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Ambassador Committee Meeting- May 30,2013

Ambassador Committee - Helping Create a Better AME

Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

AME Headquarters 30 Orville Drive, Suite A, Bohemia

Speaker Dr. Thomas Germano, Director of the Labor-Management Center

Please RSVP 631-589-8400

Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m.
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Notary Public Informational Session - RESCHEDULED

The Notary Public Informational Session scheduled for May 6, 2013, has been rescheduled for May 7, 2013 at 6 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact AME Headquarters at 589-8400.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE on Prescription Benefits Plan

Click here for additional information.
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John J. Foley Ballot Count - Official Results

April 26, 2013

As of today, no more ballots will be accepted.

146 ballots counted
137 -no ballots
9 -yes ballots

a total of 179 ballots
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Important Message from AME President Daniel P. Farrell Regarding Current Status of Our Prescription Benefits Plan

Click here for additional information.
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Security Guard Update

AME is pleased to announce that we have reached a stipulation of agreement and no security guards will be laid off. Please check our website at www.scame.org for updates or call AME Headquarters at 589-8400 if you have any questions or would like more information.

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Suffolk Community College Article 78 Proceedings

On March 28, 2013, Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge W. Gerard Asher issued his decision in regard to the two (2) lawsuits commenced by AME against the Suffolk Community College, the County and the County Civil Service Commission. The first case was instituted when the County no longer allowed employees who worked at the College to participate in the County’s deferred compensation plan. The second case was filed due to the fact that the County no longer allowed employees to transfer and cross-promote between positions inside and outside the County. AME challenged those decisions as being arbitrary and capricious.

Unfortunately, Judge Asher did not agree with our position and he dismissed both petitions. Your Executive Board has asked our new General Counsel, Barry J. Peek of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. to file an appeal in both cases. That appeal will proceed to be heard by the Appellate Division, Second Department. We are hopeful that the decisions will be overturned. As the cases progress we will continue to update you.

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ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE JOHN J. FOLEY SKILLED NURSING FACILITY --- AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

AME WILL BE CONDUCTING AN ON SITE VOTING PROCESS AT THE FOLEY FACILITY ON FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE AME EXECUTIVE BOARD, WILL BE PRESENT DURING THIS PROCESS. MATERIALS AND INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VOTE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR YOUR PERUSAL. YOU WILL BE VOTING, YES OR NO, REGARDING THE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE COUNTY, AME AND THE SHERMANS. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE MULTIPURPOSE ROOM (TO THE RIGHT, JUST AFTER ENTERING THE BUILDING). SHOULD ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE AME OFFICE AT 631-589-8400.

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Urgent Prescription Update

Click here for additional information.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT --- ATTENTION ALL JOHN J. FOLEY SKILLED NURSING FACILITY EMPLOYEES!

The special on site vote which was slated to take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, between 6:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. has been cancelled. We will keep you apprised, via the website, as to any further developments. If you should have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the AME Office at 589-8400.
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Click here for additional information.
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April 2, 2013 - UPDATE Regarding EMHP Prescription Benefits Plan

Click here for additional information.

Click here for additional information.

Click here for an important update on EMHP's pharmacy benefits.
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Click here for important documents regarding the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility.
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The February 2013 Edition of the AME Newsletter, THE VOICE, is now online. Click here to view.
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The Spring 2013 session of AME-LMC Union Leadership Training begins on April 17, 2013. Click here for more information.
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Updates on Foley/Health Clinics/Methadone Clinics

Despite the current spate of negative prognostications pertaining to the county's fiscal woes, we at the Executive Board of SCAME want to vigorously assure the workforce of Suffolk County government that we are doing everything in our power to protect the jobs of our members. Recent newspaper articles posit the opinion that county management has augmented an accelerated plan to close the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility. In addition, it is now acknowledged that the county has set its sights on turning over the operational reins of our health clinics and methadone clinics in an effort geared toward privatization. These are egregious actions on management's behalf and we have been working assiduously and steadfastly with our legal team and consultants to strategically establish a reasonable, economical and workable solution to the county's proposals. Despite talks of Foley's closure, SCAME has been working tirelessly and systematically in orchestrating a means by which we can establish an equitable resolution to a longstanding issue. We have a tough road ahead but we want to put forth the understanding that we are actively engaged in representing the members best interests and we will be vigilant in addressing these matters. At times such as these, certain nebulous information can start circulating around. Don't fall prey to the rumor mill! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us in order to allay any concerns you may have on the above referenced issues. Also, please continue to monitor the website for updated and detailed information as events unfold.
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SCCC Contract Approved

AME President, Daniel P. Farrell, is pleased to announce that the Suffolk County Legislature voted on and passed IR No. 1129-2013, authorizing the County Executive to execute an agreement between the County of Suffolk, the Suffolk County Community College, and the Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees College White Collar Bargaining Unit and College Blue Collar Bargaining Unit.

President Farrell stated, “This is a great day for AME and its workers at the college. I’d like to thank all those who worked so hard to get this contract approved and look forward to continuing to build a more positive relationship with the County Executive.”

The contract approved for the college mirrors the AME contract passed in 2010 with the exception of the college moving to a paperless payment system and having holidays mirror that of the college faculty and guild.

For additional information contact AME at 631-589-8400.
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Security Guard Update

The next arbitration hearing for the case concerning the Suffolk County Security Guards will be held on July 8, 2013, at Labor Relations in Hauppauge. We plan on having an information session for the County Security Guards as we move closer to the meeting date. Please check the website periodically for additional information.
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Foley Skilled Nursing Facility Update - February 19, 2013

The JJFSNF has certainly come to the forefront in recent times amongst many issues facing Suffolk County government. What has happened and evolved at JJ Foley is a perfect example of a story that needs to be told…

Click here for more information.

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