SYRACUSE METS GAME – PARTY DECK TOMORROW NIGHT

Looking forward to those that RSVP’d for the Syracuse Mets vs. Norfolk Tides game tomorrow night, 7:05 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse.  Just a note, I’m told that parking is $5 – wanted everyone attending to be aware of that. 

CHENANGO COUNTY DINNER MEETING – SEPTEMBER 12TH 

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Thursday, September 12^th, Wild Owl Café, 28 South Broad Street, Norwich. The meeting is open to ALL members of the Local (from any county).  Non-members are not permitted to attend.  Please RSVP to Don, don@csealocal334.com, by September 4th.  Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45. 

CORTLAND COUNTY DINNER MEETING – SEPTEMBER 24TH 

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Tuesday, September 24^th, Community Restaurant, 10 Main St., Cortland. The meeting is open to ALL members of the Local (from any county).  Non-members are not permitted to attend.  Please RSVP to Ian Spencer, ian@csealocal334.com, by September 17th.  Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45. 

 REMINDER – ONONDAGA COUNTY – CSEA MEMBER BENEFITS/PEARL INSURANCE LUNCH & LEARN – August 21^st

CSEA Member Benefits and Pearl Insurances will present three Lunch & Learn seminars at the Old Onondaga County Courthouse, Room 312, on Wednesday, August 21^st, 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 end of business on Monday, August 19th.  Reservations are required and you must indicate which time slot you wish to attend.  See the link below for the informational flyer.

Onondaga Co. Lunch & Learn – 8/21/19 

Reminders (information sent in previous Notices – on web site):

• • Retirement Dinner, Vernon Downs, Friday, September 13^th.  RSVP to Sheila by September 5^th.  Hotel Room discount ends 8/20/19.
  • Binghamton Combined Locals Clambake, Saturday, September 14^th.  RSVP by September 5^th.
  • CSEA Region 5 Golf Tournament, Camillus, September 20^th. 

DEADLINE APPROACHING – SYRACUSE METS GAME – PARTY DECK NIGHT

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.  Click the link below for more information and registration materials.

2019-08-17 Syracuse Mets Flyer & Registration

ONONDAGA COUNTY – CSEA MEMBER BENEFITS/PEARL INSURANCE LUNCH & LEARN – August 21^st

CSEA Member Benefits and Pearl Insurances will present three Lunch & Learn seminars at the Old Onondaga County Courthouse, Room 312, on Wednesday, August 21^st, 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 end of business on Monday, August 19th.  Reservations are required and you must indicate which time slot you wish to attend.  See the link below for further information. This is a rescheduling of the June sessions that were postponed, so if you previously signed up, please RSVP again to Rosanne.

August 21 Onondaga Lunch & Learn

VERNON RETIREMENT PRESENTATION DINNER MEETING

Reserve your seat for our New York State Retirement  System Presentation Dinner Meeting to be held Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Hotel at Vernon Downs, 4229 Stuhlman Rd., Vernon, 6:00 p.m.  Seating is limited and reservations require a $10 deposit, to be mailed to Sheila Sears. Reservations must be received by September 5^th.  We will create a “wait list” once we reach our maximum number of participants.  Only Members of CSEA Local 334 (from any of our 20 counties) 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.  This is the only Retirement presentation/dinner planned at this time.  The presentation is on a Friday evening and discounted hotel rooms are available until August 20^th, so don’t delay making your room reservation if you wish to stay overnight.  See the link below for further information.

2019-09-13 Local 334_Retirement Dinner Meeting

BINGHAMTON COMBINED LOCALS CLAMBAKE – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Our Annual CSEA Combined Locals Clambake in Binghamton will take place on Saturday, September 14^th at Mountain Top Grove, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  There will be tons of food, live music, raffles, door prizes, 50-50 raffle and more.  No tickets sold at the door, so make your reservations with Tammy by calling 607-240-5801 (Tammy is out of the office today and Monday, so wait until Tuesday of next week to call her, please).  Reservation deadline is September 5^th.  See the link below for complete details.

2019-09-14 Binghamton Clambake Flyer

CSEA REGION 5 GOLF TOURNAMENT

The 12^th Annual CSEA Region 5 Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019, at the Camillus Hills Golf Club.  This event supports our CSEA Region 5 Scholarship program.  Start planning your team now and register your team to play, then enjoy raffles, prizes, and a great steak dinner.  See the link below for complete details.

