TELECOMMUTING PILOT PROGRAM

CSEA and OCA met on Monday to begin discussions on a telecommuting pilot program which is intended for Technology titles at this time.  The conversation was productive, and we agreed to move this topic to the Statewide Labor Management (SLM) forum so that it can progress along in the most efficient manner.  Our next SLM meeting is scheduled for mid-June.  In the meantime, both CSEA and OCA will be working on proposals as both parties are eager to have a policy in place as soon as possible.  It is important to note that the parties can monitor the success rate of the Pilot program more effectively in the SLM forum, which will aid in the dialogue to expand to other titles in the future.  CSEA is the leading union in the Judiciary, and the only union that represents Technology titles in the Judiciary, which also puts us at an advantage for further expansion of the program.

We appreciate your patience as we finalize a pilot program that will be beneficial for both employees and the UCS.

NYS STATE BUDGET

The Governor and the Legislature enacted the $237 billion 2024-25 New York State budget on April 20, 2024. The budget included significant progress on many of the priorities CSEA Political Action advocated for in its ongoing FIX TIER SIX campaign. Thanks to the unrelenting advocacy of CSEA members and the support of Governor Hochul and the New York State Senate and Assembly, we continue to make meaningful gains to support state services and the state workers who provide those services. CSEA’s top priority was reforming the Tier 5 and Tier 6 pension plans and we were successful this budget cycle on two fronts. We appreciate Gov. Hochul and the Legislature agreeing to reduce the final average salary calculation from 5 years to 3 years. This change, along with the reduction in vesting time from 10 years to 5 years that was passed in 2022, will help the state attract and retain the workers it needs, in order to deliver services and reduce the more than $1 billion it currently spends annually on overtime. Lawmakers and the governor also extended the exclusion of overtime earnings when calculating Tier 6 members’ contributions to the pension plan until March 31, 2026. As we work to increase staffing and address inequities in Tier 6, the continuation of this provision protects CSEA members from increased contribution costs caused by working voluntary or mandatory overtime to meet the state’s ongoing staffing needs.

Additionally, thanks to Union advocacy through our “FIX TIER SIX,” the Governor and the Legislature have passed budget legislation to end the arcane and counterproductive lag payroll system and

salary deferral program for new hires beginning later this year. New employees hired on or after July 1, 2024, will no longer be subject to the salary deferral program, while new employees hired after July 1, 2025, will no longer be subject to the lag payroll system. This has been a long sought after change that we believe will remove significant and unnecessary barriers to attracting and retaining new staff.

COURT CLERK REALLOCATION

Thanks in large part to CSEA Political Action lobbying Albany for additional funds, the enacted Judiciary budget resulted in an increase of $8 million over the original proposal. As a result OCA is able to continue a comprehensive review of the Unified Court System’s Classification Plan for Nonjudicial Employees. We advise you of these modifications and the implementation of some of those changes. These changes will continue to improve the title structure in the courts and will assist with recruitment and retention of these key court operational employees. Employees that will be reallocated pursuant to these changes will receive written notice directly from the Division of Human Resources. This reallocation will have no impact on any employee’s current Jurisdictional Class or appointment status. nor does it change any existing eligibility they may have to receive a Longevity Increment or Longevity Payment. Please note that the overall UCS Classification Plan, including reallocation and reclassifications of titles. and changes to the Title Standards to align with the current job duties more closely for nonjudicial employees is a continuous process.

Incumbent employees in the Court Clerk Series are being reallocated as follows:

Current Title                                                             Reallocated Title                                                        Effective Date

Court Clerk (JG-18)                                                  Court Clerk (JG-20)                                                    May 23,2024

Surrogate Court Clerk (JG- 18)                               Surrogate Court Clerk (JG-20)                                  May 23.2024

Senior Court Clerk (JG-21 )                                     Senior Court Clerk (JG-22)                                        August 1, 2024

Senior Court Clerk HSAP (JG-21)                           Senior Court Clerk HSAP (JG-22)                             August 1, 2024

Sr Surrogate Court Clerk (JG-21 )                          Senior Surrogate Court Clerk (JG-22)                       August 1, 2024

