The Voice of Connecticut`s Public Service
Transcription
The Voice of Connecticut`s Public Service
STR ONGER Local 2001 TOGETHER CSEA NEWS The Voice of Connecticut’s Public Service Employees & Retirees February, 2015 VOL. 48, NO. 2 CSEA SEIU Local 2001 CSEA’s 2015 Legislative Agenda CSEA’s Queen Freelove Shines in SEIU video A newly elected Connecticut General Assembly convened the 2015 legislative session on January 7. Being an odd numbered year, our state legislature will, over the next several months, draft and pass a biennial budget, as well as a host of bills of importance to all the residents of the state. CSEA members will be working to pass a number of bills of direct importance to us, as well additional pieces of legislation that move Connecticut in the right direction for working families. CSEA’s Executive Council has unanimously approved the legislative agenda you see here. This agenda was developed over several months by CSEA members and the Legislative Action Committee and includes proposals to increase the transparency of the operations of contractors & consultants, expand collective bargaining rights, and protect the opportunities and interests of our members. CSEA’s 5 Point 2015 Legislative Agenda: • Contractor Transparency: Require the state to put invoicing reports of consultants and contractors on transparency.ct.gov or the state contracting portal. Right now, the only way to see the actual payment invoices contractors and consultants are submitting to the state is to travel to a state office in Newington and review paper copies. This is, both, unnecessary and inefficient. This is important and timely information that should be placed immediately online. • Health Care Pooling: Require all municipalities to submit health care claims data to the Comptroller’s office. CSEA members have been fighting for years to expand access to affordable quality health care. While there was limited success a few years with the opening of the State Employee Health Plan through the creation of the Partnership Plan, there is still a lot of work to be done. By requiring municipalities to submit their claims data, we will have a clearer picture of health expenditures. This will provide an improved foundation on which to discuss and bargain over health care coverage for municipal and board of education employees. • Paraeducator Protection: Protect the ability of paraeducators to serve as substitutes in the classroom. The education reform bill passed a few years ago by the General Assembly changed the qualifications for serving as a substitute teacher. That bill requires a substitute to hold a B.A. or receive a waiver from the State Department of Education. Prior to this, it was common for paraeducators, regardless of whether or not they held a B.A., to serve as a substitute. This proposal, simply, clarifies the rights of paras to do this work. The paraeducators working in a school system know the teachers, the students and the culture, and are certainly qualified to serve as substitute teachers. • Law Enforcement Indemnification: Add inspectors in the Division of Criminal Justice to the indemnification statute. Currently, virtually every other law enforcement professional employed by the state or a municipality is protected from costs resulting from a crime allegedly committed by any member of a law enforcement unit in the course of their duty if the charge is dismissed or the officer found not guilty. This indemnification protection should apply to all law enforcement professionals, including the CSEA members who serve as inspectors in the Division of Criminal Justice. • Union Rights: Collective bargaining rights for State Education Resource Center (SERC) employees. Last year, as a result of legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law, SERC was turned into a quasi-public agency. Unfortunately, that legislation was written in such a way as to deny SERC employees their collective bargaining rights. This was an oversight that needs to be corrected. Queen Freelove brilla en el vídeo de SEIU Family Child Care Provider and Union Leader, Queen Freelove, joined Mary Kay Henry at the City University of New York Graduate Center last month to rally support for higher wages and the right to form a union. Both of them spoke with other SEIU members on a panel of women workers – from the home care, airport, fast food and child care sectors. Queen’s message was strong and clear: “Our struggle was eight years long, but if we could do it as family child care providers in Connecticut, so can you!” Líder sindical y proveedora de Cuidado Infantil Familiar de Connecticut, Queen Freelove, se reunió con Mary Kay Henry la presidenta de SEIU en el Centro de Graduados el mes pasado en el City University de Nueva York. La conferencia era para conseguir apoyo para salarios más altos a trabajadores y el derecho a formar un sindicato. Ambos participaron con otros miembros de SEIU en un panel de las mujeres trabajadoras - de los sectores de atención a domicilio, aeropuerto, comida rápida y de cuidado infantil. El mensaje