We will add additional news content here as it becomes available.
Todd Schmidt,
CSEA Local 856 President
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Hello Sisters and Brothers!
Reminder to protect yourselves during times of poor air quality conditions
I urge all members to do what’s best for their health such as wearing masks and staying indoors (if possible) during times of poor air quality. You can look up the exact conditions and recommendations where you live/work by searching your zip code here: www.airnow.gov
Important Election Information:
TO: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR LOCAL PRESIDENTS
FROM: STATEWIDE ELECTION COMMITTEE
By now you should have received some information in the mail from the Statewide Election Committee (SEC) regarding the upcoming 2024 Statewide, Region, and Board of Directors Elections. The information should have included the Local Presidents’ Handbook, Constitution & By-Laws, and Candidates’ Handbook, as well as a Nomination Notice packet containing various postings. It is vital that you provide this election information to your Local membership and Unit membership, if any.
If you did not receive this package of information, or if you have any general questions about the election process, you may contact the SEC staff at 1-800-342-4146, extension 1447 or sec@cseainc.org. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thank you! Deb Ake, Chair, Statewide Election Committee
Civil Service exam fees waived by NYS and some local governments
After a strong lobbying effort by CSEA, the state Department of Civil Service will begin waiving fees for all state civil service examinations beginning on July 1. The goal of this new law is to increase the number of New Yorkers who take civil service exams and to expand the pool of potential applicants to residents who may not be able to afford the exam fee. These fees will be waived until December 31, 2025. Local governments are also authorized to waive civil service exam fees but are not required to do so. We are aware of the following counties that are currently waiving civil service exam fees:
• Clinton
• Genesee
• Monroe
• Oswego
• Schenectady
• Ulster
Did you know?
OSHA reports that most outdoor fatalities, 50% to 70%, occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time. The process of building tolerance is called heat acclimatization. Lack of acclimatization represents a major risk factor for fatal outcomes. Employers and workers can do a lot to prevent heat-related illness. Visit OSHA’s heat page: https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure. The OSHA Technical Manual Chapter on Heat Stress establishes that OSHA uses WBGT to determine if a heat hazard was present. To help determine if temperature extremes can be hazardous, use the OSH WBGT Calculator: https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/wbgt-calculator.
NYS AFL-CIO rolls out Hot Union Summer campaign with survey
All season long, NYS AFL-CIO members will be knocking on doors to have conversations with union members across New York about what they think the top priorities for our movement, and our state and federal elected officials should be. The survey is also available online - take it now to make your voice heard: https://tinyurl.com/59frvrtu
Membership meetings and other social events
For public sector locals and units ONLY: Reminder that only members should be invited to any of your meetings and other social events. If your agency or department has an event that the union helps to subsidize, like an evening social, only members are entitled to that benefit. I encourage you to put language on all your flyers, so everyone is aware. Here is sample of language you could use: “Employees who have chosen to be non-members may not attend or be guests of members.”
July 7 is deadline for the 2023 Nadra Floyd and Membership Achievement awards
We have two awards to honor our members who are doing the challenging work of growing CSEA’s membership. CSEA is seeking entries for the Nadra Floyd Award and the Membership Achievement Award. If you know a CSEA member, committee, unit or local that has worked to grow CSEA’s membership, whether through internal or external organizing, we encourage you to fill out one or both nomination forms on cseany.org (see links below). If you have any concerns regarding these awards, please contact the CSEA Membership Committee, c/o the CSEA Organizing Department at 518-257-1400.
Nomination form for the 2023 Nadra Floyd Award
Nomination form for the 2023 Membership Achievement Award
Member Benefit Spotlight: Restore the Sounds of Your Life!
Your CSEA hearing program through Amplifon includes a free hearing exam, risk-free trial, batteries, a four year warranty and 66% off retail prices of hearing aids. Best of all, this benefit is available to CSEA members and their family members. Call 866-915-2063 or visit www.amplifonusa.com/cmp/csea
Required Union Representation IN-PERSON Trainings:
State Government Grievance Representation – Oneonta (Region 5)
Tuesday, July 25, and Wednesday, July 26, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Call (315) 433-0050 to register.Required Union Representation VIRTUAL Trainings:
Grievance Representative Recertification
Monday, July 17, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Register at https://memberlink.cseany.org/Event.axd?e=1001.
