August - SEIU Local 2001

STR
ONGER
Local 2001
TOGETHER
CSEA NEWS
The Voice of Connecticut’s
Public Service Employees & Retirees
August, 2016
VOL. 49, NO. 08
CSEA SEIU Local 2001
Governor Moves Forward With Mass
Layoffs/Privatization At Department of
Developmental Services
Governor Dan Malloy’s administration has announced a plan to privatize 40
state-run group homes and a range of services for the intellectually disabled
and layoff over 600 state employees who currently work for the Department
of Developmental Services; many of whom are CSEA members. The plan is
intended to save money, but we all know too well that privatization rarely if
ever results in savings and more often brings with it corruption, profiteering,
and a reduction in the quality of services provided.
There seems to be no consideration for the individuals, for whom this will
affect both their emotional and physical health. Remember, these individuals
are some of the most vulnerable residents in the state, many with severe
developmental disabilities. Day services and mental health services are
often the bright spot in these individuals’ day, and the staff that they interact
with in many instances are like family to them. You cannot swap staff for
this population and expect a smooth transition. You are going to be hardpressed to find an expert who thinks this kind of chaos isn’t harmful to this
population.
Continued on page 7
CSEA Pushes Endorsed Candidates To Victory
Every election represents an opportunity for CSEA members to advocate
for candidates who value and respect the work we do and the services
we provide. Elections, whether they are Primary Elections or the General
Election, give people choices over competing visions for the type of
government we have and the type of society in which we live. Connecticut’s
Primary Election on August 9 was no different.
CSEA’s candidate endorsement process is member-led and memberdriven. Candidates seeking the CSEA endorsement first complete a
detailed questionnaire which addresses a candidate’s position on issues
of importance to CSEA members; like honoring the collective bargaining
process, stopping outsourcing and privatization of public work, and
protecting the jobs and benefits of CSEA members. Candidates then sit
down with members of CSEA’s Legislative Action Committee for an indepth interview. If the LAC votes to recommend an endorsement, that
recommendation is next considered by and voted on by CSEA’s Executive
Council.
CSEA members have a well-deserved reputation for turning out voters in
elections, and that is part of what makes our endorsement so important to
candidates. The results of the 2016 Primary Election reflect CSEA’s ability
to make a difference in races.
Full List of CSEA 2016 Primary Election Endorsement Results:
State Senate, 6th District – Terry
Gerratana – Won
State Senate, 22nd District – Marilyn
Moore – Won
State Senate, 23rd District -- Ed
Gomes – Won
State House, 88th District – Josh
Elliott – Won
Every one of CSEA’s
endorsed candidates was
Doug Smith, Tom Connolly, Roger victorious on Primary
Ives and Tom Welch campaign
Election Day, and our
for Josh Elliott. They made
support made the difference
phone calls from his campaign
in these races. Thanks to the
headquarters to turn out voters
hard work and dedication of CSEA
for the primary.
members, candidates who appreciate
and understand the work done by
our members will be on the ballot
for the November General Election.
Paid For By CSEA SEIU Local 2001
This message was made independent of any candidate or political party.
More information about CSEA SEIU Local 2001 may be found on the
state elections commission internet website.
CSEA endorses Hillary Donald Trump.
Clinton for President
As CSEA enthusiastically endorses
CSEA enthusiastically endorses
Hillary Clinton for President of the
United States.
“Hillary Clinton is a proven fighter
who will deliver for working families
and is a leader on many issues CSEA
members care about,” said CSEA
President Stephen Anderson about the
endorsement. “She has a solid record
of standing up for voting rights, supports
criminal justice reform, and supports
strengthening the Affordable Care Act
(ACA). Clinton will fight to raise wages
and has stood up for the rights of workers
to join together in a union. She has
spoken out in support of the Fight for $15
movement, the need to address the costs
of child care for working families and will
appoint justices to the Supreme Court
who will support the rights of workers.”
Hillary Clinton knows that child care
teachers need living wages and that
the care has to be affordable for
people. “One of the things I’m trying to
do in this campaign is put raising wages
at the center,” Clinton said at an August
roundtable meeting in Los Angeles
with SEIU. “I think your skills deserve a
lot more pay and benefits than what’s
currently being made available to you.”
Hillary Clinton understands the
problems working Americans face
and wants to move the country in a
positive direction that will be more fair
and equitable for all Americans. The
historic nature of potentially electing
the first female president would be
empowering to women all across the
country, and prove once again that
the United States is a country for all
people. Clinton’s campaign slogan
happens to be the same as CSEA’s,
“Stronger Together.” While this may
be coincidental, it speaks to a shared
worldview that when we stand united,
great things can and do happen. CSEA
strongly endorses Hillary Clinton for
President of the United States.