de Queen era fuerte y claro: ¡”Nuestra lucha era de ocho años de duración, pero si podríamos hacerlo como proveedores de cuidado infantil en Connecticut, tú también puedes!” Child Care Continued on Page 7 Also In This Edition: CSEA Calls for Cooperation in Staffing Department of Transportation at Appropriate Levels. Page 6 CSEA Social Activities UConn Trip CSEA McCusker Scholarship Fund Page 5 Page 4 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 February, 2015 February Meetings & Events COUNCIL 400 DELEGATES: Thursday, Feb 19, 10:00 AM, CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 Union Hall, 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford. Contact: Retiree Coordinator Hollis Block at (800) 894-9479. CHAPTER 401 (Hartford area): Thursday, Feb. 5, Noon at CSEA Union Headquarters: 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford . Speaker: Kevin Mercik, CSEA Organizing Director Contact President Tom Corrigan at (860) 674-8221. CHAPTER 402 (Danbury area): Wednesday, Feb 11, 10:00 AM, United Methodist Church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury. Speaker: Marc Campano, Representative from VITAS: End od Life Care Giving Contact: President Dawn Gallagher at (203) 748-2018. CHAPTER 403 (Norwich area): Tuesday, Feb 10, 1:30 PM Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Dr., Norwich. Speaker: Charlie Chase, Representative from the Norwich Arts Center For more information call President Carol Burgess at 860-859-3641 CHAPTER 404 (Waterbury area): Thursday, Feb 12, 10:00 AM, Donuts/Coffee at 10:30. Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway (exit 17 off I-84), Waterbury. Speaker: Dr. William McEvoy, DC, Precision Spinal Center of Newington: Healthy Living for a Long Life Contact: President Ron Chasse at (860) 945-0768. CHAPTER 405 (New Haven area): Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1:00 PM, Hamden Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Avenue 3rd floor Speakers: TBD Andy Gambardella at (203) 468-7376. CHAPTER 406 (Middletown area): Tuesday, Feb. 10, Valentine Ice Cream Social at Noon Please bring two sandwiches and two Valentine cards. Meeting will follow after our Ice Cream Social. American Legion Post 75, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Dr., Middletown. Speaker: Helen O’Connell Moore, Cigna Contact: President Joe Formica at (860) 347-4532. CHAPTER 407 (Bridgeport area): Wednesday, Feb. 18, 12:30 PM Social St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church, 1300 Stratford Rd., Stratford (on Rt. 113 toward Sikorsky Airport). Speaker: Stratford Police on “scams and safety” Contact: President Carol Donofrio at (203) 888-2920. CHAPTER 408 (Willimantic area): Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1:00 PM, Baptist Church, 945 Storrs Rd, Storrs CT. Speaker: Cigna Representative Contact: President Betty Gardner at 860-456-1480 CHAPTER 410 (Windsor Locks area): Monday, Feb. 9, 1:00PM Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge St, Suffield. Speaker: Nichole Paquette, Certified Preplanning Consultant Manager for Carmon Community Funeral Homes. Contact President Amelia Smith 860-687-1848 Page 2 CHAPTER 411 (Rocky Hill area): Thursday, Feb. 12, 1:00 PM, William J. Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield. Speaker: Cigna Representative Contact: President Sebastian Puglisi at (860) 529-8336. CHAPTER 412 (Putnam area): Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:30 PM, Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St, Putnam Speaker: Frederick Barks, Dr. of chiropractics Contact: President Don Gladding at (860) 564-9092. CHAPTER 414 (Torrington area): Monday, Feb. 16 , 10-11 am Log House on Route 44 in New Hartford/Barkhamsted Speaker: TBD Contact President Karen Pineman 860-354-6727 CHAPTER 415 (Manchester area): Monday, Feb 23, 1:00 PM, Elks Lodge, 33 Bissell St. Manchester. Speaker: TBD Contact: Dorothy Tomlinson at 860-647-1216 CHAPTER 416 (New London area): NOTE DATE CHANGE Tuesday, Feb 17th, 12:00 PM, Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Rd, Groton Speaker: Cigna Representative Contact Les Shapiro at 860-442-5256 CHAPTER 417 (Plainville area): Wednesday, Feb 11, 1:00 PM, Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church, 115 West Main St., Plainville. Speaker: CSEA Executive Director David Glidden, Union update Contact: President Cathy Toscano at (860) 845-2927. CHAPTER 418 (4Cs): Tuesday, Feb. 10, 10:00 AM, Speaker: TBD Contact: President Bill Searle at (860) 745-3692. FLORIDA CHAPTERS ALL Chapters: Nancy Driscoll, CSEA Retiree Council 400 Executive Committee member and Liaison of our out of CT chapters, and representatives from the State Health Plans of Anthem, Cigna (dental) and CVS Caremark/ SilverScript will be present to answer questions and assist members. ‘ALL CONNECTICUT RETIREES WELCOME!’ CSEA Daytona Retiree Chapter 421 Annual Meeting Wednesday, February 11, 2015 from 11:30 – 3 PM Halifax Plantation Golf Club; 3400 Halifax Clubhouse Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Cost: $14 per member with card $21 for guests R.S.V.P. by February 1, 2015 Menu choices: Chicken Cordon Bleu; Beef Burgundy with mushrooms; or Baked Shrimp. Comes with salad, rolls, butter, starch, dessert and coffee or tea. Includes tax and gratuity. Make check out to CSEA Chapter 421, Mail check and menu choice(s) to: Fred Gruner, 2919 N. Peninsula Dr., Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Contact: Pat Albert, 386-615-6805 for more information. CSEA Retiree Chapter 422 ANNUAL MEETING West Central Florida-Ocala Area Chapter Friday, February 13,2015; 11 AM – 3 PM; Lunch: Noon, Location: Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club, 505 E. Hartford St. Hernando, FL 34442, (352) 746-6855 MENU CHOICES: Marinated London Broil Thinly Sliced and Topped with a Roasted Tomato Salsa; Chicken Cordon Blue with Boneless Breast of Chicken Stuffed with Swiss Cheese and Ham,Toppped with an Alfredo Sauce or Baked Stuffed Flounder, Filet of Flounder Stuffed with Seafood Stuffing and Topped with a Lemon Butter Sauce. All served with: Tossed Garden Salad, Vegetable of the Day, Mashed Potatoes, Dinner Rolls, Dessert, Coffee & Tea.Members Cost: $7.50, Guests: $12.50. Please Make Reservation and Pay by Deadline.of February 2, 2015. Please send choice of meal and check payable to to: CSEA Chapter 422; James Carper,4357 Indianhead Road, Hernando, FL. 344422890. Phone # 352-726-3545 Please present postcard at the door. WE WILL ALSO HAVE A 50/50 DRAWING & DOOR PRIZE ! We regret to inform you of the passing of the following members. Alphina Gary, 402, 11/28/14 Sophie Niestzyzewski, 403, 1/11/15 George Legienza , 410 , 02/09/14 William Lehr , 405 , 02/07/14 Ben Levy , 407 , 03/01/14 Anthony Licitra , 416 , 04/29/14 Ronald Luneau , 416 , 04/27/14 Mary Lynn , 407 , 02/26/14 Alice Lytikainen , 410 , 01/25/14 Jane Managan , 407 , 04/01/14 Genevieve Mango , 401 , 02/19/14 Norman Marcus , 407 , 04/13/14 John Martin , 407 , 09/06/13 Ethel Massey , 405 , 09/06/13 Montcalm Mathurin , 412 , 06/03/14 Sylvia Matthews , 420 , 01/31/14 John Mawson , 408 , 02/26/14 Sophie Maxtutis , 411 , 03/18/14 Doris Mcausland , 410 , 09/22/13 E Christine Mcdonald , 406 , 06/22/14 Ilva Mchugh , 420 , 09/20/13 Mary Mcilvane , 415 , 09/26/13 Leland Mckean , 401 , 03/15/14 Mahmoud Melehy , 408 , 05/09/14 Lucille Mona , 411 , 09/22/13 Alfred Monico , 401 , 12/31/13 Clement Morin , 401 , 08/31/13 Rita Morin , 408 , 03/14/14 Robert Morris , 425 , 01/05/14 Jadwiga Mucha , 411 , 08/30/13 Charles Mule , 410 , 11/19/13 James Musante , 407 , 12/15/13 Jenny Myler , 411 , 01/23/14 Doris Nardi , 404 , 08/31/13 Donald Nelson , 408 , 07/23/14 Lorraine Neumann , 408 , 03/18/14 Leland Nielsen , 420 , 07/11/13 Robert Nielsen , 426 , 01/06/14 Anthony Norbut , 420 , 05/23/14 Emma Noriega , 421 , 11/20/13 Robert Northcott , 407 , 05/16/14 Henry Novak , 407 , 08/02/13 Gregory Obrien , 411 , 03/21/14 Jane Oles , 417 , 06/04/14 Elynor Oneill , 401 , 06/03/14 Marie Oskinis , 401 , 03/21/14 Albert Otte , 406 , 04/18/14 James Ough , 415 , 09/18/13 Josephine Pacheco , 441 , 08/13/14 James Padams , 420 , 12/01/13 Rocco Palaia , 417 , 04/20/14 Francis Palma , 414 , 07/06/14 Mario Palumbo , 408 , 04/28/14 John Papandrea , 406 , 06/19/14 Nell Papeika , 405 , 04/28/14 Joseph Pardus , 420 , 03/08/14 Mary Parker , 401 , 04/01/14 Priscilla Parr , 401 , 01/11/14 Regne Parr , 410 , 06/01/14 Yolanda Pastor , 407 , 04/28/14 CSEA NEWS February, 2015 Page 3 CSEA Highland Beach Retiree Chapter 423 Luncheon and Annual Meeting East Coast Chapter Date and Time: Monday, February 9, 2015; 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location and Phone: Delray Sands Resort (formerly the Holiday Inn), 2809 South Ocean Blvd, Highland Beach; 561-278-6241. Menu Choices: Chicken Francaise,, London Broil, Poached Salmon, Plain Pasta with Tomato Sauce-- Cost: $15 members, $18 Non-members and Guests R.S.V.P. by January 31, 2015. Make check payable to CSEA Chapter 423 and mail with your menu selection to Treasurer Phyllis Bonfoey, 8250 NW 95 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321, CSEA Sarasota Retiree Chapter 424 ANNUAL MEETING Sarasota Area Chapter TUESDAY, February 17, 2015: 9:30 Continental Breakfast followed by Meeting -- Sandcastle Hotel; 1540 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota, FL (941) 388-2181--Cost: : $12 RSVP by February 11, 2015. Make check out to CSEA Chapter 424 and mail to John Kirker, 1700 Ben Franklin Drive, Unit 7E, Sarasota, FL 34236 -- Contact: President John A. Kirker, Sr. (941) 388-1024 CSEA Clearwater/St. Petersburg Retiree Chapter 425 Meeting Thursday, February 19th 2015. NOTE DATE CORRECTION Social hour 11.30 AM Cash Bar followed by meeting. KALLY-K’S Restaurant, 1600 Main Street, Dunedin, FL. Menu choices: stuffed flounder & rice. garlic scrod & rice. 8oz sirloin steak & baked potato. chicken marsala with mushroom sauce over rice or pasta.. chicken piccata with lemon caper sauce over rice; salad & soup bar are included. Cost: $14.50 per member or guest & does not include tax or gratuity. Iced tea or coffee & the Dessert Bar are also included, but ice-cream is $1.25 extra. Reservation deadline is Feb. 17th, 2015. Please make checks payable to CSEA Chapter 425 with your menu selections & mail to Ursula Bracker, Chapter Secretary, 3673 Rockaway Drive, Holiday, FL. 34691. Please call 727-848-0089 with any questions. CSEA Ft Myers Retiree Chapter 426 Luncheon and Annual Meeting Monday, February 23, 2015; NOTE DATE CORRECTION 11:30 to 3--Cape Coral Moose Lodge 2199, 1555 Santa Barbara Blvd North, Cape Coral. 