UPCOMING ELECTIONS

This is a reminder that in order to vote in the upcoming CSEA Statewide Elections, members will not need to write their CSEA Member ID number anywhere on the return ballot. Every eligible member will be mailed a ballot containing all of the races they are eligible to vote in — Statewide Officers, applicable Region Officers (if there’s a race), Board seat (if there’s a race) and AFSCME Delegates (if there’s a race) — and the ballot return slip will include member information that is scanned by the election agency to verify eligibility.

Ballots will be mailed out on January 22, 2020. Please watch for the blue envelope, and take advantage of this opportunity to exercise your right under our union democracy to have your voice heard. We will notify you closer to January 22nd to remind you that ballots are coming. 1238081634

Stay Union! Stay Strong!

2020 CENSUS

According to a recent analysis of data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, New York is one of 10 states expected to lose a Congressional seat after the next Census. Previous analyses have predicted the loss of two seats. An accurate count of New York’s population in 2020 is imperative to maintaining our state’s representation in Washington.

Why the 2020 Census MATTERS!

Why should it matter to CSEA members that the Census count is accurate this year? The answer, as usual, comes mostly down to dollars and cents. Some might thing the Census is just a way to draw up political districts and determine how many political representatives represent certain areas. Yes, that’s one part of it, but not the most important part for us. The bigger picture, for CSEA members working in government, is that the services we provide are largely funded by federal funding to our state and localities. It actually makes up more than a third of our state budget, and it’s estimated that for every person NOT counted, New York loses $2,000 per person per year for 10 years until the next census.

For more information on the 2020 census and why it matters to public works, click here: https://cseany.org/workforce/statewide/why-it-matters-that-we-count/

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 2019 reimbursement through March 31st, 2020.  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 and pharmacy printouts for Prescription co-pays.

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

A special thanks to our Women and Men in Uniform today, we appreciate all you do throughout the course of your duties!  Stay safe brothers and sisters!

2020 DINNER MEETINGS SCHEDULE 

Thank-you to all of you who joined us at our local dinner meetings in the past year.  It was great seeing all of you!  The local Executive board will be scheduling our 2020 meeting dates in the following weeks, we look forward to getting out on the road in the coming months and meeting with all of you!  As always, remember meetings are open to ALL members of the Local (from any county).  Non-members are not permitted to attend.

RECEIVER NOTICES

Thank-you to all of our Receivers for their diligence over the past year getting the word out!  Please remember to always have a backup in case you are out of the office.  If someone in your office was receiving notices and has not been since the change-over in Local Presidents, please have that person notify me via email and I will correct the problem.  Additionally if you, or someone in your office would like to begin getting receiver notices directly, please notify me via email as well.

POLAR PLUNGE – SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The Polar Plunge on Sunday, December 8^th.  Was a huge success!  Thank-you to all who pledged their support to the local and the Region 5 team the Polar Peeps! The money raised will help send athletes to compete in the games. Please consider joining us next year for this great event, remember the more the merrier!

HOLIDAY RECESS – WORKING UP TO TWO DAYS

The Courts will be in recess for the four day period of December 26, 27, 30 and 31.  Please be aware, employees who are not in “pay” status for 49/70 hours days in the pay period during which the court recess falls, do not earn accruals. In prior years, the recess has straddled two pay periods so it likely has not been an issue….but this year, since the first day of the recess also marks the first day of the pay period, employees who opt for a leave without on all four recess days will not earn accruals (since they would only be in “pay” status 42/70 hours in that pay period). 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.

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.  Beginning in January we will once again be randomly inserting a member’s ID number somewhere within the text of the Receiver Notice.  If you see your member ID number, contact me within 48 hours and you will receive a check for $20.

CSEA MEMBER BENEFITS – KEEP MONEY IN YOUR POCKET!

CSEA Member Benefits is 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.)  Please familiarize yourself with your member benefits and find dozens of different ways to save.

Christmas poem local 334 2019

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!

