Commemorative Centennial poster inside
October 2010
Vol. 13 No. 9
Senseless deaths
Photo by Communications Specialist Jessica Ladlee
Two CSEA members die in tragic work incident, Page 3
Photo of the Month
Photo by Mark Kotzin
CSEA SUNY Cortland Local activist Tom Hingher,
dressed as the CSEA Canary, poses with Kyra Masone,
6, Zachary Masone, 8, and Haley Harrington, 10, at the
CSEA booth at the New York State Fair. The Canary
was on hand for CSEA Weekend at the Fair to promote
the union’s ‘Don’t Zone Out’ campaign against
distracted driving through highway work zones.
Learn more at www.csealocal1000.org/safety. CSEA
had 3,452 members sign in at the fair booth’s guest
log, and registered 176 people to vote.
From the Office of President Danny Donohue
NEW YORK’S
YORK’S
NEW
LEADING UNION
UNION
LEADING
Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
ALERT
CSEA President Danny Donohue
to meet Metropolitan Region
members on Nov. 4
President Danny Donohue will visit the CSEA
Metropolitan Region on Nov. 4 to meet with members. The meetings will be held in the region office at 125
Maiden Lane, 5th floor, Manhattan. Donohue will
meet with union members from 1 to 7 p.m. Please
call the Metropolitan Region office at (212) 406-2156
for an appointment and directions.
2
The Work Force
Deadline near to apply
in United Healthcare
class action lawsuit
Editor’s note: A recent electronic
alert has been circulated that
contains inaccurate information
about who may qualify for monetary
payments under the United
Healthcare class action settlement.
If you would like assistance
determining if you are eligible, call
Berdon Claims Administration,
LLC at 1-800-443-1073 or visit the
websites listed below for additional
information.
Last year a settlement was
reached in the class action lawsuit
filed against United HealthCare
regarding reimbursement of outof-network services. This lawsuit
was filed on behalf of the American
Medical Association (AMA), health
plan members (including The Empire
Plan), health care providers and
state medical societies.
As a result of this class action
settlement, United Health Care
Corporation (now known as
UnitedHealthGroup) and its
subsidiaries and affiliates will
provide cash payments to qualified
persons who received out-of-network
healthcare services.
Empire Plan members who
received out-of-network medical
services through United HealthCare
between March 15, 1994, and Nov.18,
2009, were sent a notice in the mail
describing the enrollee’s rights
under this class action settlement
and how they could qualify for the
cash payments.
As a reminder, if you are
eligible to participate in this class
action, you must complete, sign
and mail your documentation
(and supporting documentation,
if necessary) to the claims
administrator, postmarked no later
than Oct. 5, 2010.
Any questions related to your
eligibility under the settlement
or submission of forms should
be directed to Berdon Claims
Administration LLC. For more
information regarding the settlement
or to view the settlement notice, and
required documents, please visit
their website at www.berdonclaims.
com or www.unitedUCRsettlement.
com or toll-free at 1-800-443-1073.
Spread the word
on Facebook!
Many of the news and information
entries on CSEA’s website, www.
csealocal1000.org, can now be easily
shared on Facebook.
If the entry has the Facebook ‘f’ icon in
it, you can add it to your account.
Help make our union stronger by sharing
our news with the world!
October 2010
Deaths demand accountability
TARRYTOWN — CSEA is demanding
accountability from the Village of Tarrytown
after the village administration essentially
blamed two CSEA members for an incident
that led to their deaths, instead of taking
responsibility for the village’s failure to provide
proper safety training and implement a state
and federal-mandated written confined space
plan.
CSEA members
Anthony Ruggiero Jr.
and John Kelly died
the evening of Labor
Day, Sept. 6, after a
deadly incident in
a village manhole.
Several days later,
as the Ruggiero and
Kelly families were
preparing to lay their
loved ones to rest,
Ruggiero
Tarrytown Village
Administrator Michael Blau held a news
conference where he essentially put the blame
on Ruggiero and Kelly for the fatal incident.
Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo said
CSEA will not tolerate the village pushing the
blame on Ruggiero and Kelly when the village
clearly failed to provide a safe workplace.
“This tragedy was 100 percent preventable,”
said Riccaldo, who held a news conference to
respond to Blau’s comments.
“OSHA requires employers to provide a
workplace free from recognized hazards that
could cause harm or death. The Village of
Tarrytown failed to adhere to this standard.
They failed Anthony Ruggiero, they failed John
Kelly, and they failed the entire village work
force.”
The fatal incident occurred after Ruggiero,
a member of the Tarrytown Department of
Public Works, was called out of his home to
respond to a sewer blockage. After checking
several manholes, Ruggiero and his fellow DPW
workers decided to try
to unblock the backup
in a manhole in back
of a local firehouse.
While a fellow worker
was off refilling a water
truck to attempt to
dislodge the sewage,
Ruggiero noticed that
paper was causing the
backup and decided to
enter the manhole to
unblock it himself. He
Kelly
was not equipped with
a gas monitor or safety gear when he entered
the manhole. His supervisor, who was on-site,
did not stop him from entering the manhole.
Once workers noticed Ruggiero unresponsive
at the bottom of the manhole, Kelly, a
Tarrytown volunteer firefighter who
worked full time with the state Department
of Transportation, entered the manhole,
apparently trying to rescue Ruggiero, who,
reports later stated, was apparently overcome
by fumes. Kelly also apparently succumbed to
the fumes.
