ALEX BAY LUNCHEON TOUR BOAT – JUNE 8^TH

See the link below for information on  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.

2019-06-08 Alex Bay Luncheon Boat Tour Info – Click Here

REMINDER – 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. 

REMINDER – 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.  (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.)  (See 4/16/19 post for reservation information).

OFFICE CLERICAL SERIES RESTRUCTURING

The UCS Division of Human Resources recently sent out letters in regard to the restructuring of the Officer Clerical Series titles and job descriptions to employees within that title series.  Upon information supplied to CSEA, all employees in the title series should have received that letter indicating the change in title.  HR stated in the letter that they “recently conducted a review of the Office Clerical series to simplify the series, improve promotional opportunities and broadband (combine) sub-series to account for changes in court operations” – in my view, they updated and modernized outdated language and restructured/renamed titles.  I have received multiple inquires regarding the motives/reasoning for these changes and can only offer my opinion that it was an update.  Some members are insulted by the new title.  Be assured, it is only a change in title and there is no demotion or change in pay.  Presumably, no one’s day-to-day responsibilities will change as a result of this update.  Please note two things:  We (CSEA) were not part of this process and had no influence on the words chosen for the restructured titles; and all titles within the series were changed, not just Grade 12 SCOAs.

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. 

REMINDER – 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 4/16/19 post for the flyer and reservation information).

SAVE THE DATE – SYRACUSE METS NIGHT

See the link below for “save the date” information on our Saturday, August 17^th, Syracuse Mets Game Night on the Party Deck.  More information to follow.

Syracuse Mets Game Flyer – Click Here

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.

Click Here – Canton Retirement Dinner Meeting Information

WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY 2019, CORTLAND

Click the link below for information on CSEA Region 5’s 2019 Workers Memorial Day tribute, to be held on Sunday, April 28 at 12 noon at SUNY Cortland, between the Memorial Library and Van Hoesen Hall buildings.

2019 CSEA Region 5 Workers Memorial

AFSCME FREE COLLEGE

A reminder, your Union provides you and your family members with a FREE two-year online degree.  Since this program’s inception some years ago, the number and types of degrees have expanded.  Not only are members eligible, but retirees, grandchildren and financial independents are also eligible.  See the link below for updated information on this “zero dollars out of pocket” degree program.

2019 AFSCME Free-College-Benefit-Update Information

CSEA RETIREE DIVISION CHANGES

Once we retire from service, we no longer belong to the CSEA Judiciary Local.  Instead, you can and should apply for membership in the Retiree Division to keep informed about what changes will affect you as a retiree.  When you apply for our Local 334 Member Retirement Benefit, we send you a check for $50 and include an application for the CSEA Retiree Division.  Those dues are only $36 per year.  And due to recent changes approved by the CSEA Delegate body, spouses/domestic partners of retirees and retired CSEA staff are now also eligible to join the Retiree Division.

LEWIS COUNTY DINNER MEETING – FEBRUARY 28TH

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Thursday, February 28th, 2019, at Ridge View Inn, 6912 Bardo Rd., Lowville. 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 February 21st. Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45.

UTICA HOCKEY NIGHT – MARCH 1ST

Join us on the stage, “front row seats” at the Utica Memorial Auditorium on Friday, March 1st for an always exciting Utica Comets Hockey game. Admission includes ticket to game, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, chicken tenders, and fries. Tickets are limited, so get your money and reservations in today. Member cost is $10; guest cost is $42. Non-members are not permitted to attend. Any questions, contact Catrina at catrina@csealocal334.com. All reservations must be received in the mail by February 22nd. See the link below for further details and the reservation form.