Associate Court Clerk (JG-23)                                Associate Court Clerk (JG-24)                                   August 1, 2024

Associate Surrogate Court Clerk (JG-23)              Associate Surrogate Court Clerk (JG-24)                 August 1, 2024

COMP TIME GRIEVANCE UPDATE:

Pursuant to the settlement agreement reached with OCA, the first list of members credited with comp time has been submitted to payroll and has been processed.  If you have not already noticed an adjustment to your accruals in KRONOS, your submission is still pending verification through your respective district office. Just to clarify, the first list includes members whose time has already been confirmed and if there were any questions, they have been resolved. For remaining members not on the first list to be credited, as OCA starts to receive communications from the courts about the kronos codes for certain time periods in question, a second list will then be authorized.

IRVING FLAUMENBAUM SCHOLARSHIP

The deadline to submit applications for our union’s statewide college scholarships has been extended to May 16! Graduating high school seniors who are eligible dependents of CSEA active members are eligible to apply for and receive a scholarship. CSEA awards 18 $1,000 scholarships under the Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarship program, three in each region. Pearl Insurance and MetLife each sponsor a one-time $2,500 award.

PLEASE NOTE: Old applications could disqualify potential candidates. Please do not use applications from previous years – applications were recently revised.

Download the 2024 Scholarship Application here.

MICHAEL D. CARRAWAY SCHOLARSHIP

It is with great pleasure CSEA Judiciary Local 334 announces the 2024 Lt. Michael D. Carraway Memorial Scholarship Program.  Graduating seniors who are a child or legal dependent of a court employee represented by CSEA Judiciary Local 334  and will be attending an accredited institution of higher education are eligible to apply.  Applications due by May 3^rd, 2024.

*These scholarships are another member-only benefit for belonging to New York’s Leading Union.*

MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY

Trucks in the park @ Otsinengo park Sunday, May 19th from 11 – 2.  This will be a multilocal event and will include CSEA locals 804, 449, 441, 648, 334 & 866.  See the attached flyer for details.  If you are interested contact ian@csealocal334.com for tickets.

BE IN THE KNOW – GET ACTIVE

Receivers of these notices should be diligent about distributing amongst their co-workers, posting on Union boards where available and in general sharing the news of their Union.  However, it is incumbent upon all of us to be our own best advocate. You can educate yourself and “stay in the know” by following the link to our website at the top of this notice as well as downloading the CSEA app (follow the links below) in order to have all of your information at your fingertips.

In order to guarantee members receive correspondence from their Union the local also strongly encourages members to contact CSEA member solutions and update their mailing addresses as well as their email and phone contacts. CSEA members can do so by calling 1-800-342-4146 or by logging on here https://cseany.org/contact-us.

My CSEA link for Apple devices

My CSEA link for Android devices

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE (PPL)

Paid Parental Leave (PPL) was made available for represented employees as of Monday April 1st, 2024.

In the following links please find the two (2) leave forms – with instructions – which became effective April 1, 2024. In implementing this benefit OCA has created a new form, specifically for Child Care Leaves – Application for Child Care Leave, UCS-48-CL (UCS-48-CL, Instructions_Eff April 1, 2024) and have modified the existing Application for Leave – UCS-48 (UCS-48, Instructions_REV April 1, 2024) to eliminate all references to Child Care Leaves and FMLA for childbirth/childcare. .  As of Monday April 1st, 2024 all Child Care Leaves must be made on the UCS-48-CL.  These forms are both formatted in fillable pdf. for easy completion/sign off and will be available on the “Forms” tab of the Division of Human Resources page on Monday.

Any employee that had a qualifying event between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024, i.e., gave birth, adopted or fostered a child between these dates, or any employee that has already submitted a UCS-48 for a Child Care Leave to commence in the future, must complete the new UCS-48-CL to update their leave request to incorporate PPL and any other applicable changes to their leave, e.g., end date, charging/order of personal accruals etc.