Hillary Clinton, we also go the extra
step to state that CSEA resolutely
opposes Donald Trump. The threat
of Donald Trump goes well beyond
the (sadly) regular attacks workers
face from anti-union politicians, and
beyond Trump’s stale economic
platform that favors the rich over
everyone else. It goes beyond the
fact that Donald Trump has never held
an elected office in his life. Trump’s
threat even goes beyond our country’s
usual ‘Democrats Vs. Republicans’
partisanship. Numerous Republican
national security experts, house
members including Connecticut’s
former Representative Chris Shays,
senators like Maine’s Susan Collins,
and governors like Charlie Baker of
Massachusetts have taken the unusual
step of refusing to support Trump’s
candidacy and many have publicly
endorsed Clinton over their own
party’s nominee; these Republicans
believe that Donald Trump is dangerous
and are trying to warn the country.
Trump has demonstrated that he
simply does not have the temperament
to hold the office of the President of
the United States. He is dangerously
impulsive, demonstrates a stunning
level of indifference and ignorance
about both foreign and domestic
issues, he is openly sexist, bigoted
against religious and racial minorities,
and endorses the U.S. committing war
crimes. With his flippant suggestion
that the election will be “rigged”
and giving a less than subtle wink to
insurrection by “second amendment
people,” Donald Trump has shown
that he either doesn’t understand the
power of his own words or doesn’t
care about the potentially violent
ramifications; these are not traits one
should want from a candidate for the
most powerful office on the planet. It
is not an exaggeration to say that there
has never been a candidate more unfit
for the presidency than Donald Trump.
The choice in this election could not be more stark.
…and then there is
Visit Our Union’s Website at
www.CSEA-CT.com
Postmaster: Please forward address changes to:
CSEA, 760 CAPITOL AVE., HARTFORD, CT 06106
CSEA NEWS
SEPTEMBER
ACTIVE Meetings & Events
Page 2
Council 400
and
The Council 400 Delegates Meeting is always held on the third Thursday of
the month, except for the months of July and August. The next meeting will
be held on Thursday, September 15th at 10am.
Chapter 401 (Hartford area):
Thursday, September 1st, 12:15 lunch, meeting at 1pm,
CSEA, 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT
Speaker: Dr. William McEvoy, Chiropractic Care
Tom Corrigan: 860-674-8221
Chapter 402 (Danbury area):
Wednesday, September 14th at 10am,
United Methodist Church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd., Danbury, CT
Speaker: Retiree Coordinator Bernadette Conway
Dawn Gallagher: 203-748-2018
Chapter 414 (Torrington area):
Monday, September 19th at 10am
Torrington UConn Campus Extension Building, University Dr., Torrington, CT
Speaker: Retiree Coordinator Bernadette Conway
Karen Pineman: 860-354-6727
Chapter 415 (Manchester area):
Monday, September 26th at 1:00 PM
Elks Lodge, 33 Bissell St., Manchester, CT
Speaker: Adrian Walker, Anthem Representative
Dorothy Tomlinson: 860-647-1216
Chapter 403 (Norwich area):
Tuesday, September 13th at 1:30 PM
Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Dr., Norwich, CT
Speaker: Mary Brown, Director of Volunteer Services, Backus Hospital
Carol Burgess: 860-859-3641
Chapter 416 (New London area):
Tuesday, September 13th at 12 noon
Waterford Public Library
49 Rope Ferry Rd., Waterford, CT 06385
Speaker: Ryan Henowitz, who is running for the Senate seat in the 20th
District And Sharon Palmer, who is running for the Representative seat in the
38th District
Les Shapiro: 860-442-5256
Chapter 404 (Waterbury area):
Thursday, September 8th at 2:00 PM
Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway (exit 17 off
I-84), Waterbury
Speaker: Retiree Coordinator Bernadette Conway
John Quinn: 203-804-0189
Chapter 417 (Plainville area):
Wednesday, September 14th at 1:00 PM
Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church, 115 West Main St., Plainville, CT
Speaker: Mike Perugini, Costco Marketing, to discuss hearing and optical
issues and their pharmacy operations
Cathy Toscano: 860-845-2927
Chapter 405 (New Haven area):
Wednesday, September 14th at 1:00 PM
Energize CT, 122 Universal Dr., North Haven, CT
Speaker: Representative from Energize CT - the topic will be energy
alternatives
Light lunch by Panera Bread will be provided
Andy Gambardella: 203-468-7376
Chapter 418 (4C’s):
Tuesday, September 13th at 10AM
4C’s, 907 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, CT
Speaker: Steve Thornton discussing the Hartford/Connecticut Labor History
Tour
Bill Searle: 860-745-3692
Chapter 406 (Middletown area):
Tuesday, September 13th at 1:00 PM
American Legion Post 75, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Dr., Middletown, CT
Speaker: Retiree Coordinator Bernadette Conway
Joe Formica: 860-347-4532
CHAPTER 425 (Sun Coast)
September 20th, 2016 at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor, FL. at Shelter #7.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad & sodas are on the menu. Members
are encouraged to bring a new member or guest as well as a salad or
dessert Please come and join us and catch up on the latest developments in
your local Chapter 425 and CSEA. To RSVP or for more information, please
contact Ursula Bracker at 727-848-0089.
