89, L2245; a Corrections Food Service Supervisor at
Elizabethtown Training Academy, received an Outstanding Performance Award
at the Employee Recognition Ceremony held at the academy on May 6.
Praised as “a vital member of our team” Bryan began her career with the Dept. of
Corrections Training Academy as an intern moving on to full time employment in
1994. She has enhanced food production and presentation, designed and directed the
implementation of Café Tra for the students, and prepares inmate crews for food
service careers.
An active union member, Bryan currently serves as an AFSCME steward. She was
commended for using her understanding of labor contracts “to educate as well as to
address concerns before they become problems.” Congratulations!
Master Agreement Ratification Votes
to Avoid Rolling Furloughs:
2596 14 2
2604 14 0
3330 46 8
Sub-Totals 725 278 0
DISTRICT COUNCIL 87
1978 9 0
2126 46 50
2142 31 7
2143 66 26
2144 66 6
2145 50 5
2146 36 12
2147 75 6
2150 69 4
2152 17 13
2323 50 15
2327 94 8
2333 35 39
2334 72 14
2366 105 12
2453 20 3
2584 82 32
2585 27 14
2605 12 3
3126 15 3
Sub-Totals 977 272 0
DISTRICT COUNCIL 88
338 17 0
746 60 27
1003 82 24
1147 69 6
1422 5 0
1952 20 0
1979 6 2
1980 8 0
2061 61 8
2132 18 7
2149 23 9
2154 47 2
2155 15 2
2158 70 26
2159 21 2
2160 25 2
2234 30 19
2345 113 9
2347 54 1
2348 123 5
2455 24 3
2548 20 0
2586 31 4
2587 15 1
2588 16 0
2589 13 0
2590 15 1
2592 22 0
2593 17 1
2606 6 1
2607 3 0
3431 38 0
Sub-Totals 1087 162 1
DISTRICT COUNCIL 89
1347 8 1
1981 55 15
2122 9 36
2134 26 7
2135 50 26
2136 17 3
2137 16 2
2156 70 23
2157 14 9
2161 23 1
2163 65 29
2354 51 12
2355 44 7
2356 11 1
2421 95 24
2456 93 28
2521 12 0
2528 48 38
ABSTAINED /
LOCAL YES NO CHALLENGED
DISTRICT COUNCIL 83
2246 18 13
2247 37 5
DISTRICT COUNCIL 84
2248 12 1
2249 17 14
DISTRICT COUNCIL 85
2367 17 6
2368 22 1
2540 13 1
2591 32 2
2608 10 6
2915 19 0
Sub-Totals 781 271 0
DISTRICT COUNCIL 90
972 216 51 1
1022 89 10
1224 941 71 7
1420 58 1
2162 110 11
2518 30 0
2523 23 0
2524 59 7
2527 74 4
2534 392 13 2
2536 53 6
2545 300 29 3
3033 53 20
3101 37 1
3105 20 0
3130 69 3 1
3149 29 1
Sub-Totals 2553 228 14
TOTALS 9,162 2,354 20
MASTER MEMORANDUM RATIFICATION
VOTES TO AVOID ROLLING FURLOUGHS.
DISTRICT COUNCIL 86
2369 8 2
DISTRICT COUNCIL 87
2370 27 5
DISTRICT COUNCIL 88
2244 32 3
DISTRICT COUNCIL 89
2245 64 11
TOTALS 254 61
www.afscme13.org 3

Council 13’s 37th Ann
April 24-26, 2009
Hershey Lodge and
Convention Center
Pres. Todd Singer calls the convention to order.
Former AFSCME member, Sen. Vincent
Hughes, (D-7th), wears many “hats” as a
PA Senator and an advocate of labor.
PA United Way Pres. Tony Ross, looks
forward to working with AFSCME on
future community projects.
DC84 Delegates cheer Exec. Dir. Fillman -
or did somebody mention the Steelers?
4 Public Employee Press May/June 2009
AFL-CIO Pres. John Sweeney with John
Evans (L) L2147, Lackawanna Co.; and Joe
Hickey, L2370, State Supervisory Dist. 4.
Rev. Willie Sawyers, Local 2162 Vice-Pres.
and Pastor at Millennium Neighborhood
Community Church gives the invocation.
Delegates sign up for the Make America
Happen campaign.
Exec. Dir. David R. Fillman welcomes members at the new Orientation for 1st Time
Delegates/Alternates.
Pres. McEntee congratulates delegates
for ratifying the rolling furlough
agreement calling it, “the best deal in
the country that AFSCME has gotten.”
