Work E Force
1910-2010 Sanuary 2010
“There’s no doubt that CSEA member
benefits have saved me lots of money
and hassles.”
Rebecca Mills
Entertainment Discounts
* Save up to 40% on movie tickets.
* Get discount DVD rentals at Blockbuster.
+ Find bargain prices and great selections at Powell’s Book Store, the largest unionized
Internet bookseller.
Car and RV Rentals
* Save up to 25% when you book a car rental with Avis, Budget or Hertz.
Call Avis 1-800-698-5685, ID# B723700; or Budget 1-800-455-2848, ID#V816100;
or Hertz 1-800-654-2200, ID# 67969.
+ Save up to 10% on RV rentals through Cruise America, the nation’s number one supplier
of motor home rentals.
*Enjoy discounted travel adventures through Worldwide Vacation Tours.
Flights
+ Book the best rates through the largest airfare search engine on the Internet.
Cruises =
+ Take up to 30% off selected Hawaiian cruises on US-flagged, all-union ships.
+ Save a minimum of 5% on cruises anywhere else in the world on Norwegian Cruise
SAVE $$$
Lines. Call 1-866-867-0593 for details.
Condo Rentals
* Get a 25% discount on weekly ort condominium
at dream destinations all around the world. 25 My
Discount
Hotels
+ Reserve the best rates at a wide selection of union hotels across the U.
Theme Parks
+ Save up to $15 per ticket on admission to theme parks across the country.
Local Attractions
+ Save on entertainment at your destination. Get discount admissions
to Broadway shows, museums, aquariums, zoos and sporting events in
selected citi
All this information and more at: www.csealocal1000.org
‘My wife and I took the defensive driving
course through the New York Safety Program
so we could reduce our auto insurance
premiums.”
Michael Dendanto
Wallkill Correctional Facility Local
20 year CSEA member
Check out all of the great offers!
Go to www.unionplus.org
Clothing Discounts
+ Get up to 10% off quality, comfortable union-made apparel.
* Wide selection for all ages and si:
erything from golf shirts, henley
and jeans to dresses, oxford sh
s and pants to kids’ tees and sneak
weats
+ You also can order gift certificates for your friends.
AT&T Wireless Saving
** Take an additional 20% off on any new or renewed service plan with AT&T
ways to say
!Take this ad to your local
2. Online at UnionPlus.org/A’
3. Call 1-800-897-7046
* The 20% discount is not available on additional lines for family plans and
unlimited plans. Discount available only to qualified union members. Union
identification is required. Instore discount only at AT&T stores, not at any
authorized dealer of kiosk. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Savings
* Find a wide selection of beautiful flower OFF
arrangements, green and blooming plants,
and fresh table centerpiece:
on 3G iPhones purchased at AT&T stores only
Flower Discounts
* Get 20% discount on every order.
+ Enjoy same-day flower delivery service
(if ordered before noon in recipient's time zone).
Call 1-888-667-7779 to place your order today.
THE BUYER'S EDGE
LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED!
Shap. Call. Save. “Yes! Its That Easy!”
Major Appliance: (800) 377-3700
Other Areas
Albany
Rochester
TV & Video Equip
(800) 492-4040
(800) 840-9630
(800) 377-3700
(800) 492-4040
Rochester (800) 990-9230
Audio Equip (800) 543-0911
Computers (See website)
Fine Jewelry (800) 635-9136
Fitness Equip (800) 541-9905
Flooring (800) 526-5389
Furniture (800) 631-0286
Kitchens (800) 327-3599
Lighting (800) 510-6348
Luggage (800) 543-8237
Moving (800) 356-7771
Real Estate
(800) 232-6766
(800) 634-8538
idge is a consumer buying
service that guarantees the lowest pric:
most major purchases. This includes every
member of CSE,
Group # 1811 wwwBuye
Username: 1811, Password: memberl
on
iPODS, NANOS, MACBOOKS...
Special discounts for CSEA members ranging from 6-17%
on Apple products like Pods,Nanos, Macbooks
14) and software. Visit the CSEA “Members Only”
| section on wwweesealocall 000.org or call 1-800-MY-
APPLE (1-800-692-7753) and ask for the New
York CSEA Local 1000 EPP discount.
“Thes
ways CSEA members can save money by
taking advantage of the member benefits
available to them. Looking to save mone:
Check here first.”
pages cover just some of the many
Danny Donohue
CSEA President
sit
°
Unto
17%
OFF!
40%
DRIVE AMERICA
AUTO CLUB PROGRAM
Coverage for your entire family at no extra cost!
9 $5.40 MONTHLY!
$64.80 ANNUALLY!
24-Hour Toll-Free Dispatch of Emergency Roadside Service
+ 24-Hour Towing up to $125 per incident (Max. 4 tows per
year/per family), Battery Jump Starts, Lockout Servi
Fuel Delivery (2 gals), Flat Tire Change.
Cost Saving Emergency “Just in Case” Benefits*
+ $1,000 Emergency ‘Travel Expense Reimbursement
+ $75 Emergency Transportation Assistance
+ Ambulance Service Reimbursement
+ 5,000 Theft Reward Benefit
+ Expert Opinion Hotline - Free Trip Planning - Discount
Car Rentals - and More. *Some Restrictions Apply
Special Bonuses
Enroll Today and Receive the Following Bonuses:
* $100 Gas Voucher with paid annual membership upon
sign-up, or if paid monthly receive $40
(4 - $10 checks - paid quarterly)
+ 10% Discount on Auto Maintenance and Repairs
(services provided by National Auto Centers)
+ $50 Taxi Fare Reimbursement - Limit 2 - $25
Reimbursements per year
|-877-848-7333,
* Questions:
Enroll Today at: www.for-o
Must Enter Promo Code: C
members.org,
NEW YORK SAFETY PROGRAM POINT
AND INSURANCE REDUCTION
New Classroom and NEW Online Courses
Save 10% on car insurance for 3 years, and reduce 4 points on your
driving record.
‘The Classroom Point and Insurance Reduction
Program is a 6-hour course in accident prevention and
can be scheduled for you at your workplace at any time for
only $19. Ask your Local President to call the New York
Safety Program at 1-800-942-6874 to arrange ac
(Or, take the New Online Course in time blocks at your
convenience and get the same benefits. NYSP has the only
course that does not require students to
exam or quiz. It has security and integrity that you can rely
on in its use of advanced Face Recognition ‘Technology
and keystroke biometric identification.
written
lable on the internet 24 hours a day, 7 da
i for a discounted fee of $29 (comy
‘SPOnline.com” to learn more. Enter offer code
2A29” on the repistration page for your discount.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND
COLLEGE SAVING GRANTS
Education improves the liv
members and their families
of our
and units. Members can also apply for
scholarships available nationally through
nd the AFL-CIO,
ealocal000.0rg for details
1-800-342-4146, ext. 1395.
Union Plus offers a $500 College Savings Grant* for union
members and retirees who open a new 529 college savings or
pre-paid tuition account for their children or grandchildren.
Visit www.unionplus.org/collegesavings for details.
*This program is grant funded and will end when funds are eschausteds
INSURANCE PEACE OF MIND.
CONVENIENT PAYROLL DEDUCTION.
‘To get complete information on the variety of insurance
policies available to you through payroll deduction, or to
find the Pearl-Carrolll representative in your region,
visit www.cseainsurance.com.
Already a Pearl-Carroll customer? Use these convenient
customer assistance phone numbers:
Auto & Home Products 866-640-8389
Life & Health Products 866-640-8390
Sales & Marketing 866-640-8391
CSEA Insurance Programs 866-640-8392,
“For 30 years, Pearl-Carroll has
taken care of my insurance needs.
‘Their policies are wide-ranging
and affordable, and the customer
service is terrific. My insurance
representative is a real people person.
If my colleagues express an inter
in purchasing insurance, I just tell
them call Pearl-Carroll.”