239-225-3530 Luncheon buffet (server will provide assistance), salad, coffee, tea and sheet cake included.Cost: $10 (includes tax but not gratuity) for members and guests R.S.V.P. by February 12, 2015--Make check out to CSEA Chapter 426 and mail to Treasurer Fortuna Atchinson, 1209 North East 5th Place, Cape Coral, FL 33909, 239-772-2157 Visit Our Web Site 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. CSEA Retiree Chapter 427 ANNUAL MEETING AND LUNCHEON East Central Florida---Saturday, February 7, 2015; NOTE DATE CORRECTION Social 11:30; Lunch 12:00 NOON --C.J. Cannon’s at the Airport, 3414 Cherokee Dr., Vero Beach (off Rt. 60) Phone: 772 567-7727. Luncheon selections: Pot Roast, Lemon Rosemary Chicken, Stuffed Sole. All entrees served with salad, mashed potatoes, vegetable medley, rolls; dessert, coffee & tea. COST: $22.00pp, including tax and tip. PAYMENT IS DUE BY: FEB. 1, 2015. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO CSEA CHAPTER 427 AND MAIL TO: Margaret Egan, 5150 9th St. Vero Beach, 32966. 772-569-5568 BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR MEAL SELECTION www.CSECreditUnion.com Lincoln’s Birthday February 12, 2015 CALL TOLL FREE Dividend Rates - Fourth Quarter 2014 Dividend Rate REGULAR SHARES 0.90% SHARE DRAFTS (Checking) 0.25% CLUB ACCOUNTS 0.40% Annual Percentage Yield 0.90% 0.25% 0.40% 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 800-894-9479 Washington’s Birthday February 16, 2015 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 MIDDLETOWN NEWINGTON STORRS SOUTHBURY Silver and Holmes St. 1244 Storrs Rd. Southbury Training School O’Neil Plaza P.O. Box 2485 2434 Berlin Turnpike Storrs, CT 06268 P.O. Box 644 Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 429-9306 Southbury, CT 06488 Newington, CT 06111 (860) 347-0479 (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 Visit Our Web Site: www.CSECreditUnion.com You can now reach CSEA Toll Free from anywhere in the country by calling: 800-894-9479 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 February, 2015 Page 4 centive th ar Of Scholarship In Ye 54 Its es at br le Ce McCusker plication McCusker Scholarship Ap 15 20 e Th . EA CS at re 1st, 2015. nth he a-ct.com, Sunday, February a change February is McCusker mo se w.c ww , ite bs we r ou on load day, April 30th, this is will be available for down received by CSEA by Thurs ons along with all accompanying be st mu s on ati plic ap D COMPLETE leted applicati is a hard deadline; Comp th. from previous years. This 30 ril before 4:30PM on Ap materials must be received ir hearts as donors to ividuals who gave from the s and their families. ind the lly cia pe es d an The Chapters, Councils to once again help our kid ildren of ip Fund have allowed us sh lar ho Sc er the children and grandch sk to Cu ips Mc r sh ou lar ho sc 0 0.0 ,00 67 individual $1 Last July we handed out whom are pictured here. of CSEA members, some The Trustees sker Scholarship program. Cu Mc r ou of ary ers niv an years, to provide 54th de by everyone over the This year celebrates the ma ort eff the te cia pre ap kids, and I, and especially the nts. on of our deserving stude ati uc ed the r the funds to fur we had enough funds to ed 140, and we wish that ed ce ex 14 20 in s on ati ly give out as much in The number of applic Unfortunately, we can on ts. an plic t we had ap r ou of all to h the 67 scholarships tha wit ar, award a scholarship ye st La ar. ye ery fore, we y we raise ev lf of our applicants. There ha er ov t scholarships as the mone jus to ip sh lar ho sker provide a sc MORE to the CSEA McCu ing giv r ide available, we were able to ns co to e on ery entive for ev hope that this will be an inc for years to come. d an w, Scholarship Fund no uncil 400 due to ate you received from Co reb the in se rea inc an t go r using some of 400 Maybe you could conside Most Chapters in Council s. ve dri C PA d an hip ers mb your participation in the me nation. rease your McCusker do inc lp he to y ne that extra mo te, when bruary, or for the last minu Fe in nth mo er sk Cu Mc ve to wait for Remember, you don’t ha ibution. in, in June, to make a contr ling rol rt sta to s on ati plic ap Brittany Kenyon Dionne Parker EN!! Donate NOW!! and OFT k, payable to your chec nation. Be sure to mail do ur yo pt ce ac to ed as We will always be ple l Scholarship Fund” to: the “McCusker Memoria CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 760 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 nway Attention – Bernadette Co Cusker Scholarship Fund mind and support your Mc Please keep our