Chapter 407 (Bridgeport area):
Wednesday, September 21st at 12:30 PM Social,
St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church, 1300 Stratford Rd.,
Stratford (on Rt. 113 toward Sikorsky Airport)
Speaker: Adrian Walker, Anthem Representative
Carol Donofrio: 203-888-2920
Chapter 408 (Willimantic area):
Wednesday, September 14th at 1:00 PM
Baptist Church, 945 Storrs Rd., Storrs, CT
Speaker: Gene Tewksbury, Representative from Congressman Joe Courtney
Richard Pakenham: 860-456-2939
Chapter 410 (Windsor Locks area):
Monday, September 12th at 1:00 PM
Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge St., Suffield, CT
Speaker: Debra Quinn, Hearing Instrument Specialist from Miracle Ear
Amelia Smith: 860-687-1848
Chapter 441 (Cape Cod):
Thursday, September 22, at 9:30 a.m.
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Board Room
688 Main St., South Dennis, MA (across from Patriots Mall)
Short business meeting including election of officers
Speaker: Entomologist, Larry Dapsis discussing “Small ticks a large problem
on Cape Cod” Light refreshment will be served
Please note: Members are reminded to park in the lower parking lot behind
the bank or across the street near Ring Brothers
George Levesque: 508-771-4679
Anyone can write a letter to
the editor!
If you see misinformation in your local
paper, call them on it. We cannot sit by
and let anti-union extremists dominate
the conversation. CSEA’s Communications
Director Ben Phillips is here to help; Call
860-951-6614.
Chapter 411 (Rocky Hill area):
Thursday, September 8th at 1:00 PM
William J. Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield, CT
Speaker: TBD
Sebastian Puglisi: 860-529-8336
Chapter 412 (Putnam area):
Tuesday, September 20th at 1:30 PM
Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St., Putnam, CT
Speaker: TBD
Don Gladding: 860-564-9092
Important numbers to have on hand:
Retirement Division Payroll: 860-702-3528
Oxford Health: 1-800-385-9055
Retirement Division Life Insurance: 860-702-3537
Caremark: 1-800-318-2572
Retirement Division Health Insurance: 860-702-3533
Silverscript: 1-866-693-4624
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield: 1-800-922-2232
Cigna: 1-800-244-6224
HEP Care Management Solutions: 1-877-687-1448 or visit them at their portal:
https://www.connect2yourhealth.com/ParticipantPortal/Default.aspx
CSEA NEWS
Page 3
Announcement:
State of Connecticut Department of
Transportation Great Get Together
12 Noon, Wednesday September 14th.
at the Colchester Polish Club, (Next to McDonalds on Rt. 85)
$20 Per Person. Bring Your Spouse
For retirees of all state wide DOT districts, units
and all levels of maintenance retirees
For Information Call John Postemski at 860-423-9396 or 860-208-0353
Frank Zelenicky at 860-334-8288
*Annual Percentage Rate. All rates are subject to change without notice.
Visit Our Website: www.CSECreditUnion.com
Find all the essential information about the products and services we
have to offer. You can even print a loan application online! Best of all, it’s
accessible from your personal computer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
www.CSECreditUnion.com
Monday, September 5, 2016
Labor Day
CSEA Flu Shot Clinic
Wednesday, October 26th
starting at 10am
At the CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 Union Hall
760 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT, 06106
Bring Your State Employee Health Insurance Card
Please Call CSEA To Reserve Your Spot!
Dividend Rates - Second Quarter 2016
Dividend Rate
REGULAR SHARES
SHARE DRAFTS (Checking)
CLUB ACCOUNTS
Annual
Percentage Yield
0.75%
0.35%
0.50%
0.75%
0.35%
0.50%
Minimum opening balance $25.00. The annual percentage yield is accurate
as of the last dividend declaration date. Rate may change after the account
is opened. Fees or other conditions may reduce the earnings on the account.