Beverly Capobianco
SUNY Stony Brook Local 614
EARQ Hearing Aids
40% OFF
Plus Hearing Screening and
EarQ Plus, America’s Best
Hearing Aid Warranty, FREE!
EarQ 866-432-7500
“SEA provides members with the
training, resources and advice necessary
to advance their careers in civil service
and the private sector, While many
of the programs are only for union
members, there is also information and
materials to help just about anyone
looking to advance their career.
Visit http:/ /www.esealocall000.org/
career_resources.php for complete
information about civil service test
preparation, the New York State : ;
Partnership for Education and Training, benefits and have vendors attend membership
civil service job listings and scholarship
information.
“As a unit president, I encourage my members
to take advantage of CSEA’s wide range of
meetings to share all of the details.
Reuben Simmons
City of Beacon Unit President
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
If you are injured at work or you have a work-related medical condition (such a
employer, see a phy
carpal tunnel syndrome), notify your
ician who accepts Workers’ Compensation and file for Workers’ Compensation.
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS
you cannot work for at least a year due to medical conditions that prevent you from working, and
67, even if you are collecting a pension or ready to retire, you may be cligible for Social S
Disability Benefits.
If your physician says
you are under ages 6!
ecurity
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
If you have been injured in an auto accident outside of work, from a dog bite, from a non-work-related slip and fall or
due to a malfunctioning product, you may have a Personal Injury Claim,
‘TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS PLAN
If you are interested in protecting your assets and life savings and you want to plan for the future if you become ill or
disabled requiring long term care, a will, health care proxy, power of attorney, or special needs trust for a child or other
loved one, you should take advantage of the Taking Care of Business Plan.
PERSONAL LEGAL SERVICES PLAN
istance for traffic infractions, real estate matters, criminal matters, adoption, divorce, custody case
or family matters, or other personal legal matters to insure your legal rights are protected, you should take advantage of
the Personal Legal Services Plan.
If you need lega
The LSP provides affordability, accountability and quality of service to CSA members and their families
The
2A Legal Department oversees the Program and the attorneys who were specially selected for their expertise
and their commitment to you and to CSEA Program standards. CSEA has endorsed the statewide law firm of
Fine, Olin & Anderman, LLP to administer the Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Dis
other Injury related matters.
bility Benefits and
For More Information
Call CSEA Headquarters at 1 (800) 342-4146. Select menu option for Legal then follow prompts for Injury
Related matters and/or Non-Injury Related matter.
CSEA Website: www.c!
alocal1000.org through the CSEA Members-Only area
MT 2d of the Month
eq
Nurse Assistant Certified Sarah Kennedy, left, and Nurse Assistant
Martina Donnelly, right, lift a New York State Veterans Home at
Oxford resident into his bed using one of the facility's new ceiling
lifts. CSEA members worked with CSEA’s Occupational Safety and
Health Department to urge the state to install the lifts in the new
home. The lifts greatly reduce patient and worker injuries,
reducing insurance costs for home operators. A story about the
lifts will be in next month’s Work Force.
referral network
Almost ¢ The Retiree News quarterly
time to ; ;
retire? Being a CSEA retiree member
also makes you part of a growing
statewide body that can
effectively advocate on your
behalf:
Your local may pay
the first year of
CSEA retiree dues,
which is only $24!
¢ Legislative and political action
programs designed to enhance
and protect retiree pension and
health benefits
+ Participation in a CSEA retiree
local
Effective lobbying against
Social Security reform
Informative publications
CSEA retiree members enjoy
many of the benefits and
discounts of belonging to a
union. In return, you get access
to a wide variety of money-
saving benefits such as:
¢ Access to insurance plans at
CSEA's low group rates
¢ Travel discounts
¢ A discounted consumer items
buying service
¢ Discounted dental and vision
care programs
¢ A personal legal services
For more information, visit
www.csealocal1000.org and
select “retirees” from
the “Member Benefits” menu
item.
From the Office of President Danny Donohue
CSEK
New York’s LEADING Union
CSEA members have spoken!
IS AVAILABLE WHEN YOU NEED IT.
Best wishes for the holiday season.
AERA
m\SF)
New CSEA/AFSCME membership
cards will protect your identity
Because you asked, Social Security numbers are being replaced
by CSEA ID numbers for CSEA business. In January, you will
receive your 2010 CSEA/AFSCME membership card with a new
CSEA ID NUMBER. You will no longer have to use your Social
Security number to identify yourself as a CSEA member.
KEEP THE CARD IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOUR CSEA ID NUMBER
Vann
OCFS finally adopts Workplace
Violence Prevention program
ALBANY — Following a recent
meeting with top-level CSEA staff,
state Office of Children and Family
Services (OCFS) Commissioner
Gladys Carrion has finally signed
off on a Workplace Violence
Prevention program for OCFS
employees.
CSEA President Danny Donohue
also personally urged the agency
head to act on the program. Ina
letter to Carrion, Donohue
reminded her that CSEA-
represented youth division aides
now suffer more on-the-job injuries
than any other job title in the
state, and that workers’
compensation cases at the agency
had increased by 33 percent last
year.
CSEA has long been expressing
concern that agency policies under
Carrion have put staff and the
public at risk. Such policies
include the irresponsible practice
of closing facilities and
transferring dangerous individuals,
who clearly need closer
supervision, into the community
or less secure surroundings.
Many consider the new OCFS
Workplace Violence Prevention
program a model of how such
programs should be designed, and
union officials are hopeful that the
commissioner’s approval of the
program may signal a shift toward
amore responsible approach
toward worker safety at the
agency. However, Donohue warned
that the union would be watching
to make sure the program is being
enforced.
“In agencies throughout the
state, we see minimum staffing
levels violated every day,
supervisors circumventing
established procedures and other
policies that are outright ignored,”
Donohue said. “Just because an
employer has a nice looking
program on paper does not
necessarily mean it’s being
practiced.”
— Ed Molitor
January 2010
THe Work FORCE
THE WORK FORCE
ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President
STEPHEN A. MADARASZ
Communications Director & Publisher
STANLEY HORNAK
Deputy Director of Communications
LOU HMIELESKI
Executive Editor
JANICE MARRA.
Associate Editor
CATHLEEN FEBRAIO
Graphic Production Specialist
JANICE M. KUCSKAR
Graphic Production Specialist
BETH McINTYRE
Communications Assistant
The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York 12288.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
CSEA on-line: The CSEA website
can be accessed at www.csealocal1000.org
Readers:
Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210-2303.
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS
RICHARD IMPAGLIAZZO Long Island Region (631) 462-0030
DAVID GALARZA. Metropolitan Region —_ (212) 406-2156
JESSICA LADLEE Southern Region (845) 831-1000
THERESE ASSALIAN Capital Region (618) 785-4400
MARK M. KOTZIN Central Region 315) 1050
LYNN MILLER Western Region (716) 691-6555
ED MOLITOR Headquarters (G18) 257-1272
JILL ASENCIO Headquarters (G18) 257-1276
The Publications Committee
Brenda Chartrand
Mary D’Antonio
Wayne Dorler
Ramon Lucas
Ronald Revers
gee cOMMUNc4y
3] 3
ABCC
CSEA President Danny Donchue
Celebrate CSEA’s extraordinary history
Y" only turn 100 once.
A benchmark event like a 100th anniversary
provides an opportunity to look back and reflect on
where we've come from and how we got here. More
importantly, it provides an opportunity to look forward
to the future and think about how we can become
better.
And so the recognition of CSEA’s centennial year
begins.
The story of CSEA is extraordinary in so many
ways. It is a story about individuals but it is also a story about
collective action — people working together. Most importantly, it is a story
about aspiring to excellence. From the very start on Oct. 24, 1910, the story of
CSEA has been about people wanting to do better and believing it could help
make New York a better place. That’s still true today.