kids in 60,000 times. year. Thanks to you all, John & Kaitlyn LaBonte Alexandra Zampini throughout the Gladding Don cil 400 Coun ship Trustees Chair, McCusker Scholar Antonio Campelli Shyanne Palmer Christopher Smith Spozhmai Wardak CSEA NEWS February, 2015 SUPPORT UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL Saturday, March 7 th Connecticut’s Huskies Face-off Against the Temple Owls at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia! o nT Ope one! ry Eve CSEA Advocates to Keep Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield The health care cost containment committee, of which CSEA is a member is currently in the process of accepting proposals from health care companies to see who will be the state’s health care provider(s). VS. $95.00 Take advantage of CSEA’s ability to purchase tickets in bulk! Trip Includes: Game ticket with lower level seating, transportation, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages! Tickets are limited and supplied on a first come first serve basis. Deadline is February 20th. This Trip Will Sell Out. Don’t Wait, Call Today! Departure Points Windsor: Park & Ride off exit 38 on I-91 Waterbury: Park & Ride off exit 17 on I-84 Milford: Park & Ride off exit 55 on Merritt Parkway Page 5 In anticipation of the Healthcare Cost Containment Committee’s RFP process to select which health care company(s) will provide medical benefits to state retirees and their dependents going forward, the CSEA SEIU Local 2001 retiree council surveyed retired state employees about the health plan and wrote a letter to state comptroller Kevin Lembo informing him of the results. CSEA is advocating for the state to retain Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Currently, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare/Oxford are the two insurance companies that provide medical benefits to state retirees and their dependents. As part of our survey, we asked retired state employees about their level of satisfaction with Anthem Blue Cross/ Blue Shield & United Healthcare’s performance administering our medical benefits. Nearly all of our retirees belong to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and the survey revealed that a resounding 99% are in favor of keeping Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield as their benefits administrator. One of the biggest reasons that our members are so pleased with Anthem is their excellent customer service. Our members have a direct line to Adrian Walker, an account services representative and retiree specialist who deals with our contract. Other insurance companies that we have dealt with in the past have not been so responsive and do not offer the same kind of direct contact that Anthem provides. Happening Around Our Union Departure times will be announced once NCAA sets game time. Call CSEA for more information or to reserve your ticket: 860-324-8942 or 860-951-6614 St Patrick’s Day Parade Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman meets with P-4 Members at their annual holiday party Open To All! Saturday, March 14th In Partnership with the Hartford Labor delegation • 9:30am-Legislative Reception (in the Old Judicial Room of the Capitol Building: coffee, donuts and music. • 10:00am-Parade Line-up on Capitol Avenue, Opposite the Supreme Court Building • 11:00am-Parade Step-off. Loo the teak for msters Marching with Another Group? Come Say Hi! For More Information, Call Warren Packer at 860-878-0727 United States Congressman Joe Courtney (2nd Congressional District) spoke to Council 400 delegates at their January monthly meeting to discuss what’s happening in Washington D.C. and the Republican controlled congress. Congressman Courtney discussed legislation proposed by House Republicans to “manufacture a crisis” by altering rules around financial transfers to the disability insurance program. CSEA NEWS February, 2015 Page 6 CSEA Legislative Agenda Continued from Page 1 Legislation CSEA will be supporting through coalition with other organizations: • Paid Family Medical Leave: Through CSEA’s membership in the Campaign for Paid Family Leave, support the implementation of a system of Paid Family Leave; • Tax Fairness: Through CSEA’s membership in the Better Choices coalition, fight for a fair tax system that requires the wealthy to pay their fair share and does not force working people and retirees to make up the difference. Explore ideas such as a full exemption of Social Security benefits from state income taxes and the implementation of an intangible property tax; • True Pooling: Along with other unions that represent municipal and Board of Education employees, work to allow municipalities to participate directly in the State Employee Health Plan; • Hospital Insurance: Require insurance companies and providers to arbitrate rates to prevent any hospital closures; and • Low Wages Workers: Require large employers like Walmart to pay their workers a minimum of $15 an hour or pay a fee to the Connecticut General Fund and support the establishment of a Retail Workers Bill of