March 1st, Utica Hockey Night Information

NYS RETIREMENT SYSTEM PRESENTATION/TIOGA DINNER

We will be holding a dinner meeting followed by a presentation by the New York State Retirement System on Wednesday, March 6th, 2019, at Tioga Downs Event Center, 2nd Floor, Tioga South, in Nichols, at 6:15 p.m. This meeting/presentation is a joint collaboration with CSEA Local 002 (Southern Tier State Employees). Vendors have been invited to attend. Secure your reservation today, as seating is limited. We will keep a “wait list” once reservations are full, so please include a cell number to reach you. All reservations must be received by Friday, February 22nd, as our numbers will be have to be called in to Tioga Downs on Monday. NO Exceptions, so please mail your reservation and deposit right away. Any questions, contact Tammy Witteman at 607-240-5801.

March 6 Retirement Meeting/Dinner Information

UPCOMING DEFERRED COMPENSATION SESSIONS – SAVE THE DATE

Tammy Witteman, in conjunction with Dan Kain from Deferred Compensation, has set up the following locations for individual Deferred Comp account review and set-up appointments. Further information on locations and a link to schedule your appointment will be sent out next week. At that time, you may schedule a 15-minute appointment to enroll or review your account without charge to your own leave accruals, based on the operating needs of your court. Please discuss your availability with your supervisor prior to scheduling an appointment. Appointments are first-come first-served. Bring a paystub if you plan to newly enroll. Not all employees have internet access on their work computers in order to sign up for a session. You may need to use a personal computer/device in order to gain access to the scheduling link, once it is provided.

• January 28th, Ithaca, Tompkins County – We are informed all appointments are filled and will look into providing another date soon.
• February 19th, Norwich, Chenango County – From 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at The Eaton Center, 13 Eaton Avenue, 1st floor conference room.
• February 20th, Elmira, Chemung County – From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Hazlett Building, 1st Floor.

Thank you to Tammy Witteman for setting up these sessions, to Dan Kain for traveling to meet with our members and to our members that helped to find a location for these appointments in their courthouse.

CONGRATULATIONS TO TERRI VECCHIO ON HER RETIREMENT

On behalf of the CSEA Judiciary Local 334 Executive Board and membership, we wish to congratulation Terri Vecchio, Court Clerk in Oneida County, on her retirement effective end of business today. Terri is a former Local 334 Secretary (2003-2011) and has worked diligently as our Scholarship Chair for many years, up until 2017. We thank Terri for all of her dedication, friendship and hard work over the years and wish her the very best in her hard-earned retirement!!

CHEMUNG COUNTY DINNER MEETING – JANUARY 24TH

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Thursday, January 24th, 2019, at Lib’s Supper Club, 106 W. 5th St., Elmira. The meeting is open to ALL members of the Local (from any county). Please RSVP to Tammy Witteman, twittema@nycourts.gov, by January 16th (tomorrow). Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45.

SAVE THE DATE – LEWIS COUNTY:

Lewis County Dinner meeting, Lowville, Thursday, February 28th. Details to follow.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND CO-PAY REIMBURSEMENT

A reminder to submit your EBF reimbursement form once you have reached a combined co-pay amount of $325 for physician visit and prescription co-pays OR on/after December 31st each year. Applications are accepted for 2018 reimbursement through March 31st, 2019. Click the link below for guidelines and pay particular attention to what proof of co-pays are accepted, i.e., Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for Physician co-pays and pharmacy printouts for Prescription co-pays.

EBF_UCS_Combined Copay Info

CSEA DUES & YOUR TAXES

Because I have received a number of inquiries, our members should be aware that CSEA itself does not, per se, raise our dues annually. CSEA dues increase only when the entire CSEA delegate body votes to do so, which has not happened in many years. However, based on our affiliation with our “parent” union AFSCME, we do incur an annual increase based on their increase in dues annually.

Also, based on changes to NYS laws in April 2017, do you know you may now write off your CSEA dues on your New York State taxes if you itemize? Even if you do not itemize your federal taxes. CSEA and other Unions fought hard for this change, fighting to save you money! Check with your professional tax preparer for further information.

