Ulster county csea local 856, kingston, ny
Ulster county csea local 856 website
Welcome to the CSEA Local 856 Website
Please check our site for the latest postings. If you prefer, you can join our mailing list for updates and other Union information
A word about our Postings online
Wherever possible - the postings are listed in chronological order. You can click on the image to view the entire posting or the link that accompanies it.
These postings are also available on site at the Union Bulletin Boards in the County Buildings as well.
Todd Schmidt,
President, CSEA Local 856
Hello Sisters and Brothers!
"The only effective answer to organized greed is organized labor." – Thomas Donahue
Please SAVE THE DATES of April 28 – 30, 2023 for CSEA’s Women’s Conference which will be held at the Saratoga Hilton, in Saratoga Springs, NY. We look forward to seeing everyone in person this year to rally around the theme of “Our Voice, Our Power!” More details to follow about our exciting programs, workshops and guest speakers.
Scam Alert:
Do not share your personal information with outside groups
I want to thank everyone for joining me in the past week via Zoom as I made our membership aware that they may be targets of an ongoing scam asking them to quit our union. Again, if they receive emails, direct mail, phone calls or home visits from unknown parties seeking their personal and work information they should not respond. They should not sign anything or fill anything out. It may appear as if the messaging is coming from CSEA - but they are not. Also, they should not unsubscribe from the emails, it will verify the email as a valid address, simply report it to their LRS and delete. For more information visit: https://cseany.org/scam-alert
2023 NYSHIP premium rates released for state employees
The New York State Department of Civil Service has released the 2023 Empire Plan and NYSHIP enrollee biweekly premium rates. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/bds5rruh
New York State jobs information and exams schedule are readily available
We all need to help. There are numerous civil service positions in state and local government that need to be filled. We are all aware that we need workers. I am sending the following information with links so we can share with our family, friends and neighbors. We are working with civil service to get the word out across the state. Please share this information and let’s help recruit!!
> To learn about employment opportunities across State government, including the hiring process, information about civil service examinations, and other featured job programs visit:
New York State Department Of Civil Service (ny.gov).
Member Benefit Spotlight: CSEA Visa card has a low fixed rate, PLUS Double Points!
With interest rates rising, we are finding that a lot of our members have high interest rate credit card balances. Please make sure your members know that our CSEA Visa credit card has a low FIXED rate, comes with no balance transfer fees, no annual fees, and no cash advance fees. This holiday season, there's an opportunity to earn double points for every purchase with the CSEA Platinum Credit Card all while saving big on interest. For information on the visa card please visit www.capcomfcu.org/cseavisa.
In addition, we have an opportunity for our locals and units to explore. With a new 3.50% APY fixed rate certificate for 23 months, you can earn higher dividends safely. For more information on the new 23-month certificate, contact Cody Chaszczewski at cchaszczewski@capcomfcu.org.
Member Communication Tool: Use the My CSEA mobile app to message all your members
CSEA’s IT team continues to improve the My CSEA mobile app. Please make sure you update to get the latest and greatest version with new functionality.
Required union representation trainings scheduled
One of our most important functions is representing our membership through grievances and in disciplinary hearings. It is a constitutional requirement for ALL officers to attend grievance representation training AND representing members in discipline and interrogation training. Please note: Participants must use their own time or have approved Release Time to attend trainings if attending during their normal work hours.
VIRTUAL Trainings:
State Government: Representing Members in Discipline and Interrogations:
December 14 & 15, 6 pm to 8 pm.
To register: https://memberlink.cseany.org/Event.axd?e=771
IN-PERSON Trainings:
State Government Grievance Representation:
December 14 and 15, 6 pm to 9 pm.
Clinton County Gov’t Center, Plattsburgh.
Call (518) 563-0761 to register.
Required Officer Trainings
Treasurer Training:
Virtual Treasurer training for Regions 1-6 on Wednesday, January 25 from 5pm-8pm. The deadline to register is Wednesday, January 18. Registrants can contact their applicable Region to register.
