I became a Union Steward in 1999 at Riverview to support the idea that independence from other unions would enhance our profession to our state leaders and to the general public. I became active legislatively during the rightsizing in 2003. We started a letter campaign to our local state officials in protest of the involuntary displacement of correction officers. The State and the Department of Corrections attempted to hoodwink the public and the union by insisting that crime was down and that the population was dropping. We showed that the Department of Corrections added programs and increased the release of violent felons through parole. This did indeed decrease the population, and put the public at risk. The state was unsuccessful in amending the Rockerfeller drug laws so they added Presumptive Release.

I believe and support the notion that health insurance and the many benefits in our policies need attention and enhancements. Dental, Eye and Infertility treatments are so expensive and given the rate of success in a treatment, do not give the insured a good percentage of success. The benefit has gotten better, but it is still behind the times. This was also brought to the attention of many state legislators.

Other Achievments:
-Became Chief Steward at Riverview in 2004
-Attended many Legislative Receptions
-Serve on the legislative committee
-Serve on the Health and Safety Committee
-I have established a good working relationship with employees of NYSCOPBA (Grievance and Staffing, Health Insurance)