Employees that had a qualifying event between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 are eligible to apply for retroactive PPL by checking the blue “retro” box on the UCS-48-CL.  Upon receipt of your UCS-48-CL with the “retro” box selected, your local administrative office will provide you with the appropriate form to request restoration of accruals previously charged for a qualifying event that occurred between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 and/or prospective use of PPL, i.e., from April 1^st forward.  Prior unpaid service is not eligible for retroactive PPL.  Only employees that are still out on their Child Care Leave on April 1, 2024 for a qualifying event that occurred between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 are entitled to elect prospective use of PPL on the UCS-48-CL (Retro) form, i.e., if the employee has already returned to work, they are not entitled to go back out to use PPL.  Please refer to the attached PPL Reference Guide for additional information about this new benefit.

Questions regarding leaves should be referred to the OCA Division of Human Resources at OCA-HRLeaves@nycourts.gov

JOIN THE FIX TIER 6 CAMPAIGN
The state’s pension system is meant to serve as a recruitment and retention tool. However, since the creation of Tier 6, it no longer does. Under Tier 6, employees are less likely to take a job in the public sector and, if they do, are less likely to stay.

As of today, our members have sent over 6000 letters to NYS legislators, but we have to do better, and we have to do more. Building on the Tier 6 changes that we achieved two years ago through your phone calls, e-mails, and meetings with state legislators, we need to continue fighting to make Tier 6 an equitable and fair pension plan for workers.
Please (regardless of what tier you are in) click here and send a letter to your State Assembly member and Senator demanding that Tier 6 reforms be included in this year’s state budget. Without changes to Tier 6, we will continue to have tens of thousands of vacant positions in state agencies and local governments, which will continue to lead to mandated overtime and the burnout of existing staff.

Please spread the word on this critical campaign and let’s flood legislators’ inboxes and let them know that CSEA members demand improvements to Tier 6!

INCREMENTS / LONGEVITY and SLED PAYMENTS

CSEA has been notified that increment payments as well as SLED and Longevity payments will be reflected in the April 24^th, 2024 pay advice.

BINGHAMTON RETIREMENT PRESENTATION/DINNER MEETING – April 29th

Reserve your seat for our New York State Retirement System Presentation Dinner Meeting to be held Monday, April 29th, 6:00 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton Binghamton. The Doubletree is located at 225 Water St., Binghamton. Reservations must be received by April 12^th, confirmations will be sent by April 13^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. See the attached flyer for further information.

IRVING FLAUMENBAUM SCHOLARSHIP

Every year, our union offers eighteen $1,000 scholarships under the Irving Flaumenbaum and Thomas H. McDonough programs, three in each of our six regions. Dependent children of CSEA members who are graduating high school seniors are eligible. We also have two additional college scholarship opportunities available through the same application form. You can download this year’s application form at: cseany.org/scholarships/ where you can also find a poster to print and post around your workplaces. The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is May 1st, 2024.

REGION 5 SCHOLARSHIP

Attached is the 2024 Region 5 Scholarship application and flyer to promote across your workplaces. The deadline for applications to be submitted is April 12^th, 2024.

MICHAEL D. CARRAWAY SCHOLARSHIP

It is with great pleasure CSEA Judiciary Local 334 announces the 2024 Lt. Michael D. Carraway Memorial Scholarship Program.  Graduating seniors who are a child or legal dependent of a court employee represented by CSEA Judiciary Local 334  and will be attending an accredited institution of higher education are eligible to apply.  Applications due by May 3^rd, 2024.

*These scholarships are another member-only benefit for belonging to New York’s Leading Union.*

2024 SAVE THE DATES – Details to follow

Member appreciation day – trucks in the park @ Otsinengo park Sunday, May 19th  from (11 – 2) for locals: 804, 449, 441, 648, 334 & 866

2024 CSEA Local 804,002,334,441,866 Combined Clam Bake –  Saturday July 13th (12p-4p)

2024 2^nd Annual Region 5 Cornhole Tournament, July 20^th Doors open at 12:00 pm

2024 Water Safari Family Fun Day – 8/24/24

Syracuse Area Clambake TBA

JOIN THE FIX TIER 6 CAMAIGN
The state’s pension system is meant to serve as a recruitment and retention tool. However, since the creation of Tier 6, it no longer does. Under Tier 6, employees are less likely to take a job in the public sector and, if they do, are less likely to stay.