After both men were removed from the
manhole, they were later pronounced dead at
Westchester Medical Center.
An initial investigation by CSEA determined
that the Village of Tarrytown had no written
permit-required confined space plan, as
required by OSHA and PESH. The investigation
also determined that Tarrytown DPW workers
had received insufficient training in confined
space.
“Had the Tarrytown work force received
proper, comprehensive training in confined
space work that properly conveyed the
dangers associated with this type of work,
this tragedy could have been prevented,” said
Riccaldo. “Our investigation shows that the
village failed on so many fronts. Don’t blame
the worker when the employer has failed in its
responsibility to provide a safe workplace.”
“While the village administrator stated in his
press conference that Mr. Ruggiero was not
ordered to go down in the manhole, he was not
ordered not to go in either,” said Westchester
County Local President John Staino.
CSEA is encouraging PESH to issue the village
a willful violation, the most serious citation.
“Anthony Ruggiero left his family in the
middle of the Labor Day holiday because
he was needed at work,” Riccaldo said. “If a
compliant permit-required confined space
plan was in place and he had received proper
training, we do not believe he would have
entered that manhole. We do not want any
other families to experience the agony the
Ruggiero and Kelly families are experiencing
right now.”
— Jessica Ladlee
Confined space training to be offered in all CSEA regions
Entering and working in confined spaces can
be very dangerous. The hazards of a space
can be controlled if employers implement a
comprehensive and compliant program. The
Permit-Required Confined Space Standard (29
CFR 1910.146) regulates what employers must
do before a worker is allowed to enter a space.
The CSEA Occupational Safety and Health
Department will be offering Confined Space
Awareness Training at all six region offices as
well as the Westchester County Local office.
The course will focus on what employers need
to do to implement and maintain a confined
space entry program.
The training is open to all CSEA members
and their employers. Please note that this
awareness level course does not meet the
October 2010
training requirements for the Permit-Required
Confined Space Standard.
Please call your region office to register.
Phone numbers are listed below.
Evening Courses Dinner: 5:30 to 6 p.m. Program:
6 to 8:30 p.m.
Long Island Region: Tuesday, Nov. 23;
631-462-0030
Metropolitan Region: Tuesday Nov. 9;
212-406-2156
Southern Region: Tuesday Oct. 12;
845-831-1000
Westchester County Local Office: Wednesday,
Oct. 6; 914-428-6452
Capital Region: Tuesday, Oct. 26;
518-782-4400
Central Region: Thursday, Oct. 28;
315-433-0050
Western Region: Wednesday, Sept. 29;
716-691-6555
Lunch n’ Learn Courses Lunch: 11:30 to noon.
Program: 12 to 2:30 p.m.
Southern Region: Tuesday, Oct. 12
Westchester County Local Office:
Wednesday, Oct. 6
For more information about the requirements of a
Permit-Required Confined Space Program, please
visit
www.csealocal1000.org/osh.php
The Work Force
3
ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Danny Donohue, President
Senseless tragedies should renew
our commitment to occupational
safety and health enforcement
STEPHEN A. MADARASZ
Communications Director & Publisher
STANLEY HORNAK
Deputy Director of Communications
LOU HMIELESKI
Executive Editor
JANICE MARRA
Associate Editor
CATHLEEN FEBRAIO
Graphic Production Specialist
JANICE M. KUCSKAR
Graphic Production Specialist
BETH McINTYRE
Communications Assistant
C
SEA is mourning the deaths of members Anthony
Ruggiero and John Kelly in an incident that didn’t
have to happen. The details of this avoidable tragedy can
be found on Page 3 of this edition but they once again
demonstrate that safety and health responsibilities must
never be taken for granted.
The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is
published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office,
Albany, New York 12288, and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
CSEA on-line: The CSEA website
can be accessed at www.csealocal1000.org
Readers:
Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Publisher, The Work Force, 143 Washington Avenue,
Albany, NY 12210-2303.
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS
RICH IMPAGLIAZZO
DAVID GALARZA
JESSICA LADLEE
THERESE ASSALIAN
MARK M. KOTZIN
LYNN MILLER
ED MOLITOR
JILL ASENCIO
Long Island Region
Metropolitan Region
Southern Region
Capital Region
Central Region
Western Region
Headquarters
Headquarters
(631) 462-0030
(212) 406-2156
(845) 831-1000
(518) 785-4400
(315) 433-0050
(716) 691-6555
(518) 257-1272
(518) 257-1276
Throughout our history, safety and health issues
have always been front and center in this union’s
concern — and for good reason. Most worksite
tragedies are almost always preventable.
Before CSEA helped enact the Public Employee Safety and Health Act
in 1980, public employees in this state did not have a legal right to worksite
protections. Even today, public employees in nearly half the states in America
still don’t have that protection.
But laws are only as good as their enforcement. While we as a union can
and should insist on accountability, employers have an obligation under the
PESH Act to ensure a safe worksite, which includes proper training, equipment
and procedures for all employees.
It is not acceptable to ever blame the victims of workplace tragedy or to
call their deaths tragic accidents.
The Publications Committee
Annie Campbell
Brenda Chartrand
Wayne Dorler
Ramon Lucas
Liz Piraino
Ronald Revers
UUE
U nite
4
The Work Force
d U n i o n E m p l o ye e s
September 2010
Making CSEA stronger with PEOPLE
P
EOPLE (Public Employees Organized
to Promote Legislative Equality) is
AFSCME’s political legislative and fundraising program.