AFSCME Kids lead Delegates in the ‘Pledge
of Allegiance’.
Once again DC84 received the
Outstanding PAL Achievement Award,
but DC89 took home the Outstanding
MVP Achievement Award.
Dr. Monita Hara, Superintendent of
Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD),
acknowledges AFSCME represented
positions at the school.
Kendra Cason, daughter of Bob Cason C13
Organizing Dept., did another great job
singing the National Anthem.
PA AFL-CIO Sec.-Treas. Rick Bloomingdale (R)
presented 2009 awards to Penny Fink, L2865
(Communication); Paula Schnelly, L1398
(Community Service); and Cheryl Reynolds,
L2360 (Political Action).

ual Convention
LEADING
THE CHANGE
468 Delegates and their guests were in attendance at Council 13’s 37th Annual Convention,
held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center on April 24 - 26, 2009. Delegates passed
a total of 15 Resolutions. Saving Scranton State School for the Deaf and Scotland School for
Veterans’ Children; National Health Care; Use of Stimulus Money for Vital Public Services; and the
Employee Free Choice Act were some of the resolutions presented during Saturday’s General
Session.
During his State of the Union address, Exec. Dir. Fillman formally announced the Agreement to
Prevent Rolling Furloughs had been passed and included a video presentation emphasizing how
lucky Pennsylvania is to get such a deal compared to 33 other states.
A special Presidential Election 2008 video montage was shown. “You were the ones leading the
change,” said Exec. Dir. Fillman. “You were the ones doing the walk, talk and knock for Barack.”
And Pres. McEntee thanked Pennsylvania for all their hard work “so that AFSCME can once again
step on the welcome mat at the White House.”
Barbara Cooper, DC88, L2345, West Chester University and C13 Exec. Board VP representing State employees
(L) and Marge Snopek, L3126, Scranton State School for the Deaf and C13 Exec. Board VP representing DC87,
helped out with introductions.
Retired DC85 Director, David Bielski, reads from the
“Hymnal” of Resolutions for the last time as newly
elected DC85 Director, David Henderson, waits to
take his place at the podium.
“Marilyn Monroe” stopped by to sing Happy Birthday to
Charlie Hepler.
Jason Huneke put on a knife-juggling, unicycling,
magic, comedy and dance show.
One of the most impressive and moving presentations of the
conference was the 2-song performance by students of the
Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD).
The SSSD presentation included a video of the kids signing
their pleas to Gov. Rendell to preserve deaf culture and save
their school.
Both Delegates...
...and students were moved to tears.
www.afscme13.org 5

State Park ‘Staycations’
Pennsylvanians choosing “Staycations” are pleasantly surprised to find the
beauty and history right here in PA. With 2.1 million acres of state forests,
you’ll find everything from our own Grand Canyon to 100 ft. waterfalls. And
“staycationers” support our brothers and sisters working hard to save these parks.
Caledonia State Park covers 1,150 acres in Adams and Franklin counties.
The park offers more than 450 picnic tables, 10 miles of hiking trails, a large
ADS accessible swimming pool, one of the oldest and most scenic golf
courses in PA, live theater performances, 170 tent and trailer sites in 2
campgrounds all with electrical hook-ups, home rentals big enough to sleep
10 people and plenty of fishing. Full to capacity all season long, many
visitors come from Maryland where state parks require an admittance fee.
But, Dwight Thomas, L2245, 1st Level Supervisor at Caledonia, is very
concerned about Caledonia’s future. “We’re doing the best we can,” he said.
With recent budget cuts, Caledonia has lost several custodians and laborers
leaving semi-skilled laborers to take up additional duties such as cleaning
restrooms and picking up trash.
Workers are also responsible for servicing Mont Alto State Park 7 miles
away. “We’ve had to let a lot of Mont Alto State Park go,” said Mike
Schroyer, L2134, Maintenance Repairman. “We just don’t have enough staff
to maintain both parks entirely.”
Employees are busy year-round painting, making park signs, repairing equipment,
bridges and decks and constantly cleaning up after storm, ice and flood damage.
Thomas is worried about more budget cuts. “It just doesn’t make any
sense,” he said. “If they closed the park for a couple of years, any money
saved would be spent in repairs once it was re-opened.”
Cook Forest State Park will be featured in the Jul/Aug PEP.
DCNR Members Awarded
8
AFSCME members were among the award recipients at the 2009
DCNR Employee Recognition Award program held in May.
Kathy Surman, DC88, L2589, Bucks Co. Clericals, Customer
Service Award.
