Women' Agenda NYS-Where we at 2 days Post State Elections?

Maryann Maltese, Candidate denied access to the Election Ballot 2020-for NYS Assembly 12th Assembly District pays tribute to her First Employer with the NYS Legislature-The Late Eileen C. Dugan. Eileen began her career as an Executive Secretary working in her community-volunteered for various youth organizations and successfully won the State Assembly Race-representing Brooklyn Peers, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook. Eileen passed away 3 days after her Last Election Win-to Breast Cancer.

I was employed by Eileen for 3 years; it was Eileen's vision that Contributed to protecting the revitalization of the Brooklyn Piers. Former NYS Assembly Speaker Saul Weprin passed from Cancer as well-they would often communicate about their cancer prevention treatments together. Both Saul and Eileen sometimes took chemo treatments together in Albany and kept each other aware of their care; after treatments-often both Saul and Eileen returned to the Chamber and worked every day. Upon Saul's passing; Eileen was considered to be the First Female Speaker; as her staff-we were incredibly proud of her-she was beaming from ear to ear. Eileen; deserved to be the First Women Speaker of NYS Assembly-remission and treatments at times-did not stop Eileen. No one could Stop Eileen-although Eileen did not receive enough Votes to become Speaker-Eileen became the first Female Chair of NYS Assembly Economic Development Committee and the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee. Eileen was at the helm for women.

There are so many wonderful stories I can share working with Eileen. Eileen posted a classified in The NY Times in 1994; for a District Office Community Staff member which I answered. Eileen wore one of her communities youth Athletic Leagues Jackets, leggings, a bandana around her head with a beautiful hat walking into the office-"Yelling, I don't usually dress like this-Maryann, but for you-I came in like this to day". Now-I was prepared for the classic opening lines; Yes-I'm a political science major-former Assembly Intern-we met in Albany, etc. I had no idea how to react to her announced statement-but instead of pissing on myself- I smiled and giggled with her; offered her my suit jacket motioning to take it off if that was ok with her. She waved her hand and Eileen sighed with laughter and said-"no dear-you look fabulous"-and we chatted for a bit-hired on the spot-Eileen was old-hollywoods style dresser!

Teachings from Eileen included story on her fight for a Women's Bathroom to be installed in the Capitol-blew my mind in 90's-I took for granted listing to the Late Geraldine Ferraro discussing her modern day view points of how exciting it was to be a U.S. Congressional Member-now turned into Vice Presidential Candidate. I took for granted that a Female Powder-room was in the Capitol for Female Legislators and Staff! That discussion is vivid in my minds eye; as well as other massive-capital projects Eileen had oversight of for NYS.

We have made strides as Women with Managing Massive Capital Construction Projects for NYS etc-but 23 years later; Women Staff Members are still without Equality of Earnings. Eileen was not a fan of this-Eileen treated her Staff fairly; and with employee reviews-we received increases within Contractual Terms and at New Contract Signings. Let's say that again-just in case my calling out Governor Cuomo has gone unnoticed by his high ranked Female Staff Members! I can step in to your Position-in a Flash! FYI-Melissa.

Members or Legislators within NYS are At-Will Employers; they make their Employees Salary Decisions-and. if left unchecked or streamlined- can undermine or underpay employees; hence forward-my speaking up and out in Eileen style! Eileen didn't tolerate Women in NYS Legislature not understanding the roles and ability to speak up for themselves. Eileen was the God-Mother to so many staffers, as Eileen did not have children of her own-and would get in our Face or the Face of Members and Leaders-when Eileen heard stories that Employees didn't receive Fairness in Earnings. I would chuckle when with her on this while often I would be by her side and if Eileen heard something that was not true-Eileen would go off-on them-with a follow-up call to Local Precinct. Working for and with Eileen in 1994 and forward- I didn't worry at that time because I knew I was working with and for a Top-Quality Legislator who respected her staff as much as we respected her. I respected Eileen so much-that with my second child-I intended to name Eileen. I was 7 months pregnant with my Son-when Eileen succumbed to Cancer.