Representing Members in Discipline & Interrogation Recertification
Tuesday, July 18, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Register at https://memberlink.cseany.org/Event.axd?e=1002.Required Officer Trainings:
**There are no scheduled officer trainings at this time.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
Congratulations to our "I Love My Union" Valentine's Day contest winners
The response was overwhelming - here are the ten (randomly chosen) winners of the $50 gift cards. Thank you all for submitting your thoughtful entries and being so supportive of our union! Christine Larkin, SUNY College of Farmingdale Local 606, Long Island Region 1; Nancy Ritchie, Nassau Area Retirees Local 919, Long Island Region 1; Tara Purvis, New York Parole District Local 259, Metropolitan Region; Cynde Bodon, Rockland Psychiatric Center Local 421, Southern Region 3; Kevin Borno, Westchester Local 860, Southern Region 3; Mary Santiago, Dutchess County Local 814, Southern Region 3; Sheree Martinelli, Empire State College Local 641, Capital Region 4; Melissa A. Blask, Herkimer County Local 822, Central Region 5; Tracy Skalski, Erie County Local 815, Western Region 6 and Christina Adanti, VOICE Local 100A. Check out their entries on our social media pages and here: https://cseany.org/love-my-union
New podcast series honoring labor announced by AFSCME during Black History Month
AFSCME is launching a new podcast series recounting the stories of the courageous sanitation workers who made history. The first episode airs in April which will coincide with the anniversary of the death of Dr. King, who was assassinated while in Memphis to support the strikers. Follow at iamstory.com and subscribe to podcasts on Pandora, Spotify, Apple and Amazon.
Reminder to be vigilant - beware of recent scams and phone bankingWe are learning that our union members have been receiving emails, postcards, and phone calls with a Valentine’s Day message to quit their union and share their personal information. Again – I want to remind everyone that this is a scam. Please be vigilant and protect your personal information, don’t share it with outside/unknown groups and report all scams to your LRS.
CSEA publications receive honors from International Labor Communications AssociationI am proud to announce that CSEA publications received three awards in the International Labor Communications Association’s 2022 Labor Media Awards. The full department was honored for its work on our union’s 2022 CSEA Calendar, and staff members Janice Gavin, Jason Hosier, Therese Assalian, Wendi Bowie, Jessica Ladlee, Nicholas Newcomb and former staff member Ove Overmyer were individually recognized. Congratulations to the Communications Department staff. View our award-winning materials here: https://cseany.org/workforce/?p=12019.
Why Not Be Randomly Kind To Your Coworkers?February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Why not challenge ourselves to do at least one more extra act of kindness to help celebrate this day? If you’re looking for an easy way to improve your workplace (or your home or anywhere else) The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation provides a variety of ideas and toolkits. Click here for kindness materials and methods: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ Let's challenge members to take the Kindness in the Workplace Pledge and let’s all make kindness the norm and not the exception. Practicing kindness in the workplace every day can make all of our lives a little better.
Member Benefit Spotlight: CSEA Legal Services PlanMembers are taking advantage of the new CSEA Legal Services Plan. $216 a year gets you a full-time time lawyer to take care of all your legal needs. Members and their families are covered. Your CSEA benefits offer relief and I encourage you make sure your members are aware of this benefit. Learn more here: https://cseany.org/?page_id=560014.
Our Member Solutions Center is ready for your questions and concernsGoing to our union for help is as simple as one phone call. The Member Solutions Center features a call center designed to handle your union questions by providing answers or directing members to the right place for information. If you have a question, need help or want to discuss our union with a specialist, call us at: (800) 342-4146. We are here to help.
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
Federal Judge sets primaries, upholds Assembly district lines
This week a Federal court has ruled that the primary for congressional seats and state senate seats will be August 23, 2022 and the primary for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and State Assembly will be June 28 of this year. The court has upheld the redrawn Assembly district lines. We expect the new congressional lines and New York State Senate lines to be released on or about May 20.
Honoring those doing the work to strengthen our Union
Have your fellow leaders or members been signing up new members within your local or unit? Have any of them made an extraordinary contribution towards bringing a new bargaining unit or group of members into CSEA? If so, please consider nominating them for either the Membership Achievement Award or the Nadra Floyd Award! Nominations are due by July 22, 2022. More information on the awards, the qualities the nominees should have, the nomination forms and the process can be found at https://cseany.org/award-nominations.
