The Voice of Connecticut`s Public Service

STR
ONGER
Local 2001
TOGETHER
December, 2015
CSEA NEWS
The Voice of Connecticut’s
Public Service Employees & Retirees
VOL. 48, NO. 12
CSEA SEIU Local 2001
Why “Freidrichs V. California
Teachers Association”
matters.
In Memory
of Hollis Block
Friedrichs is a “Wisconsin moment” for public
employees on a national scale.
Everyday Americans know it’s getting harder to get by, let alone get ahead—
they’ve been working more than ever before, harder than ever before, generating
billions in profits for an economic recovery that’s been everywhere but
ordinary peoples’ wallets. We work hard for our families, contribute to our
communities and seek to leave things a bit better off than we found them. But
big corporations and the wealthy few have rewritten the rules in their favor,
insisting the rest of us work more but have less, and bringing our entire economy
off balance.
But more people than we’ve seen in decades are standing up to change that.
They’re standing up to be able to join together at work and in their communities
to demand wages that sustain our families and the right to form a union. People
coming together in unions has been the only way we ensure an honest day’s
work gets you a fair day’s pay and that working for a living means you can still
have a life.Working people in unions fight for better wages, health care and
retirement security – and that benefits everyone in their workplace and their
industry.
Wealthy special interests and CEOs who are manipulating the rules in their
favor understand this connection; they get the power of the many against the
moneyed few. That’s why they are trying so hard to stop working people from
coming together. This is the significance of the Friedrichs v. California Teachers
Association case. Wealthy interests are trying to get the Supreme Court to do
their dirty work for them by restricting the rights of public servants to have a say
in their wages and how they protect our communities.
Friedrichs is a “Wisconsin moment” for public employees on a national scale.
The case asks that the justices overturn long-standing rights working people
depend on; rights that have been unanimously affirmed by previous Supreme
Court justices for decades and gave tens of millions of Americans a chance
to provide for their families and make life better for their kids. In 1977, the
Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education that
Continued on Page 7
Comptroller Lembo Offers
Alternative Pension Funding
Approach
Comptroller Kevin Lembo has offered an alternative pension funding
proposal for consideration to the proposal put forth by Governor Malloy in
which Tier 1 retirees would be separated from the SERS (State Employees’
Retirement System) and have their benefits funded on a pay-as-you-go basis.
As part of the Coalition of State Employee Unions which bargains pensions
– SEBAC -- CSEA is committed to discussing with the administration
options to address pension funding problems. This however is a delicate
matter because making the wrong choice could lead to significant problems
down the road. As such, CSEA along with other state employee unions
will insist upon careful analysis and due diligence for any proposal before
embracing or rejecting it.
It is important to understand that everything at this point is just an idea,
and that over the course of the next several months there will be many
more ideas both good and bad. By law, no changes can be made to the state
employee pension unless both the administration and the State Employees’
Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) agree.
In his press release announcing his proposal, Comptroller Lembo stated
that Governor Malloy’s recent proposal - to separate Tier 1 retirees from
the SERS (State Employees’ Retirement System) and fund their benefits on
a pay-as-you-go basis - has some significant strengths, because it creates
more manageable and predictable costs over the long-term and establishes
Continued on Page 7
Hollis Block, CSEA’s retiree coordinator
passed away unexpectedly on November
28th, 2015 at her home in Colchester
Connecticut. Hollis was the daughter
of the late Sol and Helen (Pincus) Block.
Born on April 17, 1954, Hollis spent most
of her youth growing up in New York
City. She married Dominic Cavallari on
July 15, 1992. Hollis attained a Masters
Degree in Social Work and joined the
CSEA family in 2001. Hollis was a
dedicated and knowledgeable source for
all things retiree related. She was predeceased by her beloved son Hayden on
May 21st of this year. She grieved deeply
for his loss and missed him dearly. She
is survived by her husband of 23 years,
Dominic and several extended family and
friends. Our CSEA family has lost a dear friend
and valued colleague. For those who
knew Hollis, and the many whom she
assisted over the years, this was an
unexpected blow.
