CSEA SPONSORED TRAINING DURING COURT RECESS
During the 2025 Court Recess, CSEA represented bargaining unit employees are allowed to participate in the Union-sponsored virtual training without charge to leave accruals. This is a CSEA negotiated benefit, and eligible employees can opt to participate by registering for one or both days. If your court is in session on these training dates, you will need supervisory approval to participate.
Training Dates:
Monday, December 29, 2025, and
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
9:00 am 4:00 pm with a lunch break
REGISTRATION OPENS on Monday, November 3, 2025, and closes at end of business onFriday, December 12, 2025. Note: No exceptions will be made beyond this date.
Registration Process:
CSEA members must register at https://memberlink.cseany.org/
CSEA non-members must call the CSEA State Operations Department to register at 518-257-1279.
Requirements / Ground Rules :
- MUST participate for the full day (no partial days allowed).
- MUST provide a personal email address to participate.
- MUST provide first and last name (i.e., John’s iPad will not be counted as participating).
- No sharing of a link is allowed. There will be unique identifiers attached. If a link is shared, the participants utilizing the same link will not be counted as participating.
- No recording of the training is allowed.
- No anonymous logins- you will be removed.
Below is the list of workshops that will be offered.
COURT RECESS TRAINING SCHEDULE
| Monday, December 29th, 2025 | |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | CSEA 101- All About Our Union Dr. Nisha Stillwell- Frankson, Education and Training Specialist |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Building Power Together: CSEA in the Legislative and Political Process Alex George, Legislative Representative Josh Schick, Region 5 Political Action Coordinator |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Social Media for Social Justice Eric Wilke, Senior Counsel |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Privacy in the Workplace Aaron Kaplan, Senior Counsel |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Drug & Alcohol Policies & Legal Weed Eric Wilke, Senior Counsel |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | The FMLA Jennifer Zegarelli, Senior Counsel |
| Tuesday, December 30th, 2025 | |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | New York State and Local Retirement System Retirement Overview Jason Cooper, Assistant Comptroller NYSLRS |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | New State Deferred Compensation Plan Christine Harvey, Account Executive NYS Deferred Compensation Plan |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Bloodborne Pathogens Program Review Mark Stipano, Industrial Hygienist |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m | Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Workplace Violence Prevention Program Review Mark Stipano, Industrial Hygienist |
| 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Active Shooter Garret Milewski, NYSDOCCS Capital Regional Training Lieutenant |
WORKSHOPS
Workshop Title: CSEA 101- All About Our Union
Description: Today’s Unions have to work hard every day to hold on to what we have accomplished. The strength of our union depends upon member involvement and the recruitment and education of new activists. This member orientation workshop is designed to provide participants with knowledge and information about CSEA. In this workshop, participants will be provided with an overview of CSEA, including the history, structure, departments, resources available, the benefits of membership, and education opportunities to become involved in. Come join us and learn more about your Union – CSEA!
Workshop Title: Building Power Together: CSEA in the Legislative and Political Process
Description: CSEA plays a vital role in influencing the laws, policies, and elections that affect our work and communities. This workshop explains how the Legislative and Political Action Department works to advance members’ interests and offers practical ways for you to get involved through lobbying, advocacy, and political participation.
Workshop Title: Social Media for Social Justice
Description: Social media can be a great tool to build our union and to keep in touch with family and friends. During this workshop, we will teach you the current state of the law and best practices so that your use of social media does not lead to discipline at work.
Workshop Title: Privacy in the Workplace
Description: Employers are beginning to use cameras and video surveillance in the workplace more than ever before. This is done often to prevent theft or to monitor what employees are doing while on the clock. Sometimes the employer advises the union or employees that they are being watched, and other times it is done secretly. This workshop will update you on the latest rules that employers must follow when they decide to engage in surveillance of their employees. Both private and public sector workplace rules will be explored.
Workshop Title: Drug & Alcohol Policies & Legal Weed
Description: A discussion of employer policies, what to look for, what is negotiable, and how the legalization of marijuana impacts them.
Workshop Title: The FMLA
Description: This workshop will give you a firm understanding of the Family and Medical Leave Act, what is covered, how it works, and what you should look for when representing your members. Serious health conditions, family members covered, military caregiver leave, parental leave, etc.
Workshop Title: New York State and Local Retirement System Retirement Overview
Description: This workshop will provide a general overview of everything a New York State and Local Retirement System member needs to know including the differences in the tiers, how a benefit is calculated, service credits, what you need to do to file for retirement, death benefits and Retirement Online.
Workshop Title: New State Deferred Compensation Plan
Description: This workshop is an interactive conversation on the benefits of enrolling and participating in the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan. Learn about the basics of investing and our investment options, pre-tax or post-tax dollars, and an overview of our easy and secure online enrollment process. We will also discuss longevity, income sources, asset consolidation, and required minimum distributions associated with the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan.
Workshop Title: Bloodborne Pathogens Program Review
Description: During this workshop there will be a review of the regulatory requirements for a NYS DOL PESH compliant Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Program and the status of the current UCS program, with discussion about program implementation across the courts system.
Workshop Title: Workplace Violence Prevention Program Review
Description: During this workshop there will be a review of the regulatory requirements for a NYS DOL PESH compliant Workplace Violence Prevention Program with a review of the status of the current UCS programs with recent add-ons for the MHLS program activities, with discussion about program implementation across the courts system.
Workshop Title: Active Shooter
Description: This is the C.R.A.S.E Class from A.L.E.R.R.T. During this workshop you will learn what an unarm person could do if ever confronted with an active shooter Situation.
Should you have any questions, please contact State Operations at 518-257-1279.