CHEMUNG COUNTY DINNER MEETING – JANUARY 24TH

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Thursday, January 24th, 2019, at Lib’s Supper Club, 106 W. 5th St., Elmira. The meeting is open to ALL members of the Local (from any county). Please RSVP to Tammy Witteman, twittema@nycourts.gov, by January 16th. Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45.

SAVE THE DATE – LEWIS COUNTY:

Lewis County Dinner meeting at Steak-N-Brew, Turin, Thursday, February 28th. Details to follow.

LOCAL DELEGATE BARB TRACZ

Best wishes to Local 334 Delegate Barb Tracz from Onondaga County, who will be retiring next week. Thank you, Barb, for your many years of dedication to the Local and to our members. We have enjoyed working together and will miss you and that contagious laughter and smile!

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 “Look up 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. (Our last two winners from the Dec. 13th Receiver Notice were from Delaware and Seneca Counties. Neither claimed their money.)

CSEA MEMBER BENEFITS – KEEP MONEY IN YOUR POCKET!

CSEA Member Benefits has prepared an email full of ways to put/keep money in your pocket – from NYS Safety Program (defensive driving course online), student scholarships and a whole array of other ways to save money and get discounts. (Note: Our Local sends out scholarship information typically late February/early March on other scholarships, also.) I’ll be forwarding that entire email to all Receivers under separate cover today. Look it over and find dozens of different ways to save.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and all the best in the New Year!

Your CSEA Local 334 Executive Board ~ Don, Ian, Tammy, Rosanne, Sheila and Catrina

AFSCME FREE COLLEGE BENEFIT

The AFSCME Free College benefit provides an opportunity for you and your family to learn an on-line degree at no cost to you. The program recently has expanded to include certificates and/or degrees in Cyber Security, Data Science, Digital and Social Media Marketing, Advertising, Hospitality-Event management and more, as well as the previously existing programs that include, among others, Criminal Justice, Business Management, Early Childhood Education, Paralegal, Accounting, etc. Another CSEA members-only benefit. Go to https://freecollege.AFSCME.org/ or call 1-888-590-9009. Classes start January 14th.

CHANGES TO HEALTH INSURANCE CO-PAYS, ETC.

Be certain to review changes to your NYSHIP (New York State Health Insurance Program) benefits prior to changes that will take place effective January 1st. Enrollees were mailed a pamphlet a few weeks ago setting out the upcoming changes.

NEW CHOICE NEW YORK

As we have been telling members that attended our dinner meetings, there are organizations that exist solely to convince members to quit their union. I’ve been speaking about the “Freedom Foundation” over the last year. Now, there is another organization called New Choice New York that has been passing out literature at homes and in workplaces, encouraging people to quit their union. But you already know the value of having a Union on your side during an interrogation, counseling or disciplinary matter. You know the value of having a contract to rely on to determine your working conditions and policies. You know the value of having good health benefits, dental, vision, co-pay reimbursement and legal benefits. You know that membership must be maintained above 50% or no contract will exist. Our members are educated and know that union-represented employees on average make 27% more in wages and make 28% more in retirement pension benefits. Our members won’t be fooled.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION – BROOME & CORTLAND COS. – DEC. 18TH

On Tuesday, December 18th, Deferred Compensation Rep. Daniel Kain will be in the Broome County Courthouse, 65 Hawley St., from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Attorney Office, and in the Cortland County Courthouse, 46 Greenbush St., 1st Floor Grand Jury Room from 1:00-3:00 p.m. You may schedule a 15-minute appointment to enroll or review your account without charge to your own leave accruals, based on the operating needs of your court. Please discuss your availability with your supervisor prior to trying to schedule an appointment. Appointments are first-come first-served. Bring a paystub if you plan to enroll. See the link below to view the flyer for more information. Click on the links below to make an appointment:

Deferred Comp Flyer, Dec. 18, 2018

Binghamton appointments – http://binghamtoncourt.myRetirementAppt.com

Cortland appointments – http://cortlandcourt.myRetirementAppt.com

DO YOU KNOW YOUR CSEA ID NUMBER?