Without it, it would’ve been impossible
to pass legislation to increase the
minimum wage, prevent sick and
vacation accruals from being taxed, and
passing the Family and Medical Leave
ACT (FMLA).
PEOPLE is the only way federal
election laws allows CSEA members,
and other AFSCME members, to work
together in financially supporting
political candidates in national elections.
The money is spent supporting
politicians who support public employee
issues, based on recommendations
from the CSEA membership, and to
communicate to our membership
legislation affecting them.
We will continue to lobby for
legislation to preserve Social Security
and Medicare and to prevent contracting
out of our jobs. We will also continue
to fight legislation that would harm or
try to erase the labor movement in this
country.
If you want to have a voice in the halls
of power for your family, co-workers
and community, join PEOPLE today!
Contact your Regional Political Action
Coordinator or the CSEA Political Action
Department at 800-342-4146 ext. 1404.
October 2010
“O
nce you learn about PEOPLE you realize it’s
one of the major tools we have to push for
legislation and to fight to maintain our benefits. This
year its taken an on even more crucial importance
due to the recent Supreme Court ruling that allows
unlimited funding of political campaigns by
corporations.”
Betty Jo Johnson, social welfare examiner,
Madison County Department of Social Services
“T
his is the time to become more united as
we are under increasing attacks as a public
work force. That’s why I’ve recruited nearly 75
MVPs in the last eight months. A lot of members
are amazed because they never knew that many
programs are federally funded. PEOPLE gives our
members a voice on the legislative level.”
Michael Patterson, secure care treatment aide,
Central New York Psychiatric Center
“I
t’s so important to make sure that legislators
are not just listening to management. They
need to listen to rank and file employees. Our
work force is losing members all the time and
if we don’t continue to get our rank and file
members to have a relationship with our local
representatives, then we will continue to lose
members in the long run.”
Mark Semo, master mechanic, 18 years,
Putnam County Highway Department
“I
f we don’t
lobby and tell
the government
what we need we
will not be heard.
If it weren’t for
PEOPLE, those in
government would
do whatever they
wanted to do.”
Lovetta Nixon, therapy aide,
Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center
“I
want the best for my members
and myself and PEOPLE is there
to accomplish this.
I remind members
about times
when we didn’t
have a contract,
certain benefits or
programs. What is
$4 dollars every
two weeks? That
$4 gives us a
voice in Congress and that’s what I
learned about being in the PEOPLE
program.”
Marie Rogers, keyboard
specialist, state
Department of Health
The Work Force
5
CSEA celebrates Labor Day
C
SEA members marked the union’s centennial Labor Day through parades
and other events.
CSEA members participated in Labor Day parades in Buffalo,
Rochester and Massena. In Rochester, President Danny Donohue joined
Western Region President Flo Tripi and members of several locals and units for
the annual parade. In Massena, more than 50 union members and their families
turned out to join CSEA Central Region President Colleen Wheaton at the Labor
Solidarity Parade.
In Brooklyn, CSEA members joined community members in the West Indian
Day Parade and Carnival. Members in Syracuse marked their Labor Day
through Labor Night at the Syracuse Chiefs baseball game and and members
met with Donohue, Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen and the CSEA Canary at
the New York State Fair. Photos from the events are on this page and on CSEA’s
website at www.csealocal1000.org.
CSEA President Danny Donohue leads the union’s parade delegation in
Rochester.
Right, Erie
County Local
member
Alison
Schoonover
marches in
the Buffalo
parade.
Photo By
John Normile.
CSEA members march in the
Rochester parade.
Right,
Western
Region
President
Flo Tripi
waves to
spectators
from CSEA’s
centennial
cake float
at the
Rochester
parade.
**ATTENTION ALL PRIVATE SECTOR LOCAL PRESIDENTS***
IMPORTANT!
The success of our historic Electronic Town Meeting (ETM) has
taught us the ultimate benefit of self-assessment. It has reinforced
the true need for us to look inward for our union to move forward
and keeping our position of strength during our next 100 years.
Statewide Secretary Denise
Berkley, right, poses with two
women in traditional costumes
for the West Indian Parade in
Brooklyn.
Above, Statewide Treasurer
Joe McMullen, right, hands
a CSEA bag to a member
at the New York State Fair
in Syracuse on Labor Day
weekend.
Left, Central Region 1st Vice
President Jeff Colburn,
Region President Colleen
Wheaton and Region
Treasurer Lori Nilsson wave
the CSEA banner during the
recent Labor Night at the
Syracuse Chiefs.
6
The Work Force
Last month a survey was mailed to all Private Sector Presidents
but not all the private sector presidents have responded yet. If you
haven’t yet filled the survey out, please take the time to do so.
*This information must be received.*
It is critical to shaping the future of the Private Sector Division.
Once an adequate number of surveys are received, the data will be
analyzed and reviewed with Private Sector Division members.
If you need a copy of this survey or you have questions, please
call the Director of CSEA’s Private Sector, Bob Compani at
1-800-342-4146 x1294. You can also email him at bob.compani@
cseainc.org.
October 2010
Protect your pension: vote for Tom DiNapoli
ALBANY — One of the most critical votes
CSEA members can cast this year is for state
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
As New York’s chief financial officer,
auditor and sole trustee of the state pension
fund, DiNapoli is watching every dollar,
and standing up to both parties in Albany
with honest talk about our state’s fiscal
challenges. He is committed to the growth,
integrity and non-partisan stewardship of
the Common Retirement Fund.
