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Todd Schmidt,
President, CSEA Local 856
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Dear CSEA Family,
CSEA Members: You get the job done!
In recognition of the hard work you do every day, May has been designated CSEA Member Appreciation Month. Every Every CSEA member is vital and you all deserve our respect. You can find more information and a video message from me here:
https://cseany.org/csea-member-appreciation-month.
In addition, regions, locals and units continue to hold member appreciation events throughout May in honor of the work members do every day.
* On Thursday, May 16, Capital Region 4 is hosting a movie night at the Malta Drive-In.
* On Friday, May 17, Long Island Region 1 is hosting a bowling event in Syosset.
* On Friday, May 17, Southern Region 3 members will attend a Hudson Valley Renegades baseball game.
* On Sunday, May 19, Central Region 5 members will attend a Syracuse Mets baseball game.
* On Friday, May 24, Western Region 6 members will attend a Buffalo Bisons baseball game.
* On Tuesday, May 28, Central Region 5 will host a meet and greet at Sharkey’s Bar & Grill in Liverpool.
* On Wednesday, May 29, Central Region 5 will host a meet and greet at the Central Region 5 Office in East Syracuse.
* Central Region 5 is currently running a Member Appreciation Month gift card contest. Details have been emailed to all Region 5 members.
If your local or unit is planning an appreciation event, please let your region office know about it!
Website maintenance for May 18 and 19 has been postponed
The website maintenance that was scheduled for May 18 and 19 has been postponed. All services will be available as usual throughout the weekend.
The 2025 Local and Unit election cycle will be here sooner than you think.
Those interested in running for local or unit office in 2025 may not know the eligibility date is June 1 of this year! Put another way, only members in good standing as of June 1, 2024, can run for office in 2025. Dues cannot be delinquent. You must notify the Membership Department of any change in your status and make arrangements to continue direct payment of your dues to maintain your status as a member in good standing. If you or someone you know may be interested in running next year, our Internal Election Assistant, who can be reached at (518) 257-1334, can explain more about what it means to be a member in good standing to run for office. Know your membership status!
CBTU International Convention information
The 53rd International Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists will be held May 21-26, 2024 in Houston, Texas at the Marriot Marquis Hotel. The theme for the convention is “Never Back, Always Forward: Hate Cannot Erase Us”. Please go to the CBTU Convention website, https://convention.cbtu.info to view the Convention Call and register online and/or review and print all convention related materials. Please note, while it is appropriate for Region/Local/Unit Executive Boards to authorize the use of rebated funds to participate at constituency group events, Regions/Locals/Units may not send more representatives to these non-CSEA events than are sent to any CSEA Statewide event.
We would like to meet and greet our CSEA contingency attending, if you are attending the convention, let us know by e-mailing Sharon.loveladyhall@cseainc.org.
Did you Know? CSEA has VMOs!
Did you know that CSEA has and trains Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs). They are members like yourselves who want to make a difference in another worker’s life. You make the best organizers because you understand the struggle of workers today. As a CSEA member, you can speak from personal experience about the strength, power and protection of the union. In these tough economic times, organizing the unorganized not only benefits new members with better working conditions, but it also raises standards for everyone, secures jobs and adds strength to CSEA during negotiations. Do you want more information? Contact the CSEA Organizing Department (800) 342-4146, ext. 1401 or email us at organize@cseainc.org
Regional News:
Long Island Region 1 Golf Outing Raises Money for College Scholarship Fund
On Monday May 13, the Long Island Region held a successful golf outing. All proceeds from the event went to the newly created Long Island Region 1 Scholarship Fund.
Member Benefit Spotlight: Beat the Heat. Lower Costs. Shop now and pay overtime.
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Promo code name: 2WELCOME24
Expires: 6/30/2024
I want to remind all officers in accordance with the CSEA Local and Unit Constitutions, Article V, Section 6: “All officers shall attend officers’ training sessions, grievance training sessions as well as disciplinary training sessions as provided by the Association.”
The following trainings are currently scheduled:
Required Union Representation IN-PERSON Trainings:
Local Government Discipline and Interrogation – Amherst (Region 6)**
Tuesday, May 28, and Wednesday, May 29, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Call (716) 691-6555 or (866) 568-7734 to register.
Local Government Discipline and Interrogation – Levittown (Region 1)**
Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Call (631) 462-0030 to register.
Local Government Discipline and Interrogation – Albany (Region 4)
Saturday, June 1, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Call (518) 782-4400 or (800) 874-7344 to register.
State Government Grievance Representation – Orangeburg (Region 3)
Saturday, June 15, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Call (845) 831-1000 or (800) 757-CSEA to register.
Local Government Discipline and Interrogation – Bath (Region 6)**
Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Call (716) 691-6555 or (866) 568-7734 to register.
Local Government Discipline and Interrogation – Allegany (Region 6)**
Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Call (716) 691-6555 or (866) 568-7734 to register.
State Grievance Representation Recertification – Syracuse (Region 5)
Saturday, June 29, from 8:30 am to 12 pm.