Rights to protect the wages and working hours of retail workers. As we work to advance our agenda, we will also work to make sure the anti-public employee, anti-union, anticollective bargaining, and anti-retiree legislative proposals put forward every year do not become law. It is important to remember that when a bad bill is submitted, it is only a proposal, not an actual law. CSEA actively tracks bad bills and alerts members when necessary. The two issues that will take up most of the focus of this legislative session for the General Assembly will be the state budget and Governor Malloy’s transportation proposals. CSEA members will be fighting to pass a budget that funds the services and benefits provided and earned by our members. A budget that is not balanced on the backs of working families, but instead a fair budget that asks the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share. It is important that the experience, skills, and expertise of CSEA members are utilized to the fullest extent possible. Public employees can do it better, quicker, and for less. While CSEA members who work directly in the field of transportation look forward to working collaboratively with the Malloy administration, all CSEA members, regardless of the work we do, have a role to play. We must ensure that from transportation to education to law enforcement to health care to every issue of importance to CSEA members, our voices are heard. If you would like to get involved in helping advance CSEA’s legisaltive agenda, please contact our political director, Danny Medress, [email protected]. CSEA Highlights State Documents Showing State Employees Could Complete Transportation Projects At Half the Cost of Outside Consultants Department of Transportation Short Staffing Is Costing Taxpayers Millions. CSEA Calls for Cooperation in Staffing Department of Transportation at Appropriate Levels. Commissioner Redeker, Following the Governor’s inauguration address, CSEA delivered a letter to Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker applauding Governor Malloy’s plan to focus on transportation issues and calling for cooperation in staffing the DOT at appropriate levels so that the State is never again forced to waste tax dollars on outside consultants due to short staffing. The letter highlighted the State’s own cost-effectiveness evaluations that show construction engineering and inspections performed by inhouse state employees could be completed at half the cost of outside consultants in many instances, but that due to short staffing the State continues to depend on consultants to do much of its work. If state employees were used on more projects large and small, the evaluations showed that massive savings from 36% to 52% could be achieved. We’re optimistic that the administration is serious about ending wasteful practices. The State needs to stop paying other people to do its work; State employees save money and hiring more engineers at the DOT will reduce project costs as the State shifts its focus to transportation issues. Here is CSEA’s letter to Commissioner Redeker. small, this cost-effectiveness evaluation showed massive In yesterday’s inaugural address, savings from 36% to 52% Governor Malloy stated that he could be achieved. For large intends to focus on transportation projects, utilizing in-house in his second term saying, “We state employees would save an can build a transportation system estimated $4.7 million dollars that better connects us to one per contract according to the another and to the rest of the evaluation. world.” We have been saying for years We are writing you today to that privatization is a gigantic applaud that initiative and waste of resources, and now we highlight the fact that state finally have the Department’s employees can build that own evaluations to prove our transportation system for point. Connecticut could save significantly less than outside millions by performing more consultants. work in-house if only the Department of Transportation CSEA has obtained the State’s wasn’t so short staffed. CSEA cost-effectiveness evaluations estimates that if all construction for consultant construction projects had been performed engineering and inspection’ by in-house state employees, contracts through freedom of Connecticut would have saved information (FOI) requests. $50 million dollars in 2014. To These documents show that put that number in perspective, project inspections completed by Comptroller Kevin Lembo in-house state employees could announced this past Friday that be completed in many instances the State is on track to end Fiscal at half the cost of outside Year 2015 with a $31.6-million consultants. deficit. According to the documents, However, the State’s evaluation “Since the Department [of highlights understaffing as a Transportation] routinely serious obstacle to obtaining enters into many Consultant these savings, “The length of Construction Engineering and time required to establish and Inspection contracts impacting fill in-house positions related a significant amount