7 Full Service Offices To Serve You
NORWICH
Uncas on Thames
401 West Thames St.
Norwich, CT 06306
(860) 889-7378
HARTFORD
84 Wadsworth St.
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 522-5388 (Savings)
(860) 522-7147 (Loans)
NEW HAVEN
1666 Litchfield Turnpike
Woodbridge, CT 06525
(203) 397-2949
NEWINGTON
MIDDLETOWN
STORRS
SOUTHBURY
O’Neil Plaza
P.O. Box 2485
1244 Storrs Rd. Southbury Training School
2434 Berlin Turnpike
Middletown, CT 06457 Storrs, CT 06268
P.O. Box 644
Newington, CT 06111
(860) 347-0479
(860) 429-9306
Southbury, CT 06488
(860) 667-7668
(203) 267-7610
Hours: Main Office: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm
Branches: Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4pm
Drive-Up Teller (Hartford Only): Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; Paydays Open Until 5pm
STR
ONGER
Local 2001
TOGETHER
CSEA NEWS
The Voice of Connecticut’s
Public Service Employees & Retirees
USPS # 224-100 ISSN # 0273-6055
Published Monthly by
CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
Local 2001, Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
Stephen Anderson..................................................................... President
Roland Bishop.......................................................... Secretary/Treasurer
David Glidden............................................................ Executive Director
Benjamin P. Phillips.......................................... Communications Director
Jason P. Webster...................................... Graphic/ Technical Assistance
INSERTION DEADLINE: 1st of prior month.
MAILING ADDRESS: CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, 760 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106;
PHONES: (860) 951-6614, toll-free: (800) 894-9479, FAX: (860) 951-3526; INTERNET:
www.csea-ct.com.
“CSEA NEWS” (USPS 224-100, ISSN 0273-6055) is published monthly for $2.80
per year members, $5.00 per year non-members, by CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, 760
Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106-1263. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT.
Postmaster: Send address changes to “CSEA NEWS,” 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford,
CT 06106-1263.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
CSEA NEWS
Page 4
Election 2016 Coverage
2016 Democratic & Republican Party Platforms
2016
Democratic
Party Platform
“Under President Obama’s
leadership, and thanks to the
hard work and determination of
the American people, we have
come a long way from the Great
Recession and the Republican
policies that triggered it…But
too many Americans have been
left out and left behind. They
are working longer hours with
less security. Wages have barely
budged and the racial wealth
gap remains wide, while the cost
of everything from childcare to a
college education has continued
to rise… As working people
struggle, the top one percent
accrues more wealth and more
power. Republicans in Congress
have chosen gridlock and
dysfunction over trying to find
solutions to the real challenges
we face. It’s no wonder that so
many feel like the system is rigged
against them.
Democrats believe that
cooperation is better than conflict,
unity is better than division,
empowerment is better than
resentment, and bridges are
better than walls. It’s a simple but
powerful idea: we are stronger
together.
Democrats believe we are
stronger when we have
an economy that works for
everyone—an economy that
grows incomes for working
people, creates good-paying
jobs, and puts a middle-class life
within reach for more Americans.
Democrats believe we can spur
more sustainable economic
growth, which will create goodpaying jobs and raise wages. And
we can have more economic
fairness, so the rewards are shared
broadly, not just with those at the
top.
This election is about more than
Democrats and Republicans. It is
about who we are as a nation,
and who we will be in the
future…
Despite what some say, America is
and has always been great—but
not because it has been perfect.
What makes America great is our
unerring belief that we can make
it better. We can and we will build
a more just economy, a more
equal society, and a more perfect
union—because we are stronger
together.
public and private, to exercise
their right to organize and
join unions.
• “A major factor in the 40-year
decline in the middle class is
that the rights of workers to
bargain collectively for better
wages and benefits have
been under attack at all levels.
Donald Trump would make
matters worse by creating a
race to the bottom where the
middle class is fighting over
fewer and fewer good-paying
jobs.”
• “Democrats believe so-called
“right to work” laws are
wrong for workers—such as
teachers and other public
employees who serve our
communities every day—
and wrong for America. We
will continue to vigorously
oppose those laws and other
efforts that would eliminate
dues check-off procedures,
roll-back prevailing wage
standards, abolish fair
share requirements, restrict
the use of voluntary
membership payments for
political purposes, attack
seniority, restrict due process
protections, and require
annual recertification efforts.
We oppose legislation and
lawsuits that would strike
down laws protecting the
rights of teachers and other
public employees.”
• “We will fight to pass laws
that direct the National Labor
Relations Board to certify a
union if a simple majority of
eligible workers sign valid
authorization cards, as well
as laws that bring companies
to the negotiating table. We
support binding arbitration to
help workers who have voted
to join a union reach a first
contract.”
A Secure Retirement
• “Democrats are proud to
be the party that created
Social Security, one of the
nation’s most successful and
effective programs. Without
Social Security, nearly half of
America’s seniors would be
living in poverty.”
Unions
• “Social Security is more than
just a retirement program. It
also provides important life
insurance to young survivors
of deceased workers and
provides disability insurance
protection.”
