SYRACUSE METS GAME

Order your tickets now for the Syracuse Mets vs. Norfolk Tides game on Saturday, August 17^th, 7:05 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse.  We will be on the Party Deck and admission will include an all-you-can eat picnic from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and our own cash bar.  Tickets will not be mailed and can be picked up at the Group & Hospitality “blue shed” between 5:30 and 7:15 p.m. the evening of the event.  Order your tickets today before they run out – limited seating!  Reservations must be received by August 10^th.  See the link below for further information and the registration form.

2019-08-17 Syracuse Mets Flyer & Registration

CSEA REGION 5 NYC BUS TRIP – NY YANKEES V. BOSTON RED SOX

CSEA Region 5 is sponsoring a NYC bus trip for the August 4, 2019 New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium.  Only 100 seats are available.  One bus will be leaving from the Syracuse area at 1:30 p.m. and one bus will be leaving Oneonta at 1:45 and Binghamton at 3:00.  See the link below for complete details. 

2019-08-04 CSEA_Reg5_YankeesBusTripInfo

TENTATIVE RATIFICATION OF CONTRACT EXTENSION

Ballots were mailed on or about June 25^th to members eligible to vote.  Replacement ballots were available from July 2 to July 9.  Ballots must be received in Albany by 5 p.m. on July 26^th.  The ballot count will take place Monday, July 29^th. 

CSEA EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND BENEFITS

Be sure you visit the CSEA EBF web site, www.cseaebf.com, and review the UCS EBF benefits available to you and your family.  I’ve also inserted a link below (pdf) of the full-time employee booklet.  You must be initially apply for benefits for you and your family.  For full-time employees, there are benefits beyond just dental and vision – including legal reimbursement benefits (wills, home purchase, etc.), co-pay reimbursements and more.  Make sure you are aware of what is available to you – we negotiate these benefits to keep/put money in your pocket!

UCS Full-Time EBF Benefits Booklet

2020 CSEA ELECTIONS

Information is available at www.cseany.org and on our CSEA Judiciary Web site, www.cseajudiciary.org, under “News” regarding upcoming elections for CSEA Statewide, Regional and Board of Directors’ positions.  Listed on each website are:  1) Nomination Notice; 2)Notices of Eligibility Requirements; 3) Listing of available Board of Directors’ positions; 4) Election Schedule; 5) Standing Rules and Regulations; 6) Notice Regarding Campaigning; and 7) Notice of Election Rules.  Any questions related to these elections may be directed to CSEA headquarters at 518-257-1447.

BJ’S DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP

Enroll today for your BJ’s discounted membership, available July 1^st through July 14^th, another CSEA Member Benefits savings to put money in your pocket.    Information is available at www.cseany.org.

TENTATIVE RATIFICATION TIMELINE – REPLACEMENT BALLOTS

Ballots were mailed on or about June 25^th to members eligible to vote.  Replacement ballots (for those who did not receive one, lost in mail, etc.) are available from July 2 to July 9 by calling 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1361 (Prudence) or ext. 1291 (Christina).  You must have been a member on or before June 2^nd to be eligible to vote.  Non-members will not receive a ballot and cannot vote.  New employees, if your membership application was not fully processed/approved by that date, you will not be receiving a ballot.  Ballots must be received in Albany by 5 p.m. on July 26^th.  The ballot count will take place Monday, July 29^th. 

FINAL REMINDER – ENCHANTED FOREST/WATER SAFARI

Reservations are due for Enchanted Forest/Water Safari Local 334 Day by this Wednesday, July 10^th.  The event will be held in Old Forge on Saturday, July 20^th.  Members attend free, guests 8+ pay $48.50, children 3-7 pay $29.50 and children 2 and under are free.  Admission includes entrance to the park and an all-you-can-eat lunch (11:30-12:30) and dinner (4:00-5:00).  It’s always a great time, so get your reservations in today!  See the link below for further information and reservations.

2019_L334_WaterSafariEnchantedForest

EXCUSED LEAVE TO VOTE IN THE JUNE 25^th PRIMARY 

(CSEA Received this information this afternoon from OCA.  Please direct all inquiries to your supervisor or district office.)

The New York State Election Law was recently amended to provide all employees, whether full or part-time, up to three hours of paid leave in order to vote in any general election, special election called by the Governor, primary election, or municipal election, excluding school or library elections.  

This paid leave applies to the primary elections being held on Tuesday.