Even as many public pensions are facing
funding crises, New York’s pension fund
is fully funded and was recently lauded in
Governing Magazine as the “nationwide
pension leader.” CSEA is proud to stand with DiNapoli, a
dedicated public servant who has stood for
the values of the working men and women
of New York state as both an Assembly
member and, for the last three years, as our
comptroller.
“Tom is an outstanding and capable
leader who has demonstrated character
October 2010
and ability throughout his career,” said
CSEA President Danny Donohue. “No one
should doubt his unflinching integrity and
commitment to doing what’s right for all
New Yorkers. We have total confidence that
Tom DiNapoli will maintain the traditions of
New York’s best comptrollers, while leading
the system forward to meet the needs of
today and tomorrow.” In contrast, DiNapoli’s opponent,
hedge fund manager Harry Wilson, stands
alongside his fellow Wall Street millionaires
in opposing many of the policies that
protect New York’s middle class. Wilson has
called for shifting New York’s pension fund
system to a 401(k) model and is in favor of
preserving a federal income tax loophole
that lets hedge fund managers pay less on
their taxes than middle-class workers.
Wilson’s plan for managing the pension
fund would raise taxes $2,500 per household
outside of New York City in the first year
alone.
Election Day, Nov. 2, is fast approaching.
CSEA stands with DiNapoli as the
independent, ethical and intelligent choice
for state comptroller.
CSEA President Danny Donohue and
state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli at CSEA’s
endorsement of DiNapoli.
The Work Force
7
Political Action
T
he past two
years have
brought severe
attacks on our
jobs, benefits, and
pensions.
Because
of this, CSEA
Political Action
Committees set
the bar higher to
evaluate criteria
used to endorse
candidates for
elected office.
This year,
candidates had
to prove that they
not only talked
the talk, but
walked the walk
in supporting
workers.
Don’t know your
voting district?
Visit http://nymap.
elections.state.
ny.us/nysboe/
to find your voting
district.
8
The Work Force
CSEA’s 2010
endorsements
Congressional
State Senate
Long Island Region 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Ken LaValle
John Flanagan
Lee Zeldin
Owen Johnson
Carl Marcellino
Kemp Hannon
Craig Johnson
Charles Fuschillo
Dean Skelos
10
11
12
13
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Shirley Huntley
Frank Padavan
Mike Gianaris
Jose Peralta
Malcolm Smith
Joe Addabbo
Toby Ann Stavisky
Martin Dilan
Velmanette Montgomery
John Sampson
Eric Adams
Kevin Parker
Martin Golden
Diane Savino
Andrew Lanza
Dan Squadron
Liz Krueger
Carl Kruger
Jose Serrano
Tom Duane
Bill Perkins
Adriano Espaillat
Ruben Diaz, Sr.
Gustavo Rivera
Jeffrey Klein
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Ruth Hassell-Thompson
Suzi Oppenheimer
Open Seat
William Larkin, Jr.
Open Seat
Stephen Saland
John Bonacic
Endorsed
no endorsement (R2, R3)
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
43
44
45
46
Roy McDonald
Hugh Farley
Elizabeth Little
Neil Breslin
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
47
48
49
50
51
52
Joe Griffo
Darrell Aubertine
David Valesky
John DeFrancisco
James Seward
Thomas Libous
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
no recommendation
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
no endorsement
Endorsed
Metropolitan Region 2
no endorsement
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
no endorsement
no endorsement
Endosed
Endorsed
no endorsement
no endorsement
no endorsement
no endorsement
Southern Region 3
Capital Region 4
Central Region 5
Western Region 6
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
Open Seat
no endorsement
StateMichael
Assembly,
rest of State
Senate
Nozzolio
Endosed
James Alesi
on
Page 9
Endorsed
Joseph Robach
Catharine Young
Open Seat
Open Seat
Antoine Thompson
Mark Coppola
George Maziarz
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endosed
Endorsed
October 2010
CSEA’s 2010 candidate
endorsements
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Robert
Andrea
Stewart-Cousins
Ruth Hassell-Thompson
Suzi Oppenheimer
Open Seat
William Larkin, Jr.
Open Seat
Stephen Saland
John Bonacic
Endorsed
no endorsement (R2, R3)
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
43
44
45
46
Roy McDonald
Hugh Farley
Elizabeth Little
Neil Breslin
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
olitical
CapitalP
Region
4
Action
Central Region 5
State Assembly
State Senate
47
48
49
50
51
52
Joe Griffo
Darrell Aubertine
David Valesky
John DeFrancisco
James Seward
Thomas Libous
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
Open Seat
Michael Nozzolio
James Alesi
Joseph Robach
Catharine Young
Open Seat
Open Seat
Antoine Thompson
Mark Coppola
George Maziarz
Continued from Page 8
Endorsed
Endorsed
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Western Region 6
no endorsement
Endosed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endorsed
no
endorsement
no endorsement
Endorsed
Endorsed
Endosed
Endorsed
Robert Castelli
Robert
State Assembly
Endorsed
Endorsed
Election Day is
Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Endorsed
The last day to register in
person to vote is
Friday, Oct. 22.
Show your power! Vote!
October2010
The Work Force
9
A page from
our history ...