Every CSEA Membership 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 “Look up 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. (Our September winner was from Cayuga County.)

NEW CSEA REGION 5 PRESIDENT

With the recent retirement of CSEA Region 5 President Colleen Wheaton, our new Region President is now Ken Greenleaf, a long-time activist who has held positions as a Local President in Oswego County, Local 838, Region Exec. Vice President, as well as various positions on statewide committees. We wish Kenny well in his new leadership position. You can read Kenny’s welcome message at www.cseany.org/r5.

FINAL REMINDER – POLAR PLUNGE – SPECIAL OLYMPICS

It’s time to go out and “freeze for a reason” again at the Polar Plunge this Sunday, December 2nd , plunging into Oneida Lake to raise money for the Special Olympics. The money raised will help send athletes to compete in the games. Please consider donating – any amount helps, large or small. You can click on the link below to go to my fundraising page or to make a donation to one of our other Local Officers or fellow members on the CSEA Region 5 team. Better yet, sign up to join us. Many thanks to those that have already contributed. Thank you!!

http://events.nyso.org/site/TR/Plunge/POLARPLUNGE?px=1001775&pg=personal&fr_id=1613

CSEA-UCS SICK LEAVE BANK INFORMATION

The Sick Leave Bank (SLB) was established through contract negotiations to cover illness, injury or disease that would require the employee to be out of work for an extended period of time while maintaining their pay status and health insurance.

Once an employee becomes eligible (having eight days of accrued sick leave on the books by open enrollment period, usually in April of every year), they would be eligible to draw from the bank for an illness, injury or disease, once they have exhausted all other leave accruals. Approval of said time is required by the SLB Committee. The SLB Committee consists of one management representative and one union representative. A unanimous vote on each grant is required, and there is no appeal process. Once your grant is approved, it can be renewed for additional periods of time as needed, up to a maximum of 229 days or 1603 hours. Each renewal also requires SLB Committee approval.

Though you may be a member of the SLB, it is important to note that not all situations will qualify for a grant, which is why it is so important to save your accruals, especially sick leave. Sick Leave can also be used at retirement to help offset health insurance premiums and add to your service credit. Please also note that minor illness, injury or disease requiring a short period of absence from work are generally covered by your personal accrued leave. Travel is not permitted during the SLB grant time unless it is related to the injury/illness/disease (ex: obtaining a second opinion or seeing a specialist from another area).

The SLB exists to help those who encounter unforeseen illnesses, injuries or disease and, to that end, the Committee has an obligation of making sure grants are given to the members it was created to help while also looking out for the interests of the other bank members.

We strongly encourage all members to join upon eligibility as the SLB acts as an insurance policy, hopefully one that you will never have to use, but if you do, it will be there.

CIVIL SERVICE – “OPT OUT” PROGRAM – ERRONEOUS NOTIFICATION

CSEA was recently informed by UCS that “the Department of Civil Service has generated notices confirming enrollees’ ‘Opt-Out’ for the 2019 Plan year, which are erroneous as the 2019 Option Transfer Period has not yet occurred.

“As we are not yet sure whether Civil Service will be sending anything out to enrollees notifying them of this error, please ensure that your members are aware that they must re-enroll in the ‘Opt-Out’ Program for 2019 even if they received one of these letters.

“Any questions regarding health benefits should be made to your local Health Benefits Administrator.”

CSEA NIGHT – LIGHTS ON THE LAKE – LIVERPOOL

Lights On The Lake is Central New York’s premier drive-through holiday lighting show, with two miles of breathtaking displays proudly setup and maintained by our CSEA Local 834 members working in the Onondaga County Parks Department. It’s always fun for the whole family!

For one night only, on Monday, December 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool, CSEA members and their families throughout Central New York can get advance sale admission at the special discount rate of $4.00 per car, a member-only savings of $6.00 off the regular rate!