It was the most difficult time for Staff to consolidate a Member's Office; our office was a Mom-Pop Shop facade and we were the Pin-Point location of the Community. At 7-months Pregnant-I accepted position with State Senate-as there was no lapse in my employment endeavors ever. After each pregnancy-I returned to employment-contributing to rise within responsibility but earnings lagged behind-hence again a supporting factor in why immediate retroactive wages be implemented by NYS Legislature. I worked up until 3 days prior to delivering One Pregnancy and 10 days with Pregnancy Number 2-Governor Cuomo-in case we aren't clear.

Our District Office and the Helm of where all amazing things occurred in the Eileen C. Dugan Assembly Seat- An Old Former Drug Store with custom wood and glass shelves- with Four Desks facing forward and Eileen Sat with us every day! Get it Melissa and Stephanie of Andrew Cuomo's Staff? Eileen never allowed her Position as the Member-as the Elected-to shut our voices down. I learned from the very best Legislator in the entire planet. Eileen enjoyed Community and enjoyed hanging out with her Staff in the office discussing ideas, and if we made a mistake- she got into our faces if we were wrong-but mostly-praised us in our efforts on her behalf and on behalf of the People of New York State.

Eileen stood for Fairness of Earnings and as Women Staffers; we had a Strong Voice as Eileen was the Author of Laws encouraging Economic Development as well as protecting Displaced Homemakers-we had a huge Poster in our office that Eileen was proud of. Women, often through NYS dropped by to talk to Eileen on their appreciation for her role in Displaced Homemakers finally receiving acknowledgment and assistance women needed. In 1994-Female Staffers of the NYS Legislature-had Eileen and other Female Legislators fighting the good fight every day for women of process and the private sector. However, somewhere along the way-Fairness in Earnings, the issuance of Fair Employment Contracts ended within the State Legislature and as State Legislative Employees, as we are NOT Unionized class of state employee; therefore can not advocate for ourselves and our peers while in service. Out work service is very similar to a British Soldier-standing outside of the Queens House guarding her-faceless and non-emotional. It's very much the same for State Legislative Staff-we are Eyes and Ears of Legislators-doers for State Workforce at Large-and are often last to receive Salary Increases or Employment Raises. State Legislative Staffers-if we are not employed with Sound Employers-and we Don't have Employment Claims Process-then therefore; State Legislative Employees inactive in service and present are the weakest employees from a State Policy prospective. However, like Members-State Legislative Staff are some of the most highly educated and regarded Employees of New York State-the reason it is mandatory for NYS to finally enact our Equality of Earnings Law.

State Legislative Staffers believe in NYS Constitution and Statutes that pertain to Our Individual Oaths of Office as well-but a Process in 2020 is required. Employee's of NYS Legislature who are tenured and performed service like me-should be credited for Employment Service provided-and receive the retroactive earnings required. Eileen would have introduced this Bill immediately-that is a guarantee.

My Intern days were under the Late Governor-Mario Cuomo. In 2017; Andrew Cuomo as Governor of New York State directed and implemented a "wimpy sketch" of the Women's Agenda Movement. Fairness of Earnings is for present day employees (Women); Equality of Earnings is for Inactive Staff Members with Titles Held -or Positions of Employment with Tenure which Warrants Retroactive Legislative Bill Earnings.

Our Service is Precious; those of us who choose to Enter Public Service Life-our lives are on review every second of every day. We carry the Oath of Office as the Members do-and I'm entitled to Retroactive Equality of Earnings immediately-as I have placed my former Employer on public notice independently and advised Voter's of the 12th AD daily-where I stand on finalization of implementation Employment rules necessary for Women at Large. Eileen would agree with this as the next step in bringing women's Worth of employment service to Center Stage and Implemented. NYS doesn't have Implementation aspects for Women who may have Employment Claims to file-this is outrageous the 100th Anniversary Year of our Right to Vote! Again, Women's Right to Vote-gave us the ability to be Elected's. For over 30 years-I have held our Plight in my hand and I have learned from the best-and why NYS Legislature continues to push it off "Equality and/or Fairness of Earnings Laws" is unacceptable in 2020.