But consider all that has occurred between CSEA’s founding and now.
When CSEA came into existence, America was just becoming a world power,
Theodore Roosevelt was the dominant political figure of the time, women did not
have the right to vote, people of color were considered by many at best second-
class citizens, cars were just being mass produced and radio broadcasting was in
its infancy.
Since then, we have come through two world wars, a Great Depression,
Communism rose and fell, endless other wars and conflicts and terrorism. We’ve
also endured cycles of boom and bust, as well as social, cultural, sexual and
technological revolution. Throughout it all, CSEA has grown, changed, adapted
and yet still remained true to our core values.
“Extraordinary” is the only way to put it.
4 | THe Work FORCE
January 2010
CSEA fighting
threat to
ALBANY — There are no simple
solutions as Gov. David Paterson
is withholding promised aid to
localities and school districts to
deal with the state budget
shortfall.
But CSEA is urging the
governor and local leaders not to
gut services and jobs in knee-jerk
politics. Instead, CSEA has ideas
to save money and keep people
working.
“Rough times lie ahead for
municipalities across the state,
we know that. But what we also
know is that CSEA is presenting
cost-saving alternatives that can
help, and can prevent job losses,
if only elected officials will listen
and adopt these measures,
instead of trying to balance their
budgets on the backs of workers,”
state aid
make further cuts without having
to get them passed in the
Assembly and Senate.
Meanwhile, some municipalities
are adopting measures to save
money, in turn, saving jobs.
Erie County recently
consolidated its health insurance
plans under one carrier, helping
the county to save jobs. CSEA
continues to urge counties to
adopt the Canadian prescription
drug program CanaRx, which has
saved counties that have adopted
the program millions of dollars in
the past few years.
Here are some of the other
areas where CSEA members are
fighting:
Albany County
CSEA members recently helped
(SER
¢ FAIR
contract
Coed “CSEA is presenting cost- Looe
Danone said. saving alternatives that can bes ‘ Conny
Paterson is help, and can prevent job that ould if
withholding losses, if only elected have
aid in ee to officials will listen and devastated
the state's. | adopt these measures, SeFVICRS,
current instead of trying to balance —_ Albany
floe. Theis, their budgets on the backs Fort. size
less ‘money in of workers.” Breslin had
the state
coffers than the present budget
outlines in spending. Lawsuits
challenging the governor’s
authority to do this appear
imminent.
By withholding the aid now, the
governor can wait until January
when the state begins to receive
revenue from first-quarter taxes.
If he chooses to not make the aid
payments after money starts
coming in from taxes, it’s
essentially a way for Paterson to
proposed in
his 2010 budget 23 layoffs from
CSEA’s bargaining unit. Following
the union’s campaign of e-mails,
calls, demonstrations and
attendance at county committee
and budget meetings, members’
efforts proved successful. On Dec.
7, Albany County legislators
passed a 2010 budget that
restores 22 of the 23 positions
scheduled to end on Jan. 1, 2010.
Albany County members have
been fighting all year, first against
More than 80 educational support workers for the Potsdam School
District recently turned out to protest a stalemate in their contract
negotiations. The high cost of health care forced the workers to reject
a district proposal that would have raised workers’ out of pocket
expenses. At the same time, CSEA members are upset that they earn
the lowest wages, but pay 13 percent higher premiums than district
teachers.
Breslin’s ill-conceived furlough
plan and then the county
executive’s budget proposal.
White Plains School District
Unit President Adele
Herzenberg said she hopes her
district won't feel the mid-year
crunch some districts are
anticipating, but acknowledged
that the 2010 budget process will
be painful. Last year, the district
cut 49 positions through layoffs
and attrition, though 22 of the 23
workers laid off were eventually
hired back. CSEA represents 520
workers in the district.
“We are doing so much more
with less,” Herzenberg said.
“We've been informed that
projected cuts in the budget will
be huge, which seriously impacts
our district.”
Westchester County
“We've succeeded in fighting a
proposal for furloughs,” said
Westchester County Unit
President Karen Pecora, who
represents 3,800 county workers.
“We will continue to look for cost
savings opportunities that we can
present to the county. We’ve
already made suggestions to our
incoming county executive, Rob
Astorino, and the county
legislature, which have been well
received.”
Highway safety concerns
“The money needed for proper
snow clearing and salting just
isn’t there this year,” said
Christian Espejo, president of the
state Department of
Transportation Region 8 Local,
which covers Dutchess, Putnam,
Westchester, Rockland and Ulster
counties. “Our salt sheds are at a
quarter of the capacity they
normally are, and we’ve only had
two storms so far. I’m not sure
what we’re going to do come
February.”
— Therese Assalian, Jessica
Ladlee and Mark M. Kotzin
January 2010
THE Work FORCE
Locat GOVERNMENT
“Actions such
as this make
it clear that
coming to an
agreement
with us is
not the first
priority of this
boar
Wantagh Public Library workers
fight for fairness
WANTAGH — Nearly 30 CSEA
members from the Wantagh
Public Library Unit and
Nassau Municipal Employees
Local recently demonstrated
in front of the library to
urge library board officials
to settle a contract with
CSEA-represented library
employees, who have been
working without a contract
for six months.
CSEA’s negotiations with
the library board have
stalled for more than a
year because library board
members seem not to want
to bargain in good faith and
have showed contempt for
the collective bargaining
process. The demonstration
coincided with a heavily
attended library book fair.
Wantagh Public Library
Unit President Fran Lucchese
and Vice President Diane
Giannone decided to
demonstrate because the
library board has routinely
cancelled scheduled
negotiating sessions. Library
board representatives also
merely presented three
insulting proposals to the
union over the past year.
The demonstration is part
of a unit contract campaign
to raise public awareness
of CSEA members’ fight for
fairness at the library. Unit
members are also wearing
“Contract Now” and “Show
Some Respect” buttons
on a regular basis to make
library patrons aware of their
circumstances.
Library board member
Laura Dupkin-Memisha
spurred unit members to
stage the demonstration
Wantagh Library Unit members demonstrate in front of the
library.
when she offered smiley-face
stickers to unit members in
attendance at the last library
board meeting, suggesting
they be displayed next to
their CSEA buttons.
“Actions such as this make
it clear that coming to an
agreement with us is not the
first priority of this board,”
said Lucchese. “That is why
we will continue to take
proactive measures and not
just settle for the crumbs
they want to throw at us.”
— Rich Impagliazzo
Long Island Region President
Nick LaMorte urges the
Southampton Town Council
to not balance the town
budget on the backs of CSEA-
represented workers.
| 6 | THe Work FORCE
CSEA fights Southampton budget proposal
SOUTHAMPTON — CSEA
members from across the
Long Island Region recently
demonstrated outside
Southampton Town Hall to
speak out against Supervisor
Linda Kabot’s budget
proposal that would lay off
49 town workers, close the
town animal shelter and
contract out two of the four
town waste transfer stations.
“This budget will
effectively eliminate 10
percent of the town work
force and severely curtail the
quality of resident services
in the process,” said Long
Island Region President
Nick LaMorte. “These CSEA
members should not lose
their jobs due to years of
# \ =
Town of Southampton Unit members Philip Milo, Marie Deuel
fiscal mismanagement in
Southampton.”
“This is not simply
a matter of adding and
subtracting numbers on a
page,” Southampton Unit
President Pete Collins said.
and Tom Cartino fight for respect.
“The lives of real people and
their families will take a turn
for the worse.”
The drastic 2010 budget
proposal came after CSEA
effectively countered an
attempt by Southampton
administrators to spread
misinformation about the
one-year contract the two
parties negotiated for 2009.
“Our unit members voted
to go along with the town’s
wishes in the spirit of
goodwill and cooperation,”
said Collins. “We may
have come to a different
conclusion had we known
what was coming down the
pike.”