She will be greatly missed.
Council 400 member Roger Ives will fill in as CSEA’s temporary
Retiree Coordinator to address retiree issues with the state until
further notice.
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
January/February
Meetings & Events
COUNCIL 400 DELEGATES:
Thursday, Jan. 21, 10:00 AM,
Due to construction at CSEA, this month’s meeting will be held at the William
Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield st. Wethersfield.
CHAPTER 401 (Hartford area):
Thursday, Jan. 7. 12:15 Brunch, Meeting at 1pm
CSEA, 760 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT
Speaker: Daniel Medress, CSEA Political Director
Tom Corrigan 860-674-8221
CHAPTER 402 (Danbury area):
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 10:00 AM,
United Methodist Church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury.
Contact: President Dawn Gallagher at (203) 748-2018.
CHAPTER 403 (Norwich area):
Tuesday, Jan 12, 1:30 PM
Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Dr., Norwich.
Speaker: Ben Phillips, CSEA Communications Director, union update
For more information call President Carol Burgess at 860-859-3641
CHAPTER 404 (Waterbury area):
Thursday, Jan 14, 2:00 PM,
Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway
(exit 17 off I-84), Waterbury.
Speaker: TBD
Contact: President Ron Chasse at (860) 945-0768.
CHAPTER 405 (New Haven area):
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1:00 PM,
Energize CT, 120A Universal Drive, North Haven
Speakers: TBD
Andy Gambardella at (203) 468-7376.
CHAPTER 406 (Middletown area):
Tuesday, Jan. 12, Social 1:00, meeting at 1:30
American Legion Post 75, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Dr., Middletown.
Contact: President Joe Formica at (860) 347-4532.
CHAPTER 407 (Bridgeport area):
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 12:30 PM Social
St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church, 1300 Stratford Rd.,
Stratford (on Rt. 113 toward Sikorsky Airport).
Speaker: Ben Phillips, Communications Director, union update
Contact: President Carol Donofrio at (203) 888-2920.
CHAPTER 408 (Willimantic area):
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1:00 PM, Baptist Church, 945 Storrs Rd, Storrs CT.
Speaker: Lynn White from Growing Stronger and State Senator Mae Flexor
Contact: President Betty Gardner at 860-456-1480
CHAPTER 410 (Windsor Locks area):
Monday, Jan 11, 1:00PM
Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge St, Suffield.
Speaker: Roger Ives will be showing films on OUTSMARTING INVESTMENT FRAUD and FINANCIAL DECISIONS.
Contact President Amelia Smith 860-687-1848
CHAPTER 411 (Rocky Hill area):
Thursday, Jan. 14, 1:00 PM,
William J. Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield.
Speaker: Adrian Walker of Anthem
Contact: President Sebastian Puglisi at (860) 529-8336.
CHAPTER 412 (Putnam area):
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1:30 PM,
Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St, Putnam
Speaker: Putnam Police Department on Safety
Contact: President Don Gladding at (860) 564-9092.
CHAPTER 414 (Torrington area):
Monday, Jan. 18 , 10-11 am
Torrington UConn Campus Extension Building. University Drive,Torrington
Contact President Karen Pineman 860-354-6727
Page 2
CHAPTER 415 (Manchester area):
Monday, Jan. 25, 1:00 PM,
Elks Lodge, 33 Bissell St. Manchester.
Speaker: Fire Marshal Christian Frezza to talk fire safety.
Contact: Dorothy Tomlinson at 860-647-1216
CHAPTER 416 (New London area):
Tuesday, January 12, 1:00 PM,
Waterford Public Library,
Contact Les Shapiro at 860-442-5256
CHAPTER 417 (Plainville area):
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1:00 PM,
Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church, 115 West Main St., Plainville.
Speaker: Mark Collello, Exercise Physiologist, Southington Care center will
discuss the Good Life Fitness Program. The program helps adults in living
the good life.
Contact: President Cathy Toscano at (860) 845-2927.
