BUDGET CUTS
The coalition of Unions representing all Unified Court System employees met with the Office of Court Administration this morning via Skype. We were informed due to the Governor’s 10% reduction to the Unified Court System’s budget for this current fiscal year, there will be a $300 million dollar shortfall. OCA has been taking steps to make up for the shortfall and it was relayed today that of the $300 million shortfall, they have been successful in reducing it to $28 million. OCA had proposed several options today to the Unions, some of which could possibly involve workforce reductions and/or an agreement on the 2 percent salary increase and retroactive monies. CSEA is scheduled to have a follow-up meeting with the other court unions to discuss these proposals further on Monday, October 5th.
We are also scheduled to meet again with OCA in December to get further information on what the future may hold and any other progress on the shortfall. As always, CSEA and Local 334 are committed to the best interest of our membership and as further information becomes available we will share it in subsequent receiver notices.
PROBATION EXTENSIONS
OCA has begun notifying the Court Officer Trainee (COT) class that was set to complete their 2-year probationary period on September 6, 2020, that their probationary period is being extended. OCA’s stance is that absences attributable to the CoVid 19 shutdown can be credited to leave in excess of a trainees 280 allotted hours off throughout their probation period. CSEA has been told that all excused leave (except military leave) will be considered an absence and factor into the members extension of probation. This decision by OCA could, potentially impact the probationary periods of clerical and operational members as well. At this time it does seem that new employee probation is being treated differently than promotional probation. We strongly suggest any member that has their probation extended, ask for a breakdown of all the days/hours being extended. CSEA Local Presidents intend on filing grievances regarding how OCA calculates the time that will be extended. Please share your information with us when you receive it, and we will make sure you are included in the grievances as we move forward.
CSEA AND THE POLITICS OF 2020
The Legislative and Political Action Department has developed a new webinar, “CSEA and the Politics of 2020” that delves deep into the current state of politics in our union. Do you have questions about the different ways to vote in this year’s elections? Do you ask why our union gets involved in politics in the first place? Questions about our union endorsements? How to get involved in union Political Action? This is the place to get answers from our experts. The webinars will be held over the next few weeks at different times to accommodate members’ schedules. Please click on the link to the meeting date and time that will work best for you and follow the instructions to register.
Monday, October 5th – 6:00pm
https://actionnetwork.org/events/csea-the-politics-of-2020-3
Tuesday, October 6th – 10:00am
https://actionnetwork.org/events/csea-the-politics-of-2020-4
Wednesday, October 7th – 6:00pm
https://actionnetwork.org/events/csea-the-politics-of-2020-5
NYS DEFERRED COMP WEBINAR
Dan Kain from NYS Deferred Comp will be holding an Enrollment webinar on (Thursday) October 8th at 12pm – This webinar is for anyone who is looking to learn more about the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan and how it can help you save for retirement. He will go over how the plan works and how to enroll.
To register, you may click here:
If you cannot attend but would still like to speak with Dan you can use the following link to set up an individual appointment:
http://dankainphoneappointment.myRetirementAppt.com
Daniel Kain
New York State Deferred Compensation Plan
315-527-5695
Use this link to schedule a phone appointment with me:
http://dankainphoneappointment.myRetirementAppt.com
CENSUS CONTEST
The winners of our CSEA Census Contest have been selected and one of our own is amongst the winners, congratulations Meghan! Each will receive a new Apple iPad. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and for filling out your Census form, and congratulations to our winners:
- Region 1 – Samantha C., Local 852, Sayville Library
- Region 2 – Tara P., Local 010, Queensboro Correctional Facility
- Region 3 – Claude W., Local 860, Peekskill City School District
- Region 4 – Beverly H., Local 801, Albany Public Library
- Region 5 – Meghan M., Local 334, Judiciary
- Region 6 – Dawn L., Local 151, Albion Correctional Facility
- Retiree Division – Joan R, Florida State Retirees North, Local 952
If you haven’t filled out your Census, it’s not too late! Go to http://2020census.gov now to submit your form today!
ANNOUNCING THE NEW CSEA VISA® Credit Card!
CSEA has launched their newest member-only benefit, the CSEA VISA Credit card. Powered by CAP COM Federal Credit Union, CSEA members and their family members have exclusive access to this CSEA branded card featuring a low fixed interest rate and packed with benefits. With this card, members always get:
- No annual fee, no balance transfer fee
- Discounts from VISA and CAP COM
- 24/7 Online Account/Mobile App: Set alerts, view statements, pay bills
- Digital wallet touch-free payments
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Baggage delay insurance
- Zero liability fraud protection
You can apply for your card TODAY by visiting: http://www.capcomfcu.org/csea