The Governor I understand is single; as he has publicly stated discussed how "Man does not live by Government alone"-and as the father of 3 Professional Young Women. I agree with Governor Cuomo on his statement; with a little tweak; "No Government Public Servant lives by Government Service alone-Women of Public Service-Require their Earnings for Work Employment Provided"-then the Women of the Legislature can Live".

To lightened things up Governor (I have a professional daughter as well in the Workforce) even more reason for the Implementation of the Women's Agenda Measures to be enacted in 2020. It's not just a image thing-but a reality thing for Women in 2020-as many of us are not Displaced Homemakers in present day terms-but Employees denied Equality or Fairness in Earnings.

NYS should not be sitting back on this any longer-waiting on Implementation-why?! Doesn't at least COVID 19 stress to us daily the importance of People First! Women who are due earnings-should not need to apply for Social welfare programs as the State's "go-to" bandaid formula-would a Man in a similar employment position of service find that rewarding-or one of our Veterans who was due their benefits of service? I say, No-by keeping it the way we have it in NYS-is so disrespectful of NYS as the Employer in this day and age. Eileen would agree with me. The answer after 7 Long Annual State Legislative Sessions is retroactive Legislative Bill Earning Law.

Within my 18 years of Public Service within the Legislature-State of Emergencies occurred-COVID 19 is one-it's not the only one I ever was employed in-how about you Governor? For me; 9-11 and it's aftermath was the hardest one-but I showed up everyday to work; even on 9-12! Helping Families in Queens-to locate love ones with our Emergency Service People. Someone needed too?!-yes or no?! NYS-needs to stop using COVID19 as an excuse for not implementing what is needed for Women; especially now; as Women are fearless in NYS's workforce. Governor-It's our year for You to enact goodness for Women, the scales of justice is an example of why-implementation of our rule base measures-stumps COVID19 down-and doesn't cave in to it. Are you ready-and on board?-An open Editorial Moment for the Governor.

Join me in encouraging New York State Legislature and it's Members in both the Senate and Assembly this year to enact with is absolutely necessary and Women should not need to wait any longer for Equality of Earnings Law. Fairness aspects of Earnings Bill language is for present day women to have a claim process implemented in NYS-I'm in agreement with each. I carry Eileen's legacy aspects with me daily-just look towards the Brooklyn Pier Project to get a sense of exactly what kind of Capitol Projects I have been associated with. I like the outcome of the Brooklyn Piers-looks fantastic-don't you agree? The Brooklyn Piers is being used as a wonderful Promenade and Athletic Fields of usage-I say that's a kept Legislature promise with Community Support-So Governor where is the Good Work and Finalization on the promise to implement Retroactive Bill language necessary for myself-and Women of Public Service who performed their duty. It's called-The Maltese Equality of Earnings Law-Eileen would be proud-and picks up after 25 years on original Displaced Homemaker Laws of NYS.

We're not displaced anymore as Women after 25 years of the Displaced Home Maker Laws of NYS; Women obviously are part of the Employment Workforce in massive measures and industries-but our Right of Equal Wages is not enacted in NYS.

It's our Year-Women's Year of Equal Wages Law on the books-Please and NOW (New Opportunities for Women) that is what NOW means-New opportunities for Equal Earnings in New York 2020. Again-Join me in encouraging Members of the NYS Legislature to Pass the Law NOW!

Maryann Maltese; a former Regional Communications Manager for the NYS Senate and NYS Assembly, can be reached at Maryann@cowharborrealty.com or maryannmaltese1000@gmail.com.