As of today, our members have sent almost 4000 letters to NYS legislators, but we have to do better, and we have to do more. Building on the Tier 6 changes that we achieved two years ago through your phone calls, e-mails, and meetings with state legislators, we need to continue fighting to make Tier 6 an equitable and fair pension plan for workers.
Please encourage all of your members (regardless of what tier they are in) to click here, where they can send a letter to their State Assembly member and Senator demanding that Tier 6 reforms be included in this year’s state budget. Without changes to Tier 6, we will continue to have tens of thousands of vacant positions in state agencies and local governments, which will continue to lead to mandated overtime and the burnout of existing staff.

Please spread the word on this critical campaign and let’s flood legislators’ inboxes and let them know that CSEA members demand improvements to Tier 6!

INCREMENTS / LONGEVITY and SLED PAYMENTS

CSEA has been notified that increment payments as well as SLED and Longevity payments will be reflected in the April 24^th, 2024 pay advice.

SYRACUSE RETIREMENT PRESENTATION/DINNER MEETING – March 26th

Reserve your seat for our New York State Retirement  System Presentation Dinner Meeting to be held Tuesday March 26th, 6:00 p.m. at Daniella’s steakhouse – The Inn at the Fairgrounds.  Daniella’s is located at 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, within the New York State Fairgrounds. Enter through gate 2 and follow the signs to Daniella’s. Reservations must be received by March 19^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. See the attached flyer for further information.

2024_03 Retirment dinner syracuse

BINGHAMTON RETIREMENT PRESENTATION/DINNER MEETING – April 29th

Reserve your seat for our New York State Retirement System Presentation Dinner Meeting to be held Monday, April 29th, 6:00 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton Binghamton. The Doubletree is located at 225 Water St., Binghamton. Reservations must be received by April 12^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. See the attached flyer for further information.

2024_03 Retirment dinner Binghamton

UTICA COMETS HOCKEY NIGHT – FRIDAY APRIL 19TH

Join us on the stage at the Utica Memorial Auditorium,  Friday April 19^th for an always exciting Utica Comets Hockey game.  Admission includes ticket to game, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, fries and front row seats! Tickets are limited, so get your money and reservations in today.  Member cost is $10; guest cost is $42.  Any questions, contact Catrina Leone at catrina@csealocal334.com.  All reservations must be received in the mail by April 10th.  See the attached flyer for further details and the reservation form.

2024 Comets Hockey night

IRVING FLAUMENBAUM SCHOLARSHIP

Every year, our union offers eighteen $1,000 scholarships under the Irving Flaumenbaum and Thomas H. McDonough programs, three in each of our six regions. Dependent children of CSEA members who are graduating high school seniors are eligible. We also have two additional college scholarship opportunities available through the same application form. You can download this year’s application form at: cseany.org/scholarships/ where you can also find a poster to print and post around your workplaces. The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is May 1st, 2024.

REGION 5 SCHOLARSHIP

Attached is the 2024 Region 5 Scholarship application and flyer to promote across your workplaces. The deadline for applications to be submitted is April 12^th, 2024.

Region 5 scholarship 2024

MICHAEL D. CARRAWAY SCHOLARSHIP

It is with great pleasure CSEA Judiciary Local 334 announces the 2024 Lt. Michael D. Carraway Memorial Scholarship Program.  Graduating seniors who are a child or legal dependent of a court employee represented by CSEA Judiciary Local 334  and will be attending an accredited institution of higher education are eligible to apply.  Applications due by May 3^rd, 2024.

2024 Judiciary Local 334 Cover and Application

*These scholarships are another member-only benefit for belonging to New York’s Leading Union.*

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY

Paid Parental Leave MOU

CSEA Judiciary Local Presidents are happy to announce that CSEA and the Unified Court System have agreed on a Paid Parental Leave benefit which will go into effect on April 1, 2024.

Under the terms of the agreement, upon the birth, adoption or foster date, CSEA represented employees will be entitled to 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave during which they will continue to accumulate accruals and receive full pay. This Agreement also allows households where both parents work for the Courts to each take 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.

