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Benson: The state of the union is strong
Leadership tallies PEF’s victories; urges continued mobilization
By DARRYL MCGRATH
The union has achieved outstanding victories
in the last year, but there is still work to be done in the ongoing effort to
improve working conditions for PEF members, PEF President Roger Benson told
delegates at the 26th Annual Convention in October.
“The union is stronger than ever, both financially and from our delegate base.
Our strength comes from the understanding for the need to be united, and the
willingness to fight,” Benson said, urging continued mobilization as he echoed
the convention’s motto, “Unite to Fight!”
“Mobilization and coordinated political action are the tools that enhance our
members’ lives and the jobs they do,” Benson added.
Lays out the agenda
Benson laid out a legislative agenda for the upcoming year that addresses
workers’ rights, health issues, benefits and a greater national perspective
with PEF’s first-ever federal legislative agenda.
The action plan for 2005 comes against the backdrop of successful negotiations
with the state. PEF’s new four-year contract, overwhelmingly approved in
September, provides an $800 bonus for full-time employees; consecutive raises
from 2004-2006, a base salary addition of $800 in 2007; and enhancements to
dental benefits and longevity awards, among other gains.
With the contract victory, PEF will continue to fight for improvements to work
conditions, Benson said.
“Salary is not the only component of compensation, and we cannot ignore the
realities of pension and benefits,” he told delegates.
Financial health strong
Secretary-Treasurer Jane Hallum reported that
the union is also in its best financial shape ever. She told delegates that for
the first time in PEF’s history, the union’s auditors have not found
anything to report to the trustees in the management letter. Hallum added that
the union is well prepared for any future contract campaigns, with a war chest
that will reach $2.791 million by the first quarter of 2005, and total annual
union revenues of $26 million.|
“In 1998, we had no war chest,” Hallum said. “Today, we have a war chest,
and it’s been invaluable. Having that war chest was absolutely essential to
staging the contract rallies, and I hope the delegates will continue to support
the war chest.”
The union is also operating more efficiently and cost-effectively, Hallum said,
with more computers than ever before; a new accounting procedures manual that
should satisfy a suggestion made in a recent audit; and stable staffing levels
but more efficient and better-equipped staff operations that better serve the
membership.
Overall, the state of the union is good, Benson said, and “PEF is a union of
which we can be proud.”
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