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.)

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.