Region 1 – (631) 462-0030 Region 4 – (518) 782-4400
Region 2 – (212) 406-2156 Region 5 – (800) 559-7975
Region 3 – (845) 831-1000 Region 6 – (716) 691-6555
Secretary Training:
January 18, 2023, 5pm -7:30pm - https://memberlink.cseany.org/Event.axd?e=781
January 25, 2023, 5pm -7:30pm - https://memberlink.cseany.org/Event.axd?e=782
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://tinyurl.com/leadership-update-topics. I appreciate your response.
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan
President
2022 Commitment to Kids
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2022 Commitment To Kids presents. Thanks to all who contributed this year!
Labor Education
Week ending November 18, 2022
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.
Here are our upcoming online offerings:
> November 21 - Weingarten Rights: What you need to know webinar -12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
> November 21 & 22** - Grievance Representation - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
> November 21 - Representing Members in Discipline and Interrogations Recertification - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
> November 22 - Conducting Successful Meetings - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
> November 22 - Grievance Representation Recertification - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
> November 30 - Labor-Management Committee Training - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
> November 30 - Conducting Successful Meetings - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
> December 1 - It’s Not Grievable, Now What? – 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
> December 5 & 6** - Contract Negotiations: Team Training - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
> December 6 - How to conduct a New Member Orientation - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
> December 7 & 8** - Representing Members in Discipline and Interrogations - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
> December 13 - All About Our Union: A CSEA Member Orientation Workshop – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
> December 14 & 15** - State Government: Representing Members in Discipline and Interrogation - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
> December 15 - Conducting Successful Meetings – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.**Must attend both days
Upcoming in-person offerings:
· November 19 - Steward - CSEA Plattsburgh Satellite Office - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (518) 314-6000 to register.
· November 29 & 30** - Advanced Grievance: Power in Numbers Workshop - Syosset - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (631) 462-0030 to register.
· November 29 & 30** - Public Speaking - CSEA Amherst Office - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (716) 691-6555 to register.
**Must attend both days
Activist Word(s) of the Week
Labor Relations Specialist (LRS): A CSEA staff person who helps elected leaders in CSEA Locals and Units with contract negotiation and enforcement, and representation of members regarding other terms and conditions of employment.
This Week in Labor History
How long have workers been taking collective action for better conditions? Well, a strike took place in mid-November around 3,200 years ago, around 1170 B.C.E., in Ancient Egypt, recorded in hieroglyphics on ceramics and papyrus that survive to this day. Apparently, the skilled artisans working on the magnificent tomb of Pharoah Ramses III had not received their wages (grain rations) at the beginning of the month, and they refused to continue working until they were paid.
Their collective action succeeded several times over the following months in winning back wages, and possibly some extra food to keep them happy. Ramses III was an old man, and likely believed that an incomplete or imperfect tomb at the time of the death could jeopardize his godhood in the afterlife. The artisans saw they have leverage, came together, and won!
To learn more, check out the following resource:
Egerton, W. F. (1951). The strikes in Ramses III’s twenty-ninth year. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 10, 137–145.
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/371037?journalCode=jnes
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!
- This Week in Labor Education is published by the Education and Training Department of CSEA, AFSCME, Local 1000, AFL-CIO.
Mary E. Sullivan, President
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
CSEA You are not alone we are stronger together
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
enacted 2022-23 State budget summary
A few days after the start of the state fiscal year, the Governor and lawmakers agreed to a final budget. Overall, this budget is a positive for CSEA members across New York State. It includes positive changes for members in tiers 5 and 6, bonuses for healthcare and direct care workers, historic levels of school district funding, new funding for SUNY, and unprecedented investments in childcare.
We continue to review the enacted budget for additional details and will report additional details as needed.
Are taxes stunting your growth?
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 - Insurance for csea members
CSEA - Pearl Insurance
Insurance plans specifically designed for CSEA Members!
- Disability
- Term Life
- Whole Life
- Critical Illness
- Comprehensive Accident Plan
- Hospital and Home Care Recovery
- Auto
- Home & Renters
- RV, Boat, Motorcycle
- Umbrella
- Pet Insurance
Your NEW CSEA Insurance representative is: Sean Lynch - 518-860-0612 | call or text!
Click on the CSEA Pearl Insurance flyer for additional information.....
Early Retirement Incentive Update
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 will continue to add additional content as it becomes available.