In order to be eligible for paid leave to vote on Tuesday, an employee must be actively registered to vote. Travel time is included in the three hours. Any absence beyond the three-hour maximum must be charged to the employee’s leave credits.  Employees should notify their manager/supervisor as soon as possible if they will require time off to vote in Tuesday’s elections.  Employees already scheduled to be out on any type of approved leave on Tuesday, or that call in sick, may vote on their own time and are not entitled to charge any portion of their absence to excused leave.  

Employees can be required to take this paid leave either at the beginning or end of their regular shift, as determined by the appropriate Deputy Chief Administrative Judge (Courts Within or Outside New York City).  Court managers/supervisors and employees will be notified shortly of this determination.

Employees must furnish proof of active voter registration in order to substantiate the use of excused leave, i.e. copy of voter registration card or online voter registration status, correspondence from Board of Elections.  Such proof may be provided in advance of the leave or upon the employee’s return to work.  In no event shall an employee disclose political party affiliation or enrollment, i.e. this information must be redacted by the employee. Employees may access their voter registration status online at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

CSEA REGION 5 NYC BUS TRIP – NY YANKEES V. BOSTON RED SOX

CSEA Region 5 is sponsoring a NYC bus trip for the August 4, 2019 New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium.  Only 100 seats are available.  One bus will be leaving from the Syracuse area at 1:30 p.m. and one bus will be leaving Oneonta at 1:45 and Binghamton at 3:00.  See the link below for complete details and registration information. 

2019-08-04 CSEA_Reg5_YankeesBusTripInfo

REMINDER – ONONDAGA COUNTY – CSEA MEMBER BENEFITS/PEARL INSURANCE LUNCH & LEARN – JUNE 26^TH

CSEA and Pearl Insurances will present three Lunch & Learn seminars at the Old Onondaga County Courthouse, Room 312, on Wednesday, June 26^th, meeting at 11:00, 12:00 and 1:00.  Lunch will be provided and members will have the opportunity to learn more about CSEA Member Benefits and exclusive Pearl Insurance policies designed to save our CSEA members money.  You must RSVP to Rosanne Wicks at 315-729-8549 or email her at rosanne@csealocal334.com by Monday, June 24^th.  Reservations are required and you must indicate which time slot you wish to attend. 

2019-06-26 OnondagaLunchLearnFlyer

OUT OF OFFICE

I will be out of the office with limited access to email the week of June 24-28, 2019.

Local 334 Receivers – Please be certain you add new employees in your work location to your distribution list! 

TENTATIVE RATIFICATION TIMELINE  – ONE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

We have concluded our sweep of meetings throughout the Local regarding the tentative one-year extension of the contract, conducting seven meetings in eight working days.  Thank you very much to the Local officers that helped to make all of these meetings happen, arranging menus, takings RSVPs, taking meeting minutes, making hotel reservations, etc. 

Click the links below for the Tentative Agreement Highlights and the proposed 2020 salary schedule.  Ballots will be mailed on or about June 25^th.  Replacement ballots (for those who did not receive one, lost in mail, etc.) available from July 2 to July 9.  You must have been a member on or before June 2^nd to be eligible to vote.  Non-members will not receive a ballot and cannot vote.  New employees, if your membership application was not fully processed/approved by that date, you will not be receiving a ballot.  Ballots must be received in Albany by 5 p.m. on July 26^th.  The ballot count will take place Monday, July 29^th.  Please follow voting instructions carefully, provide all requested information and follow each step as described.  Other than selecting a “yes” or “no” vote, do not write on your ballot or it will be invalidated.

Tentative Agreement Highlight Sheet 2019

Tentative 2020 Salary Schedule

COMBINED LOCALS CLAMBAKE – THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 23^RD

We look forward to seeing those that purchased tickets for the combined CSEA Locals clambake at Wyosckis Manor, 6574 Lakeshore Road, Cicero, this Sunday from 1:00-6:00.  Tickets were mailed early last week.  We will have a short “meeting” at 1:15.  Look for the CSEA Local 334 banner.  Looks like the weather will be great (for a change)!

ONONDAGA COUNTY – CSEA MEMBER BENEFITS/PEARL INSURANCE LUNCH & LEARN – JUNE 26^TH

CSEA and Pearl Insurances will present three Lunch & Learn seminars at the Old Onondaga County Courthouse, Room 312, on Wednesday, June 26^th, meeting at 11:00, 12:00 and 1:00.  Lunch will be provided and members will have the opportunity to learn more about CSEA Member Benefits and exclusive Pearl Insurance policies designed to save our CSEA members money.  You must RSVP to Rosanne Wicks at 315-729-8549 or email her at rosanne@csealocal334.com by Monday, June 24^th.  Reservations are required and you must indicate which time slot you wish to attend. 