CHAPTER 418 (4Cs):
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 10:00 AM,
4Cs, 907 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford
Contact: President Bill Searle at (860) 745-3692.
CSEA Daytona Retiree Chapter 421 Annual Meeting
February 3rd, 11:30am at the Halafax plantation club house.
3400 club house drive, ormond beach FL, 32174
Pat ALbert 386-615-6805, Chapter Secretary.
Three Choices: Beef burgundy with mushrooms, Stuffed Jumbo shrimp with
crab and lobster meat stuffing, Stuffed chicken with season country dressing.
All meals come with a slalad rolls and butter, a starch and a vegetable, coffee
or tea.
17$ for members, 22 for non-members.
Checks mailed to: treasurer Fred Gruner, 2919 North Peninsula Dr. Datona
Beach FLorida, 32118-3122
RSVP before January 25th.
CSEA Retiree Chapter 422, West Central Florida-Ocala Area
Friday, February 12,2016; 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,Topped 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: $8.50, Guests: $13.00.
Deadline for Reservations: February 1, 2016. Please send choice of
meal and check to: James Carper,4357 Indianhead Road, Hernando, FL.
34442-2890. Phone # 352-726-3545 Chapter 422 President ,Chris
Lafferty:352-527-7199 CSEA Retiree East Coast Chapter 423 Luncheon and Meeting
Monday, February 8, 2016: Luncheon and Meeting: 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, or Plain Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Cost: $20 Members; $25 Non-members and Guests
Reservation Deadline: Friday, January 29, 2016 Make check payable to
CSEA Chapter 423, and mail with your menu selection to: Treasurer
Phyllis Bonfoey, 8250 NW 95 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321
(Please note the luncheon price increase due to higher costs of the Delray
Sands Resort.) Nancy Driscoll, CSEA Retiree Council 400 Executive
Committee member and Liaison of our Out of CT Chapters, along with
representatives from the State Health Plans of Anthem, CIGNA (dental), and
CVS Caremark/SilverScript will be present to assist members and answer
your questions.
ALL CONNECTICUT RETIREES WELCOME
424 Annual Meeting
Monday, February 15 at the Sandcastle Resort, Candlelight Restaurant Lido
Beach from 9:30 AM to 11AM. Buffet Breakfast $12 for members; $16 for
non-members. State healthcare vendors and Nancy Driscoll are planning to
attend. RSVP no later than February 8, 2016. Make check payable to C424
and mail to John Kirker, 1700 Ben Franklin Drive, Unit 7E, Sarasota, FL
34236 941-388-1024
CSEA NEWS
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Page 3
CSEA Ft Myers Retiree Chapter 426 Luncheon and Annual Meeting
Tuesday, February 17, 2016; 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, PO Box 1209 NE
5th Place, Cape Coral,, FL 33909 239-772-2157
427 Chapter 427, Vero Beach,
CSEA Chapter 427, February meeting has been changed to FRIDAY, Feb.
5, 2016. The Social is at 11:30 A.M.; the Luncheon is at 12:00 P.M.
C.J. Cannon’s at Vero Beach Airport; (772) 567-7727. Cost $22 per person
including tax and tip. Member or guest
Luncheon selections, pot roast, chicken or stuffed sole. All entrees are
served with salad , potatoes , rolls, dessert, coffee and tea.
Payment is due Feb. 1, 2016.Make checks payable to CSEA 427 and mail
to Margaret Egan, 5150 9th St., Vero Beach, Fl. 32966. (772) 569-5568.
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR MEAL SELECTION. *Annual Percentage Rate.
Appraisal, title search and
recording fees apply. All rates are
subject to change without notice.
Visit Our Website: www.CSECreditUnion.com
CHAPTER 431 (Coastal Carolina area),
Tuesday February 23 (Rescheduled from October)
(11:30 a.m. meeting, lunch follows at 12:15 PM),
The Golden Corral at 868 Oak Forest Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC. Cost: $12 (includes lunch, tax, gratuity). Reservation deadline: October 10
(mail payment, payable to “Lyle Chichester, Chapter 431 Treasurer,”
to 209 Chestnut Springs Way, Williamston, SC 29697) Contact: Treasurer Lyle Chichester at (864) 328-9419.