Call (315) 433-0050 or (800) 559-7975 to register.
State Government Discipline and Interrogation-Recertification – Syracuse (Region 5)
Saturday, June 29, from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
Call (315) 433-0050 or (800) 559-7975 to register.
**This is a 2-part training, participants must complete both sessions to receive credit for completion.
Required Union Representation VIRTUAL Trainings:
Local Government Discipline and Interrogation
Wednesday, June 5, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
https://memberlink.cseany.org/Event.axd?e=1384
Grievance Representation Recertification
Thursday, June 27, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
https://memberlink.cseany.org/Event.axd?e=1390
For a full list and description of workshops offered by the Education & Training Department go to: https://cseany.org/training-workshops
Required Officer Trainings:
IN-PERSON Treasurer Training for Region 5
Region 5 Office - 6595 Kirkville Rd, East Syracuse, NY 13057 on Wednesday, June 5 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Registration begins at 4:30 pm. Please call 315-433-0050 to register. A light dinner will be provided. Deadline to register is Monday, June 3rd.
What do you want to read about?
I’m asking for your feedback on any topics you’d like to see covered in future editions of this weekly leadership update. If you have ideas, please take the time to fill out our quick online survey at: https://forms.office.com/r/seCVpFhVaG.
I appreciate your response.
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan
President
2024 Local 856 Scholarship winners
Another Step Forward to Improve Tier 6
Members did this by holding rallies, making calls, sending emails, and lobbying legislators.
For More Information:
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Seats are located in Section 108
Bus leaves Kingston Plaza by ball field near Hannaford at 3:30pm
Tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Local office from 7am – 11am
$20 for members, $130 for guests
Cash only, no refunds
Each member can bring 1 guest unless the trip is not sold out by May 15th.
Please contact Todd Schmidt at 845-750-7265 with any questions.
Crediting Provisional Time (S.5494 Jackson / A.7155 Pheffer Amato)
A bill has been signed into law, which requires that any time spent as a provisional employee be counted towards an employee's probationary term upon receiving a permanent appointment in the same title. This law went into effect on September 7, 2023
What was the law before?
Employees can spend years as a provisional employee as they wait for available civil service tests. Once appointed to a permanent role, they can be required to spend up to an additional year on probation.
An email went out earlier from CSEA to members whom we believe are in Tier 6, asking for them to support our campaign for Tier 6 reforms. These people had previously been emailed last year with a survey asking them to prioritize which reforms they’d most like to see.
PAC reports that we’ve had a great response to the online form contacting state legislators, but we’ve not had a great response to the request for phone calls. I know no one likes making phone calls anymore (myself included!) but it really gets noticed by legislators more than the emails. Please ask other CSEA members to make phone calls, it would be very much appreciated. They just need to use the number we provided and state that they support Tier 6 reform. The most the legislators’ aides will likely ask is for the person’s zip code, which helps them keep track on their end.
I’m attaching the flyer PAC provided. Below is the text of the email sent yesterday, which can be used if you’re contacting members yourselves:
CSEA Campaign to Fix Tier 6.
Since going into effect in 2012, Tier 6 has become the dominant benefit tier within the Employees' Retirement System.
Tier 6 requires employees to pay more for their retirement for a longer period, only to receive a smaller benefit than employees in other pension tiers.
If we are serious about fixing our recruitment and retention issues within the State, local government, and school district workforces, reforms to Tier 6 must be on the table.
The changes we are proposing would encourage employees to make careers in public service by making them more appealing and competitive with the private sector.
With employer pension contribution rates set to decline significantly this year, and the State and our local governments in their best financial position in years, we must seize this opportunity to invest in he workers who make our state the Empire State.
Together, we can Fix Tier 6!
Jessica Ladlee
Communications Specialist
CSEA Southern Region Office
568 State Route 52
Beacon, NY 12508
Office: (845) 831-1000
Email: jessica.ladlee@cseainc.org
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Welcome to This Week in Labor Education!
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide education, information, and resources to members on labor issues and labor education trainings/workshops offered by the Education and Training Department. If you haven't subscribed, but would like to receive this publication directly to your inbox, please click here to subscribe.
CSEA Education & Training Upcoming online representation and union-building webinars scheduled
The Education and Training Department staff continue to provide opportunities for members to gain and enhance their skills through our online trainings. These trainings are open to members in All Regions. Workshop descriptions and registration for all current offerings are available online on our website.
Participants must use their own time or have approved release time to attend trainings if attending during their normal work hours. Grievance Representation Training and Representing Members in Discipline and Interrogation Training are both required for all officers as per the CSEA Constitutions.
Share to subscribe
Do you have co-workers who would like to receive this publication? They can scan this QR code with their smartphone to be directed to our quick and easy online subscription form!