2019-06-26 Onondaga Co. – Lunch & Learn Flyer

REMINDER – ENCHANTED FOREST/WATER SAFARI

Reservations are due for Enchanted Forest/Water Safari Local 334 Day by July 10^th.  The event will be held in Old Forge on Saturday, July 20^th.  Members attend free, guests 8+ pay $48.50, children 3-7 pay $29.50 and children 2 and under are free.  Admission includes entrance to the park and an all-you-can-eat lunch (11:30-12:30) and dinner (4:00-5:00).  It’s always a great time, so get your reservations in today!  See the link below for further information and reservations.

2019 Enchanted Forest/Water Safari Information

$10K ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFIT POLICY

As you know, CSEA offers all Members a free $10K Accidental Death Benefit Policy, an increase from the prior $5K coverage.  Even if you provided beneficiary information for the prior $5K policy, you must designate your beneficiary for the new $10K policy – as it IS a new policy.  The simplest way to do that is to go to www.cseainc.org and click on ForMembers/Insurance/Accidental Death Benefit.  You can then either fill out the online form or print and mail in the information.

SAVE THE DATES (more info to follow):

• Rome Honor America Days Parade, CSEA Region 5 Float/Marchers – Saturday, July 29, 2019
• Region 5 Bus trip to NYC for NY Yankees v. Boston Red Sox game – Sunday, August 4, 2019, busses going from Syracuse and Binghamton.
• Syracuse Mets Game Night, Saturday – August 17, 2019
• Local NYS Retirement Presentation/Dinner, Vernon Downs – Friday, September 13, 2019
• CSEA Region 5 Golf Tournament, Camillus – Friday, September 20, 2019

OUT OF OFFICE

I will be out of the office with limited access to email June 24-28, 2019.

ENCHANTED FOREST/WATER SAFARI

Reservations are due for Enchanted Forest/Water Safari Local 334 Day by July 10^th.  The event will be held in Old Forge on Saturday, July 20^th.  Members attend free, guests 8+ pay $48.50, children 3-7 pay $29.50 and children 2 and under are free.  Admission includes entrance to the park and an all-you-can-eat lunch (11:30-12:30) and dinner (4:00-5:00).  It’s always a great time, so get your reservations in today!  See the link below for further information and reservations.

2019_L334_WaterSafariEnchantedForest

CSEA JUDICIARY LOCAL 334 AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

(Catrina Leone, Local 334 Scholarship Chair)

CSEA Judiciary Local 334 recently presented Academic scholarships and Financial Assistance Scholarship to graduating high school seniors, children of court employees represented by the Union.  The two $1,000 Academic recipients were Bruno Freeman of Bloomingdale, New York, and Madeleine Hearn of Clinton, New York.  The $750 Financial Assistance recipients were Stephanie Taskovski and Stephen Taskovski of Liverpool, New York.

            Bruno Freeman is a graduate of Saranac Lake High School and is the son of Laura Antonelli, MHLS Principal Attorney.  Bruno will be attending California Institute of Technology in the Fall, majoring in Computer Science.

            Madeleine Hearn is a graduate of Clinton High School and is the daughter of Colleen Hearn, Principal Court Attorney. Madeleine will be attending Columbia University and Trinity College in the Fall, majoring in English.

            Stephanie Taskovski is a graduate of Liverpool High School and is the daughter of Diane and Ljupco Taskovski, Sr. Court Office Assistants. Stephanie will be attending St. John Fisher in the Fall, majoring in Pharmacy.

            Stephen Taskovski is a graduate of Liverpool High School and is the son of Diane and Ljupco Taskovski, Sr. Court Office Assistants. Stephen will be attending Clarkson University in the Fall, majoring in Biomedical Engineering.

Other Academic and Financial Assistance Scholarships were awarded to the following students:

            Jesse M. Allen is a graduate of Norwood-Norfolk Central School and is the son of Lynne Allen, Secretary to Judge.  Jesse will be attending Paul Smith’s College in the Fall, majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife.

            MaKenna M. Thisse is a graduate of Lowville Academy & Central School and is the daughter of Lacey Northrup, Court Clerk.  MaKenna will be attending SUNY Cobleskill in the Fall, majoring in Animal Science.

            Nadia Payan is a graduate of Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville, Jr/Sr High School and is the daughter of Clifford Payan, NYS Court Officer Sergeant.  Nadia will be attending The College of St. Rose in the Fall, majoring in English.

            Mayle Lupia-Eannace is a graduate of Holland Patent Central High School and is the daughter of Paula Eannace, Senior Law Librarian.  Mayle will be attending Union College in the Fall, majoring in Biology.