Lisa Dorman Peffy, DC89, L2456, State Professional Dist. 8, Delaware
Canal State Park Flood Repairs Action Team, Team Excellence Award.
Curtis Ahner and James Branch, DC88, L2244, State Supervisory Dist. 5 & 6,
Neshaminy State Park Eagles’ Forest Implementation Team – Team Excellence
Award.
Bill Delling, DC87, L2370, Wayne Co., Tobyhanna Lost Hunter Search
Team – Team Excellence Award. Brother Delling also received the Governor’s
Award for Excellence.
Darryl Wurst, DC85, L2367, State Supervisory Dist. 1, Allegheny Team;
Ray Miller, DC83, L2246, State Supervisory Dist. 9, Delaware Team; and Dan
LeCrone, DC83, L2246, State Supervisory Dist. 9, Susquehanna Team – Type
III Incident Management Teams Awards.
DCNR Acting Secretary, John Quigley, said all awardees are an inspiration to all
of us for their accomplishments, excellence and teamwork. "I want to thank all of
you for what you do every
day," he said. Quigley noted
the 20% budget cut to DCNR
proposed in the Republican
budget (SB 850). “They’re
ready to throw us overboard
when times get tough,” said
Quigley. “This is our natural
birthright. It’s our duty and our
right to hand our national
(L to R) Dep. Sec. of Administration, Rita A. Calvan;
Dan LeCrone, Darryl Wurst and Ray Miller; and
Acting Sec. John Quigley. These members were
recognized for outstanding efforts in large and
complex wildfire incidents.
6 Public Employee Press May/June 2009
heritage over to the next
generation.”
For photos of all the
recipients, please visit
www.afscme13.org
At 9’ 6”, Caledonia State Park boasts the deepest pool in the state.
Rich in history, the Thaddeus Stevens
blacksmith shop is a museum of labor in
the early 1900’s.
Dwight Thomas (L) L2245 and Mike
Schroyer, L2134, take great pride in
making Caledonia State Park happen.
Did You Know
– over 36 million people visit PA State Parks every year!
– the longest ski drop in the state (1,050 ft.) is at Blue Knob State Park.
– 20,000 bats can be seen every night exiting the church in Canoe Creek State Park!
– Mont Alto was our first State Park – Caledonia came in 2nd.
Save Our School!
AFSCME members, legislators, veterans, students, parents and alumni
gathered at the Capitol Rotunda June 8 for a "Save Our School" rally
for Scotland School for Veterans' Children. "This program doesn't
represent fat, fraud or abuse -- this is a program that works," said DC89
Director Mike Fox. Several legislators spoke of the values of the school and
the high percentage of students that go on to college or the military. Alumni
Isiah Anderson pointed out that it doesn’t make sense to close good schools
and open more prisons – all in the same budget. Students and parents spoke
through tears as they defended their school. “I am your future,” said 10th
grader Whitney Washington. “Let your voice be heard.”
DC89 Director Mike Fox points out the benefits of saving Scotland School for
Veterans’ Children.

Sister Joyce before. Joyce gets shaved by barber George Miliziano.
Joyce Vandersloot, DC89, L1485 raised nearly $1,000 for the St. Baldrick’s
Day event held at the York Expo Center. Congratulations!
St. Baldrick’s is the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for
childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity
of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and
family. Events have taken place in 18 countries and 48 US states, raising over $50
million, and shaving more than 72,000 heads.
For more information, visit www.stbaldricks.org.
Another Gaming
Control Board Victory!
The run-off election
between AFSCME
Council 13 and
Teamsters L776 took place on
May 19. The Gaming
Control Board Professionals
unit voted 57 to 47 to be
represented by AFSCME.
This organizing victory brings
126 new bargaining unit
members to Council 13.
Congratulations and welcome
to the AFSCME family!
(L to R) James Mansueti, Justin Swogger, Tim
Pappas, Shaun Flynn and Christopher Kalbarczyk
of the professional non-supervisory unit.
We Make Communication
Happen!
With more non-English
speaking members
coming on board,
AFSCME Council 13 is realizing
fast that creative measures need
to be explored to aid in
communication between
workers and supervisors.