• “The Democratic Party believes
that when workers are strong,
America is strong. Democrats
will make it easier for workers,
• “We will fight every effort
to cut, privatize, or weaken
Social Security, including
attempts to raise the
retirement age, diminish
benefits by cutting costof-living adjustments, or
reducing earned benefits.”
• “Democrats will expand
Social Security so that every
American can retire with
dignity and respect, including
women who are widowed or
took time out of the workforce
to care for their children,
aging parents, or ailing family
members.”
• “We will defend the right
of workers to collect their
defined benefit pensions and
make sure workers get priority
and protection when pension
plans are in distress.”
• “We will make sure Social
Security’s guaranteed benefits
continue for generations
to come by asking those at
the top to pay more, and
will achieve this goal by
taxing some of the income
of people above $250,000.
The Democratic Party is also
committed to providing all
necessary financial support
for the Social Security
Administration so that it can
provide timely benefits and
high-quality service for those it
serves.”
Economics
• “Democrats believe that the
current minimum wage is a
starvation wage and must be
increased to a living wage.
No one who works full time
should have to raise a family
in poverty.”
• “We believe that Americans
should earn at least $15 an
hour and have the right to
form or join a union and will
work in every way we can—
in Congress and the federal
government, in states and
with the private sector—to
reach this goal.”
• “Democrats support a model
employer executive order
or some other vehicle to
leverage federal dollars to
support employers who
provide their workers with a
living wage, good benefits,
and the opportunity to form
a union without reprisal.
The one trillion dollars spent
annually by the government
on contracts, loans, and
grants should be used to
support good jobs that rebuild
the middle class.”
• “Democrats believe that
today’s extreme levels of
income and wealth inequality
are bad for our people, bad
for our businesses, and bad
for our economy.”
• “Our country depends on
a thriving middle class to
drive economic growth, but
the middle class is shrinking.
Meanwhile, the top one-tenth
of one percent of Americans
now own almost as much
wealth as the bottom 90
percent combined. These
trends create problems
beyond insulting our sense of
basic fairness.”
• “To restore economic fairness,
Democrats will fight against
the greed and recklessness
of Wall Street. Wall Street
cannot be an island unto
itself, gambling trillions in
risky financial instruments and
making huge profits, all the
while thinking that taxpayers
will be there to bail them out
again.”
• “Our goal must be to create
a financial system and an
economy that works for all
Americans, not just a handful
of billionaires.”
Health Care
• “Democrats believe that health
care is a right, not a privilege,
and our health care system
should put people before
profits.”
• “Thanks to the hard work
of President Obama and
Democrats in Congress, we
took a critically important step
toward the goal of universal
health care by passing the
Affordable Care Act, which
has covered 20 million more
Americans and ensured
millions more will never be
denied coverage because
of a pre-existing condition.
Democrats will never falter in
our generations-long fight to
guarantee health care as a
fundamental right for every
American.”
• As part of that guarantee,
Americans should be able
to access public coverage
through a public option,
and those over 55 should be
able to opt in to Medicare.
Democrats will empower the
states, which are the true
laboratories of democracy, to
use innovation waivers under
the ACA to develop unique
locally tailored approaches to
health coverage.
CSEA NEWS
Page 5
As union members, public employees and as citizens, it is important for us to understand and make informed decisions about where
politicians want to take us as a state and as a nation. Republicans and Democrats from across the United States have gathered at their
respective conventions to nominate Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for President of the United States. At these conventions Democrats
and Republicans also do the business of adopting official party platforms for 2016. At 66 pages long for the Republicans and 55 pages for
the Democrats, these lengthy platform documents offer a glimpse at the different visions the two parties have for our country, and they are
very different. Below, we attempt to compare some key areas of interest for CSEA members and allow the parties to present their views
through direct quotes from their official party platforms.
2016
Republican
Party Platform
“We believe in American
exceptionalism. We believe
the United States of America
is unlike any other nation on
earth. We believe America is
exceptional because of our
historic role — first as refuge,
then as defender, and now
as exemplar of liberty for the
world to see.
We affirm — as did the
Declaration of Independence:
that all are created equal,
endowed by their Creator
with inalienable rights of
life, liberty,and the pursuit of
happiness.
We believe in the Constitution
as our founding document.
We believe the Constitution
was written not as a flexible
document, but as our
enduring covenant.
We believe our constitutional
system — limited government,
separation of powers,
federalism, and the rights
of the people — must be
preserved uncompromised for
future generations.
We believe political freedom
and economic freedom are
indivisible. When political
freedom and economic
freedom are separated — both
are in peril; when united, they
are invincible.
We believe that people are
the ultimate resource — and
that the people, not the
government, are the best
stewards of our country’s Godgiven natural resources…
(T)his platform is an invitation
and a roadmap. It invites every
American to join us and shows
the path to a stronger, safer,
and more prosperous America.