Last chance to apply for CSEA college scholarships
The last date to apply for our union’s statewide college scholarship awards will be May 15. If you know of CSEA members who have graduating high school seniors, this is your last chance to share the application information with them. We will give out eighteen $1,000 Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarships, three in each of our six regions. We also have two additional college scholarship opportunities available through the same application. The application is available for download at: https://cseany.org/scholarships.
Communications Department wins awards
I am pleased to share that our Communications Department has won several awards from the New York Metro Labor Council. The Department brought home 13 different awards for their outstanding work in the Work Force, CSEA Calendar and Video production. To view the full list of awards visithttps://cseany.org/metro-ny-awards.
CSEA Appreciation Day is coming, did you get your posters?
Monday, May 23 we celebrate our third annual CSEA Appreciation Day. If you want a supply of posters that you can ask to have posted in your community, please reach out to your Region President and they will assist with distribution. I’d also invite you to view and share our Appreciation Day tribute on our website: https://cseany.org/thankyou.
Have you received the Safety Net newsletter?
Don’t miss the April edition of the CSEA Safety Net, our Safety and Health e-newsletter, recapping our informative and empowering Statewide Conference on Safety and Health held last month in Saratoga Springs. I encourage anyone who hasn’t subscribed to do so at: https://cseany.org/safetynet.
Resolutions and Amendments webinar now available on-demand
We have a brand-new webinar available online for activists interested in our governance process, How to properly write and submit proposed resolutions or amendments to CSEA’s Constitution & By-Laws. It will prepare viewers to properly write proposed resolutions and/or amendments to our governing documents that, if approved, may be voted on at our Annual Delegates Meeting this October. It can be found at: https://cseany.org/webinar-resolutions-and-amendments.
A reminder on submission deadlines:
Proposed amendments to the CSEA Constitution must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by May 15, 2022.
Proposed amendments to CSEA’s By-Laws must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by June 15, 2022.
Proposed Resolutions to be voted on by the delegate body must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by July 1, 2022.Many on-demand safety trainings available from our OSH Department
Our award-winning Occupational Safety and Health Department continues to offer guidance through on-demand webinar trainings that all members can access at no cost. We have dozens of available offerings, including many provided at our recent Statewide Conference on Occupational Safety and Health, as well as school safety and health topics, and employer compliance webinars. For detailed explanations of and links to each workshop, please visit: https://cseany.org/osh-webinars.
Required OFFICER TRAININGS scheduled
We remind all elected union officers that per our constitutions, you are required to take the training for your office during your current term of office. This training must be taken each time you are elected, even if you’ve taken it during a previous term in office. To satisfy this constitutional training requirement, a number of trainings are scheduled. Please make plans to attend the training for the office you hold. To register, contact your CSEA Region Office and let them know which training and date you are registering for. Participants must use their own time or have approved Release Time to attend this training if attending during normal work hours.
President/Vice President Training:
> June 21 & 22 (NOT previously trained officers) – 6 to 7:30 pm - Please register by June 15
> June 28 & 29 (previously trained officers) – 6 to 7:30 pm - Please register by June 23
Treasurer Training:
ONSITE trainings for Region 1 Treasurers - Please register with the Region 1 Office at 631-462-0030 by May 18
> May 24 – 5 to 8 pm – William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, Hicksville NY
> May 25 – 5 to 8 pm – CSEA Long Island Region 1 Office, Commack NYVirtual training for all Regions – please register with your Region Office by June 8
> June 15 – 5 to 8 pmWhat 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
Be warned: outreach from anti-union front group continues
State workers have been targeted with recent emails from the Freedom Foundation (OptOut Today). In addition, this past week, members in local governments have received mail at home and emails from the Freedom Foundation encouraging them to opt-out.
This coincides with municipalities getting FOIL requests seeking YOUR NAMES AND PERSONAL INFORMATION. If you’re a union leader in a local government municipality - be it a library, village, town, county, or school district - PLEASE let your local FOIL Officer (many times your village or town clerk) know that they are prohibited from distributing an employee's personal identifying information.