T
hroughout 2010,
The Work Force will
be marking CSEA’s
100th anniversary taking
a look back at CSEA’s
history.
At right is an illustration
done by former CSEA
Graphic Artist Ralph
Distin for the October
2001 Work Force edition
following the Sept. 11
attacks in Manhattan,
Pennsylvania and
Washington, D.C.
CSEA members Yvette
Anderson, Florence
Cohen, Harry Goody,
Marian “Marty” Hrycak
and Dorothy Temple,
all state Department
of Taxation and
Finance workers at the
World Trade Center in
Manhattan were among
those who lost their lives
in the attacks.
10
The Work Force
October 2010
Summary of July 2010 CSEA Board of Directors meeting
Editor’s Note: The
Work Force publishes
a summary of actions
taken by CSEA’s Board of
Directors. The summary
is prepared by CSEA
Statewide Secretary
Denise Berkley for union
members.
Berkley
ALBANY — CSEA’s
statewide board of
directors met July 15. In official business,
the board:
• Approved a $5,000 contribution to the
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store
Union (RWDSU) workers’ strike fund at the
Mott’s plant in Rochester;
• Designated dates and locations for
upcoming Annual Delegates Meetings in
2013 (Oct. 20 — 25 in Lake Placid), 2014
(Sept. 28 — Oct. 3, New York City), 2015
(Oct. 4 — 9, Buffalo) and 2016 (Oct. 16 —
21, Washington, D.C.);
• Updated the CSEA Insurance Program’s
Term Life Plan by reducing the rate
structure for the 55 to 59 age group,
creating an additional age bracket for the
85 and over age group and allowing the
premium waiver benefit to remain in place
until age 70; and
• Appointed Chantalise DeMarco to
the Central Region 5 Political Action
Committee.
Questions concerning the summary
should be directed to Statewide Secretary
Denise Berkley, CSEA Headquarters, 143
Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210
(800) 342-4146 or (518) 257-1253.
Your Union. Your Benefits. We Have You Covered.
Local government: EBF can help you manage higher co-payments
A
re you a local government
employee tired of increasing
co-payments at the
pharmacy and doctors office? The
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund may
be able to help.
With the state’s economic
problems still hanging over our heads and
with municipal and school district financial
problems statewide, local government
contract negotiations will be trickier than
ever this year.
A major cause for concern is the rising
cost of health related benefits. Negotiating
a fair salary increase while keeping health
insurance contributions to a minimum is
becoming difficult, therefore, creativity is
the key during contract negotiations.
EBF is aware of your contract concerns
and the out-of-pocket expenses that
are becoming more prevalent for local
government employees. EBF has been
providing cost effective benefit programs
to CSEA local government units for 25 years
and has made a concerted effort to expand
our benefits to keep you healthy and to save
you money. The three benefits below can be
negotiated into local government contracts.
Prescription Drug Co-Payment
Reimbursement: This benefit
reimburses co-payments and
other out-of-pocket costs for
prescription drugs that are not
covered by the member’s regular
prescription drug plan once annually up to a
maximum of $200 per family per calendar
year.
Annual Physical Benefit: Covers eligible
members and their spouses once every
calendar year. Benefit provides up to $95
toward the out-of-pocket costs of services
not covered by your primary insurance
carrier of a routine annual physical.
Co-payments are not reimbursable under
this plan.
Physician Co-Payment Benefit:
Reimburses health insurance co-payments
for office visits once annually up to $120
per family per calendar year.
A
n EBF senior benefits specialist
can assist CSEA negotiation teams
along with labor relations specialists
during the negotiation process. Talk to
your leadership if you are interested in
any of these benefits. Our goal is better
benefits, better contract. Contact one of
our representatives today!
Long Island Region:
Linda Sclafani: 631.462.5224,
lsclafani@cseaebf.org
Southern Region:
Carisa Guild: 1.800.323.2732, ext. 813,
chguild@cseaebf.org
Capital Region:
EBF 1.800.322.2732, ext. 5, Marketing Dept.
Central Region:
Chuck Guild: 1.800.323.2732, ext. 818,
cguild@cseaebf.org
Western Region:
Mike Wagner: 1.800.323.2732, ext. 808,
mwagner@cseaebf.org
That’s the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund.
October 2010
The Work Force
11
NYSHIP enrollees: watch for health
insurance choices for 2011
I
t’s that time of year to start
thinking about your health
insurance options.
Despite the Special Option
Transfer period that was held
in August, the annual NYSHIP
Option Transfer period will
still be held after the 2011
health insurance premiums are
approved.
During the option transfer
period, CSEA-represented
state enrollees will have
the ability to change their
health insurance plan for
2011. Members will be able
to choose from the Empire
Plan or one of the NYSHIPapproved health maintenance
organizations
(HMOs) in
their area.
If you
participate
in a NYSHIP HMO, please
be aware that many will be
making important changes
for the 2011 plan year.
These changes may include
co-payment increases, so
please watch your mail for
letters regarding the 2011
changes.
In the past, enrollees
may have received from the
Department of Civil Service a
copy of
“Choosing
Your
Health
Plan.”
Due to the numerous changes
being proposed by some of
the HMOs this year, you may
find it helpful to request a
copy of the 2011 Choices guide
from your health benefits
administrator. Members
should review each of the
options carefully to determine
which health insurance plan
will best meet their needs and
the needs of their family.