Cape Cod chapter 441
Cape Cod chapter 441 will hold its spring meeting on Wednesday April
20th , 2016 in the cape cod 5 bank board room across from the patriot’s
mall. The meeting will be from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon
There will be a brief business meeting followed by a union update by
Nancy Driscoll, followed by presentations by current benefit providers.
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.
Light refreshments will be served. Members are asked to park in the
lower parking lot behind the bank or in the lot near ring brothers grocery
so that we do not interfere with bank patrons ability to park.
www.CSECreditUnion.com
Early Close Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24
All branches and drive thru will
close at 1:30PM
Closed Christmas Day
Friday, December 25
Closed New Years Day
Friday, January 1
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7 Full Service Offices To Serve You
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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
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1244 Storrs Rd. Southbury Training School
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Newington, CT 06111
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(860) 429-9306
Southbury, CT 06488
(860) 667-7668
Middletown, CT 06457
(203) 267-7610
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Branches: Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4pm
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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
Happening Around Our Union:
Holiday
Turkey
Drive
On November 24th, active
and retired CSEA members
came together to distribute
Thanksgiving meals to struggling
union members around
Connecticut through CSEA’s
“Good Works” Committee. Everyone who participated in
this year’s good works event
should be commended for
donating time and money
to make Thanksgiving a little
brighter for our union brothers
and sisters who are struggling to
feed their families.
Clockwise: Steve Anderson and
Ray McCabe unload turkeys.
Tom Connolly Janette Smith,
Matt Lyman, Ray McCabe US
Congressman Joe Courtney,
Secretary of the State Denise
Merrill, and State Representative
Russ Morrin ready to deliver
packages, and Tom Connolly,
Russ Morrin, Joe Courney, Denise
Merrill, Sue Pierson, Lizzy Anderson,
Stephen Anderson, Representative
Matt Ritter, Comptroller Kevin
Lembo and Matt Lyman pose for a
group photo.
P-4 Holiday
Party
Hundreds attended the annual P-4
holiday party at the Farmington
Club on December 10th. Attendees
were greeted by Liutenant Governor
Nancy Wyman and Attorney General
George Jepsen who thanked CSEA P-4
members for their service to the state
of Connecticut. Pictured: Linda KingCorbin with George Jepsen and Tina
Franco with Nancy Wyman
Page 4
CSEA NEWS
Page 5
Bus Yard
Negotiations
Bus drivers and monitories across
Connecticut are standing up and
fighting for stronger and fair contracts.
Pictured: DATTCO members prepare
for the bosses to enter the union hall
to present their contact proposals.
Child Care
Council
Child Care provider Queen Freelove
was sworn in as the child care council
delegate to the CSEA executive council
at the November meeting.
Council 400
Holiday Parties
Council 400 chapters statewide
celebrated the holiday season
throughout December with regional
luncheons for retirees. Pictured:
Chapter 415 officers at the annual
holiday party. L-R Ed Daly, Chet
Morgan, Donna McElduff, Dan Sullivan,
Dorothy Tomlinson
Social Activities
Here are some of the trips CSEA’s Social Activities Committee
is working on for the coming year. As the CSEA News goes to
print, some information has yet to be determined.
Lake Compounce
Saturday, June 4th. $39 pp
Yankees Vs. Red Sox in NY
July 16. Saturday game.
Please call CSEA at 860-951-6614
to check trip availability
or for more information
Overnight Trip to Lancaster, PA
& Sightseeing Cruise in Philadelphia
Sight and Sound Theater for production of Sampson, & sightseeing cruise in Philadelphia
4 meals: two breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners also included
$279 PP. May 16-May 18.
Bermuda Curise from NY
June 2016 with Norwegian cruise lines.
Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia
July 2016.