I ask that you please educate our members on the advantages of being a CSEA member. The reasons are clear and can be found at: https://cseany.org/advantage. Should you need any assistance, contact CSEA’s Director of Member Engagement Adam Acquario at (518) 257-1303.
Northeast Parent and Child Society workers join CSEA
Northeast Parent and Child Society (NPCS) workers located in Schenectady voted 2 – 1, in a decisive majority, to join CSEA in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election held yesterday. The 88 full-time and part-time workers organized with CSEA for a stronger voice on the job, a safer workplace and fair treatment. The group works to help the children at NPCS (5-21 years old) navigate life at their residential facility, to and from school, and in the community. As we know, Volunteer Member Organizers are vital to successful organizing campaigns. The support for this group was plentiful and heartwarming. The campaign was led by CSEA Statewide Organizer Greg Bartow with assistance by CSEA Lead Organizer Jess Riley. CSEA Region 4 President Ron Briggs, the Schenectady County DSS Unit, Schenectady County Local Treasurer Katie Soule, Oyster Bay President Jarvis Brown and SCO President Sirlentor Berry and the SCO Executive Board supported the workers throughout the campaign. CSEA Senior Counsel Aaron Kaplan and Associate Mary Slattery won multiple legal victories to keep the final unit to 88 workers against management’s legal team.
Do You Have the My CSEA Mobile App?
Have you downloaded the My CSEA mobile app yet? Have you encouraged your members to download the app? The My CSEA mobile app offers all kinds of information and tools, like region, local and unit officer contact information, access to online application forms like the $10,000 Accidental Death Benefit beneficiary form and much more.
In addition, CSEA Officers can also use the mobile app to electronically send pictures of paper membership applications directly to the CSEA membership Department. Inside the app select “Officers Toolkit,” then select “Membership Application Scanner.” You can either select “Take a Picture” or “Choose from Device” to select from your picture gallery. To take a usable picture of the application from your phone please make sure you lay the application on a flat surface and are zoomed to capture the full application. Click “ok” if the picture shows all the member information clearly, then click “Send Application.” This will instantly send a copy of the application to the CSEA Membership Department and a copy will be emailed to you for your records.
Any CSEA member can download the app by visiting https://cseany.org/newmycseaapp.
2022 AAPI Women in Labor Event on May 10th
On May 10th from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm AAPI Women in Labor will hold a virtual event: Forging New Paths for Safety and Power. I encourage you to register and join this event at https://bit.ly/cluwapala22.
Honoring those doing the work to strengthen our Union
Have your fellow leaders or members been signing up new members within your local or unit? Have any of them made an extraordinary contribution towards bringing a new bargaining unit or group of members into CSEA? If so, please consider nominating them for either the Membership Achievement Award or the Nadra Floyd Award! More information on the awards, the qualities the nominees should have and the nomination forms and process can be found at https://cseany.org/award-nominations.
Governor Hochul appoints Delgado to Leiutenant Governor position
Earlier this week Governor Hochul appointed Antonio Delgado to the Leiutenant Governor position. He most recently served as the Unites States representing the Catskills and mid-Hudson Valley areas. He has been a friend to CSEA in the past and we look forward to working with him in his new role.
Last chance to apply for CSEA college scholarships
The last date to apply for our union’s statewide college scholarship awards will be May 15. If you know of CSEA members who have graduating high school seniors, this is your last chance to share the application information with them. We will give out eighteen $1,000 Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarships, three in each of our six regions. We also have two additional college scholarship opportunities available through the same application. The application is available for download at: https://cseany.org/scholarships.
CSEA Appreciation Day is coming, did you get your posters?
Monday, May 23 we celebrate our third annual CSEA Appreciation Day. If you want a supply of posters that you can ask to have posted in your community, please reach out to your Region President and they will assist with distribution.
This Week in Labor Education e-newsletter published
This week we sent out the latest edition of our newest e-newsletter from our Education & Training Department, This Week in Labor Education. If you haven’t received it, I encourage you to subscribe at: https://cseany.org/this-week-in-labor-education.