PPL must be taken in consecutive weeks and cannot be taken intermittently. This Agreement provides for retroactivity back to any birth, adoption or foster date on or after January 1 through March 31, 2024.  If an employee gave birth, adopted or fostered a child beginning on a date between January 1 and March 31 of 2024, and were on paid leave utilizing their accruals, once the PPL forms are available, the employee should fill them out and submit them as the form advises.

If an employee was out on unpaid leave upon the birth, adoption or foster date, they will not be eligible to retroactive PPL, but may be eligible for prospective PPL if they are currently out on leave as of April 1. The PPL benefit is ONLY available within 7 months of the date of birth, adoption or fostering.  So if one adopts a child on January 5, 2024, on or about April 1, 2024 they can use the forms that UCS will develop to apply for PPL for any 12 week period between 1/5 and 8/4/24.   Please reach out to your Local President if you have any questions.  Stay Union, Stay strong!

IRVING FLAUMENBAUM SCHOLARSHIP

CSEA-Scholarship-App-2024_1_up

Every year, our union offers eighteen $1,000 scholarships under the Irving Flaumenbaum and Thomas H. McDonough programs, three in each of our six regions. Dependent children of CSEA members who are graduating high school seniors are eligible. We also have two additional college scholarship opportunities available through the same application form. You can download this year’s application form at: cseany.org/scholarships/ where you can also find a poster to print and post around your workplaces. The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is May 1st, 2024.

REGION 5 SCHOLARSHIP

Region 5 scholarship 2024

Attached is the 2024 Region 5 Scholarship application and flyer to promote across your workplaces. The deadline for applications to be submitted is April 12^th, 2024.

MICHAEL D. CARRAWAY SCHOLARSHIP

2024 Judiciary Local 334 Cover and Application

It is with great pleasure CSEA Judiciary Local 334 announces the 2024 Lt. Michael D. Carraway Memorial Scholarship Program.  Graduating seniors who are a child or legal dependent of a court employee represented by CSEA Judiciary Local 334  and will be attending an accredited institution of higher education are eligible to apply.  Applications due by May 3^rd, 2024.

*These scholarships are another member-only benefit for belonging to New York’s Leading Union.*

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND CO-PAY REIMBURSEMENT

105_UCS_Copay (9)

Submit your EBF reimbursement form once you have reached a combined co-pay amount of $400 for physician visits, labs/X-rays, other un-reimbursed medical and prescription co-pays on/after December 31^st each year.  Applications are only accepted for 2023 reimbursement through March 31st, 2024.  See the attached guidelines and pay particular attention to what proof of co-pays are accepted, i.e., Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for Physician co-pays, pharmacy printouts for Prescription co-pays. Should you have any questions call 1-800-323-2732 or go online to www.cseaebf.com

2024 CSEA Elections

Attached is a copy of the Notice of Election forms to be posted for the 2024 CSEA Statewide elections, being held for; Statewide Officers, Region Officers, Statewide board of Directors and AFSCME Delegates.

I am requesting that you immediately post this notice throughout your work locations wherever CSEA notices are posted. If additional copies are needed they can be provided by contacting ian@csealocal334.com

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

2024_Notice of Election

MEETING WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

On Monday, December 18th, the seven CSEA local Presidents and Susan Radosh, CSEA Deputy Director of Contract Administration, met with Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George in NYC.

It was a very positive meeting from start to finish with both sides recognizing that we should be working as a team on  issues that affect our members.  We were happy to represent you at the table to talk about topics such as Paid Parental Leave, telecommuting, flexible work schedules including possible compressed work weeks, staffing shortages and retention issues and glad to see how receptive they were.  The Chief Judge stated that the proposed budget submitted to the Legislature includes, among other things, historic additional monies to “staff up” the court system. We look forward to working with the new administration to address issues that are important to you. Of course, as we learn more on these important topics, we will share the information.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE:

Negotiations with OCA began yesterday regarding a paid parental leave policy for UCS employees.  I am happy to report we had a very productive first meeting. There are still some details to work out and to that end, we have scheduled our next negotiations for January 17th.  If all goes well this policy would be in effect April 1, 2024.