Jorge Contreras, DC90, L2063,
Harrisburg School District, came to the U.S. from Peru looking for better
(L to R) L2063 members Victor Burgos, Jorge
Contreras, Raymond Washington and C13 interpreter
Christi Mascioli with bi-lingual flash cards.
opportunities for his family. He was having difficulty understanding his supervisor
and not following instructions well as a result. Christie Mascioli, a bi-lingual staff
member from C13’s Education Dept. was called in to act as an interpreter for
Contreras during a meeting with L2063 President, Terry Mathis; Steward and
Supervisor, Raymond Washington; Staff Representative M. Nichelle Chivis and other
union representatives. In order to alleviate communication barriers, flash-cards
were developed as a result of that meeting with one side in English and the other
side in Spanish. The cards are working out well. Eager to learn English, Contreras
is taking several English classes while continuing to work full time.
Keith Spangler, DC89, L1981 is training for the bike ride of his life.
On August 2, Brother Spangler will be starting out from Burlington,
VT and 6 days and 500 miles later, he’ll be in Palmerton, PA.
It’s called the PA Perimeter Ride Against Cancer (PPRAC). Money raised will
go directly to the American Cancer Society, Lehigh Valley Chapter; and Dream
Come True, a support organization for terminally and seriously ill children.
Spangler has been training for 7 years - year round. What motivates
him? “I love it,” he says. “It makes me feel better mentally and
physically.” Spangler packs light for his trips. A GPS; nutrition bar and
bottle of water are essential. “The GPS has saved me many times,” he said.
“A lot of back roads aren’t marked.” One thing he doesn’t take with him
is music. It’s illegal for cyclists to wear earphones.
Spangler said the PPRAC will be one of his most challenging rides yet.
There are a lot of hills and a lot of miles to cover daily - up to 110 miles a day.
He’s surpassed his personal fundraising goal with $2,260. AFSCME
Council 13 donated $500 as a Gold Sponsor. “It’s one of the easiest checks
I had to write,” said Exec. Dir. Fillman. The goal of the 67 registered riders
is to raise over $150,000. For more information, visit www.pprac.net
C13 Exec. Dir. Fillman (L) and Keith Spangler.
Benefits Extended to
Domestic Partners
Effective July 1, 2009, employees covered by the PEBTF can add
domestic partners and qualified dependents of domestic partners to
their health care coverage. The plan of benefits includes medical,
prescription drug, dental, vision and hearing aids. Exec. Dir. Fillman serves as
Chair on the PEBTF’s board. “As representatives of all working men, women
and families; it was the equitable thing to do,” said Fillman.
The same rates and plan choices apply, with the exception of the Consumer
Driven Health Plan (CDHP), which is not available for employees in such
relationships because of federal tax regulations. Employees who elect such coverage
for domestic partners and dependents should also be aware that they
will be subject to federal tax on the value of the benefit provided.
Your Human Resources Office is currently accepting forms and
required documents for this coverage. For additional information
about this program and the tax implications, as well as the required
enrollment forms, visit PEBTF’s website at www.pebtf.org.
www.afscme13.org 7

Summer is more enjoyable with Members-only
Entertainment Discounts.
You deserve a break - both from work and high entertainment costs, Union members can
use Entertainment Discounts - including movie ticket, video and theme park discounts to
relax and enjoy the summer.
Member-Only
Services Save
You Money!
For more information:
1-888-782-1323 or MemberServices@afscme13.org
Regina Schweinsberg, DC85,
L2450, State Professionals Dist.
1, recently received a $250
rebate check from Union Plus! Sister
Schweinsberg applied for the Union Plus
Energy Audit Rebate after insulating the
attic in her new home. The rebate
program is only available to Union Plus
Credit Card holders to promote energy
savings in the home while also helping
union members save money.
Schweinsberg
“I applied for the Union Plus Credit Card
because there were no interest charges for the first year. When they
sent me the information on the rebate, I just filled out a few forms
online and got $250 in the mail! It was that easy,” said Schweinsberg.
“Members should really look into all the discounts available through
AFSCME Advantage.”
But Schweinsberg warns members not to be fooled by credit
card companies claiming to be union. Only Union Plus/AFSCME
Advantage is the real deal.
Henderson
AFSCME Family
Scholarship Winner
Tyler Henderson has been selected as one of the 13 winners
of the 2009 AFSCME Family Scholarship. A student from
Chartiers Valley High School, Tyler is the son of DC85
Director and L1379 member, David Henderson. Henderson was also
a 2nd place winner in the PA AFL-CIO Scholarship Essay Contest.
The AFSCME Family Scholarship, offered by AFSCME International, is
another member-only benefit.
PA AFL-CIO Scholarship
Essay Contest Winners
Kelly Chekanowsky,
daughter of William
Chekanowsky,
Chapter 8501
Category 2 –
College Student
3rd place -- $500
Evette D’Amore,
Category 3 –
Member continuing
their education
2nd place -- $1,000
Local 2592