Resolutions and Amendments webinar now available on-demand
We have a brand-new webinar available online for activists interested in our governance process, How to properly write and submit proposed resolutions or amendments to CSEA’s Constitution & By-Laws. It will prepare viewers to properly write proposed resolutions and/or amendments to our governing documents that, if approved, may be voted on at our Annual Delegates Meeting this October. It can be found at: https://cseany.org/webinar-resolutions-and-amendments.
A reminder on submission deadlines:
Proposed amendments to the CSEA Constitution must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by May 15, 2022.
Proposed amendments to CSEA’s By-Laws must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by June 15, 2022.
Proposed Resolutions to be voted on by the delegate body must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by July 1, 2022.Many on-demand safety trainings available from our OSH Department
Our award-winning Occupational Safety and Health Department continues to offer guidance through on-demand webinar trainings that all members can access at no cost. We have dozens of available offerings, including many provided at our recent Statewide Conference on Occupational Safety and Health, as well as school safety and health topics, and employer compliance webinars. For detailed explanations of and links to each workshop, please visit: https://cseany.org/osh-webinars.
Required OFFICER TRAININGS scheduled
We remind all elected union officers that per our constitutions, you are required to take the training for your office during your current term of office. This training must be taken each time you are elected, even if you’ve taken it during a previous term in office. To satisfy this constitutional training requirement, a number of trainings are scheduled. Please make plans to attend the training for the office you hold. To register, contact your CSEA Region Office and let them know which training and date you are registering for. Participants must use their own time or have approved Release Time to attend this training if attending during normal work hours.
President/Vice President Training:
> May 17 & 18 (previously trained officers) – 6 to 7:30 pm - Please register by May 12
Secretary Training:
> May 10 - 5 to 7 pm
Treasurer Training:
ONSITE trainings for Region 1 Treasurers - Please register with the Region 1 Office at 631-462-0030 by May 18
> May 24 – 5 to 8 pm – William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, Hicksville NY
> May 25 – 5 to 8 pm – CSEA Long Island Region 1 Office, Commack NYVirtual training for all Regions – please register with your Region Office by June 8
> June 15 – 5 to 8 pm
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
Farewell to Maureen Malone
On Saturday, we lost a dear friend to our union, former Statewide Treasurer Maureen Malone. Maureen and I started out as CSEA Local Presidents in Region 5 and, over the years, were fortunate enough to serve our Union as statewide officers. She was my critic, my advisor and my loyal friend for many years. She was always smiling, quick with a joke, a powerful advocate for the members she faithfully represented. I will miss her very much. Rest in Peace, my Union sister.
Workers Memorial Day observed today
Today we honor our fallen brothers and sisters. Observances were held in Manhattan, Rochester, and Syracuse and there will be more in the next few days. I encourage all who can to participate to demonstrate our commitment to fight against preventable workplace injuries and deaths.
Redistricting plan struck down, primaries to be delayed
Yesterday the State Court of Appeals struck down the redistricting plan put forth by the NYS Legislature for congressional and state Senate seats. The court will appoint a “master” to draw new lines. This will push back the June primary for congressional and senate seats. It is unclear when these primaries will be held. As it stands, the Assembly seats have not been struck down and, absent any new legislation, primaries for the Assembly as well as Governor and Lt. Governor could still be in June. Stay tuned for any updates, as everything is up in the air right now.
CSEA’s Director of Research retiring
After 41 years of working for all of us at CSEA, Don Kelly is retiring! Don has had an impressive career and has made lasting accomplishments for the membership. Known as “Mr. Civil Service,” Don’s expertise in civil service rules and regulations has made him one of the most popular workshop presenters in our union. In addition, he has done an exemplary job running our Research Department supporting our contract and budget fights at all levels of our union. I hope you will all join me in wishing Don the very best in retirement. He will be sorely missed.
Recognizing Public Employees
During the first week of May, people around the country recognize Public Service Appreciation Week, in recognition of all of us who provide valuable public services. I have always said that this recognition should be extended longer than just a week, and that’s why I scheduled CSEA Appreciation Day to be observed on Monday, May 23. Our Region Presidents will be distributing posters to Locals and Units that can be posted throughout our communities to show their support for us.
Safety Net newsletter published
Last week we sent out the April edition of the CSEA Safety Net, our Safety and Health e-newsletter, recapping our informative and empowering Statewide Conference on Safety and Health held earlier this month in Saratoga Springs. I encourage anyone who hasn’t subscribed to do so at: https://cseany.org/safetynet.