            Olivia Boyea is a graduate of Bishop Ludden High School and is the daughter of Kathleen Boyea, Secretary to Judge. Olivia will be attending Catholic University in the Fall, majoring in Biology.

            Nicholas Bove II is a graduate of West Genesee High School and is the son of Lori Bove, Sr. Court Office Assistant.  Nicholas will be attending LeMoyne College in the Fall, majoring in Education-Mathematics.

            Zachary Lawrence is a graduate of Maine-Endwell and is the son of Marie Lawrence, Court Assistant. Zachary will be attending Alfred State College in the Fall, majoring in Cyber Security.

            Nicole Jeffrey is a graduate of Norwich High School and is the daughter of Monica Jeffrey, Court Assistant. Nicole will be attending St. Lawrence University in the Fall.

            Alexandra Steele is a graduate of Copenhagen Central School and is the daughter of Peggy Steele, Sr. Court Office Assistant. Alexandra will be attending Jefferson Community College in the Fall, majoring in Education-English.

            The Lt. Michael Carraway Memorial Scholarship program is named in memory of retired Judiciary Local 334 President Sharon Carraway’s husband, a Utica Police Lieutenant and union activist who died unexpectedly in 1994.  Sharon and Michael’s daughter, Natalie Carraway, a Support Magistrate in Herkimer County, is a CSEA Local 334 member and also a part of the Local Scholarship Committee.

CSEA REGION 5 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER – MAYLE LUPIA-EANNACE

Region 5 President Kenny Greenleaf presented Mayle Lupia-Eannace the Region 5 College Scholarship, one of five people chosen from over 100 applicants to win the award.  Mayle is the daughter of Paula Eannace, Sr. Law Librarian, Oneida County Law Library, Utica.  Congratulations, Mayle!

TENTATIVE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION CONTRACT MEETINGS

We continue tonight with our meeting at Brooks BBQ in Oneonta with our Local Tentative Agreement meetings.  Tomorrow evening, Thursday, I will be available prior to the Canton Retirement Dinner meeting to talk with members.  Please arrive as early as possible and we will find a location to talk 15 or 20 minutes before the dinner meeting begins.  Monday we will be in Endwell, 6:00; Tuesday at Borio’s at 5:45; and Wednesday at Delta Lake Inn at 5:45.  We look forward to seeing you there.

ONE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION TENTATIVE AGREEMENT 

As of yesterday, June 3, 2019, CSEA has signed a Tentative Agreement for a one-year contract extension.  The details will be forthcoming at upcoming local dinner meetings and eventually in a highlight sheet that will be distributed.  This was the reason for canceling this Wednesday’s meeting in Onondaga – we have rescheduled that so that those who want to attend, now knowing about the upcoming vote on the Tentative Agreement, can now respond and attend.  (If you responded previously, you will need to respond again for the new date – see below). 

Those UCS employees that were members of CSEA as of June 3^rd are eligible to vote on the contract extension.  The membership lists are “frozen” as of the date of the Tentative Agreement. And, of course, non-members cannot vote on our contract.

The meetings dates are listed below.  We have tried to arrange various locations to accommodate as many people as possible.  Please RSVP to the appropriate officer by the deadline.  Sorry for the short response time, but with meetings starting next Monday, it could not be avoided.  Meetings will include dinner, except for those who didn’t RSVP for the boat tour (Alex Bay) or the retirement presentation (Canton).

• Saturday, June 8 – Alexandria Bay, Uncle Sam Boat Tours, 47 James St., Alexandria Bay.  No RSVP needed, but if you did not sign up for the boat tour, you will not be able to get on the boat.  I will be available from 11:00 a.m. on for anyone who wants to meet, until the boat leaves.  We already have a short meeting scheduled for 12:00, prior to boarding the tour boat.
• Monday, June 10 – Del Lago Resort, 1133 State Route 414, Waterloo, 6:00 p.m. meeting.  RSVP by this Friday, June 7, Noon to:  Don@csealocal334.com.
• Tuesday, June 11 – Ithaca Hotel, 222 S. Cayuga St., Ithaca, 6:00 p.m. meeting.  RSVP by Friday, June 7, Noon to:  Sheila@csealocal334.com.
• Wednesday, June 12 – Brooks BBQ (Banquet Room Building), 5560 St. Hwy 7, Oneonta, 6:00 p.m. meeting.  RSVP by Monday, June 10 at Noon to:  Rosanne@csealocal334.com.
• Thursday, June 13 – Canton Best Western, 90 East Main Street, Canton.  We have a retirement dinner presentation already scheduled that evening.  I will be available prior to the meeting, from approximately 4:30-6:15 or after the presentation.  No reservation needed, but if you didn’t already sign up for the dinner/presentation, you will not be able to attend that.
• Monday, June 17 – Riverdale Banquet Hall, 2901 Watson Blvd, Endwell, 6:00 p.m. meeting.  RSVP by June 11^th at Noon to:  Ian@csealocal334.com.
• Tuesday, June 18 – Borio’s, 8891 McDonnell’s Pkway, Cicero, 5:45 p.m. meeting.  (Vendors will be invited for this meeting only, since this is a rescheduled meeting date.)   RSVP by June 11^th at Noon to:  Rosanne@csealocal334.com.
• Wednesday, June 19 – Delta Lake Inn, 8524 Fish Hatchery Road, Rome, 5:45 p.m. meeting.  RSVP by June 12 at Noon to:  Sheila@csealocal334.com.