Please watch for additional
information in The Work
Force as the option transfer
period draws nearer. The
Joint Committee on Health
Benefits will publish additional
information on health
insurance premiums for the
2011 plan year in an effort to
assist you in making the most
informed choices for you
and your family’s health care
needs in 2011.
How will federal health care reform affect NYSHIP?
S
everal elements of
the Patient Protection
and Affordability Act
recently signed by President
Barack Obama will affect the
administration of NYSHIP.
Based on the state
Department of Civil Service’s
review of the legislation and
expectations for how it will
be implemented, it is unlikely
that there will be a major
impact on the benefits available
under the Empire Plan or the
various HMOs available to state
employees under NYSHIP.
NYSHIP has monitored the
evolution of this important
legislation and attempted to
assess its impact on members,
administration and program
costs.
At this point, there are many
unanswered questions. As is
the case with most legislation,
12
The Work Force
detailed guidance for its
implementation will come in
the form of federal rules and
regulations over time before
the various provisions go into
effect.
CSEA will continue to monitor
how this legislation will affect
our members and the benefits
we negotiate.
The information at right
was obtained from the state
Department of Civil Service.
The CSEA Health Benefits
Department has been and will
continue working with our
Political Action Department to
monitor how this legislation will
impact our members and the
benefits we negotiate. We want
to ensure that NYSHIP continues
to provide access to high
quality care at the best possible
cost.
Changes for NYSHIP enrollees
Adult Children: Perhaps
the biggest change for
many enrollees will be the
extension of coverage to
adult children up to age
26. This change will go into
effect no sooner than Jan. 1,
2011. Once the regulations or
other federal implementation
guidance is available, the
state Department of Civil
Service will provide all
NYSHIP enrollees details for
implementation.
NYSHIP Administration:
There are a number of
provisions that will affect the
administration of NYSHIP.
For example, all employees
will automatically be enrolled
for coverage and the value of
an employee’s health benefit
plan will be reported on the
employee’s W-2.
Insurance Costs: The
legislation includes numerous
provisions that will affect the
cost of coverage. Provisions
that may push prices and
costs higher include the
excise taxes on high-cost
plans, medical devices
and prescription drug
manufacturers. The legislation
also contains numerous
provisions designed to help
slow the rate of increase in
health care costs. The overall
impact on NYSHIP is unknown
at this point.
October 2010
Get into the game
with CSEA!
Check out these great discounts
to Syracuse University football games!
Consider Flexible Spending
Accounts
for 2011
expenses
require a doctor’s prescription to be
As the end of the calendar year
approaches, enrollees think about
their expenses for the following
year. Do you participate in the Flex
Spending Account? If you don’t, now
is the ideal time to obtain additional
information about this cost-saving
benefit.
The Flex Spending Account is a
negotiated employee benefit that
helps State employees save money
on their taxes, by allowing them to
pay for certain expenses with pretax dollars. There are two benefit
programs under the Flex Spending
Account to help you keep more of
your paycheck; The Health Care
Spending Account (HCSAccount),
which allows employees to pay for
health-related expenses (including
medical, hospital, laboratory,
prescription drug, dental, vision,
and hearing expenses that are not
reimbursed by your insurance
or other benefit plans) and the
Dependent Care Advantage Account
(DCAAccount), which allows
employees to pay for dependent
care (childcare, eldercare or
disabled dependent care) required
for an employee or spouse to work.
Enrollees should carefully estimate
eligible expenses in an effort to
determine appropriate contribution
amounts to your Flex Spending
Account. Under federal law, any
money that is put into your Flex
Spending Account must be used for
expenses incurred during the plan
year in which it was contributed.
Specific information regarding the
HCSAccount for plan year 2011:
• The 2011 Open Enrollment
Period will run from Sept. 20, 2010
through Nov. 15, 2010.
• HCSAccount minimum
contribution is $100 and maximum
annual contribution is $4,000.
• There will be a significant change
as a result of Federal Health Care
Reform. Effective Jan. 1, 2011,
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs,
medicines, and biologicals, e.g.,
allergy medicines, pain relievers,
cough and cold medicines, will
October 2010
eligible for reimbursement under the
HCSAccount. Other OTC products,
e.g., hearing aid batteries, bandages,
contact lens solution, etc. are not
affected by the new law.
• All OTC drug claims that meet
the definition for coverage must be
submitted along with a receipt that
clearly states the name of the drug
or supply, store name, purchase
date and price.
• The Flexible Spending Account
Administrator will change beginning
Jan. 1, 2011. Application Software,
Inc. (ASIFlex) will replace Fringe
Benefits Management Co. (FBMC).
• FBMC will be responsible
for administering the 2011 open
enrollment period as well as
processing 2010 plan year claims.
More detailed information
regarding the Flexible Spending
Account programs, including
frequently asked questions and
information on how to calculate
your out-of-pocket expenses can be
obtained online at www.flexspend.
ny.us or by calling 1-800-358-7202.
Break in membership
affects eligibility for union
office, voting privileges
A break in union membership status can have longterm future implications. Your membership status affects
your eligibility with respect to:
• seeking or holding union office;
• signing nominating petitions for potential candidates;
• voting in union elections, and;
• voting on collective bargaining contracts.
Only members “in good standing” can participate in
these activities. To be in “good standing,” your dues cannot
be delinquent.