CHANGES TO COURT REPORTER SERIES

CSEA and the other court unions were informed by UCS on Wednesday, that UCS has created a 1-year Court Reporter Trainee, SG 22 title, and has changed the Court Reporter 1, SG 24 from competitive to non-competitive jurisdictional status.

If you are currently a Court Reporter 1, even if on probation, you will remain competitive.  In addition, the Senior and Principal Court Reporter title remain competitive.

CSEA has registered a complaint with UCS regarding the change in Court Reporter 1 jurisdiction from competitive to non-competitive. This change limits the disciplinary rights of those future employees appointed to this now non-competitive title, in as much as they will now have to serve for 5 years before they will be entitled to disciplinary rights under Article 12 of the contract.  In addition, there may be needed changes to the Chief Judges rules to make them eligible to sit for competitive exams for the Senior Court Reporter. CSEA knows firsthand how hard our Court Reporters and Senior Court Reporters work and welcome the creation of the Court Reporter Trainee title as a conduit from the Court Reporter schools into the Court System.  But changing the jurisdictional classification of the Court Reporter 1 from a competitive title to a non-competitive one is a mistake and we have voiced our opposition to it at the highest level of the Court Administration. CSEA will keep members informed of any further developments.

LIGHTS ON THE LAKE 2023 – TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

We still have a few tickets left to New York’s premier drive-through holiday light show. Every year our brothers and sisters from CSEA Local 834 proudly setup and maintain two miles of breathtaking displays for all to enjoy. CSEA Local 334 would like to offer our members complimentary passes to enjoy the display. If you would like one of the remaining tickets RSVP to ian@csealocal334.com and include your name, member # and mailing address, one ticket per member please.  This year’s tickets are good for one time use any night through January 12^th, 2024.

MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS

Several of you have indicated in the last few weeks that you do not know your member numbers and/or have provided the Local with your EBF ID# when your member ID was necessary. Member ID’s generally begin with the 123 number series, EBF ID’s generally will begin with 055.  If you do not know your member number please contact CSEA member solutions at 1-(800)-342-4146.  If you do not know your EBF ID# please call CSEA EBF at 1-(518)-782-1500. Once you have those numbers, that are specific to you, I strongly encourage all members to download the MyCSEA app in order to always have your information at your fingertips. Links for apple and android are listed below.

My CSEA link for Apple devices

My CSEA link for Android devices

PERB – Vaccination Mandate Clarification

As you know, CSEA filed an improper practice against OCA for failure to negotiate the COVID policies that were eventually implemented. As you will see from the attached decision, CSEA was partially successful. CSEA Local Presidents across the State are in the process of contacting current and/or former employees who were involved in the PERB case. Our intention is to obtain an accounting of relief sought from UCS from each employee affected. These costs can include but are not limited to costs incurred due to continual testing, transportation and charged accruals associated with continuing to test, which amassed while awaiting exemption approval, and leave that you charged prior to being terminated.   Since the Board decision takes reinstatement out of the equation, there would likely be no award of damages associated with being terminated.

It has been our contention that the exemption process should have been negotiated by UCS, and as PERB held, all unfavorable decisions flowing from that process should be declared null and void, and that is part of the relief we will be seeking if and when we prevail in the Article 78.

There is a “make whole” remedy that PERB has ordered. If you feel that you could be owed any time, copay expenses, etc., you should let your Local President know as soon as possible. UCS has filed an Article 78 challenging the Board decision, therefore the deadline to submit your information has been extended to January 31^st, 2024.

Please provide the following to your Local President:

• Name
• Title
• Work location
• Whether reinstated by UCS earlier this year if previously terminated

Furthermore we will need specifics regarding any relief you are seeking. Including specific dates If seeking back pay, or restoration of leave accruals and which leave you were forced to charge.

Please DO NOT  send this info directly to CSEA State Operations or CSEA Legal.