CSEA NEWS
Time to Celebrate our Family
Child Care Union! As we look
back on the year, we have lots to
celebrate. Our union is bigger than
ever, as most of the providers who
attend the orientations are signing up
to become CSEA members.They like
what they hear about free classes, help
to get licensed, and the opportunity
for networking with other providers.
More providers are working together
to improve their work and their lives.
With money made available through
the contract,Waterbury initiated an
all-Spanish course to obtain their
Child Development Associate (CDA)
certification. Thirty providers are half
way through the class and anticipate
receiving their $500 bonus for
achieving the CDA.
Family Child Care providers joined the
Child Care Fight for $15 Campaign,
which now includes center-based
directors and teachers, and parents
who struggle just as hard as providers
to make ends meet. Bridgeport family
child care providers are working
together with Senator Marilyn Moore
on a forum concerning child care
wages and low-wages in general.
Parents can’t afford to pay more, caring
for young children is important work,
and the child care workers deserve
to earn a living wage. We stand in
solidarity on this issue.
SEIU negotiated some great rates
on a solid liability insurance plan as a
members-only benefit for our family
child care providers. Don’t be caught
unprepared when something happens
on your premises. You need to make
sure you are protected. Check it out
at http://programmanagersinc.com/seiu or
call 1-800-473-0111.
Be on the Lookout
At our Family Child Care Council
meeting on December 12, we learned
that the State is considering – with
a push from the federal government
– to discontinue payments for care
by relatives. We will be sharing more
about possible changes as soon as the
Office of Early Childhood makes their
plans public. The state must submit
the new Care 4 Kids Plan to the
federal government by March 1.
Take advantage of your
benefits. Contract benefits can be
accessed in groups or as an individual.
Licensing: If you are now a provider
caring for a relative’s child, you could
be paid much more by becoming a
licensed child care provider.You are
not required to take in unrelated
children, but you do need to pass
a home inspection. The licensing
process is all about health and safety
and it starts with an application that
you get from the Office of Early
Childhood. The $40 application fee is
returned to you if you eventually get
the license.You need to take a class in
First Aid, but the union contract pays
for that class. At the end of one year,
you are awarded a bonus of $500 by
Care 4 Kids if you are still caring for a
Care 4 Kids family.
Any child care provider who
participates in Care 4 Kids is eligible
for free classes at any institution of
higher education including your local
Community College, University of
Connecticut, Charter Oak College,
and more. You would contact the
Office of Early Childhood (OEC)
through www.ctcharts.org as the first
step. It is through this portal that you
will receive scholarship money to take
a course. At the same time, you apply
to the school of your choice and let
them know that you have requested
a scholarship from the OEC. Spring
semester is right around the corner.
By February 2016 the OEC is also
going to offer our members the ability
to take classes and workshops online for free through the Child Care
¡Llegó el momento de
celebrar nuestro Sindicato de
Cuidado Infantil Familiar!
un salario digno. Ofrecemos nuestra
solidaridad con relación a estos
asuntos.
presentar el nuevo Plan de Care 4
Kids ante el gobierno federal, el 1 de
marzo a más tardar.
Cuando reflexionamos sobre un
año ajetreado de primicias, tenemos
mucho que celebrar. Nuestro
sindicato es más grande que nunca,
debido al éxito de las orientaciones
que llevamos a cabo junto con la
Oficina de la Primera Infancia y
Care 4 Kids. Al parecer hicimos algo
bien durante las negociaciones del
contrato porque la mayoría de los
proveedores que asistieron a las
orientaciones se están inscribiendo
para ser miembros de CSEA. Les
gusta lo que han oído decir sobre
clases gratuitas, ayuda para obtener
una licencia y la oportunidad de
crear redes de contactos con otros
proveedores.
SEIU negoció algunas tarifas
estupendas en el plan de seguro de
responsabilidad civil, como beneficio
exclusivo para miembros ofrecido
a los proveedores de cuidado
infantil familiar que son miembros
de nuestro sindicato. No esté
desprevenido cuando algo suceda
en su propiedad. Debe asegurarse
de estar protegido. Proveedores
de todas partes de la nación han
alabado con entusiasmo el servicio
del bolsista, Program Managers Inc., y
el producto, que incluye un beneficio
especial por ingreso perdido si su
negocio es cerrado por una razón
cubierta. Para mayor información,
visite http://programmanagersinc.com/
seiu o llame al 1-800-473-0111.