If you go on unpaid leave or for any other reason have
a break in your employment status, your dues will not
continue to be paid through payroll deductions. You must
make arrangements to pay your dues directly to CSEA to
continue your membership status. If you are either laid
off or placed on leave without pay status due to becoming
disabled by accident, illness, maternity or paternity, you
may be eligible for dues-free membership status for a
period not to exceed one year. If you are called up for
active military duty you may also apply for dues-free status.
Note, however, you must continue to pay dues to
run for office. Dues-free or gratuitous membership allows
members to continue their insurance coverage while out
of work. It does not protect your right to run for or hold
office. This does not apply to members who are on leave
due to being called up for military duty. Members on
active military duty, upon return, are considered to have
had continuous membership status for all CSEA election
purposes.
Please notify the CSEA Membership Records
Department at 1-800-342-4146, Ext. 1327, of any change
in your status and what arrangements you are making to
continue your membership in CSEA.
The Work Force
13
State, local government and private sector CSEA members:
Skills for Success courses offered
T
his fall and spring, CSEA members employed
by New York state, local government agencies
and the private sector have opportunities to take
Skills for Success training courses offered by the
NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training
(Partnership).
Course participation by local government and
private sector employees is sponsored by the CSEA
WORK Institute.
Skills for Success courses help employees prepare
for the challenges and demands of current and
future jobs.
More than 200 classes are scheduled statewide
from Oct. 6, 2010 through June 15, 2011. The training
is available at no cost to employees or agencies.
All courses are held at conveniently located
training sites. In order to increase participation in
courses while limiting time away from the office, the
Partnership is piloting a select number of courses
using condensed evening and webinar formats.
Eligibility
Employees are eligible to participate in Partnership
courses if they are:
•A CSEA-represented New York State (NYS)
employee (ASU/02, OSU/03, ISU/04, or
DMNA/47).
•A CSEA-represented local government (county,
city, town, village, school district) or CSEArepresented private sector employee, as space
permits.
Available courses
Choose from 45 job-related and personal
development courses under the following topics:
• Educational Planning
• Interpersonal Communications
• Language Skills
• Mathematics
• Safety and Health
• Skilled Trades
• Work and Life
• Work Management
• Written Communication
Employees may take any of the courses offered,
not just courses that typically reflect the work
they perform. Employees can directly apply for
these courses. However, supervisory approval and
signature are necessary to attend without charge
to leave credits. Applications should be sent to
the Partnership as soon as possible and not later
than three weeks prior to the start of a class.
For more information
A web catalog of the Skills for Success courses is available on the Partnership’s website at www.
nyscseapartnership.org. The catalog contains
course descriptions, course schedules, training
locations and an application form that can be
downloaded and printed.
For more information about Skills for
Success courses, call 518-486-7814 or, for areas
outside the Capital Region, call 800-253-4332, or
email at learning@nyscseapartnership.org.
Studying for a civil service exam? Visit the WORK Institute
The CSEA WORK Institute’s fall
schedule of Civil Service Test Prep
Workshops is set. Topic areas
covered are: General Test Taking
Tips and Strategies; Understanding
and Interpreting Written Material;
Preparing Written Material; Office
Record Keeping (Math and Tables);
Evaluating Conclusions in the Light of
Known Facts; and Supervision.
Long Island and Western Regions:
Sept. 29 and 30 videoconference
workshop, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Instructor will not be in the room but
will be able to see and hear you. Long
Island Region 1 will be held at CSEA’s
14
The Work Force
Long Island Office, 3 Garet Place,
Commack and Western Region 6 will
be held in CSEA’s Western Office at
120 Pineview Drive, Amherst.
Central Region 5: Oct. 2, 9 a.m. – 3:30
p.m. CSEA Central Region Office, 6595
Kirkville Road, E. Syracuse.
Metropolitan Region 2: Oct. 13 and
14, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., CSEA Metropolitan
Region Office, 125 Maiden Lane, 5th
Floor, Manhattan.
Capital Region 4: Oct. 23, 9 a.m. – 3:30
p.m., O.D. Heck Developmental Center,
500 Balltown Road, Schenectady.
Southern Region 3: Oct. 27 and 28,
5:30 – 8:30 p.m., CSEA Southern Region
Office, 568 State Route 52, Beacon.
Workshop cost is $15.75. You
can pay with a credit card, but
ONLY if you register online: www.
csealearningcenter.org/booklets/
catalog. You may also use a check or
money order for online registration.
To register by phone, you may call
1-866-478-5548.
To register by email, send your
CSEA ID, your daytime phone number,
and your e-mail address with the word
“workshop” and the region you’re
registering for in the subject line (e.g.,
“Subject: Workshop Region 2”) to
workinst@cseainc.org.
If you register by email or by
phone, you must pay by check or
money order (NO CREDIT CARDS
ACCEPTED FOR PHONE OR E-MAIL
REGISTRATIONS).
Can’t make one of these or know
a non-member interested in a test
preparation workshop? For one
month of 24-hour access from any
computer, everyone (members and
non-members) can take advantage of
our online courses.
Check out the FREE DEMO at
www.csealearningcenter.org.
October 2010
Victory in Erie County
child care funding fight
CSEA has won in a fight against
cuts in child care subsidy eligibility
in Erie County that hurt 900 working
families. Family and group family
providers and child care centers
also suffered dramatic drops in
enrollment resulting in layoffs
and closures and employers lost
experienced, dependable workers.