Kabot lost her bid for
re-election. CSEA had
endorsed her opponent, who
had spoken out against the
budget proposal.
— Rich Impagliazzo
January 2010
Workers turn to CSEA in tough times
ALBANY — In these tough
economic times, CSEA has
once again proved to be a
leader in holding the line
against devastating cuts to
public services.
And unorganized workers
across the state are taking
notice, forming unions with
CSEA to gain respect at
work.
During the past year, more
than 1,000 public employees
formed a union with CSEA.
This is in addition to the
7,500 licensed family child
care providers (VOICE)
and the 17,000 license-
exempt child care providers
(CCPT) who now have a
first contract with the state
Office of Children and Family
Services.
Tough times
often bring
out the best in
CSEA. More
than 25,000
new members
organized with
CSEA in the past
year.
embers!
Special Rate for CSEA
When you become a member of the Archives Partnership Trust,
you'll have countless opportunities to explore New York’s history!
JOIN FOR ONLY $12.50 A YEAR AND ENJOY:
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= Discount of 15% at the Trust’s Online Shop
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and save an additional 20% using promotion code CSEA09.
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Contact the Trust to join by phone at (518) 474-1228
A Questions? E-mail us at aptrust@mail.nysed.gov
" « Archives Partnership Trust
Suite 9C49, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230
01()3) non-profit orge
nce of the New York State Arch
“CSEA has been standing
up and fighting to hold the
line on cuts to our jobs and
benefits, as well as holding
the line on furloughs,” CSEA
President Danny Donohue
said. “ Unorganized workers
are increasingly feeling
unsafe in this economic
climate and they feel more
vulnerable than ever.”
Food service victory
At SUNY Canton, 43 food
service workers employed
by the campus’ private
sector College Association
formed a union with CSEA,
with the great help of SUNY
Canton Local President Joe
Kelly and Central Region
President Colleen Wheaton,
who helped the workers
generate support from CSEA
and other campus unions.
Kelly, a maintenance
worker at the college,
reached out to the food
service workers. In addition
to helping the workers, he
made the organizing drive
his class project for CSEA’s
Leadership Education
And Development (LEAD)
Program.
Kelly worked with CSEA
Organizer Brian Cornelius,
and SUNY Canton Local Vice
President Christine Ormsbee
to help the workers forma
union. “Overall, they were
looking for respect, a better
say in their scheduling,
and getting the protection
that the union offers,” Kelly
said. “It wasn’t even about
money.”
Kelly said the College
Association workers “were
elated” after the vote, and
have already established a
negotiating team for contract
negotiations at the beginning
of the year.
“We're confident that
they made the right choice
Wendy Nashid-Jackson, a licensed family child care
provider and VOICE member from Mount Vernon in
Westchester County, cares for two young children in this
2009 file photo. Child care workers recently got their
first contract with the state Office of Children and Family
Services.
to join us, and we're looking
forward to working with
them to build a strong union
on their behalf,” Wheaton
said.
Other workers organize
The Central Region also
played a strong role in
helping 15 bus drivers at the
Odessa Montour Falls School
District who are employed
with First Student Bus form
a union with CSEA, as well 50
State Fairgrounds employees
who work for the Industrial
Exhibit Authority.
In the Long Island Region,
more than 300 part-time
Brookhaven town employees
have organized with
CSEA and have requested
recognition as a union. They
join 120 town public service
officers who organized with
CSEA earlier this year.
In the Village of Rockville
Centre, 126 employees
who had previously been
members of their own
independent association
decided they needed greater
protection and strength and
have organized to join CSEA.
With the help of Nassau
County Local President
Jerry Laricchiuta, Nassau
Municipal Employees Local
President John Shepherd
and Long Island Region
President Nick LaMorte,
an overwhelming majority
of these workers signed
to join CSEA and dissolve
their union. They await final
certification from the state
Public Employment Relations
Board.
Other workers who have
organized and joined CSEA
this year, include those
at the Island Trees Public
Library, monitors at the
Pawling Central School
District, security officers
at the Baldwin Union Free
School District and food
service workers at the
Dunkirk School District.
— Janice Marra and
Mark M. Kotzin
THE Work FORCE Fa
January 2010
Community OUTREACH
CSEA Oswego County
Local President Ken
Greenleaf and Central
Region Executive Vice
President and St.
Lawrence County Local
President Betty Thomas
react to the 44-degree
water of Oneida Lake as
they take the plunge.
Upcoming
Plunges
Feb 14: Rochester
Polar Plunge,
Rochester, Lake
Ontario, Charlotte
Beach
Feb. 27: Queens Polar
Plunge, Rockaway
Beach, Queens
March 13: Long Island
Polar Plunge, North
Hempstead Beach
Park, Port Washington
Make a New Year’s resolution:
take the Polar Plunge
SEA members are
kicking off the union’s
centennial year ‘freezin’
for a reason’ through the
Polar Plunge to benefit
the Special Olympics.
Central Region
members were among
those who recently got
into the y
spirit. a
The
Central
Region iy
“Polar =
Peeps
Team” plunged into chilly
Oneida Lake, raising more
than $17,500 for the
Special Olympics.
The Central Region is
now the frontrunner for
the CSEA President’s
Polar Cap award, which
will be presented to the
CSEA region that achieves
following information:
Member's Local
or Unit Name:
Subscribe to The Canary!
The Canary is a quarterly newsletter that informs members of the latest safety and health regulations and
trends, and provides valuable information for labor/management safety and health committees. To subscribe to
The Canary, fill out the form on this page and return it to the address below. Please clearly print the
More than 45 CSEA Central Region “Polar Peeps” Team members were & aniong
the first “plungers” to enter Oneida Lake at the Polar Plunge at Oneida Shores.
The team, led by Central Region President Colleen Wheaton and Team Captain
Jeffrey Colburn, not pictured here, was the largest team and largest fund-
raisers at the event, bringing in more than $17,500.
the best combination of
participation and fund-
raising results for this
season's Polar Plunge
events.
CSEA President Danny
Donohue will award the
Polar Cap at the Spring
Workshop in May.
Teams can set up their own lists on the Special
Olympics website at www.specialolympicsny.org to
allow CSEA members to find CSEA teams.
Member's Name:
Member's Address:
Please mail this form to the
following address:
CSEA
Phone Number: Work: ( )
Home:( )
Personal e-mail:
Attn: Membership
Department
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, N.Y. 12210
You can also fax this form to
(518) 465-2382.
8 | Te Work Force
January 2010
REMINDER TO PRIVATE SECTOR
LOCAL PRESIDENTS:
ELECTION NOTICE
The term of office for current Private Sector Local officers will
expire on June 30, 2010. Elections for office must be
conducted and completed before the new term begins on July
1, 2010.
A letter was sent by the Statewide Election Committee (SEC)
on September 21, 2009 to each Private Sector Local President
requiring each Local Executive Board to select an election
committee and chairperson prior to October 15, 2009.
If you have not selected an election committee, please do so
immediately. Please refer to the SEC’s September 21st letter
for procedural requirements.
If you did not receive a copy of the September 21st letter, or
have questions pertaining to it, please contact the SEC
at 800-342-4146, ext. 1447.
Break in membership affects eligibility for union
office, voting privileges
A break in union membership status can have long-term future implications. Your
membership status affects your eligibility with respect to:
* seeking or holding union office;
* signing nominating petitions for potential candidates;
* voting in union elections, and;
* voting on collective bargaining contracts.
Only members “in good standing” can participate in these activities. To be in
“good standing,” your dues cannot be delinquent.
If you go on unpaid leave or for any other reason have a break in your
employment status, your dues will not continue to be paid through payroll
deductions. You must make arrangements to pay your dues directly to CSEA to
continue your membership status. If you are either laid off or placed on leave
without pay status due to becoming disabled by accident, illness, maternity or
paternity, you may be eligible for dues-free membership status for a period not to
exceed one year. If you are called up for active military duty you may also apply
for dues-free status.