Aproveche sus beneficios.
Efectivamente, muchos más
proveedores están trabajando juntos
para mejorar su trabajo y su vida.
Con el dinero que se hizo disponible
por medio del contrato, Waterbury
inició un curso totalmente en
español para obtener certificación
como Asociado en Desarrollo Infantil
(CDA, por sus siglas en inglés).
Treinta proveedores ya van por la
mitad de la clase y prevén recibir su
bono de $500 por lograr la CDA.
Los proveedores de Cuidado Infantil
Familiar se unieron a la Campaña
de la Lucha a Favor del Cuidado
Infantil por $15, que ahora incluye a
directores y maestros en los centros
de guardería, así como padres que
luchan tanto como los proveedores
para cubrir sus gastos. En Bridgeport,
los proveedores de cuidado infantil
familiar están trabajando junto con
la Senadora Marilyn Moore en un
foro relacionado con bajos sueldos
en general, pero específicamente
con los sueldos por cuidado infantil.
El mensaje es…Los padres no
pueden darse el lujo de pagar más,
cuidar a niños pequeños es trabajo
importante, y los proveedores de
cuidado infantil se merecen ganar
Los beneficios del contrato pueden
ser accedidos en grupos o de manera
individual.
Esté alerta
Licencia: Si usted actualmente es
un proveedor que está cuidando
al hijo de un pariente, podría estar
ganando mucho más dinero si
obtiene la licencia de proveedor
de cuidado infantil. Usted no tiene
la obligación de cuidar a niños no
emparentados, pero sí debe pasar la
inspección de su hogar. El proceso
de obtener la licencia se enfoca en la
salud y la seguridad, y comienza con
el formulario de solicitud que usted
consigue de la Oficina de la Primera
Infancia. Si usted obtiene la licencia,
será reembolsado $40 por el costo
de la solicitud. Usted debe tomar una
clase sobre Primeros Auxilios, pero el
contrato del sindicato paga por esa
clase. Al final de un año, Care 4 Kids
le otorgará un bono de $500 si usted
aún está cuidando a una familia de
Care 4 Kids.
En la reunión del Consejo de
Cuidado Infantil Familiar, que se
celebró el 12 de diciembre, nos
enteramos de que el Estado está
considerando –con empuje del
gobierno federal– suspender los
pagos por cuidado proporcionado
por parientes. Se sostuvo una
importante conversación sobre
esta posibilidad y muchas otras, y
se tomó la decisión de asistir al
mayor número posible de audiencias
públicas relacionadas con este
tema durante el mes de enero.
Proporcionaremos más información
sobre los posibles cambios tan
pronto la Oficina de la Primera
Infancia dé a conocer sus planes.
Demos gracias de que alguien de
nuestro sindicato es miembro del
Consejo Consultivo Estatal, ya que
este grupo tendrá que aprobar el
plan de Care 4 Kids. El Estado debe
Todo proveedor de cuidado infantil
que participe en Care 4 Kids es
elegible para tomar clases gratuitas
en una institución de educación
superior, por ejemplo: el Colegio
Comunitario local, University of
Connecticut, Charter Oak College, y
más. El primer paso sería que usted
se comunique con la Oficina de la
Primera Infancia (OEC) por medio
de www.ctcharts.org. Ahí usted ingresa
sus datos de contacto de manera
que la OEC pueda seguir sus logros.
Por medio de este portal, usted
recibirá el dinero de la beca para
tomar un curso. Al mismo tiempo,
usted solicita a la escuela de su
elección y les informa que usted
ha solicitado una beca de la OEC.