Resolutions and Amendments webinar now available on-demand
We have a brand-new webinar available online for activists interested in our governance process, How to properly write and submit proposed resolutions or amendments to CSEA’s Constitution & By-Laws. It will prepare viewers to properly write proposed resolutions and/or amendments to our governing documents that, if approved, may be voted on at our Annual Delegates Meeting this October. It can be found at: https://cseany.org/webinar-resolutions-and-amendments.
A reminder on submission deadlines:
Proposed amendments to the CSEA Constitution must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by May 15, 2022.
Proposed amendments to CSEA’s By-Laws must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by June 15, 2022.
Proposed Resolutions to be voted on by the delegate body must be submitted to the Office of the Statewide Secretary by July 1, 2022.Many on-demand safety trainings available from our OSH Department
Our award-winning Occupational Safety and Health Department continues to offer guidance through on-demand webinar trainings that all members can access at no cost. We have dozens of available offerings, including many provided at our recent Statewide Conference on Occupational Safety and Health, as well as school safety and health topics, and employer compliance webinars. For detailed explanations of and links to each workshop, please visit: https://cseany.org/osh-webinars.
Required OFFICER TRAININGS scheduled
We remind all elected union officers that per our constitutions, you are required to take the training for your office during your current term of office. This training must be taken each time you are elected, even if you’ve taken it during a previous term in office. To satisfy this constitutional training requirement, a number of trainings are scheduled. Please make plans to attend the training for the office you hold. To register, contact your CSEA Region Office and let them know which training and date you are registering for. Participants must use their own time or have approved Release Time to attend this training if attending during normal work hours.
President/Vice President Training:
> May 10 & 11 (untrained officers) – 10 to 11:30 am - Please register by May 5
> May 17 & 18 (previously trained officers) – 6 to 7:30 pm - Please register by May 12
Secretary Training:
> May 10 - 5 to 7 pm
Treasurer Training: (ONSITE trainings for Region 1 Treasurers)
Please register with the Region 1 Office at 631-462-0030 by May 18
> May 24 – 5 to 8 pm – William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, Hicksville NY
> May 25 – 5 to 8 pm – CSEA Long Island Region 1 Office, Commack NY
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
Recognizing Workers Memorial Day next week
Thursday April 28, we commemorate Workers Memorial Day (WMD) and remember all of our brothers and sisters who were killed on the job. As we remember our fellow workers, let’s vow to renew our fight against preventable workplace injuries and deaths. At our recent conference, our Standing Committee on Safety and Health paid tribute to our lost workers. You can view it here: https://cseany.org/osh-conference-plenary-sessions-2022. I encourage all to participate in any WMD events in your area in remembrance of those we lost.
Second town hall meeting held with union leaders
Last evening, I held my second electronic town hall meeting with Local and Unit Presidents. This was an opportunity for me to provide leaders with answers to their questions on many different topics. I want to hear from our leaders and make sure we keep our communications flowing in both directions. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from all who participated and asked questions. I hope you found this meeting worthwhile. I plan to continue to hold more town hall meetings in the future.
New issue of This Week in Labor Education sent out to subscribers
The fourth edition of This Week in Labor Education came out this week. This newsletter provides good information on labor education topics as well as a schedule of ongoing webinars provided by our Education and Training Department. I encourage all to subscribe to this newsletter at: https://cseany.org/this-week-in-labor-education.
Registration deadline extended for the CBTU International Convention
The 51st International Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists will be from May 25-30, 2022 in Los Angeles, California at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. The theme for the convention is “Power of the Past, Force for the Future”. Please visit https://cbtu51st.info for further information. The registration deadline has been extended to April 30, 2022. Hotel rooms are going fast! All participants must be vaccinated to attend the convention and proof is required. 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.
Required OFFICER TRAININGS scheduled
We remind all elected union officers that per our constitutions, you are required to take the training for your office during your current term of office. This training must be taken each time you are elected, even if you’ve taken it during a previous term in office. To satisfy this constitutional training requirement, a number of virtual trainings are scheduled. Please make plans to attend the training for the office you hold. To register, contact your CSEA Region Office and let them know which training and date you are registering for. Participants must use their own time or have approved Release Time to attend this training if attending during normal work hours.