See below for more information on what we can hope to be “made whole” on:

Anyone who incurred costs or charged accruals for either testing or getting vaccinated must provide explanations and proofs including what the cost was and why it was incurred (e.g. mileage to and from testing/vaccine site, time off in excess of the one hour given by UCS, etc.) and the date(s);

For employees who separated, either voluntarily or not, and were later reinstated, or for those who were absent without authorization or charged accruals while awaiting notification of acceptance of religious/medical exemptions after the Vaccine Policy was implemented, s/he may be entitled to back pay/accruals and benefits until terminated or came back to work after getting vaccinated, so s/he must provide the dates, whether charged to accruals, and if so which ones.

Also, if you have had an “unfit” memo put in your personal history folder, please note that in your response to me as well.

The proof that would be acceptable to send to would include Kronos records (if you were forced to stay out of the office due to being deemed unfit and were charged accruals or if you were on a FMLA leave related to having to be vaccinated), copay receipts, copies of unfit memos, etc. I will then submit your information to the CSEA attorneys involved for them to go through and see what would be submittable.

Your submission does not guarantee that you will be granted your request, but CSEA will seek to get all affected members made whole to the full extent of the Decision’s requirements.

Please share with any others that you know, who may have been affected by these policies in a negative way.

All information must only be sent to ian@csealocal334.com

You must put in the subject line “Vaccination Mandate”

Please put an email address(non-work) & Phone Number in email for contact.

U-38081, U-38084, etc BD SK

PERB Vaccination Mandate Decision

CSEA filed an improper practice suit against OCA for not negotiating COVID policies that were eventually implemented. As you will see from the decision, we were successful in having PERB agree with us for the most part.

There is a “make whole” remedy that PERB has ordered which is the reason for this email. If you feel that you could be owed any time, copay expenses, etc., you should let me know as soon as possible. The deadline to submit your information will be Friday, December 22nd.

See below for more information on what we can hope to be “made whole” on:

Anyone who incurred costs or charged accruals for either testing or getting vaccinated must provide explanations and proofs including what the cost was and why it was incurred (e.g. mileage to and from testing/vaccine site, time off in excess of the one hour given by UCS, etc.) and the date(s);

For employees who separated, either voluntarily or not, and were later reinstated, or for those who were absent without authorization or charged accruals while awaiting notification of acceptance of religious/medical exemptions after the Vaccine Policy was implemented, s/he may be entitled to back pay/accruals and benefits until terminated or came back to work after getting vaccinated, so s/he must provide the dates, whether charged to accruals, and if so which ones.

Also, if you have had an “unfit” memo put in your personal history folder, please note that in your response to me as well.

The proof that would be acceptable to send to me would include Kronos records (if you were forced to stay out of the office due to being deemed unfit and were charged accruals or if you were on a FMLA leave related to having to be vaccinated), copay receipts, copies of unfit memos, etc. I will then submit your information to the CSEA attorneys involved in order to see what is able to be submitted.

Your submission does not guarantee that you will be granted your request, but CSEA will definitely seek to get all affected members made whole to the full extent of the Decision’s requirements.

OCA would have 30 days from the date of the decision to appeal. We want to have all of our members’ information ready to be submitted in the case they do not appeal.

Please share with any others that you know may have been affected by these policies in a negative way.

All information must only be sent to ian@csealocal334.com

You must put in the subject line “Vaccination Mandate”

Please put an email address(non-work) & Phone Number in email for contact.

U-38081, U-38084, etc BD SK

CSEA/UCS LABOR MANAGEMENT

Judiciary Local Presidents and Representatives from OCA met on Thursday, December 7th in Albany.  Several topics important to members were discussed as follows:

TELECOMMUTING POLICY – We were very happy to learn that OCA has set up a management team to draft a pilot telecommuting policy.   CSEA had presented them with Executive branch telecommuting agreements as well as other proposals in the past that are being reviewed and considered.  We were notified that it could be a few months before a draft is ready, as the budget season begins in January and is a priority for UCS. OCA has agreed to sit down as soon as possible to discuss the program once they have completed their draft.  We are happy to see that the UCS sees the importance in having this option available for our members. We have also requested that OCA consider granting compressed work weeks and flex schedules while preparing their draft telecommuting program, in order to provide some flexibility for our members. Alternate work schedules like compressed workweeks will also provide some choices for job titles that may not lend themselves to telecommuting. Of course, we will update everyone once we have more to share on this important topic.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE – OCA’s requested budget that goes to the State Legislature and Governor is historically large.  Among the additional funding requested, is money to provide a Paid Parental Leave benefit to employees.  OCA and CSEA will sit down again in mid-December to negotiate a policy. Our hope is to have this policy negotiated and effective by April 2024. We will be requesting retroactivity similar to that in the Executive Branch agreement.