of funding, to this work would be lengthy it was decided to complete three and would likely jeopardize the Cost Evaluations for this type of federal funding used to fund this service.” The State performed work which must be obligated those evaluations using historical within a specified period of data from inspection contracts time.” This shortage is being in the small, medium, and large exasperated by the hiring freeze ranges. If state employees were implemented in November to used on more projects large and help address the State’s projected FY15 budget deficit. We are using expensive outside contractors to do the State’s work because we can’t hire more people, and we can’t hire more people because the State is simultaneously dealing with a budget deficit caused in part by wasteful practices, like using outside contractors to do the state’s work. CSEA looks forward to working with you and Governor Malloy to break out of this cycle and achieve the savings promised by these evaluations. CSEA would like your commitment to work together to bring the staffing at the Department of Transportation to the appropriate levels. We should never be forced to waste tax dollars on outside inspection consultants due to short staffing. Stephen Anderson CSEA President, CSEA SEIU Local 2001 Travis Woodward, P.E. President, P-4 Council CSEA SEIU Local 2001 February, 2015 CSEA NEWS ¡Reduzca sus Child Care Providers: Reduce your impuestos! taxes! Maximize your payments from ¡Maximiza tus Care 4 Kids! pagos de Care 4 We had such a terrific response to our last tax forum in 2013 we are doing it again on Saturday, February 7th in Meriden. Family child care providers will Kids ! meet to talk about their favorite tax deductions and learn how to use the newly negotiated Care 4 Kids subsidy rates to their best advantage. There will be time for networking with other providers to share ideas and best business practices. The presenter, Gary Kriscenski, teaches accounting at Capitol Community College. He is eager to assist underappreciated family child care providers and explain how to use the tax system as a small business would. Lunch will be followed by the election of members who will represent your interests with the Office of Early Childhood as we roll out the contract benefits such as grants for improving your space and taking classes to improve your knowledge. We hope you will join us, take some time for yourself, meet your union leaders, and learn how we will develop CSEA Family Child Care Council. We will also set aside time to explore what happens when the licensing agent comes to your home for an inspection. We have heard many challenging stories in this regard. Do you have one to share? We will capture your concerns and develop an agenda to take to the Office of Early Childhood as they prepare to change the regulations regarding child care licensing. Come for the whole day or for the portion of the day that meets your needs. Please call the Union Hall to pre-register and let us know if you can give someone else a ride or need a ride yourself. 860-951-6614 Where? Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, 450 Murdock Ave, Meriden. When? February 7, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Who? This is a union members only event. However, family child care providers who take Care 4 Kids may join at the door. What? Bring a copy of your tax return from last year, and the 1099 that you should receive from Care 4 Kids at the end of January. Get your $500 CDA Bonus The first round of bonuses for family child care providers with a CDA will be available shortly. This round will cover family child care providers with children in their care who received a subsidy from Care 4 Kids during the time period May 2013 through December 31. If your CDA was current during this time frame, you should act now. There are two easy steps you need to take to receive this bonus. 1) Register yourself at Charts-A-Course. (If you don’t have access to a computer ask someone to help you or call the Union Hall.) It’s really easy. You join the professional registry by going to www.ctcharts.org and signing yourself up. Licensed family child care providers are already in the registry,Your information may not be complete, so double check it. 2) Mail or FAX a copy of your CDA to Charts-A-Course. There will be instructions for this when you go to the website. Need money to take a class? There is money readily available to family child care providers through Charts-a-Course for college level classes. To access them, go to www. ctcharts.org We are still working out the details for non-credit classes such as GED, first aid, ESL, and other workshops. Watch for updates via e-mail and through this newspaper. More Changes to Care 4 Kids? The Federal Government has reauthorized the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and President Obama has asked for an increase in funding to make more and better child care available to families at all income levels. (CCDBG is the backbone of the child care subsidy programs across the nation.) This