This platform is optimistic
because the American people
are optimistic. This platform
lays out — in clear language
— the path to making America
great and united again. For
the past 8 years America
has been led in the wrong
direction…
The President has been
regulating to death a free
market economy that he
does not like and does not
understand. He defies the laws
of the United States by refusing
to enforce those with which
he does not agree. And he
appoints judges who legislate
from the bench rather than
apply the law.
We, as Republicans and
Americans, cannot allow this
to continue. That is why the
many sections of this platform
affirm our trust in the people,
our faith in their judgment,
and our determination to help
them take back their country.“
Unions
• “We support the right of states
to enact Right-to-Work laws
and call for a national law to
protect the economic liberty
of the modern workforce.”
• “The greatest asset of the
American economy is the
hard-working American.
That is why our first priority
is getting people back to
work by fostering the kind
of growth that creates
jobs... It also impels us to
challenge the anachronistic
labor laws that limit workers’
freedom and lock them into
the workplace rules of their
greatgrandfathers.”
A Secure Retirement
• “We reject the old maxim that
Social Security is the “Third
Rail” of American politics,
deadly for anyone who would
change it. The Democratic
Party still treats it that way,
even though everyone knows
that its current course will
lead to a financial and social
disaster.”
• “As Republicans, we oppose
tax increases and believe
in the power of markets to
create wealth and to help
secure the future of our Social
Security system.”
• “Current retirees and those
close to retirement can be
assured of their benefits.
Of the many reforms being
proposed, all options should
be considered to preserve
Social Security.”
• “Saving Social Security is more
than a challenge. It is our
moral obligation to those who
trusted in the government’s
word.”
• “Medicare’s long-term debt
is in the trillions, and it is
funded by a workforce that is
shrinking relative to the size
of future beneficiaries. That
is why we propose these
reforms: Impose no changes
for persons 55 or older. Give
others the option of traditional
Medicare or transition to
a premium-support model
designed to strengthen
patient choice, promote costsaving competition among
providers, and better guard
against the fraud and abuse
that now diverts billions of
dollars every year away from
patient care.”
Economics
• “Minimum wage is an issue
that should be handled at the
state and local level.”
• “Getting our tax system
right will be the most
important factor in driving
the entire economy back to
prosperity. The current tax
code is rightly the object of
both anger and mockery.
Its length is exceeded only
by its complexity. We must
start anew. That will be an
enormous undertaking and,
if it is to succeed, it must
command the attention and
approval of the American
people. It cannot be
engineered from the top
down, but must have a
common sense approach,
and be simplified.”
• “The Great Recession may be
over, but in the experience
of most Americans, the
economy is still sick. The
federal regulatory burden has
been a major contributor to
that stagnation. The ability
of the American people to
govern themselves has been
undermined by a vast array
of agencies with sweeping
power to regulate every
aspect of American life.”
• “American businesses now
face the world’s highest
corporate tax rates. That’s like
putting lead shoes on your
cross-country team. It reduces
companies’ ability to compete
overseas, encourages them
to move abroad, lessens
their investment, cripples
job creation here at home,
lowers American wages, and
fosters the avoidance of tax
liability — without actually
increasing tax revenues. A
more damaging policy is hard
to imagine.”
• “We propose to level the
international playing field
by lowering the corporate
tax rate to be on a par with,
or below, the rates of other
industrial nations.”
Healthcare
• “Any honest agenda for
improving healthcare must
start with repeal of the
dishonestly named Affordable
Care Act of 2010: Obamacare.
It weighs like the dead hand
of the past upon American
medicine.”
• “We agree with the four
dissenting judges of the
Supreme Court: “In our view,
the entire Act before us is
invalid in its entirety.” It must
be removed and replaced
with an approach based
on genuine competition,
patient choice, excellent care,
wellness, and timely access
to treatment. To that end,
a Republican president, on
the first day in office, will use
legitimate waiver authority
under the law to halt its
advance and then, with
the unanimous support of
Congressional Republicans,
will sign its repeal.”
• “Consumer choice is the most
powerful factor in healthcare
reform. Today’s highly mobile
workforce needs portability
of insurance coverage that
can go with them from job
to job. The need to maintain
coverage should not dictate
where families have to live
and work. We propose to
end tax discrimination against
the individual purchase
of insurance and allow
consumers to buy insurance
across state lines.”
Campaign Finance
Reform
• “The rights of citizenship do
not stop at the ballot box.
Freedom of speech includes
the right to devote resources
to whatever cause or
candidate one supports.”
• “We oppose any restrictions
or conditions that would
discourage citizens from
participating in the public
square or limit their ability to
promote their ideas, such as
requiring private organizations
to publicly disclose their
donors to the government.”