2019-09-20 CSEA_Region 5_Golf Tournament

LOCAL MEMBERSHIP RATES BY COUNTY

Our Local is proud to announce that 14 of our 20 counties have 100% membership.  Each Notice in the next few weeks will have a breakdown of some of our counties so that our members are aware of whether their county has 100% participation: 

• Lewis – 100% membership
• Onondaga – 3 non-members
• Cortland – 100% membership
• Tioga – 100% membership
• Oneida – 100% membership
• Madison – 100% membership

JUDICIARY MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY RATIFY CONTRACT EXTENSION

(Susan Radosh, CSEA Dep. Director of State Operations, July 29, 2019)

CSEA Judiciary members across the state overwhelmingly ratified a one-year contract extension with the Unified Court System. The contract extension runs from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. Extension highlights include annual salary schedule increase for all employees in the unit, increases to longevity payments, location pay increases, Security and Law Enforcement Differential (SLED) payment increases and an increase in Family Sick Leave, line of duty leave, bereavement leave, increased contribution to the Employee Benefit Fund and more.  (See the link below for Highlight sheet)

Contract Extension Highlights – Click Here

WELCOME TO OUR COURT OFFICER TRAINEES

Our Local welcomes 47 new Court Officer Trainees who joined us after graduating from the UCS Court Officer Academy last Thursday.  Myself and 2^nd VP Rosanne Wicks were able to attend the ceremony at The Egg in Albany to watch the presentation of awards and administration of the oath of office to our newest members.  Please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome the new Officers to your area/our Local and be certain that they are receiving our email Receiver Notices. Congratulations to you all!

VERNON RETIREMENT PRESENTATION DINNER MEETING

Reserve your seat for our New York State Retirement  System Presentation Dinner Meeting to be held Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Hotel at Vernon Downs, 4229 Stuhlman Rd., Vernon, 6:00 p.m.  Seating is limited and reservations require a $10 deposit, to be mailed to Sheila Sears. Reservations must be received by September 5^th.  We will create a “wait list” once we reach our maximum number of participants.  Only Members of CSEA Local 334 (from any of our 20 counties) 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.  This is the only Retirement presentation/dinner planned at this time.  The presentation is on a Friday evening and discounted hotel rooms are available until August 20^th, so don’t delay making your room reservation if you wish to stay overnight.

REMINDER – SYRACUSE METS GAME – PARTY DECK NIGHT

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 & Reg – Click Here

LOCAL MEMBERSHIP RATES BY COUNTY

Our Local is proud to announce that 14 of our 20 counties have 100% membership.  Each Notice in the next few weeks will have a breakdown of some of our counties so that our members are aware of whether their county has 100% participation: 

• Jefferson – 100% membership
• Otsego – 1 non-member
• Broome – 100% membership
• Oswego – 100% membership
• Schuyler – 100% membership
• Chemung – 2 non-members
• Cayuga – 1 non-member 

SICK LEAVE & MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION REQUEST

Article 9.3(d) of our CSEA-UCS contract states “….the State shall not routinely require proof of illness for absences of three days or less.”  This means if you do not have a history of time and leave issues (counseling/coaching regarding sick leave use; repeated Mondays or Fridays off; requesting AL, being declined, then calling in sick, etc.), then you should not be required or asked to go to a doctor to get medical documentation for an absence of three days or less. 

That being said, remember that it will greatly benefit you to have saved your sick leave accruals when you retire.  Up to 1400 hours of sick leave can be utilized to give you additional service credit and offset the cost of your health insurance in retirement for the rest of your life.

ROME HONOR AMERICA DAYS PARADE

CSEA Region 5 will once again be marching in the Rome Honor America Days Parade on Saturday, July 27^th.  Free T-shirts (while they last!) provided for marchers, and candy and beads will be provided to hand out to the crowds.  Our CSEA float will proudly display the red, white and blue and the parade theme this year of “Christmas in July.”  Bring your family and friends to join us for a fun day.  Parade line-up is at 9:30 at the 100 block of West Pine Street.  See the link below for further information.

2019 Rome Honor America Days Parade Info

REMINDER – SYRACUSE METS GAME – PARTY DECK NIGHT

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 Game Flyer & Registration – Click Here

REMINDER – 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.  [Note:  as of this weekend, there were four seats left on the Syracuse bus and four seats left on the Binghamton bus.]

2019-08-04 CSEA_Reg5_Yankees Bus Trip Info & Registration

TENTATIVE RATIFICATION OF CONTRACT EXTENSION

Ballots must be received in Albany by 5 p.m. on July 26^th, this Friday.  The ballot count will take place Monday, July 29^th. 

LOCAL MEMBERSHIP RATES BY COUNTY

Our Local is proud to announce that 14 of our 20 counties have 100% membership.  Each Notice in the next few weeks will have a breakdown of some of our counties so that our members are aware of whether their county has 100% participation: 

• Franklin – 100% membership
• St. Lawrence – 2 non-members
• Herkimer – 100% membership
• Seneca – 100% membership
• Tompkins – 100% membership
• Chenango – 2 non-members
• Delaware – 100% membership

SAVE THE DATES (more information to follow):

• September 13, 2019 – Vernon Downs, Retirement Presentation and Dinner Meeting
• September 14, 2019 – Binghamton Clambake
• September 20, 2019 – CSEA Region 5 Golf Tournament, Camillus

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.