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

JEFFERSON COUNTY and FRANKLIN / ST. LAWRENCE DINNER MEETINGS  

Thank-you to all of you who joined us at Savory Downtown in Watertown on the 14^th and the Lobster House in Norwood on the 21^st.  It was great seeing all of you!  It was very nice of you all to help make your new Local Presidents first two membership meetings so enjoyable.  The local Executive board will be scheduling our 2020 meeting dates in the following weeks, we look forward to getting out on the road in the coming months and meeting with all of you!  As always, remember meetings are open to ALL members of the Local (from any county).  Non-members are not permitted to attend.

RECEIVER NOTICES

Thank-you to all of our Receivers, please remember to always have a backup in case you are out of the office.  If someone in your office was receiving notices and has not been since the change-over in Local Presidents, please have that person notify me via email and I will correct the problem.  Additionally if you, or someone in your office would like to begin getting receiver notices directly please notify me via email as well.

UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE 

CSEA has been advised that the December Uniform and Equipment allowance will be payable with the December 24^th paycheck.  As per contract language, “The payment of the uniform and equipment allowance shall be in a separate check”.

REMINDER – POLAR PLUNGE – SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The Local Executive Board will be “Freezin’ For A Reason” again at the Polar Plunge on Sunday, December 8^th.  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 our fundraising page.  Search POLAR PEEPS and make a donation to your favorite plungee!  Whether it be one of our Local Officers or our fellow members on the CSEA Region 5 team, the CSEA POLAR PEEPS.  Better yet, sign up to join us.  Many thanks to those that have already contributed.  Thank you!

http://www.PolarPlungeNY.org/CNY

HOLIDAY RECESS – WORKING UP TO TWO DAYS

The Courts will be in recess for the four day period of December 26, 27, 30 and 31.  Please be aware, employees who are not in “pay” status for 49/70 hours days in the pay period during which the court recess falls, do not earn accruals. In prior years, the recess has straddled two pay periods so it likely has not been an issue….but this year, since the first day of the recess also marks the first day of the pay period, employees who opt for a leave without on all four recess days will not earn accruals (since they would only be in “pay” status 42/70 hours in that pay period). 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.

2019 RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL BUS TRIP – REGION 5

CSEA Region 5 Member Services Committee (Tammy Witteman, Chair) has announced a bus trip to Radio City Music Hall’s 2019 Christmas Spectacular on Friday, December 13^th. Two buses will run, one from the Syracuse area and one from the Oneonta/Binghamton area. Seating is limited and always runs out, for more information you can contact ian@csealocal334.com

MONEY SAVER

Disney on Ice at the OnCenter War Memorial December 12^th through the 15^th To purchase tickets Call (866) 248-8740. OPTION 1

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Last Call JEFFERSON COUNTY DINNER MEETING – NOVEMBER 14^TH

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Thursday, November 14^th, Savory Downtown, 300 Washington Street, Watertown.  The meeting is open to ALL members of the Local (from any county).  Non-members are not permitted to attend.  Please RSVP to Ian, ian@csealocal334.com, by Thursday, November 7^th.  Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:30-5:45, meeting to start at 5:45.

FRANKLIN/ST. LAWRENCE MEETING – November 21st

We will be holding an informational dinner meeting on Thursday, November 21^st,The Lobster House, 95 South Main St., Norwood, NY 13668.  The meeting is open to ALL members of the Local (from any county).  Non-members are not permitted to attend.  Please RSVP to Rosanne Wicks, rosanne@csealocal334.com, by Thursday, November 14^th.  Vendors have been invited to attend and will be available from 4:45-6:00, meeting to start at 6:00.

UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE 

CSEA has been advised that the December Uniform and Equipment allowance will be payable with the December 24^th paycheck.

VOTE!

Tomorrow is election day and while your Local Executive board hopes you enjoy your time away from the office, make sure you get out and make your voice heard!  I am pleased to inform you, that  83% of Judiciary Local 334 members voted in the 2018 elections and currently 93% are registered voters.  Let’s get that up to 100% and be proof positive politicians know who WE ARE! For a full list of CSEA endorsed candidates visit cseany.org/vote.

 NEW STATEWIDE CSEA PRESIDENT

Following the retirement of longtime CSEA President Danny Donahue, CSEA has its first new President in over 25 years.  Former Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan was sworn in and took over the Office on November 1st 2019.  Mary has been a Union Activist for over 35 years, starting her career in Herkimer County and has served at the Local, Region and Statewide levels.  Please join us in congratulating our new President!