• “Limits on political speech
serve only to protect the
powerful and insulate
incumbent officeholders.
We support repeal of federal
restrictions on political parties
in McCain-Feingold, raising
or repealing contribution
limits, protecting the political
speech of advocacy groups,
corporations, and labor
unions, and protecting political
speech on the internet.”
CSEA NEWS
Retirees
By CSEA Retiree Coordinator
Bernadette Conway
I want to thank all of the members
that I have been meeting through
phone calls, and in person, for being
so warm and encouraging in my new
assignment. Every day I learn something new.
One of the most important and vital
programs that Council 400 offers is
the Recruitment Committee. CoChairs Nancy Driscoll and Thomas
Welch work very hard to recruit new
members to Council 400. Remember,
you do not automatically become a
retiree member when you leave state
service, you must sign a membership
(blue)card to join.
Council 400 has approximately
12,000 members, and as the largest
group of organized retirees, we have
a strong voice that works to protect
the benefits that you have worked
hard for. Both Nancy Driscoll and
Tom Welch, along with many other
members, make phone calls to new
retirees and non-members to educate
them about the importance of joining
Council 400, because the more
members we have, the stronger our
voice is.
The Recruitment Committee needs
volunteers to make phone calls! If
you think you would be interested
in recruitment phone banking, please
call the union hall at 860-951-6614 or
toll free at 1-800-894-9479 and ask
for either Nancy or Tom and they can
help you get started. Council 400 is
always looking to recruit new retirees
to bolster our ranks. Feel free to
contact me at either phone number
and I can send you membership cards
to keep on hand to give to fellow
state retirees you run into!
Since finding out that hearing aids are
now covered, many of our members
that had been putting off getting
hearing aids because of cost, have
been anxious to start the process to
receive their hearing devices.
Just as is the normal case before
making an appointment with any
new provider of service, you should
always call the phone number on the
back of your insurance card to make
sure they are a participating provider. You can ask the customer service
representative who is participating
under the plan, then move forward
with making the appointment. Because this benefit is so new, there
have been several questions regarding
the coverage of hearing aids and the
services related to acquiring a hearing
aid. For example, some patients are
being billed for consultations and
device fittings by some doctors. When
you make your initial appointment,
you can ask if you will be billed for
additional services related to obtaining
a hearing aid, and the provider of
service should be able to give you the
billable codes so that you can check
your coverage with Anthem prior to
any service(s) being rendered.
It is unfortunate that there has been
some confusion regarding your
hearing aid coverage, but because
this benefit is so new, there are
small complications that need to
be worked out. However, as long
as you call your customer service
representative first to obtain the
name(s) of a participating provider,
next talk with your provider about
additional services related to
obtaining a hearing aid, and lastly,
call customer service to confirm
coverage, the process should run
much better. We are working hard to
resolve any issues that may arise with
this new benefit.
Please join the Council 400 members
at their annual picnic which will be
on Wednesday, August 31st at Holiday
Hill in Cheshire. The picnic is a fun
outing with lots of great food and
activities. I am very much looking
forward to the picnic this year, and
am hoping to meet members that I
have not had the pleasure of coming
into contact with yet. If you haven’t
gone in the past, please consider
going this year!
Page 6
Child Care
Mirando hacia atrás para mirar hacia
adelante
By CSEA Child Care Director
Helene Figueroa
Looking Back to Look Ahead
Over the last few years, we have
lauded the accomplishments of many
providers who have taken advantage
of contract benefits to improve their
child care services.
As we stand poised to enter into
negotiations for our second contract,
let’s review some of the professional
development opportunities
and licensing incentives that we
negotiated last time.
Free classes on early care and
education are available on-line
and throughout the state at local
colleges, universities and through
211 Child Care. Providers can
work towards a Child Development
Associate Certificate (CDA), which
comes with a bonus of $500. The
contract also encourages national
accreditation through NAFCC,
which leads to a bonus of $750 and
increased payments from Care 4
Kids. To apply for NAFCC you must
be licensed and have a CDA or
equivalent education.
Unlicensed child care providers
have access to help paying for the
license application fee, and can take
the First Aid, CPR and Medication
Management classes for free. Once
licensed, the provider receives a
bonus of $500.
To access any of these benefits, all
you need to do is contact the child
care team for more information:
860-951-6614.
We can use these benefits or risk
losing them in the next round of
negotiations. What are you waiting
for? The more you know, the
happier they grow.
En los últimos años, hemos elogiado
los logros de muchos proveedores
que han aprovechado los beneficios
de los contratos para mejorar sus
servicios de cuidado infantil.
Ahora que estamos preparados para
entrar en negociaciones de nuestro
segundo contrato, revisemos algunas
de las oportunidades profesionales
e incentivos para conseguir licencia,
que negociamos la última vez.