COMP TIME SETTLEMENT – CSEA filed comp time grievances at the beginning of the COVID shut down of the courts and while the courts were virtual and not in person; CSEA was the only Court union to file such grievances.  Approximately 500 attestations were submitted to OCA, and they are in the final stages of review with regard to those attestations. OCA has indicated that some submissions included weekends and holidays and those discrepancies will need to be explained by the members. OCA is hopeful that this process will be completed in early 2024.  Though we do not have a definitive date as to when you can expect to see your comp time credited, we will let you know as soon as we do.  We appreciate your patience in this matter.

COURT OFFICER- SGT EXAM

Open-filing for examination NYS Court Officer-Sergeant 55-833 began at 10 AM on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 and ends Wednesday, December 13, 2023.   The exam is scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024. The examination application is available at http://ww2.nycourts.gov/careers/exams.shtml. The examination announcements and study material links are posted on the webpage. NYS Court Officer-Trainees are not qualified to take the Sergeant exam. However, should a Trainee anticipate appointment to the NYS Court Officer title on or before March 16, 2024, that Trainee should apply for the exam during the open-filing period as exam applications will not be accepted after December 13, 2023.

Applicant questions may be directed to UnifiedCourtSystemExam@nycourts.gov .

COURT RECESS VIRTUAL TRAINING

Meeting links for the Court Recess Training will be sent on Friday, December 22^nd  to the employee’s personal email address.

In the 2021-2026 contract, CSEA negotiated a new benefit which allows employees represented by CSEA to participate (from home), in Union sponsored training for up to two days during the court recess and receive paid leave without charge to personal accruals to cover the training. CSEA will offer morning and afternoon training on December 27 and 28, 2023 beginning at 9am, with a lunch break in between. If you wish to take advantage of this new benefit, you must provide a personal email as well as use your personal electronic device (not court equipment) to attend. You may attend one or both days of training. If your court/work location does not “officially” follow the court recess and you are not forced to take two days off during that week, you are still allowed to attend the CSEA trainings without charge to your personal accruals for those day/days, subject to manager’s approval. This benefit is only available to employees within the CSEA bargaining unit.

In order to participate please download the fillable form below, complete it and send it to surinda.singh@cseainc.org by Wednesday, December 20, 2023. More information can also be found on the form.

Download the fillable registration form here.

Be sure to check your emails and receivers be sure to post and/or share all information. Note that if you have not received a personal email, CSEA does not have an address on file for you. You can fix that issue by contacting CSEA member solutions at 1-800-342-4146.  We hope to see many of you take advantage of this great benefit that was negotiated for you during our last round of contract negotiations.

LIGHTS ON THE LAKE 2023 – TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

Lights on The Lake is New York’s premier drive-through holiday light show. Every year our brothers and sisters from CSEA Local 834 proudly setup and maintain two miles of breathtaking displays for all to enjoy.  Once again this year, CSEA Local 334 would like to offer our members complimentary passes to enjoy the display. We ask that you RSVP to ian@csealocal334.com and include your name, member # and mailing address by 12/16/22, one ticket per member please.  This year’s tickets will be good for one time use any night. Get yours while they are here, tickets are being distributed on a first come, first served basis.

MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS

Several of you have indicated in the last few weeks that you do not know your member numbers and/or have provided the Local with your EBF ID# when your member ID was necessary. Member ID’s generally begin with the 123 number series, EBF ID’s generally will begin with 055.  If you do not know your member number please contact CSEA member solutions at 1-(800)-342-4146.  If you do not know your EBF ID# please call CSEA EBF at 1-(518)-782-1500. Once you have those numbers, that are specific to you, I strongly encourage all members to download the MyCSEA app in order to always have your information at your fingertips. Links for apple and android are listed below.

My CSEA link for Apple devices

My CSEA link for Android devices