Note, however, you must continue to pay dues to run for office. Dues-free or
gratuitous membership allows members to continue their insurance coverage
while out of work. It does not protect your right to run for or hold office. This
does not apply to members who are on leave due to being called up for military
duty. Members on active military duty, upon return, are considered to have had
continuous membership status for all CSEA election purposes.
Please notify the CSEA Membership Department at 1-800-342-4146, Ext. 1327, of
any change in your status and what arrangements you are making to continue
your membership in CSEA.
January 2010
Westchester Medical
Center blocks leave
for WWII hero’s son
VALHALLA — CSEA has filed for
arbitration on behalf of a member
who was blocked from using his
contractual bereavement leave to
bury his father, a World War II hero.
Management’s excuse? The
death occurred 65 years ago, when
a plane carrying Arthur C. Miller Sr.
was shot down in the South Pacific.
A supervisor in the Facilities
Department at Westchester Medical
Center
instructed his
son, CSEA
C. Miller, to take
vacation time
instead.
“Here you
have a worker
to use his
contractually allotted bereavement
time to bury his father, who made
the ultimate sacrifice for our
freedom,” said Southern Region
President Billy Riccaldo. “These
supervisors should have been
sending a sympathy card to Mr.
Miller, not denying him time off.”
The elder Miller’s death
occurred more than 65 years ago
when the U.S. Navy ruled him
Missing in Action after his military
aircraft was shot down over the
Palau Islands on Sept. 13, 1944.
Only recently were the elder
Miller’s remains positively
identified through DNA tests and
returned to his son for burial with
full military honors in
Poughkeepsie. The younger Miller
was only 3 months old when his
father was ruled MIA.
Westchester Medical Center Unit
“I think it is deplorable
that a public benefit
member Arthur ¢grporation like
Westchester Medical
Center would not grant
bereavement to the son
who was looking of such a war hero.”
President Peter Piazza filed a
grievance with hospital
management on Miller’s behalf. Due
to management’s resistance to
settling the grievance, CSEA filed
for arbitration.
“I think it is deplorable that a
public benefit corporation like
Westchester Medical Center would
not grant bereavement to the son
of such a war hero,” Piazza said.
“Who benefits
the public more
than someone
who has given
his life in battle
to defend our
country? Mr.
Miller is owed a
sincere apology,
not to mention
the approval of
the bereavement leave.”
In the arbitration filing, the
union is asking the hospital to
grant Miller the bereavement leave
and restore the vacation time he
was forced to use.
“There is no language in our
contract that says when the death
has to occur,” said Miller, who
added that he has received
overwhelming support from his
hospital co-workers. “No one even
asked me to come in and explain
my situation. Maybe if someone in
management had given me a
chance to explain, they would have
changed their minds. There could
be other CSEA members who might
be faced with a similar situation in
the future, so we want to get this
cleared up.”
— Jessica Ladlee
THe Work FORCE
A page from our history ...
THE |
STATE EMPLOYEE
Number 1 and 2
Published by The Association of State Civil Service Employees of the State of New York
Room 156, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y.
Officers
Cuzster A. Lewrs,
Volume 2 January and February, 1933
W. F. McDonoucn, Frank O. Bavzr,
hroughout 2010, The Work
Force will be marking
CSEA’s 100th anniversary
taking a look back at CSEA’s
history by reprinting pages of
past and present publications.
On this page is a reprint of
page 1, January and February
1933, The State Employee,
then the official publication
of the Association of State
Civil Service Employees, as
CSEA was then known. This
issue was produced during the
height of the Great Depression,
when the association
experienced some of its greatest
growth. In the bottom article,
association leaders urge
members to be more active in
the association.
President Recording Secretary
Waitam J. Preece,
Financial Secretary
Treasurer
Crarces: J. Tostx,
Counsel
Jos. D. Locuxen,
Business Manager
For God, and Home, and State
Liberality and brotherly love are comi
The great problem of woe and want is serving an important
social purpose by humanizing the visions and policies of
the peoples of the earth. No long
close to the ground that we cannot he
into their own.
Public servants have a call to stir themselves anew and
to keep ever before their eyes the sacred responsibility of
evolving a constantly higher standard of service. In this
period of widespread distress, the civil army of public works
ers must respond to every demand for sacrifice and devotion
the final acceptance of the doctrine of mutual helpfulness
and brotherly love. Humanity is learning again as it has
hardships and unhappiness greater than those attaching to
any other human error,
y to assure that the essential services of government
shall not Ing, but that they shall fulfill in every way their
substantial part in safeguarding the home and the state
and in sustaining a right regard for the fundamental virtues
instilled in the hearts of mankind by Divine Providence.
YOUR ASSOCIATION
YOUR ASSOCIATION IS TODAY THE OUTSTAND-
ING STATE-EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION IN THE UNITED
STATES. IT EXEMPLIFIES THE REAL PURPOSES OF
ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL EMPLOYEES, NAMELY, TO
IMPROVE THE CHARACTER AND EFFICIENCY OF
PUBLIC SERVICE, TO FOSTER A SPIRIT OF LOYALITY,
GOOD WILL AND CHEERFUL COOPERATION AMONG
ALL WHO SERVE IN PUBLIC LIFE, AND TO PROMOTE
AND PROTECT EMPLOYEE INTERESTS.
THIS IS THE ONLY STATE-WIDE ASSOCIATION
OF STATE EMPLOYEES IN NEW YORK STATE. IT
REPRESENTS ALL STATE EMPLOYEES IN WHATEVER
LINE OF STATE ENDEAVOR OR PART OF THE STATE
THEY MAY BE. ITS MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES DOC.
TORS, LAWYERS, ENGINEERS, INSPECTORS, CLERKS,
STENOGRAPHERS, TYPISTS, HOSPITAL WORKERS,
PRISON WORKERS, PARK WORKERS, FOREST FIRE
OBSERVERS, GAME PROTECTORS, HIGHWAY MAIN-
TENANCE WORKERS, CANAL WORKERS, AND EVERY
OTHER CLASS OF STATE EMPLOYEE.
THE ASSOCIATION IS NOW GOING FORWARD
10,000 STRONG. WE APPEAL TO YOU WHO ARE
NOW MEMBERS TO SEE TO IT, FOR THE WELFARE
OF ALL STATE EMPLOYEES, THAT ALL WHO ARE
NOT MEMBERS JOIN IN THIS EFFORT FOR 20,000
MEMBERS IN 1933. NEW YORK STATE WORKERS
CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT A SINGLE, UNITED,
STATE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION. ‘THIS ASSOCI-
ATION HAS ALREADY BUILT UP A HIGHLY EFFICIENT
ORGANIZATION WITH HEADQUARTERS AT THE
SEAT OF STATE GOVERNMENT IN THE CAPITOL AT
ALBANY. THE OFFICERS, COMMITTEES AND COUN-
SEL ARE CONTINUOUSLY ACTIVE IN REPRESENTING
EVERY STATE EMPLOYEE IN EVERY STATE EM-
PLOYEE MATTER. IT IS NOW SQUARELY UP TO THE
STATE EMPLOYEES EVERYWHERE TO GET BACK OF
THEIR OWN STATE ASSOCIATION AND SUPPORT IT
BY MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVE INTEREST IN CARRY-
ING OUT ITS PROGRAM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
A COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM, A FAIR
COMPENSATION PLAN, SOUND RETIREMENT PRIV-
ILEGES, REASONABLE HOURS OF WORK, *AND EDU.
CATION AND RECREATIONAL HELPS.
LD tie Work Force
January 2010
Kick off 2010 with the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
He CSEA
Employee Benefit
Fund has sights
set on a healthy and
prosperous 2010.