is great news! However, if Congress does not invest at the level suggested by the President, the new rules governing our Care 4 Kids program will have to be implemented anyway. This Spring, the Office of Early Childhood will prepare the state’s response to the new federal guidelines. Parents and providers alike will need to be vigilant in tracking the changes the State intends to make to the subsidy program. There is a lot of room for interpretation, which could make life easier or harder for family child care providers and the parents they serve. Stay tuned for the opportunity to make your voice heard at the public hearings that will take place in early Spring. Yes! Spring will come eventually. !Tuvimos una respuesta tan estupendo para nuestro último foro fiscal en el 2013, lo estamos haciendo de nuevo el Sábado, 07 de febrero en Meriden. Proveedores de cuidado infantil se reunirá para hablar de sus deducciones fiscales y aprender a utilizar los aumentos recientemente negociados a su mejor ventaja con Care 4 Kids. También habrá tiempo para establecer contactos con otros proveedores para compartir ideas y mejores prácticas empresariales. El presentador, Gary Kriscenski, enseña contabilidad en el colegio comunitario de Hartford, Capitol Community College. Él está muy animado por ir repasar los aspectos prácticos de preparación de impuestos para las pequeñas empresas como ustedes, para poder recibir el máximo reembolso posible. El almuerzo será seguido por elecciones de miembros que van a representarse con la Oficina de Primera Infancia cuando hablamos como realizar los beneficios del contrato – renovaciones en su hogar y desarrollo profesional. Esperamos que se una a nosotros, tomar algún tiempo para uno mismo, conocer sus derechos sindicales, y aprender cómo vamos a desarrollar el concilio de proveedoras de CSEA. También vamos a discutir lo que hacen los inspectores de la licencia cuando vengan a su hogar. Hemos escuchado muchas historias difíciles en este sentido. ¿Tiene usted un ejemplo para compartir? Vamos a captar sus inquietudes y desarrollar una agenda para llevar a la Oficina de la Primera Infancia, mientras se preparan para cambiar los reglamentos relativos a la concesión de licencias de cuidado infantil. Pueden asistir el evento para el día completo o por dos o tres horas, dependen en sus necesidades. Favor de llamar a nuestra oficina para registrarse. Díganos si pueden ayudar con transportación o si necesitan. 860-951-6614 Page 7 Obtenga su $500 de Bono por tener un CDA Esta primera ronda de bonos para los proveedores de cuidado infantil en el hogar con un CDA estará disponible pronto. Se centrará en los proveedores de cuidado infantil familiar que tenían niños bajo su cuidado en el programa Care 4 Kids desde mayo 2013 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2014. Si tuvo un CDA durante estas fechas, tienen que tomar acción! Hay dos sencillos pasos que debes seguir para recibir este bono. 1 ) Registrar usted mismo en “Connecticut Charts A Course” www.ctcharts.org. Pide ayuda si no sabes manejar el internet. Puede crear una cuenta para usted fácilmente. 2 ) Envía por correo o fax una copia de su CDA a Charts -A- Course en la Oficina de la Primera Infancia . Habrá instrucciones para esto cuando vas a la página web . Necesita dinero para una clase ? Hay dinero fácilmente disponible para los proveedores de cuidado infantil en el hogar a través de “CT Charts-a-Course” para clases de nivel universitario. Para acceder a ellos puedes ir a www.ctcharts.org Todavía estamos trabajando en los detalles de las clases sin crédito tales como GED, primeros auxilios, ESL, y otros talleres. Por favor mantenga te pendiente para más actualizaciones por correo postal o electrónico. Otros Cambios en el Program Care 4 Kids? El Gobierno Federal vuelve a autorizar el “Block Grant,” y el Presidente Obama esta preguntándole al Congreso para más dinero por este programa. Si los legisladores nacionales no encuentran el dinero para mejoramientos, el estado todavía tiene que seguir las nuevas reglas. Esta primavera, la Oficina de la Primera Infancia preparará la respuesta del Estado a las nuevas ¿Adonde? Plumbers & Pipefitters directrices federales que rigen el Hall, 450 Murdock Avenue, Meriden programa de Care 4 Kids. Debido a los nuevos mandatos federales, ¿Cuando? February 7, 9:00 AM tendremos que estar atentos en to 2:30 PM. el seguimiento de los cambios que el Estado quiere hacer con ¿Para quién? el programa de subsidios. Hay Este evento es solamente un montón de espacio para la para miembros del sindicato. Se interpretación, lo que podría puede inscribir como miembro el hacer la vida más fácil o más difícil día del evento. para los proveedores de cuidado infantil. Manténgase atento a la ¿Qué llevar? Por favor lleve oportunidad de hacer oír su voz en una copia de su declaración de las audiencias públicas que tendrán impuestos del año pasado, y el lugar en la primavera. ¡Primavera si 1099 que debe recibir de Care 4 va llegar! Kids al final de enero. 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