X N 1 ilNVSnV _ CuUtH S^nAMAO. J tiEAPER 'Every Member Gets a Member' America's Largest Weekly for Public Employeen Vol. XX, INo. 13 Tue8«lay, Deoemlier 2, 1958 Price 10 Cents NYC Labor Commissioner Rates for Blue Cross Raps AFSCME For Taking Credit on Upgradings Portion of Health Plan Attempts by a New York City ganization other than the AFS- local of the American Federation CME and on the basis of its own To Rise; State Absorbs of State, County, and Municipal independent survey and examina- Employees to take credit for gains tion of the facts." won for City hospital employees The regional director of the by another union were publicly AFSCME is Jerry Wm'f. First Months of Increase discredited by Harold A. Felix, "Th« AFSCME has a long his- New York City Labor Commission- tory of credit-stealing and of Blue Cross rates affecting 85,000 says that funds to cover the rate (GHI) and the Health Insurance er and Chairman of the City's making slanderous statements present and retired State employ- increase for the next four months Plan for Greater New York (HIP). Salary and Classification Appeals against competing employee or- ees will be 14.47 percent higher af- will be drawn from the State Legislation passed this year per- Boards. ganizations," Mr. Feinstein re- ter December 4. Health Insurance Fund. mits local government units to For the past ti^o years a Team- marked. Alexander A. Falk, President of Anticipated dividends from oth- participate in the program, pro- ster local — 237 — conducted a "I guess they find it easier to the State Civil Service Commis- er carriers participating in the vided they cany the employer's solo campaign to have eight titles print circulars than to work act- sion and Chairman of the Temp- program will make this possible, share of the cost. The Board has upgraded in the City Hospital De- ively in behalf of the public em- orary Health Insurance Board, he said, thus delaying the appli- approved applications from Schen- partment. That local was the only ployee." cation of the increase to employee ectady County, Saratoga County, organization to file petitions, and Town of Saratoga, Village of Hol- Cites State Situation payroll deductions until April 1, briefs and argue appeals on the 1959. ly, Kingston Housing Authority, upgradings over that period of Mr. Feinstein said that other Harriman Names The program went into effect and Canajoharie Central School. time. organizations have been pestered Five to Interim December 5, 1957, and the pres- The effective date will be set Recently, the Teamster local's by AFSCME tactics. ent subscription rates continue shortly. fight met with success when the "Here in New York City," he Appointments through December 4, 1958. Mr. No part of the Blue Cross in- New York City Salary appeals said, "we all know that the Civil Falk explained that because fu- crease affecting local government ALBANY, Dec. 1 — Governor Board recommended the upgrad- Service Employees Association is ture contracts will be on a fiscal employees will be paid out of the Harriman has announced five ma- ings. for all practical purposes the sole year basis (from April 1 to Ma'-ch State Health Insurance Fund, Mr. jor appointments—all on interim Henry Feinstein, president of bargaining agent for State em- the period from December 5, Falk said. basis — which may or may not Local 237, reported that the result ployees. This has not kept Mr. 1958, through March 31, 1959, had be accepted by the next state ad- was no sooner announced than Wurf, and his few State employee to be considered separately. ministration. the AFSCME local issued a circu- members from taking credit for Mr. Falk said that a much Powers' Comment The appointees, under the law, lar entitled "There's More Than everything from employee benefits higher Blue Cross increase was will serve only until 20 days after One Way to Skin A Cat" in which to getting candidates elected to expected, but that the Health In- On Rate Increase the first of the year unless their the AFSCME took credit for win- political office, although his State surance Board was able to nego- In commenting upon the prem- names are sent to the State Senate ning the gains although the AF- locals have no political influence tiate the lower figure. ium increase for the hospitaliza- SCME local had no part in the for confirmation by Governor- and he claims credit for gains that Blue Cross Plans had previously tion part of the State Health In- appeals at all. elect Nelson A. Rockefeller. the CSEA wins. indicated that on the basis of the sm-ance Plan, John F. Powers, Four are reappointments: The circular. Issued by Local 420 "This kind of thing is not new first half-yar's experience an in- president of the Civil Service Em- Elmer