We should all do our
best to stick to our resolutions
and make new ones for better
benefits during our contract
negotiations. We all know that
in a difficult economy, it is hard
to negotiate a salary increase,
Ee
AFSCME Local 1000, AFL-CIO
EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT FUND
negotiate dental,
vision (with vision
riders), legal,
prescription co-
payment and
physician co-payment benefits
in addition to their medical
coverage at very affordable
rates.
An EBF senior benefits
specialist can help you get
maternity, hearing aid,
benefits on your negotiation
“wish list” by attending
bargaining sessions,
membership meetings, benefit
so why not ask for more in
benefits? Unlike salaries,
benefits are non-taxable.
Local government units can
Keep warm this
winter while buying
100 percent Fair
Trade!
www.deansbeans.com and §
Since 1910
SER
New York's LEADING Union
The Labor-Religion
Coalition
Fair Trade Project
is supported by
www.equalexchange.com
8 now. Enter “CSEA” as your
promotion code. Help yourself
to great flavor, while you help
others live better.
May 15 is deadline for submitting proposed
resolutions, changes to CSEA’s Constitution & Bylaws
Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the CSEA
Constitution & By-Laws for consideration by CSEA delegates to the
union’s 2010 Annual Delegates Meeting must be submitted by May
15, 2010.
Proposed resolutions may be submitted only by a delegate and
must be submitted on the proper forms. Forms for submitting
resolutions are available from CSEA headquarters and region offices.
Proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the
Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted no later than May 15 to
Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, CSEA Headquarters, 143
Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210-2303.
The 2010 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting will be held Oct. 18-22 in
Albany.
presentations and information
days.
Do not hesitate to call your
region’s senior benefits
specialist for guidance during
critical points in negotiations
when accurate information is
needed quickly. You can also get
your senior benefit specialist’s
contact information, as well as
benefits information, on our
website at www.cseaebf.com.
This is also a good time of
year to get more involved with
your union and attend the
information days and
membership meetings that are
scheduled for your unit. We
urge you to get involved, ask
To learn more
about the benefits
available through
EBF or to find your
region’s senior
benefits specialist,
visit CSEA EBF’s
website at
www.cseaebf.com.
questions and have a wonderful
2010.
An Ever Better Future
he scheduled
adjustment in
membership dues
and agency shop fees is
effective Jan. 1, 2010, to
reflect AFSCME’s minimum
dues structure approved by
delegates at the AFSCME
convention.
The change applies to
annualized salaries, not
including overtime or
location pay, based on
salary at Jan. 1, 2010. No
adjustments will be made
during the year for raises
or increments.
CSEA membership/agency shop fees
effective Jan. 1, 2010
up to $5,000 6.00
$5,000-$9,999 8.97
$10,000-$12,999 12.30
$13,000-$15,999 14.98
$16,000-$21,999 16.78
$22,000-$27,999 18.66
$28,000-$29,999 19.00
$30,000-$31,999 20.17
$32,000-$33,999 21.19
$34,000-$35,999 21.57
$36,000-$37,999 22.66
$38,000-$39,999 23.77
$40,000-$44,999 24.56
$45,000-$49,999 25.19
$50,000-$54,999 25.82
$55,000-$59,999 26.46
$60,000 & above 27.09
January 2010
THe Work FORCE
State approves 2010
employee health premiums
Tens Health
olbuet Benefits
has approved
the Empire
Plan’s premium rates for 2010. New
York state active employees have until
Dec. 31, 2009, to change their health
insurance option.
Although the Empire Plan has
experienced a modest premium
increase this year, some of the
HMOs have experienced significant
increases. New York state pays 90
percent of the cost of the individual
premium and 75 percent of the cost
of the dependent premium for HMOs,
but the state’s contributions toward
HMO premiums are capped at the
state’s contribution to the Empire Plan
premium. Enrollees in an HMO with
premiums that exceed this Empire
Plan cap will experience higher
enrollee biweekly contributions.
To change your
health insurance
plan during the
Option Transfer
Period, see your
agency health benefits administrator
as soon as possible. Ask for the
Health Insurance Transaction Form
PS-404 and return the completed
form to your agency Health Benefits
Administrator by Dec. 31, 2009.
You can also change your option
online using MyNYSHIP at https://
www.cs.state.ny.us/mynyship.
Note: You must register and receive
an activation code by mail to use
MyNYSHIP.
The chart on the right lists the 2010
biweekly rates for CSEA New York
state active employees. This list is
organized by region and includes the
cost difference from 2009 rates. Please
review the 2010 rate options carefully.
Health insurance changes
effective Jan. 1, 2010
all dependent children.
The CSEA Health Benefits Department would like to remind New York State Empire Plan
enrollees that the following changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.
Basic Medical Deductible: Increase from $225 to $250
When a CSEA active state Empire Plan enrollee uses a non-participating Empire Plan
provider, claims are paid under the Basic Medical Program. The Empire Plan pays 80
percent of reasonable and customary charges for covered services after the “annual
deductible” is met. The annual deductible for a non-participating provider effective Jan. 1,
2010 will be $250 per enrollee, $250 per spouse/domestic partner and $250 for one or
Hospital Outpatient Surgery: Increase from $30 to $40
Effective Jan. 1, 2010, CSEA aclive state Empire Plan enrollees will pay $40 for hospital
outpatient surgery provided in the outpatient department of a network hospital or a
network hospital extension clinic. This co-payment is waived if you are admitted as an
inpatient directly from the outpatient department or the clinic.
Hospital Emergency Room: Increase from $50 to $60
Effective Jan. 1, 2010, CSEA active state Empire Plan enrollees will pay $60 for
emergency room services (which includes use of the facility for emergency care and
services of the attending emergency room physician and providers who administer or
interpret laboratory tests and electrocardiogram services). This co-payment is waived if you
are admitted as an inpatient directly from the emergency room.
2010 NYSHIP rates for CSEA-
represented active state employees
Biweekly employee contribution
Under NYSHIP rules, to enroll in an HMO, the individual must live or work in the HMO’s
Te following lists those HMOs approved in the counties physically located in the region.
NYSHIP service area. There may be some region overlap of HMO eligibility for this
reason (e.g. someone may work in a county outside the region).
Long Island Region:
The Empire Plan (001)
Aetna (210)
Empire BC/BS (290)
HIP (050)
Individual
$23.47 ($1.01 increase)
$112.26 (875 increase)
$118.73 ($36.11 increase)
$54.20 ($19.28 increase)
Family
$101.38 ($3.22 increase)
$410.75 ($47.72 increase)
$388.41 ($101.44 increase)
$182.61 (853.08 increase)
Metropolitan Region:
The Empire Plan (001)
Aetna (210)
Empire BC/BS (290)
HIP (050)
Individual.