Las clases gratuitas sobre el cuidado
y la educación en la primera infancia
están disponibles en línea y en todo
el estado en escuelas y universidades
locales y por medio de 211 Child
Care (Cuidado Infantil 211). Los
proveedores pueden trabajar para
obtener un Certificado de Asociado
en Desarrollo Infantil (CDA, por
sus siglas en inglés), que incluye un
bono de $500. El contrato también
fomenta la acreditación nacional por
medio de NAFCC, que conduce a
un bono de $750 y aumentos en los
pagos de Care 4 Kids. Para aplicar
para NAFCC debe tener una licencia
y un CDA o educación equivalente. Los proveedores de cuidado infantil
sin licencia tienen acceso a ayuda
para pagar por el costo de solicitar
una licencia, y pueden tomar clases
gratuitas de Primeros Auxilios, RCP
y Administración de Medicamentos.
Una vez que obtenga la licencia, el/la
proveedor/a recibe un bono de $500. Para acceder a cualquiera de estos
beneficios, llame al equipo de cuidado
infantil para obtener más información:
860-951-6614.
Podemos usar estos beneficios o
correr el riesgo de perderlos en la
próxima ronda de negociaciones. ¿Qué esperan? Mientras más
conocimientos adquieran ustedes,
más contentos se criarán los niños.
Join us in our call for:
D.U.E.
JUSTICE COALITION
Take Back
DEMOCRACY | UNITY | EQUALITY
!
t
u
c
i
t
c
e
n
Con
Good jobs and fair wages
Universal access to quality public education
A vibrant and fairly funded public sector
Racial, gender, and ethnic justice
Democracy in our state and in our workplaces
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. William Barber,
President of North Carolina
NAACP and founder of
Moral Monday Movement
Thursday, Sept 8th, 6:30PM
CT Central State University
New Britain, Connecticut
Initial Event Sponsors
SEBAC
State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition
Connecticut
NAACP
Greater Hartford
NAACP
Greater New Britain
NAACP
Greater Danbury
NAACP
Moral Monday CT
CSEA NEWS
Social Activities
Here are some of the trips CSEA’s Social Activities Committee is working on for the coming
year. All trips are open to to everyone, including the general public. Please use the RSVP form
below if sending checks.
Page 7
DDS Layoffs
Continued from Page 1
We have to stop this, and all
privatization schemes.
Drop what you are doing and
call the governor and your state
legislators. Call them today, on
break, at lunch, in a free moment.
It is important that you call the
governor, your state representative,
and state senator ASAP! Please
use your personal phone and do
not call from a work phone. Every
call you make matters.
Governor Dan Malloy:
800.406.1527
Senate Republicans: 860.240.8800,
Toll free - 800.842.1421
House Republicans: 860.240.8700,
Toll free - 800.842.1423
Senate Democrats: 860.240.8600,
Toll free - 800.842.1420
Sample message:
Cutting these vital services
and laying off public workers
directly harms some of the most
vulnerable residents of our state
and places a burden on their
families who rely on the work
done by DDS. Classrooms at DDS
individualizes attention given to
physically and health challenged
people ages 54 thru 87. The
programs give individuals the
chance to get out 5 days a week
to go to their Day Program. Their
Day Programs provide music,
exercise, socialization, and pool use
in the summer. These programs
enrich the lives of the individuals.
in the care of the state and it is
important that they continue.
House Democrats: 860-240-8500,
Toll free - 800.842.1902
If you do not know your General
Assembly members, please look
them up on the General Assembly’s
website; www.cga.ct.gov
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes
and 3 hours on your own in New York City’s Times Square.
December 2nd, 2016. Price $100 per person
Price includes ticket to radio city music hall and Motor Coach Transportation
Departure points: Windsor and Southbury, departure times tbd
Show Time @ 11am
CSEA SEIU LOCAL 2001
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES RSVP FORM
For All trips, mail checks with the RSVP Form (below) to CSEA Social Activities Committees
760 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT 06106
Questions? Call 860-951-6614
NAME
ADDRESS
75
th
Delegate Convention
Saturday, October 22nd
At Connecticut Central State
University (CCSU)
All Chapters should get their elected delegate lists into
Mike Nortz, 860-951-6614, [email protected]
PHONE
EMAIL
TRIP
TRAVEL COMPANION
NAME
COMPANION PHONE
BUS PICK UP POINT
Get the latest news and updates
as they happen!
If you use Facebook, “Like” our page today!
Please call CSEA at 860-951-6614 to check trip
availability or for more information
Please call for trip availability. No refunds on cancellations on or after deadline. Travel
insurance (cancellation waivers) available on some trips (see flyer) due with initial reservation. Reservations accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
SEIU Local 2001
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