President/Vice President Training:
> May 10 & 11 (untrained officers) – 10 to 11:30 am - Please register by May 5
> May 17 & 18 (previously trained officers) – 6 to 7:30 pm - Please register by May 12
Secretary Training:
> April 19 – 5 to 7 pm
Treasurer Training: (ONSITE trainings for Region 1 Treasurers)
Please register with the Region 1 Office at 631-462-0030 by May 18
> May 24 – 5 to 8 pm – William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, Hicksville NY
> May 25 – 5 to 8 pm – CSEA Long Island Region 1 Office, Commack NY
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
State Budget update
I am happy to report on the great strides we made and the overwhelming engagement of our members in this year’s budget. CSEA members’ activism, with over 12,000 emails sent and over 10,000 phone calls made, resulted in pension reform for Tier 6 members. Workers in Tiers 5 and 6 will now be vested after 5 years rather than ten years. This is what Tier 6 members said was most important to them and we did it! In addition, this governor has made the first step in investing in our state workforce with additional funds for state agencies and especially our direct care workers who have been overwhelmed with mandatory overtime. There is much to be applauded in this budget for all CSEA members and I encourage you to read the summary online. Find the link listed under the State Budget section of: cseany.org/issues.
Board of Directors met today
Our CSEA Board of Directors met today in Albany for our first in-person Board meeting in the past two years. It was great to see everyone who attended. We took care of the regular business of running our union, including hearing reports from our department heads and committee chairs, and voting on a number of motions made. A summary of all business transacted will be published in the next edition of the CSEA Work Force.
Town of Seneca Highway Department workers join CSEA
Congratulations to the newest members of CSEA who work in the Highway Department for the Town of Seneca in Ontario County. The Town Board recently voted last week to approve their request for voluntary recognition of CSEA as their union. Thanks to Western Region President Steve Healy, who worked with Labor Relations Specialist Paul Peters and our Organizing Department to make this happen despite a protracted wait. Welcome to our union family!
State Employees: Change in weekly testing vendors
The NYS Office of Employee Relations advised us yesterday that as of close of business on April 21, 2022, Visit Healthcare will no longer be a vendor under the State’s weekly testing program for unvaccinated State employees. Unvaccinated state employees must utilize Quest Diagnostics or Wellstand Health.
CSEA participates in Work Zone Safety Awareness Week events
I’d like to thank CSEA members in the Albany and Rochester areas for participating in joint press conferences with the State Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority this week, to help remind the public about the importance of work zone safety. As I said last week, we continue to be vigilant on this topic, as we’ve had too many workers killed or injured due to work zone intrusions. We continue to remind New Yorkers “Don’t Zone Out” and to slow down in work zones.
CSEA/VOICE leaders build skills, honor leaders
Nearly 200 CSEA/VOICE child care providers participated in a statewide professional child care conference last week. While at the New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC) conference, officers held a CSEA/VOICE Local 100A Executive Board Meeting, heard from CSEA Secretary Richard Bebo, CSEA Treasurer Nicole Meeks and also honored Pam Wells, who is stepping down as CSEA/VOICE Local President at the end of her term. On the second night of the conference, the group also paid tribute to former CSEA Director of Early Learning and Childcare Ed Gresco, who recently retired.
Holidays being observed
This time of year is a busy time for people of many faiths observing holidays. If you are observing the holidays of Ramadan, Vaisakhi, Passover, Easter, or any other holidays this month, I hope you have a meaningful holiday experience, and I urge you to think of those public service workers who sacrifice their own holiday gatherings with their families in order to maintain the essential services we provide all the time.
Statewide Scholarships reminder
To give more children of members the opportunity to apply for our union’s statewide college scholarship awards, I have extended the application period through May 15. If you know of CSEA members who have graduating high school seniors, I ask you to please share the application information with them. We will give out eighteen $1,000 Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarships, three in each of our six regions. We also have two additional college scholarship opportunities available through the same application. The application is available for download at: https://cseany.org/scholarships. These scholarships can really help make college more affordable for the families of college students, so please help us spread the word.
Missing our listings of educational webinars?