When sending in your reservation, be certain to indicate which meeting (location) you plan to attend.  You will receive a confirmation from the recipient.  If you do not, please contact them again with your reservation. 

We do not yet have a timeline for when ballots will be mailed, nor do we have a highlight sheet yet.  Information will be sent out in that regard when we have it available. 

JUNE 23^RD CLAMBAKE

CSEA Locals 334 and 834 (Onondaga County) will be having our 2019 Clambake at Wysockis Manor, 6574 Lakeshore Road, Cicero, on Sunday, June 23^rd from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  There will be a very short Local 334 meeting at 1:15.  Reservations must be received by June 3^rd, so please send in your reservation now.  Members only, and must by 21 or older.  Questions?  Call Tammy at 607-240-5801.

Click Here – 2019-06-23 Clambake Form

COLLEGE 529 SAVINGS PLAN – 20^TH ANNIVERSARY SWEEPSTAKES

Open a College 529 Savings Plan account and be eligible for a 20^th Anniversary Sweepstakes award of $529.  Already enrolled?  Go to the sweepstakes site at nysaves.org/sweepstakes and enroll to win one of 20 available $529 plan contribution prizes.  See the attached flyer for complete details.1239599231

Click here – NY529 Anniversary Sweepstakes May 2019

DO YOU KNOW YOUR CSEA ID NUMBER:

Every CSEA Member Number begins with “123.”  If you do not know your membership number, you may obtain it through the CSEA web site, www.cseany.org, by clicking on “Lookup your CSEA ID” at the top of the home page.  Once a month, we randomly insert a member’s ID number somewhere within the text of a Receiver Notice.  If you see your member ID number, contact me within 48 hours and you will receive a check for $20. 

OUT OF OFFICE

I will be out of the office at contract extender negotiations Wednesday and Thursday, 5/15 and 5/16, and out of the office on AL Friday, 5/17 through Wednesday, 5/22, with limited access to emails.

REMINDERS (RSVP deadlines approaching):

ALEX BAY LUNCHEON TOUR BOAT – JUNE 8^TH

See the 5/1/19 post below for the flyer containing information for the upcoming Alexandria Bay Luncheon Boat tour, Saturday, June 8^th, including lunch and a tour through the Thousand Islands.  There will be an option to get off the boat and tour Boldt Castle for an additional fee, then return on a later boat.  We have a limited number of seats available for Members at $10 and Guests at $36.50, so don’t delay in sending in your reservation.  Arrive at 11:30 to pick up your tickets, a very short meeting will be held at 12:00 and the tour begins at 12:20.  Reservations must be received by May 20^th.

ONONDAGA COUNTY DINNER MEETING – JUNE 5TH 

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Wednesday, June 5^th, at Borio’s, 8891 McDonnelll’s Pkwy., Cicero. The meeting is open to ALL members of the Local (from any county).  Non-members are not permitted to attend.  Please RSVP to Tammy Witteman,  twittema@nycourts.gov, by May 29^th.  Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45. 

CANTON RETIREMENT PRESENTATION DINNER MEETING

Reserve your seat for our combined CSEA Locals 334 and 845 New York State Retirement System Presentation Dinner Meeting to be held Thursday, June 13, 2019, in Canton at the Best Western, 90 East Main Street, 6:15 p.m.  Seating is limited and we will create a “wait list” once we reach our maximum number of participants.  Only Members of CSEA Locals 334 and 845 are permitted to attend.  You do not need to be close to retirement to learn about the Retirement System and how you should be preparing for your own retirement now.  Send your reservation in today to be certain to be included in this informative evening. See the 4/16/19 post below for the informational flyer and registration form.  (Note from Don: We are at two-thirds capacity already, so if you are interested, please send in your reservation today so that you do not miss out on this fantastic presentation.)