Recently, $1.7 million in stimulus
money and an additional $6 million
dollars in federal block grants
helped make it possible for Erie
County to raise eligibility from the
slashed rate of 125 percent of the
Federal Poverty Level, to a more
reasonable 175 percent.
Last spring, Erie County Executive
Chris Collins unilaterally slashed
child care eligibility leaving working
parents with the choice of turning
to substandard, unreliable care or
quitting their jobs to care for their
kids.
In a combination of coordinated
efforts, including strong support
from U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko on the
national level and on the local level
with an alliance of Erie community
groups, demonstrations were
held and hundreds of phone calls
were made to politicians and
community leaders applying much
needed pressure to emphasize its
importance.
Hundreds of working families
are now able to re-apply for child
care assistance, allowing them
to keep their jobs and family and
group family providers and child
care centers can restore enrollment
levels and in many cases hire back
employees who lost their jobs.
October CSEA calendar of events
Statewide:
• Oct. 18-22: 100th Annual
Delegates Meeting, Albany
Long Island Region:
• Oct. 6-7: Advanced Grievance:
Power in Numbers Workshop, Signin: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
Long Island Region Office, Commack
• Oct. 13-14: State Government
Grievance Representation
Workshop, Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.;
Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., Long Island Region
Office, Commack
• Oct. 30: Steward Workshop,
Sign-in: 9 - 9:30 a.m..; Workshop: 9:30
a.m. - 4 p.m., Massapequa High School,
Massapequa
Metropolitan Region:
• Oct. 26-27: State Government
Grievance Representation
Workshop, Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.;
Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., Metropolitan
Region Office, Manhattan
Southern Region:
• Oct. 12-13: Contract Negotiations:
Constructing Proposals Workshop,
October 2010
Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9
p.m., Dutchess County Local Office,
Poughkeepsie
Capital Region:
• Oct. 13: An Overview of the
Family and Medical Leave Act, Signin: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
cafeteria, Saratoga Springs High School,
Saratoga Springs
• Oct. 25-26: Contract Negotiations:
Constructing Proposals Workshop,
Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9
p.m., Elson Hall Student Center & Activities
Forum, Schenectady County Community
College, Schenectady
Central Region:
• Oct. 5-6: Local Government
Discipline: Representing Members
in Interrogations Workshop, Signin: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
Ramada Inn, Painted Post. PLEASE NOTE:
This workshop is open to Central and
Western Region members.
• Oct., 12-13: Steward Workshop,
Sign-in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9
p.m., Delaware County Public Safety
Building, Delhi
• Oct. 30: Local Government
OPEN
ENROLLMENT
— The open
enrollment
period for the
Dependent Care Advantage
Account (DCAAccount) for 2011
is Sept. 20 — Nov. 15, 2010. The
program allows state employees
to put aside up to $5,000 per
year, pre-tax, for dependent
care expenses. The state will
contribute up to $800 toward
the annual expenses. For more
information about the program,
visit www.flexspend.ny.gov or
call (800) 358-7202, option 2 ...
COUNTY LOCAL FIGHTS BACK
— A measure proposing layoffs
and spending
reductions in
Montgomery
County was
soundly
rejected by the Montgomery
County Board of Supervisors’
Personnel Committee.
Montgomery County Local
members demonstrated before a
recent committee meeting. The
legislation would have required
a 15 percent reduction in the
work force. “We wanted to nip
this in the bud and not let it
get to the full board for a vote,”
said Montgomery County Local
President Ed Russo.
Ianson is PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month
N
ancy
Ianson of
the Nassau
County Local in
the Long Island
Region is the
PEOPLE Recruiter
of the Month
for August. She
Ianson
recruited 21 new
PEOPLE MVP
members.
Discipline: Representing Members
in Interrogations Workshop, Signin: 8:30-9 a.m.; Workshop: 9 a.m. - 3:30
p.m., Holiday Inn, Oneonta
• Oct. 30: State Government
Discipline and Interrogation:
Representing Members Under
Article 33 Workshop, Sign-in: 8:309 a.m.; Workshop: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.,
Mowtac Building, Mohawk Correctional
Facility, Rome
Western Region:
• Oct. 5-6: State Government
Discipline and Interrogation:
Representing Members Under
Article 33 Workshop, Sign-in: 5:30
- 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m., SUNY
Fredonia
• Oct. 5-6: Local Government
Discipline: Representing Members
in Interrogations Workshop, Sign-
CSEA’s PEOPLE program
protects and improves our
jobs, benefits and pensions
in Washington, Albany and in
your community. Your support
and participation in PEOPLE
strengthens CSEA’s clout in the
workplace, in the legislature, in
your community and in the labor
movement.
— Rich Impagliazzo
in: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
Ramada Inn, Painted Post. PLEASE NOTE:
This workshop is open to Central and
Western Region members.
• Oct. 26-27: Local Government
Discipline: Representing Members
in Interrogations Workshop, Signin: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
Wayne County Local Office, Lyons
• Oct. 26-27: Local Government
Discipline: Representing Members
in Interrogations Workshop, Signin: 5:30 - 6 p.m.; Workshop: 6 - 9 p.m.,
CSEA Western Region Office, Amherst
For more information, contact your region
office (phone numbers are listed on Page 4)
or visit your region page at CSEA’s website
at www.csealocal1000.org. Please note that
additional events may be scheduled in your
region, so check your region calendar page
on the Web site.
The Work Force
15
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