Pronto empezará el semestre de
primavera. Si usted estaba pensando
hacer una resolución de Año Nuevo,
haga una cita para cursar estudios
Desde reclutar a nuevos
miembros, hasta tomar acción en
el terreno, hasta recibir apoyo de
nuestro Sindicato Internacional,
verdaderamente ha sido un año
digno de celebrar.
Page 6
Education Institute (CCEI). On-line
professional development will be
in Spanish and English, with some
courses carrying college credit. It will
also be possible to prepare for the
Child Development Associate (CDA)
certificate through CCEI. This would
mean a $500 bonus in your pocket.
Stay tuned.
First Aid, CPR and Medical Management
classes will also be available for free to
Care 4 Kids family child care providers
after the first of the year through the
United Way of CT.
-----------------------------------Payment rates will be going
up again on January 1, 2016!
Check the Care 4 Kids website if
you need to know what to charge
parents for 2016. www.ctcare4kids.
com is where you go get the latest
information on rates as well as the
maximum parents can make to be
eligible for the subsidy. Licensed
providers should begin to experience a
real difference in the amount received
for infant and toddler care, as we
approach a 20% increase over the
rates that were being before we had a
contract.
más avanzados.
Para febrero de 2016, la OEC
también ofrecerá a nuestros
miembros la posibilidad de tomar
clases y talleres gratuitos en línea
(on-line) por medio del Instituto de
Educación sobre Cuidado Infantil
(Child Care Education Institute, o
CCEI). El desarrollo profesional en
línea se ofrecerá en español e inglés,
con crédito universitario por algunos
cursos. Usted puede aprender cosas
nuevas mientras se relaja en sus
piyamas o mientras sus hijos estén
tomando una siesta. Además, será
posible prepararse para el certificado
de Asociado en Desarrollo Infantil
(CDA) por medio de CCEI. Esto
significaría un bono de $500 en su
bolsillo. Manténgase al tanto.
Las clases de Primeros Auxilios,
RPC y Administración Médica
también estarán disponibles gratis,
después del primero del año, para
los proveedores de cuidado infantil
familiar de Care 4 Kids, por medio de
United Way of CT. A finales de enero,
le informaremos con quién debe
comunicarse en United Way.
-----------------------------------Las tarifas de pagos subirán otra
vez el 1 de enero de 2016. Si usted
necesita saber cuánto cobrarles a los
padres para el año 2016, visite el sitio
web de Care 4 Kids. www.ctcare4kids.
com es donde usted puede obtener
la información más actualizada
sobre las tarifas y el salario máximo
que pueden ganar los padres para
ser elegibles para el subsidio. Los
proveedores con licencia empezarán
a ver una verdadera diferencia en la
suma que reciben por cuidar a bebés
y niños pequeños entre un año y
dos años de edad, a medida que nos
acercamos a un aumento del 20%
en las tarifas que existían antes del
contrato.
CSEA NEWS
Page 7
Comptroller Lembo Offers Alternative Pension
Funding Approach Continued from page 1
a well-funded system for nonTier1 employees. However, Lembo
said the proposal raises important
questions, including:
•
What is the impact on federal
and other fund fringe benefit
recoveries?
•
How will credit markets react
to splitting Tier 1 members into
a pay-as-you-go plan?
•
Are there legal constraints on
the method of separating the
assets between the two groups?
•
Will there be an impact on the
pre-tax status of Tier 1 member
pension contributions?
•
What is the long-term cost
to the state in foregone
investment returns as a result
of abandoning a prefunded
strategy for Tier 1 employees
and retirees?
Citing concerns by the Government
Finance Officers Association
(GFOA), which urges caution against
using open ended amortization
periods (the period of time it takes
to pay down a debt), Lembo said,
“More traditional adjustments to
our pension funding system have the
potential to achieve the same goals
without creating the uncertainty
inherent in the unorthodox
approach of moving a portion of
retirees to a pay-as-you-go plan or
moving to an open amortization
schedule.”
As an alternative, Lembo
recommended:
•
Extending the current
amortization period;
•
Lowering investment return
assumptions; and,
•
Changing the methodology for
accounting for investment gains
Why “Freidrichs V.