$23.47 ($1.01 increase)
$112.26 ($15 increase)
$118.73 ($36.11 increase)
$54.20 ($19.28 increase)
Family
$101.38 (83.22 increase)
$410.75 ($47.72 increase)
$388.41 ($101.44 increase)
$182.61 (853.08 increase)
Southern Region:
The Empire Plan (001)
Aetna (210)
CDPHP (310)
Empire BC/BS (290)
Empire BC/BS (320)
GHI HMO (350)
HIP (050)
MVP Mid Hudson (340)
.A7 ($1.01 increase)
$112.26 ($15 increase)
$63.31 ($13.07 increase)
$118.73 ($36.11 increase)
$148.81 ($43.12 increase)
$85.60 ($26.36 increase)
$54.20 ($19.28 increase)
$65.66 ($9.47 increase)
Family
$101.38 ($3.22 increase)
$410.75 ($47.72 increase)
$226.61 ($38 increase)
$388.41 ($101.44 increase)
$467.07 ($119.93 increase)
$315.86 ($78.84 increase)
$182.61 ($53.08 increase)
$238.75 ($29.66 increase)
Capital Region:
The Empire Plan (001)
CDPHP (063)
CDPHP (300)
Empire BC/BS (280)
GHI HMO (220)
HMO Blue (160)
MVP East (060)
Individual
$23.47 ($1.01 increase)
$20.79 ($1.88 increase)
$55.95 ($11.47 increase)
$92.61 ($32.44 increase)
$68.55 ($26.01 increase)
$58.74 ($26.97 increase)
$20.39 ($2.71 increase)
Family
$101.38 ($3.22 increase)
$115.98 ($22.94 increase)
$207.89 ($33.91 increase)
$320.02 ($91.82 increase)
$260.81 ($75.03 increase)
$211.71 ($41.78 increase)
$119.95 ($32.09 increase)
Central Region:
The Empire Plan (001)
Blue Choice (066)
CDPHP (300)
Empire BC/BS (280)
GHI HMO (220)
HMO Blue (160)
HMO Blue (072)
MVP Central (330)
MVP North (360)
MVP Rochester (058)
Individual
$23.47 ($1.01 increase)
$18.08 (-$4.45 decrease)
$55.95 ($11.47 increase)
$92.61 ($32.44 increase)
$68.55 ($26.01 increase)
$58.74 ($26.97 increase)
$74.38 ($8.10 increase)
$46.83 ($8.79 increase)
$74.99 ($15.58 increase)
$36.54 ($18.98 increase)
Family
$101.38 ($3.22 increase)
$91.30 ($15.48 decrease)
$207.89 ($33.91 increase)
$320.02 ($91.82 increase)
$260.81 ($75.03 increase)
$211.71 ($41.78 increase)
$227.97 (84.51 decrease)
$189.06 ($27.71 increase)
$262.88 ($45.46 increase)
$141.63 ($58.43 increase)
Western Region:
The Empire Plan (001)
Blue Choice (066)
Community Blue (067)
HMO Blue (072)
Ind. Health (059)
MVP Rochester (058)
Individual
$23.47 ($1.01 increase)
$18.08 (-$4.45 decrease)
$43.09 ($4.23 increase)
$74.38 ($8.10 increase)
$37.79 ($16.53 increase)
$36.54 ($18.98 increase)
Note: All premiums listed are biweekly contributions.
Family
$101.38 ($3.22 increase)
$91.30 815.48 decrease)
$216.53 ($14.33 increase)
$227.97 (84.51 decrease)
$165.40 ($38.41 increase)
$141.63 ($58.43 increase)
12 bee Work Force
January 2010
Tubbs is PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month
DANSVILLE an MVP PEOPLE member and
— Mary Jo I would
Tubbs of the be more
Livingston than CSE A
County Local willing
in the Western to sign
Region has you up.” PEOPLE
been named
the PEOPLE Tubbs CSEA’s PEOPLE program
Recruiter of
the Month for
November. She recruited 41
new PEOPLE members at the
protects and improves our
jobs, benefits and pensions
in Washington, Albany and in
your community. Your support
BEDFORD SCHOOL
UNIT RATIFIES
— Three years of
solidarity during a
tough contract fight
has paid off for members of the
Bedford Central School District
Unit in Westchester County. After
going through the fact-finding
process, members overwhelmingly
approved a five-year contract that
includes wage increases in each
year of the agreement, a reduction
in time between step increases for
TODAY
bus drivers and
monitors, and
the addition of
two job titles into
the bargaining
unit. The contract is retroactive
to July 1, 2007 ... FIGHTING FOR A
CONTRACT — CSEA members from
the New Hyde Park School District
Custodial and Transportation and
Nurses units demonstrated before
a recent school board meeting
there. The units have been working
without a contract since June 30.
] New library branch
MVP level.
“I believe being active in
the PEOPLE program helps
us retain our benefits in these
troubling times,” she said.
“The more CSEA members we
have active in the program, the
stronger our union will be. For
just 27 cents a day you can be
and participation in PEOPLE
strengthens CSEA’s clout in the
workplace, in the legislature,
in your community and in the
labor movement.
— Lynn Miller
The Albany Public Library recently
celebrated its newest branch in
the city’s Pine Hills neighborhood.
The grand opening on Dec. 5 drew
hundreds of patrons and families to
:| the new library. CSEA members staff
the library. In photo at left, Collection
Management Librarian Diedre Lisio
shows off the large collection of
Japanese Manga, or Anime.
nuary CSEA calendar of events
Long Island Regio
* Jan. 7, 14, 21 & 28: Skills for Success:
Workplace Writing, Belmont Lake State
Park*
¢ Jan. 11-12: Contract Negotiating
Team Training, Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.;
Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., Hampton Bays Senior
Center, Hampton Bays
+ Jan. 12: Skills for Success:
Organizing Your Writing, Belmont Lake
State Park*
+ Jan. 12: Skills for Success: Writing
for Clarity, Belmont Lake State Park*
* Jan. 12-13: Local Government/
Private Sector Grievance
Representation Workshop, Sign-in:
5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., Suffolk
Educational Local Office, Medford
* Jan. 12-13: Local Government/
Private Sector Grievance
Representation Workshop, Sign-in:
5:30 - 6 pm., Workshop: 6 -9 p.m., Glen
Cove Fire Department, Glen Cove
+ Jan. 19: Skills for Success: Conflict
Resolution Skills: How To Be Your
Own Mediator, Belmont Lake State Park*
* Jan. 21: Skills for Success: Take
Control of Your Time, Pilgrim Psychiatric
Center*
January 2010
* Jan. 21: Skills for Success: Taming
Your Tasks, Pilgrim Psychiatric Center*
* Jan. 26: Skills for Success: Critical
Thinking, Belmont Lake State Park*
Metropolitan Region:
* Jan. 4,11, 25 & Feb. 1: Skills for
Success: Introduction to Spanish:
Level 2, Department of Motor Vehicles*
* Jan. 20: Skills for Success: Writing
Reports and Evaluations, CSEA
Metropolitan Region Office*
* Jan. 20: Skills for Success: Writing
for Your Audience, CSEA Metropolitan
Region Office*
Southern Region:
* Jan. 5 & 7: Contract Negotiating
Team Training, Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.,
Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., Rockland County
Local Office, New City
* Jan. 26-27: Steward Workshop,
Signin: 5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6-9 p.m.,
Orange County Local Office, Middletown
Capital Region:
* Jan. 19: Skills for Success: Critical
Thinking, Department of Civil Service*
*Jan. 19-20: Contract Negotiating
Team Training, Sign-in: 5 - 5:30 p.m.,
Workshop: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Hudson High
School, Hudson
Central Region:
* Jan. 5-6: Steward Workshop, Sign-in:
8:30 -9 a.m., Workshop: 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.,
Holiday Inn, Auburn
* Jan. 26: Skills for Success: Take
Control of Your Time, Hutchings
Psychiatric Center*
* Jan. 23: Local Government/Private
Sector Grievance Representation
Workshop, Sign-in: 8:30 - 9 a.m.,
Workshop: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Oswego High
School, Oswego
+ Jan. 26: Skills for Success: Taming
Your Tasks, Hutchings Psychiatric Center*
* Jan. 26-27: Steward Workshop,
Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
CSEA Binghamton Satellite Office
* Jan. 26-27: Steward Workshop,
Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
Gallagher's Restaurant, Malone
* Jan. 30: Steward Workshop, Sign-in:
8:30 - 9 a.m., Workshop: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.,
Holiday Inn, Oneonta
Western Region:
* Jan. 6-7: Local Government
Discipline: Representing Members
in Interrogations Workshop, Sign-in:
5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., CSEA
Rochester Satellite Office, Rochester
* Jan. 12-13: Local Government/
Private Sector Grievance
Representation Workshop, Sign-in:
5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., Pine
Valley Central School, South Dayton
* Jan. 26-27: Steward Workshop,
Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
Moonwinks Restaurant, Cuba
+ Jan. 26-27: State Government
Grievance Representation Workshop,
Signin: 5:30 - 6 p.m., Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
CSEA Western Region Office, Amherst
* Learn more about Skills for Success courses by
Visiting the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education
and Training website at www.nyscseapartnership.
org or by calling 1-800-253-4332
For more information on the listed
events or to participate, contact your
region office (phone numbers are listed
on Page 4) or visit your region page at
CSEA’s website at www.csealocal1000.
org. Please note that additional events
may be scheduled in your region, so
check your region calendar page on the
website.