If you’re wondering where the listings of our Education and Training webinar offerings have gone, they’re now being published in our new e-newsletter, This Week in Labor Education. If you’re interested in receiving the lists of upcoming trainings, you can get this newsletter delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe today at: https://cseany.org/this-week-in-labor-education.
Required OFFICER TRAININGS scheduled
We remind all elected union officers that per our constitutions, you are required to take the training for your office during your current term of office. This training must be taken each time you are elected, even if you’ve taken it during a previous term in office. To satisfy this constitutional training requirement, a number of virtual trainings are scheduled. Please make plans to attend the training for the office you hold. To register, contact your CSEA Region Office and let them know which training and date you are registering for. Participants must use their own time or have approved Release Time to attend this training if attending during normal work hours.
President/Vice President Training:
> April 19 & 20 (previously trained officers) – 10 to 11:30 am - Please register by April 14
> May 10 & 11 (previously untrained officers) – 10 to 11:30 am - Please register by May 5
> May 17 & 18 (previously trained officers) – 6 to 7:30 pm - Please register by May 12
Secretary Training:
> April 19 – 5 to 7 pm
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
Time to resume in-person meetings
I want to let all of you know that the time has come to start holding in person events. We have been away from each other for far too long. You should remember that not everyone will be comfortable with that, so please do what you can to accommodate those members. If you need assistance, please let us know.
CSEA taking part in search for new SUNY Chancellor
I wanted to let you know that I am serving on a subcommittee of business, state and labor leaders who are working with SUNY to find their next chancellor. I’ve already shared my strong belief that the next chancellor needs to respect the CSEA members who keep our SUNY campuses and hospitals running. If any SUNY leaders have specific input you’d like to share with me regarding the chancellor search, please email or call me with your thoughts.
Sign the petition: Confirm Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court!
Today is the AFL-CIO’s day of action to have union members support the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Labor Movement is confident she will bring her clear commitment to equal justice and fairness to the nation’s highest court. Add your name to the petition asking your senators to confirm her at: https://tinyurl.com/confirm-kbj.
Did you subscribe to This Week in Labor Education yet?
Last week we launched the first edition of our new e-newsletter being published by our Education and Training Department. It will contain information on labor history and issues, labor terminology, and a schedule of upcoming training opportunities. You can access our first edition online now at: https://cseany.org/this-week-in-labor-education. To receive future editions delivered directly to your email, please subscribe at: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/subscribe-to-this-week-in-labor-education. Feel free to share this information with members.
Required OFFICER TRAININGS scheduled
We remind all elected union officers that per our constitutions, you are required to take the training for your office during your current term of office. This training must be taken each time you are elected, even if you’ve taken it during a previous term in office. To satisfy this constitutional training requirement, our union has scheduled a number of virtual trainings. Please make plans to attend the training for the office you hold. To register, contact your CSEA Region Office and let them know which training and date you are registering for. Participants must use their own time or have approved Release Time to attend this training if attending during normal work hours.
President/Vice President Training:
(This training is for previously-trained officers in all sectors. Please register by April 14)
> April 19 & 20 – 10 to 11:30 am
Treasurer's Training:
(Please register by April 12)
> April 19 – 5 to 8 pm
Labor news briefs
NY tv and film post production workers petition for union election: Members of the Post Production Guild-New York, a union representing over 150 freelance post production workers in New York, partnering with the CWA, filed for a National Labor Relations Board election, after the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers repeatedly refused to voluntarily recognize their union, despite having a majority of cards signed. Read more at: https://www.postproductionguildny.com.
AFL-CIO supports striking workers: With a statement in support of striking coal workers in Alabama, the AFL-CIO Executive Council this week reaffirmed their commitment to support striking workers everywhere in their fights for respect, and the wages, benefits and health and safety protections they deserve. Executive Council members committed to show up, collaborate, and share resources to wield the full power of the labor movement anywhere workers are standing up for our rights at work. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/afl-cio-supports-strikers.
Starbucks CEO out amid wave of union activity: News this week that Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson is stepping down following a wave of organizing by Starbucks baristas. So far, roughly 140 stores in 26 states are seeking union elections. Six stores have already voted in favor of unionizing. Also this week, a group of 75 Starbucks investors sent a letter to the company urging them to adopt a neutrality policy when it comes to union elections. More at: https://tinyurl.com/starbucks-ceo-out.
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
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