California Teachers
Association” matters.
and losses based on variations
between actual and assumed
experience.
Lembo also proposed regular
independent comprehensive audits
of the plans’ actuarial valuations to
determine the reasonableness of the
actuarial methods and assumptions
being used.
“Such regular audits will help right
the ship should the state begin to
veer off course again,” Lembo said,
noting that GASB (Governmental
Accounting Standards Board)
recommends such audits every five
to eight years.
“The problems with our current funding
systems are clear, but we must be very
careful to avoid crafting a solution that
creates additional unnecessary longterm costs to the state. A traditional
approach that is rooted in actuarial
best practices will limit all of the above
risks and should be our first option in
tackling this problem.
“I propose we engage the plans’
actuaries to investigate the potential
for a traditional solution to our current
funding problems that will meet
generally accepted actuarial best
practices, retain market confidence and
create a predictable payment schedule
that establishes a clear path to paying
off our past obligations.”
Our pension’s funding problems
were created largely by the
unilateral actions of the state
government prior to the advent of
collective bargaining of the pension
in the late 1970s and exacerbated
by actions insisted upon by various
governors since then, especially John
Rowland.
CSEA McCusker
Scholarship Fund:
Continued from page 1
when public sector employees
choose to join together in a
union that benefits everyone,
that everyone can be asked to
contribute to the cost of improving
things like wages, healthcare and
paid leave for our families.
Fundamentally, this lawsuit would
try to silence those who serve the
public from using their professional
expertise to speak up together
in order to better protect and
serve our communities. This case
could upend the lives of millions of
working people in dozens of states
across the country, including here in
Connecticut by disrupting hundreds
of agreements that protect working
people, improve the health and
safety of our communities and
provide better schools for our
kids; and cause years of costly and
divisive political battles.
The wealthy special interests and
CEOs pushing this case seek to
eliminate a fee that non-union
members may be asked to pay
toward covering the costs of
bargaining contracts that improve
their pay, benefits and other
working conditions. Every public
service worker who enjoys the
benefits and protections negotiated
by the union should contribute
to the costs of negotiating those
benefits and protections.
The good news is that while a
handful of wealthy special interests
and CEOs want to push the
country in one direction, tens of
thousands of people are standing
up to change our country for the
better for everyday Americans.
They are calling for a hard day’s
work to earn a fair day’s pay—and
the right to band together to
improve their workplaces and their
communities.
We need an economy that benefits
all Americans—one that rewards
hard work and gives everyone a
free and fair shot at a better life.
The Court should not step in and
do something that will make it even
harder for people to provide for
their families and get ahead. Instead,
the Court should heed the voices
of everyday people and uphold our
right to band together with one
voice for a stable economy and a
prosperous future.
February is McCusker Month (as it is every year), and it will be
here before we know it! We are soliciting donations from Councils,
Chapters and individuals right now. They can be sent to the McCusker
Scholarship Fund, 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106. We give thanks
to all who have contributed throughout the years and hope it inspires
more donations for this very important cause.
Without the generosity of numerous individuals, Chapters, and Councils
there would not be a McCusker Scholarship. Thanks to the generous
support of individual Union members, as well as their Chapters and
Councils who help raise this year’s funds.
Our Trustees want to thank each and every donor for their financial
support, whether it was in honor of a member who has recently passed
away, or just keeping up with an annual tradition. Your gift has helped
make this possible.
The 2016 McCusker Scholarship Application will be available for
download on our website, www.csea-ct.com, Monday, February 1st, 2016. COMPLETED applications must be received by CSEA by
April 30th. This is a hard deadline; Completed applications along with
all accompanying materials must be received before 4:30PM on April 30th. Did you know that CSEA
has a Facebook page?
If you use Facebook, “Like” our page today!
SEIU Local 2001
Look For
Our Logo!
Stronger Together
PS: We’re on twitter too!
CALL
TOLL FREE
800-894-9479
You can now reach CSEA Toll Free from
anywhere in the country by calling:
800-894-9479