A. Carter, New York City, read, in part: to us and by this time we don't crease of approximately 30 per- ployees Association, stated: as a member of the State Commis- "Our boycott won! Salary Board think Mr. Wurf and his local pres- cent would be required for the "The increase of 14.47 percent sion Against Discrimination; Mrs. Yields; 420's boycott of the Board idents have fooled many people." period starting December 5, 1958. in the cost of the Blue Cross part Betty Hawley Donnelly, New York brought results. Because the Board To date, the AFSCME has not During the next few months of the State Health Insurance City, as a trustee of the State Uni- felt the very real power of our answered Commissioner Felix's contracts for the year beginning premium will certainly not be wel- versity; Alfred R. Loos, Blauvelt, union they were forced to grant a disclaimer. April 1, 1959, will be negotiated on comed by the employees. The As- to the State Board of Parole; Wil- slot increase to the aide titles in the basis of a full year's experi- sociation joins with them in re- liam Wilson, New York City, as our hospitals." ence. gretting its necessity. However, trustee of the State Power Auth- The program offers employees we are satisfied that the Health AFSCME Claim Denied Seven Qualify ority. three optional plans, all of which Insurance Board agreed' to the Mr. Harriman also named The- When the circular was shown For MVB Posts include hospitalization provided premium rise only after the most odore Tannenwald of Scarsdale as to Commissioner Felix he com- through the Blue Cross Plans. The careful study of our experience ALBANY, Dec. 1 — Seven mot- trustee of the State University to mented: "The release to members during the first 10 months of the } or vehicle buieau employees have State-wide plan, in which the succeed Walter D. Fletcher of New of Local 420, AFSCME, entitled largest number are enrolled, in- plan." qualified for promotion as a mo- York City, who resigned. Mr. Tan- 'There's More Than One Way to cludes surgical and in-hospital Mr. Powers said further that tor vehicle district office super- nenwald is a Democrat and prac- Skin A Cat' has been brought to medical care provided through the "These facts and figures are in- visor, a $7,500 to $9,090-a-year ticing attorney in New York City my attention. The Board rendered Blue Shield Plan and major medi- disputably demonstrated in the post. and an honor graduate of Blown Us decision solely on the basis of a cal coverage provided through the necessity of this increase. The successful candidates in a University and Harvard Law presentation made by a labor or- Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- "The Association, through its State Civil Service promotion ex- School. pany. The other two options are representatives, has been in the amination are: Other appointment General Health Insurance, Inc. closest possible touch with the Francis V. Afeltra, Syracuse, Powers Names CSEA In other actions, Mr. Harriman problem of health insurance costs who is first with a score of 94.65, reappointed Harold C. Hanover, during the last months. Through Standing Committee and Alan Berke, Albany, 89.85; president of the State Federation our efforts and participation, we Laurence Meighan, Jamaica, New CSEA Auto Chairman for Year of Labor, to the State Advisory were instrumental in holding the 89.65; Laurence Meighan, Jamai- Increasing cost to less than one President John F. Powers has Council on Employment and Un- Emblem Available ca. 89.65; Anna W. Preska, Sling- half of the original proposal. announced the appointment of the employment Insurance. Mr. Han- New type CSEA automobile em- erland, 87.45; Joseph P. Feily, Al- Moreover, at the request and urg- following Chairmen of Civil Serv- over has served as an employee blems are available from the bany, 87.30; Alfred Grey, New ing of our Association the Health ice Employees Assn. standing com- representativ«. His new term will headquarters of the Civil Service York City, 84.45 , and Jack Insurance Board agreed to pay mittees for the ensuing year: end May 24, 1963.' Employees Association at 8 Elk Schwartzbaum, New York City, the premium increase from De- Auditing, John P. Coffey; Edu- James Reynolds of Schenectady, Street, Albany, New York. The 8t.20. cember 5, 1958, to March 31, 1959, cation, Celeste Rosenkranz; a vice president of Alco Products price is $2.00 each. The new type from anticipated dividends which Grievance, Emil M. R. Bollman; Inc., also was appointed by Mr. of emblem is constructed so that will accrue through the Health Legislative, Martin J. Barry; Res- Harriman to the Employment Ad- it can be attached to the trunk Correction on West'n Insurance Fund from our good olutions, Lawrence W.