Tue Work Force
Activist’s ‘homework’ is CSEA
Editor’s note: During CSEA’s centennial
year, the Work Force’s Leading Edge will
profile union members who are helping to
make the union stronger through their
actions in the union, in their communities,
or in other ways that reflect the spirit of
solidarity in CSEA.
This month features a profile of Western
Region activist Sheri Ambuske, who is
involved in CSEA’s Next Wave initiative.
LITTLE VALLEY — Think of the Olympic torch run,
with each teammate passing the flame to the next.
Without each individual, the goal would never be
accomplished.
Now, think of CSEA. Without each seasoned
activist and leader passing on his or her
knowledge, experience and advice to the next,
the union just might burn out.
That’s where Next Wave comes in. The “Under
35 initiative” is designed to extend a hand to
younger CSEA members and develop the union’s
future.
“It is inspiring to think of the simple beginnings
of this union compared to the power it has now,”
said Sheri Ambuske. “We are the next set of
leaders. We need a group like Next Wave to
help us gain the skills we need — skills we don’t
have when we walk in off the street.”
Some more “seasoned” CSEA members have
commented to Ambuske that Next Wave excludes
them or even discriminates against them. Nothing
could be further from the truth, she said.
“People should not look at Next Wave in that
way,” Ambuske said. “It is my hope that seasoned
leaders will take this opportunity to pass on their
legacy. Take the time to mentor a younger
member and show them the proper way to do
things. Help us learn about important issues. Help
us become the leaders who will follow in your
footsteps and continue the great work you have
done. If you want to have a lasting impression on
CSEA the best way to do that is to mentor us.
Your experience is very valuable and we need to
learn from you.”
Two-way street
On the other side of that coin, younger
members must be willing to accept input and
criticism, constructive, of course, from current
leaders and activists.
“Newer members need to embrace the
knowledge seasoned members have,” Ambuske
said. “We have a lot to learn from them.”
Ambuske knows how difficult it can be to juggle
all life's puzzle pieces. Like many Next Wave
members, she is married and she has young
children.
“Of course, sometimes it can be difficult to find
balance,” she said. “Family life takes up a lot of
my time. My husband will joke that | have ‘union
homework,’ but this is so important.”
In addition to participating in Next Wave,
Ambuske is the Cattaraugus County Unit
secretary. She has served as a grievance
representative and on the negotiating team.
Sheri Ambuske is part of
CSEA’s Next Wave initiative.
“| have seen the loss of benefits. | have seen
the loss of jobs. | have seen contracting out,”
Ambuske said. “If we don’t step up and fix it,
management will continue to try to weaken us
and break us down.”
— lynn Miller
14 fie Work Force
January 2010
State of our Union 2010
7 ~
LTT:
A Century of Service
Ee s
here’s a lot we can take pride
in about the way CSEA stood
strong in the past year — standing
up for jobs, services and fairness.
That goes for a lot of our history,
too. But if there’s any lesson for us
as we start our 100th anniversary
year, it is that we must always keep
fighting for what’s right.
There was good reason why CSEA
formed in 1910. It was about making
sure that association members
got the fairness and respect they
deserved. It was about ensuring
merit and fitness in public services
and holding self-serving politicians
accountable.
We may have gone through a lot
of change over the decades and
had our share of success, but the
past year should be a reminder that
nothing has really changed when it
comes to what CSEA is all about.
CSEA still has to fight for
fairness and respect every day.
And there is still no shortage of
self-serving politicians at all levels
of government trying to scapegoat
public employees.
CSEA knows today’s reality
e know that times are tough.
We know it because we are on
the front line delivering services
to people in need every day and
finding it harder and harder to do
the job because we don’t get the
help and materials we need while
the demand keeps increasing.
We know times are tough because
we feel the squeeze, too. We might
have things a bit better than most
A message from
CSEA President
Danny Donohue
— 3)
Challenge, opportunity for CSEA members
JOBS
at rick
i
‘ORK FORCE
© firing tine
workers because of the strength of
our union, but we still have to keep
struggling to make ends meet. All of
us have to pay more for our gas and
groceries and let's not forget health
insurance premiums. And we pay
our increasing share of taxes, too!
While big-shot bankers and Wall
Street executives may be benefiting
from government bailouts and
cashing in their bonuses in spite of
their reckless irresponsibility, we
still put in a full day’s work and then
some to earn our pay — sometimes
doing work that no one else will do
— and always making New York a
better place because of our efforts.
We continue to offer ideas, big
and small, about better ways to get
the job done because we also want
smarter, more efficient government.
Real, meaningful ideas that improve
the way things work, enhance our
working lives and save money
should always be considered
snow
SOME
<<a
FasT Wel
oh
Continued inside back cover
State of our Union 2010
Continued from inside front cover
because that’s a good practice.
Unfortunately, too often our ideas are
ignored in favor of hare-brained quick
fixes and attempts to score cheap political
points.
Community service
At the same time, we continue to be the
backbone of every community in this state
- contributing our time, talent and money
to every kind of organization and charity
out there.
And still we find ourselves up against
politicians who want to knock us. They
want to blame us for budget shortfalls,
benefit pressures, a bad economy and
even their own mismanagement. It’s just
not right because we didn’t cause these
conditions.
Let me say this for the record: People
who have something bad to say about
CSEA don’t know CSEA.
We are proud of who we are and
what we do. We will not apologize for
negotiating contracts that seek fair
payment and decent benefits. We will not
apologize for trying to protect services
that New Yorkers need. We stood strong in
2009, but there will be much more to do in
2010.
Our historic moment
L preparing for the arrival of our
centennial year, we kept our focus,
even as we were involved in a lot of soul
searching. We began an unprecedented
project to give members a chance to have
their voices heard as never before and to
help shape our future.
More than 60 town hall-style meetings
were held across the state providing an
opportunity to state what was on your
mind. We heard from hundreds of you and
we collected and reviewed everything
that was said. Those comments and
ideas framed the discussion at our
Annual Delegates Meeting in September
where more than 1,000 delegates heard
presentations and participated in small-
group discussions about how to make
CSEA better during an historic electronic
town meeting.
Those ideas are now helping to set the
agenda for the start of our second century.
They are not being developed into a plan
that will gather dust; they are actually
being implemented as part of our activities
as we try to improve and make CSEA more
effective every day. Considering what
we’re up against across the state, that’s a
matter of necessity.
CSEA is bigger than any of us alone,
but we are only as good as the collective
strength of each of us coming together
in common cause. The union is not some
outside entity acting independently, it’s all
of us, working together.
There is no force in New York more
powerful than CSEA when we work
together. We saw lots of examples of that
in the past year when locals and units
organized and faced up to the challenges
before us.
But don’t take
anything for
granted. We have
to communicate
and support each
other. There is
a responsibility
on the part of
leaders to provide
information, create
understanding
and build
solidarity, but
there is also a
responsibility
on the part of
each individual
member to stay
informed and
involved.
No one should
expect things
just to get better
unless you
are willing to
participate.
The original founders of CSEA
understood that and acted on it.
In every generation since, CSEA
members have had to renew that
commitment and they did. It’s why
we have such an extraordinary
history and more importantly,
why we're still here today.
Now is the hour for all of us to
once again renew our union by
our activism and begin the hard
work of securing our future,
DS Co bee
Local budget
iget
Pressures mount
State of our Union 2010
