Local 299 Budget for 2006

February 5, 2006

Dear Local 299 Member,

On January 25, 2006, this local held its first General Membership Meeting of the calendar year and the members in attendance approved a budget for the fiscal year 2006. Please take the time to read this letter and familiarize yourself with what is happening with your union to which full time employees pay $586.56 in dues each and every year.

I have included with this letter a copy of the approved budget for your review and information. I want to express my sincere thanks to the members who attended this meeting and to those who consistently attend the General Membership Meetings. Without the participation of these members, the business of this union could not be done.

As of February 12, 2006, I will retire from city service. I really look forward to being able to spend additional time with my family. Also, I have resigned as a Vice President of District Council 37 as the DC37 Constitution mandates that this be done. However, I will remain the President of Local 299 and I will be more available to address your needs.

We have come a very long way since we emerged from Administratorship in 2001 and many services and entitlements are now provided to Local 299 Members that are not given to other District Council 37 Members.

Among these are:

1. The Civil Service test for Activity Therapist was given for the first time in twenty years and all members who passed were appointed to permanent positions.

2. The Civil Service test for Recreation Director was given for the first time since 1984 and Recreation Directors were appointed for the first time since 1978 to permanent positions in many agencies including 52 individuals appointed as Recreation Directors in the Department of Parks & Recreation.

3. Arraignment Benefit - If for any reason a Local 299 Member is arrested, the local will provide, at no cost, an attorney who will represent you at an arraignment hearing. This is done to facilitate your prompt return to work. However, the local will not post bail or provide ongoing representation.

4. In the event of the death of a Member in active service, the Local provides $1000 to the immediate family to deal with some of their financial needs. We are always available to the family to help in obtaining the member's other City and Union benefits.

5. We have an Attorney who will consult with any Local 299 Member on any matter upon which you need a legal opinion. This matter does not have to be work related. This service is IN ADDITION to your MELS (Municipal Employees Legal Services) and includes consultation on criminal matters.

6. We have a Sunshine Committee that responds to both the tragedies suffered by our members and the good fortune of our members. Remember to notify our Sunshine Committee Chairperson, Elizabeth Rogers, at 646.831.2053 of any illness, accident or joyful occasion involving our brothers and sisters in Local 299.

7. Any members of Local 299 who are granted financial aid through the District Council 37 "Help Our Own Program" are additionally granted an equal amount of financial aid directly from Local 299.

8. The local has established a PAC (Political Action Committee) which funds politicians that support our interests. The funds for this PAC are provided through your current dues.

This has all been accomplished during my tenure and done while lowering the full time dues of the members by $2.00 per pay period. This local never had a part-time dues rate and we have established a part-time dues rate for Local 299 members working less then 21 hours per week.

During this same time span, the International (AFSCME) has increased the per capita fees charged to the local by $2.80 per month per member. These increases are to be passed along to the members by increasing dues. Local 299 has not done this and thus the local's income is lowered by that $2.80 per member per month. This has been accomplished while increasing the net worth of the Local from $150,000 in 2001 to $430,000 today.

At the conclusion of this current term in November 2007, I will not be running for another term as President of Local 299. I am calling upon all Local 299 Members of good will to come out now and get involved in the local's politics and affairs.

In the time that I have left in office, there are a number of items of business that I must pursue.

The HHC is attempting to broadband the Activity Therapist series. I feel it is the duty of this local to preserve the ability of our members to advance through civil service tests. District Council 37 has already told me that they do not believe that a successful fight can be waged to prevent the broadbanding of this title. I do not accept this opinion and will seek every alternative available to preserve this right for the Activity Therapists and indeed all members of this local.

I have initiated a lawsuit to force the city to give the Recreation Supervisors civil service exam and I expect that this will happen in this calendar year.

2008 will be your responsibility and a new President of Local 299 will decide the direction that you travel. Get involved now.

In Solidarity,

Louis Sbar