Come see our CSEA logo in lights and join us for a free family holiday party with refreshments and Santa visiting and taking pictures with the kids from 5 – 8 pm at the Salt Museum at Onondaga Lake Park.

Advance sale tickets are available through Onondaga Local 834 by calling (315) 446-0330 and will also be available for purchase that night at the Salt Museum. Show a copy of your CSEA membership card or download your digital membership card on the My CSEA smartphone app as evidence of your CSEA membership. We’ll also be collecting donations for the Food Bank of Central New York, so please help us by bringing your generous donation of non-perishable food to the Salt Museum.

Happy holidays from CSEA and enjoy Lights On The Lake!

BROOME COUNTY DINNER MEETING – DECEMBER 4TH

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Tuesday, December 4th, 2018, at The Doubletree, 225 Water Street, Binghamton. The meeting is open to all members of the Local (from any county). Please RSVP to Tammy Witteman, twittema@nycourts.gov, by November 27th. Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45.

REMINDER – POLAR PLUNGE – SPECIAL OLYMPICS

It’s time to go out and “freeze for a reason” again at the Polar Plunge on Sunday, December 2nd , plunging into Oneida Lake to raise money for the Special Olympics. The money raised will help send athletes to compete in the games. Please consider donating – any amount helps, large or small. You can click on the link below to go to my fundraising page or to make a donation to one of our other Local Officers or fellow members on the CSEA Region 5 team. Better yet, sign up to join us. Many thanks to those that have already contributed. Thank you!!

http://events.nyso.org/site/TR/Plunge/POLARPLUNGE?px=1001775&pg=personal&fr_id=1613

UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE

UCS has notified CSEA that the Uniform and Equipment allowance will be paid out on December 12, 2018.

HOLIDAY RECESS – WORKING UP TO TWO DAYS

A reminder that we have a side letter (similar to a pilot program) to our 2017-2020 contract that contains the language “During the 2017, 2018, and 2019 court recess periods, employees may report to work up to two (2) days and shall not be required to charge leave credits.” This gives you the option to not have to charge the four days of AL based on Article 9.2(l) but rather you may work two days and only have to charge two days of AL.

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your summer calendars for August 17th, 2019, for the Syracuse Mets Party Deck event. More info to follow in the Spring!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Your Local 334 Executive Board – Don, Ian, Tammy, Rosanne, Sheila and Catrina

VOTE

Your VOTE is your VOICE. Every Vote counts. Your Union has negotiated a full day off from work for most members, so that you can do just that. Keep your own best interests in mind and exercise your right to Vote on Tuesday, November 6th!

BROOME COUNTY DINNER MEETING – DECEMBER 4TH

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Tuesday, December 4th, 2018, at The Doubletree, 225 Water Street, Binghamton. The meeting is open to all members of the Local (from any county). Please RSVP to Tammy Witteman, twittema@nycourts.gov, by November 27th. Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45.

POLAR PLUNGE – SPECIAL OLYMPICS

It’s time to go out and “freeze for a reason” again at the Polar Plunge on Sunday, December 2nd , plunging into Oneida Lake to raise money for the Special Olympics. The money raised will help send athletes to compete in the games. Please consider donating – any amount helps, large or small. You can click on the link below to go to my fundraising page or to make a donation to one of our other Local Officers or fellow members on the CSEA Region 5 team. Better yet, sign up to join us. Also, a huge shout out to the members that attended the Syracuse Retirement Dinner Presentation – we collected $850 in donations towards our Local 334 team’s contribution. Thank you!!

http://events.nyso.org/site/TR/Plunge/POLARPLUNGE?px=1001775&pg=personal&fr_id=1613

DON – OUT OF OFFICE

I will be out of the office without access to phone/email from Thursday, November 8th through and including Friday, November 16th. Emails/calls sent to me will not receive a response during that time period. Please contact a Local Officer or Grievance Rep as listed on our website if you need anything during that time frame.