The Federal law addressing child nutrition is up for reauthorization. This is the law that includes reimbursements you get for feeding children under your care. This process occurs every 5 years, but the program has not seen substantial updates in a long time. With enormous food inflation and a childcare crisis, we urgently need to have Congress enhance the benefits this law provides to ensure you can continue to provide healthy food to children in your care.
We need to convince Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to champion changes to this program and to act immediately.
Please send a letter to Senator Gillibrand today to tell her how important it is that Congress increase food reimbursements for providers, expand eligibility, and provide reimbursement for an additional snack or meal.
Use this link to send your letter now: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/update-the-federal-child-nutrition-program/ and be sure to share this link with anyone else who would be willing to support us.
Thank you for taking action on this important issue!
CSEA/VOICE |143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
Strengthening the CSEA Relationship through the Insurance Program
Offering a voluntary insurance program since the 1930's, CSEA was a pioneer in the group insurance program that has benefited thousands of members and their families over the decades.
These specially negotiated group plans are only available as a CSEA Member. All plans are with A+ rated carriers vetted by CSEA & obtained through the union's strength of extensive membership. The program today is better than ever with a full range of offerings from life insurance products to supplemental disability, to rental and homeowners insurance to auto, boat and motorcycle. We even have catastrophic illness and pet insurance available. Everything that you might need in your life.
How the CSEA Group Sponsored Insurance Program has helped Members
Sign up here for CSEA’s biweekly education & training newsletter to stay on top of upcoming workshops and learn a little labor history along the way!
Did you know that by contributing to New York State Deferred Compensation Plan you can put off paying taxes on your contributions and any earnings.
The plan is tax-deferred . That means that you pay less current federal and New York State income taxes today and have the opportunity for your money to grow tax-deferred. You don't pay taxes until you decide to make withdrawals, which are taxed as ordinary income.
Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal.
Be tax smart.
Sign-up for the Plan today.
Ask questions, review your account or join
Ulster County Employees
New York State Deferred Compensation Plan
Please contact Gene for more information about your benefit.
For general info please visit: www.nysdcp.com
For MORE information, contact Gene Nescot at his voicemail (614)854-4364
or send Gene an email to gene.nescot@nationwide.com
CSEA - Pearl Insurance
Insurance plans specifically designed for CSEA Members!
Your NEW CSEA Insurance representative is: Sean Lynch - 518-860-0612 | call or text!
Click on the CSEA Pearl Insurance flyer for additional information.....
Subject: CSEA members: Get the facts on Early Retirement
Reply-To: get.active@cseainc.org
Many CSEA members are inquiring and seeking an Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) this year from the legislature. While CSEA does support any additional retirement benefit that may be offered to all of our members, the specific proposals that have been introduced in the Assembly and Senate are unacceptable for many reasons as outlined below:
The proposals give the employer the exclusive right to target who gets an incentive and the position must be ELIMINATED. That means the specific job is gone. While ERI’s do have a benefit when layoffs are proposed, that is not the case this year. In fact, all of our state agencies are understaffed and mandatory overtime is being used exclusively in our agencies. There also are no proposed layoffs on the local government side and in fact many county executives are using stimulus money to beef up the workforce especially in probation, social work, child protective workers and 911 operators. This bill is not automatic for local governments or the state. THE EMPLOYER GETS TO CHOOSE TO OPT-IN OR NOT.
No position in health care, direct care or public safety can get the incentive. This particular provision excludes almost three-quarters of our state workforce and many positions in local government as well. CSEA cannot support an ERI that does not treat all of our members fairly and equitably.
There is always a cost to an ERI that is paid for by the employer. These costs can add up to millions of dollars that the employer must pay to the retirement system. In order for the employer to save any money, the job must be eliminated leaving employees who cannot take advantage of the ERI to do even more with less workers. In addition, if the employer is paying out more money to pay for an ERI that means less money for contract negotiations or raises!
Employers in the past have used the ERI to support and promote the privatization of our public jobs. When there are not enough workers to do the job the state and local governments will contract out the work. In fact, this year our Department of Motor Vehicles is so far behind in servicing the general public due to the pandemic that they contracted out to Triple A to pick up the slack... members of AAA can now get any motor vehicle service accomplished at their local office in the downstate area.
Employers in the past have also given the ERI to management and then rehired that same person as a consultant to no benefit of the CSEA members.
For all of the reasons listed above, CSEA cannot support the proposed ERI’s currently pending in the legislature.
CSEA would and will support an ERI that is open and fair to all of our members, that doesn’t eliminate positions and that strictly prohibits privatization of the work performed by the members.
In solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
We are open by appointment only - please contact your Local representative or call us at the number below to schedule one.
Today | By Appointment |
ENDORSEMENT (jpg)
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DownloadAll About our Union April 15th 2020 (pdf)
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DownloadCSEA Southern Region Golf Classic President Adamo Letter (pdf)
DownloadCSEA Southern Region Golf Classic Brochure Sept. 16, 2022 (pdf)
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Download2021 oct 25 Scholarship winners LOCAL (pdf)
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DownloadFY2023 Enacted Budget Summary (pdf)
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