AFS PEP News - July Aug 07 - AFSCME Council 13

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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
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AFS PEP News - July Aug 07 - AFSCME Council 13

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